Teenage Bottlerocket, The Queers, Masked Intruder
The Milestone
Feb. 26, 2013

Center-stage and drenched with sweat, Teenage Bottlerocket singer/guitarist Ray Carlisle appeared to be melting as he and his band machine-gunned their way through a Ramones-inspired set. There's no subtlety to Bottlerocket's music, but Carlisle didn't care as he jumped and spun his way around the tiny stage of The Milestone on Feb. 26.

Co-vocalist/guitarist Kody Templeman couldn't match Carlisle's acrobatics, but the duo's harmonies, with help from the crowd, stole the show. The bandmates wielded their guitars like weapons, repeatedly aiming for the audience, and each other, as the musicians played with the manic energy of a couple of base heads refusing to come down.

Those in attendance matched the band's energy with crowd-surfers taking to the air and the mosh pit never slowing. Mass sing-alongs didn't hinder the frenzy, as the action occasionally spilled onto the small stage where Teenage Bottlerocket was holding court.

Newcomers Masked Intruder opened the show, taking to the stage wearing ski masks and accompanied
by a man dressed as a police officer. Their criminal shtick may eventually go stale, but their three-part harmonies never will. The result of the Ramones having a one-night-stand with a doo-wop band, Masked Intruder's live show proves why their star is rising so rapidly in the punk scene. The band whipped through their short set at a manic pace, with lead singer Blue's glasses remaining fogged up throughout.

Legendary band The Queers were on the bill as well, but they showed their age as they performed an
uninspired set of the exact same songs they played the last three times I saw them. Regardless, the
mosh pit never let up, even stopping the show when singer Joe Queer's microphone stand was knocked
over.

This wasn't a night of profound statements or spiritual undertones. Fun was the order, along with a mix of sweat, melody and PBR that turned The Milestone into pop-punk heaven.