Distracted

BY: PAIGE ERLANDSON

 Punk veterans Dropkick Murphys and Bad Religion brought a blistering double bill to Oakland’s Fox Theater last night, proving that even decades into their careers, they can still raise hell like it’s day one.

Bad Religion opened the night with their signature brand of melodic and cerebral punk. Frontman Greg Graffin delivered vocals that were as sharp and commanding as ever, while founding guitarist Brett Gurewitz (who made an appearance on this leg of the tour) laid down tight, iconic riffs that anchored tracks like “Sorrow,” “American Jesus,” and “21st Century (Digital Boy).” Jay Bentley’s driving bass and Brooks Wackerman’s crisp drumming kept the set tight and relentless.

Dropkick Murphys followed, bringing a whole different kind of fire. Co-lead vocalists Al Barr and Ken Casey traded off growls and shout-alongs with the kind of chemistry only decades of touring can build. Tim Brennan shredded through guitar and accordion parts with equal ease, while Jeff DaRosa kept the momentum high with fast, versatile instrumentation. Fresh off the Warped Tour circuit, the band played with raw urgency. Crowd favorites like “Rose Tattoo” and “The State of Massachusetts” turned the room into a singalong, and when they closed with “Shipping Up to Boston,” the entire GA floor erupted into a sweaty, swirling mosh pit.

It was a night that balanced precision with chaos and proved once again that punk is far from fading. Both bands brought their own legacy and sound, and the Fox felt electric from the first note to the last.