Concert Review: Butthole Surfers at Granada Theater (Oct. 22)

by Mike Bullock

The Butthole Surfers reunited for a small set of gigs and the Granada Theater played host to an incredible one on Wednesday night. The house was packed with what seemed to be a sold-out show. The crowd held old diehard fans and virgins who have never experienced a Surfers show. all anxiously waiting for this overdue reunion for a long time.

The Surfers came out strong with old classics that kept you thinking what could possibly be played next. I wasn't planning on writing this article so I apologize for not having the set-list handy, I will add it when I find it. But if you wanted to hear your favorite tune, you probably got it and then some. I know there were some that wanted to hear "Sweat Loaf," but with Gibby's family in the house, one could understand their decision to not play it.

Although, how could the crowd be disappointed? We got to hear some stuff that in my 20-year history I never heard live until last night. At one point Gibby called out by name a few people who went to Lake Highlands High School with him. When nobody answered he replied, "I still hate you." To sweeten things up a bit, Gibby was very pleased to have his family there with him and when he announced they were there, the crowd roared with cheer.

For those who never have seen the Surfers, they are known for having the some of the most disturbing films being projected on the screens behind them as they play. Well, some may find them as disturbing; others may think it's eye candy. If you weren't watching that, you were too zoned into what the band was doing on stage. I didn't see any high kicks out of guitarist Paul Leary, but he is a little older now. However, he is also one of the most amazing guitar players of this time. It was also great to see Jeff Pinkus on bass again hammering away with his Frankenstein-esque movements and that blank stare on his face like he's sleeping with his eyes open. Damn, that's freaking wicked.

But one of the most delightful things of the evening was having Teresa Nervosa back in the lineup playing with a smooth robotic motion on her kit next to King Coffee on his drum set. The band looked as if they really enjoyed playing together again and the crowd was loving every minute of it. When it was time for this good thing to end, as members left the stage, in true Gibby fashion, he stayed on the stage, filling the venue with fog, and playing with the strobe light and sound effects. After all was said and done, this truly reminds me of why they are the best at what they do -- putting on one of the best concerts ever.

Setlist: 22 Going On 23, 100 Million, Fast, Moving To Florida, Creep In The Cellar, Suicide, Roky, Pittsburg to Lebanon, BBQ Pope, Cowboy Bob, 1401, Dust Devil, Negro Observer, Cherub, Hey, X-Ray, Goofy's Concern, Graveyard, Watlo, To Parter Tornadoes, Gary Floyd, The One I Love, Jimi, Cartoon Song, The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey's Grave

Posted by M.B.