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The Wheelchair All-Stars, Guaranteed Katch, Pile of Eggs, and Caveman
Boulder,
Destructor, Abdullah, Kratos, and Gills
The Wheelchair
All-Stars, Guaranteed Katch, Pile of Eggs, and Caveman
The Symposium
12-30-02
It was a Monday night, but the Symposium was still
packed. No surprise, really. Kent’s kings of scatological rock were
playing their first show in a long time, and they brought along some pretty
good bands to share the bill. There are of course those who find songs like
“Your Boobs Poop” stupid and juvenile, but if they’d just take that stick
out of their ass for a second and learn to savor the simple joys of potty
humor they’d soon realize that Sockeye are geniuses.
Caveman just might be geniuses, too. After all, if
their translator can be believed, these guys actually invented the cave way
back in prehistoric times. Thawed out and revived to rock, the two
musicians (guitar/vocals and drums) played a set of stripped down, primitive
metal that occasionally veered into grind core territory. Between songs,
the interpreter would translate the guitarist/vocalist’s grunts describing
explaining what the songs were about.
Pile of Eggs were next. Essentially they were just a
bunch of guys screaming and banging on their instruments. After a few songs
a couple of the musicians got bored and left the stage, and members of the
audience picked up the slack. You’ve heard of post-punk and post-rock?
This was post-music. I found the whole thing pretty boring, but thankfully
they didn’t play too long.
Next up was Guaranteed Katch. I would describe their
sound as being sort of “jazz core”. Good musicianship with goofy lyrics
that reminded me a bit of Ludichrist/Scatterbrain. They were a three piece,
with everyone contributing vocals. The guitarist dressed in a clown
costume. What the hell, I was entertained.
Finally The Wheelchair All-Stars took the stage. This
was various configurations of members of Sockeye, Boy In Love, and other
bands that were on Sockeye’s Wheelchair Full of Old Men record label. Parts
of the set left me feeling less than thrilled, but when Sockeye did an
extended mini set I came back to attention. They did such classics as
“Buttfuck Your Own Face”, “Cut Off Your Arm”, and “Boy With Breast
Implants”. The only complaint I could make is it just wasn't enough.
(Bob Ignizio)
For pictures, click
here.
Boulder, Destructor,
Abdullah, Kratos, and Gills
Peabody's
1-3-03
I showed up a little late, so I missed the debut of
Gills. Luckily eighties Cleveland thrashers Kratos were just setting up
when I walked in. It had been 16 years since Kratos last played a show, but
they sounded like they’d never been away. Sure, the music is a little
dated, but songs like “Iron Beast” and “Guillotine” still sound good to me.
The band was very tight and energetic, and really seemed to enjoy this
chance to play again.
Abdullah were next. Second guitarist Aaron Dallison
was MIA, as his other band Keelhaul was out on tour. I’ve seen these guys a
ton of times, and usually they sound great. Tonight, however, they were a
little off. Despite getting lost for a few seconds on a couple songs, the
band managed to pull it together without bringing things to a halt, and
still put on a worthwhile show. On the plus side, the mix was better than
some recent shows, with the vocals clear and strong, and the right balance
between bass, guitar, and drums.
I kind of expected a predictable set from Destructor,
with all the old classics like “Maximum Destruction”, “Overdose”, and “Iron
Curtain”. Instead I was pleasantly surprised to hear a few new songs like
“Sonic Bullet” and “Heavy Artillery” along with a few old favorites like the
band’s signature tune. They also did a metalized version of Hawkwind’s
“Master of the Universe” which made this space rock fan pretty happy.
Jamie Walters of Boulder is the band’s new bass player, and he seemed to
really mesh well with the group. He just needs a new last name like
Devastation or Mayhem or something to match Dave Overkill, Pat Rabid, and
Matt Flammable.
This was Boulder's first show in Cleveland since
last spring when they opened for Saxon, and their rabid fans were stoked.
They opened their assault with “Krank it Up” and never let up. “Live or
Dead” and “Reaped in Half” followed, and the crazies up front lit off
fireworks that the band had perhaps unwisely thrown out in the crowd,
resulting in the removal of at least one rager. Fire safety issues aside,
it was a killer performance by one of the best bands around anywhere. Hey
guys, just don’t make us wait so long til the next gig. (Bob Ignizio)
For pictures, click
here.
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