By any definition, UltraBomb is a “super group”. You got the legendary Greg Norton from Husker Du on bass, Finny McConnell from The Mahones on vocals and guitar and until about a couple weeks ago before this show, Jamie Oliver from the UK Subs on drums. Due to visa issues, Jamie had to step down (all is fine; not musical differences or a falling out or anything like that) and Greg and Finny recruited Derek O’Brien from Social Distortion (and the Adolescents, DI, and Agent Orange, among others). This was actually Derek O’Brien’s first show with them. All that alone makes them a “super group”. Plus, they are “super” and a “group”. So SUPER GROUP!
Musically they’re totally along the lines of Husker Du. And why not? Greg was their bassist from beginning to the end, through thick and thin. He learned from the masters of blending hardcore punk music with aggressive and catchy pop melodies. And without Husker Du, many of the rock bands playing stadiums these days would not exist. Certainly not Green Day or the Foo Fighters (and they would be the first to tell you that too). So thank you Husker Du!
Songs are written collectively. Finny brings in the basis of the songs, the band arranges and rearranges them, and then Greg writes the lyrics. This was my first time seeing them live and their first show with Derek on drums. Derek was great, being a total professional and fit right in with Greg and Finny. It sounded like he was playing with them for years. And you can tell both Derek and Finny were honored to being playing with Greg. As everyone in the audience was also honored to be there and see them.
Tonight was a very intimate show and I felt special about being there. There was a lot of drinking going on, but no one getting wasted. Just everyone having a good ‘ol time and celebrating life and music. There were a few breaks in the set where Finny would tell a story (with whiskey in hand) about Husker Du and their influence on his life. Greg would tell a stories too: The tattoo on his arm (“this is now! What is happening now is now and will never happen again. So remember and relish in the moment”), the ashes of Husker Du drummer Grant Hart which he carries with him in his necklace. All told before and after blasting out top quality melodic hardcore punk rock. I wasn’t expecting it, as UltraBomb’s albums are good and strong enough on their own, but they even did a few Husker Du songs (“Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely”, “Diane” and “New Day Rising”) which was a total pleasure to hear.
UltraBomb has two albums out, including one which just came out a couple months ago called “Dying To Smile”. It’s definitely a contender for one of the top albums of the year. Available everywhere, including Amazon music and Spotify and of course at better record stores everywhere. Here’s a track from it. Pictures I took from the Til Two Club show follow it, so scroll down.
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