....Joey’s last real concert was at The Continental on December 11, 2000. And then next night he still sang on Evil's Birthday party... This review was added to my site before Joey passed away on April 15, 2001....
(PICS: Three pics from the Continental show on December 11th. One
where's Joey with Jerry Only and the guys of the Independents,
one of Joey alone, and one of Buffy with Jerry Only and The
Independents.)
The Independents performed two kick ass shows last week in New York City.
First they played to a packed crowd at The Continental Christmas Bash on
Monday, December 11th, 2000. The night started off with the local band
Charm School performing a great set as usual. Next up were The
Independents to play their awesome set of horror punk rock and ska songs.
They launched into the set with their usual raw power.. playing songs such
as "Bloody Night", "Love Sucks", "Left for Dead" and their rockin' cover
of Elvis's "Suspicious Minds", just to name a few. The crowd showed their
enthusiasm and excitement for the band by moshing along with singer Evil
Presly when he jumped into the crowd... and singing along whenever he put
the microphone to their mouths. The crowd was clearly in support of this
kick ass rock'n'roll band and had as good of at time as I did
photographing and enjoying it!
After The Independents played there was some Christmas fun as singer
Evil Presly and bass player Travis T got on stage to help Santa and Mrs.
Claus give out some punk rock goodies to the eager crowd. Then it was
time for Joey Ramone to do his long awaited set. Backed by Ronnie
Spector's back up singers as well as Marky Ramone on drums, and Daniel Rey
and Andy Shernoff, Joey and his band of all-stars played a rockin' set of
classic Ramones songs as well as Christmas songs like "Merry Christmas, I
don't Want to Fight Tonight". One hour-long set included at all three
rock & roll Christmas songs. Part way through the set, Willy B, Travis T
and Evil Presly of The Independents joined their friend Joey on stage to
complete the set.. but not before Jerry Only of The Misfits made a
surprise appearance to support the already jam-packed stage of
rockers.This amazing group performed such songs as "I Wanna Be Sedated", "Beat on the Brat" and "Blitzkrieg Bop" which no doubt kept the wall to wall crowd jumping with excitement till Joey said his good-bye's at the end of the awesome set. Joey dedicated Beat on the Brat to GEORGE W. BUSH... Finishing off this night of rock'n'roll holiday cheer were The Bullys and Suicide King who kept the crowd rockin' till all hours of the night.
MANITOBA'S GIG
(Pics: Two pics from the Manitoba's show.. The guys singing with
Joey and Mickey and the guys posing with them).
The next night, Tuesday, December 12, The Independents played at
Manitoba's, a local east village dive bar owned by none other than
"Handsome" Dick Manitoba of The Dictators. This show was to celebrate
Evil's birthday and a celebration it certainly was! Not only did the crowd
come out to help ring in Evil's new year, but so did Joey Ramone and his
brother Mickey Leigh. The Independents played a jammin, extra long set for
the crowd and kept them riled up for Evil's birthday till almost 2am.
Evil taunted the crowd as usual with his rockin, in-your-face performance
while the guys, Willy B on guitar, Travis T on bass, Blackie Levay on
keyboard and guitar and newcomer Sparky on drums, played an awesome set.
When Joey and Mickey took to the stage, it became an amazing free-for-all
of Ramones songs and classic rock'n roll songs.. whatever they could
play they did and they did it great! What a treat not only for Evil's
birthday but for the crowd as well who not only got to see a great
performance by The Independents but a surprise set of Ramones songs with
Joey himself. I doubt Evil will ever forget this birthday celebration.. I
know I won't!
(MANY THANKS OF THE REVIEW: BUFFY (buffyindep@hotmail.com), AND REMEMBER
TO CHECK OUT HER INDEPENDENTS-PAGE.