Posted on October 18, 2009 - by Nick Reid

Rancid + SA

Zepp Tokyo
Japan
9 October 2009

Rancid go acoustic in Japan © Nick Reid

After 20 hours of planes and taxis,  I arrived at Zepp Tokyo. The place was heaving with the excitement and expectation of the kings of punk taking the stage. First on where the Japanese punksters SA and with thier heavy blend of punk and Oi! they  riled the crowd up, taking excitement up to riot levels. The band were amazing – so much energy, running around the stage like untamed lions playing catchy numbers and throwing some great anthems in the mix.

Then Rancid. As the roar got louder they took the stage by storm. Starting with Fall Back Down and continueing with Last one to Die the band rattled off hit after hit. As expected, they played a good few tracks of their latest release, Let The Dominoes Fall. The band looked on as all the young Japanese punksters sang along word for word… With Lars and Tim leading the line, they were unstoppable. Maxwell Murder brought Matt to the fore with the bass solo to rock Val Halla. Acoustic guitars changed the pace from Lars and Tim while Matt took on the double bass. Wow. Overall it was awesome. Branden just gets better and better with each time I see the band – blasting out beats strong enough to jump start ya car. Lars maintained the onstage energy with his constant pacing around the stage, just feeding off the engery of the entire venue. They went on to play Lady Liberty, a bit of Ramones and Bodies with Radio finishing off the set. And as if their whole set wasn’t enough, the crowd urged them back onto stage for a glorious on chore of   Ruby Soho.

What a night! This band would wake up the dead and elliminate swine flu with a single chord. Long may it continue. Rancid rule.