Pere Ubu’s lineup shifts over the years have left singer (vocal stylist?) David Thomas as the only original member, following guitarist Tom Hermann’s departure in 2005 (himself a replacement for original original guitarist Peter Laughner). But that matters very little as Thomas is a) the heart, soul, personality, and creative drive of Pere Ubu and b) exquisitely backed by a band as driven as he.
Thomas was in fine form throughout, cracking jokes and baiting his enthusiastic crowd. The band — now consisting of guitarist Keith Moliné, the tremendous rhythm section of bassist Michele Temple and drummer Steve Mehlman, and Robert Wheeler on electro-fuckery — kicked up an overwhelming noise-storm between Moliné’s guitar and Wheeler’s theremin squeals.
The set featured a number of tunes from their most recent album, Why I Hate Women, and browsed their back catalog as well (though playing “Street Waves” after “We Have The Technology” violates the alphabetical setlist tradition) . The highlight was a quasi-cover of the Rocket From The Tombs/Dead Boys classic “Sonic Reducer,” which incited a near riot amidst the hardcore fans in attendance.
Thomas was unsparing in his digs at the appreciators of artless art music in attendance, who didn’t pay much mind to Pere Ubu’s set in the first place. The fact is, however, that rock and roll just isn’t interesting; it makes being bored a little more bearable. In terms of being bearable, Pere Ubu’s unpretentious artfulness beats most others hands down.
– Mike McGovern
Pere Ubu: www.ubuprojex.net
Smog Veil: www.smogveil.com