Music

Five thoughts on Jason Cruz and Howl at Triple B

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Backstage Bar & Billiards hosted a country-punk jam on January 15.
Photo: Nick Coletsos
Chris Bitonti

1. Friday night turned out to be an unfortunately empty one for Jason Cruz and Howl, with only about 30 of us spread throughout Backstage Bar & Billiards. Despite the low turnout, one guy desperately tries to get a circle pit going, frantically running in circles in front of the stage—alone. Feels like some kind of metaphor.

2.Cruz is best known as the lead singer of SoCal punk outfit Strung Out. Where that band dabbled in countrified punk, this project is far more twang than oi. Think desert-country songs about mescaline trips, stateline and sad Jesus, with punk influences shining through when the traditional kick-snare pattern arises.

3. Country seems to be a natural progression for the current wave of punk-oustic acts made up predominantly of aging West Coast skate punk bands from the ’90s and early 2000s, though few do it as well as Cruz and company.

4. It’s a shame no one’s here, because the band sounds fantastic. Driving basslines and solid lead riffs support Cruz’s raspy-voiced storytelling, which has matured to suit his newfound style.

5. If you missed the show (and who didn’t, really), don’t worry. Cruz and Howl will be back in town February 8 at the Artistic Armory, which might have contributed to the low turnout tonight.

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