Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton Heat
Independent, SF, Ca
January 14/007

Spacehed called me late in the afternoon with an extra for this show...just to surprise him, I actually said yet! But also because I could dress for the ocassion. I had just finished a new scarf and was unsure when I'd ever have the opportunity, well...turns out this was just the event! So before the review I'll share my latest handiwork...it's called a Snowball's Chance in Hell



Double Knit...ooohhh, aaaahhh!

Okay, now about the show. I've been waiting about 10 years for this show. A long time ago (just after high school) I went to a festival where the good Reverend was supposed to play, instead, he came out on the stage, threw a little hissy fit and refused to play. Needless to say, until the weekend, I'd never tried to go back for more.

Overall, it wasn't a bad night. The lyrics were charming, when I was able to undstand them. True gems like 'Bitch! I want my $400.', 'Loco Gringos like to party!', 'Where the hell did you go with my toothbrush', 'I'm sick and calling in twisted' and my personal fav 'MARIJUANA'. A portion of the show was by request, so we have the fans to thank for those little treats.

The sounds of evening ranged from country rockabilly to bluesy rockabilly and even a little surf-influenced rockabilly. There were a few songs that would have fit into the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. The music was not nuanced or intricate but it was LOUD and FAST. For a brief moment the Rev did some nice quitar work, I liked it, he should do it more often but apparently it's not his style. And style was key, the ladies proudly sported the Bettie Page look and their men were the best greaser cowboys around. The showman ship was not limited to the crowd though, at one point, The Rev and Jimbo the bass player wrapped themselves together to play each others instruments, The Rev's left hand on the neck of the bass and Jimbo's left hand on the neck of the guitar...it didn't sound too bad.

Not being a big fan, the best part of the evening was the Eric McFadden sit-in. He played a few tunes near the middle of the set, Rock This Joint and something else. I enjoyed him, he brought more to the music than chunka-chunka-chunka, there was something to listen to, more dynamic in the playing. The band stretched out during his appearance--dare I suggest there was a 'Jam'?

There was also a Run Run Rudolph in there somewhere, and maybe a song called Galaxy 400. Also worth mentioning...the drummer was a monster! Looked just like Matt Abts too...and the bass player had a beautiful upright with the obligatory flames.

In the end, the show was worth the 10 year wait, I appreciated it more now, than I would have then.

Here's the bass...

Glad you came along Emily!!!!!
It was fun, Thanks for the review

Nice review as always, Emily!

I've been a big Rev. fan since 'Smoke 'em if you Got 'em' but have never had the chance to catch him live. I didn't realize he still plays all of those old tunes from the first two albums. 'Where the hell did you go with my toothbrush' was always my favorite tune by him, from the 'Afternoon Delight' Sub Pop compliation.

That was one of the requests

does that bass have a hole in the side of it?

Ha!

I hope not...

Speaking of the good Rev - anybody have some shows to vine or trade?
Yeah, yeah I know I've asked a bunch of time already, but you gotta hit paydirt sometime.
Seriously, they put on a phenomenal live show and always have great openers - Th' Legenbdary Shack Shakers, Supersuckers, Los Straitjackets, Split Lip Rayfield, etc. Nice guys too, we hung out with Scott and Jimbo after a show a year or so back, drank free beer and talked for the better part of 2 hours.