Although rumor had it that under 5000 tickets were sold two weeks prior to the show, this concert was more of a sucess than any Bosstones fan could hope for. Almost 10,000 strong packed the Worcester Centrum for the Bosstones' first of what is likely to be annual New Year's Eve Extravaganza. Opening up the night on a split mainstage were the big Bad Bollocks. Like the rest of the bill, these blokes hail from Boston. Although accustomed to playing in small beer dives, the Bollocks turned their Irish folk up a level for the giant crowd. Following them were Boston's newest punk legends -- Dropkick Murphys. Since these guys have been touring the world with the MMB, I have missed their stellar performances for a long time. They did not dissappoint and pulled out some great new songs off their soon-to-be released album Do Or Die like Finnegan's Wake and Road of the Righteous. The Amazing Royal Crowns took stage next and laid down the rockabilly law for all of the cool cats in the Centrum. The crowns even invited the Bim Skala Bim brass section and Johnny Vegas on stage to perform their song Hat Size. After two great sets by long-time Boston scensters Bim Skala Bim and Letters To Cleo, The Bosstones erupted onto the stage amid a fountain of fireworks and snazzy lights. To hear the entire crowd sing the chorus to Noise Brigade and see them pogo like madmen to Where'd You Go was incredible. That will stick with me for a long time. As midnight approached, Dicky came on stage with a clock for the countdown to 1998. As the clock struck, thousands of balloons and pieces of confetti dropped from the ceiling and fireworks filled the arena. The Tones ripped into The Impression That I Get during this mayhem for a spectacular effect. To end the set, the Bosstones played Lights Out and out of the crowd stummbled the mohawk guy! This guy is everywhere. Check out his pics from both the Throwdown and the New Years Show. See you next time!The new year's page is dedicated to Craig, the Bosstones' roadie. This was his last show with the band for a while. We'll miss ya!