….with guests at Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, April 2, 2015
Thaw at the Shaw, Brought to you by local radio 100.3 The Bear, and attended by local radio legend Warren @thedieselbarris Barris.
TATS has generally been a sell out show. This year it seems headliner and former shock rocker Marilyn Manson wasn’t able to bring in a capacity crowd. Nevertheless, there were people a plenty.
Care Failure, herself no stranger to touring with Manson, this time with a fresh new line up for her Toronto based band Die Mannequin, was first up on the stage. Not a shock that they woke up the masses. Many had wondered how the new, less punk than normal, evil dance music, DM record, Neon Zero, would translate live. And the answer was provided right here.. It translates fucking perfectly, and is perhaps preferable in an “in your fucking face” setting. The fresh faces of Keith, Kevvy and J.C. seemed to fit well, and not a note was (noticeably) dropped. Failure played some older favorites, dropped to her knees to shred on her guitar, and left the stage as part of the show, a fairly standard night for her. She seemingly becomes possessed when performing, but never gives less than 125% of herself at a live show.
Genius that she is, Failure had the band perform the theme song for The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, which brought the crowd to an almost frenzied state. It’s pretty weird to hear a large crowd singing along for such a tune, but to see a room full of black, green and pink haired, block booted, frilly skirted, freaky contact lens wearing rock fans do it, is stunningly bizarre.
Die Mannequin spent a long time meeting fans and being especially gracious after their set, which was unfortunately not long enough. A return visit should be arranged soon.
California natives Deap Vally opened for Queens of The Stone Age at this very venue in 2013. At a time when Royal Blood are all over the radio, and being hailed for their uniqueness, Deap Vally are working their asses off, touring none stop, doing something twice as good as the British two piece, and yet the radio station that hosted this show, is not even giving them air play. Shame on you 100.3 The Bear. During the Deap Vally set, one particular gentleman appeared at the merchandise table, exclaiming that was blown over by the ladies and their live performance, which, when there are only two of you, to be good is something, to be fucking killing it, and have middle-aged dudes raving about it is not something that just happens overnight. Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards are rock stars. This accomplished duo has played at Glastonbury Festival, AND have made an appearance on Later With Jools Holland, a very popular, and long running show produced by BBC 2 in the UK, for appreciators of all music genres. This band doesn’t have a large catalogue, but you can bet your ass that when they make new music, it will never disappoint. Alas, another amazing performance cut short. But the crowd was there for Marilyn Manson, right?
Deap Vally also paid their dues, and hit the merchandise table after their set, and were both stunningly talented ladies were gracious and charming to all that approached.
So we still ask the question, were the crowd there for Manson? Well, he was there, and there was beer, and a long weekend on the horizon, so um, maybe.
Musically, this band is not at fault. Former Manson bassist Twiggy/Jeordie White has reunited with his old parter in crime, and was obviously a big pull. He also penned such tunes as Beautiful People and The Dope Show, so to see him perform them was likely a thrill for anyone in attendance that knows their Manson biography.
Manson himself is known as a smart, well-informed and savvy artist. This is his circus. He is undoubtedly the ringmaster, the leader of the pack, the man behind the mask. He is however, not well acclaimed for his live performance vocally. This was fairly obvious from the opening song Deep Six. But it’s all totally irrelevant. Now at an age where he would be an ass to parade in high heels and ladies lingerie, now looking a touch portly in his tunic style jacket, The Pale Emperor is so well established that the followers will be there, hell, high-water, or in this case, another dumping of snow. There are not many artists out there these days, that could persuade a room full of half cut metal heads to scream Hallelujah. Even at this most Christian of times that is Easter.
The sheer satire that is a Christian church, stained glass window style banner, with the face of one Brian Warner in the guise of a holy man says it all really!
HALLELUJAH, and Amen to that.
Edmonton needs more shows like this. Diverse artists, giving music fans a taste of new and exciting noise, with a little history for dessert. Local radio needs to take note and widen their horizons.
KG April 3 2015
Turn It Up To Twelve 