red lights

Concert Livewire
concert reviews cd reviews interviews featuresticket swap music news

Despite lackluster comeback album, Iggy
leads Stooges through raucous reunion

The Stooges
Congress Theatre
Chicago, IL
Apr. 15, 2007
Mike Watt
Mike Watt
Ron Asheton
Ron Asheton
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop

Story and Photos By Andy Argyrakis

About a half hour into The Stooges' reunion tour through the Windy City, front man Iggy Pop got so excited that he invited the crowd to come up to his level. And even though it threw security for a loop, dozens of fans piled onto the band's platform to sing along with "No Fun," stage dive and celebrate the historic reconnection of the punk genre's torch blazing forerunners. While it could never be like it was in "1969," the mostly complete line-up of Pop, drummer Scott Asheton and his brother/guitarist Ron Asheton came pretty darn close to recreating the magic, simultaneously reminding attendees just how influential the band's been on recent generations. Along with supporting players Mike Watt (of The Minutemen fame, who replaced original bassist Dave Alexander) and saxophonist Steve MacKay, the group shined through a blistering set of rebellious rock n' roll that's clearly rubbed off on the likes of Nirvana, Sonic Youth and even Red Hot Chili Peppers.

But more than just the past was on display during this comeback run of sorts, starting with selections from 2007's The Weirdness (Virgin). Despite the overwhelming anticipation for the album (which is the several decade delayed follow-up to 1973's Raw Power) the project released to lukewarm reviews and a fair amount of fan disappointment. And while the recorded version tips towards the lighter side of punk and seems somewhat haphazardly put together, Pop and company kicked up the speed and charisma come "My Idea of Fun," "Trollin'" and "She Took My Money."

Yet the real reason the show reached sold out status was the steady stream of aggressive, balls to the walls classics, which permeated much of the lean but tightly packed 85-minute set. "I Wanna Be Your Dog" featured a hyperactive Pop performing on top of an amplifier, "TV Eye" and "Dirt" were shouted straight into the crowd's faces, while "Not Right" added additional age-defying physical and vocal acrobatics.

No matter what the tune, Pop (who's just shy of hitting sixty) bounced around like a limber teenager, while his backers displayed unshakable chemistry. However, each player was incredibly crafty at not just sticking exactly to the script, often times loosening up and letting the enraging rhythms flow with impromptu abandon (most evident on the back to back merger of "Fun House" and "L.A. Blues"). It was these displays, plus sheer showmanship on all levels (rather than the new record) that made Chicago welcome back The Stooges with open arms, and perhaps most importantly, militant fists pumping feverishly in the air.
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Mike Watt
Mike Watt
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Scott Asheton
Scott Asheton

What Do You Think?

Name:

Artist:

City & State:

e mail:

Here's Your Chance to.... Respond!



Your feedback will be featured on
Rant or Rave within 24 hours.

Return to Reviews
Return to Menu