This week presents a pretty interesting challenge. I usually try not to write about shows that are on the same night, but this time around, I’m not being given a choice. Two really-big-deal shows on the same night – what to do, what to do? I’ll leave it up to you.
Friday, May 20, 2011: Primus at Minglewood Hall
If you’ve never seen Primus live before, don’t bring your mother. Les Claypool does things to his bass that you wouldn’t even want to repeat to her, let alone let her see. Most people reading this column probably know who he is, sure, but for the benefit of those who don’t … just imagine if an acid alien came down from outer space, and then created the first ever bass guitar with his plasma replicator, and then made it his bitch. This is essentially what you will be going to see on Friday night if you end up at Minglewood. The last time I was at a huge, smelly three day music festival in Middle Tennessee that shall remain nameless, I was on my way to see one of my favorite performers but ended up missing the entire show because I got sidetracked by Primus in one of the tent shows. Their show is so freaking weird that I can’t even describe it all in one paragraph. Go get your chest rumbled.
Primus releases their new album Green Naugahyde in July. Download a free EP of one of their rehearsals from last summer here.
Friday, May 2, 2011: Foo Fighters with Motorhead at the FedEx Forum
I wonder if Dave Grohl ever imagined that Motorhead would open for his band. It’s crazy if you think about it – I remember reading how in awe he was of all the people he got to perform on his Probot project (which of course included Lemmy’s vocals on “Shake Your Blood”), so this tour must be nothing short of the thrill of a lifetime for him. And while Motorhead is probably at the tail end of their career, there’s still a fifth of Jack in Lemmy’s contract rider (look it up), and so I don’t think that you can expect anything dialed-in or lackluster. And what is there to be said about the Foo Fighters that hasn’t already been said? Six GRAMMYs. Almost 20 years. And when I think about it, I believe Dave Grohl is the only musician there’s ever been who actually became cooler after he turned 40 and was still playing the same music. Go get your face rocked off.
So either way, you really can’t go wrong this Friday night in Memphis. Sure, it’s nothing new, but there’s a reason bands like this have staying power. Go see why!
