Better Lovers was to perform at the UC Theatre in Berkeley California on November 29, 2024. However, the intended show location had changed to 924 Gilman and was sold out. I got to the event and unfortunately, my name was nowhere to be found. No worries, the tour manager was right there and he worked it out. I did miss the first band Cloakroom, though the rest, Spy, Full of Hell and Better Lovers were great.
Spy is a local band that thrives on the energy they create. They jammed their way through the set, delivering exactly what the crowd needed: a hard-driving sound complemented by impressive vocals. This hardcore band provided the perfect soundtrack for a nuclear war, featuring screaming guitars, driving drum beats, and high-energy performances that ignored the no-stage diving sign. The audience erupted into a flurry of flying bodies as they rocked out to their tunes. Although their set was short, it was highly stylized, leaving the crowd wanting more as they exited the stage. Overall, it proved to be an incredible start to the evening.
Spy Band Members:
Peter Pawlak – vocals
Thomas Sherry – bass
Drew Satterlund – guitar
Full of Hell followed with a commanding performance. While they might not have been as heavy as the previous band, they captivated the audience with their intensity. As they progressed through their set, their sound radiated with undeniable energy. The band mentioned that a few members had played at this venue back in the day, and it was great to be back. The crowd cheered enthusiastically as they performed. The band delivered an impressive combination of intricate drumming and stylized guitar shredding throughout their setlist. Their performance received a hearty round of applause from the audience at the end, highlighting the successful show they put on.
Full of Hell Band Members:
Dylan Walker – lead vocals, electronics, noise
Spencer Hazard – guitars, noise
Dave Bland – drums
Sam DiGristine – bass, saxophone, backing vocals
Gabe Solomon – guitars
It was time for Better Lovers to take the stage, and they kicked things off with “Life Between the Lines,” setting the tone for an exhilarating show that truly did not disappoint. Next up was “Sacrificial Participant,” which had the crowd energized and excited. The lead singer expressed his appreciation for being there and commended the audience for their enthusiasm. The concert continued to build momentum, with brief pauses only for the band to take a sip of water and introduce the next song. During “Superman Died Paralyzed,” they encountered a minor hiccup: the strap on the bassist’s guitar kept popping off. They attempted to fix it with duct tape multiple times before finally switching to another bass guitar, but it turned out to have the same issue! Eventually, they replaced the strap, and the performance proceeded smoothly. Their incredible set reached a highlight when they decided to perform Soundgarden‘s classic “Rusty Cage,” a choice made moments before stepping on stage. It was unexpected but added a memorable touch to the concert, and they executed it flawlessly. As the show came to a close, they played one final song “30 Under 13” and the audience came unglued. Several band members even jumped into the crowd, singing and playing along. The intensity of the moment was palpable! Overall, it was an unforgettable night that reaffirmed that punk rock is alive and well.
Better Lovers Band Members:
Greg Puciato – vocals
Jordan Buckley – guitar
Steve Micciche – bass
Clayton “Goose” Holyoak – drums
Will Putney – guitar
Setlist:
1). Lie Between the Lines
2). Sacrificial Participant
3). Your Misplaced Self
4). Become So Small
5). Superman Died Paralyzed (On setlist as “Hey Chief”)
6). A White Horse Covered in Blood
7). Drowning in a Burning World (On setlist as “Edward”)
8). The Flowering
9). Two Alive Amongst the Dead
10). Future Myopia
11). Rusty Cage (Soundgarden cover) (Tour debut)
12). God Made Me an Animal
13). Love as an Act of Rebellion
14). 30 Under 13
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Photographer of about 10 years, I have been shooting concerts for about 8 of those years. I started to get serious about concert photography about 6 or 7 years ago and now try to shoot as many as I can. I shoot mostly rock but, have done some country and big band stuff. I love music and since I am nowhere close to being a musician, this is a way I can be a small part of what, in the words of Henry Rollins, “gets me through the highs, the lows and everything in between”.
