The Mansfields
Knitting Factory
Hollywood, CA
June 19, 2009
By Lucky
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)
SugarBuzz Magazine
My Summer Soul Salvation Part One : The Mansfields
The spring was twisted and the handle turned. Perhaps a chemical imbalance or a strong apathetic aneurism was the root, or an unpleasant side-effect of urban decay. Perhaps the poser population takeover or societies need for manufactured “mega-stars”. What ever the reason, I found an indifference to go on, a desire to tear it all down and not start anew. The fire was out and my passion had been replaced with a ho-hum “what again” attitude. I needed a sign, a beacon, and a pilgrimage to the core of rock. I got just that and more, and along the way I was reminded of the
old adage, “Be careful what you ask for cause you just might get it”.
The months of anticipation were to come to an end as The Mansfields trek as main support for The Queers was hitting Hollywood. Hard to believe that as the date approached I almost convinced myself that I had been negated and should just stay home. Stick my head in the sand; pull the covers over my head. But the cosmos had other plans and the desire to see and hang with old friends prevailed.
Snapping out of the funk I did some trekking of my own down to The Knitting Factory on the street where “You can see all the Stars”. Plenty of creepy underground parking at the tune of like $10 bucks makes it a snap to ditch the vehicle, and a walk up through urine saturated stairwells delivers you to just the right level. Try not to breath.
Thanks to The Mansfield boys for guest list access, always treated like rock royalty when they blow into town. Snotty little teeny-boppers at the ticket window gave attitude, but I pulled a turn-around and they proved good as gold.
Upon figuring out this door from that, I made it into the main stage room to find quite a large crowd and a familiar face. Doug Mansfield himself was hanging by the merchandise tables (Hi Jen!) and he looked fired up 
and ready to roll. We chatted a bit, catching up on keen current events and some reminiscing to boot. Big news for Doug is he’s seems to have hooked up a Gretch endorsement, and was about to sport his new guitar for all to see.
Dave Mansfield was not far behind and he seemed genuinely thrilled to see my sorry ass once again. The Mansfields and I go way back. Now the question on my mind was just where was Tommy Mansfield? The answer was a bit of a shock. Seems Tommy was not able to make the tour as he had some personal shit he needed to tend to. I am sure I am not alone in saying how missed you were Tommy and how we all are rooting for you.
Filling in on the skins was Ronnie Ryan, whom I had the pleasure of seeing a year or so ago play with the kick ass band Ironhead when they toured out to California. So I knew the band could rely on his rock solid.
The show was about to start, so I made my way front and center, well a bit to my left. I could feel the rock and roll enzymes surge within, my heartbeat thumb, and my mind spin. The music was loud, and The Mansfields stood proud. Blasting straight away into “Shake Some Action” off of their latest release “Cramp Your Style”, The Mansfields proved they had the goods to deliver. The house sure looked up and took instant notice.
Going back to the first installment of their discography, “Dumb Fuck in Love” was a super fucking surprise and a tight fit. The kids always love this punk and roll classic and the reception here was no different. Fans of The Queers who had no idea who The Mansfields were became willing converts in a snap. They sure know who The Mansfields are now.
Keeping up the momentum, “Lipstick Killer” hit the mark and “Tattoos and Memories”, with it’s old school Mansfield sound, gave an instant education. The latter just has that feel good nostalgic vibe that reeks of hit, hit, hit.
Getting our fill of “Cramp Your Style” we were then treated to a dose of “Roxy” with its Spector aura and New York City feel and then took a transport with the classic “All Dressed Up”. Kinda like being mugged and liking it.
Ripping it up one side and shredding down the other, “Fashion Trash” has us all smacked up and sweaty. Love the imagery of the record machine in a teeny bop soda shop. That’s fucking rock and roll Shugsters!
“Night of the Living Creeps” cast a spell and a shiver; swirling and swaying; I cut loose and remembered why I rock. Doug does some voodoo magic on that guitar. I felt the fire re-ignite and a complete rush of glee engulfed. The magic had returned. Youth re-captured via a musical fountain. My
battery had been re-charged recharged.
Ditching the bass, Dave Mansfield took up the mic and he and Doug entranced with a splendid send up of the Johnny Thunders signature song, “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory”. A truly classic moment ensued. If you missed it, so sorry for you.
Pulling out all the stops, The Mansfields put a spin on “Tear It Up”, a Johnny Burnette classic that had us all “strutting our stuff.” Taunt and twang and mighty insane. Ever the consummate showmen, Doug and Dave Mansfield entertain while making it all look so easy. Let’s hear it for a savory ho-down.
After saying their thanks and goodbyes, The Mansfields then proceeded to cause utter mayhem with the Generation X (Billy Idol) smash “Dancing with Myself”. The kids went apeshit and I felt like a bolt of lighting hit me dead on. I’m alive, I’M ALIVE!
I was fucking euphoric by the end of this and ready to party my ass off for hours to come. I was back on top and loving the rock. So needless to say it was off to The Rainbow Bar and Grill for some late night shenanigans. (The Mansfield boys were in route to The Bow, but I had to take off before they showed. I think they got side tracked going to Canters in search of Rodney Bingenheimer.)
Shout out to Slugs
and Kisses from The Pikes Peak Derby Dames who was in town and rocking. Great to see you girl!
Stay tuned for My Summer Soul Salvation Part 2: The Choke