I was at Glasgow Barrowlands last night.
I last saw Anthrax in 1988 at the same venue and I was 17. That was 17 years ago. There were lots of people my age there. Its not that Ive stopped going to gigs or listening to music; its all I do. My tastes have changed and I think that has given me a little perspective on the whole reunion thing.
(Also, I loved SOWN when it came out, so this isn't old school/Belladonna/Bush bullshit)
Firstly I need to tell you that I was grinning from ear to ear when they came onstage to the Blues Brothers intro. Then they went into Among The Living and I was right back in 1987!
for about five minutes.
I dont think you could accuse me of not being open-minded or not getting into the spirit of the thing I loved this band. I wanted it to be great, but it just wasnt. It was kind of sad.
The sound was awful for about half the gig (where were Franks bass and vocals?). It sorted itself out eventually, but the Barras is usually pretty good for sound.
The playing was pretty tight, but I realised that Charlie Benante isn't as good as I once thought; he doesn't play double bass drums as fast as he seems to - alternates the beats with tom hits. Cheater!
Scott Ian was on autopilot. Standing still and nodding his head for most of the set. Leaping around during the first two songs (when the photographers were in the pit).
Dan Spitz and Joey Belladonna seemed genuinely glad to be back (I had to laugh at Spitz when they played Got The Time!), but I was cringing, cos it's obviously all about cash. They must know that, right?! Belladonna kept talking about how good it is to be back. I felt sorry for him.
Frank Bello is pretty much the frontman of that band. How can a 40 year old bass player act like that onstage?!
Speaking of perspective, I was cringing during Indians. It cheapens the subject matter. You know; the whole 'stolen land, displaced indigenous people' issue being reduced to rhyming "cry" with "die" and dancing around in a headdress (thankfully he didn't do that last night.).
I cant believe they played Im The Man. It was embarrassing in 1987
I know Im talking it down, but I alternated between feeling ridiculous and quite liking it. I think my problem was that when I was a kid, I believed in bands like Anthrax so much and now I see them for what they are.
So, the upshot is I feel odd, sad and a bit ripped off. Much like most people in the UK will feel this morning, but for different reasons.
Heres what someone else on a Scottish messageboard said about the gig;
Nostalgia trips are always dodgy, I made sure I had plenty pints of 80, that way I lost all the 'my this could be shite inhibitions and just got down the front and watched Joey and Frank play the exact same way they did between 86/88. Bizarre, cheesy, sweaty and mildly enjoyable! Doubt I'd go back though.
I feel the same way; mildly enjoyable, as long as you dont think about it too much. Not a great recommendation, and certainly not a great basis for a re-launch of their career if thats what theyre planning.
Don't do nostalgia kids!
I last saw Anthrax in 1988 at the same venue and I was 17. That was 17 years ago. There were lots of people my age there. Its not that Ive stopped going to gigs or listening to music; its all I do. My tastes have changed and I think that has given me a little perspective on the whole reunion thing.
(Also, I loved SOWN when it came out, so this isn't old school/Belladonna/Bush bullshit)
Firstly I need to tell you that I was grinning from ear to ear when they came onstage to the Blues Brothers intro. Then they went into Among The Living and I was right back in 1987!
for about five minutes.
I dont think you could accuse me of not being open-minded or not getting into the spirit of the thing I loved this band. I wanted it to be great, but it just wasnt. It was kind of sad.
The sound was awful for about half the gig (where were Franks bass and vocals?). It sorted itself out eventually, but the Barras is usually pretty good for sound.
The playing was pretty tight, but I realised that Charlie Benante isn't as good as I once thought; he doesn't play double bass drums as fast as he seems to - alternates the beats with tom hits. Cheater!
Scott Ian was on autopilot. Standing still and nodding his head for most of the set. Leaping around during the first two songs (when the photographers were in the pit).
Dan Spitz and Joey Belladonna seemed genuinely glad to be back (I had to laugh at Spitz when they played Got The Time!), but I was cringing, cos it's obviously all about cash. They must know that, right?! Belladonna kept talking about how good it is to be back. I felt sorry for him.
Frank Bello is pretty much the frontman of that band. How can a 40 year old bass player act like that onstage?!
Speaking of perspective, I was cringing during Indians. It cheapens the subject matter. You know; the whole 'stolen land, displaced indigenous people' issue being reduced to rhyming "cry" with "die" and dancing around in a headdress (thankfully he didn't do that last night.).
I cant believe they played Im The Man. It was embarrassing in 1987
I know Im talking it down, but I alternated between feeling ridiculous and quite liking it. I think my problem was that when I was a kid, I believed in bands like Anthrax so much and now I see them for what they are.
So, the upshot is I feel odd, sad and a bit ripped off. Much like most people in the UK will feel this morning, but for different reasons.
Heres what someone else on a Scottish messageboard said about the gig;
Nostalgia trips are always dodgy, I made sure I had plenty pints of 80, that way I lost all the 'my this could be shite inhibitions and just got down the front and watched Joey and Frank play the exact same way they did between 86/88. Bizarre, cheesy, sweaty and mildly enjoyable! Doubt I'd go back though.
I feel the same way; mildly enjoyable, as long as you dont think about it too much. Not a great recommendation, and certainly not a great basis for a re-launch of their career if thats what theyre planning.
Don't do nostalgia kids!
I was at both gigs they played here in the 80's (with Metallica and later Testament) and they were both at the Edinburgh Playhouse. I remember it specifically 'cause I interviewed Testament backstage for my mate's fanzine.
