Queen Adreena @ The Zodiac October 6th 2005
Before I start... Two words:
FUCKING UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Ahem.
I was told that Queen Adreena were simply amazing and I so had to go see them live, so I moseyed my way on down to The Zodiac (My local venue) expecting something fairly standardly good, if that made any sense.
The first support band (Something Ariel...? Ariel X something...?) were quite good, nothing exceptional by my standards, not really my stuff but pleasant none the less. The lead singer was a little bit cute, though.
The second support band (Infrasound - I know because I picked up one of their free badges) were pretty dreadful. I daydreamed through the first half of their set, and then got annoyed because they improved enough that I couldn't daydream through the second half, but not enough that I could actually enjoy the last couple of songs.
And then there was Queen Adreena themselves.
It's probably worth pointing out that, aside from the fact that she had a large and three quarters empty bottle of cheap white wine on her, the lead singer of Queen Adreena is notorious for appearing on stage totally off her head, potentially on something illegal. But hey, if that's what you have to do to get a performance like that, bring it on!
She was wearing a dress that seemed to mostly be a couple of sacks held together with string with dirty white shorts underneath, a length of tubigrip (The white tubular bandage they put on limbs before they plaster them) on one leg, large yellow sunglasses and a couple of flowers in her hair. No bra, although this didn't seem to bother her, nor the audience. I mean, c'mon, we've all seen nipples before, even if they are only our own.
Also, the guitarist, who was wearing a really loud shirt and a neckerchief over a sleeveless top (Did I mention I really like that style?) was pretty darn cute. And talented. Really good on guitar. And he engaged with the audience. And he had great hair. Ahem, where was I?
They didn't have their usual bassist, which was a shame, because the guy on bass thus faded into the background a great deal. And Queen Adreena are very... VERY... expressive on stage.
Example? How about: The six or seventh time the lead singer dropped (Flung away?) her mike and the roadie ran to pick it up, she tried to beat him to death. She didn't manage it, unfortunately. Now THAT would have been good watching!
Aw, c'mon! Squee! Roadie Death!
Ahem. I hadn't heard their latest album at that particular juncture, but I was later to recognise most of the songs... even at that point, In Red was one of my favourites.
I wear my 'Pretty Like Drugs' t-shirt with pride. Accept no imitations - Go see Queen Adreena, dammit!
Rating: Exceptional. I would DEFINATELY go again.