Gig review: Them Crooked Vultures
BY CHRIS SCHULZ
Related Links
Relevant offers
Gig reviews
Them Crooked Vultures are putting the "super" into the term "supergroup". Reviewer Chris Schulz was at the band's Auckland show.
Them Crooked Vultures
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland
When: Saturday, January 30
Lanky hair flying, white teeth gritted and arms flailing around like Animal from the Muppets on speed - is there anything more awesome than watching Dave Grohl play drums?
Actually, there is. It's watching Josh Homme and John Paul Jones - the other two-thirds of rock supergroup Them Crooked Vultures - coming face-to-face, staring each other down and daring themselves to play as fast as humanly possible during the thrilling closing moments of their Auckland show.
That friendly competitive streak is the reason last year's debut album was one of the best of the year. It's also the reason Them Crooked Vultures' live shows are such a treat, so it was a shame their Vector Arena show was only half full because rock fans missed out on something special.
The trio, with guitarist Alain Johannes in tow for the live show, are having a blast up there - from Queens of the Stone Age front man Homme's desert swagger and Elvis Presley hip swings during the frequent pace changes of Elephant, to Jones' smooth bass, occasional keyboard flourishes and guitar playing on Led Zeppelin-aping unreleased track Highway One.
Then there's Grohl. Freed from his front man responsibilities for the Foo Fighters, the former Nirvana stickman proved behind the skins is where he should be and he looked like a man possessed during the 100-minute show as his arms turned into a blurry whirlwind.
It's his supercharged playing and crisp beats that sparked New Fang into life, turned Scumbag Blues into a fiery punk outburst and gave Gunman it's industrial stomp. He put so much into epic opening track Nobody Loves Me and Neither Do I that he was forced to pour an entire bottle of water over his head.
If you're a rock fan, it was a set packed full of highlights, and some of the best came from the album's stranger moments. If you've ever wanted to see Jones playing a keytar, he did it during the Mariachi-aping Interludes with Ludes. He also showed off his classical keyboard skills with a solo that had the crowd erupting in a football chant.
But it was the closing track - the frenetic mood-changer Warsaw or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up - that really took the breath away as Homme and Jones faced up against each other, and proved the Vultures could one day become bigger than all of their day bands.
That's the thing you forget about Them Crooked Vultures. This is the tour supporting their first album. They could get better - and that's just plain scary.
* What did you think of Them Crooked Vultures? Post your comments below.
- © Fairfax NZ News
Sponsored links
Newest First
Oldest First
Them Crooked Vultures were a sight,and sound to behold!!! Absolutely BRILLIANT show. Still buzzing a week later. Looking forward to the new album.
I was at the Wellington gig & was blown away by them.. :D Best I've seen in a very long time! :D I'm still buzzing... Looking forward to a new album & I will see them again in concert for sure!
they were amazing. i listened to a few tracks and didn't really get it. seeing them live reminds you what music is really about. i was in awe for days. my favorite bit was Alain the guitarists solo, he is so talented and overlooked in this band of huge names but it is so right that he is there.
Yes Dave Grohl never pretended to be gunning for being the heir to John Bonham. Sheesh. The concert was a mind-blowing experience and had everyone walking in a daze muttering 'amazing, amazing...' so I don't see what Sweetman is on about. Absolutely loved every minute and hope that they come back with even more outrageous tunes for all the baboons. Wicked!
Thank god a proper review! Them Crooked Vultures were un-freaking-believable, I'm a massive Muse fan and saw them at Big Day Out this year and these guys blew them out of the water in Wellington, the on stage chemistry, technical brilliance and just plain fun, energy and attitude of their songs made the audience absolutely crazy (in a good way lol) amazing album and amazing performance, THANKS FOR COMING TO NZ!! Best concert I've been too in 4 years hands down. YES!!!
Awesome review; The best gig I've seen in years, nothing smug about it, and if you didn't go you'll never get it. I didn't even like the album much but bought tickets on pedigree before hearing it. I even considered selling them at one point but my god am I glad I didn't.
dear englishman abroad....who said prog rock is dead? my 18 year old son worships Dream Theatre who sound somewhere between Rush and Yes. The thought that the Sex Pistols , the Clash or the Damned somehow were responsible for changing rock music is laughable. while the punks were busy filling nite clubs Genesis the Floyd and other asstd proggys were still filling baseball stadiums. making a noise sounding something akin to someone running thru a swamp with their gumboots full of vomit does not a musician make
After listening to their CD and watching their clips I chose not to go to the concert. I am only interested in the LED ZEP angle. Sadly, I can't find it. By all accounts it looks like they did a great gig. But soul is lacking. Maybe TCV deliver more with the upcoming release.
I have tried to listen to the TCV album but I am having a hard time understanding what all the hype is about. The TCV album is good background music at best. I find the music too disjointed and doens't jump up and slap me in the face. Unimpresessed with TCV, maybe I need to give the album another listen....but how hard do you need to try to like an album!?
All Blacks stars of the show at Halberg Awards
Company claims CTV building report 'inadequate'
TVNZ included in police Electoral Act investigation
Tourist alleges police brutality
McCullum leads NZ to easy win over Zimbabwe
Waka capsizes in Wellington Harbour
Milk price inquiry to continue
Website attacks motivated by politics
Another ocean giant meets a tragic end
Kiwi game industry worth more than $179.6m
Week-long strike looms for port
Popular app's CEO apologises over privacy bungle
Lake Horowhenua toxic enough to kill a child
All Blacks stars of the show at Halberg Awards
Child killed at Motueka school
Small 3.9 earthquake wobbles Wellington
Waka capsizes in Wellington Harbour
Another ocean giant meets a tragic end
Tillman to hang up gloves, focus on acting
Tourist alleges police brutality
Son smashes dad's loaned classic car into sea
Santorum claims momentum with upset wins
Romney campaign takes aim at rival Santorum
Rick Santorum wins Missouri primary
Resignations at MediaWorks holding company boards
Small 3.9 earthquake wobbles Wellington
All Blacks stars of the show at Halberg Awards
Company claims CTV building report 'inadequate'
TVNZ included in police Electoral Act investigation
me and my mate started the John Paul Jones chant