Queens of the Stone Age at the Paramount 12/18
Josh Homme is a businessman. And his business is rock and roll.
Last week at the Paramount, I arrived in time for the thunderous first song, “Regular John” at the earlier-than-expected time just after 9pm. It was released on their debut album before most of the fans on the floor even had email addresses or I had a wireless device. But that song, and the ones the followed in the next 80 minutes, were surprisingly cohesive. The setlist represented efforts from all of their studio albums.
While there was no shortage of aural fuel for the kids in the pit up front, I was a little disappointed to find QOTSA’s presence quite a bit less personal than expected. For one, Homme scarcely spoke, only referencing the town in which they were playing by confessing his long-held desire to play the Paramount after living here many years ago. One might think that a band with roots in this city might engage the crowd a little more than, say, the fans in Topeka. (But then, does your barista at Starbucks give two shits that you’re ordering coffee in Seattle as opposed to somewhere else?)
Also absent in this performance was the kind of jammy-experimentation found in previous shows. Check out their live album “Over the Years and Through the Woods” and go to track 20, “Long Slow Goodbye”. That kind of tripped-out abstraction didn’t make the cut. Tuesday night’s show was a fast and furious showcase of what a majority of fans/customers are looking for at the Queens Shop of Rock: 3 to 5 minutes of (mostly) familiar hit songs. This is good for bargain-hunters that need to get to bed early, because the band wrapped up at 10:30.
Technical criticisms: The show didn’t seem loud enough, and I can’t help but wonder why Joey Castillo can’t nail the timing of Dave Grohl… the “Song for the Deaf”’s opening barrage sounds just as rough here as in his past performances. The studio version with the Gum-Chewing one is just far more crisp and staccato. “Louder” and “faster” don’t make up for less precise in my book.
Despite these nigglings, I’ll give the whole experience a 7 out of 10, and I wholeheartedly anticipate their return to town.
Popularity: 27%
I thought this show was excellent and it just missed my top 10 of 2007. I’d put it at number 11 or 12. I was somewhat disappointed by openers Jaguar Love. Featuring former members of the Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves, I was hoping for something with more bite.
And when for shows at the Paramount and the Moore, whatever time is listed on the ticket, in this case 8pm, is the time the first band goes on, not what time the doors open. I too have gotten to the Paramount to be surprised the headliner is already playing.
Nice tip, Scissorhands. That’s some news we can all use.
I saw QOTSA at the Graceland quite a few years ago, and with that experience, plus the “Over the Years” DVD had me expecting a little more from them. Still a great show.
I saw them at the Showbox back in 2005, and it was awesome. The Distillers were the opening band, and I was thoroughly impressed with both acts. Only reason I didn’t go this year was the ticket price.