The $wingin’ Utter$, a San Francisco punk band known for celebrating the blue-collar
working class came to Sacramento’s Blue Lamp Saturday with a new album and their
classic unfiltered sound.
The release party for Poorly Formed, released on Fat Wreck Chords last week, featured
fellow Bay bands The Inciters and The Impalers, from Santa Cruz and S.F., respectively.
Poorly Formed is the band’s second album after a seven-year hiatus following the 2004
release of Live in a Dive.
Anyone expecting the Swingin’ Utters’ acoustic, folksy side wouldn’t have heard that
Saturday. From their opening song, No Eager Men from their second CD, More Scared, to
tracks from their newest album, Poorly Formed, their set was all punk. Maybe it’s what
their audiences like. Or maybe their front man, Johnny “Peebucks” Bonnel, just can’t resist
thrashing and stomping on stage. Saturday night, it was both.
That’s not to say Poorly Formed, lacks its share of punk ballads. Check out the tracks Stuck
in a Circle and Greener Grass if you’re craving some new, slower songs from the Utters.
When they make another stop in Northern California (none scheduled soon), be ready for a
high-energy night of punk.
To learn more about The Swingin’ Utters visit their webpage and if you missed the show make sure to grab an album.
Words by Kate J. Gonzales