We all have a list of those favorite bands or music artists we wanted to see live, but something happened to derail the plans. My biggest regret was missing Desmond Dekker live in Chicago. I couldn’t make the logistics work out, so I decided to wait for a Detroit date on his next tour. Unfortunately, he died a year later, so that “next” tour never materialized.
So, when I found out two bands that I’ve listened to for almost 30 years were playing a show together less than an hour from my house, I had to make it happen.
My first experience with California punk band Diesel Boy was hearing “Titty Twister” on a Fat Wreck Chords compilation CD. From there, I bought all their released music and made sure to get any new albums on release day. Five years after I discovered them, they broke up – another band I never got a chance to see perform live. I’d check in from time to time, but there really was no indication that they were ever coming back.
But 20 years later, Diesel Boy returned, and the following year, they released Gets Old. And on Saturday, May 24, 2025, I finally had a chance to see them live. The fact that they were playing with Nerf Herder, another band I never got a chance to see after decades of being a fan, made this show a must-see.
It sounds corny, but I left that show energized to change my life.
What started as a quest to make sure I didn’t miss an opportunity to see some important bands in my life ended up being much more transformative. Lots of bands preach living life to the fullest, but for the most part, I only passively listen to them. Something about how one of the opening acts presented their message that clicked. That band, Keep Flying, was on the tour to promote their new album, Tide & Time.
The premise of the title is the old saying: “Time and tide wait for no one.” To make that come to pass, you should fill your life with as much joy as you can because, as one of Keep Flying’s songs reminds us, “Death is the End.” Before closing out their set, saxophone player and singer John Ryan challenged everyone in the crowd to do something that brings then pure joy the next day. I took that message to heart and went to see The Smoking Popes and Off With Their Heads the following night.
Back to the Diesel Boy show though.
Calling the show transformative is a lofty claim, so allow me to elaborate. It was held at one of the last remaining independent clubs in the Detroit area: Small’s in Hamtramck, Michigan. Band stickers and old show flyers cover the doors and walls. The bar sits in a separate room, usually filled with regulars needing some community and concertgoers needing some music. The bill this night featured a whopping five bands and two charities – Punk Rock Saves Lives and Pass the Bass – which was enough to make this old guy groan. But if Diesel Boy and Nerf Herder could do it, so could I.
Getting everyone in there was a tight squeeze, but it added to the joy of the evening for me. It was also amazing to see the entire punk rock fan life cycle in attendance. With at least four generations of fans in attendance, I found joy and inspiration seeing so many groups in one room enjoying music as one big family. Sure, a few random drunks got a little out of hand, but they were handled by more responsible people.
I’ve spent a lot of time setting the scene, but how was the music, you ask?
It was amazing. From the first opener, Bathroom of the Future, to the band that inspired them, Nerf Herder, closing the show, I couldn’t have asked for a better musical experience. Every band felt excited, energized, and played their hearts out for the fans to enjoy. With the club at capacity, it was hot, something the lead singer of Nerf Herder mentioned after each song, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
I was drenched in sweat by the time Middle-Out, the best up-and-coming punk band in Detroit, finished their set. The two local openers did an amazing job of getting the crowd even more ready for the touring package of Keep Flying, Diesel Boy, and Nerf Herder.
Keep Flying was the surprise of the night for me.
I didn’t know what to expect before they came on stage. Most of the younger people in attendance was there for them, and they brought as much energy to the crowd as the band did. It was an amazingly fun set. Musically, the band played a blend of Drive-Thru era pop-punk and ’00s emo with some hardcore thrown in for good measure. Plus, they had a saxophone player, which automatically warmed this ska kid’s heart.
They had an absolute ball on stage and were so grateful to share their passion with the crowd. They even did some magic and a little Temptations dancing during their set. I came to the show not really knowing much about them and left a forever fan. The quality of these three openers is a testament to why I always make sure to get to the show at doors so I can support everyone. I’ve found some of my favorite bands that way, so make sure you support the entire bill!
Now to the Double Main Event: Diesel Boy and Nerf Herder.
Diesel Boy reformed with original members, Diesel Dave and Greg Hensley, after COVID and recorded a new album with their new members. I knew the set would be a journey through the band’s career. The new music is energetic and relatable to me as a “grown-up” fan, and the classics remind me of my youth.
“Lost Decade” was a perfect song to open the show with, as it set the stage for this new era of Diesel Boy. Sure, as a fan seeing a revered band for the first time ever, there were some songs I would’ve loved to hear live. But the classics they performed were crowd-pleasers and sent me home happy. Standouts from the classic era included “Cock Rock,” “She’s My Queen,” and of course “Titty Twister.”
You could really see the genuine happiness Dave and Greg had playing in front of a crowd. They joked with each other and the crowd, and even cracking jokes on their new guitar player, commenting how some of these songs were older than he is. I hope this tour leads to more shows in the future. Their new album is great. Hopefully they can do a follow up. Maybe call it Gets Even Older or something. Whatever it takes to keep them playing shows works for me.
Diesel Boy was the whipped cream of my punk rock dessert, but Nerf Herder was the cherry on top.
Nerf Herder is another band I’ve listened to for almost 30 years without seeing them live, so my teenage heart was filled with so much love by the end of the night. My mid-40s body was filled with aches and pains the next day, but that was nothing some extra sleep and some ibuprofen couldn’t fix.
The band played a greatest hits set filled with fan favorites and the most well-known songs of their career. Apparently, this was the first time in a while they made it through the entire set list, so bonus for the Michigan crowd. The stage antics, banter, and interactions with the crowd were just as quirky and fun as the music.
I spent lots of time laughing at their between-songs jokes and sang my heart out during the choruses of songs like “Lamer Than Lame,” “Mr. Spock,” and “High Five Anxiety.” They even read the takeout menu of the place next door during the middle of “Nose Ring Girl,” asking the crowd to put the number in their phones several times. It was funny, but also a very kind gesture because the restaurant next door to Small’s is brand-new and has been affected by some road construction making it harder to get to it.
Five hours later, it was all over.
I walked out of Small’s equal parts drained and energized. What a cathartic experience. I saw friends in the crowd I haven’t talked to in years. I sang, and I danced. My wife and I loved seeing parents enjoying the music of their youth with their kids. Younger fans and older fans united for one sole reason: the joy of music.
I owe so much to the bands I love, so I’m taking Keep Flying’s message to heart. Live music brings me joy, so I’m going to make sure there’s as much of that in my life as possible. To make sure live music never goes away, I want to help grow my music community. That begins and ends with supporting the bands and the independent venues that still exist. If live music brings you joy, make sure you give back to the people and places who create that joy. It’ll give you back more in return, I promise you that.
