10.30.09
PUSCIFER CHANNELS INNER MERLE
Mullet for the ages. (Photos by Denise Truscello)
Of all the rock concerts we’ve ever been to, this is the first one that started with the audience chanting “vagina.” This isn’t so much an indictment of Puscifer as it is a criticism of other bands. Shoulda thought of that first, The Beatles.
When Maynard James Keenan invoked Andy Kaufman, we should’ve guessed he had something tricksy planned for last night’s show at The Pearl.
We just didn’t anticipate he was going to go full-on, building the first half of Puscifer’s set around “Cuntry Boner.” He came out as Billy Burger, dueting with wife Hildy on twangified versions of “Queen B,” “Dozo,” “Sour Grapes” and “Rev 22′20″ — complete with lap steel guitar on an ironing board. And Chef Kerry Simon — in overalls no less — bringing the band cotton candy on stage. It’s grainy, but we even got a pic. It’s documented. Like the Sasquatch.
It was a ballsy move — the band stayed in dick-joke spouting, country-family-band-that-insists-they’re-anarchy-loving-punks character through more than half the show. But then, remaining behind the scenes is Keenan’s No. 1 weapon in his bag of tricks. Once he ditched the character for just plain old Maynard and came to the edge of the stage to pour himself a glass of wine, the audience couldn’t take the tension any more. They gave over to him then, and every other time he came out from hiding behind a video monitor to refill his glass. Take it as good Halloween advice, gentlemen. If you’re still looking for a costume, find one that covers your face. Like Daphne and Velma, the ladies can’t resist a good mystery.
After the band went into their street clothes (or in drummer Tim Alexander’s case, into his ’70s detective clothes), they only lasted a handful of songs before closing with “The Mission.” We guess the bag of tricks has “Leave ‘em wanting more” in there, too.
Maynard was up to his old Las Vegas tricks here in San Diego on Halloween!
Not only was it bizarre on stage but plenty bizarre in the audience as well!
Perfectly enjoyable evening of the absurd but the music @ the end was stunning!
Being of an evangelical mindset; I didn’t mind all the fun poking at religion-and I don’t think God does either-Hey Maynard: The Almighty has a sense of humor too!
It’s gunna fill me up…
His sence of childs play just goes to show u behind the wine and the wigs he’s still human… Just with super powers that seem to always bring you in with a dark warmth of mystery…
I love his vocals and his talent in the general sence of art. He makes me smile and I don’t even know the guy. Just admire his ability to let go and be himself and step beyond himself…
OMG…I WAS THERE ON A HEAD FULL OF L….IT WAS SO AMAZING>>>WE WERE HAVING A HOE DOWN!!!
Yo whatsup. That’s pretty awesome he did that. What a night for such unsuspecting audience!
should do that sometime.
my friend is playing some goog guitar Ill sing to
ahem that They did that and i meant my friend is playing some good guitar in the background (..)
What the FUCK! I was at the “concert” and yeah it was cool to have something to do for that night! But WHAT THE FUCK? Who does Maynard think he is? A fucking comedian now? Stick to who got you fortune and fame Maynard! That is TOOL! Why did Tool tickets sell out in 8 seconds, and I can still get Puscifer tickets after a month of being on sale! Whats up with that?
uh, pork soda? You might want to know what Puscifer is prior to buying tickets. Not Tool… not even a “band”… for a reason (probably several).
Pork Soda…you are totally missing the point. They aren’t “concerts” they are performances. And it’s not about FORTUNE it’s about art. Have you heard the CD? It’s so fucking brilliant I can’t even stand it. Sorry you didn’t enjoy it…
Yeah…
I got the joke. I just wasn’t funny. I can’t handle more than a song or two in Country Boner style.
He did do other songs in the usual puscifer style… but it was at the very end AND those songs are not even out yet! I knew the mission and polar bear and by that point I didn’t care to listen.
GET R DONE