When I was a teenager, I used to go to VFW halls with my rowdy friends to see insane punk shows. It was nothing like what I usually see now in New York. The bands all pretty much sucked, but there was a special youthful energy to everyone in the room. Everyone was far less self-conscious than the typcial NYC showgower, and because of that they let loose.

The Black Lips performance at this Sunday’s Pool Party at Williamsburg Waterfront was a lot like those shows. It only took a few minutes into their set before the young crowd was bursting through the barrier into the photo pit, onto the stage and then through the air (malt liquor bottles in hand). The historically raucous Black Lips were eating up every minute of it, while playing their blend of  simple energetic rock & roll. The further the set rolled on, the crazier the kids got, and the better the Black Lips sounded. By the time they were playing the set highlight “Bad Kids,” security was lining the stage, and members of the band were riding atop the heads of the crowd.

For as wonderful and fun as the Black Lips set was, it wasn’t supposed to be the last performance of the day. And You Know The Trail of Dead was set follow Black Lips and Health to continue the path towards the most chaotic Pool Party ever, but the lightening cracking in the sky, and the looming storm forced the concert cut short before they ever took the stage.