Them Crooked Vultures | 04.14 | L.A.

Words by: L. Paul Mann

Them Crooked Vultures :: 04.14.10 :: Club Nokia :: Los Angeles, CA

Jones & Grohl – Them Crooked Vultures :: 02.08.10 Taken in New York by Dino Perrucci

This was a surprise concert at the luxurious new Nokia Club, in downtown Los Angeles’ massive new L.A. Live Center. The relatively new “supergroup” Them Crooked Vultures played a “warm up” for their performance at Coachella. The venue is one of the nicest new live music clubs in the country. Claiming a capacity of 2,300, it actually feels much smaller. The crowd is dispersed in a large oval shape with a second level balcony comprising half of the seating. State of the art sound and lighting are joined with live video, digitally edited for maximum coverage. It is the perfect platform for live rock bands.

The term “supergroup” has been tossed about for decades. “Blind Faith” may have been the first legitimate band to claim the moniker. The Traveling Wilburys were probably the last, until now. Them Crooked Vultures certainly has the pedigree to warrant such a title. John Paul Jones, the historic bass player for Led Zeppelin, Dave Grohl, the drummer from Nirvana and leader of the Foo Fighters, and Josh Homme, the leader/mastermind of Queens of the Stone Age comprise the group, with Homme’s Queens bandmate Alain Johannes rounding out the live configuration.

This may be the best new hard rock band formed in a decade. While you can hear distinct influences from each of the player’s respective other bands, the group melds their talents into a new, incendiary sound that lends itself well to experimental, improvisational live jams. Jones, the magical pied piper of the group, played no less than seven different instruments. As well as the bass and a heap of keyboards reminiscent of his Zeppelin days, he also played violin and a sort of electronic slide guitar device. Grohl did what he does best: Put his head down and played ferociously on the drums, reminding many of John Bonham and Keith Moon. Homme, with his characteristic high-pitched voice and wailing lead guitar, acted as the bridge to the audience, bantering with the crowd and using his sarcastic personality to keep a personal connection going. Unofficial band member Alain Johannes was the stoic straight man, seamlessly keeping the rhythm on his guitar, or switching to bass when Jones would experiment with a different instrument. He even sported a McCartney style Hofner bass at one point.

A year of touring has turned the group into a juggernaut of sound capable of improvising on a dime, pumping out unusual jams. About the only complaints heard this night came from Foo Fighters fans, which seemed to long for that band’s more melodic, commercial earworms. The closest this group has come to commercial pop is “New Fang,” which has received extensive airplay. But witnessing them in concert, it’s clear this band cares little for radio hits. This is about the sweaty grind of playing rock & roll live in front of an audience.

The Vultures tore through nearly two hours of music in an explosive set. Homme took a break late in the set to acknowledge their Coachella gig. “I’m from the desert. I’m Joshua. Anyone going to Coachella? Well, fuck you. This isn’t for you guys,” he said. Then recanted, “Just kidding. This is for everyone.”

Them Crooked Vultures :: 04.14.10 :: Club Nokia :: Los Angeles, CA
Elephants, Gunman, Scumbag Blues, Dead End Friends, Nobody Loves Me & Neither Do I, Highway 1, New Fang, Bandoliers, Mind Eraser, No Chaser, Interlude with Ludes, Caligulove, Johannes guitar solo > You Can’t Possibly Begin to Imagine, Spinning in Daffodils, Warsaw or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up

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