Rian Nickels
Oct 1, 2024
Hey! Ho! Let’s Go! 50 Years Of CBGB!
What a night it was at the Hey! Ho! Let’s go! 50 Years of CBGB benefit concert! On September 20th, 2024, the members of the band Splendid Failure and talented musicians of Louisiana came together to throw a benefit event in honor of the legendary punk rock music venue that was in New York City, CBGB, also known as Country, Bluegrass, & Blues. The show was held at the Columbia Theatre in good old downtown Hammond, America (Louisiana). This concert was also put together so that they could raise money for The Kay Butler Performing Arts Project at Swamplight Theater in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. The Kay Butler Project does workshops for many things: acting, dancing, singing, to name a few. Alongside Splendid Failure were many talented local musicians and bands such as Talking Pictures, Byron & The Five Dead Dogs, Tim Weaver, J Rees, Callie Hines, DD Drott, Joe Burns, Dave Ensminger, Jason Kareores, Ava Greichguaer, and Harmony Wood.
The doors opened at 7 PM, and my first quest as a concert photographer for the night was to find Ralph J. Wood, Drummer from Splendid Failure, and have him show me around because this was my first time at The Columbia Theater. The theater was beautifully architected with high ceilings, a superb second-floor balcony for a larger and more personal view, a large stage with all the bells and whistles needed for a proper punk rock gig and adorned with many different types of instruments. After I learned my whereabouts, my partner and I met up with some good friends, found some seats close to the front, and eagerly but patiently waited for the show to begin.
By 7:30 PM, the lights began to dim, and the fog machines started to gear up; it was show time! Jim Winter, artistic director at The Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, came out on stage to tell us about himself, the history of CBGB, The Kay Butler Project, to thank everyone who was involved with making the show happen, but most importantly he said this, "Right here is for general admission, luckily all of you have general admission tickets" while pointing at the floor in front of the stage. He then kindly demanded that we all get off our butts and come to the floor to enjoy the concert the way that all the punks do, on our feet and so close to the stage that you can feel the music bouncing through your body. Most of the audience stood and rushed to get a good spot while still being mindful and respectful of each other's space and safety. Once we were all settled and ready to move our bodies Jim welcomed Splendid Failure onto the stage.
Splendid Failure is a four-piece made up of drummer Ralph Wood, his wife Angie Wood, and Bill Robison, sharing the role of bassist, guitarist, and vocalist, and Scott Furtwengler on guitar. They got it right, too, with a smooth start. What better way to begin a night of rock and roll than the iconic late 70s track ‘Sheena Is a Punk Rocker’ by The Ramones? This was especially fitting because of the event's slogan, “Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!” inspired by the song. My krewe and I squeezed our way right to the front of the stage so that we could be front and center (Well, front and to the right a little bit). Immediately you could feel the fierce energy coming from the crowd because they didn't waste any time and jumped on their feet. They played hit songs like ‘Search and Destroy’ by The Stooges and the award-winning Talking Heads track ‘Psycho Killer.’ You could hear that the band members had years of experience and dedication to their talents as they could pull off these well-known and beloved songs with ease. Before welcoming the band Talking Pictures onto the stage, Splendid Failure was joined by Southeastern Louisiana University communications professor Dr. Joe Burns to help on vocals and guitar for the song ‘What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding’ By Elvis Costello & The Attractions.
After an incredible set from Splendid Failure, the stage was taken over by the energetic Talking Pictures, a band of younger folks who are quickly making a name for themselves in Tangipahoa Parish. They are made up of five members: the frontman and lead vocalist Ethan Price, Ethan Lauricella on the drums, Matthew Perez and Aiden Dixon on the guitar, and Bradyn Finn on the bass. They confidently performed covers of the songs ‘Juicebox’ and ‘Reptilla’ by The Strokes. Talking Pictures only played two songs, but that was enough for anyone to become a fan of their sound.
Splendid Failure returned to the stage for a second set and was joined by several other talented individuals. First up for the second set is Dave Ensminger for ‘God Save The Queen’ by the Sex Pistols. A notable moment was when DD Drott, vocalist of Hammond's local band Stone Mother, joined them for hit songs ‘I Put a Spell on You’ by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and ‘I Hate Myself for Loving You’ by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. DD has a voice that echoes through the theater, and the show's attendees were undoubtedly excited to see her perform. Another highlight was when the daughter of Ralph and Angie Wood, Harmony Wood, and her best friend Ava Greichguaer joined Splendid Failure for The Go-Go’s track ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’. They both had such angelic voices, which seemed to unite the whole audience. Splendid Failure finished their second set with ‘Turn on The News’ by Husker Du before a brief intermission so that attendees could get some refreshments from the lobby or take a picture at the photo booth, a replica of The CBGB Venue’s bathroom, created by the Southeastern Louisiana University’s theater technology crew. Many people sent in decals and stickers to contribute to giving the full effect of the legendary punky bathroom. After the 15-minute intermission, it was time for the other half of the event!
I was super eager for what was to come because many musicians I’ve worked with or have just been in my inner circle were due to perform. Starting with J Rees and Callie Hines from the band Juniper Flood. I was so excited about this because J Rees is the bassist of one of my all-time favorite local bands, The Gosh Darn Dangs. I had no idea that they also did vocals, and I couldn’t wait to hear their voice. I also photographed Callie Hines in 2019 for a songwriters’ night at Low Road Brewing in Hammond, and I was curious to see how Callie and I had grown in our art forms since then. Together, they performed the classic song (and one of my favorites) ‘Iris’ by The Goo Goo Dolls. To say they blew me away would be an understatement. With Callie playing guitar and sharing vocals with J, their voices blended and harmonized together beautifully to pull off the perfect cover for the song. J and Callie were joined again by Splendid Failure to perform ‘I Melt with You’ by Modern English.
One of my favorite moments of the show was when J Rees and Splendid Failure performed ‘Seven Nation Army’ by The White Stripes. You could feel the iconic bass line in your heart as it traveled through the floorboards. Splendid Failure didn’t miss a beat, and J had the perfect voice with just the right amount of “Jazzy” rasp and could easily hit the high notes. J Rees and the band showed us no less riotous energy for Bikini Kill’s iconic track ‘Rebel Girl.’ To finish their set, Splendid Failure was joined by Jason Kareores, Callie Hines, and Byron Daniels for more popular 70s-90s songs before welcoming Byron & The Five Dead Dogs to the stage.
Another performance I was super excited to see was Byron & The Five Dead Dogs. They are a four-piece of vocalist and guitarist Byron Daniels, their drummer Christian Colonna, Andrew Ates on the guitar, and Monroe White playing the bass. Back in 2018-2019, I took photos of Byron and Andrew in a band together called The Dirty Spoons (The first era of The Gosh Darn Dangs), and I was super excited to see what they’ve been up to since. These guys looked like absolute rock stars as they played ‘Nearly Lost You’ by Screaming Trees and ‘Sonic Reducer’ by Dead Boys. They were supposed to be joined by Mike Spoon for the Misfits song ‘Hollywood Babylon’ and ‘Thunder Kiss ‘65’ by White Zombie; however, the universe had other plans. Byron explained to the crowd that Mike Spoon couldn’t be there because his daughter decided early that she was ready for the world. Byron then asked everyone to support Mike, and the audience went wild.
I don’t know if the Columbia Theaters’ walls had ever heard something so loud. Everyone excitedly clapped, cheered, yelled, and stomped their feet to congratulate Mike. Showing that even in the chaos of a punk show, family and community always come first. The band's bassist, Monroe, stepped forward to fill in for ‘Hollywood Babylon,’ followed by Tim Weaver to perform White Zombie’s ‘Thunder Kiss 65’, and they did not disappoint. With Tim Weaver’s riotous voice and energetic punk stage presence, he was the perfect person to substitute.
Splendid Failure came out to rock the stage for a final time to perform ‘I Wanna Destroy You’ by Uncle Tupelo and was accompanied by Monroe once again. Joe Burns then joined them for ‘Gloria’ by Patti Smith Group. Splendid Failure and friends welcomed everyone to the stage to perform ‘People Who Died’ by Jim Carroll Band. Now, when I say everyone, I mean everyone. I don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard anything like it! With two drummers, a handful of vocalists, bassists, and guitarists, they came together to create an unforgettable experience. It was so memorable not only because of the outstanding talent of everyone involved but also because you could see that, more importantly than anything, they were having a fantastic time. The stage transformed into a chaotic, joyful mess, with musicians from across the night uniting for one final blowout. Guitars wailed, voices soared, and as the crowd screamed along, it felt like we were all part of something larger—a fitting end to a night that captured the essence of punk: community, rebellion, and raw, unfiltered emotion.
The producers of 50 Years of CBGB successfully gave us an amazing night of music that made us feel like we were at a 70s-90s Punk Rock gig. They also succeeded in bringing together Tangipahoa Parish’s musicians and giving them a place to let their talents shine. The Hey! Ho! Let’s Go! 50 Years of CBGB benefit concert was a remarkable celebration of music, community, and the enduring spirit of punk rock. The event not only honored the legendary CBGB, a cornerstone of punk history but also showcased the talent and passion of Louisiana’s musicians. Splendid Failure and the many artists who joined them delivered electrifying performances, blending iconic punk anthems with heartfelt tributes. More than just a cover concert, it was a gathering of local music lovers who came together for a cause—supporting The Kay Butler Performing Arts Project and a tribute to the roots of punk music. From the raucous sing-alongs to the heartfelt moments, it was a night that left everyone buzzing with the energy of the music, the camaraderie of the scene, and a deep appreciation for the power of live performance. The legacy of CBGB was alive and well in Hammond, Louisiana, and for those in attendance, it was a night to remember.
*All photos courtesy of Rian Nickels - to see more, check out Rian's site below.
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