This Monday, I'm continuing the Halloween spirit and rocking yet another costume. Friday brought out my inner Betty Boop, and on Saturday I proved to be a stellar incarnation of Blink-182's Enema of the State nurse, but today, ladies and gents, I am the living dead.

My zombie-like appearance and subhuman moaning can be attributed largely to L.A.-based punks FIDLAR, who played a hell-raising set at Downtown's jam-packed Regent Theater on Halloween. I'm still left wondering if I can file a lawsuit for the massive amount of brain cells and grace that was stolen from me.

They opened with "Stoked and Broke," an anthem whose title I find entirely too relatable. Other standouts included "Cheap Beer" and "Cocaine"—also off their debut, self-titled full-
length—as well as the recently released Too's "40oz. on Repeat," "Drone," "Leave Me Alone" (below) and "Why Generation."

A lot of pretentious, self-proclaimed tastemakers who get their rocks off by being contrary turned their noses up with some whiny reviews of the aforementioned sophomore LP, complaining that the band had softened or sold out. I'd like to call bullshit on such claims.

Too is representative of a band that has honed their skills and tightened their performance. Just because something sounds cleaner and catchier doesn't mean it's not punk; it just means the four-piece might actually have some real talent and a shot at a lengthy career.

I highly recommend getting over yourself and getting down with FIDLAR, a band that's as tempestuous and cathartic as a long overdue tantrum or really good break-up sex.

xx,
Samantha Hissong