Even taking into account the fact that British Oi! icons Cock Sparrer haven't performed in Los Angeles for 25 years, it felt slightly shocking that they sold out their first night at the Hollywood Palladium in two hours, and nearly sold a second one out too. When we consider shows in recent memory from the likes of the Cockney Rejects, GBH, Exploited, Adverts, and Adicts at reasonably-sized but more modest venues, we would never have foreseen the demand in L.A. for Cock Sparrer tickets. But here we are and, honestly, it's quite reassuring.
We also need to point out a common American mispronunciation of Cock Sparrer's name. People on this side of the Atlantic seem to employ a hard R, so they're saying Cock SpaRRer, and it sounds like two cockerels are sparring, boxing-style. This is incorrect. Cock Sparrer's name is based on "cock sparrow," a term of endearment that used in particular in the East End of London, and it should be pronounced accordingly.
All of that is academic though, because we were at the first of the two shows at the Palladium and it was simply incredible. From the opening bars of "Riot Squad," the Hollywood crowd was into it and seemingly driving the lads on; even with their skinheads, you can tell that they're graying and yet the Cock Sparrer boys were full of beans.
The setlist was a dream. Sing-along stompers like "Watch Your Back," "Take 'em All," and "Because You're Young" sit comfortably alongside material from 2024's comeback Hand on Heart.
It's pretty funny seeing these seasoned vets singing "What's it Like to be Old?," rivaling The Who's classic "Hope I die before I get old" line. "England Belongs to Me" (a song about taking the flag back from white supremacist groups) remains Cock Sparrer's best known track and it was sublime in Hollywood. And it's bittersweet to see them end with "We're Coming Back," when we know that they might not. Still, it was a helluva set!
Earlier, Canadian post-punk band Home Front did an unbelievable job of warming up the crowd, largely thanks to material from the brand new Watch it Die album and some well-placed political exclamations. "Fuck ICE, fuck Donald Trump," frontman Graeme McKinnon yelled from the stage to great cheers.
New songs such as "Between the Waves" and "Young Offender" offer new outlets for anger and, when the band already had a banger like "Nation" to call on, this can only enhance the set. There wasn't a moment wasted.
Minneapolis band the Dillinger 4 have been around since '94, and they too put in a great set. Still, following Home Front proved very difficult.
