2010s indie heads and riot grrrls alike, rejoice! Seth Bogart’s queer punk-meets-doowop quintet is back in full force when we need them the most. Selling out The Regent for the second time in their career, Bogart and friends celebrated the reunion with high-energy performances and wild antics that John Waters himself would approve of.
The MC for the night was alt comedian-turned-SNL cast member Sarah Squirm, who turned the night into an immersive experience of gags and gag-worthy humor. From over-the-top pimple-popping projections to a not-so-serene guided meditation with Ian Sweet, she splattered the evening with her uniquely colorful touch.
Southeast LA’s Trap Girl put on one of the best opening performances we’ve had the pleasure of experiencing, with captivating frontwoman Drew Arriola Sands delivering growls, glamor, and her signature irreverent sense of humor. Sands and company revved the crowd up with ravaging numbers like “Transwomen and Chokeholds” and “Dead Men Don’t Rape”--reminders of the power and punk attitude inherent to trans womanhood.
The Paranoyds always put on a rowdy good time, and this time was no different. Hot off a recent gig with Jack White, the “Hungry Sam” and “Heather Doubtfire” rockstars amped things up even more with their natural swagger, animated thrashing, and undeniable shredding skills.
Clad in white cuffs, leather, and leopard print, Hunx (Bogart’s delightfully crass and unapologetically horny alter ego) and his ragtag gang hit the stage for a truly grand finale. They played classics like “Bad Boy” and “Too Young To Be In Love,” and Shannon Shaw (of Shannon and the Clams fame) reprised her role as a punk powerhouse for “You Think You’re Tough” and the lightning-fast “Don’t Call Me Fabulous.” The band also shared some new music, including a sobering ballad addressing the complex feelings and reality of the Burger Records “Me Too” reckoning and callout culture in general. For their encore, the Punx went out with a bang, performing the beloved swoonfest “Lover’s Lane” as well as a snotty, tongue-in-cheek new song called “Men Must Die,” during which they passed out armfuls of cardboard signs with the chant and similar phrases on it for the crowd to brandish.
T’was truly a healing night of pure punk camp and queer, feminist camaraderie. We’re sitting on pins and needles as we await another Hunx and His Punx set - we’ll see you in the pit!
