Ramones

at Avalon
by Sheril Stanford

Ah, Ramones. Classic punk rock (once upon a time that would have been oxymoronic…) – simple, sleazy, fast and surprising. Like Boy Scouts (sort of): Trustworthy, brave, loyal and true, the Ramones are chaotic, yet dependable; in your face, but not angry. Do you like your bands to sound live exactly as they do on the radio? Like your punk appropriately clad in black, leather jackets NOT optional? If you were part of the packed, pogoing crowd at Avalon, you weren’t disappointed. The band front-end loaded their set with all the usual tunes we’ve come to know and love over the years, including “I Wanna Be Sedated,” “Sheena is a Punk Rocker,” “Rockaway Beach,” “Blitzkrieg Bop,” and “Pet Sematary” (intro’d by Joey Ramone with a nod to the inspiration, Stephen King). Unfortunately, the set was marred by a few technical difficulties. Children should be seen and not heard, and the same is true for lead guitarists. Joey Ramone’s mic was replaced no less than four times, and in between, the vocals cut in and out. But none of this seemed to matter to the pierced and punked out crowd (it’s been awhile since that many mohawks were gathered in one place) in the pit who happily slammed, jumped around, pumped their fists and sang along to the band’s well-known collection of hits. What is it they say? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it? Well – it ain’t broke. Ramone Rock…same as it ever was.