Sweatin’ to the Oldies

The Vandals Live (Nitro)
by Chaz Thorndike

I’ve got to hand it to the Vandals, they have impeccable timing. Right about the time I start to get sick of the Vandals (usually ’cause they haven’t put out any of that wacky punk stuff, the hype begins to wear off, and I start to ask myself, “Are they really punk, or are they smart businessmen who know how to market themselves and have the buckaroos to do it?”) they put out something cool as shit and the cycle begins again. This time (aside from the video for “It’s a Fact” appearing on Glory Daze and Cinema Beer Nuts and the re-marketing of last year’s really cool Christmas with the Vandals: Oi to the World ) it’s the re-issue of ’93’s Sweatin’ to the Oldies: The Vandals Live. That oughtta tide us over ’til February when the new Vandals record is due out. Coincidence? Yeah, right.

Sweatin’ to the Oldies shows the Vandals at their sweaty, hyperactive, and always humorous best. And that’s the edited footage straight man/executive producer/bassist Joe Escalante wants us to see to lead us to that conclusion (sorry, I’m reading conspiracy theory and the manipulation of the media books again). Aside from all the on and offstage antics (not to mention bonus videos: one of “I Have a Date” and two of “It’s a Fact”), there’s some man-behind-the-marketed-myth stuff on each member which I found interesting. (Just like Joe wanted.) There’re also some really fun covers of Elvis, Grease, and more mixed in with the Vandals’ own oldies but goodies. It’s easy to forget how much of a complete lunatic Warren “Mutant Boy” Fitzgerald is when all you see are his production credits on various respectable punk projects. (I’m sure that’s what Joe intended.) So yes, I’m psyched for the new Vandals record and tour. (You win, Joe.)