ebm@ucbingres.ARPA (Grady Toss) (08/06/85)
I just got back from seeing The Flaming Lips at the I-Beam (San Francisco), and thought I'd write up a quick review while my ears are still wringing. These guys hail from Oklahoma City, OK (OK!)... not to my knowledge ever known as a hotbed of rock & roll activity. Their EP, the label and title of which isn't handy, is a great piece of psychedelic-punk-pop-metal. Live however they take all these dimensions and throw in some of their 70's influences as well. At alternate points in the show (more like a storm actually) they sounded like The Who (circa 1965), with the guitarist aping Townshend's windmill swings and split leg jumps; Led Zepplin, with a credible punked up cover of ``Rock and Roll''; Black Sabbath; and Pink Floyd, with a nice cover of ``Wish You Were Here''. The guitarist ripped off a great version of one of Townshend's improvisations from the ``Live At Leeds'' version of ``My Generation'' that sequed perfectly into ``Rock and Roll''. They also did a grungy, loud version of ``Summertime Blues''. All this, plus their originals were great live pieces. Go see this band, and prepare to go home deaf... but it'll be worth it. (*ring*ring*ring*) Green On Red, erstwhile headliners, just didn't cut it after such a devastating performance. Each time I've seen them they have what seems to be almost all new material... this time most of it was very country sound- ing. Dan Stuart is an entertaining front man... but who could pay attention. ... gt Ps. For anyone in the area, The Flaming Lips will also be playing Tuesday the 6th at the Berkeley Square. Be There Or Don't.