GWAR Played in Minneapolis Last Night...

[andvari7]

...And I will tell you about it. For ease of editing, I will list my findings:

1. It's cold in Minneapolis. It's cold in Saint Paul. If you've ever been to a GWAR show, you'll understand why this is important.
2. I met some very friendly people outside.
3. The bands started early. That's nice.
4. The first opening band was a Richmond, VA, band called US Bastards. A three-piece act, I think I'd have to listen to their album to get a better feel for them, but they didn't play very long, so I really didn't get into them.
5. The next band, He Is Legend, was alright, but not particularly outstanding. I think they were a substitute for Doyle, the band fronted by the classic Misfits guitarist. I guess he was too busy lifting weights, and doing unspeakable things to the not-good-singer-of-Arch-Enemy; typical 65-year-old Jersey boy.
6. Ghoul, the third opener, was a GWAR-lite. Same gimmicks, but the music wasn't great. Honestly, it's the Cookie Monster vocals. The rhythm guitarist sang properly, and his songs were the best of the lot. I hate that gutteral sound, except for Chuck Billy, and even Testament is better without it.
7. Then came GWAR. It was, in all respects, a typical GWAR show. This is a very good thing, as it implies that everything went right, including the vocals. I had long believed they were cutting back on the spew - boy, was I mistaken, after receiving the first face shot. It happened every time. If any of you followed WWF wrestling in the early 90s, it looked like a Brother Love convention. My fingers are still maroon, and I showered twice.
8. Traditionally, GWAR eviscerates the President of the United States, and last night was no exception. I won't make a political statement, but I was disgusted by the audience's reaction to the Donald Trump gimmick. I don't care about your views: YOU. DO. NOT. THROW. OBJECTS. AT. THE. PERFORMERS. It's a GWAR show - they're going to kill the President. You don't need to do it for real.
9. It was largely a set from Blood of Gods, the new album. It's the only GWAR album I don't have. That will change tonight. It had some of the flavor of the classic albums.
10. I've been to eight GWAR shows. What I have learned is to carry two one-gallon plastic bags, one of which to store the concert t-shirt.
11. Coat check is worth every penny.
12. All ages shows in Minneapolis are not like all ages shows in Wisconsin. Alcohol was sold on the second floor, where it had to stay. In Milwaukee, at least, they didn't care. They just wristbanded the 21+, and they looked for the wristbands at the bar.

[andvari7]

I’m reviving the thread, because of tonight’s GWAR concert in Maplewood, MN. I’ll go by band:

Ringworm: I need some tough actin’ Tinactin.
Miss May I: No, you may not.
Hatebreed: Actually, a very good band; they’ve been doing this for almost a quarter of a century. Jamey Jasta does have some cheesy dance moves, but could whip the audience into a frenzy like no other.
GWAR:
1. Balsac redesigned his gimmicks. He seems to be in better health (he still has a rare, probably-terminal illness, unless the perfect bone marrow donor can be found), and he played brilliantly. Total pro.
2. It was the exact same set as last year, and I almost left during Death to Dicky Duncan. I’m glad I didn’t, because I still ended up having fun.
Security were being a word I’m not going to say here, that refers to multiple male genitalia.
I got a cool GWAR shirt; the one I’ve wanted since I started listening to the band, back in 2003.