Valient Thorr, Pears, The Lumps @ Soda Bar, San Diego

It had been ten long months since Pears had last graced San Diego with their presence. And they made up for it with one of the best sets I’ve seen from them yet! They ripped through songs from their latest LP, “Green Star,” as well as their debut, “Go To Prison,” with a ferocity that has to be seen to be believed. Month after month of touring around the world has resulted in many misfortunes befalling the New Orleans quartet, but it’s also honed their sound and made it tight as a drum head.  But I’m getting ahead of myself. Local metallic punk’n’roll band The Lumps opened the night. Though the crowd hadn’t yet filled in, they played to the house with a strong rockin’ sound. And, the headliner of the night, touring the western US with Pears, was Valient Thorr. This isn’t a band, my friends, Valient Thorr is a lifestyle. No airs about them, just hard rock, plenty loud, and with just the right kind of attitude.