LOP LIVE - REVIEWS |
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WHISKY -
01/30/04 |
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How appropriate that Lunatics On Parole were hiding out at The Whisky this evening. Traveling down the police state atmosphere during the weekend on Sunset is a bit unnerving. Of course, they say it's to crack down on cruisers who have nothing else better to do than make sure you're looking at them and their Hummer's. But the guys in LOP know better. And so they decided to lay the anti authoritative soundtrack down live in front of some fans. The Lunatics message is simple; they sing and write about beer, politics, and pot. As seven foot lead singer Kenny Gardner takes the stage, you can see he means business. With songs such as "I've Got A Drinking Problem (I Can't Find My Beer)," one can appreciate the humor that underlies the LOP sound. But wait, don't laugh too loud. "Working Class Wasteland" is a scathing attack on the economic slavery that begets us all. They want to remind you that the days of being a cherished and lifelong employee are a faded memory in this expendable corporate run society. But before it gets a little too deep for you, the band tear into the self explanatory radio hit "Marijuana." It's a little ditty that outlines the industrial, medicinal, and recreational virtues of a plant that was once legal in this country, and that should now be decriminalized. During the reggae flavored break in the song, Captain Chronic made an appearance onstage and had one knackered fellow in the crowd saluting. One unlucky patron was thrown out however due to some drunken moshing. But underneath all this is the unquestionable talents of the rest of the band. Lead guitarist Zeke is a sight to behold, incorporating modern rhythm riffs with some old school Thrashings. Drummer Thor pounds his skins the way a caveman would club his woman. And new bassist Mike Brickman helps round out the band. So if you're into some heavy Death style seriousness and fun, then check out Lunatics On Parole live. They have a gig coming up at Paladino's in Reseda in March. Just don't tell the fuzz. www.lunaticsonparole.com
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ROXY -
October 31 |
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One of the best up and coming bands has to be Lunatics on Parole. I tell you, while other bands are trying to cop each other’s trip in a spastic stab at the heavy metal brass ring, L.O.P. are in a class all their own, surpassing the pack with a ferocious mix of rock, metal, jazz, punk, poetry and low-register vocals. Oh, did I mention Kenny the Gardener? This huge mass of a man, crossing Sasquatch with Jack Kerouac, erupts on the stage with a vengeance unequalled in L.A. His band could be horrible and the Gardener would still be entertaining, with his 7 ft. frame, flinging dreadlocks and manic delivery. But hold on, these guys are far from horrible. Lunatics are absolutely on fire during every part of the show, nimbly switching from punishing metal and hardcore punk to jazz and moody elements creating a tight interwoven fabric that propels Kenny’s bent political vision into a seamless presentation. And nothing escapes the Gardener’s scrutinization. Subjects range from the "end of the world" to the corporate takeover of America. Kenny has such an intense and honest outlook, I can only imagine that as the band gets more and more popular, agencies like the FBI and CIA will start sniffing around to see if he is for real. Hide your pot. The show I saw was at the world famous Roxy Theater, but you can tell these guys are destined for bigger stages and bigger crowds. After the show, Kenny was swamped by fans demanding autographs and other handouts, and the Gardener treated them all like a real pro, his crazy onstage character completely subdued. And that voice! Lower in register than any human I have ever heard! A wonderful freak for all of us to enjoy! Long live Kenny the Gardener! God save heavy metal! Long live Lunatics on Parol
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ROXY - March 12 |
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Well, there we were, watching Van Halen trying to re-energize their illustrious career in the very place it started - Gazzari’s (now called Billboard Live). After being a VH fan since I can remember, I was unbelievably disappointed with new singer Gary what’s-his-name from Extreme. Sorry, just not my cup of tea. Wondering if anybody still rocks in this town, my friend Kathy suggests we go check out her friend’s band next door at the Roxy. She says they’re called "LUNATICS ON PAROLE" and that the singer is over 7 feet tall. I had to see this, so we went. Walking into the club, our eardrums were treated to a psycho jazz tune while a giant Sasquatch sat on his knees bellyaching about how the farmers were broke. ...This was different. I started giving Kathy one of those looks. She says, "Just wait." So I wait. All of a sudden, these guys kick into a riff and start jumping’ around like crazy. In the chorus they scream, "Welcome to the Corporate Mainman!" - and everyone’s going nuts! Before I had a chance to soak it all in, they switch into an even higher gear and start headbanging to the chant, "Too late!" Amazing! After the set we headed back to Billboard. As we sat waiting to get autographs from Eddie, Alex and everyone, I couldn’t stop thinking about who really rocked me on the Strip that night: "LUNATICS ON PAROLE"! Go see this band!
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Club Delilah at The Garage - November 23 |
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Well, there I was. Nothing to do on a Sunday night. All of a sudden, fate bounces my way. Greg Biribauer, lead singer and bassist of the awe-inspiring future-metal kings, KLUSTER, calls and invites me down to see his other band LUNATICS ON PAROLE, (featuring frontman Kenny the Gardener). He says they’re playing The Garage on a last minute booking with ONE BAD EYE and ROSEMARY’S BILLY GOAT. I figure I’ll go out and support one my favorite new bands. The Gardener always gives a great show, whether he’s with SLACK BABBATH or doing his own thing with L.O.P. and since the members of Kluster are some of the best metal musicians I’ve ever seen, I just couldn’t refuse Greg’s invitation.This was the first time I’d ever been to The Garage. The second my friend Trixie and I walked in we felt like we were in some type of David Lynch movie. There were girls, guys, transvestites, lesbians, gays, straights and everything else you could ever imagine hooting up a storm for Rosemary’s Billy Goat. A very theatrical band, I was quite impressed with the singer’s constant costume changes, (one including a real cow skull with lasers shooting out of it’s eyes!). Other gimmicks included a makeshift electric chair and magical flames shooting through the air. Quite a show. One Bad Eye put on a set of extreme zodiac metabilly from another universe. Rough around the edges but absolutely committed to their vision, O.B.E. acted like they were playing the Odeon Hammersmith opening up for their most obvious influence: Lemmy (he was in the crowd). I picked up a copy of their new ‘self-titled’ CD. Between these guys and Kluster, Motorhead seems the influence of choice among the new metal underground in Hollywood these days. With Viking hat and bud pipe in tow, Kenny’s immortal intro, "In God We Trust..." launched Lunatics on Parole into there high-geared set of metal, jazz, punk and poetry. The crowd became enthralled, reacting to every single line the Gardener sputtered into his mic. This show was even better than the one I had seen at the Troubadour a couple of weeks earlier. Greg, Yowzah! and Neil A. Taylor provided airtight back-up as L.O.P. mesmerized the late-night crowd. I can only hope for some type of recorded output from these guys soon. All the best of luck, guys and hey, thanks for inviting me!
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Troubadour - October 27 |
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Well, there is a new metal order in town, right under our noses, and if you’re not aware of it, beware! Monday night at the ever amazing Troub was hosted by what will undoubtedly be L.A.’s biggest bands of the future. Now that Snot, System and C. Chamber are on to major label deals and worldwide acclaim, it is your duty to give the next round of metalheads their due.The night started with INHUMAN VISIONS, who gave a great set of Slayer-inspired thrash. It’s nice to see such a young band with long hair!After that was KRAKWURX, fronted by ex-Drowner Todd, who totally filled the club with a creepy set of industrial strength mood vibe.I was not expecting what I saw next. I’ve heard of KLUSTER around town, and had heard their self-released CD featuring the classic "Devil’s Dic" quite a few times at parties, but had never seen them live. I tell you, I was absolutely blown away with these guys. This tight three-piece band combines a Motorhead sound with new technology that has to be seen to be believed. Slides and T.V. sets show everything from psychedelic mind warp to Jack Nicholson smoking herb. An audio AND visual treat! Lead guitarist Yowzah mentioned to me that the band is signing to a "high-profile upstart metal label with major distribution" (whatever that means) and are going to record with producer Bill Kennedy(Nine Inch Nails, Danzig). Good luck, guys, you deserve it! LUNATICS ON PAROLE were up next and featured the now legendary "Kenny the Gardener" backed by who else? - the members of Kluster! I had seen the Gardener strut his stuff at Slack Babbath shows and was dying to check out his own thing. Like a giant Bigfoot hillbilly, he overtook the stage with a force rarely seen in metal these days. L.O.P.’s tunes went from jazz to hardcore effortlessly and featured such titles as "Pigs on Patrol" and "Green Revolution". Kenny told me that this was only their third show, so I expect great things from this dynamic performer.Finishing the night was OVALTEEN, and even though I had to leave early with my ride, what I saw was an energetic display of Green Day-inspired punk rock. I’ll definitely check out their next show. All in all it was another winner night for the Troubadour, who seem to have great insight on new upcoming, cutting-edge bands. With bands like Kluster and L.O.P. around, there is a changing of the guard in Hollywood. Make sure you catch them now, before success ruins them all!
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JOKER’S
WILD |
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