Reverend Horton Heat - 11/2 @ Variety Playhouse
If you want to go to a concert and guarantee a good time, you can't go wrong with seeing Reverend Horton Heat. The guy puts on a great live show. I've seen him many times over the past 15 or so years and I've never been disappointed. And as I've seen Rev a number of times, I've also seen him in a number of venues around town. Some still around, some long gone. And I'm fairly sure that I've seen him at the Variety before, but I believe that the last time I caught his show was over at the Roxy. But either way, it was good to see him yet again. And this show was another winner.
Brought Rikki with me to the show and as we were walking over to the Variety, I thought it oddly appropriate that two actual ordained reverends were going to see Reverend Horton Heat. Yes, it's a goofball thought, but welcome to my mind. I think this was her first time seeing him and I can't begin to count how many of his shows I have under my belt. In fact, seen him so many times that my biggest curiosity is what he'll be wearing, as he's quite the sartorial sort. My favorite suit of his was this one green number with a purple flame job accent. It was like if the Riddler decided to play Rockabilly, very cool. Tonight's ensemble wasn't as outrageous. He had a white suit jacket with red flames, but worn over a black shirt and black pants. And now my fashion segment comes to an end (another reason that I'm probably ending the concert blog, I'm waxing on about clothing instead of music).
Rikki and I arrived a bit before the Rev was supposed to go on. We found a couple of seats and then I got roped into a conversation with some drunk rednecks, who were debating the definitions of "outlaw" and "reckless" as to which was "cooler." Took that as a sign to find another set of seats somewhere else. And since the show wasn't packed out, we went upstairs to the balcony where it appeared to be redneck free. Wasn't sure why there wasn't a huge crowd at the show. And I was actually surprised and disappointed that there wasn't as many people as I thought were going to be there. I did run into Keirsta, Melanie, Matt and Amber and all, but honestly I expected that list to be two to three times as long. I could easily rattle off at least 10 - 15 people that I thought would go, guess not. But then these are tough economic times and concerts don't come cheap.
But Rev Horton Heat will give you your money's worth. I'm fairly sure that the term "psychobilly" was invented just to describe him in particular. That kind of revved up and punked out rockabilly that he does so well. And still does well being just shy of 50 years old! Just think about that for a minute. The band was going at it and playing a lot of their older stuff, couldn't tell if they did any new numbers or not. But they did do a bunch of cover songs, which I can't recall them doing all too much in the past. They did a few you'd expect, like a Chet Atkins song, but then they'd throw in Stray Cats and Black Sabbath too. Yes, Black Sabbath and it sounded damn good. And now and again between songs, they'd broadcast these kitchy radio commercials, which reminded me of going to the Drive-InVasion at the Starlight and seeing all those wacky trailers between the movies. Didn't make a whole lot of sense, but it did make things more fun. Guess they were in a giddy mood because it was also Jimbo's birthday. Nashville Pussy, who opened the show and whom we missed, came out with a birthday cake. Although if might've been more appropriate if they brought out a pie (oh, I'm so ribald and clever).
Then we decided to split before the encore, partly to avoid the big crowd of people leaving and partly because I dislike encores on principle. But we saw plenty of show to satisfy and I'm sure it'll be the same the next time I see him play.
Brought Rikki with me to the show and as we were walking over to the Variety, I thought it oddly appropriate that two actual ordained reverends were going to see Reverend Horton Heat. Yes, it's a goofball thought, but welcome to my mind. I think this was her first time seeing him and I can't begin to count how many of his shows I have under my belt. In fact, seen him so many times that my biggest curiosity is what he'll be wearing, as he's quite the sartorial sort. My favorite suit of his was this one green number with a purple flame job accent. It was like if the Riddler decided to play Rockabilly, very cool. Tonight's ensemble wasn't as outrageous. He had a white suit jacket with red flames, but worn over a black shirt and black pants. And now my fashion segment comes to an end (another reason that I'm probably ending the concert blog, I'm waxing on about clothing instead of music).
Rikki and I arrived a bit before the Rev was supposed to go on. We found a couple of seats and then I got roped into a conversation with some drunk rednecks, who were debating the definitions of "outlaw" and "reckless" as to which was "cooler." Took that as a sign to find another set of seats somewhere else. And since the show wasn't packed out, we went upstairs to the balcony where it appeared to be redneck free. Wasn't sure why there wasn't a huge crowd at the show. And I was actually surprised and disappointed that there wasn't as many people as I thought were going to be there. I did run into Keirsta, Melanie, Matt and Amber and all, but honestly I expected that list to be two to three times as long. I could easily rattle off at least 10 - 15 people that I thought would go, guess not. But then these are tough economic times and concerts don't come cheap.
But Rev Horton Heat will give you your money's worth. I'm fairly sure that the term "psychobilly" was invented just to describe him in particular. That kind of revved up and punked out rockabilly that he does so well. And still does well being just shy of 50 years old! Just think about that for a minute. The band was going at it and playing a lot of their older stuff, couldn't tell if they did any new numbers or not. But they did do a bunch of cover songs, which I can't recall them doing all too much in the past. They did a few you'd expect, like a Chet Atkins song, but then they'd throw in Stray Cats and Black Sabbath too. Yes, Black Sabbath and it sounded damn good. And now and again between songs, they'd broadcast these kitchy radio commercials, which reminded me of going to the Drive-InVasion at the Starlight and seeing all those wacky trailers between the movies. Didn't make a whole lot of sense, but it did make things more fun. Guess they were in a giddy mood because it was also Jimbo's birthday. Nashville Pussy, who opened the show and whom we missed, came out with a birthday cake. Although if might've been more appropriate if they brought out a pie (oh, I'm so ribald and clever).
Then we decided to split before the encore, partly to avoid the big crowd of people leaving and partly because I dislike encores on principle. But we saw plenty of show to satisfy and I'm sure it'll be the same the next time I see him play.