Nothing like a Tuesday night at the House of Blues. This venue, which is part of the well known chain, is like a Disney theme park ride, complete with its own gift shop.With its faux tin shack exterior and many examples of "folk art" on the inside, they may as just as well call it The Haunted Southern Roadhouse ride. No scary animatronic hillbillies or Uncle Remus characters to seen here,thank god. I think they are just one step away from being an adult Chuck E. Cheese. Though I have to say, I don't mind this place. Food and drink is pricey, but this is L.A., the Sunset Strip no less. Sound and lighting are top notch and the staff at this venue are extremely friendly.
At first sight it appears to be a horrible turn out. This is the second night of Cheap Trick playing here and the tickets are in the $80 range. On top of this they are doing a Monday and Tuesday two-nighter, hardly big concert going nights for their fan base. I ask the bartender how the turnout was for last night and he says it was barely half full. This is the reality of the concert business these days. High ticket prices in this economy are resulting in some shockingly low attendance figures. Many of these acts need to get realistic about what they are charging to see them play. The days of inflated ticket prices, which have just gone through the roof in the last ten years, has to be waning. I was sifting through some old ticket stubs from the 80's (yes, I have saved most of them) recently and I was just gob smacked at how low the prices were. I know it was 20 to 25 years ago, but still. It seems like most of the shows were less than $15! Veteran acts now routinely charge $75 to $125 or more for shows, figuring that their older fan base has money and will pony up to see them. I think that mid-level veteran acts are going to have to bring those prices down. Cheap Trick, for example, should be $40 to $50 at most.
Anyway, getting off that tangent and getting back to the gig. The opening act was Ricky Warwick,a tough looking bloke from Belfast, Ireland sporting tattoo sleeves on his arms, a 70's porn mustache, and an acoustic guitar. He began by saying "I know what you're thinking when you see a guy with an acoustic guitar, 'Oh no, here we go, another bastard who wants to serenade us about his feelings " He turned out to be a rock n' roller with the tools of a singer-songwriter. He had the kind of style that was the equivalent of Bruce Springsteen or John Mellencamp goes to Ireland. He was not as brilliant a writer as those two gentlemen, but he bashed out some decent originals in a compelling and heartfelt way. He did a cover of Motorhead's 'Ace of Spades' and that helped him get over with the crowd. He acquitted himself admirably.
Now the main event. The venue has filled up to maybe a little more than half way by the time our headliners arrive.Cheap Trick have been around since the early 70's (though their debut album was in 1976) and have long been considered the elder statesmen of that rock sub-genre known as Power Pop. There are those who like to dismiss that label and just see them as a rock band, maybe even a classic rock band, a Guitar Hero band. However, if the Power Pop is defined as having the crunching power chords of The Who combined with pop melodies of a band like The Beatles, with maybe some Beach Boys-style harmony thrown in for good measure, then Cheap Trick is a Power Pop band. They were a group that achieved major success for a brief time in the late 70's and early 80's after their 'Live at Budokan' album blew up, fueled by pumped up live versions of their own "I Want You To Want Me" and a cover of Fats Domino's "Ain't That a Shame" and relentless touring, mostly as an o pening act for the likes of KISS,The Kinks and Be-Bop Deluxe. Their popularity faded by about 1983 or so. There was a big, but also short-lived comeback in the 1988 with the "Lap of Luxury" album, which featured a pretty awful rent-a-power-ballad called "The Flame" (a song the band apparently hates) which went to number one and an over-produced in an 80's way cover of Elvis' "Don't Be Cruel". Almost immediately after that good fortune it was back to flop albums and more of a cult following, but the touring has never stopped.
In retrospect, the band's first four albums are absolutely brilliant records: filled with great tunes, quirky lyrics, fine musicianship and the world class vocalizing of Robin Zander. This is a band that may have suffered because they were thought of as being too soft for the rockers and too hard for fans of pop and new wave. It is the first four albums that a make up the bulk of their show these days. They hit the stage to their traditional opener "Hello There" and proceeded to plow through a mostly greatest hits set. They showed their influences with covers of "That 70's Song" (actually "In The Street") by Big Star, "Magical Mystery Tour" by The Beatles, and "California Man" (which is on their second album) by The Move. The playing was tight and economical throughout, with no bombastic over-indulgence into heavy jams or anything. They have songs with tremendous choruses and hooks, but retain a hard rocking edge.
The band was alway visually striking and unique. They had two pretty boy members (Zander and bassist Tom Petersson) and two goofballs (Rick Nielsen and Bun E. Carlos). Rick Nielsen stills sports the black suit, bow tie, and cap combination from the early days and goes through a succession of custom guitars (a twin neck that has a caricature of him on its body and an unwieldy-looking five neck guitar monstrosity) and acts as De-facto MC. On this night he said hello to his wife in the balcony and announced it was their 39th (!) wedding anniversary.He kind of reminds of the actor John Lithgow. Nielsen also thanked the bands that Cheap Trick used to open up for in the 70's. He did,however, note that while the rest of The Kinks were good guys, Ray Davies was "An Asshole", though he stepped away from the microphone and mouthed these words. Tom Petersson, with his suit and black horn rim glasses,looks like a hip college professor. Bun E. Carlos looks practically n ormal and considerably thinner than in their heyday. Robin Zander hides himself behind wrap-around sunglasses and cowboy hat pulled down tight.
75 minutes after they began it ended with "Goodnight", "Dream Police" and "Just Got Back". Would be nice if they played longer considering what they charge, but it is a solid show that won't disappoint anyone. Only two songs ("Magical Mystery Tour" and "Ghost Town") were from after 1982 and there was nothing save the "That 70's Song" cover from the last twenty years,but then the band is wise enough to play to their strengths and to give the people what they want. I hope they continue to do so for many years to come.
Set List:
Hello There
That 70's Song (aka "In The Street")
California Man
High Roller
Oh Candy
If You Want My Love
She's Tight
Heaven Tonight
Magical Mystery Tour
I Want You To Want Me
Voices
Downed
Ghost Town
Surrender
Goodnight
Encore:
Dream Police
Just Got Back
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
If You're Viper
Note: This is from a show I saw back in July.
Viper:
Any of several venomous Old World snakes of the family Viperidae, having a single pair of long, hollow fangs and a thick, heavy body. Also called adder 2 .
A vicious or treacherous person
A term used in 1920s to describe a Heroin addict, also a heavy marijuana user.
In my ongoing quest to hit all the music venues in the Los Angeles area, I decided it was time to visit the "notorious" (as the web site self-proclaims)Viper Room on the Sunset Strip. The club usually hosts shows by no-name rock bands, kind of a West Coast CBGB's. Last night they had a straight ahead, old school punk rock band from Texas called The Riverboat Gamblers, a band I've heard of and think will suffice. And this is Johnny Depp's place, opened in 1993. Doubt you will see him here much. He lives in France and probably only comes to his club once in a blue moon, and then probably only for private shows. (editors note: I have come to find out that Johnny Depp may not be an owner anymore)
I arrive at the club after my UCLA class at around 10:30pm. The entrance to the club is on the side of the building, down a steep hill slightly. Located there is a bouncer with the smallest velvet roped off area I've ever seen. There was no-one there, aside from him and a guy he just let in.The bouncer looks like a walking cliche of an 80's era,dumb weight lifter type--wavy shoulder length hair and vaguely He-Man looking. I walked up and asked him if this was the entrance to the club. He says yes and then hooks the rope onto the little post, securing the area once more. I ask him again if this is the entrance to the venue (as opposed to a service entrance) and he says "Oh, you want to come to the show? Are you ready to ROCK OUT?" I'm thinking "Like nobody's business I'm ready to ROCK OUT! Let me in , He-Man dude! He calls out down the hallway over his shoulder, "I got one paying customer!" Then he unhooks the rope and lets me pass.
I walk down a long and narrow hallway until I reach the girl at the ticket booth (a lot of ink and a sour puss--too much time in Hollywood rock club world I think). I pay the $15 and go forward into the downstairs lounge. One thing this club favors is the color black (I later discover this extends to the club's toilets and sinks!) All the walls are painted black and the lighting is real low--lots of muted blue and red neon. The lounge is located below the main bar / show room above at street level. There is a bar here and leather covered benches line the rest of the walls in an L-shape. There are a number of Hollywood types lounging around down here looking bored. I decide to head upstairs to the main room.
The first thing I notice when reaching the top of the long and narrow staircase is the smell of....flowers? Wait a minute, no, I think it's citrus. I come to realize that the club pumps some kind of air freshener into the venue to keep it from smelling like a smelly beer hall. Is this Johnny's idea?
This is not a big room, maybe holds 200 or so people. Directly to my right is a big bar that takes up most of the back wall. Directly ahead of me is the stage. It is arranged in a semi-circle and has electric powered curtains that open and close for the performers. Some of you will remember the scene in the documentary Dig when The Brian Jonestown Massacare are playing a crucial showcase gig and the band members get into a fight on-stage. The curtains are closed on the group, with the exception of their goofy maraca player who is caught outside the curtains with a priceless deer-in-the-headlights look. I think only of this when I see the stage.
Looking up and to my left I spot the sound man's booth, neatly tucked away near the ceiling in a sort of enclosed crow's nest. Located directly below the crow's nest is some sort of room with a large window facing out towards the room. Upon closer inspection, it appears to be a v.i.p. area of some kind. There are all kinds of small framed mirrors hanging from the walls and the window has blinds. Hmm..I think I can put two and two together. The room also contains one framed 8x10 glossy photograph, signed and framed. I strain to make out who it is, and though I'm not 100% positive, I think it's Johnny Cash. There are also circular leather booths (also favored at the Whisky) located on the far wall , to the left of the stage.
Anyway, the Riverboat Gamblers proceed to rock mightily;the first 20 minutes is played at such an unbelievable break neck speed I am astounded. The lead singer, a real bean pole thin, Iggy-like front man does his damnedest to connect with the audience. He does that straight up leap where his feet kick behind him, almost kicking himself in the back.He twirls the mic cord incessantly. He crawls onto the the leather booths to his left. He climbs up one of the two supporting beams that are in the middle of the club--the beams that can kind of screw up sight lines and one flaw I see with this venue. He falls into the audience several times and crowd surfs to the middle of the dance floor and then is carried back. He even hops off-stage and wanders out the Sunset street level entrance and sings to people on the sidewalk. Some of these antics remind me of this little band from Sacramento called Magnolia Thunderfinger. Anyway, the singer certainly gives it his all. This band might not have the most memorable songs or a real original approach, but boy are they one insanely well-oiled machine.
The band finish up at 12:30--no encore. I have had my two beer limit and I cut out and head for my car. I have to say that I think it is a pretty cool little rock dive. I'm not too crazy about the "Too Cool For School" rock n' roll types who hang out there, but that is par for the course, particularly at any of these Sunset Strip venues. All in all, not a bad night out at Johnny's place.
Rock On.
Viper:
Any of several venomous Old World snakes of the family Viperidae, having a single pair of long, hollow fangs and a thick, heavy body. Also called adder 2 .
A vicious or treacherous person
A term used in 1920s to describe a Heroin addict, also a heavy marijuana user.
In my ongoing quest to hit all the music venues in the Los Angeles area, I decided it was time to visit the "notorious" (as the web site self-proclaims)Viper Room on the Sunset Strip. The club usually hosts shows by no-name rock bands, kind of a West Coast CBGB's. Last night they had a straight ahead, old school punk rock band from Texas called The Riverboat Gamblers, a band I've heard of and think will suffice. And this is Johnny Depp's place, opened in 1993. Doubt you will see him here much. He lives in France and probably only comes to his club once in a blue moon, and then probably only for private shows. (editors note: I have come to find out that Johnny Depp may not be an owner anymore)
I arrive at the club after my UCLA class at around 10:30pm. The entrance to the club is on the side of the building, down a steep hill slightly. Located there is a bouncer with the smallest velvet roped off area I've ever seen. There was no-one there, aside from him and a guy he just let in.The bouncer looks like a walking cliche of an 80's era,dumb weight lifter type--wavy shoulder length hair and vaguely He-Man looking. I walked up and asked him if this was the entrance to the club. He says yes and then hooks the rope onto the little post, securing the area once more. I ask him again if this is the entrance to the venue (as opposed to a service entrance) and he says "Oh, you want to come to the show? Are you ready to ROCK OUT?" I'm thinking "Like nobody's business I'm ready to ROCK OUT! Let me in , He-Man dude! He calls out down the hallway over his shoulder, "I got one paying customer!" Then he unhooks the rope and lets me pass.
I walk down a long and narrow hallway until I reach the girl at the ticket booth (a lot of ink and a sour puss--too much time in Hollywood rock club world I think). I pay the $15 and go forward into the downstairs lounge. One thing this club favors is the color black (I later discover this extends to the club's toilets and sinks!) All the walls are painted black and the lighting is real low--lots of muted blue and red neon. The lounge is located below the main bar / show room above at street level. There is a bar here and leather covered benches line the rest of the walls in an L-shape. There are a number of Hollywood types lounging around down here looking bored. I decide to head upstairs to the main room.
The first thing I notice when reaching the top of the long and narrow staircase is the smell of....flowers? Wait a minute, no, I think it's citrus. I come to realize that the club pumps some kind of air freshener into the venue to keep it from smelling like a smelly beer hall. Is this Johnny's idea?
This is not a big room, maybe holds 200 or so people. Directly to my right is a big bar that takes up most of the back wall. Directly ahead of me is the stage. It is arranged in a semi-circle and has electric powered curtains that open and close for the performers. Some of you will remember the scene in the documentary Dig when The Brian Jonestown Massacare are playing a crucial showcase gig and the band members get into a fight on-stage. The curtains are closed on the group, with the exception of their goofy maraca player who is caught outside the curtains with a priceless deer-in-the-headlights look. I think only of this when I see the stage.
Looking up and to my left I spot the sound man's booth, neatly tucked away near the ceiling in a sort of enclosed crow's nest. Located directly below the crow's nest is some sort of room with a large window facing out towards the room. Upon closer inspection, it appears to be a v.i.p. area of some kind. There are all kinds of small framed mirrors hanging from the walls and the window has blinds. Hmm..I think I can put two and two together. The room also contains one framed 8x10 glossy photograph, signed and framed. I strain to make out who it is, and though I'm not 100% positive, I think it's Johnny Cash. There are also circular leather booths (also favored at the Whisky) located on the far wall , to the left of the stage.
Anyway, the Riverboat Gamblers proceed to rock mightily;the first 20 minutes is played at such an unbelievable break neck speed I am astounded. The lead singer, a real bean pole thin, Iggy-like front man does his damnedest to connect with the audience. He does that straight up leap where his feet kick behind him, almost kicking himself in the back.He twirls the mic cord incessantly. He crawls onto the the leather booths to his left. He climbs up one of the two supporting beams that are in the middle of the club--the beams that can kind of screw up sight lines and one flaw I see with this venue. He falls into the audience several times and crowd surfs to the middle of the dance floor and then is carried back. He even hops off-stage and wanders out the Sunset street level entrance and sings to people on the sidewalk. Some of these antics remind me of this little band from Sacramento called Magnolia Thunderfinger. Anyway, the singer certainly gives it his all. This band might not have the most memorable songs or a real original approach, but boy are they one insanely well-oiled machine.
The band finish up at 12:30--no encore. I have had my two beer limit and I cut out and head for my car. I have to say that I think it is a pretty cool little rock dive. I'm not too crazy about the "Too Cool For School" rock n' roll types who hang out there, but that is par for the course, particularly at any of these Sunset Strip venues. All in all, not a bad night out at Johnny's place.
Rock On.
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