[kj] Killing Joke at The Wiltern

[LONESTYLE at aol.com]

I wonder how many tickets they sold too?
 
~ LB
 
 
In a message dated 12/19/2010 10:10:25 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
countessghoulita at aol.com writes:

TB,

thank you for another amazing report :)


Yes, the weather did  not do any good for people to wait outside at the 
venue. When we arrived  shortly before 8pm, the security let us in really fast 
and efficiently, which  was a blessing. The crowd was pretty mixed, it was 
good not to see "hipsters"  in American Apparel/Hot Topic this time. Of 
course, also some really interesting  characters were in attendance, but this was 
a Killing Joke gig, and everything  is possible ;)

I agree with you when you wrote that the venue did take  a long time to 
fill up. The stage at The Wiltern is too high, and there were  no barriers in 
front of the stage, so Miche and I opted for standing at the  general 
admission area instead, where we gained a top spot; we thought that  the crowd in 
the "pit" would have crunched us to bits, as this would be the  case in a KJ 
event. We could have actually been in that pit and bring more  life to it, 
after seeing that the audience there was really motionless and  passive 
especially in the central area in front of the stage, to our  disappointment and 
total disbelief. We could spot Cliff & Kara in the back  of the pit area, 
and see they truly had an amazing time during the show  :)
I think the folks next to and behind us must have loved our jumping,  
slamming, dancing, singing and screaming. At this point I have no voice and  can 
only speak through signs (hi, LB: this is the Xmas present from your wife,  
enjoy!) I had an amazing work-out, plenty of fun and still lots of 
adrenaline  in me ;)

As far as the opening band is concerned, they didn't  sound like Bauhaus at 
all to me (sorry about that). Both the drummer and the  percussionist were 
really good, and their sound made me think more of Ginger  Baker rather than 
Kevin Haskins, and the two band members playing organ and  keyboards made 
me think of Iron Butterfly especially on one song. If Bauhaus  need to be 
mentioned, the only man who can play maracas on stage and get away  with it is 
Peter Murphy.

The sound quality was not to good (perhaps it  was better for those 
standing in the upper levels of the theater.) BPF stole  the entire gig, he's a 
beast. Geordie was amazing, but visibly annoyed at the  paparazzo who would not 
stop appearing at his side to take pictures like a  ghost, then darting to 
the other side of the stage to snap more shots. That is  annoying, and 
unprofessional. Nevertheless, Geordie never lost his  concentration throughout 
the concert, even when, at a certain point, he turned  his head to the 
paparazzo and must have charred him with a death stare.  

A truly positive aspect of the gig and venue was that Jaz was able to  
express himself to the best of his ability. He wasn't "talkative" at the HOB  
two years ago, but we also know the HOB is when it comes to artists speaking  
their mind. He indeed was quick in introducing and commenting "Love Like  
Blood" as stated in the LA Weekly blog today. 
He took really great care in  introducing the new tracks, and those who are 
not familiar with "Absolute  Dissent" could receive a nice insight, short 
and sweet ;)

As TB said,  the new tracks are really, really tight live. I am sure "Here 
Comes The  Singularity", Kali Yuga" and "The Raven King" would have been 
simply stunning live if  they were part of the set.
.
"ESS" and "This World Hell" offered the  only consecutive break for me from 
screaming before and after them, singing  and slamming/dancing. 

I am happy that the band will enjoy some really  well-deserved rest. They 
were truly energetic last night, despite the  technical constraints related 
to the sound quality. I missed Youth, and the  way he shows how much he loves 
playing on the stage is simply priceless.  

CG



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