|
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
|
|
|
{Show Review}
June 22, 2004 / 930 Club / Washington, DC
While nearly 8 years has passed since the death of Dwayne Goettel, one reunion show and a few sporadic remix albums were all that were left of the group, while the remaining members cEVIN Key and Nivek Ogre explored the various projects.
After a reunion on August 20th, 2000 at a Dresden, Germany based festival, fans hopes were high that this would not be a short-lived thing. Soon, the two were working once again, bringing in guests such as Danny Carey (Tool) and Wayne Static (Static-X) to meld in the musical furnace a combination of veteran musicians, and the young breed they helped inspire. The end result, “The Greater Wrong Of The Right” is a mix of classic puppy and a modern twist that has long been brewing. Hard hitting beat induced tracks like “I’Mmortal” and “Pro-Test” incorporate even a little rap now and then that offer the band the ability to tear up the dance floor as much as the radio.
Perhaps more anticipated then their new album was the ensuing tour. World renowned for their theatrical live show, Ogre and cEVIN Key, with members of Professional Murder Music, Skumlove, and more in hand traveled around the United States in a cute purple bus and an 18-wheeler, as well as Tweaker (featuring Chris Vrenna, formerly of Nine Inch Nails) and Otto Von Rock, setting their sites on the major markets.
Signs outside the venues warn of loud sounds and seizure inducing strobe lights, I assume to warn the oblivious or the concert novice, or to just avoid a lawsuit. With Otto Von Rock warming the crowd up with his power noise blend and “hermaphrodite tampons”, and Tweaker providing a powerful show enough to put the spotlight on them instead of the main event.
Tweaker, the once studio project finally ventured out of the studio for their first tour, while the singer stood against a plain white backdrop, a pink and blue light casting his silhouette onto the crowd. Much of their set focused on their new, more structured album “2am Wake Up Call”, and while skeptical at first, they in the end delivered a powerful rendition that was on level for the main act. So subtle yet beautifully crafted.
The crowd had slowly packed in as the nights progressed. After a bit of a wait, Ogre stood covered in blood and singing the intro music and a single screen flashed psychotic imagery in true Skinny Puppy fashion. Four light terraces, a drum riser, and a keyboard riser sat above the stage as Ogre pranced around, covered in a blood covered bandage costume, and later for the encore a flashing light suit. Even though getting up there in years, age did not seem a factor as the group slammed through their set with a collection of hits spanning their career. “Pro-test”, “Gods Gift (Maggot)”, “Empte”, and a host of others made up the setlist.
While the strobes were not that much and the sound level not as loud as the foreboding signs suggested, the set overall delivered and left many looking forward to their tour with Ministry later in the year.
|
|
