Big D and the Kids Table at the Clubhouse

A dazzling blitz of 2nd and 3rd wave ska hits the Clubhouse in Tempe, AZ as local rude boys 2 Tone Lizard Kings and Warsaw Poland Bros. support ska-punkers Suburban Legends and the fabulous, unmatched Big D and the Kids Table.

I went to the show a stage-dive virgin, and lost my chastity in the best way possible. After hours of anticipation, Big D and the Kids Table ascended the stage in total darkness. But instead of opening with a track from their recent album, or even playing a fan favorite, the band started their set in a fit of two-tone glory, performing an ecstatic cover of the Special’s ‘Little Bitch’. With lights flashing and feet stomping, needless to say when the song reached its titular lyric, absolutely everyone shouted it with all their might.

I also left the concert completely envious of my friend, who had not only lost her chaste as well, but had sang and danced alongside the fabulous Doped Up Dollies amid the excitement. But it wasn’t just us enjoying ourselves, choosing this concert to break our slight inhibitions. We were forced – anything less than running on stage and flying into the palms of the rude boys below would have been shameful. I’m truly at a loss for words to describe it; the amount of people skanking onstage at once dwarfed any hardcore show, with the bodies totally eclipsing the band during ‘Noise Complaint’.

As far as ska concerts go, or any concert for that matter, this was everything someone could have ever hoped for, and I mean that in no clichéd sense – this show was a spectacle, a testament to skankers everywhere as to the awesome style that is ska. The Specials even made an appearance in both the 2 Tone Lizard Kings and Warsaw Poland Bros. sets (‘Monkey Man’ and ‘Ghost Town’ respectively), complementing these bands already electrifying performances.

As Suburban Legends incited the crowd to riot, I thought they may have stolen the show. With their superb choreography (that’s right – a band that cannot only play but dance as well) they swept the skankers off their feet (not that they hadn’t been running through their soles already), along with every other breathing soul in attendance. But as with any good concert, the acts kept getting better and better.

When Big D first took the stage I was beside myself with joy to see that the Doped Up Dollies (or at least a pair of lovely backup singers) had come along on tour as well. Even when one them performed their own sort of jazz solo, the crowd couldn’t get enough of it, myself included. The show itself was moving, with fast-paced and slower selections included, ranging from early third wave favorites like ‘Can’t Be Caught’ to their recently released sound of stroll. And like any good band, they concluded with a breathtaking encore. I’m deeply sorry to say that I can’t remember what it was, however – I was too busy embracing my newfound religion.

On a side note, I’m still jealous of my friend. She was left onstage when the last song ended and had the chance to hang out with the band afterward, complete with hugs, handshakes, discarded setlists and gratuitous tiny red maracas used by the players themselves. She better damn well remember this one.