The Legendary Pink Dots, featuring members of Skinny Puppy, played the Howlin' Wolf on Saturday, June 12th. Upon scanning the stage and seeing the medley of performers, I knew it would be an interesting show. The saxophone player, dressed in a purple and orange suit, a rather average-looking guitarist and bassist, and a tie-dye wearing keyboard player lined the stage waiting for their singer/frontman, who finally emerged donning leopard-print pajama pants, a purple shirt, what appeared to be some sort of fuzzy scarf, and, of course, the invariably cool, ‘60s- style, Lennon-esque sunglasses. Classic.
[...] Alternately beautiful and ferocious guitar work is blended with a methodical synth background, hauntingly deep and resonating bass, jazz-influenced sax, and eerily soft vocals. The result is melodic, if a bit eccentric at times, and occasionally even mesmerizing. It's certainly not danceable, but swaying might be a possibility. I can't say I'm a fan of the often-cheesily-sighed vocals. However, this does give some songs wonderful potential for inclusion on a tragedy/horror movie soundtrack. As a performer, though, Ka- Spel can be quite entertaining, posing on stage as though doing sexual favors for the microphone while singing (think full-profile view). [...]
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