Sala Upload turned into a time machine straight to the mid-’70s. Dead Boys didn’t come to Barcelona for a nostalgic trip down memory lane—they came to prove that punk, when real, is still an unstoppable force. What we witnessed last night was pure chaos, raw energy, and total commitment, with a band that gave everything on stage, pushing themselves to the brink of self-destruction.
From the very first second, the intensity was overwhelming. They kicked off full throttle with «Sonic Reducer,» instantly setting off a frenzied pit. No time to breathe, they followed up with «All This and More», later tearing into «What Love Is», delivering nothing but sharp, dirty punk with zero compromises. As the set went on, classics like «Detention Home» kept fueling the madness. But beyond the music, the visual spectacle was absolute chaos. February 5, 2025, is a night we won’t forget.
Cheetah Chrome isn’t just a punk guitarist—he is THE guitarist of the genre, a fact that fans kept repeating before and throughout the show. The way he plays, the way he carves out razor-sharp solos and incendiary riffs without losing melody in the chaos, is simply unmatched. Every solo felt like a punch to the face, a brutal reminder that no one in punk sounds like him. This wasn’t just noise; it was art in its rawest, most dangerous form.
Meanwhile, Mark Thorn was a force of nature, doing everything but staying still. He threw himself into the crowd, laid across the monitors, twisted and contorted, and made out passionately with the mic, as if possessed by the wildest spirit of punk. His stage presence was magnetic, channeling raw rage and unfiltered attitude, embodying a generation that never asked for permission.
If anyone stole the show, it was bassist Sam, a one-man spectacle of boundless energy and an electric connection with the audience. He didn’t just play—he lived every note, moving non-stop, locking eyes with the front row, and immersing himself in an electrified trance. Watching him perform was a true pleasure—punk in its purest form.
The Chaos of “Ain’t It Fun” & An Explosive Finale
The underlying tension in the band was another key ingredient of the night. Throughout the set, frustrations over mistimed entrances made it feel like they could explode at any moment. The most chaotic moment arrived during «Ain’t It Fun,» when Cheetah Chrome, visibly frustrated, threw his guitar onto a stand and stormed off the stage. A wave of confusion swept through the crowd.
But, because this is punk and not theater, he came back minutes later, picked up where they left off, and the band tore through the rest of the set like nothing had happened—no apologies, no explanations. As Sam said when we congratulated him after the show: “This is punk rock, man.”
And the crowd? Absolutely insane. On our way out, we asked around, and everyone was buzzing—overexcited, eyes wide, grinning like maniacs. Nobody could believe what they had just witnessed. The stage floor was soaked in sweat, and the venue reeked of beer, the floor slick and treacherous. A true ‘70s show, happening right in 2025.
If you missed it, you missed one of the most raw, unfiltered, and wildest concerts of the year.
Because this, my friends, was punk.
If you weren’t there, tough luck. If you were, you’re probably still feeling the reverberations in your chest.
And if you think this is an exaggeration, it’s because you’ve never seen a band tear up a stage with real fury.
That, my friends, is punk.
Mariana XoXo
Final Review
Sound
Raw, unfiltered punk. Cheetah Chrome shredded through sharp riffs and amazing solos, cementing his legend status. Sam’s bass thundered with brutal power. The sound in Sala Upload was excellent—pure, loud, and untamed.
Venue
Sala Upload transformed into a ‘70s punk club. The stage drenched in sweat, the air thick with beer, the floor slick and dangerous—the perfect setting for a night of absolute chaos.
Setlist
They kicked off with «Sonic Reducer,» and the place erupted. «All This and More» and «What Love Is» turned up the mayhem even further. The peak of madness came with «Ain’t It Fun,» when Cheetah Chrome stormed off, only to return minutes later and keep wrecking everything.
Crowd Connection
Sam stole the show, moving non-stop, locking in with the audience in the front row. Mark Thorn went all in, diving into the crowd, rolling on the monitors, twisting himself into every note.
Overall Energy
Pure chaos and absolute commitment. Walking out, the crowd was in shock, breathless, still processing what had just happened. No filters, no scripts—just real punk.
Photos: Mariana Gómez Torres, IG @MgzMagCulturaVisual y IG @mgzlab
Continue Listening
Buy Albums
«Young, Loud and Snotty» – Dead Boys (1977),
Un álbum que encapsula la energía bruta y la actitud desafiante del punk estadounidense de los 70. mantiene un sonido sucio, ruidoso y lleno de actitud, en sintonía con la escena de CBGB, donde los Dead Boys se convirtieron en una banda de culto.
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