House of Blues - December 8, 2009

A couple months ago I got it into my head that I wanted to see Gwar. I kept asking people I know if they had ever seen the band. No one had. Oddly, I soon learned that Gwar was coming to town, and playing the House of Blues. Naturally I got myself a ticket post-haste.

I've always been kind of scared of bands that wear masks. However, a look at the Gwar website suggested that someone's tongue was definitely in their cheek, so I set off fearlessly to the show. The House of Blues, which I had never before visited, turned out to be a pretty venue with great sight lines, and a very sweet security staff. (At least sweet in response to my matronly charms).

The Red Chord: The opening act: a grindcore band from Boston. I quite enjoyed them. They thanked Job for a Cowboy for coming to Chicago all the way from Arizona, and they thanked Gwar for being from outer space. That's some class as far as I'm concerned.

Job for a Cowboy: Job for a Cowboy is from Arizona, as noted above. In that signature death metal style, without taking a breath, the singer went from yelping like a Pomeranian to doing the Linda Blair possessed by Satan growl. Is this a natural ability, or does it occur thanks to the miracle of modern technology?

Gwar: This turned out to Gwar's 25th anniversary tour. I couldn't help but notice that the gentlemen in the band seemed to be rather portly, a condition somewhat obscured by their post-apocalyptic attire. I had always read that Gwar sprayed the audience with faux blood, urine, and vomit. I was a little disappointed as there was plenty of spraying with red and green liquids none of them resembling body products, especially the vomit. Maybe it had something to do with Christmas. Being a middle aged wuss, I took up a position behind the lighting guy. When he covered his board with plastic, I knew it was time to take cover! Plenty of people in front of me got pretty wet though. I can't say that I've ever seen anything like Gwar. They were unique, tasteless, and loud!