Big D and the Kids Table Bring Amherst a Good Ole American Saturday Night
The room was packed to the back bar at The Drake. The lights dimmed and the sounds of thunderstorms came over the speakers. The crowd turned their random chatter into undivided attention towards the stage. We hear Dave speak calmly and clearly into the mic:
“Always for the people who can’t conform
You know, those outside the current norm
So, some pick up castaway art forms
But for us, we’ve always been
Your Allston storm”
The full band came in with a presence that commanded the crowd. The energy in the room went from full attention into full blown chaos, as the band seemed to lead the charge straight into the fray.
Big D and the Kids Table did something that most bands frown upon — opening the set with 5 songs strictly from the new album Good Ole American Saturday Night. Despite the fact that the new album has only been out for a couple of months, the crowd screamed each word like they’ve been rehearsing the lyrics for years.
After their 5 song run from the new album, the band brought us back to 2004 with “LAX,” a setlist staple. I knew this one would make the crowd go extra crazy so I watched from the side stage as the circle pit formed in the back and fans screamed the lyrics back into Dave McWane’s face.
As the crowd was getting warmed up quickly, the band on stage was keeping it hot. Dave’s stage presence is unlike any show I've been to. He is jumping, fake spitting, dancing, playing a melodica and even…. fake biting the air?
Ben Basile and Jon Degen kept the cool, dancing vibes with the bassline and tenor sax while Alex Stern and Alex Brander reminded everyone to party with the guitar and drums. In between the two alexes was tenor sax Ryan O’Connor who kept the music flowing.
“Steady Riot” has always been one of my favorite songs. For me it’s always been the perfect set opener, so hearing it in the middle caught me off guard. But, it still grouped perfectly with “Souped-up Vinyl” and “My Girlfriend's on Drugs”
The crowd kept the energy through “Can’t Be” and “G.L.D.” The band didn’t give them a moment to stop until they brought the chill reggae vibes out with “Strictly Rude” (which featured a melodica part by Dave). The songs that make you want to sway back and forth with a slight bop continue into “Scatterbrained” and “Bender”.
As we got near the end of the set, the momentum never slowed. With songs like “A Kiss A Week”, “Describing The Sky”, and “Not Fuckin’ Around”. The energy was brought from a steady pace into a sprint when they played songs like “Too Much”, “Little Bitch” and “Noise Complaint”. These songs were the exact amount of chaos and energy to end the set with nostalgia and going out with a bang.
They ended the set officially with “Step Down” which is a “Sick Of It All” cover. A tribute to Lou Koller who lost his battle with cancer in July.
Of course with a set filled with bangers and a non stop party, the crowd at The Drake only wanted more. The band said this felt like a hometown show (and that’s HUGE). They ended with another one of my favorites- “shining on” and “175”
Big D and the Kids Table showed us exactly why spending a good ole American Saturday night is best spent at The Drake with your favorite ska band. Big D and the Kids Table will be back October 24th at Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA for their “annual” Halloween shows. These ones for sure you aren’t going to want to miss! We also sat down with Dave, Ryan and Ben for an interview, so stay tuned for that!
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SETLIST
Allston Storm
Right Now
More Fun
Whiplash
Slop
L.a.X
Steady Riot
Souped-Up Vinyl
My Girlfriend's on Drugs
Can't Be Caught
G.L.D.
Strictly Rude
Scatterbrain
Bender
A Kiss a Week
Describing the SkyAllston
Not Fuckin' Around
Too Much
Little Bitch — The Specials cover
Noise Complaint
Step Down — Sick of It All cover
Encore:
22. Shining On
23. 175
