Bar Deluxe, Hollywood, California
Holy Smokes!
"The Cult is dead" proclaimed Ian Astbury Saturday night in Hollywood.
And with those words Ian proceeded to tear into a late-night set with
his new band, Holy Barbarians. If this show, the band's first, is
any indication of what is yet-to-come from these guys don't weep the
Cult's passing. Celebrate it! (I know, it's hard, but try anyway.)
The well-over-capacity crowd, in the way-too-smoky room was treated to
selections off the Barbarians forthcoming Reprise release due in late
April. Songs like Brother Fights, Dolly Bird and She
prove that this band is a formidable successor to the Cult's crown.
The magical evening progressed without a hitch, with the Holy Barbarians
ripping through untested material as if they'd been playing it for years.
Near the end of the set, Ian paid homage to his roots while at the same
time chiding his new American bandmates, "cause they're not from
Liverpool." Helter Skelter was then given the Barbarians twist.
Note to all diehard Cult fanatics: All is not lost, the night proved to
be truly electric when the band ripped through Wildfower mid-way
through their set.
Reprise Records
I saw the Holy Barbarians at Bar Delux in Hollywood Ca. for thier first
show here back in 96 I think. I was very excited. The last time I saw The
Cult was at The Paladium for the 95 tour which was fucking incredible by
the way. Ian was 110%. Amazing show.
Anyway, back to Bar Delux. The band is all on stage but no Ian. They are
messing around. Then this heavy guy walks out in a nice red button down
shirt, short black hair, black levies and boots and a beer and cig in his
hand. He walks up to the Mic and say's "we are the Holy Barbarians" and
then KICKS in to the songs. It was fucking great. I really liked that show.
I was surprised that Ian put on so much weight though in about one year.
Anyway, great show. Very small place with smoke everywhere.
Love69