The opening band, After Black, seemed very angry and that made us feel like this...

The Warlocks

I was eagerly anticipating this local performance for quite some time considering The Warlocks pulled out of the Las Vegas Shakedown 2001 gig to support part of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's North American Fall Tour. With only five out of the eight members performing this evening, I seriously wondered what direction their music would take.

They drifted on stage just as Jay Leno was interviewing the Osbournes on the big-screen television nestled behind the fireplace to my left. As their fog machine unleashed billowing white clouds around them, a sense of calm seemed to descend over the crowd, whooshing away all of the anger still lingering in the smoky air from the first band. Straight away, vocalist Bobby Hecksher asked if anybody would wish to play the drums with the one of their two drummers performing that evening, Jason Anchondo. It was only a matter of time before a volunteer appeared out of the small crowd gathered in front of the stage to join the band briefly as they embarked on a musical journey creating their signature, psychedelic, hypnotic, wall-of-guitar sound that engulfs and slightly numbs the senses. The band oozed drug appeal for forty-five minutes, playing as flashing strobe lights and swirling red lights danced around them, intermittently weaving their way throughout their music. I could live with the fact that they didn’t play Song For Nico. My biggest, selfish complaint, however, was that the set ended all too quickly. I could have happily sipped drinks all night long swaying away in my own little misty, dreamy, spinning, mesmerized, bliss-like state cleverly cast like magic by The Warlocks. I am crossing my fingers that they will deal out another dose of their musical pharmaceuticals in Las Vegas again in the near future.

-Tracee

Flash Express

After The Warlocks it was time for everyone in The Cooler to ride the Flash Express and the band pulled no punches tonight. The trio's full-force, high energy fusion of garage rock, soul and R&B had the whole place on their feet and groovin'.

Of course they played Who Stole The Soul?, but despite my praise for their cover of Grandmaster Flash's The Message, my request was denied. However, Brian promised that I'd get a copy from the previous Saturday's live recording session at The Swinghouse in Los Angeles.

The Jon Spencer produced studio project is currently in limbo, but Uppercut Records will be releasing the live Flash Express album (hopefully soon) so the rest of the planet will get a chance to hear this amazing band.

-Poizen Ivy