In the midst of their tour opening for Green Day, The Linda Lindas found some time in their schedule to play a dedicated show for the Cleveland audience! I found it a little funny that this was apparently their fifth time in the state in barely over a month. I’m sure they’re excited to not come back for a hot minute.
But they might have to because they’ve got a new album on the horizon! On October 11th the band is releasing their second full length album, No Obligation, and I was lucky enough to hear some new tracks from it at the show. Firstly, the venue these girls got to play at is strangely perfect. Despite their (very) young ages, the Beachland Ballroom just screams punk and garage rock. They are certainly proteges of Bikini Kill and any other all-girl punk band out there, so they fit right in.
I was extremely taken by how many middle aged men were in this crowd and bopping along the hardest. They get it! I was also a bit surprised that it wasn’t a sold out show. Yes, it was a Tuesday, but it was an early show! Just goes to show that people are still sleeping on these talented kids. They played a full set mixing in songs from across their whole, yet short, career, along with several covers. The one that got the loudest “whoops” was for their recent Talking Heads cover of “Found a Job.” Again, the middle aged men in the crowd were the most amped to hear this.
It’s crazy to me their confidence and stage presence for such a young age, and then on top of that they sound amazing! Even some of their more awkward bits in between songs were really endearing. I loved getting the chance to hear “Oh!,” “Talking to Myself,” and “Growing Up” from their debut album, and I don’t think it would be a complete set without the song that kicked off their name to fame, “Racist, Sexist, Boy.” Wow did that play well to the crowd! We also got to hear a number of new songs from the upcoming record, but lead single “All in My Head” was incredible.
I really hope these girls swing back around for a tour with the new album, but I’ll take this show for now. And I even got the chance to meet them after the show! That’s a real cool move given how up and coming they are. Oh yeah, did I mention how young they are?! Though I do think one of the members’ mothers was taking the photos, so at least they’re being protected in that way. Go see these guys open for Green Day if there’s still a show coming to your area!
