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Skinny Puppy The Hard Rock Live Las Vegas 10/30

 

Skinny Puppy started their tour Down the Socio Path with Youth Code at the Hard Rock live on all Hallows eve this year. Youth code is a band that they have toured with before so it was not like they were uncomfortable or nervous to be opening for such a band. I would like to start off by saying that lead singer should not have told us that they were not going to be at their best because her band member hurt is back. They played just fine and none of us would have said a damn thing because there was nothing that needed to be said. I would to have know there was a difference. I feel like she discredited the bands talent by saying that to us. That being said, I feel strongly that to me she was the female Andrew W K with her all white outfit and that is not in the least bit an insult. He is one of the most charismatic musicians I have had the honor of seeing and she moved around the stage in a very similar fashion. Not only was the stage presence strong but they also played some new music that will be delightful to hear in its while when the time comes.

After Youth Code had finished their set Skinny Puppy came on. This is a much smaller stage then when I had seen them last and the fact that they could fit their entire set onto it was pretty amazing. They had said that it was going to be different then previous shows and when Ogre came out in a mask that looked like it was inspired from Pan's Labyrinths monster, it gave it a different kind of creepy feel. They had started the set off with Jayhla, a first performance of that song off of the album Process. As Ogre was getting started, he had strange areas in his suit for syringes to be placed in and a minotour man would come out and put the syringes into place cause blood to come out all over his suit. It looked as if he was the tin man and each time one was placed in and the blood would flow out it would bring him more and more to life. The theatrics that go into this show always reminds me of the best kind of musical theater. One that has the best kind of music along with the stage presence that is required to pull off such an elaborate set. It is not like every band can get up on stage with those kinds of lights, have those kinds of costumes and have a deliberate idea/concept and pull it off without coming off as cheesy. This is not a cheesy set in the least bit.

The set list was just flawless. There was such a wide variety of songs, played before and ones that were not that it is always nice to see a band that pays that much attention to what they are going play. Sometimes you can see a band more then once and they seem to keep the same songs in the set list even though they have a huge discography like this band. The only song that I saw a double of from the last time I reviewed them was Assimilate which I am happy with because it is one of my favorite songs. Plus with the things going on in our country, you know the ass hole Trump top of the polls having a song like that in the set list is a good way to keep people thinking specially when images of the American emblem is being played on the screen in the background.

Everything that this band does is very on point and done with not only delicacy but with a distinct idea that comes off very soundly. There is a reason that a band like this has last over 30 years of touring without losing there edge.

 

 

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Wine Amplified October 11, 2014

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         It was the 9th annual Wine Amplified at the MGM Villas. This was quite an adventure to say the least. They have a cashless systems which is you can load up at 25 dollar increments on you writs band so you can buy you alcohol and your shirts without having to worry about that pesky wallet. In theory this is a great idea, its great till you realize that half the people have been there for a few days, are already really drunk and they didn't read any of the website which stated that they do not accept cash. For many people this was not what they were looking for. It was not clearly stated so that people would be prepared for this event.

If you had known this, then the tasting portion of the night went a lot smother. There were many different things to drink, wine of course, different types of hard alcohol and there was also beer. I personally went to the tequila stand and had some of the best tequila. I did try to have some wine but the women that were working the both were to stupid, or didn't care and wouldn't take the last 4 dollar I had to apply it to a taste. Either way I poured out what little bit they gave me in front of them because I'm an ass and I was drunk.

Aside from the major confusion that had seemed to be around everyone who went, there were bands that played. The Violent Femmes had been the first major band to play that evening and unlike many festival they had a whole hour to play. They had of course played a lot of songs from their first album which is the most popular. I of course like hearing Add it Up and Good Feeling, but I would have liked to of heard more songs from other albums. They had dedicated about 35 minutes to playing the first album then they had played songs like Jesus Walking on Water but for me personally I would have liked to of seen a few other songs from albums like 3. Of course with this being the 30th anniversary of the album they would of play more songs from it.

Moving away from my fan girl wishes, the band sounded amazing. There wasn't a second you couldn't have guessed what song they were playing and there was not a lull in their set. This is of course a band you go to listen to, they are not going to be putting on a crazy jumping around show, which is not a bad thing, but they will focus on what each band member is doing and the sound that they are producing. Gordon Gano sound exactly how you want him too. It is as if time has not passed with his vocals which is the best thing that you could ask for with a voice like his. Part of the love of the Violent Femmes is the way that Gano sings. You can hear his pain in every note that is uttered and for that to translate live so fluidly is amazing.

Not only do we expect our vocals to be amazing live but the acoustic bass is such an essential sound to the band that without it we would not have the Femmes and we were presented with the whole package. Brian Ritchie had given the crowd what they wanted along with Gano vocals. Every not was perfect. It was even amazing to hear Gone Daddy Gone with the xylophone. And if that wasn't the icing on top of the cake, Gano pulled out the fiddle for Good Feeling.

A fan could not ask for anything more from the Violent Femmes, even if you are not a fan this is the show that would make you one. They had great energy on stage which was greatly reflected in the sound that they had produced. It was truly a terrific set and a great way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Violent Femmes.

Next we get to our headliners, Blink 182. Sound and performance wise the band did a great job. They had a really great rhythm and they sure did make fun of one another. It seemed like we were invited into a moment at a rehearsal rather then a show which only gives the band a better likeability and makes them see more relate able. These are all good things but with bands like them, fans have grown to expect a certain level. A very large complaint that was echoed through the crowd was the fact that they had only played newer songs. Unlike the Violent Femmes, they are not celebrating a mile stone in their career, in fact they have nothing but a greatest hits tour going which is literally the only thing that they played. I have a friend that is a huge fan and wanted to hear things from like Cheshire Cat and all the older cds and was instead greeted with the terrible songs everyone hates. What's my Name Again? and All the Small Things. No offense to Blink but I want to murder those songs. I am so sick of hearing them. I know the band has produced some better songs from that in their entire discography.

I know a set list is hard to make but it doesn’t seem like they have changed it much since their last tours. 90% of the songs they had played were the over played songs that most of us are sick of hearing. I like Holiday and I Miss You aside from that I don't want to hear those other songs every again.

Performance wise they did a great job. One of the best band I have seen but the set list had killed any potential of this being a stellar performance. If they would have had better diversity of their songs not only would they have pleased the hard core fans but they would have had a perfect performance. It is unfortunate that they felt they could skip those song because out of everything you would think they would be tired of playing 95% of those songs. If I ever have to sit through What's my Age Again? Or All the Small Things I'm going to start throwing shit at people.