FEAR IN CONCERT:

LA hardcore punk pioneers Fear have been shaking up audiences with their snarling attitude, breakneck anthems, and wild on-stage antics since the late ‘70s. The band’s aggressive, controversial 1981 performance on Saturday Night Live launched them from underground popularity to national infamy, and they’ve remained provocative ever since with thrash-worthy performances on tour. Whether they’re tearing through classic rally songs like “I Love Livin’ in the City” and “Let’s Have a War” or hamming it up with oddball favorites like “Beef Bologna”, Fear always treats ticket buyers to an epic punk rock show chock-full of incisive wit, electrifying energy, and over-the-top showmanship.

BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:

Fear was formed in 1977 by vocalist Lee Ving and bassist Derf Scratch. Performing with a rotating lineup of drummers and guitarists, Fear quickly made a name for themselves in LA’s underground punk scene with their heavy sound and edgy lyrics. In the early ‘80s they met director Penelope Spheeris, and in 1981 they appeared in her film The Decline of Western Civilization, a seminal documentary on the fertile LA punk scene. Their involvement with the film attracted the attention of comedian John Belushi, who asked the band to play on SNL later that year. Fear’s infamous performance on the show featured slamdancers and a riotous moshpit, resulting in $20,000 in damage to the set and a cut-away from their performance mid-song. They capitalized on the ensuing media frenzy by releasing their debut album The Record in 1982. After a high- profile appearance at the 1983 Rock Against Reagan concert and extensive touring, the band released their 1985 sophomore album More Beer. Ving and a rotating lineup continued to release albums in the ‘90s and ‘00s, and in 2012 Fear released The Fear Record, a re-recorded version of their landmark 1982 debut. Since then Ving and company have continued to provoke and entertain with rollicking performances on tour.