7 Seconds “Walk Together Rock Together” 1986. BYO Records. Today, March 24th, is Kevin Seconds’ birthday (b. Kevin Marvelli, 1961). Last night we saw 7 Seconds at the X-Ray Arcade, the first time I’ve seen them live since 1988 and it was epic! I scored a great spot right at the stage and, elbows sharpened against the push of the pit, managed to get some great shots and videos; I even got to scream “I’m gonna stay young until I die!” when Kevin put the mic to my face during “Young ’til I Die.”

Photo courtesy of my friend, Chuck, aka Melissa aka my front row buddy

The crowd energy was amazing and the band seemed genuinely thrilled to be playing to such an enthusiastic and sold-out audience. Part of the reason I loved seeing 7 Seconds so much back in the 80’s was (and is!) that they are super-positive and inclusive; last night they played another fave “Not Just Boys Fun” which is about making sure the girls/women at their shows get a chance to be up front and dance without getting pummeled – at least that’s what I think I recall Kevin saying in an interview at some point (at that last show I saw in ’88 my friend, another small girl, and I got to sit on the stage during the show because things were getting too nuts in the pit). We all remember how great that energy felt back in the day so last night was sort of an 80’s punk rock reunion: I saw a bunch of my Fox Valley friends, some of whom I haven’t seen in years, including my friends Shawn and Allyson who were at all the 7 Seconds shows; after one of those shows – I believe in ’87 – the band came down to Allyson’s house for a party. That was a doubly epic night.

Shawn, me, Allyson. Photo taken by Joe on Shawn’s phone

So many highlights from the show, but my favorite were definitely songs from Walk Together Rock Together, one of my most-listened to punk records of the 80’s. (Walk Together Rock Together, produced by Ian MacKaye, is an expansion of the same-named 1985 EP and includes studio and live recordings.) Top show moments: “In Your Face,” “New Wind” and the title track “Walk Together Rock Together” – so much audience participation and whoa-whoa-whoaing. And in a beautiful act of universe synchronicity, today also happens to be the birthday of Nena (b. Gabriele Susanne Kerner, 1960) of “99 Luftballoons” fame. One of 7 Seconds most beloved songs – and one of their only covers – is a rendition of “99 Red Balloons” which was the final encore of the show. You can, as long as you have Facebook, watch the entire concert here: