photos by weworemasks.

All the makeup, satanist sympathies and gothic demeanor in the world couldn’t have prepared us for what we received for 2013’s October 31st set at the House of Blues. When the tour routing for two of punk rock’s longest running and most beloved bands was released, the aging punk couldn’t help but notice: it was a Halloween with Alklaine Trio and New Found Glory. It was perfect on paper, and we all gathered the aforementioned aging punk troops to congregate for what would be a memorable Hallow’s Eve.

-grizzly

H20, initially slated to open up the tour, flew home to spend Halloween with their families, and the joke was on us: we got a Kiss cover band instead. So we opted for time at the bar instead, and that was a fantastic idea. When New Found Glory hit the stage promptly at 9 p.m., we knew where their masked allegiances laid. The band came out dressed in leather and boots, donned with wigs, and covering “Blitzkreig Bop.” Yes, we got the Ramones.

Energetic as they’ve always been, NFG burned through their 20-song, hour long set with little to no flaws, even treating the Houston crowd to FOUR Ramones covers. The crowd spanned their mid twenties to mid thirties, and let me tell you, it’s pretty silly seeing hundreds of them singing “Sucker.”

Alkaline Trio opted for a more Texas-themed Halloween costume, as the band came out in their best ZZ Top costumes. And while we weren’t treated to four covers (though that Eliminator album still needs a good dustin’ off) but they did kick things off with ZZ’s “Tush.” The Trio is never one to leave fans disappointed with their setlists. All of the fans in the crowd are usually treated to a few rarities, but this one was special. Remains (you know, the B-sides album that’s better than most band’s actual albums) seemed to be one of the highlights of the evening, and Houston got themselves hearty performances of “Warbrain,” “My Standard Break from Life,” and “Queen of Pain,” all three of which I’ve personally never seen performed live in over a dozen Trio shows.

You know when bands take to social media to ask fans what songs they want to hear? Well I saw all the posts the Trio did, and scanning through the comments, I found that a lot of these requests were filled. I mean, I haven’t heard “Take Lots With Alcohol” live in years, and Goddammit‘s “My Friend Peter” even made an appearance. More importantly, the bond formed in the crowds amongst each other over decade-old lyrics like “Shakin’ like a dog shittin’ razorblades” still holds up – tired and true – after all these years, and we have these veteran punk bands to thank for this unity and solidarity.

So seriously, thanks for the good times fellas, we all had a blast.

[SETLISTS]

New Found Glory

Blitzkrieg Bop (Ramones cover)
All Downhill from Here
Don’t Let Her Pull You Down
It’s Not Your Fault
Rockaway Beach (Ramones cover)
Understatement
Truth of My Youth
Sucker
Radiosurgery
Connect the Dots
Hit or Miss
Listen to Your Friends
Judy Is a Punk (Ramones cover)
Anthem for the Unwanted
Failure’s Not Flattering
Dressed to Kill
Forget My Name
I Wanna Be Sedated (Ramones cover)
Hold My Hand
My Friends Over You

Alkaline Trio

Tush (ZZ Top cover)
Cringe
Take Lots with Alcohol
Warbrain
I Found Away
I Wanna Be a Warhol
My Standard Break from Life
Kiss You to Death
Help Me
Time to Waste
Queen of Pain
Every Thug Needs a Lady
Calling All Skeletons
Dead and Broken
Sadie
I Lied My Face Off
Young Lovers
This Could Be Love
My Friend Peter