Photos and review by NOTES FROM VIVACE
LOS ANGELES – Chase Petra arrived at The Roxy three months later than anticipated (their April date was cancelled and the band joked later in the set, “but we made it.”) to celebrate the release of their Lullabies for Dogs sophomore album. That absence made the heart grow fonder for their young and diverse fan base that spent the set changeover between Chase Petra and opener Small Crush dancing and singing to the songs being played by the house DJ.
As the stage curtains began to rise, the crowd immediately switched from party mode to concert focused, but Chase Petra wanted to enjoy the moment, as well. Over the loudspeakers, Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!” was still playing. Out came guitarist Hunter Allen, bassist Brooke Dickson, and drummer Evan Schaid. Allen and Dickson went to the front of the stage as duo dancing choir conductors, singing the Chappell Roan lyrics and encouraging everyone to join them, “Sing it.” The crowd responded with, “You know I hate to say, I told you so.”
As the pop-punk band kicked off their setlist with “Reliable Narrator,” Allen implored the crowd, “Promise me you won’t hold back.” Audience participation was part of the whole set. It started off immediately as Allen had the crowd singing along during the non-lexical moments of that opening song.
Throughout the set, certain people in the crowd would get pointed out, who were going beyond the call of duty – such as the fans who were swinging their Chase Petra t-shirts above their heads. There was also a poll about who had mommy issues, daddy issues, or both. From the sound of the crowd, daddy issues won by a landslide. That was all just a build up for the ultimate audience participation moment: the Wall of Death moment. The band had the crowd segregate down the middle and make a pledge that they’d protect anyone who happened to fall. The two sides then rushed each other, creating a few moments of mass mosh pit ecstacy.
The band also imparted words of encouragement to their young audience. Allen mentioned that she was currently reflecting on the moment when they first played as a three piece without a fourth member on guitar, leaving all those responsibilities on her shoulders. “It was f*cking terrifying. I hated it. But . . . it made me realize that we could be a band, the three of us. I am grateful for that at this moment, which is to say that if something seems very hard and you can’t do it . . . you actually can almost certainly do it and a lot better than the people who tell you that you can’t.”
Musical highlights of the set included “A Bug’s Life” that had the crowd keeping the beat by clapping throughout. The sadness behind “Pacific” had the crowd cheering encouragement as the song concluded, “last night I cried enough to make the Pacific blush.” The crowd was not about to let the night end until there was an encore. It was delivered with “Hospital Bills and Scratchers.”
The band’s set took a two prong approach to connecting with the audience that left an impression. Their pop-punk music hit the emotional buttons while the band members’ authenticity allowed them to bond with the audience on a personal level.
Opening up for Chase Petra were Bay Area Small Crush and long time friends Cheridomingo. Small Crush came on stage with a cheerful, “Happy Saturday to everyone.” The music was dreamy strolls through a park. The crowd seemed especially enthused with the song “You Suck.”
A small amusing part of their set was when guitarist Jackson Felton wanted a drink, but the drummer Allen Moreno started off the next song when he was just inches away from the cup. Felton had to withdraw his hand to get back to playing the guitar. Another moment came when a song started off on the wrong beat and lead singer Logan Hammon had the most amused smile and held up a calm finger in the direction of the drummer.
Cheridomingo and Chase Petra both mentioned that the two bands have played together throughout the Los Angeles music scene. Lead singer Anthony Avina told the early arriving crowd, “I feel like we’re best buds now. We just saw Superman. Life is tight.” The band did a countdown to their last three songs. Their Nirvana-like song “Drugs” (second to last song) got much love from the crowd.
Chase Petra setlist: Reliable Narrator, In an Emergency Such as the End of the World, Centrifugal Force, Keanu Reeves, A Bug’s Life, Because I Am My Own Dog, Prologue, Catharsis, Soapy Water, Nature vs Nurture, Have Faith Horatio, Pacific, Hospital Bills and Scratchers.
Small Crush Setlist: All I Need, Home, Scary, B Song, You Suck, Unhealthy, Scarf Song, Mail Truck, Rumblin Tummy, 5, Signal Dreams, Chicken Noodle.
Cheridomingo setlist: Like a Chain, Peace of Mind, Disconnect, Life Is Good, New Song (untitled), Limerence, Drugs, Murphy.
