There is an odd introduction, including children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, which apparently was part of the show, and the band kicks off the set with a cover of "I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.," which was always one of my favorite Clash songs, and is a good way to announce that this is a punk show. The film starts with a wide shot, then begins to zoom in on the band. And soon we are treated to a few different angles. I appreciate that the editor didn't go crazy with an abundance of quick cuts among the different cameras. At the show, the band next played "Guns Of Revolution," but that is skipped here, and we get the second song off of Condition Red, "Teenage Underground." "I don't care what's right or wrong/I got everything I need." It's a fun song. And true to the band's name, these guys are rocking. We can see some folks in the audience getting totally into it, dancing.
"This is a song about friends," they announce, and go into "Peer Pressure," a song with an undeniable power behind it. This is great, and makes me wish I could see this band in concert. I know they reunited for another show at this same venue in 2025, but it would be great if they did a tour. "Peer Pressure" is followed by "Nothing To Lose," one of the songs not included on the CD or vinyl. This song comes from the band's debut EP, Guns Of Revolution, released in 1980. It's cool that the band slipped this one into the set list. John thanks the crowd for coming out, and talks a bit about the beginning of the band. They then return to the Condition Red material, which is played largely in order. "Can you hear the people/Now listen, New Orleans," John sings in "Can You Hear." This song contains a cool section with bass and drums, and also features some good stuff from James on guitar. Then "Know What I Think" begins on drums. When the rest of the band comes in, the rhythm changes and the energy increases. This is the song that contains the line, "You die a rocker, you die red."
After a brief bit of tuning, the band goes into "United We Stand," which begins with a sort of chant of "United we stand, divided we fall." This one hits hard. Have we as a nation ever been more divided? I'm not sure, but it feels close to impossible to unite again. I don't think anyone even wants to. The crowd joins in on the "United we stand, divided we fall" line. The song ends with the more positive, optimistic half of the line, "United we stand." This song, by the way, was not on the original release of the record, but was included as a bonus track on the 2023 vinyl edition. The band dedicates "Dead Heroes" to veterans. "Who are not losers," they stress, referring to something that the criminal in the White House said of veterans. Keep in mind also that this show was held on Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I, later renamed Veterans Day in this country (though not in other countries). The introduction is not included on the CD.
On the original record, "Grow Up" followed "Can You Hear." Apart from the additional songs sprinkled throughout the set, "Grow Up" is the only song played out of the original album order. This is another hard-hitting, fast-paced number. "Hey, we're all grown up now," James says afterward. The band then moves to the band's 1983 album for the hit "China," but delivers more of a punk version of the hit song, which is cool, leaving me wondering if this is how the song was originally envisioned. This is one of the songs not included on the CD or vinyl versions. Then we return to Condition Red for a cover of "Folsom Prison Blues," which follows "Dead Heroes" on the record. Interestingly, though it's on the original album, it is one of the tracks not included on the CD and vinyl releases of It's In Our Blood. I love this band's punk rendition. As on the record, they sing the line "But I killed some bitch in Reno just to watch her die."
Next up is the Condition Red title track. Before they start it, John holds up a copy of what he calls "the fortieth anniversary release of the album that we're playing tonight." Darren corrects him, "Forty-two years, John." John then opens the copy of the record to show the red vinyl. "That's about as red as it gets, ladies and gentlemen." He mentions that Patrick died a year and a half earlier, which confused me because I had read that his death occurred in early 2023. Anyway, they dedicate the song to him, and John introduces the new drummer. This is an excellent song, and this version leads straight into a cover of The Who's "My Generation." That's followed by "Hold On," a heavy number, in which they sing, "I don't know if I can hold on."
"Missing In Action" is a song that was not on the original release of Condition Red, but was included on the 2023 re-issue. "And now I'm missing in action/I'm not where I want to be." Another song that is especially fitting for the date the concert was held. The band then goes back to the original release with "White Law," the album's penultimate track, a song about racism and violence. That's followed by "Voice Of America," another song that was not on the original record, but was included on the 2023 re-issue. It was first released as the flip side to the "China" single. "The rich are getting richer, but that's not helping you." Indeed. Then we get the final song of the original album, "Live Or Die." "Sometimes you know you're in trouble/Sometimes you've got to get away." Oh yes, I think we all want to get away these days. That's followed by a cover of "Almost Ready," which is not listed on the Blu-ray case. It's a punk song by The Normals, released as a single in 1978. Before the song, John mentions how the band The Normals gave them their first gig. They deliver a really good, fun rendition. This song is not included on the CD.
The concert concludes with "Guns Of Revolution," which as I mentioned is actually the first song of the record. At this show it was played right after "I'm So Bored With The U.S.A" and then again in the encore. The first version is not included on the Blu-ray or CD. John reminds the crowd that this was the single that started the whole thing. After that song, the Blu-ray includes some early footage of the band, beginning with a shot of Patrick Butler Jones. On the screen it says: "Dedicated To Patrick Butler Jones, 1959-2023." So I guess when John said he died a year and a half ago, he was just wrong. It was more like nine months ago. Time can be tricky like that. If you watch the credits, you'll see that this release is "In Memory of Ross Humphrey," and then: "And The United States Of America 7/4/1776 - 11/5/2024," which is exactly right. That was the day the convicted felon and rapist was re-elected. The image on screen is a U.S. flag in flames. That is followed by a still from the end of Planet Of The Apes, with the Statue of Liberty reaching out of the sand. This makes me love this band even more. The feature concludes with a few fans talking about the band outside the venue.
Special Features
As I mentioned earlier, the other songs the band played at the show, the covers, are included in the bonus material. And these songs feature guest vocalists. First is The Pretenders' "The Wait," with Karen "Kiki" Anklam (from Glamarama) joining the band on vocals. They give us a good, energetic rendition. That's followed by "Helter Skelter," with Jonathan Pretus on vocals. As you'd guess, these guys give us a strong, heavy rendition. Then Brad Orgeron (from Contenders) joins the band on vocals for a cover of "New Rose" by The Damned. The final of these covers is The Runaways' "Cherry Bomb," with Stephie Morgan (from Stephie And The White Sox) on vocals. This is a song I love, and Stephie is having a good time with it.
There is also a short behind-the-scenes bit for the band's "China" video from 1983, something I don't recall ever seeing before. It's wonderful that this is included. That bicyclist in one shot has trouble, which is funny, and after a take he's told to walk the bike. The special features also include a 1981 live performance of the band at Spit in Boston. The energy is fantastic. I wish I'd been old enough to attend this show. There is some great footage, both of the band and the crowd, and the sound is shockingly good. Songs include "Know What I Think," "Desperate Times," "Voice Of America," "Teenage Underground," "Peer Pressure," "Can You Hear" (in introducing that one, they mention the album on 415 Records), "White Law," "Hold On," "Shakin' All Over," "Folsom Prison Blues" and several others. This is approximately thirty-eight minutes. The final bit of bonus material is titled "Jim Reilly Joins Red Rockers," and it includes interviews with Darren Hill, John Thomas Griffith and James Singletary, all talking about how Jim Reilly (from Stiff Little Fingers) joined the band on drums. This is approximately two and a half minutes.
Blu-ray Song List
- I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.
- Teenage Underground
- Peer Pressure
- Nothing To Lose
- Can You Hear
- Know What I Think
- United We Stand
- Dead Heroes
- Grow Up
- China
- Folsom Prison Blues
- Condition Red/My Generation
- Hold On
- Missing In Action
- White Law
- Voice Of America
- Live Or Die
- Almost Ready
- Guns Of Revolution
Red Rockers: It's In Our Blood was released on Blu-ray today, May 22, 2026, through Liberation Hall.
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