~5/18/02-800 Octane, The ConfedeRats, Thirty 3. The Domino Room, Bend.

The recent 800 Octane show went through several changes. The original lineup was supposed to include Grey is Gray and Red Tide Affair, but GIG had to cancel, and RTA unfortunately (or is it? I never heard them) broke up. Last nights show featured faves 800 Octane and local boys The ConfedeRats, along with opening band Thirty 3 from Portland. I really like Thirty 3's sound, and was looking forwards to catching them live for the first time. Unfortunately your reviewer is a moron and locked his keys in his car and had to wait for a replacement set to arrive, thereby missing 99% of their set. I caught perhaps 30 seconds of one song, and that 30 seconds ruled. But I trust they put on an incredible show from the amount of people who told me how much I missed out. Thanks guys, thanks. (Thanks also go out to everyone who told me what a great show the HIMSA one was that I missed as well. No really, thanks a bunch kids. Hah) But luckily I was able to catch what I think is one of the better Bend bands-The ConfedeRats. This is the third time I've caught these boys, and I really like their stuff. They put out a great old school punk sound, and the kids really get into it. With lyrics like 'Drop the bomb, that's what it's for' and 'General Chaos, Major Damage, I like WAR' you know these guys are a different breed from much of the sissified pop punk that fills the airwaves today. Full on mohawk sportin', boot stompin' Punk Rock. Next up was 800 Octane. This Portland crew has built up quite a local following, and it seems like they always manage to secure a good turnout at their shows. Their great sound, and catchy lyrics draw new fans to every show, and tonight they put on a great one. Their set list was a killer mix of stuff off of their latest release, The Return, and several of their older tunes. Including crowd favorites like 'Berserker', 'Day of the Dead', and 'Get In The Van'. And they gave props out to their street team, which is always cool. (of course they forgot to mention the FIRST person to hang flyers for this show in town, who shall go unnamed){ed. Update, Erik emailed me props, yay me!} Overall this was a great show, and all of the bands gave everything they had to please the crowd. Hopefully we'll see another show from Thirty 3 soon, as well as 800 Octane making a return to Bend.  I hear rumors that 800 at least will be back in town this July.