(posting it here since I don't know where else to post)
PUSCIFER REVIEW.
first time ever in vegas last weekend for my 21st birthday. made the trip from toronto with
a good friend. i still can't believe how cheap it was: $400 for return flight vegas-toronto,
and 4 nights at a decent hotel directly across the street from the Palms, where the puscifer
show was.
When i purchased the puscifer tickets on ticketbastard i opted to pay a little extra for this
"wine tasting package". Unexpectedly, I got a phone call later that day from a man calling himself "the wine guy" and "maynards assistant". He told me over the phone where to go, what to expect, ect. I was fairly excited for the entire trip, but nothing could have prepared me for what was coming.
After arriving in vegas, checking into hotel, smoking a cigar while giving money to those hungry
noise making machines, I proceeded to the "palms hotel casino". About 2 hours before show time, a small group of about 20 of us are waiting outside the entrance to the Pearl. The dude I spoke to on the phone, "the wine guy", comes out to greet us. I immediately recognized him as one of Tool's personal security guards for their tours. I've seen him several times over the past few years. I figured he would be doing security for Puscifer as well, and would escort us into
the wine tasting area to meet the "wine guy". Much to my surprise, he IS the wine guy. He begins a 20 or so minute presentation on the history of Cadeceus wine, and numerous stories about how maynard makes the wine, and his goals for the future. We were in a relatively small room and were given generous amounts of wine to sample as the wine guy talked about it.
I had just finished my third glass of wine within 15 minutes, starting to feel a very nice buzz
when the wine guy disapears through the back door. Most of us continue to relax on the comfy
couches and drink some more wine, when the wine guy returns.... with maynard.
A surprisingly short, and even more surprisingly bald maynard.
He has an incredibly shiny head.
In my incredibly euphoric, tipsy state of mind, all I can bring myself to fathom was the shiny
reflection of light coming from maynard's head.
He thanks everyone for supporting his wine and coming out to see him, and hopes we all enjoy
the puscifer show later in the evening.
There was clearly a moment of akward silence, and maynard just stands there not really sure what else he is supposed to say in a really intimate environment with this small group of people.
With my heart pounding, I speak up and ask him if he will be bringing his wine to Canada.
He laughs and says "good luck with that", and follows up with answering some wine related
questions from a few others.
He thanks us once again and departs backstage. The next 5 minutes all 15-20 of us sit still
in absolute silence. The wine guy gives us another bottle of wine before we head back out into the casino to await the concert.
Show time rolls around, and the opening act... "uncle scratch's gospell revival" comes on. I have
no words to explain them right now. They absolutely demolished my expectations. what an AMAZING opening act for puscifer. Words do not do justice. I hope others here who witnessed them will comment as well. I don't think I have laughed so hard in many, many years. In the middle of a song, the guitar player kicks the drumset and demolishes it to pieces, while the drummer continues to play on whatever he can salvage on the group. I'm going to stop trying to describe them, it's just something you have to witness for yourself.
next up: Puscifer.
I will be up front and honest at this point. I was never a huge Puscifer fan. From his first album,
a few songs I liked, but nothing I considered to be anything special. So needless to say my expectations were not the highest coming into the concert. Although, from what I have read I believe most people who were present will agree with my following review of the concert.
The first half of the concert is exactly what I expected. Random comedy sketches about Maynard's southern redneck alterego, combined with country-ish versions of many of his songs.
I will admit some of it was pretty humerous, but like most Tool fans, this is not the Maynard I
came to see. Thankfully, there was a surprise to come.
Following a brief intermission, and a complete stage revamp from the southern redneck setting, to something much more modern, Maynard returns wearing a nifty black and red suit, along with a bottle of his wine.
The next 30 minutes that ensued were truly beautiful.
As much as I disagree with, or disliked Puscifer - he has earned my respect.
The live version of "Momma Sed" is incredible. Such a powerful song.
However, the climax of the night was his performance of a song I did not recognize. From reading the credits of the upcoming new EP, I can only assume this song was "The Humbling River".
This song did not sound like Puscifer at all. This was APC/TOOL vocals, and a melodic maynard voice that took me away much like many lateralus songs did. I hope I am not over-reacting, as I only witnessed this song live once, in a very altered state of mind, but I can't fathom how
orgasmic those final 30 minutes were.
agreed, good reveiw. i cant wait until puscifer comes down to Houston. i bought my ticket an hour after they went on sale and got a good row C seat. needless to say, i was mortified when i lost it a week ago. ive already gotten a new ticket, row v this time, but i dont really care about the downgrade that much. i still get to see one of my favorite musicians alive.
(posting it here since I don't know where else to post)
PUSCIFER REVIEW.
first time ever in vegas last weekend for my 21st birthday. made the trip from toronto with
a good friend. i still can't believe how cheap it was: $400 for return flight vegas-toronto,
and 4 nights at a decent hotel directly across the street from the Palms, where the puscifer
show was.
When i purchased the puscifer tickets on ticketbastard i opted to pay a little extra for this
"wine tasting package". Unexpectedly, I got a phone call later that day from a man calling himself "the wine guy" and "maynards assistant". He told me over the phone where to go, what to expect, ect. I was fairly excited for the entire trip, but nothing could have prepared me for what was coming.
After arriving in vegas, checking into hotel, smoking a cigar while giving money to those hungry
noise making machines, I proceeded to the "palms hotel casino". About 2 hours before show time, a small group of about 20 of us are waiting outside the entrance to the Pearl. The dude I spoke to on the phone, "the wine guy", comes out to greet us. I immediately recognized him as one of Tool's personal security guards for their tours. I've seen him several times over the past few years. I figured he would be doing security for Puscifer as well, and would escort us into
the wine tasting area to meet the "wine guy". Much to my surprise, he IS the wine guy. He begins a 20 or so minute presentation on the history of Cadeceus wine, and numerous stories about how maynard makes the wine, and his goals for the future. We were in a relatively small room and were given generous amounts of wine to sample as the wine guy talked about it.
I had just finished my third glass of wine within 15 minutes, starting to feel a very nice buzz
when the wine guy disapears through the back door. Most of us continue to relax on the comfy
couches and drink some more wine, when the wine guy returns.... with maynard.
A surprisingly short, and even more surprisingly bald maynard.
He has an incredibly shiny head.
In my incredibly euphoric, tipsy state of mind, all I can bring myself to fathom was the shiny
reflection of light coming from maynard's head.
He thanks everyone for supporting his wine and coming out to see him, and hopes we all enjoy
the puscifer show later in the evening.
There was clearly a moment of akward silence, and maynard just stands there not really sure what else he is supposed to say in a really intimate environment with this small group of people.
With my heart pounding, I speak up and ask him if he will be bringing his wine to Canada.
He laughs and says "good luck with that", and follows up with answering some wine related
questions from a few others.
He thanks us once again and departs backstage. The next 5 minutes all 15-20 of us sit still
in absolute silence. The wine guy gives us another bottle of wine before we head back out into the casino to await the concert.
Show time rolls around, and the opening act... "uncle scratch's gospell revival" comes on. I have
no words to explain them right now. They absolutely demolished my expectations. what an AMAZING opening act for puscifer. Words do not do justice. I hope others here who witnessed them will comment as well. I don't think I have laughed so hard in many, many years. In the middle of a song, the guitar player kicks the drumset and demolishes it to pieces, while the drummer continues to play on whatever he can salvage on the group. I'm going to stop trying to describe them, it's just something you have to witness for yourself.
next up: Puscifer.
I will be up front and honest at this point. I was never a huge Puscifer fan. From his first album,
a few songs I liked, but nothing I considered to be anything special. So needless to say my expectations were not the highest coming into the concert. Although, from what I have read I believe most people who were present will agree with my following review of the concert.
The first half of the concert is exactly what I expected. Random comedy sketches about Maynard's southern redneck alterego, combined with country-ish versions of many of his songs.
I will admit some of it was pretty humerous, but like most Tool fans, this is not the Maynard I
came to see. Thankfully, there was a surprise to come.
Following a brief intermission, and a complete stage revamp from the southern redneck setting, to something much more modern, Maynard returns wearing a nifty black and red suit, along with a bottle of his wine.
The next 30 minutes that ensued were truly beautiful.
As much as I disagree with, or disliked Puscifer - he has earned my respect.
The live version of "Momma Sed" is incredible. Such a powerful song.
However, the climax of the night was his performance of a song I did not recognize. From reading the credits of the upcoming new EP, I can only assume this song was "The Humbling River".
This song did not sound like Puscifer at all. This was APC/TOOL vocals, and a melodic maynard voice that took me away much like many lateralus songs did. I hope I am not over-reacting, as I only witnessed this song live once, in a very altered state of mind, but I can't fathom how
orgasmic those final 30 minutes were.
Bravo Maynard.
"and together we'll cross the river"
Nice read. Looks like you have quite a good evening to remember.
ha glad to see Uncle Scratch has another convert!! They RULE.
The Pearl is a sweet place for a show and I know May May likes it...
The second half of the set is mind opening and that's kind of what bums me out. The entire show should be like that. (as were the shows this past Spring)
"Yeah Tool is fucking amazing. But there’s a big chunk of their fan base that think they’ve become thought provoking geniuses just from listening to them."
ha glad to see Uncle Scratch has another convert!! They RULE.
The Pearl is a sweet place for a show and I know May May likes it...
The second half of the set is mind opening and that's kind of what bums me out. The entire show should be like that. (as were the shows this past Spring)
I forgot what song he did a retro-1990 demon scream in, I think it was The Undertaker IIRC, but I was so glad to see/hear/experience his ability to still create that spine-snapping sound that puts you in a stale of paralysis. Polar Bear and Humbling River were really powerful live. In fact, Humbling River comes across to me as a modern day Imagine message-wise.
Last edited by musicmansf; 11-11-2009 at 07:59 PM..
I forgot what song he did a retro-1990 demon scream in, I think it was The Undertaker IIRC, but I was so glad to see/hear/experience his ability to still create that spine-snapping sound that puts you in a stale of paralysis.
That was sick! all the Tool freaking were luvin that!!
"Yeah Tool is fucking amazing. But there’s a big chunk of their fan base that think they’ve become thought provoking geniuses just from listening to them."
There are a number of different versions of each song. Some are radically different and some are a bit more subtle. In the case of "The Undertaker" there are currently 2 versions that are making appearances in the setlist. One is somewhat more 'industrial' sounding and features the above mentioned screams.
The soundchecks on this tour can be quite extensive, more
resembling rehearsals than normal soundchecks as the arrangements are constantly getting tweaked, often right up until the doors open.
I doubt any 2 shows on this tour will be quite the same, and any town that gets 2 shows is certain to have 2 quite different ones.
hey junior do you know why the El paso show get canceled ?My wife and i were so looking forward to seeing Puscifer live,and now it's too fatr to travel to any of the other shows plus we had to schedule the time off,and now nothing dammit!!!
hey junior do you know why the El paso show get canceled ?My wife and i were so looking forward to seeing Puscifer live,and now it's too fatr to travel to any of the other shows plus we had to schedule the time off,and now nothing dammit!!!
I think it's more like "if you read too much into what Blair writes in his newsletters".
Guilty as charged.
Just went back to see exactly what Blair wrote, and I think I figured it out.
NOVEMBER 12TH WILL BE HERE SOON
Are you prepared?
(and)
* Seems a bit suspicious that there is no show on November 12th!
November 12 is the date of the San Antonio backstage fire that the band got charged for, and possibly the date of a few other unlucky band-related events, so Blair and the guys probably jokingly refer to that date as "cursed."
That would also explain Blair's joke about Puscifer not playing a show on Nov. 12, i.e. worried about the "curse."
by the way jwb, i'm going to watch those dvd's you gave me over the summer this weekend. been looking forward to it for a while. bought a 24 for the occasion...
A brief Puscifer review, Friday the 13th, Vancouver.
show starts with Maynard sitting in a tent talking on a cell phone. hard to hear what he's saying, crowd's going nuts. mumbles something about giving the band wkend off and they're going camping in Canada. first song was Rev, 22:20-thought it was an interesting selection to open with. played all tracks off V and 4 off new ep. we were treated to 'industrial' version of The Undertaker, not bad. personal hi-lites were Dozo, Queen Bee and The Mission. last song was The Humbling River, deffinately agree with Kanaduh, seemed more like Tool / APC than Puscifer. over all, show was alright. maybe it was the small venue or mellow material but any doubts i had that Maynard had lost his singing ability were quickly put aside.
oh ya, almost forgot. Tim Alexander ( dressed as the Tooth Fairy) played with the band for last half of the show.
well done Maynard!!
__________________ i mean, we are like catapillars, contemplating pupation. no longer will i chew on the cabbage leaves, no longer will i spend my time moving on the underside of the foliage! life must be a preparation for the transition to another dimension...
"Yeah Tool is fucking amazing. But there’s a big chunk of their fan base that think they’ve become thought provoking geniuses just from listening to them."
Man I saw one of the better light shows not done by a guy named Junior on the 19th.
If you get a chance do not miss Them Crooked Vultures.
One of the best shows I have EVER seen.
That would be Dan Hadley. He's had my respect and admiration for QUITE some time.
A few of his clientele: QOTSA, Weezer, Tenacious D, DEVO, Sonic Youth, Mars Volta... it goes on...
I saw him putting his Crooked Vultures show together, and I'm still looking forward to seeing it.
That would be Dan Hadley. He's had my respect and admiration for QUITE some time.
A few of his clientele: QOTSA, Weezer, Tenacious D, DEVO, Sonic Youth, Mars Volta... it goes on...
I saw him putting his Crooked Vultures show together, and I'm still looking forward to seeing it.
The lights were great but the band..stunning.
JPJ brings it hard and the chemistry between the three of them is amazing.
The rig seemed pretty simple at first but as the night wore on Mr Hadley revealed more and more just as the band did. It was perfect synergy.
If I didnt know you were out with Puscifer I would have thought it was you..
"Yeah Tool is fucking amazing. But there’s a big chunk of their fan base that think they’ve become thought provoking geniuses just from listening to them."
I think to go over the top for the next Tool tour, aliens should probably just jump out of the sky and abduct everyone during Rosetta Stoned. I mean, A. Makes it easy on the band, only have to play an hour, B. It'd stoke a lot of questions, C. ALIENS, and D. Everyone on acid will be totally blown. A billion collective shits hitting the floor at the same time. Good job Tool! You've raped my mind yet again!
"Yeah Tool is fucking amazing. But there’s a big chunk of their fan base that think they’ve become thought provoking geniuses just from listening to them."
i haven't read through this thread in a while, thus i didn't know junior was on the road with puscifer. i dig the show man, lighting is important and that bit with the strobe to purple, back to strobe to red is killer.
