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Rob Zombie/Godsmack
Tweeter Center
Boston, MA
Sept 7, 2006
By Deb Rao
One of the most exciting concerts to hit New England this fall is the Rob Zombie co-headlining tour with Godsmack. Tonight's concert event was particularly special because it was the homecoming show for both Rob Zombie and Godsmack. Although Rob is now residing in Los Angeles, the shock rocker is originally from the Havervill area. Rob Zombie recently performed to a sold out crowd in the area at the Palladium in April in support of his new album, "Educated Horses".
Shock rocker Rob Zombie brought his spectacular rock and roll demonic sideshow to The Tweeter Center in Boston and thrilled the audience from start to finish with a sixty minute set that was complete with tons of pyro, dancing girls, robots, and 5 video screens. The Rob Zombie stage show illuminated the stage and turned the arena into a fire pit that resembled the depths of hell. The stage setting logo had two skull heads on each side, plus tons of strobes lights and special effects.
Opening with "American Witch," Rob Zombie and band donned skull masks, performed with relentless energy, as the party was just getting started. On the video screens, clips from horror flicks, Frankenstein, Night of the Living Dead, House of 1000 Corpses played on, as the band performed a set of catchy Rob Zombie tunes such as "Living Dead Girl", and new single, "Let it All Bleed Out."
Rob Zombie said, "People ask me if I have a lot of friends here in Boston? I haven't lived here in twenty years. I tell them, No. But there is one friend here tonight that is just as much a dork, as he was back in high school." He introduced the friend as the dorky mechanical robot that danced on the White Zombie tune, "More Human Than Human." The audience really enjoyed his sense of humor.
Pyro lit the arena stage on "Demoid Phenomen." I witnessed a Rob Zombie show for the first time last July, at the Tweeter Center. Let me tell you, even if Rob did not bring this extravagant stage show to the area, the show would still have been just as exciting. The strength of the band lies in the charismatic performance of Rob and the stellar guitar work of both guitarist John 5 and drummer Tommy Clufetos. Both musicians have rock and roll resume that would make any rocker proud.
Rob Zombie's music is fueled by the ferocious pounding of the skins from drummer Tommy Clufetos. In the past, I have seen Tommy perform with Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper, and his performance tonight was outstanding, as bass player Piggy D and Tommy pounded out the demonic beats that fuel the Zombie hard hitting sound.
Former Marilyn Manson guitarist, John 5 was a ball of energy, shredding his masterful guitar riffs with such intensity, as he wowed the audience with his precise guitar technique. Highlight of the show included the song "Thunderkiss 65", in which John received a standing ovation on his "Halloween" intro guitar solo. Rob Zombie appeared on stage in his Jason mask, with horror flicks being played on the video screen. The audience never knew what to expect from one minute to another, which prompted the spontaneity of the concert.
Rob Zombie slithered around the stage like a snake on "Foxy Foxy". One thing is for certain, the man can dance. The audience included a wide age range from the new younger Zombie fans to the die-hard Godsmack fans.
It seemed like the show was just getting started as the band performed their encore,"Dragula." Rob Zombie's return to Boston delivered a powerful performance, that was fun and exciting. Pyro might have lit up the arena, but it was the catchy demonic fury of Zombie hits that made the night so unforgettable.
I had the opportunity to discuss the tour and new "Educated Horses" CD with guitarist John 5 and drummer Tommy Clufetos from Rob Zombie. .
Now Rob Zombie is such a visual performer. Tonight's concert was a very visual performance. How important is showmanship in your performance? I noticed that you and Rob Zombie are making concerts fun again with your exciting image. The audience was so involved in watching the band perform.
John 5: I think image is very important. Rob is such a phenomenal performer. He knows that the crowd wants to be involved too. It is really great, the crowd really loves it, because you are not so untouchable as a idol. He is great onstage. We just have a blast bouncing things off one another.
CLUFETOS: We go to every show like it is going to our biggest show. Whether it is the Palladium, or Tweeter Center. They are all the biggest shows of our lives. At least that is how I approach it. I know the other guys too. I know they are bumping up the rooms just because Zombie is in so much demand. It is such a great opportunity to be playing larger venues.
Let's discuss the making of "Educated Horses." How involved were you in the making of the new Rob Zombie CD? Tell me about the writing process of "Educated Horses."
JOHN 5: Scott and Rob are a great writing team. Rob say, "Hey why don't you come in and play guitar, so I did. Then Rob asked if I had any ideas ? So we all just kind of just started bouncing ideas off one another. I have such respect for Scott and Rob. It was just great to be there. We had such a good time making the record, it was actually a huge pleasure to be part of that. I was just so happy to have that opportunity to make a record with them. It was the first time they asked someone else to write. I was so honored to be a part of it. It was one of the exciting times that I have ever had in the studio. It was a true honor.
CLUFETOS: The record was done, even before I joined the band. Some of the tracks were being done with Josh Freese, and Tommy Lee, and Wes Bolin. Rob decided to put together a new band, we did the Ozzfest. We got along so good, he has us come in the studio, and it just evolved from there. I ended up playing on half of the tracks on it, and Tommy Lee played on one, and Josh Freese played on a couple. I am honored to be in the same category as those guys, who are unbelievable players, and rocker and jammers in their own right. So after we did the Ozzfest, I came in and did my thing. We tweaked some Material. I am on six or seven songs. The album,"Educated Horses", is killer.
John, tell me what it was like to perform with Rob for the first time in Arrowhead Pond and how you got the gig with Rob Zombie.
JOHN 5: It was really amazing for some reason, I was a fan. I was playing his songs for so long. I think he could just sense that. We did click very well together. Sometimes you can really sense that with someone you play with. It is real, it is not like I am just going thru the motions. It is real. I got a call from Dave Narvarro to do the Tsunami Benefits in Los Angeles. We played at Arrowhead Pond. I don't like playing a lot of these jams, but when he said that Rob Zombie is playing, and I told him, I am a big Rob Zombie fan. I said I'll do it, if I play with with Rob Zombie. The show went very well. . We kind of just stayed in touch. I said if you ever need someone for your tour, I will be there for you.
Tommy, how did you get the gig with Rob Zombie? In the past, you have toured with Alice Cooper and Ted Nugent?
CLUFETOS: I actually never met Rob, before I got the gig. I was playing with Alice Cooper to make a long story short. We were playing here in Los Angeles, at the Greek Theater. Blasko came out to see a show. We had talked at the end of the show, and we became friends. Blasko mentioned if you are ever looking for a gig, and I mentioned if you ever need a drummer give me a shout. Eventually that happened. Zombie went on Blasko's word, you kind of have to hire this guy, he is the guy. When I showed up the first day of rehearsal, we rocked it like it was showtime!
How would you best describe the current Rob Zombie Tour with co-headliners Godsmack?
CLUFETOS: It is unbelievable. Godsmack is such a killer band, and Shannon Larkin is such a killer drummer. Rob Zombie is going to put out all the stops. It has been an unbelievable over the top insane rock show. So come on out.
JOHN 5: The tour has been a blast. This is the first time had this much production on the tour. We have pyro, girls dancing, aliens, robots. I am really honored to be part of such a major production. The tour been going great.
Rob Zombie Set list
Sawdust intro
American Witch
Living Dead Girl
More Human Than Human
Never Gonna Stop
Let It All Bleed Out
Demon Seeding
Super Charger Heaven
House of 1000 Corpses
Foxy Foxy
Thunderkiss 65
Devil's Rejects
Encore
Dragula
Godsmack have come along way, since performing on Wednesday nights at Axis on heavy metal night, in the late 90's. The band certainly paid their due along the way. It has been been awhile the Godsmack toured the area. Tonight was a really special homecoming for the band. Godsmack hit the stage at 9:20 to perform a 90 minute set that had a really modern sound that resembles Creed. Front man Sully Erna has a striking approach to the heavy, gritty sound that the band is known for.
Godsmack had a stripped down stage that featured a little pyro, colored lightning, and stage platforms. One interesting stage concept of the show, was during the opening song, when the band was filmed backstage at the Tweeter getting ready to walk onstage, as it was displayed on the video monitor. The crowd went crazy, as the band made it's way to the stage. Opening with,"Straight Out Of Line", the band held the audience's attention for the beginning part of the show.
Sully announced, "It has been awhile since we have performed in Boston, The Metallica Tour was great." We put out a new album this year, ‘Godsmack lV.’ Highlights of the set included, "Speak", The Enemy" and "Living in Sin."
Godsmack did not have the polished sound that transpired during the Rob Zombie set. Maybe it was due to the fact that the band hasn't toured in awhile. I have always like their sound on CD's, but tonight in concert the band just didn't have energy to capture their heavy sound live. Rob Zombie is a hard act to follow, with their explosive stage show that captured the audience's attention from the get go.
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