The first band to play Friday night at the first night of the Real Boss Hoss Second Annual Blow Out at Mr. T’s Bowl in Highland Park was Some Dudes. Some Dudes are a great new punk band from Los Angeles featuring members of Clorox Girls, Plastic Letters and High School, to name a few. Both Jimmy (Plastic Letters, Nikki Corvette Band) and Ethan (High School, White Kids) trade spots at songwriting and vocals, with the former’s songs sounding like a heavier Teengenerate and the latter’s a mix of Radio Birdman and Real Kids. This was only their fourth show, and it’s clear that if they keep it up, they are going to be onto something great. (Though I’d be lying if I didn’t say they were good friends of mine and I hold a strong prejudice in their favor.) Next were the Dazes from Japan: a very cutesy all-girl three piece, none of whom were taller than five feet. Before their set, an annoying emcee made stereotypical Asian jokes while harassing the singer/guitar player. Ethan of Some Dudes had to get on the mic and wrap up the intro so the girls could start their set. They played a long set, though their bubblegum Ramones-style punk and perfect harmonies were very addicting. Next were Wild Weekend from San Diego, an all-girl Zeros tribute band who are now writing some of their own songs as well. They divided their set into two halves—first Zeros songs then originals. Fun band. Guitarist Maureen did most of the singing on the covers and originals (which were really good) and it’s worth noting that she’s also in Squiddo with original Zero Hector Penalosa. When Nikki Corvette started, I was already getting tired and only caught a little of her set, which featured songs from her 1980 power-pop gem Nikki and the Corvettes—including “Backseat Love” and “Just What I Need”—as well as some newer material. After Nikki Corvette was Gabe Hart’s new band Jail Weddings, but by that time in the night, a full eight-piece band was too much for me, so I called it a night.

— Daniel Clodfelter