Arts, Etc.Music

Bad Religion opens to cheers at Glass House

Playing hard for almost two hours without a break were (from left) Jay Bentley, Brian Baker, Greg Graffin and Greg Hetson of the band Bad Religion, at the Glass House in Pomona on Monday. / photo by Jason Cooper
Playing hard for almost two hours without a break were (from left) Jay Bentley, Brian Baker, Greg Graffin and Greg Hetson of the band Bad Religion, at the Glass House in Pomona on Monday. / photo by Jason Cooper

by Rene Luna
Staff Writer

Punk is not dead. This Monday Pomona’s Glass House was full of die hard fans of punk rock as they eagerly lined up outside to see one of the oldest punk bands still touring-Bad Religion.

Bad Religion has been around for 20 years and continues to be one of the most respected bands in the punk scene. Most punk bands today give credit to Bad Religion for being a big influence for starting bands.

The band had postponed its set at the Glass House from earlier this year as they suddenly went on tour with Fenix TX and Blink 182, but they returned for a two-night stand at the Glass House.

Punk band Millicent, and hardcore punk Ignite, opened up Monday night before a crowd of nearly 400 energy-driven punk rockers who packed in tight at the Glass House theater. Ignite gave a preview of Bad Religion’s set as they launched into their hard style of music, sending the crowd into a frenzy as they moshed in the pit, and crowd surfed, giving the security guards a tough job of trying to keep the crowd surfers from flying past the stage barrier that separated the band from the audience.

When Ignite had finished its set, people began cramming their bodies to the front of the mosh pit area as roadies began setting up for Bad Religion. Once they were finished setting up, there was no movement on stage. People began chanting “Bad Religion! Bad Religion! Bad Religion!” After about two minutes of this, the stage lights lit up the large Bad Religion backdrop, indicating the band was soon coming up. But the band seemed to tease the crowd once again, as there was no movement.

Suddenly, out came the band: bassist Jay Bentley, guitarist Greg Hetson, guitarist Brian Baker, and drummer Bobby Schayer, minus lead singer Greg Graffin. There was a thunderous cheer as the band waved to the crowd. Bad Religion proceeded to launch into the title track of their newest album, “The New America.”

As the band played, out came Graffin, smiling and waving to the applauding crowd. Everyone sang along with Graffin, creating so much energy in the room that it vibrated all over the Glass House. After about four songs, Graffin finally spoke to the audience, joking around by saying “You guys are lucky, you get to go home while we have to work Monday night!”

Bad Religion went on to play a two hour set, with songs like “Suffer,” “Part III,” “Change of Ideas” and “Infected.” After playing 20 years of punk rock, the band did not show any sign of slowing down. Song after song, each band member performed like they were still teenagers. Zoli Teglas, lead singer for Ignite, said even after 20 years, “Bad Religion does not have to continue playing punk rock, but they still do.”

Sophomore Jared Landaker who attended the Bad Religion show on Sunday, commented, “It was awesome! People were moshing in the pit and floating. There was a lot of energy.”

Sophomore Andrew Kim described Bad Religion as being an excellent band live and that the “energy and enthusiasm is insane!” He went on to say that Bad Religion has always helped bands get discovered and that the strength of the band has been the lyrics that speak of relevant issues.

The Glass House offers a consistent schedule of both featured bands and solo artists such as Punk-O-Rama, Agnostic Front, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Face to Face and Jurassic 5. Punk O-Rama will be playing on Nov. 11 and promises to be a huge show. Agnostic Front, a punk band, will also play Nov. 4.

The “Word of Mouth” tour which includes Beat Junkies, Dilated Peoples, Jurassic 5 and Supernatural will play on Nov. 5-6.

The Glass House is located at 200 W. Second Ave. in Pomona. Box office information can be obtained from (909) 469-5800.

Rene Luna
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Jason Cooper, Staff Photographer
Jason Cooper
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