INSPECTION 12 @ DV8
By Whitney Weiss

   Inspection 12 is this close to making it big, and rightfully so. The boys write and perform damn well. With multiple albums worth of amazing originals and fantastic energy onstage, I12 shows are nights full of great fun and music.

   The one September 8th at DV8 (618 for those of you not in the know) was no exception. Though 12 Hour Turn, Happy Hour, and Whippersnapper all played as well, the audience mostly seemed to be interested in Inspection 12's performance. I arrived in time to catch Whippersnapper, who is a talented band worth checking out.

   Weaving my way through go-go dancing 12 year-olds in Inspection 12 tank tops (were those always there?), I found a great spot next to the stage and readied myself for the first I12 show I’d attended since their cd release party at Club 5. Inspection 12 did not disappoint. From the first notes of “Red Letter Day”, they totally connected with each other and with the crowd. Though most of the songs they played can be found on “In Recovery”, their first record on Honest Don’s, I12 did play some older songs from their earlier albums, like "Remnants of You". They even pulled out whistles (though forgot to play them), threw in some keyboard here and there, and had girls come onstage periodically and throw merchandise out into the crowd.

   In terms of musicianship, Inspection 12 continues to impress live. The vocals and bass stylings of Dan McLintock were tight and energetic, just like the guitar and vocals of Pete Mosely and James Trimble. I hadn’t noticed at the Club 5 show, but it became apparent at DV8 that Tim Grisnik's drumming was pounding and up to par. It's tragic that original drummer/founding member Scott Shad passed away, but Tim is a talented drummer and all-around good guy, and I12 is lucky to have him (to hear more of Tim, check out his other band The Softer Side).

   Inspection 12's set was clearly the highlight of the night, and if it's any indication by the droves of kids screaming lyrics back at them, this band continues to be loved by the punk-rock (and some not-so punk-rock) teenagers of Jacksonville. Cameramen onstage filming might have made the band look more like rock stars, but the fact that James came up to me and a group of kids outside with his own camcorder demonstrates that I12 are still down-to-earth musicians who continue to rock live, and deserve all of the success that they get.

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The Donnas @ Jack Rabbit's
the Eyeliners and the Kicks
By Whitney Weiss

   After convincing the Jack Rabbit’s doorman that I was supposed to be on the list, really, plus one, for Movement Magazine, and offering up Max’s pager number for proof, I finally got inside, just in the nick of time to see The Kicks play. The Kicks had the honor of being not just the only male band on the bill, but the only non-Lookout! Records band, as well. Their songs were somewhat geek punk, and the audience didn’t really get going (perhaps it was the fact that their sound was somewhat more pop-tinged than the ass-kicking Eyeliners and the Donnas). At one point,the singer/guitarist asked the audience “Has anyone even heard our new record,” which was somewhat upsetting, because their songs were pretty good. The Kicks were energetic, sensitive indie boys onstage, and I’m sure that the three girls who owned their cd prior to the concert were having a fantastic time, though the rest of the audience’s response was somewhat lackluster.

     Next were The Eyeliners, an all-girl punk rock trio from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their set was absolutely amazing.Gel, the guitarist, was fantastic. She played solos behind her head, chugged almost an entire bottle of some sort of beverage while playing and then threw the rest onto the audience, and hopped around onstage like a cheerleader on speed.In addition to tearing it up on guitar, Gel also had a very impressive scream that made her sound like a punk rock banshee. Drummer/singer Laura was also great, and nifty because she could drum and sing at the same time, and not mess up. Her driving beats and energy fit right in with Gel’s guitar and Lisa’s basslines. The Eyeliners stole the show and won the crowd over quickly, despite some initial sound problems that prompted Gel to politely ask for more of hervocals in her monitor. At the beginning of their set when these problems occurred, some asshole in the audience shouted “Play the fucking song already!” at her. When the Eyeliners did begin, Gel responded “We’re going to play the fucking song now”, and then the Eyeliners proceeded to rock out hard and impress. Their performance was great, but it wouldn’t have been as fantastic if their songs weren’t fast and furious punk with a ‘50s pop feel. Their songs are splendid, and Ben Weasel is on “Sealed with a Kiss”, their new record, which you should rush out and buy immediately.

       During the gap between the end of the Eyeliner’s set and the beginning of the Donna’s, a vast many people attempted to cram themselves in the front of Jack Rabbit’s. Up until this point there was no moshing, but once the Donnas took the stage, a pit started and people began to be flung around. The Donnas were a well-oiled rock and roll machine. Their musicianship is impressive, and they stuck to playing their instruments with energy (sorry Nick Marino, we know you would have loved to see them in David Lee Roth harnesses, flying across Jack Rabbit’s). They dedicated their set to the victims of the 9/11 tragedy, which was very cool and social-conscious, and all four members of the Donnas ripped their way through songs from all of their records. After playing a set full of “I wannas”, spelling (b-o-r-i-n-g), and power chords, the Donnas returned for an encore during which they gave out merchandise and played the ever-popular “40 Boys in 40 Nights”, an ode to male groupies turned roadies. The Donnas rocked and whipped the audience into a punk rock frenzy.

       The Donnas and the Eyeliners played explosive sets, proving that girls kick ass. Both groups seemed to enjoy playing in Jacksonville, so if for some reason you missed the show, be sure to check them out if they tour here again. You will be impressed, amazed, and inspired to spend wads of cash on their cds and t-shirts.