Southern California’s Unwritten Law once used to be a skate punk band that was a ritual in my ears. I popped in their cassette in my trusty Walkman daily and used them as a soundtrack to my life. As the years went by, they kept dropping albums and thier songs followed me around.
The first time I ever saw Unwritten Law was at a Warped Tour in some stone-covered parking log in Cleveland in the mid-nineties. They were just what my young ears were looking for. Weeks later they opened for Bad Religion at the infamous Agora. That was all I needed, I was an instant fan. From there on I made a point to see them live every time they came to Cleveland.
I can sit here and recall portions of my life that included an Unwritten Law song. I remember having a first kiss to “Catlin” in my beat up Cutlas Calais and years later hearing a girl admit their love to me in some dindgey-ass Kent State apartment while “Because Of You” played in the background. The songs pose as prompts to personal memories that will last for a lifetime thanks to a band that I have seen live easily over 12 times.
After battles with drugs and alcohol as well as with a brush with death due to a fire that claimed all of lead singer Scott Russo’s possessions (but not family), the band took all of their problems and issues and used them as fuel to write an all new album. Recently the band, including original members Russo and bassist Pat “PK” Kim, dropped Swan, their sixth studio album on Breaksilence Recordings/Suburban Noize Records.
“Starships and Apocalypse” started off the 11-track album with a more rock driven feel with Russo in singing about some Gucci knock-off glasses wearing woman who clearly is out of this world. “Nevermind” followed with a more Killers synthesizer sound going on in the background. “Dark Dayz” slightly hinted to older sounding Unwritten Law making for a good track to listen to. I love the way how Russo can still tell a story while singing.
Out of nowhere came “Sing” an acoustic song that just put the breaks on the entire album. For those of you that have heard Music In High Places you can agree with me that UL plays great acoustical songs. Gentle and just beautiful to listen to, this was one of my favorite cuts on the album.
“Let You Go” was more of a ballad than a song. The track lead up to an explosion of group vocals that laid behind Russo’s vocals. Just by listening to it you can tell there was a lot of effort put into it. I loved the change up when the bass took over only for it to build up again.
“Chicken (Ready To Go)” featured hip-hop god Del Tha Funkee Homosapien. The first time I listened to this song I just shook my head and wondered why in the hell did there have to be a hip-hop/rock song on this album. The truth is, the track is actually kind of catchy. I loved Del’s raps (as always) and really got a kick about half way though the song when Del steps back and lets Russo do his thing for the chorus.
“Love Love Love” was a touching track that I am positive will land on a mix for that next special someone out there that steals my heart. It was a ballad by a punk rock back with a lot of heart and a ton of talent.
Unwritten Law leans more towards a rock act these days, but still they have not completely lost that punk rock edge I adored the first time I heard them. A lot can happen in fifteen years and this band is proof of that. From playing side stages to headlining their own shows, Unwritten Law has paved their way to rock-stardom their own way. Swan is continued proof that this foursome still has what it takes to make it in the music world.
Gainesville, Florida’s Against Me! followed soon after delivering one of their best live sets I have seen to date. These boys have come a long way in their career and really are not that punk rock band they used to be. They have turned into rockstars, there is no doubt about that, and fully embrace their change in style to the fullest.
Gabel with his very similar James “Buffalo Bill” Gumb looking hairdo and crew were all smiles throughout their shorter-than-I-preferred-set. I may be biased sounding here, but I am used to seeing this band headline shows so to see them fill in a middle slot with no encore was kind of a bummer. I was not the only one who felt this way either as other Against Me! fans begged for just a couple more songs, but the band needed to make way for the headliners. Headlining or not, this band gave it their all from the moment they took that stage until the last note was played.
The female that joined DKM, whose name I did not catch, not only played fiddle throughout the night, but also did a hell of a job singing with Casey and Barr on “The Dirty Glass”. In fact, for a quick moment I thought Stephanie Dougherty snuck up on stage.
People off all ages (and I mean all ages – there was a seven-year-old front stage and center) were Irish for a night. It was really cool to see all the different types of people who came out that night and enjoy themselves. Some folk were holding up union shirts as a symbol of thanks to the DKM for their stand with all that is going on with the workers labor issues while others held up their pints high. Everyone was signing loud and proud throughout the night all thanks to DKM and their 15-year career.
Walking Is Still Honest
