D.R.I. LIVE! Show Review

Because the band toured for a long time without delivering any new material since 1995’s Full Speed Ahead, their fans have always been treated to what is probably the closest thing to a vintage crossover show one can witness in the 21st century. Having watched them five times since the spring of 2010, the D.R.I. show is mostly a routine performance, but that is one of the things that makes them great. The Dirty Rotten Imbeciles tour regularly, so seeing them perform in a nearby city is almost as much of an annual tradition for their fans as trick-or-treating on Halloween or opening presents on Christmas is for most children. They always arrive with their trademark skanker depicted on a wide assortment of different souvenirs for sale, and vocalist Kurt Brecht can be found working the merchandise table. Their live sound and vitality have both somehow remained flawless throughout these concerts, with very heavy guitars, bass, and drums roaring behind Brecht’s somewhat surfer-esque vocals. No matter what city the Imbeciles play in, their ageless performance always sparks chaos amongst the moshers. Furthermore, they usually perform a long set. What made this show distinguishable from all of the other D.R.I. gigs I’ve had the pleasure of attending is that there were almost no jokes or comical remarks in between songs. The Imbeciles certainly have not gotten soft, but have they become more serious? They have given me a few good laughs in the past, but hearing them perform D.R.I. songs is always the highlight and what triggers such wild enthusiasm from the crowd. Some changes they’ve undergone that can be noticed after attending several D.R.I. shows in recent years is a rotation behind the drum throne, which is currently held by Walter “Monsta” Ryan (also a member of Attitude Adjustment). Additionally, the Imbeciles have started to incorporate a couple of *gasp* new songs into their set. They have been playing new songs entitled called “Against Me” and “As Seen on T.V.” for a couple of years now, and I had been anticipating a new recording since the moment I was first exposed to those songs. The EP “But Wait...There’s More!” was finally issued earlier this summer, which included those songs, another new one entitled “Anonymity”, and re-recordings of older cuts “Mad Man” and “Couch Slouch”. Those five songs were played in the same order that they were on the album, and of course the band had another 95 minutes full of excellent material that you want to hear, and possibly mosh to, at a D.R.I. gig.

Soup Kitchen
Violent Pacification
Snap
Who Am I?
Stupid, Stupid War
A Coffin
Fun and Games
Against Me
Anonymity
As Seen on TV
Mad Man
Couch Slouch
Slumlord I’d Rather Be Sleeping
Nursing Home Blues
Argument Then War
All For Nothing
Manifest Destiny
Acid Rain

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Tags:  DRI, D.R.I., Tour Review  

Nicholas Statuto    September 30, 2016