Live Review: Descendents at the Riviera 10/7

The Riviera filled quickly as The Descendents walked quietly onto the stage. Looking more like aging scientists than hardened punk rockers, they wore black t-shirts and buttoned-up short-sleeved shirts complete with graying hair and wrap-around glasses. Touring in support of 2016 release Hypercaffium Spazzinate, the new decision by Milo to leave his scientific career and focus on the band once more caused fans to turn out in droves. The band started off the set with crowd favorite “Everything Sucks” (and made a quip that it was for Cubs fans everywhere, since they lost that night’s game.) As the set progressed, the crowd was moshing, crowd-surfing and dancing with a frenetic energy which amped up Milo as he stalked the stage bending down with one hand on his knee singing into the mic. The generational love for this band is off the charts (I stood next to a dad and his seven-year-old daughter, who knew every word and bounced with delight at every song.) The idea of giving up the ghost never occurred to these guys, and for good reason. The poignancy of their work resonates in every lyric and note, from old albums to new. BY ERIN MALYSA