SXSW Live Shot: Foxboro Hot Tubs

Bags of black balloons bounced into the audience as Foxboro Hot Tubs hit Brazos Hall Friday night, determined to make every day New Year’s Eve. Green Day’s garage punk alter ego comes augmented with guitarist Kevin Preston (on loan from Prima Donna) and a saxophone/keyboard player who’s a dead ringer for the late rock critic Paul Nelson.

It was a chance for Billie Joe Armstrong to put down his guitar and front a small club band, which morphed into a younger, more frenzied version of the Fleshtones, a rifftastic party band that likely owes Ray Davies and Pete Townshend some serious royalties.

This, of course, isn’t a mark against the Hot Tubs. Who knows what ancient riffs were rewritten to create “You Really Got Me” and “My Generation” before the FBHT recreated them? Not that this audience would’ve recognized them. They were too busy getting off on the energy, enthusiasm, and downright silliness the band generated.

Armstrong indulged in a lot less showmanship, but he had some hilarious props. The alligator that squirts silly string was especially funny. Then, the band obliterated the entire set with its last number, the Who’s “A Quick One (While He’s Away),” done note and nuance perfect!

Tre Cool even demonstrated drum skills far beyond anything anyone would’ve expected out of him. His perfect Keith Moon execution hit every single one of the late drummer’s fills. SXSW 2014 highlight.