As my las scheduled show of the year, I've picked GWAR at a new city to see a concert. It's only just over an hour up the road, and I got a cheap ticket off Groupon, so, as tired as I weas, I jumped in the car and headed north.
I caught most of Blood Vulture's set. A hard rock band with an 80's vampire vibe. I feel that it was an odd combination for GWAR, but who on this line up isn't. Not really my thing, but they did a job as the first of 4 bands.
Blood Vulture Setlist
Dwarves are one of those bands that I've wanted to see, but they've neve been where I have (except last years Punk Rock Bowling where they played a side show with the Queers, that I kick myself for not going to). After some problems with sound a the beginning, Dwarves ripped through a 30 minute set of 15 songs of pure punk, anger, sarcasm and humor. The bass player, Rex Everything, looked familiar. I finally worked out it was Nick Oliveri of Queens of the Stone Age. He was having a blast on stage. I really liked this show, but you know it would've been better in a smaller venue on a shorter stage (like New Bomb Turks). I hope the chance to see them again comes around.
Helmet being on the bill was definitely a draw, and probably the reason I drove to Greensboro for the show. I took my spot, close to the front in front of singer Page Hamilton, and proceeded to have my ears ripped off (even with earplugs in). This set had a lot of songs I didn't know, but when something came of that I knew, it was sonic perfection. Wilma's Rainbow was 5 songs in and got the whole crowd moving. Unsung was as brilliant live, as it was the first time I ever heard it. And then to end the night the trifecta of Milquetoast, Give It and the fucking awesome In The Meantime just left me wanting more. 50 minutes, and I felt the audience was just getting into its stride. Helmet don't know how to put on a bad show.
It's been 11 years since I saw GWAR at Riot Fest. I'm not sure I'd say I was a fan of the music, but the theatrics are stellar. Tonight's show was about Gor Gor, the dinosaur GWAR found as an egg, raised as one of their own, taken from then, and his travel back to them. So funny. I'm not sure if this really counts as being at a GWAR show, as I was standing in front of Grodius Maximus, but never got covered in any stuff constantly spurting from the stage. I don't really know GWAR's songs but I picked up on Sadaam a Go Go, Cracked Egg and Fuck This Place. But it was the story of Gor Gor that was front and center. His appearances from the egg, as a baby, as a teen to a full grown dinosaur was a feat in itself, pulled off fantastically. The irony of the crowd singing along to America Must Be Destroyed as the final song of the main set was not lost on me. A 3 song encore was perfect for what the crowd wanted, as a messed up crowd poured out of Piedmont Music Hall.
Again, I struggled to get motivated to go to this show, but I'm glad I made the effort. Dwarves were a great find. Helmet was a powerful as always. And GWAR is definitely the most I've laughed at a heavy metal show.
Balsac The Jaws Of Death
Beefcake the Mighty
Grodius Maximus
The Crap Facts
This is my 537th concert.
Piedmont Hall is the 143rd venue I've seen a concert at.
Greensboro is the 58th city I've seen a concert at.
This is my 158th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 337th concert in the USA.
Blood Vulture is the 629th band I've seen
Dwarves are the 630th band I've seen
This is my 6th Helmet concert.
This is my 2nd GWAR concert.
