The Viper Room, Hollywood, California
Pictures of Ian And Martyn - Troy J. Augusto
Opening Band: American Pearl
Like the proverbial phoenix rising triumphantly from the ashes of hell, retired
goth-metal rockers the Cult came roaring back to life Thursday (June 10) night
with a mighty 12-song show at the tiny Viper Room in West Hollywood, Calif. The
show was an auspicious preview of their upcoming U.S. tour, which starts July 15 in
San Francisco.
The newly-resurrected group, who played their first of three warm-up shows on Tuesday
(June 8) at the Casbah in San Diego, opened with Wild Flower, from the Cult's
breakthrough, Rick Rubin-produced 1987 Electric album, and preceded to treat the
celeb-heavy (see Miss Truth for details) packed house to such faves as Sweet Soul
Sister, Love Removal Machine, Fire Woman, and Edie (Ciao Baby),
which singer Ian Astbury (who was in fine voice, by the way) introduced by telling
the crowd to "get into your sexual energy." She Sells Sanctuary, from 1985’s
Love album, closed the show and included a stage dive into the delirious crowd by Astbury.
Astbury and Duffy, who haven't played as the Cult since 1995 in Rio de Janeiro, are
sporting yet another new lineup. Joining the two this time around are drummer former
Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum, who also plays in Neurotic Outsiders with Duffy;
second guitarist Mike Bimkich, who toured with the Cult from 1992-93; and bassist
Martyn LeNoble, the former Porno For Pyros member who played a thundering bass
despite a poorly-wrapped severed tendon on his left index finger.
The Cult next plays Friday (June 11) night, once again at the Viper Room, and then
Sunday (June 13) at the Tibetan Freedom Concert at Alpine Valley in East Troy, Wis.
The true rockers, though, were at the Viper Room for the Cult gig. Twiggy Ramirez,
Jerry Cantrell, Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath, Sex Pistols/Neurotic Outsiders' Steve Jones,
Motley Crue's new drummer Randy Castillo, and Elijah Blue were all spotted in the dark club.
Troy J. Augusto - Allstar News
Suprisingly, the opening band "American Pearl" was brilliant - severe hard rock with
a fierce intensity reminiscent of The Cult's Electric album. As for The Cult,
the thrill of seeing them in an intimate club setting can not be sufficiently described.
Ian slinked on stage wearing a black net shirt and faux snake skin pants. His hair was
shoulder length and wavy, similar to Michael Hutchence of INXS in his glory days. Ian
slammed a tambourine as the band ignited with the first song Wildflower. Later,
they played a truly haunting and fiery version of The Witch. By far, the
second-best moment of the evening came when Billy started those famous guitar chords
that could only be Love Removal Machine. The crowd erupted, and Ian got so into
it that he caused the absolute best moment to occur: he ripped his pants! And if you
have to ask where the rip occured, then don't ask! And NO, Ian Asbury wears NO
UNDERWEAR! It was one of the best nights of my life!
Angela
I actually was able to get into the show on 6/10!!! Only about 50 people
that were not on the guest list made it in, and most didn't get in until
about 11:30, but enough time to catch the full set. Jon, it was
phenominal...Billy played excellent, and with Mat on the drums, you could
only tell the glove fit and they knew it. In the 6 concerts I have seen, Ian
has never been better. His voice sounded great, not hoarse like past shows.
I would say the highlights of this show were Sun King and American Horse,
which have not been heard for some time. They also did an excellent Sweet
Soul Sister, with Billy adding in on chorus. (Past shows I have seen him
mute). The two new guys were trying hard, although they didn't sound bad.
It kind of gave the band a more raw sound.
As you already know, the only song covered not from the first 3 albums was
The Witch. Ian had his usual interaction with audience, this time he was urging
us to "Release our inner child." Other comments coming from him were "How
many of you actually paid to get in?" and then adding, " This show was for
our friends in the entertainment industry." (I felt bad for the other 200 or
so REAL Cult fans that were left out)
This was very intimate, not on the level as the Marquee show, but very up
close and personal. I did not realize this until my friend pointed out to me
that it was Mark from Sugar Ray that I was standing next to all evening,
didn't say a word.
One side note, a Japanese girl that came on a Ninja motorcycle that I met
while standing in line (A Cult freak as well) was HANDED one of Matts sticks
by Matt personally, I talked with her after the show, she also got part of
Ian's pants, it was some type of leather cheetah design.
Dave
On Thursday I was planning on seeing a friends band play on Vine Street. Moments
before I left work to head on down to Hollywood Someone approached me with the
news that THE CULT were going to be at the Viper Room. I couldn't believe it.
I quickly
jumped in my CRX and headed on down to the VIPER ROOM. Saw about 50-75 people
lined up so I grabbed a quick bite to eat and waited in line. I couldn't believe
it I was going to see the CULT. Tickets were only 20 skins so that was just a
bonus. VIPER ROOM holds only 175 people and I was within that 175 mark. Of Course I
never took into consideration the MIGHTY GUEST LIST from 8:30 to 10:30 the line
moved 5 feet, not from people going in but rather from people unfiling themselves
from single file to angry mob. The fans were just hovering around the front door
hoping they could get in, but the only people that were walking in were "A list"
people. I started getting bad vibes thinking that I just may be wasting my time out
here but there was still a glimmer of hope that I could get in. Then out of the blue
a representitive of the band came outside to inform us that he had ripped up the
guest list and he would do anything he could to let us in. He thanked us all for
showing up. Finally the opening act AMERICAN PEARL came on. The line had budged
another 5 feet and I was just waiting impatiently on that steep sidewalk for
someone to say the show was booked beyond maximum capacity. 11:30 rolls around and
I'm growing more and more impatient. Then close to midnight I here the warm familiar
riff of Wildflower, I was pissed that I was going to miss the opening song but
I kept saying to myself "It's only one song, I can still get in" Then the angry mob
outside the Viper Room began getting more irate. I was ready for a riot but found my
energy level getting zapped. I knew it was going to be too late. Rain came on
and It felt like someone was pushing pins into a voodoo doll of me. TORTURE to be
outside a venue for 4 hours and not be able to get in. AT this point there were about
30 of us still hanging around heartbroken. I waited around back by the backstage door
so I could listen through the solid black door. THE CULT were less then 10 feet away
from that door. It sounded so sweet. American Horse was next and it sounded
fine. I was getting chills just sitting there wanting nothing more than to be
inside. "I went Crazy Completely crazy trying to tame the American Horse Yeah" Then
Edie (Ciao Baby) came on and I decided I had been teased well enough. I was
burned by the VIPER ROOM. I thought to myself I would never return to such an evil
establishment again. However The CULT would play The next night too, perhaps I could
get lucky and the line would not be so long. I went home with depressing thoughts
but I dreamt about the possibilities of FRIDAY's SHOW. "Bleeding Heart Graffitti, I
don't need it, baby I don't need it"
Mike MacLelland - wilco1971@hotmail.com
The Cult Pours On The Hits In Pre-Tour Showcase
75-minute club set proves high on energy with no lack of strong material.
In preparation for the first tour since their break-up in '95, The Cult treated
Los Angeles to two intimate shows at Sunset Strip’s infamous Viper Room last weekend
(June 11-12). Before doors even opened for the non-ticketed event, a line wrapped
around the building with fans desperately hoping to get in.
In typical Hollywood fashion, A-list attendees were the first to enter, including
Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Randy Castillo of Motley Crue and as only possible in
the City of Angels, Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) and Twiggy Ramirez making all
heads turn with their entrance in a classic convertible Corvette.
As the club filled to capacity, The Cult opened with 89's electric, Fire Woman.
One of the first credible blues-rock, goth-inspired bands to emerge from the U.K.
in '83, The Cult has six albums under their belt, and they appeared as energetic
and refined as they did ten years ago.
Ian Astbury, the consummate front man, stayed true to form, showing the crowd that
he is back and better than before. Sporting black fly sunglasses and a black net
shirt for the first half of the night, Astbury belted out hit after hit (Rain,
Love Removal Machine, Edie, Sweet Soul Sister, Wild Flower).
Tambourine in hand and voice strong and stellar, Astbury had the audience going
from the moment he hit the stage. The reformed band including original guitarist,
Billy Duffy, second-guitarist Mike Bimkich (who toured with The Cult from '92-93),
Martyn LeNoble (Porno for Pyros) on bass and Guns N' Roses' Matt Sorum on drums,
were tight, belting out song after song.
Throughout the 75-minute set, and in between songs, Astbury posed as an evangelist,
suggesting everyone look at their "inner self" and to use sex as a cure-all.
Unfortunately, he did not offer his services for the suggested therapy. Returning
for one encore in jeans and a Darth Maul shirt, Astbury closed the night by stage
diving to the classic, She Sells Sanctuary.
The Cult starts their tour July 15 in San Francisco, and ends with a four night
stint (August 19-22) at the House of Blues in Hollywood, California.
Michelle Wong (Live Daily)
Setlist:
WildFlower
Rain
Sun King
Lil' Devil
The Witch
Sweet Soul Sister
American Horse
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Peace Dog
Fire Woman
Love Removal Machine
Encore:
She Sells Sanctuary