Concert Review: The Tubes at Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville, TN 6/13/2008

Another fading artifact of the past was brought to life tonight; that of the rock and roll stage show. As The Tubes brought their unique form of musical satire and just plain fun to Nashville I thought how much things have changed in the concert business. I recall a time when many groups would actually put on a show to go along with the music, whether it was a film or, as was the case tonight, theatrics. I'm hard-pressed to think of anyone else (other than Alice Cooper) who is still into theatrics as much as The Tubes. Yes, groups still use pyrotechnics, lasers, background dancers, light shows and the like, but I'm talking serious acting out here, and by the guys playing the music.

The star of this show (the theatrical part anyway) is Fee Waybill, one of the three original band members who took the stage tonight. The other originals are guitarist Roger Steen and bass player Rick Anderson. As with the aforementioned Alice Cooper, the show is basically the same as has been done for many years now, but since I had never seen The Tubes live before (although I have seen some video) it was a fresh experience for me. As in a play with many scenes, the show ran through many scenarios that required several, uh, interesting costume changes.

Waybill started the show by reading a satirical campaign speech dressed as a slick politician. The suit and dress shirt lasted through the first song "Got Yourself a Deal" and was stripped off halfway through the next one "No Not Again", revealing a Ramones T-shirt and jeans suitable for the next few songs. "Out of the Business", "I Want It All Now", and "What Do You Want From Life?" were all played out straight. I would have preferred for Waybill to sing the song out with its' original lyrics, but he chose instead to ask audience members, which didn't always work because some of them had the "deer in the headlights" reaction or were inaudible. I thought these three songs were rather weak performance-wise, and up to this point I was not really impressed but rather somewhat amused. But redemption was just around the corner.

The show started revving up with Waybill coming out with the trademark TV over his head for "TV Is King". This was followed by the hit song "She's a Beauty" with Waybill dressed as a carnival barker beseeching you to come inside the tent for a peek at the ladies. It was time for another costume change, so Steen ably sung and played a Frank Zappa cover, "Trouble Coming Everyday", which was a nice change of pace. Next was Waybill dressed to kill for his James Brown medley, shuffling around in earnest and trying to get to the bridge for "Sex Machine". Another quick costume change, and out comes Waybill's Frank Sinatra singing "My Town". Most satirists doing Frank usually poke fun at his political incorrectness in referring to women, but Waybill goes the route of Sinatra's location songs ("New York, New York", "Chicago", etc.), even throwing in a reference to San Francisco (take that Tony Bennett!).

After a couple more play-it-straight songs, including "I Don't Want to Wait Anymore", which was dedicated to deceased band mate and ex-Grateful Dead keyboardist Vince Welnick, the show peaked as Waybill appeared as Quay Lude, his 80's glam rock, big hair, crotch-packing alter ego on incredibly unmanageable platform shoes, which he somehow manages fine. I've got to admit, this was my favorite part of the shoe, uh show, sorry, as he ripped through "Angry Itch", "Boy Crazy", and the final regular song and highlight of the night, "White Punks on Dope". A group of girls doing a bachelorette party came in just as this part of the show started, and they got a fitting eyeful. Their timing couldn't have been better if they were looking for something wild (and who isn't during a bachelorette party?), especially if they stayed for the encore.

Switching from white hair, tight silver pants and those silver, foot-high (at least) platform shoes, Waybill encored with "Mondo Bondage", complete with black leather mask, vest, chaps, and bare-ass, studded cod piece. At this point I was thinking two things. First, now there's something for the bachelorette. Second, are there any laws against old guys walking around showing all that flesh? (Guess not, that would be age discrimination). The show then ended with perhaps their most recognizable song, "Talk To You Later", which was energetically played and extended with the crowd on its' feet.

Although not perfect, it was well worth it to hang through the first several songs to hear (and see) the best parts of the show. If you get a chance to see The Tubes, take advantage of it. Just don't bring the kids or you'll have a lot of explaining to do.