About a decade has passed since I started going to see some band from San Diego with the initials RFTC. Over those years I’ve seen Speedo and the gang play a myriad of shows, from opening slots for Rancid, rocking the small stage in Asbury Park on the 1996 Warped Tour, to headlining a July 4^th concert in Central Park and packing various sweaty clubs throughout the Northeast. Tonight’s show, billed as "Little Steven’s Underground Garage Halloween A Go-Go," was the bands penultimate performance, and its last ever in the fair city of New York.

Like other concerts that Little Steven puts on, there were quite a few acts on the bill. Bands such as Richard and the Young Lions and Boss Martians came on and played inspired, but not so memorable sets. Though it was Rocket’s second to last show, it would be a crime not to mention that Norway’s rock 'n roll legends Gluecifer flew to America to do its final show. Quite a few people have flown in from the band's homeland, Germany, and, indeed, from all over the world. Gluecifer went on around 11:30, the time that San Diego’s heroes were supposed to land, but they blasted through the set and left everyone satisfied. Though it was an honor to see Gluecifer’s swan song, the highlight of the openers was a cameo by 65-year old Bobby "Boris" Pickett. He came out decked in a blood stained lab coat with his name emblazoned on it and sang the song for which he is most famous -- "Monster Mash" -- while go-go girls danced in the background and the Young Lions backed him up.

And then there was Rocket From The Crypt…

Speedo, Petey X, ND, Apollo Nine, JC 2000 and Ruby Mars stalked on stage in voodoo-esque costumes to Screamin’ Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On You," with Speedo playing the part of the late father of fifty-seven. From that point on, it was an onslaught of guitar, horns, humor, emotions and sweat. Most of the setlist came from Circa: Now! And Scream, Dracula Scream, with staples such as "Sturdy Wrists," "Young Livers," "Middle" and "Born in ’69." The guys also played some of newer favorites, leading everyone in dancing during "Lipstick," and "When In Rome," and the pogo was in full effect with "I’m Not Invisible" and the infamous "On A Rope." Speedo’s hilarious stories, slogans and sayings were peppered throughout the performance, and every word out of his mouth, along with every note that came from the band's instruments were met with franticness and love of the rock. RFTC’s final song was Circa’s "Glazed," an epic track that hovers around the 10-minute mark. Through the squeal of the guitars, pounding of the drums and bass and blasting of the horns, Speedo crawled on the stage and seemed to break a bottle of beer on his head. When the music stopped, it was 3am, Little Steven had actually come out of hiding in the back and the band was still onstage smiling, and hugging the appreciative fans that made Rocket’s last New York City gig as memorable as it was. R.I.P. RFTC, you will be missed by everyone.