Andrew's Music Hall, Detroit, Michigan

The most recent Holy Barbarians was AWESOME! The only drawback was that it was too short (only an hour and 20 minutes max). Ian was in excellent style in his red silk cuff-linked shirt and black pocketless pants. Gone was the long pitch hair, cowboy hat, and cross necklace of the glorious Cult daze. Nonetheless, Ian was Ian, cool as ever. In fact, I had a chance to interview the enitire band. But first the show.

The show was identical to those previously critiqued on this web page. The set, the Kerouac reading, the Mod stage hand, everything the same as it has been throughout the tour. They did indeed play The Witch which really got the place rockin. It was a modified, but respectable version, and nonetheless awesome! I was hoping beyond hope for a little Spiritwalker, Edie (Ciao Baby), She Sells Sanctuary , ANYthing more by the God of rock.

There were maybe only a 1000 people there which made it that much better. I was able to speak with Ian right before the show and then go immediately to the front row. EXCELLENT. Patrick chain smoked throughout the entire show and gave a flawless performance. Not too animated, but solid. Ian threw out a couple of tamborines and did his trademark, back-to-the-audience-boot-stomping in You Are There, and Space Junkie. I was able to get a drum stick from Matt at the end. They also played a strange version of Helter Skelter that was pretty cool, but no encore :(

I think nearly everybody there came to just see what he's up to and to possibly hear some Cult classics. From my narrow point of view, I could see no one other than myself singing any Holy Barbarian songs.

Meeting Ian was such a trip! I have wanted to meet him for soooo long, and when I finally did, I could hardly speak! He was totally cool signing my HB liner notes, as well as my Cult collection biography notes. He is totally into this beatnick generation/Jack Kerouac thing. You could tell that for him the Cult is dead. Although, he was respectful of the fact that I am a Cult Maniac. He said that the tour is going well, and that he likes being out on the road again. You could tell he did not really want to talk about Billy Duffy. He said that they would be returning to Detroit July 4th and touring Canada later this year (sorry, no dates yet) ;(

Matt and Scott were VERY cool and spent 30 minutes with me talking about HB and the old Cult. They love preforming but appear somewhat exhausted from all the touring. I asked Matt about what happened in Rio with Ian and Billy. Cosmetically, it was a tiff over playing She Sells Sanctuary, but it was much much deeper than that. Ian was just ready for a different direction. Period. Matt said, "the band split up, no big deal...." Matt still talks to Billy fairly often, and said he thought he was starting a new band.

Ian also said they are building their own website that will be something like a cafe(?). They had never seen the websites that are already out there, and have no e-mail yet.

After the show they all came down to the Bar in the basement and just hung out. All in all, an AWESOME experience. I agree with other fans that NOW is the time to see these guys while they are playing clubs. They are a great bunch, very approachable and very cool. As if you didn't know that already.....

Jenner Marcucci - astbury@cris.com

Rock and Roll is not dead

In the sold out confines of Detriot's St. Andrews Hall, the Holy Barbarians take the stage with the assurance of a band who have nothing to prove. From the opening strains of the elastic, bass driven Blind to the sincere, sobering chords of Magick Christian, Astbury & Co. convinced even the most jaded listeners that the Barbarians are seriously talented musicians. Although there is obviously a huge contingent of Cult fans present, the lads are successful in establishing a highly distinct seal on the proceedings. Ian's new band are well worked in, and rub along with him as smoothly as a hand sliding into a glove of KY Jelly; with guitarist Patrick Sugg providing solid support with his spacey leads and crunching riffs. Furthermore, the Garrett brothers maintain a flexible and solid rhythm section. In short, the Holy Barbarians rocked da house!

Joseph Ahmad - dahmad@julian.uwo.ca

Ian Astbury looked and sounded fantastic!! They played almost the entire new album plus The Witch!! It rocked. If you get a chance go see them live. You will not be disappointed.

Ian Koczara - iantk@aol.com

During the encore, I went up on stage in the wings. Ian was about to go back out, but I stopped him and chatted for a second. He asked my name and I told him I wanted to give him a painting after the show. His manager told me he was waiting for me, and I went upstairs and gave him the painting. We talked for a while. He said his dad was an artist. He gave me a hug and said thanks. I wonder if he still has that painting?

Scott Hullinger - hullsc01@mail.sredford.k12.mi.us