Puscifer’s “V is for Viagra” tour came to the historic Moore Theater in Seattle on November 11, 2009, an intimate setting with a little over 1,400 seats.
SweetHead opened the evening with eight songs, most of them sounding identical. The lead singer has a great gravelly voice a la Kim Carnes, but she shouts through her songs and needs work on her stagecraft.
Maynard James Keenan appeared on a large video screen inside a tent, appearing to be confused that he was still in Seattle. Like a good egg, he agreed to do one more show for us and the rest of the band got up out of their sleeping bags, lit the BBQ, and made their way to their instruments.
Yes, I said tents and sleeping bags. Camp chairs. Bottles of Chupacabra wine. And a BBQ. OK it had a Disney-esque flame, but it’s the thought that counts.
And the thoughts in the Tool front-man’s head is what we were treated to for about a two-hour show, complete with video billboards, visitors drifting on and off the stage, and Talking–Heads style monitors scattered at all angles. If you like Tool or APC, you will love Puscifer, and if you haven’t gotten around to listening to either of the former, Puscifer is a grand introduction to Keenan’s genius. This show had material from the two already-released albums and selections from their upcoming offering.
Throughout this tour, the props and band members change, but tonight Ted Alexander, Matt Mitchell, Johnny Polonski, and Jeffrey Brooks did the honors. Every few songs or so, a video interlude played that asked the burning question: “What Is A Puscifer?”
Keenan’s voice is a classic, able to project thought and emotion while leading listeners deeper into the tracks. Powerful anthem songs “DoZo” and “The Undertaker” took full advantage of the acoustics at the Moore, especially when Alexander let loose on the kettle set.
I didn’t catch the name of the female vocalist onstage tonight, but she and Keenan stood behind monitors that projected them at the mics so the effect was that of a giant video head and a normal sized body standing below. Although that was disconcerting, it lent a techno air to the retro stage props and actually worked out all right.
I’m the type of music fan who can listen to a good musical score, but if the lyrics don’t make sense or are just stupid, I won’t download it. There were no negatives to the music from Puscifer: lots of bass and drums and an orchestral feeling to the keyboard work made songs like “The Mission” and “Queen B” a pure listening pleasure, but the lyrics are satirical enough to satisfy the alternative/industrial poet in anyone, and both of those songs are definitely in my playlists now.
“The Humbling River” closed the show, and is a compelling plea for peace laced between hypnotic drums and guitar with dynamic harmonies. Afterwards, the audience was treated to copies of V Is For Vagina CDs and if there was anyone who wasn’t convinced that they had already scored with this small-venue extravaganza, this should have done it.
I’ve seen Tool in concert and loved them, but this show made Keenan seem somehow more personal and responsive to the audience. If this is the kind of project that he does between Tool albums, me and those other 1400+ fans will be just fine with that.
And yes, Tim Alexander in a Little Red Riding outfit is funny.
DOWNLOAD: Puscifer - Queen B (MP3) or Follow us for more Puscifer MP3s (Twitter)
The National - 9/11
Marymoor Ampitheatre
The Black Keys - 10/2
The Paramount Theatre
Broken Social Scene - 10/10
Neumos
Broken Social Scene - 10/15
The Paramount Theatre
It was a great show. The energy was intense. I was lucky enough to be right up front.
by Burt on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 05.01 pm from the entry: The Avett Brothers + Langhorne Slim - Crystal Ballroom (Portland-town, OR; Aug. 30, 2010)
lovin trackz #4,13, and 16
by Phoxy Philly on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 04.03 pm from the entry: Chiddy Bang's "The Swelly Express" Mixtape (download)
Nice concerning as better as clarifying position.Gives Thanks for providing for us.I show your article with my delight.
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by jhon on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 02.35 pm from the entry: Tiny Vipers + Rafael Anton Irisarri + Cars & Trains - Mississippi Studios (Portland; Jul. 14, 2010)
agree with beth! dope stuff on both sides of the review.
by @bosconcertphoto on Wed Sep 1, 2010 at 09.48 am from the entry: DJ /rupture + Tanlines - Whitney Museum (New York, NY; August 27, 2010)
Thanks Nicole!
Just wanted to say that although this may be our last time performing this show, I have many other projects in the works. Info and show schedule is on my website.
- Ben
by Ben Darwish on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 11.47 pm from the entry: Ben Darwish - Afrobeat Tribute to Michael Jackson - Tractor Tavern (Seattle, WA; August, 29, 2010)
Love these photos and review. So, these DJ sets are at 7:30? I don’t really get it. And are these gonna continue once the Whitney moves? And most importantly, where can I attend an “hour-long clinic on shaking ass?”
by beth on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 06.44 pm from the entry: DJ /rupture + Tanlines - Whitney Museum (New York, NY; August 27, 2010)
Super post there! Comprehensive and well collated material. Thanks for sharing.
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by jhon on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 01.56 pm from the entry: Deerhoof + The Donkeys + Southeast Engine - Berbati's Pan (Portland, OR; July 6, 2010)
sounds like a really interesting show. I didn’t know you were allowed to bbq indoors…
nice job!