By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa and Vlad T, Rock At Night Detroit
Live Review: Victims of Circumstance (VOC)-3 Daughters Brewing-St. Petersburg, Florida–October 24, 2020
It is hard to believe that it is almost the end of October and this is the first live review I have written since the Gasparilla Music Festival in March. What a crazy, strange, and odd year this has been! I was more than elated to see that one of Rock At Night’s favs, Victims of Circumstance (VOC), was planning to perform a socially-distanced event at a brewery venue in St. Petersburg, Florida.
On an unusually warm Saturday evening, with the temp hitting in the 80s, Rock At Night ventured away from COVID isolation to 3 Daughters Brewing. Upon arrival, we spied a group of locals enjoying locally brewed specialties while playing cornhole (I always giggle when I say that word) near the entrance of the venue. The sign in the front noted “masks required” and small tables with barstools were strategically placed apart.
There seemed to be private parties and gatherings in full mode as VOC began playing tunes from their fifth and most recent album Five, while a few gentleman proceeded to skank near the stage. Eventually the dance floor was filled with dancers–and their offspring–whooping it up as the band performed their ska versions of 80s songs such as Men At Work’s “Overkill” and The Romantics “What I Like About You”.
The seasoned band has performed together since 2005–and was as tight as ever, dancing and moving, raising sax and trumpet in unison, and twirling around the floor. They were visually entertaining, and appeared to be enjoying themselves on stage, as they traded glances and smiles.
Watching VOC perform and listening to their music reminded me why ska is really the perfect genre to perk up one’s spirits in these strange times. For at least a couple of hours, I began to feel a sense of normalcy, even though I was donning a face mask, and escaping into the parking lot for fresh air between sets. Nevertheless, checking out VOC was the perfect way to spend an evening!
Victims of Circumstance is Mike Smyth (vocals & guitar), Glenn Stewart (drums), Lindsey Pittard (bass), Jason Atheney (saxophone), and Devin Johnson (trumpet).
Check out Rock At Night’s interview with Lindsey Pittard and Glenn Stewart from 2019.
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I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
