When I was a kid in high school I went to see ZZTop in Madison, on their Deguello tour. Loved the show, totally no frills and in your face snorting Texas barf 'n' boogie. In fact, one young lady was so loaded she barfed in front of my feet before ZZTop took the stage.
So Last night, Ror and I caught 'em at the Riverside. $40, 20th row seats, couldn't beat it.
They were.... pretty much the same. Although the crowd was mostly older, and I saw much less puking.
They took advantage of the 'In Your Face' aspect of playing a 2500-seat theater, and played a bunch of old stuff - Just Got Paid, Going Down To Mexico, Sure Got Cold After The Rain Fell, even a cover of the Hendrix version of Hey Joe. In addition, of course, to the standard ZZTop fare such as Tush, LaGrange, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Heard It on The X, Cheap Sunglasses...
The stage was stripped to minimals, really only adorned by two illuminated 'truck exhaust' mike stands.
For me, the bleakest part of the show was that for what they were doing, they made much better use of the Vari-Lites than the muddled and overwrought Genesis show from last year.
No-nonsense and straightforward, they did what they did, no apologies and none necessary.
Funny, BP. I've always wondered if you like Top of ZZ. I'm not a HUGE fan, but they are one of those bands that I crank up when they come on the radio. You don't hear them as often now, so the songs sound like old comfortable friends instead of overplayed classic rock (or whatever you'd call it.)
ReplyDeleteGlad you had fun and glad no one threw up on you!
the muddled and overwrought Genesis show from last year.
ReplyDeleteYou finally admitted it!
I win!!!
:)
I was in Milwaukee this weekend doing Tour de Pubs Milwaukee, and I totally forgot to tell you about it. I am made of FAIL.
ReplyDeleteWe stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn in beautiful downtown Milwaukee. I was much impressed. Milwaukee freaking rules!
BG, I admitted it all along. I just said it was ...acceptable.... from where we were sitting.
ReplyDeleteShannon, we could have shown you the Fonzie statue.
There's a Fonzie statue and I missed it!? Marty & I have decided to take a mini-vacation (maybe in the spring) in Milwaukee. I really want to visit the new art museum. Maybe you can show us then!
ReplyDeleteSpring in Milwaukee is an experience. Everyone who survives cabin fever will use any excuse to drink beer outside.
ReplyDeleteyes. A Fonzie Statue. We're not proud of it.