5th show into their 15 show West Coast Tour Replica and Complete Exposition have already set the bar very very high for the "local" talent to reach. The Biko Garage Collective hosted these two super shredders along with LA's Obliterations and the brand brand brand new SB/Ojai Catastrophe.First... the Biko rules. Hosting DIY shows for as long as I can remember - early 2000 - from Against Me (before they drank from water bottles and other things they stood 'against'), Kylesa, Vitamin X, The Geeks, to pretty much every Indie/Hipster/Acoustic/Bum Rock jam you cold think of. Ran by a collective of punks and college kids that truly embodies the philosophy from "donations only" to spreading the DIY Gospel... I can't say enough great things about this place! Many many many good times had.
Starting it off in their second appearance was Catastrophe. Members of all kinds of rad stuff including Become and Midnite Brain these guys and gal set out to start a hardcore band. Mission accomplished. Very very solid for just starting but they all know what they're doing. Maura gets brutal on the mic with Dicharge-esque, classic crust feel on the delivery over tastey riffs full of Black Flag, RKL and everything old school and FAST.
Then setting up, after enjoying Isla Vista's Woodstock's Pizza, were Complete Exposition from Osaka, Japan. More then any one this was the band I had come to see - I've got a fetish for Japanese Thrash/fast core stuff and this was right up my alley! Jelly Roll Rock Heads, Anti-System, Nice view and ANYTHING off Thrash Ahoy.... these guys had it all. 3 piece assault, seriously fast and perfect riffage with very little English spoken between the members. Hardcore mixed with fast core all rolled into one while rolling on the floor. A must hear, must see thrash fest! Words cant explain... oh yeah... they both played bass! One with power chords and one with bassy riffs... tough as hell!
Finally up were the Bay Area's REPLICA. Members of No Statik, Infect, X's X's, Duck and Cover to name a few bands I've only barely heard of. Members from Brazil and everywhere else...like most people who "Live" in Oakland few are actually born there. I had heard the recording and thought I knew what to expect. These ladies plus dude drummer completed shredded my psyche from the very first note. Brutal vocals and riffs the four piece ripped the crowd a new one and was the perfect end to a perfect show!
If you get a chance GO TO THEIR SHOWS!!! Here's the rest of their Tour Dates
Aug - 8 - LA - East 7th Venue in Downtown L.A. (E. 7th & Decatur) with Bastard Noise, To the Point, Blazing Eye
Aug - 9 - San Diego - The Spot
Aug - 10 - LA - The Power of the Riff Fest
Aug - 11 - San Jose - House of the Dead Rat
Aug - 12 - Arcata - The Big Tree
Aug - 13 - Tacoma - 2nd Cycle Tacoma's Community Cycle Center
Aug - 14 - Olympia - Le Voyeur
Aug - 15 - Seattle - Black Lodge
Aug - 16 - Portland - Blackwater
Aug - 17 - Oakland - Dead Fest (CE only)
Aug - 18 - San Francisco - The Knockout
A Few More Photos From My Crappy Camera Phone
Catastrophe
Completed Exposition
Obliterations
Completed Exposition
Replica
