Usually Virginia is just outside of my travel zone for shows. That 5+ hour drive is just a bit too much for me to stay awake on the way home. But after a shitty year and an offer to crash at a friend’s house – I decided to make the journey to Richmond, VA to catch a show at Bandito’s Burrito Bar featuring my label bands, Paperback Tragedy and Idleminds, along with my good buddies in Chupaskabra. So this past Saturday morning – I woke up early, packed a bag, filled up my gas tank, bought a 12 pack of Mountain Dew, and hit the road.
After getting stuck in DC traffic – as is the norm for the city – I finally made it to my destination with not much time to spare – as is the norm for me. We got to Bandito’s, after a quick drink stop at Gwar Bar, and were immediately met by a host of friends. I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t catch much of the first two sets. I was too busy making out with a chicken quesadilla and a margarita. Both stellar.
Idleminds are the very definition of chaotic good and that night was no exception. Bringing their typical high energy and goofy set that is a mix of originals and a couple of well known covers, they had the entire crowd on their feet and moving. We even got to see double at the burrito bar when Will West jumped on stage and took over as Chris Joyce for their song, “Time to Decide”.
Hitting the stage next out of Baltimore, MD was Paperback Tragedy. After a grueling, although entertaining, soundcheck – these fan favorites started to crank out those melodic tunes that we were all dying to hear. In true Allegedly Records family support – Mike Pruitt of Idleminds sang “Wishing Stars” with his label mates and was the best hype man for the evening. And regardless of what Will says, I have it on good authority to tell you that Moose is still a member of the band.
CHUPAAA!! I don’t get to see my friends in Chupaskabra very often, but I love it when I do! These crazy cats always bring a top notch stage presence and a flair for fashion. Frontman, Matt, has an organic way of getting the crowd excited and maintaining it throughout the entire set. Nothing proves that more than the pandemonium that went off when they played their country turned ska cover of “Islands in the Stream”.
My only complaints of the night were all of the sound issues and the temperature. Bless the sound guy’s heart. He definitely tried his best, but setting up the bands took a really long time and the constant cable change was painful to watch. It was also so hot in the stage area that I wasn’t able to watch an entire set without going outside for air. But in all fairness – I don’t think that this joint is used to the influx of people like who were there that night. We brought the ruckus, allegedly. And the bands killed it.
Overall, Bandito’s was a fun venue. The food was great, the drinks were decently priced, and the atmosphere was awesome. Spending the evening with some of my nearest and dearest was a highlight. 2023 came at all of us with hands and we all needed an evening surrounded by friends to close out the year on a positive.
Breezy McMullen is the Editor in Chief at PA and Find Out. In addition to her duties there, she is also a co-owner of Allegedly Records and a founding member of the international co-op, Scene to Scene. When she’s not herding children or musicians, you can find her in the woods or on a lake getting stoned…. probably.