Sister Machine Gun
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take some photos for SMG
in what I like to call the "photo trench" at the front of the stage. Despite the fact
that I had the same photopass as the official band photographer, I was only allowed
in for the first 3 songs. I was perturbed, and cranky because of this but didn't feel
like making it an issue. In any case, I did get some cool pics which you can see
in my music review photoalbum.
SMG shows have a way of being a different animal every time, so that even when the
same songs get played, they never sound the same twice. When SMG came through
Cleveland back in for [R]evolution, they were displaying a groovy, jazzy kind of style.
A few years before that for Metropolis, they had a harder, electronic edge. This time
around they were all out rock.
Only 2 songs from 6.0 got played, the rest of the playlist being favorites such as White
Lightning, Burn, Carbon Copy, Addiction, Sins of the Flesh, and Smash Your Radio.
The crowd was rowdy and ready to rock, but we could have done without some of
the morons in the mosh pit that ensued. One of the assholes left bleeding after being
smacked upside the head with good, old fashioned mosh pit justice.
Chris Randall, the (tall and skinny) pulse of SMG was relaxed, wisecracking, and fun
to watch as always. Burn was done especially nicely....starting out slow and electronically
groovy, then kicking in later with the guitars. Smash Your Radio and White Lightning
were the bounciest songs of the evening and had just about everyone moving.
In taking pictures, I didn't get to take in as much of the show as I would have
liked, but I still enjoyed the whole experience. I must say the light show was awesome
too....even though CR is usually the master behind the lightboard at the Metro, you
know that he would make sure he had a good lighting set for his own band. :)
After the set, the VIP's, who were members and reps from the SMG newsgroup,
were herded backstage....and I say herded because it is like a corral back there.
Chris chatted with them, and graciously signed posters and took pictures with his
fans who normally only have contact with him online. The afterparty was held the next
day at Dave and Busters, with Chris, Lisa Randall, guitarist Miguel, and other band
people, reps and VIPs could hang out, play video games and eat for together before
SMG had to hit the road for 2 more weekend shows.
As always, I was pleased to see a band that really is cool to their fans, as well as
one who puts on a kick ass show. For news and other stuff SMG related, visit
www.smg.org.