Words and Photos by Jackie Grimson
A few weeks ago, Los Angeles-based rock band Starcrawler played a show at the iconic Bug Jar, a cornerstone of Rochester’s underground and independent scene.
Under the whirring blades of a fan decorated like a paper mache fly, I waited in the bar area for the doors to open. While people watching, this 20-something reviewer quickly noticed that the crowd skewed older, which intrigued me. I first found Starcrawler in 2018, after another person my age had recommended them to me since I love The Runaways. The band is a favorite of Iggy Pop and Dave Grohl, and even opened for Garbage. This was my first time attending one of their live shows. Many people were wearing shirts from the band’s other shows or tours from years ago, including those in Asia and South America. I began talking to a man and learned that many of these concertgoers follow the band on tour, going to every show on their tour run. He said I was “in for a treat” and that Starcrawler are “one of the only bands around now that sounds like the old days.”
We filed into the venue, where an intimate stage with a fully set kitchen table affixed to the ceiling and swirling lights from a disco ball set the stage for the opener Fuzzrod, a fiery local punk band. The group played songs from their recently released album, including “Can’t Buy Love” and “Lisa Frank Stuff.” It seems less frequent that a national act has a local opening band. It emphasized the closeness of a local venue and got the crowd amped up for the headliner.
In complete darkness illuminated by just the light of the exit sign, the headliner Starcrawler rushed onstage, with lead singer Arrow DeWilde following last. The band played favorites like “Bet My Brains” and “Roadkill.” The band also played a newer unreleased track “It’s 3AM” debuted on this tour and a cover of “Pet Semetary” by The Ramones. The band’s amazing technical skill combined with their ability to energize the crowd made for a wild show. At one point the sweaty mosh pit full of mostly younger teenagers parted and an older fan with a walker sliced through the crowd and came up to the front of the stage. The impassioned crowd welcomed her with open arms and kept her safe. That’s a sight I will never forget! The mix of die-hard fans and multi-generations made the show feel like a concert experience of days past.
Make sure to check out Starcrawler’s other fall tour dates here!
Loudspeaker Collective 