Review & photos by Rachel Jablonski
Now I have nothing against youth. I may feel old from time to time, but in reality I’m not through many years and life is just beginning. And hey, I will always be young at heart and still in the pit at 90 years of age! I love to see kids and teenagers involved in music. Young show goers are GREAT and are much appreciated.
But enough is enough – sorry kids. It is just the effect you have on venue management due to various laws and/or egos that seems to be the problem. Gotta be out of the bar by 9:00pm you know! No one under 19 is allowed after 9! There is ALCOHOL IN THE VINCINITY just as there was at 8:59pm and earlier! Show’s over! We all know the lovely routine.
I was extremely frustrated after the all ages show featuring Orgy and Godhead at the Royal Grove. I guess I take it for granted that I am now over 21 and can basically be anywhere at any time when I go out. But to experience a “show’s over, everyone out NOW” demand at 9:00pm having only heard, what, hour of music AT MOST is just absurd, especially considering ticket prices. Why can’t venues (hint, hint: THE ROYAL GROVE) be intelligent and make all ages shows with a drinking section over here and a no drinks allowed section by the stage there like certain other places (The Ranch Bowl!). Let’s have at least SOME kind of compromise. Suffering huge black X’s on their hands is bad enough. Why penalize these music loving kids from getting their money’s worth? And better yet, why penalize us old folk in the process? Seems unreasonable. Despite an incredibly short show compared to other shows I have recently seen, which implies incredibly short sets comparably, I still found the music and show to be entertaining.
This brief moment was my first experience seeing Orgy live. The band came out and performed with huge energy that did not cease their whole set. Vocalist Jay Gordon was continually mobile involving the crowd at all times. He never stopped moving, singing directly into the crowd or jumping around on stage. The rest of the band was also influential in energy allowing the vibe brought through the music to be outstanding. The crowd was enthralled and many were singing along with every word. The songs were a mix of a few new tracks on Punk Static Paranoia and a great variety of old favorites. When the band played “Blue Monday,” Gordon passed the mic around the audience and fans were able to sing along, some most horribly, to their favorite New Order cover song. And, of course, fans went wild during favorites “Fiction” and “Stitches.” Most of the crowd seemed to be satisfied with the set in quality, but not in quantity. Or maybe that was my imagination since that is the way I felt; rather bitter about the night being cut so short. Regardless of this feeling, my first Orgy experience was a striking and lively musical encounter.
Despite label obstacles and lack of tour support, Godhead has continued to work extremely hard at making music and spreading it to the masses. In doing so, they have solidified their fan base, which has kept interest relatively high. It’s well understood that if out of the limelight for a period of time in the entertainment business you will soon be forgotten. Fortunately for Godhead, in their two year lapse between albums this has not been the case as proved by their latest appearance in Nebraska.
I cannot believe I have now seen Godhead SEVEN different times. That is more than I have seen any other band at this point. Each show has been performed very well and thus time and time again I have returned to see them when they come close. With their original drummer James O'Connor back in the lineup and a new album, Evolver, in stores, Godhead was enthusiastically welcomed by their frequent observers. The set was composed mainly of songs from the new album, but “Reckoning” and “Eleanor Rigby” from 2000 Years of Human Error were snuck in as well. As I have stated, the entire show was rather short due to the ridiculous 9:00pm curfew and therefore Godhead’s set was disappointingly condensed. Tunes I was looking forward to hearing, like “Inside You” and “Penetrate,” were not able to overcome the time constraint. Not as familiar with the new album, it was refreshing to hear the new sounds performed very well. Riffs were mesmerizing and harmonies by Jason and Mike Miller commendable. The stage presence was ultimately as good as ever.
I was happy to see Godhead back in Nebraska and wish them well with the new album and in touring so that they may come back again soon with a longer set.