June 17, 2008
Queensryche have taken their newest epic prog-metal show to the UK, starting a ten date tour at the Glasgow Carling Academy. These aren’t your normal rock show gigs though, totalling an astounding three hours of music the band are, for the first time in the UK, performing both the Operation: Mindrime concept albums in their entirety with full theatrical stage show. This involves not only video projections & stage props but also actors interacting with band members to tell the story behind the albums.
Operation: Mindcrime I follows an intriguing and complex plot that revolves around Dr. X, a political puppet master who brainwashes the story’s main character, Nikki, to assassinate corrupt public figures. The story also includes Nikki’s lover, Sister Mary. A former teenage prostitute who becomes a nun, Sister Mary is murdered mysteriously, leaving the cliffhanger “Who Killed Sister Mary?” Then, set twenty years after the original, Operation: Mindcrime II explores Nikki’s fate after being released from prison and reveals the identity of Mary’s killer. The album centers on revenge and what it does to people, their emotions and the choices they make. “This concert is the realisation of an idea that began nearly two decades ago” says lead singer Geoff Tate, “Between ritualistic execution, working prostitutes, motorcycle crashes and everything in between, we are able to really draw the audience in to the story.”
[flickr tag=queensryche]
June 3, 2008
Ministry are archetypal legends of industrial rock, Al Jougensen, responsible for not only Ministry but other genre defining moments of genius such as Revolting Cocks and 1000 Homo DJs, fronts the band in black frock coat, top hat & shades while swinging back and forth on his goat’s skull crucifix mic stand – occasionally leaning over the chain link fence that separates the band from the crowd on this tour. Joining him front of stage are moody guitar god cliche Sin Quirin (who also played in RevCo) and Prong‘s very own Tommy Victor – strutting and running about in a kilt for the night – and “new boy” Tony Campos from Static X taking over bass duties after Paul Raven’s untimely death last year.
This is Ministry’s final tour and the set features songs from each of Ministry’s albums rather than concentrating on the hits, the second encore features cover versions ending the night rather disappointingly on Wonderful World. The general feeling being that a “Greatest Hits” show would have been enjoyed more on this farewell tour but then almost everyone here tonight has a “They were great the last time I saw them!” story to tell. From what I saw, the band and music are still as good as ever but apart from the dedicated pit mob the crowd has too many folk the wrong side of their youth to feedback the energy required to lift the band’s performance to the heights of yesteryear.
[flickr tag=ministry]
May 22, 2008
There’s not many bands that I’d unabashedly yell YEE-HAW at during a gig and The Bosshoss had me doing so several times over the space of their incredible hour and a half show. I’m not alone, the crowd here tonight love it and the Barfly has more enthusiasm & fun in the air than from a month’s worth of better known or more indie-cool scene bands.
All seven members of the band are obviously loving it as well, having a high old time of it as they play the part of good ole boy Country & Western stars performing rocking cover versions of everything from Britney, Outkast, Dionne Warwick and Gun Cameo. As the night rolls on the band each get their own solo jams on everything from electric guitar, double bass, banjo, shakers, bar stool drumming and spoon & washboard. Each one of them is clearly enjoying their set and the atmosphere this manages to create ensures there’s a near constant stream of drinks proffered by the grateful & adoring crowd. Don’t worry though, they pass round their own bottle of booze for us all to share in return.
As we leave, I think there’s a little bit of a cowboy drawl in all our voices and I’m maybe walking just a wee bit more like John Wayne than normal. On arriving home though the recorded material feels so quiet & restrained compared to the show that blew us all away so I’ll finish by quoting my own initial posted reaction: “Excellent, excellent, excellent gig.”
[flickr tag=bosshoss]