I got to the Hordern Pavilion just in time to miss the support band, Fangs. I didn't think I was missing too much after hearing a couple of songs on their Myspace and reaching the conclusion that they sounded a bit like generic old school hardcore punk. But hey, they've been around since the 80's so they must have something going for them, I guess.
We got through the gates and went straight to the drinks line. Then, after waiting there for 15 minutes, the crowd suddenly goes crazy and there starts the drum beat for No one Loves Me & Neither Do I in all it's deliciously live glory. It was at that point I knew my ears would be ringing for days, and they still are. But in a good way, in that at least when I get old and deaf I'll be able to remember the good old days when I could still hear music.
When I first heard the album, I wouldn't say I was disappointed, because it sounded sweet! But I did feel somewhat that this was just another Josh Homme side project with no significant influence from the other members.
Though after a few more listens and plenty of shower singing, I finally came around and could hear the individual influence each member brings, particularly in the last few tracks with songs like Warsaw or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up and Caligulove (which sounded freaking incredible by the way, in case you haven't worked out yet that I enjoyed the gig.)
And best of all, the banter Homme produced with the crowd and his fellow band members was numerous and funny. I can't stand bands that get up, play to themselves and walk off stage (AKA Korn, who I went and saw in 2004 at the Acer Arena and it was the most pathetic show I've seen in my life. What a bunch of wankers). It's so self indulgent and shows no respect for the fans.
Dave Grohl, naturally, did what he does best; smashing those drums like there was no tomorrow and making sure everyone knew it. I don't know how he can head bang that hard at every gig, for the whole fucking gig. I was at their second Hordern show, so i'm assuming he was also doing it the night before.
But it was good to see him finally playing some good old rock music, unlike the shit he's been pulling out lately with his easy listening mega pop outfit, Foo Fighters, *yawn*.
The musicianship and professionalism of these guys was clearly evident from the performance and the colaboration of Homme, Grohl and Jones has really paid off. They know their shit and how to play it well. The mixing was perfect and they even had an extra guitarist on stage to add all the frilly bits from the CD.
It's been a while since I've come away from a gig totally satisfied and where I could say the mix was near perfect, but the Vultures pulled it off.
By the crowd reaction everyone else thought so too.
If you thought the CD was pretty good, I guarantee that a live viewing will significantly increase their album rotation on your Ipod.
So, enough of my gushing. In short, I like them.
I'll leave you with an extremely poor sounding recording of Caligulove straight from my phone AND complete with my cringe-worthy drunken astonished remarks and random 'Yeeeoows!' John Paul Jones busts out on the electric piano. It goes well.
Enjoy. Or try to, it really does sound terrible when the music starts - not a reflection of how the actual gig sounded, just on the woeful ability of Iphones to do anything useful.
