Iggy Pop has nothing left to prove to the rock ‘n’ roll community. The Godfather of Punk and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee refuses to slow down one bit. And why should he? His 17th studio album launched at the top of the Billboard Rock and Alternative charts, delivering the 68-year-old icon his first #1 album ever. How in the hell does that happen you ask? Well, the title says it all.
Post Pop Depression is the name of the record, and it’s Pop’s first collaboration with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme. The record features vocal and instrumental contributions from Homme and even saw the Palm Desert native in the producer’s chair. How did these rock ‘n’ roll innovators come together? The story goes something like this.
Pop sent Homme a text message about wanting to work together followed by a phone call to discuss. Then Pop sent some lyrics by mail, along with notes about his time working with David Bowie. Three months later, Homme sent lyrics to Pop, and they agreed to work together on recording songs in a studio. They brought incomplete ideas as opposed to finished songs so that they could work on them and create together. Pop has described the album as dealing with issues when your utility is at an end, and dealing with your own legacy.
That description sets the stage perfectly for the show that I saw last week at San Francisco’s Masonic. Pop backed by Homme was joined on stage by guitarist/ keyboardist Dean Fertita (QOTSA, The Dead Weather) and Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, both of whom contributed to the album’s recording with the addition of touring members, QOTSA’s Troy Van Leeuwen (guitar) and Chavez’s Matt Sweeney (bass).
Homme has been quoted as saying that Post Pop Depression is sort of a follow-up to the Pop classic Lust for Life. Interestingly enough, that was the opening song and what was to follow pulled heavily from the Lust era sound that is arguably Pop’s finest hour. There were plenty of cuts from the new album as well including “In the Lobby,” “German Days,” and “Sunday” just to name a few. I think Iggy and company could have easily gotten away with playing the new record in its entirety, but the classic material fit so perfectly intertwined with the new that it would have been pointless to do so.
Other highlights from the set included “China Girl” and “Funtime” both of which were co-written with the late great David Bowie. I think the entire room was smiling on as Iggy paid tribute to his friend and collaborator while also reminding us of our own mortality. My absolute favorite song of the night was “Mass Production” from Pop’s 1977 classic The Idiot. This song sounded incredible live, so much so that I think Josh Homme and the band were born to play this song live, maybe even interpreting it better than the original.
Pop has said that Post Pop Depression will be his final album, and while I hate to see him bow out during a good run, at least he can say he went out on top. Here’s to a 50th anniversary run of The Idiot in 2017!
Bottom line: Iggy Pop puts on one of the best shows on the planet, adding in Josh Homme takes the coolness factor off the charts. Don’t miss this one folks. Check out hi res shots from the show in the gallery here.
