Them Crooked Vultures at 930 Club review

October 16, 3:40 PMDC Live Music Clubs ExaminerMichael Bogart

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What. A. Show. Them Crooked Vultures officially pummeled the 930 Club crowd on Wednesday night, blasting their way through more than 70 minutes of honest-to-God rock that pierced ear drums like the snare of Dave Grohl's hammering. John Paul Jones looks and sounds amazing at 63 and holy hell we all just saw John Paul Jones wail away a mere 20 feet away. Josh Homme was crisp and clean while Alan Johannes successfully supported the sick sounds of TCV as he shared the stage with living legends.

The band came out around 9PM to a fairly subdued but completely anticipating crowd of mostly 30-something males in black t-shirts. From the first licks to the last, TCV rocked a cohesive and complimentary sound that left ears ringing for days. Fan favorites 'Scumbag Blues', 'Nobody Loves Me and Neither Do I', and 'Elephants' were tight, overwhelming, and flat-out as nasty as the teasers released might indicate. 'Caligulove' is exceptional as well, with JPJ stepping on to what looks like an electronic organ to tease out some Dracula-like refrain. 'Gunman' may have been the looping highlight of the entire evening, while tracks like 'Dead End Friends' laced the (over)sold-out crowd like a thick metallic glaze of aural heaven.

Grohl seems perfectly in his element behind the drums and he and JPJ may be the answer to contemporary rhythmic imperfection. All three primary TCV members appear in peek musical condition. There are no egos it seems, no singular artist reaching harder and farther for the spot light or recognition. There's no need. These guys sound incredible and are all accomplished without any obvious impending success TCV and their studio album will have. Homme's use of the trippy telecaster throughout the set keeps the bouncing exoticism of an otherwise teeth-grinding tirade spacey and stoned. To be sure, it was an incredible performance by the preeminent rock supergroup. Forget Chickenfoot: if you want to rock, wake up with TCV. Their album release is going to flat-out sell.