T.S.O.L. headlines Planet of the Apes punk rock fest in Santa Ana, CA

In a riotous collision of primal energy and punk spirit, The Observatory in Santa Ana played host to the electrifying Planet of the Apes Fest on January 6th, 2024. The night unfolded like a rebellious odyssey, with the main stage shaking under the fierce performances of local punk purveyors Taken Days, OG punk band The Detours, the bad ass women of Bad Cop/Bad Cop, the devilishly pleasing .45 Grave, and the legendary T.S.O.L.

TAKEN DAYS

In a gritty showcase of unfiltered punk fervor, OC’s own Taken Days seized control of The Observatory, leaving an indelible mark on the crowd. The small stage became a battleground for the band’s explosive energy as Taken Days opened with a sonic blitz, setting the tone for an evening of unapologetic rebellion.

The Observatory was quickly engulfed in the contagious spirit of punk, as Taken Days tore through their setlist. The crowd, a mix of diehard fans and new converts, embraced the band’s authentic punk spirit, transforming the venue into a frenzied celebration of rebellion.

Fronted by a charismatic lead vocalist Corey Glockner, whose every word dripped with punk authenticity, Taken Days showcased the local punk scene’s resilience and dynamism. Their set was a defiant proclamation that punk, in its rawest form, was very much alive and thriving in the heart of Orange County. Taken Days left The Observatory echoing with the primal sounds of a punk insurgency, proving once again that the local scene was a force to be reckoned with.

THE DETOURS

The Observatory was catapulted into a fervent punk reverie as OG OC punks The Detours took the stage next. The band turned the venue into a sonic battleground, unleashing a performance that served as a testament to the enduring vitality of the genre.

With undeniable punk aggression and charismatic swagger, the band seized audience attention from chord one.

Gordon Cox’s fierce vocals intertwined with the raw energy of the band, creating an atmosphere charged with rebellion and infectious enthusiasm. Their setlist, a carefully curated cascade of anthems, showcased The Detours’ distinctive sonic identity — a fusion of punk authenticity and unabashed individuality.

As the band navigated through their performance, the crowd transformed into a unified sea of pulsating energy. The Observatory became a canvas for The Detours to paint their sonic manifesto and the audience willingly embraced every rebellious stroke. By the final guitar strum, The Detours had proven that punk was not merely a genre, but a visceral experience.

BAD COP/BAD COP

Next up, the badass women of Bad Cop/Bad Cop took command of the stage, transforming the venue into a tempest of punk empowerment. The all-female quartet brought a setlist that not only rocked the house, but served as a powerful testament to their socially charged lyricism. I am not gonna lie…

I love this band and see them every chance I get. And you should, too.

Kicking off with the anthemic “Retrograde”, Bad Cop/Bad Cop catapulted their audience into a sonic journey that traversed the highs and lows of the human experience. “Done” and “Breastless” showcased the band’s ability to blend infectious hooks with unapologetic commentary, creating a dynamic atmosphere charged with insurrection.

As they delved into “Pursuit” and “Broken”, the crowd became unified, echoing the band’s relentless pursuit of truth and resilience back to the stage. The energy escalated with “Warriors”, almost as if the venue pulsated with a collective heartbeat.

The setlist continued its emotional rollercoaster with “Safe & Legal”, “Shattered”, and “Simple Girl”, with each song standing as a visceral testament to Bad Cop/Bad Cop’s ability to seamlessly weave personal narratives with punk anthems. The climactic moment arrived with the defiant “Womanarchist”, closing the set on a high note of empowerment that lingered in the air long after the last chord had faded. Bad Cop/Bad Cop’s Observatory performance was not just a concert; it was a punk manifesto that left a lasting impression on Santa Ana’s punk aficionados.

.45 GRAVE

The Observatory next bore witness to a spellbinding resurrection of the original goth and death rock spirit as .45 Grave, led by the incomparable Dinah Cancer, took centerstage. The air crackled with an arcane energy as the band opened with the haunting strains of “Evil”, setting the tone for the rest of their macabre melodies.

Dinah Cancer, an ethereal force in her own right, crushed every note with a commanding presence, transporting the audience to the heart of the underworld. As the setlist unfolded with classics like “Night of the Demons” and “Riboflavin-Flavored Non-Carbonated Polyunsaturated Blood”, the crowd was entranced by the band’s ability to summon the dark and mysterious ambiance that defines goth’s origins.

The set crescendoed with a relentless barrage of gothic anthems, including “Cemetery Girl” and a thunderous finale of “Black Cross”.

Dinah Cancer’s vocals cut through the venue like a sonic scythe, solidifying .45 Grave‘s status as architects of the death rock legacy. The Observatory echoed with the lingering resonance of a performance that not only paid homage to goth’s roots, but rekindled its undying flame.

T.S.O.L.

In a blistering display of punk resilience and unbridled energy, T.S.O.L. took the stage, delivering a performance that felt like a raucous communion between the past and the present. As the night unfolded, the iconic punk rockers reaffirmed their status as torchbearers of the genre, moshing the walls of their enthusiastic audience’s hearts.

The air was charged with anticipation, with the fervor of longtime fans and newcomers alike.

T.S.O.L., with their four-decade legacy, seamlessly transported the audience through time, invoking the rebellious spirit of punk’s golden era, while maintaining a contemporary edge that resonated with the diverse crowd.

From the first chord, T.S.O.L. demonstrated an unwavering command of the stage. Frontman Jack Grisham, a charismatic force of nature, prowled the platform with the same vigor and intensity that defined the band’s early years. His snarling vocals, mischievous smirk, combined with a stage presence that exuded both menace and magnetism, captured the essence of punk rock.

The setlist, a carefully curated journey through T.S.O.L.’s storied discography, showcased the band’s ability to seamlessly blend punk, gothic, and hardcore elements. Classics like “Code Blue” and “Dance with Me” resonated with a timeless potency, while newer tracks like “Satellites” demonstrated the band’s continued relevance and creative evolution.

The Observatory itself became a melting pot of punk enthusiasts, ranging from seasoned aficionados who had witnessed T.S.O.L.’s inception to a younger generation, eager to experience the essence of punk’s heyday.

The mosh pit swirled with a controlled chaos, a testament to the band’s ability to incite both nostalgia and fresh excitement.

As the final notes of their set echoed through the venue, T.S.O.L. left their Santa Ana crowd in euphoric disarray. The Observatory had become a sacred space where the spirit of punk — embodied by T.S.O.L. — transcended generational gaps. The night served as a resounding proclamation: T.S.O.L. not only survived the sands of time, but continues to thrive. They’re a punk rock phoenix rising with undiminished flame.

As the night came to a close, the echoes of the Planet of the Apes Fest lingered in the air with the unyielding spirits of those who refuse to be silenced. Santa Ana had witnessed a celebration of rebellion, unity, and the timeless allure of punk rock music, leaving everyone in attendance imprinted for years to come.

Photography by Shane Pase

Share this article

or