The Videos are In

From Scoot Inn, Oct 29, 2010 videos.

SWEATLOAF


HUMAN CANNONBALL (only the first minute)


USSA


THE O-MEN


AND ANOTHER RECORDING OF THE O-MEN


JOHN-E SMOKE


LADY SNIFF/PEPPER MASHUP


CHERUB


THE SHAH SLEEPS IN LEE HARVEY'S GRAVE

Scoot Inn, Austin, Oct 29, 2010

The idea of Butthole Surfers performing Locust Abortion Technician in its entirety was a curious one, I thought, when I first saw the announcement. I listened to the album carefully and wondered how they were going to pull it off with all that electronica and distortion and sampling and mixing, without it seeming like they were just playing a recording. Few of the songs are melodic tunes that are probably easier to recreate in a live show. It's a great album, but I just had trouble picturing it. It could have been a disaster if they hadn't prepared so well. And prepare they did. It was clear how hard they were working up there to pull off the performance, professionally and technically, and I for one truly appreciated the effort they made.

Turns out that playing this album was a genius idea, executed perfectly. It was clear that not only had they been rehearsing, but they orchestrated the songs with a fresh spin. They played the entire album in one long, continuous exhale that gave a shape to the over-arching themes of the music in a way that isn't immediately apparent when you listen to the album.

To be honest, I had never listened to LAT as a holistic work. I always thought it one of the more esoteric compilations, a little hard to latch onto, requiring very close listening to make something of it. And while it opens with the incomparable Sweat Loaf and the chanting of Satan Satan Satan, it closes with what is their most disturbing song, 22 going on 23. That song never made much sense to me and always left me feeling uncomfortable. It's one part misery and one part exploitation. After hearing that song last night, it all made sense, and the entire album was tied together as a piece of storytelling, a psychedelic opera, that was extremely satisfying.

Paul Leary said he was nervous about doing this, which is understandable. It just can't be easy to transpose something that was very much made in a studio, into a live show. It worked brilliantly and I am so glad that I was able to be there to experience it. Bravo.

O-Men

This actually might be my favorite song on Locust Abortion Technician. I wish I could understand one single thing said in the speeded up amped up vocals, but maybe also that's what makes it so interesting.

Human Cannonball

Next up (not going in order) from Locust Abortion Technician, this video uses the song Human Cannonball as a soundtrack of photos of real human cannonballs from the circus. Perfect.

Sweat Loaf Live

In my own tribute to Locust Abortion Technician, I will choose a video a day (well probably not, but I intend to try) from the album.

Here is the last time I saw Butthole Surfers play Sweat Loaf, at Webster Hall, which ended with Gibby getting thrown off the stage by the security jerk.

Locust Abortion Technician - Live

In a move emulating the recent Springsteen tour where he played whole albums, but with listenable music, the Butthole Surfers will be playing their most best album Locust Abortion Technician in Austin, TX on October 29, 2010 at the Scoot Inn. The Scoot Inn, in the photo, looks like it will be in the back of a hoarder's house. I can't wait.

Sweatloaf

And while we are on the topic of Butthole Surfers tribute bands, there is one in Dallas called Sweatloaf. Gotta love them, but I would suggest the singer wears a shirt next time.