Brian Manke's Cleveland Review

GUIDED BY VOICES, SATAN'S SATELLITES, JOHN WICKS AND THE RECORDS
Phantasy Nite Club April 26

Most of the crowd was hearing a good chunk of the new Guided By Voices material for the first time, and while that temporarily held them back from turning into a frothy-mouthed mob, they could recognize that the unknown was special. Plus, GBV played a 39-song set, so the inevitable uproar had time to be nurtured. When all pieced together, it was a legendary show, the kind that when you tell your friends the embellished version of it, you still wouldn't be doing it justice.
As far as the openers went, they didn't really sway the momentum one way or the other -- they just put on their solid and respectable 45-minute sets.
First off were John Wicks And The Records, who hit some definite power-pop highlights as the sold-out crowd was still filing in. Before they took the stage, it seemed fitting that the new Redd Kross CD was being played on the PA, because Redd Kross probably copped much of their style from listening to the old Records stuff. Wicks and his mates varied the feel, showing their darker, serious side on "So Close To Home," but scored bigger points with the bright and bouncy closer, "Starry Eyes."
After the first couple of tunes by Satan's Satellites, with their chamber organ keyboard effect and the surf-metal guitar, it seemed things were going to fall into a quick rut. Then the female vocalist added some spice, while the band was able to shift tempos and change the texture enough from song to song to keep things fairly interesting. The credit for that would fall on the talented rhythm section, particularly the drummer, who was just plain cookin.
With the new GBV lineup, Robert Pollard has such a tight and dynamic group to work with, it almost seems unfair. With his penchant for hooks and pop-fringed melodies, in addition to Doug Gillard and John Petkovic's huge contributions as songwriters, the new GBV, even if for only a brief moment in time, seem invincible.
Pollard can balance between letting the rock and roll guts spill when he swings the mic and leg kicks his way into a tantrum, or he can let the infectious pop melody guide a song to its destiny. On tracks from MAG EARWHIG!, Pollard let the crowd know that there is plenty of both on the new masterpiece. With the dueling ring of guitars on "I Am A Tree," the Cobra Verde tangent flexed their muscle, especially Gillard, whose tasteful solos and snug backing vocals were crucial. Even with Gem experiencing some recent success, Gillard is still probably the most underrated guitarist, not to mention songwriter, in town.
There were many other brilliant rockers from MAG EARWHIG!, like the gritty "Bulldog Skin" or the driving "Not Behind The Fighter Jet," both of which shed some light on the relaxed but extremely effective rhythm section of Don Depew's bass and Dave Swanson's drumming. Also well represented was Pollard's recent solo album, NOT IN MY AIRFORCE. The short and sweet rush of "Quicksilver" and the unapologetic catchiness of "Flat Beauty" were transformed from the somewhat lo-firecording atmosphere to a huge, well rounded live sound.
Plenty of die-hards waited for their old favorites, and when they started to arrive, the energy was bursting. In the latter stages of the evening, Pollard fished out "Metal Mothers," "I Am A Scientist," "Shocker In Gloomtown" and "Weed King."
During the second encore, friends jumped onstage to sing and dance along to the rising mayhem. Petkovic really turned up the intensity, running from side to side, front to back and any other direction he could navigate. When they flipped backed to Chuck Berry's classic "Around And Around," it was just sweaty, raw and unmatched rock and roll fun.
They closed it up with BEE THOUSAND's "Smothered In Hugs," and while not everyone got to wrap their arms around the band after the show, they will, no doubt, embrace the evening forever.

brian.mikesell@gbv.com