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GWAR
A Concert Review |
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There are some shows that most of the people, well, maybe not most
of, but some of them, that I know, are shocked that I enjoy. I would
have to say that at the top of that list is GWAR. It’s been a few
years since I’ve seen GWAR, that last time being back in 1994.
Alright, it’s been more than a few years but that experience
always stuck with me and it was with great anticipation that I
grabbed the Dude on the Left and we headed to The Vic in Chicago to
catch the return of GWAR. This time was kinda different, this time
was kinda the same, and this time I think they may have hit a new
low. It was so cool.
The last time I saw GWAR the show centered around a wrestling
match. This time, being topical, and The Dude on the Left called it
as we were waiting to go in, he guessed some political talk would be
in order. And in order it was. Opening with "George W.
Bush" and "Al Gore" trying to sway some votes, it was
Sleazy P. Martini who made the most sense as "Bush" and
"Gore’s" heads got blown off and Sleazy P threw his hat
into the political ring with Sexecutioner as Sleazy’s running
mate. Those of you who know nothing about GWAR are probably saying
"What? I thought this was a band?", but GWAR-heads know
what it’s all about, and it’s all about metal opera at it’s,
hmm, goriest. And so this night was about politics.
Aliens wanted to rule, GWAR wouldn’t let them, the crap-a-pult
came out as Oderus asked if the crowd wanted "poo poo all over
you", the crowd cheered, and Oderus stood there in wonder
saying "Why would you want that?", but of course he did
nothing to stop the launching of white turds on the crowd. The show
also featured Pookie the Wonder Dog, a giant penguin, and a final
battle scene of killer robots, aliens, GWAR members, and, well, with
so much going on I lost track of who won and lost, but the crowd
basked in the blood spewing from the corpses, soaking up every last
drop. And if that weren’t enough, and you don’t find the thought
of aliens getting their heads blown off and spewing alien blood all
over the crowd, nor the lack of respect for our Presidential
candidates, then just let me mention the rotting corpse of Jean
Benet Ramsey.
And, oh yea, there was music, and pretty damn good music if you
like the heavy/thrash/punk mix of metal. Oderus led the mutants
through about an hour of a half of in-your-face metal with guitar
solos wailing, the crowd singing along, and somehow this band with
the most bizarre stage show can still kick-ass musically and still
interact with everything going on around them.
Yes, GWAR is not for the squeamish nor the faint at heart nor for
those who think the entertainment industry is the reason for the
downfall of humanity. You people just stay home. But if you can
appreciate probably the most bizarre form of metal concert the world
has to offer, GWAR might just be for you.
I will say that this GWAR show didn’t have the continuity of
the first show I saw, I think mostly because it was easier to wrap
the concert around the wrestling match like they did in ‘96, but I
was still thoroughly entertained, remembered my appreciate for good
thrash punk/metal, and even felt a little dirty enjoying the
entertainment and carnage I had just witnessed. It was GWAR and it’s
TWO "You Didn’t Think They Could Disgust You Any More Until…"
THUMBS UP!
That’s it for this one! I’m The Dude on the Right!! L8R!!! |
