About two blocks from the University of California Berkeley is the UC Theatre / Taube Family Music Hall. Originally opened as a movie house in 1917, it now sits as a historical landmark and is a staple in the Berkeley music scene. As per the California mandate, vaccination cards or a negative covid-19 test was required to enter and masks were encouraged.
Tonight was Social Distortion with Dave Hause and The Mermaid. Though I have seen Social Distortion over 30 times in the last 4 decades, this was my first time seeing Dave Hause and The Mermaid. I have always liked the chosen opening band for Social Distortion I was hoping this time was no different.
First up was Dave Hause and the Mermaid. They played about a 30 minute set that left me wanting more. Solid rock and roll that complimented Social Distortion very well. The only downside was that most of the set was backlit and seeing the band members was tough due to the lights being in my eyes. I definitely want to see them again when they come through.
Dave Hause – vocals and guitar
Tim Hause – lead guitar
Scott Shiflett – bass
Kevin Conroy -drums
Social distortion was stellar as usual. The band has changed and evolved over the years but the band has remained true to its roots. They hit us right out of the gate with “Under my Thumb”, their cover of the Rolling Stones classic. The setlist was composed of songs from their earliest tracks, all the way up to three new songs from an upcoming album. The three new songs were, “Nowhere to run”, “The way things were” and “Tonight” and were Social Distortion through and through. My personal favorite was hearing the 1981 classic “Lude Boy”. It always brings back so many fun memories.
Mike Ness – lead vocals, lead guitar
Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Brent Harding – bass, backing vocals
David Hidalgo Jr. – drums, percussion
David Kalish – keyboards and Hammond organ
Setlist:
1). Under My Thumb
2). Ring of Fire
3). I Was Wrong
4). California (Hustle and Flow)
5). Footprints on My Ceiling
6). She’s a Knockout
7). Nowhere to Run
8). Lude Boy
9). The Way Things Were
10). When She Begins
Encore:
11). I Wasn’t Born to Follow
12). Bye Bye Baby
13). Nickels and Dimes
14). Tonight
15). Story of My Life
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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”.
