Youth Brigade, a legendary band from the infamous Los Angeles, Calif., punk scene of the 1980s, will take the stage in Pittsfield this Monday night. The ITAM Lodge will play host to Youth Brigade as part of the band's tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of BYO records, the iconic record label the band founded.
The LA legends are arriving with the Minneapolis, Minn.-based Off With Their Heads in tow, and the bill is rounded out with punk rock acts hailing from New York City to Adams. New York City's Public Serpents, Springfield's The Prozacs and Adams' The Damaged are all on the roster. The show also has a special reunion performance by Pittsfield's own Three Fifteen.
Shawn Stern, who founded both Youth Brigade and BYO Records with his brother Mark, took a moment recently to talk about celebrating such a milestone anniversary and his hopes for this stop on the tour.
"It's kind of crazy that we've been able to last this long," Stern said. "We always feel that we're pretty lucky that people have responded to our music, and they still like it after all
BYO Records is also releasing a box set of music and video called "Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records," to mark the occasion of the anniversary. In an age of passing music fads, Stern credits Youth Brigade's staying power to substance.
"Unlike a lot of music that's popular today, we have something to say," Stern said. "I believe that the testament to that is that there are generations of young kids coming up still listening to music that we wrote 20 years ago. It must be saying something to them, the fact that they still want to hear those songs that were written before most of them were born. We're pretty lucky that we're able to do that."
As for Monday's stop on the tour, Stern has high hopes for those lucky enough to get to the show.
"I just want to tell everybody that I hope they come out and see the show and have a fun time." Stern said. "That's what punk rock is all about, just enjoying yourself. Maybe it gets you inspired to think about things."
In the get out there and do it fashion that has been the hallmark of BYO Records and Youth Brigade over the years, Stern also encouraged people to not miss this occasion, but rather to get out and be a part of the concert.
"Instead of playing Rock Band and Guitar Hero in your house pretending that you're playing music, why not come out and see a real band?" Stern asked. "Maybe that'll inspire people to play."
The local punk scene owes a debt of gratitude of Andy Poncherello of North Street's own Rebel Sound Records for organizing this concert. Poncherello worked for BYO Records in the 90s, and thanks to his friendship with the band, a lucky few will get to say they were there when Youth Brigade came to town.
In addition to the hefty bill, the show also boasts a rare live appearance by Pittsfield's own Three Fifteen. The band has been on hiatus but couldn't pass up the chance to play with the likes of Youth Brigade.
"We're getting back together for this show because we have an opportunity to play with a legendary band [Youth Brigade] that we used to see on mixed tapes and flyers," said Brendan Sheran, one of the band's guitar players. "We've heard all these great things about the LA punk scene back in the 80s, and we actually get to play with [Youth Brigade]. It's a pretty neat thing, and I'm excited about it."
Sheran also highlighted the fact that while it's an opportunity to see a well-known band, the concert also offers a great chance to see other acts.
"We're hoping the audience gets to enjoy the great bands that are on the bill," Sheran said. "The show's not just Youth Brigade, it's all the bands, so we're just hoping for everybody to come out and have an enjoyable time."
Who says Monday nights have to be boring? Find your way to the ITAM Lodge and be a part of another installment of the surprising trend of punk rock legends landing in Pittsfield. Whatever you do, don't stay in playing Guitar Hero.
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