Most bands can be broken down to into its essential elements. (For example, Silversun Pickups sound like Smashing Pumpkins doing a Sonic Youth impression -- whether it's bad or awesome is your call.) For Primus, all you can say is, "Well, they sound like Primus." Sometimes sounding too much like Primus can be a bad thing, though.
As the heroes of my high school years, Les Claypool was a shining beacon of bizarre in the mundane fog of my teenage existence. When I caught them at the Uptown last night, much to my surprise and disappointment, I found a more jammy, less weird band in its place.
Perhaps it was the blazing, hell-like temperature inside the Uptown that drove me to this conclusion. Gogol Bordello seemed to play forever and -- while its mix of traditional music, punk, country and a sprinkle of hip-hop (the band has a hype man on par with Flavor Flav) was energetic -- the songs grew tedious and repetitious.
The high point of Gogol Bordello's set was either the absolutely perfect "Wanderlust King" or the band's fiery partial cover of The Doors "L.A. Woman." Eugene Hütz was flawless as the fearless Gypsy Punk King, but it was too much: too many members, too many theatrics, too much shtick.
I'm sure with a better sound mix and some quality A/C, Gogol Bordello would've had enough juice to knock Flogging Molly out of my "Best Live Traditional Folk Punk Band" slot; but tonight, they weren't quite up to it.
Primus had its bright spots, too. The classic lineup of Claypool, Jay Lane and Larry LaLonde were all there; but, instead of blowing out of the box with something mind-bending to go along with the thirty-foot-tall inflatable Astronauts with TV screen faces and a light show on the level with Pink Floyd (circa 1973), they opened with "Those Damn Blue Collared Tweekers," and only got more obscure with their cuts as they went along.
This was a show for serious aficionados of the Primus back catalog. Claypool and co. had 99 percent of the hundreds of fans in the theater eating out of its hand; but, aside from the fact that I finally saw the Jimi Hendrix of Electric Bass shred his strings like a hummingbird on speed, I can't say that I was blown away. They're still the same band that once ruled all of Kooky Town with Les Claypool as the cornball, hillbilly Emperor, but they've lost a touch of their energy.
The strangeness was there, but it felt a bit phoned in -- like Les and the boys had figured about the exact right amount of quirky to cram into the stage show so the fans love it, and didn't push it any further.
I saw two groups legendary for their live shows stumble a bit last night, but that's okay. Even the weirdos have their off-days.
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Those Damn Blue Collar Tweekers? Back catalog? How silly, it's one of the most popular songs among Primus fans. I'd rather them play some of their "obscure" songs (which apparently is everything other than singl- oh wait, even TDBCT is a single.
I'm not saying the review itself is bad or incorrect (although I happen to adore both bands), but you seem to be awful misinformed about Primus's discog. If you are expecting Jerry Was a Racecar Driver, My Name is Mud, John the Fisherman, Wynona's Beaver, Tommy the Cat and nothing else, then you deserve to be disappointed.
"I actually agree with the reviewer for the most part. I've seen Gogol twice before, and they were incredible. This time they phoned it in."
Funny, I saw Gogol for the first time in Montreal at the beginning of the tour and it felt phone in to me, too, but I didn't know if it was just me or if others felt this way.
"They used to tour with two girls who did synchronized dance routines and interacted with the crowd"
So are they still only touring with Pam and not Elizabeth, too? What's up with that? Why haven't they said anything about Elizabeth's absence?
The two of them together definitely make the show that much more exciting. It seems a bit unbalanced with only the one backup singer performing a "synchronized" dance and adding that chaos without the other to balance it out by bringing her own chaos to the mix.
also- yes primus did seem to shuffle a bit, but I dont blame them, if anything; they were probably as hot as we were (my sister who was also at the show ended up passing out and being hospitalized, as well as me)- I've been waiting for that show since the fifth grade (im 21 now) and while primus is one of my favorite bands, I would not pay money to see them at the uptown theater again, it wasnt them at all, it was the venue.
also, three dollars for fucking water? it was 110 degrees inside the venue and you're going to charge that much for a much needed necessity? fuck that, especially since people (such as myself) had been waiting in the extreme heat for four fuckin' hours, its ridiculous.
the uptown needs a serious revamp if they're going to keep people coming to the venue.
gogol however, put on an amazing show, and the dead kenny g's completely ripped it up, both skerik and eugene were incredibly nice and even came out back to shoot the shit with the fans.
all in all it was a 7/10, but i really blame the uptown for being ill-equipped, also, the security guards were fucking assholes as well, so shit on them.
ahaha, I had no idea I'd actually make it into this picture, im the one with my arms raised.
I actually agree with the reviewer for the most part. I've seen Gogol twice before, and they were incredible. This time they phoned it in. The sound mix was horrible; even when Eugene was just talking in the mike it was all blown out. I've been to other shows at the Uptown and the sound was fine (Flaming Lips there a few years ago were amazing).
They used to tour with two girls who did synchronized dance routines and interacted with the crowd - check out flickr for some past concert photos of them when they're really into it. Crowd surfing on the rim of a drum? Insane. Compare that to what we saw there.
Primus played pretty much as I thought they would. Loved them in 1995 but their music hasn't aged well. Enough said.
And it cost 3x as much either band has ever charged! What's up with that?
Hardly a staff writer. Phillips writes for Hybrid, PopShifter, and several other music columns around the country. Try Googling him. As a matter of fact, several of you should have done so before putting your sloppy, half-thought-out comments online for the world to read. Guess that's why he's the one getting paid to write and you're just the one reading it.
i'm really tired of staff writers reviewing bands that cannot even play "twinkle twinkle little star" on any instrument. what do you know about who is truly talented? no one has touched on the fact that when primus was huge tim alexander was playing drums. NOT the guy at the uptown. primus has become a sloppy jam band. but at least they aren't playing repetive polka/punk music like gogol bordello!! they suck!!
i'm really tired of staff writers reviewing bands that cannot even play "twinkle twinkle little star" on any instrument. what do you know about who is truly talented? no one has touched on the fact that when primus was huge tim alexander was playing drums. NOT the guy at the uptown. primus has become a sloppy jam band. but at least they aren't playing repetive polka/punk music like gogol bordello!! they suck!!
All I can say to the peanut gallery is that the "aging hipster" is far beyond the age to be returning to the frat house to play Guitar Hero. He was probably hitting it with your mom about the 1st time WBBB crossed the airwaves. When a "classic" band, as Primus now qualifies after 25+ yrs, plays a live show, the "classic lineup" is expected, at least to some degree. Pay your money get no such lineup, sweat more blood than the Russian in the sauna contest, and then get squeezed for a $10 beer. I'd say that's a solid case for a bad show review.
Says Cree, of The Dead Kenny G's
oh its so hard to make sick crazy money whether you put on a halfass show or not. yep super tough. must be the hardest job in showbusiness, to totally shank a show and still get everyone else's hard earned money.
I think musicians pay should also be performance based. it is when you're getting started, I think it should stay that way. then old hack musicians would try harder.
I have read and re-read several comments posted by various idiots on the link. Boy, it seems that to have an opinion is to be too old and haggard to write a review. (At the very least, the "aging hipster" that wrote this one left out the typos.) I cannot, in good conscience, say the same for the people throwing knives at him.
Alright guys the Uptown was hot, but the show was sold out. I don't know if you noticed but it was 100+ degrees outside and there were 2700 amped up bodies moving around. Imagine standing under 10,000 watts of spotlights the whole time. Really, I think the saddest lack of consideration in this article is not how difficult it is to perform in such conditions, but the fact that there were three bands at this show. I hope a few people read the comments far enough to catch this tidbit.
The Dead Kenny Gs were a very impressive and talented act. They'll be playing at the Czar Bar tonight if you'd like to see them. I highly recommend this band to anyone that appreciates talent
ya'll are crazy. That was one hell of a show. I've been to a whole lotta concerts, and that was by far one of the best ones i've EVER been to. And Gogol Bordello played 35 minutes too long. I wish they could have done that last encore... but it was just too damn hot.
gogol bordello sucks!! repetitious polka music with a bunch of people screaming. Eugene H� laughing all the way to the bank, these stupid americans will listen to anything!
They seriously charge $10 for a beer. I thought it was outrageous when they charged $8.
Note to self bring a flask to Pavement.
Okie Doke,
So, correct, Said reviewer is an aging hipster who sometimes tries to oversimplify what he is trying to say, which I fully understand when i consider his audience. probably absolutely necessary to dumb down his allegory.
Anyhow, I agree 100%. Hooray for the burned out stoner hippie asses who were to shitfucked to even realize they were seeing a halfass show. I'm sorry, but if I go to see PRIMUS. I want to see PRIMUS, not Les Claypool and the oyster frog asshole squid shitfuck jamband whatever he's in this week.
As for GB, their show isnt supposed to be "together" like most bands are. its supposed to be a scattered mess of insanity, but, in 100% agreement with said blogger, it gets really tedious and played out to see 50 hippies run around onstage all playing things that shouldnt have been considered instruments after recorder class in the 4th grade. They create amazing music, and i'm a big fan of their last 2 albums, but their show doesnt belong in a cramped overheated indoor venue, they belong on some festival circuit somewhere where they'd really be appreciated.
in conclusion. music sucks, danny sucks, the uptown sucks, the heat sucks, beer is always overpriced when you go out, and who cares. fighting on the internet is like running in the special olympics. even if you win,you're still a retard.
"Considering this magazine is responsible for events like the pitch music showcase, I'm almost relieved that you didn't much care for this show. Musicianship and technical ability is no longer considered cool in the mainstream, particularly amongst the most recent variation of hipster(s). Perhaps if a band has busted instruments, no sense of time or pitch, a bitchin' stache, v-neck t-shirt and a set of shutter shades... I'm glad that Primus is still out there touring and refuting this trend."
Hear, hear.
Also, I pretty much feel like anyone who believes that "most bands can be broken down to into its essential elements. (For example, Silversun Pickups sound like Smashing Pumpkins doing a Sonic Youth impression)" should not be writing music reviews.
I knew this show would piss off the hipsters on a nostalgia trip. I thought the interplay between the band members was incredible and the interpretations of the songs fresh- they sure don't sound "nineties". Great setlist (although I missed "Here Come the Bastards"- can't get everything), tight playing, great show. Gogol Bordello also was tons of fun. Sold out Uptown is always hot as hell, the bands energy fed the crowd making it more hot, dance naked.
dear miss phillips, while your review/opinion is your own it is incorrect other than the heat. What you missed somehow was three individuals who are very proficient on their instrument. So they didnt play Wynonas BBB for you. boo hoo. That song blows anyway. I sure wish ida heard Southbound Pack E. Derm but was grateful for the set list we were given. That show rocked. Les, J, Lare together again. Awesome. Gogol's sound was original and stage presence intense. A+ for them. You were not blown away? You saw Primus stumble? Maybe the odd time signatures were throwing off your groove. Assuming your have one. Stumbled? No. I need some of the drugs your on. I take that back. I don't want those kinda drugs at all. Maybe you shoulda went to the Necromantix show. Or maybe you should be doing fashion reviews and not music. Also.......the first song was Pudding Time not Tweekers and "phoned in"? what the hell does that mean? I just moved here from New Orleans this was my first show here. Hada blast but come the fuck on Uptown for ten bucks a beer turn the fuckin air on man. thank you drive thru
love
Kenneff
Since the Pitch appears to be useless at doing anything other than giving handjobs to local musicians and then blowing them off for snob appeal as soon as they reach any degree of substantial success here is my review.
It was a good show. The crowd was great. Gogol Bordello worked their asses off on stage and the crowd responded in kind even though the Uptown was a furnace of funk. Primus was on par with Gogol. It felt as though you were seeing two headliners with GB having a slight edge.
I knew most of the songs Primus played as did most of those singing in the audience. I�m sorry the Pitche�s reviewer had to go back to the frat house last night disappointed because he didn�t get to hear �Winona�s Big Brown Beaver.� The rest of us had a good time.
A note to the Uptown. TURN ON THE FUCKING AIR CONDITIONER! You assholes charge $10 a beer with no water fountains in sight. Stop cheeping out and crank the AC for a big show. I�m surprised I didn�t see more people passing out from heat exhausting. Kudos to the acts for toughing it out.
Considering this magazine is responsible for events like the pitch music showcase, I'm almost relieved that you didn't much care for this show. Musicianship and technical ability is no longer considered cool in the mainstream, particularly amongst the most recent variation of hipster(s). Perhaps if a band has busted instruments, no sense of time or pitch, a bitchin' stache, v-neck t-shirt and a set of shutter shades... I'm glad that Primus is still out there touring and refuting this trend.
I, too, was disappointed in Primus last night. Having seen them in their prime back in the mid-90's, their energy level last night was close to nil. Granted, the theater was hot and packed full of fans too stoned to recognize a shoddy show, but they lost me after the seemingly never-ending interludes. I could have left after Gogol and I would have been satisfied that I'd gotten my money's worth. It was only during the encore that Primus managed to amp up their energy (and fans) enough to recapture my interest.
I'll heartily disagree on the point that Gogol went on too long. They were everything I'd hoped they'd be and more. Their energy was through the roof and they solidified me as a loyal fan.
you didn't even get the set list right, tweakers was the second song, and you are comparing the band with a version of the band you clearly say you have not seen.
I don't think I'll be able to take any comments from Abe talking shit on one band or another seriously when he's a Primus fan. Primus is the worst.
Abe, this is one person's opinion and it isn't a bad review. You just seem to like being pissy all the time. Lighten up.
So it was a bad show because Primus played their back catalog? The band doesn't play with their old lineup much anymore, maybe they wanted to give their dedicated fans something special? Did you talk to anyone to get their opinion?
Primus played their more obscure songs just to piss off people like you that only know Primus from Guitar Hero.
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