My wife and I saw Puscifer Friday night in Houston. It was possibly the most entertaining concert I've ever been to. I was slow to warm up to this project. I really didn't care much for V is for Vagina until just recently. I guess I was in the right mind set and decided to give it a shot. Needless to say, it really grew on me.
With that said, I have an entirely new appreciation for Puscifer after seeing the live performance. The show opened with Uncle Scratch, which was pretty damn funny. You could tell a certain % of the audience didn't quite get it. At one point they were discussing the setlist. (paraphrasing) "Next up...we are playing...what the fuck? JAMBI?! 46 Plus Two? What the fuck is this shit?!!!" They balled it up and tossed it into the audience.
Their set was followed up by a 30 minute act from Neil Hamburger. I think he helped set a great tone for the first half of Puscifer. Lots of groans and uncomfortable jokes.
The Puscifer portion was started with a video taped address by Maynard as a general. It then lead into the Billy Dee character on screen. They did a pretty cool transition of behind the scenes (preshot) footage that lead the characters to stage. This probably accounted for half of their set. An R rated Hee Haw with country versions of a half dozen songs. Even I, not being a fan of country music, really enjoyed these versions. They took most of the songs that I am luke warm on and made them country. The whole time they were cutting back and forth between the video screen, the songs, and on stage antics. At one point Billy Dee explained that they were punk rock...pretty damn funny. "I go counter-clockwise bitch!"
There were a few assholes that yelled during the pauses. They obviously didn't get what was happening on stage. "Play some fucking Puscifer!! THIS ISN'T PUSCIFER!!" shit like that. These are the same assholes who feel the need to yell "FUCKING TOOLL!!!" during an entire tool concert.
The set was dimmed and altered in the darkness. TV screens were pulled out and scattered around the stage. This is also where Maynard's "face screen" came out. The before mentioned drunk assholes started yelling again. Maynard leaned into his screen and shot them the bird in camera. He then did the little thumb on nose, wiggling fingers maneuver at them in camera as well. The place erupted with applause.
The last half with Maynard in suit/video screen/heavier rock portion was unbelievable! For any of you tool fans who haven't embraced Puscifer yet, check out his latest EP. Polar Bear, Potions, The Mission and Humbling River are all incredible. His best work yet for Puscifer.
Now for the bitching. It has nothing to do with the band (that I know of) and everything to do with the concert hall (Jones Hall - Houston). We had front row balcony seats. I was super thrilled about them. Well apparently the balcony didn't sell out, so they moved all of us to the back 5 rows in the orchestra section. I had to turn in my awesome tickets and have the exchanged for 2 random ones from the shit pile. 5 Rows of PISSED OFF fans. Luckily the view was still great and nearly as close as the orchestra would have put me.
The show opened with Uncle Scratch, which was pretty damn funny. You could tell a certain % of the audience didn't quite get it. At one point they were discussing the setlist. (paraphrasing) "Next up...we are playing...what the fuck? JAMBI?! 46 Plus Two? What the fuck is this shit?!!!" They balled it up and tossed it into the audience.
Uncle Scratch was absolutely incredible in Vegas.
Awesome review, sir. Brought back fond memories of my experience a month ago.
In similar news, we can expect the spring 2010 puscifer tour dates for the east coast/midwest any day now. *fingers crossed for toronto*
"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."
It's funny about Puscifer...like I said before Ive been lucky enough to catch 4 shows including the first two back in Feb.
It was born a stdio project like a modern day Allan Parsons Project but the songs are best heard live.
Of the 4 different versions I've seen on stage the one in LA was the best and had the least side acts and comedy. The songs are soooo good live, they stand on their own and don't need a lot of "dressing."
I hope he adds Rocket Man back in some day, it was simply stunning.
"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."
Artistically, this current Puscifer tour has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Puscifer, itself, has tought me some new perspectives. Uncle Scratch's Gospel Revival and Neil Hamburger have supercharged my thought process. Looking forward to the Midwest/East Coast dates in the spring.
To all the haters: roll with the new.
Artistically, this current Puscifer tour has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Puscifer, itself, has tought me some new perspectives. Uncle Scratch's Gospel Revival and Neil Hamburger have supercharged my thought process. Looking forward to the Midwest/East Coast dates in the spring.
To all the haters: roll with the new.
Artistically, this current Puscifer tour has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Puscifer, itself, has tought me some new perspectives. Uncle Scratch's Gospel Revival and Neil Hamburger have supercharged my thought process. Looking forward to the Midwest/East Coast dates in the spring.
To all the haters: roll with the new.
"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."
Artistically, this current Puscifer tour has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Puscifer, itself, has tought me some new perspectives. Uncle Scratch's Gospel Revival and Neil Hamburger have supercharged my thought process. Looking forward to the Midwest/East Coast dates in the spring.
To all the haters: roll with the new.
awesome!
__________________ enjoy whatever tool existence there is left
find a comfortable space, comfortable yet venerable and enjoy the music.
"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."
You kids and your envy...haha...anyway...anyone know anything about presales for the upcoming Puscifer shows? I have particular interest in the Cleveland (Lorain) show...it looks like there is a presale the day before they go onsale to the general public, and of course, I'd like to be a part of said presale...thanks in advance!
You kids and your envy...haha...anyway...anyone know anything about presales for the upcoming Puscifer shows? I have particular interest in the Cleveland (Lorain) show...it looks like there is a presale the day before they go onsale to the general public, and of course, I'd like to be a part of said presale...thanks in advance!
TM only indicates one show in Lorain, Ohio. I'm assuming the other shows will be added on TM too. Does anyone know if any previous Puscifer show was sold through anything other than Licketmaster?
Last edited by Runner701; 12-24-2009 at 05:56 AM..
"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."
"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."
the lateralus shows were off the chain.I was always a fan of Tool but after seeing them twice in 2002,it pushed them into a whole new level for me.The Patient,Third Eye,Disposition,Reflection.Triad,Parabol(A),H,thos e were amazing live,not to mention the 10,000 days jam intro to Lateralus as a closer fucking mind blowing!These shows are the reason I keep going back to see them again and again!!
But how do you feel about those that saw them perform No Quarter?
Also hateful. BUT, I saw Jello Biafra play Holiday in Camobia WITH FUCKING TOOL, so that makes up for it. Woulda been sick if they played No Quarter with JPJ at Bonnaroo that one year, with Justin like drinking on the side. Also woulda been sick if Jerry Cantrell came out for Lateralus at Epicenter last August, but hey, that show was already aweeeeesssoooooomeeee as it was.
my first tool show was in 2006 mini tour in a small venue and they opened with lost keys+rosetta.
i still get shivers thinking about it.
HOWEVER: I would kill to experience just one lateralus show.
I think Rosetta is a killer opener. Wish they did it more. Puts out a fun, festive feel. Jambi is great, I still think it's kinda weird as a momentum starter because of the odd meters and tempo drops, but I digress.
I have a feeling Vicarious will be the opener next tour with the video and all. Kinda weird that they dropped The Pot from the set halfway through the 10,000 Days tour (I don't think it has anything to do with MJK's range, because he sounded great at Epicenter, and is experimenting way more with his head voice with Puscifer), because that song is heavy as shit live.
Also hateful. BUT, I saw Jello Biafra play Holiday in Camobia WITH FUCKING TOOL, so that makes up for it. Woulda been sick if they played No Quarter with JPJ at Bonnaroo that one year, with Justin like drinking on the side. Also woulda been sick if Jerry Cantrell came out for Lateralus at Epicenter last August, but hey, that show was already aweeeeesssoooooomeeee as it was.
I did catch Scott Reeder joining them for Demon Cleaner in San Diego back in the day. That was the same show that MJK got folded up, put into a duffel bag and swung around.
"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 did catch Scott Reeder joining them for Demon Cleaner in San Diego back in the day. That was the same show that MJK got folded up, put into a duffel bag and swung around.
Oh man, I talked to a guy about that at a job I had a few years ago. He said some big burly dude dropped a duffel bag in the center of the stage while the rest of the band started getting ready then Maynard rose out of the bag and started singing Stinkfist.
Jesus Fucking Christ I need to get on stage again.
Oh man, I talked to a guy about that at a job I had a few years ago. He said some big burly dude dropped a duffel bag in the center of the stage while the rest of the band started getting ready then Maynard rose out of the bag and started singing Stinkfist.
Jesus Fucking Christ I need to get on stage again.
Maynard sat on the stage (maybe during Pushit?) kind of indian style. A huge dude came on stage and kind of "folded" him into the bag, then he picked it up and swung around his shoulder like a hair band guitarist and a Ibanez.
I thought it was fake, like the old Alice Cooper hanging bit...but MJK popped right out..not sure if it was Stinkfist or not...
Good ole May May was quite a showman at one time...well I guess Puscifer is that outlet now.
"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."
