Let’s get it out of the way up front — They’ve been back together since 2000, and have been busy ever since. Those of you that bought Vivid on cassette or CD then forgot about the band, you missed out. You need to know right now that they have a new studio album out. The Chair in the Doorway was released in September 2009 and is one of those play-from-start-to-finish joints that leaves you wanting more. Many reviews of this fantastic effort have been written, so Google it up and read on. Check out the lead off track, Burned Bridges. If that doesn’t grab you by the nuts and make you it’s bitch, you simply don’t have any.
This isn’t about the new album, or all the excellent music you missed after Vivid. It’s about the special treat that Corey, Doug, Vernon and Will laid on us in Toronto this past Saturday night. And what a treat it was.
Lee’s Palace is a relatively small venue. A few hundred capacity at most (I’m told 550 by my friend Pete Nema, thanks!). The boys were a tight fit up on the stage, especially with Mr. Calhoun’s big yellow rig dead center. Didn’t seem to matter, the more intimate the better.
Vernon Reid & Corey Glover
The energy was high before the band took the stage, exemplified by the cheers and shouts when Doug and Will walked across the stage several minutes before the set began. The opening band, In Collision, was OK. Tonnes of potential but no hooks and very long winded. Their drummer is incredible, and seems very out of place with the band. Not to mention that the shitty audio at Lee’s didn’t help them either.
Then there was this guy. Obviously fucked up on something; he was jumping around from the time he got into the venue until he was removed by security 2-3 songs into Living Colour’s set. Sorry buddy, but slam dancing with the intent to injure died with the hardcore punk scene a long time ago. Mind you, The Bastard got a decent shot in and grabbed a fist full of his hair, but that didn’t slow him down! He needed to go. Thankfully he was forcibly removed and I could continue to enjoy the show.
Corey Glover
They sounded incredible. Corey’s voice seems to be in top form and the band is tight. TIGHT. Tighter than I remember from WAY back when they played The Concert Hall and a ceiling tile fell on Muzz Skilling’s equipment during Will’s drum solo. Tighter than I remember them from their 1991 Lollapalooza performance when Corey was still sporting Body Glove wet suits and dreads. Like a fine wine with some stank on it. Y’know, that good stank. Like the morning after a hot night with a partner of your preference, and you’ve not showered yet. Oh, how fucking politically correct of me…
The boys played a helluva show with a setlist that covered all of their releases. Lots of stuff from the early days and a healthy dose of The Chair.
Then Mr. Calhoun had something to tell us.
Will Calhoun
About 10 minutes later I was dumbfounded. You see, I have been drumming since I was 12. Neal Peart was my idol and major influence (wasn’t he every drummer’s?) until I heard Vivid. I was inspired. Who was this Will Calhoun character, and where did he come from? My style changed, and along with Peart my style was now heavily influenced by Calhoun. The off beat high-hat shots wile on the ride. The heavy snare. The straight up funk with the thrash. I learned Vivid and Time’s Up and can still play them all like the back of my hand. But in the work I’ve done with original acts the style is all mine, but with a heavy nod to Will. Thank you sir.
So, all I can say is, 20+ years later, HOLY SHIT. If you never seen or heard a Will Calhoun solo, you’ve missed out. Get yourself on YouTube and take your pick. OK, enough about Will.
Vernon’s solos were, as always, manic with a sense that you know where he’s going but the ride will be intense. Just hang on baby, we’ll get there but be prepared to have your mind and ears blown in the mean time.
And what can you say about Doug Wimbish. Just about the best bass out there. I’d love to see two things. A bass off between Doug Wimbish, Marcus Miller, Les Claypool and Mark King. Secondly, a super group that consists of the following: Wimbish, Tom Morello, Maynard James Keenan and JoJo Mayer. That is all.
The boys finished off the night at around 2am by sticking around and signing autographs and otherwise just being fucking cool. Thanks for a great evening. I’ve seen a lot of shows in my time, and this ranks up there in the top 5. Seriously, it was that good. Yes, they played Cult of Personality… and so much more!
Wimbish joins the fans
I’ve now met two of my musical idols, both this year. Trent Reznor and Will Calhoun. Hell, I met all of Living Colour! Thanks for signing my t-shirt guys. Their tour is now over, at least this leg, and we hope to see you again soon.
Special thanks to Bruce Lee for allowing me to use his images.
