GWAR Goes Galactic At First Ave
Tuesday night, and I’m feeling…alright? With the constant swirl of one-in-a-lifetime events popping off every other minute, these days it feels like live music is a soothing salve desperately needed. Even better, a North American GWAR tour choosing the Minneapolis as one of its chosen spots. Having King Parrot and Soulfly rounding out a tantalizing trio was a terrific choice. Really think their sounds are uniquely distinct but have enough overlap for fans to leap between.
Been a few years since I’ve seen them in concert, knew it would be pretty good.
It wasn’t just good. It was great.
Got to 7th and 1st a little before doors, popping in the Depot right next door to First Ave to snag a beer (twas even National Beer Day, making the suds tastes extra satisfying, not that I need any nudging.) Started seeing the white shirts stack up outside ready to be painted red. If you don’t see me in a black hoodie, it’s probably not me. The typical sea of black attire was more sparce than the typical metal show, but still got to see some slick band tees from yesteryear. Love trying to see what shows and bands sported from show to show. This time, was tons of old GWAR fits with plenty of battle scars adorning them. Some well-weathered stained tank tops were hanging on by a few threads, soon to meet their demise later in the night I’m sure. Swung by merch right away, and wow, immediate smile. Everyone had their ish priced well. GWAR is a band that could easily gouge their die-hard fans, all their shirts were $35. That’s what I like to see.
Right on time, King Parrot raged onto the stage at 7:30pm. Grindcore has an intense flavor that I happen to relish and savor so was pumped when they exploded with energy right away. Lead vocalist Matthew Young doused the crowd immediately with water as he jumped onto the stage to pump everyone up. Starting off the night wet, wild, and right, wouldn’t expect anything else. Opening the show with “Bozo” off their 2012 “Bite Your Head Off” album to the audiences delight.
Seemed like people were ready to party right away, plenty of beer soaked breathren in the soup getting their dance on. Even though they were opening support, King Parrot always brings that headliner vigor. Thanking the people of the Twin Cities for being badass and strong, the Australian born band kept the compliments brief but blunt, getting right back into their middle fingering and nose picking moves. The set was short, only trash-filled 9 songs and half an hour long. Felt like it flew by. Hot and heavy, leaving you wanting. Perfect way to start a metal show.
Not much time to lose the plot, Soulfly was on deck. The crowd was filling up mighty fine before they started, not much room on the floor for more. Lots of people went upstairs for a different view. Popped up there after photos to see how the vibes were. Slightly more chill than the general more areas, but did spy some slam dancing by the back bar. Upon start, the pit cracked open and the folks got busy. This is a band that doesn’t have much room for rest.
Having more than a dozen studio albums under their belt, they know exactly what to do on stage. Formed in 1997, this Brazilian-American has been evoking raw emotion for decades and doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Setlist was a great variety, picking a dozen songs from six different albums to delight the audience with. Max Cavalera has one of those voices that would sound good in a paper bag. Full bodied with the perfect amount of steam when needed. I’m also a bit Sepultura fan (which he previously founded and lead for years,) anytime hearing him live is a good day. Few people in the crowd were getting a stitch too sauced and aggro. It happens at almost every show. I get it, easy to get too excited. Happy the staff at First Ave are on top of wrangling and corralling that tomfoolery. No need to throw elbows into people without purpose. Got nailed in the back by a lively limb, thankfully not too hard or glasses-launching which is a big bummer when it does happen. Fingers crossed I keep my success record going strong.
There was little to no space on the floor. The pale ocean of white shirts ready to become canvases surged towards the rail. Love seeing a big packed crowd from above. Escaped the deluge to pop upstairs to take a peak. Cool to see how so many humans in one space ripple off of each other, creating sweat drenched rhythms all on their own as the music is channeled through them. Bumping gently off backs and butts, small little fireworks occurring when one arm meets a torso just too aggressively. The pop of anger typically is diffused as the crowd current takes the accidental foe swiftly away before any real kerfuffle can occur.
Sadly Soulfly couldn’t play 5 hours and had to be on their way. The jubilance of the fans was vibrating as they performed their closer “Eye For An Eye.”
Seems like Minneapolis was needing that hard. Samesies.
Time to strike back, Gor Gor. GWAR was ready to take the stage.
“Fuck This Place” opened up the show as each member took their epic position. Also upon stage-entrance, immediately started spraying the audience with their signature fake blood. Whether from a fresh throat slash, a demon crotch, or mystical space gun, one must always be ready for it. The smiling faces, though now painted, didn’t cease throughout the night. Dodging the colorful spray by clinging to the floor by the stage between shots, the roar from the crowd was thunderous and never-ending.
GWAR knows how to perform. After forty years of political satire with storylines as wild as their costumes, I am a little surprised with the outside world’s reaction to this tour. I won’t name names so I stay off of lists, but some pretty lofty figures were mocked with excellent accuracy before they were fileted (figuratively and literally) on stage for all to see. Exposing the innards of some truly rotten characters is par for the course, this show was no different. Their sarcasm is sharp and witty, undeserving of the death threats they are currently receiving I’d say. Correctness and politeness is rare, but the delivery is never without a shiny backbone of clever poignant lyrics.
This show had everything. A baby dinosaur being birthed, scantily clad badass ladies, intricate elaborate masks and costumes that would make any Hollywood creator grin, blood and guts galore, and of course, sick metal music. After a solid storyline with a perfect pairing of 14 songs, they came back with another mini set of three even after that. Their cover of “Pink Pony Club” has been a viral sensation the past few months, so naturally they had to play it. Probably the most phones I saw out all night recording during that tune. Bookending that were two excellent rockers “Mother Fucking Liar” and then “Sick Of You” bringing the epic show to a satisfying close.
Uhg, just wow. Stellar night. Every minute was so savory and yet so sweet. GWAR, you are a bonified musical treat.
