Concert Review: Unwritten Law at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana

When I first saw pop-punk band Unwritten Law 11 years ago in Pomona, it was like tasting a chicken nugget for the first time. They played loud and fast, the crowd was insane, and the singer's voice was one of the best I'd heard on a punk rock outfit. They played the intro to the song "Harmonic," and I was sold. I'd had a taste. But as any nugget-lover knows, I needed more.

The Beginning

A year late I saw them again, same place. This time I knew almost every song, and I was one of the sweaty kids thrashing around in the mosh pit. Later that same year, I saw them at the what is now The Grove in Anaheim, and they showed no signs of slowing down. Neither did the crowd, and some enthusiastic fan caught me in the upper lip with an elbow, a forehead, a bucktooth...something. I needed 5 stitches and a trip to the ER after the show. Then the drummer hit me in the back of the head with the drumstick on the way out. My blood-soaked shirt scared away the competition, however, and I snatched up the drumstick for my first concert souvenir.

The Drumstick Show

I would see Unwritten Law three or four more times, and unfortunately, they did not get better with age. The singer forgot lyrics, band members fought on stage--Unwritten Law did not seem to care. They were going through the motions, and the magic that shaped my musical education was dying.

Still Good

Still, I felt I'd give them another shot last Friday at the Galaxy Theater. I'll give it to Unwritten Law --it was their best effort in the last five years, at least that I've been a part of. The three of four hundred old-timers in attendance (average age had to be about 27-30) were reasonably enthusiastic, but let's face it: we are all getting old. Gone were the circle pits that would send you to the ER with a severed face. Gone were the wild-eyed adolescents freeing months of aggression in a swirling circle of madness. Yes, there was a pit, but most of the crowd stared at the 15 or so slam dancers as if they were an exotic species of wild chipmunk. Most fans didn't bother, despite lead singer Scott Russo's gestures implying he needed a little more crowd participation beyond bouncing heads and swaying feet.

Times are changing.

As usual, however, there were few unforgettable Unwritten Law moments: Russo brought his daughter up on stage, and sang "Cailin." I think she was about five when he wrote it, and she must be 16 or 17 now. (It sounds like a love song, but it's for and about his daughter). An emotional moment for a punk rock show.

The rest was typical chaos--a strange looking, long-haired fellow lost his temper for some unknown reason, and security promptly ejected him. Minutes earlier security placed a chokehold on a hefty lad and escorted him and his friend off the floor--they were back in moments...apparently a misunderstanding. On the way out, the drummer tossed the drumsticks into the crowd, thankfully missing my head and smacking the guy next to me. I smiled and scooped up my SECOND Unwritten Law drumstick!

The venue itself was above average--small pit, and three or four tiered semi-circles where folks could order food or drinks, or simply observe from safety. Apparently one had to be "VIP" in order to occupy these tables. Who knew punk rock had VIP? Times are changing.

It was not a bad show; Unwritten Law brought more energy than I expected. They still play the melodic pop punk/rock and roll that hooked me back in 1999. Yes, they've slowed down. Yes, the price of tickets has skyrocketed. (around 10 bucks 10 years ago, and 28 today). And, yes, most of their fans are turning into old-fogeys who are to cool to mix it up in a circle pit. But you can dance if you want to dance, and you can pit if you want to pit. Or, if you have the cash and connections, you can sit in a fancy booth with a cardboard VIP cut-out and sing along while sipping a soda.

They probably won't change your life, but it might be too early to write-off Unwritten Law.