Buck-O-Nine. Marquis Theater. 09.12.15

Everything was new when Buck-O-Nine opened for The Specials in 1994. I had just moved to San Diego from a small town in Northern California, Buck-O-Nine had just released their debut album, and Soma had just relocated to an old warehouse at 5303 Metro Street. It was the beginning of something special for everyone involved. Soma became the premier all-ages venue for everything from local punk rock to nationally recognized alternative rock bands. Buck-O-Nine starting touring the country in support of Songs in the Key of Bree. And I was half-way through my senior year in high school and well on my way to a life spent watching bands in dingy clubs. Being new to the area, with very few friends, Soma became my home away from home. I can’t even remember how many shows I saw there. Ska never became my preferred poison, but Buck-O-Nine were just too much fun to deny, and because they found a home at Soma as well, we became well acquainted.

I ended up seeing Buck-O-Nine perform at least a dozen times (alongside Let’s Go Bowling, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Sprung Monkey, No Fun at All, Ghoulspoon, and even DJ Keoki and The Crystal Method at Playscool) before they found widespread fame with Twenty-Eight Teeth in 1997. By the time “My Town” found itself at home on radio stations across the country, the hometown heroes were spending much more time on the road than they were in San Diego. And as the years went by, I found myself frequenting music venues that served something stronger than soda pop, so I hope I can be forgiven when I say I didn’t even know Buck-O-Nine were still a band until I saw a flyer for their Marquis Theater show a couple weeks ago. Soma closed its doors in ’99 and I moved away in ’01, but those days left an impression on me that will never be lost. It was that lasting impression that drove me to the Marquis last weekend. There was no chance that I was going to miss seeing the degenerate barflies bring their skankin’ good time to the Mile High City.

The ticket was $5 more than the first time I saw Buck-O-Nine. The venue was slightly bigger. At just over a hundred people in attendance, I’d say the crowd was about half the size. I consumed 100% more alcohol than I did that night at Soma, but I’m guessing it was a wash among the members of the band. Everyone in the room was 21 years older than they were when the Specials took the stage in San Diego. The security team actually helped a drunk guy get his bearings instead of kicking his ass (like they would at Soma) and Jon Pebsworth didn’t mention Jon Bon Jovi even once this time around. There were also a few new(er) songs that I didn’t recognize. But other than that, a Buck-O-Nine show in 2015 was exactly the same as a Buck-O-Nine show in ’96. There were silly songs, a handful of covers, lots of horns, some awkward dancing, childish jokes, a small pit, a few mohawks and a lot of fun.

The set kicked off at 10:30pm with “Round Kid”. Their signature sound sparked a small pit that kept going into “Jennifer’s Cold”. Kids who weren’t even born when the album was released were slamming around with dudes who could have been their fathers. It was great to see that those old songs didn’t have an age-limit or expiration date. “We’re a party band, so let’s get rowdy!” Pebsworth was center stage, backed up by a 3-piece horn section on one side, and Andy Platfoot and Jonas Keliner holding down guitar and bass duties on the other. Steve Bauer kept time in the back, rounding out the 7-piece band. Pushing the limits of the small stage, Pebsworth spent a lot of his time hovering over those in the front row. The few Sustain tracks succeeded in silencing my singing along, but they didn’t stray far enough from the Buck-O-Nine formula to cause any concern. It was the Songs in the Key of Bree tracks that really got my blood flowing though.

“This is an oldie but goodie in the world of Buck-O-Nine.” “Nite Lite” inspired a guy to join the pit with his girlfriend on his shoulders. “She’s Fat” was so much fun that I didn’t even realize how wrong the lyrics were. “I wrote that one at my desk in high school.” “Pass the Dutchie” was dedicated to Colorado’s marijuana laws, but instead of taking the time to burn one down, an overzealous girl in the front row ripped Tony Curry’s shirt right off his body, only to return it to him in less than one piece when the song was done. Taking advantage of the chaotic turn of events, “Irish Drinking Song” brought Mary MacGregor back to life one more time, before we were all encouraged to “drink and drink and drink and drink and drink and drink and fight!” It might have been the first time I’ve seen that song performed with an actual drink in my hand. And it was awesome!

The true story that is “Steve Was Dead” led into their biggest hit, as San Diego was represented via “My Town”, but it wasn’t until the last cover of the night that things really came to a head. “Sound System” is just one of those songs that can’t help but inspire people to slam into each other. Craig Yarnold did Operation Ivy proud on lead vocals before the band took things down a notch for “Voices In My Head”. The set only lasted about an hour, but it was just what I needed. I feel like it was just what the band needed as well. Buck-O-Nine are just a bunch of guys who work day jobs. They don’t tour on the regular anymore, so they seemed truly grateful to have played a few shows in Colorado. They couldn’t thank the Nobodys enough for helping them book the tour, as well as for providing them equipment for the shows. Dan Albert mentioned they might try to get together for another tour next summer, but that remains to be seen. All I know is that they brought me back to a San Diego that only exists in the minds of those who remember it. And for that, I am truly grateful.

Setlist:
Round Kid
Jennifer’s Cold
Cook Me Into The Bowl
I’m Not Dead
I’m the Man
Who Are They?
Nite Lite
She’s Fat
Pass the Dutchie
Irish Drinking Song
Steve Was Dead
My Town
Sound System
Voice in My Head
Screamin’ From The Suburbs