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Rating: ..And then they come up with these stories that Rock is dead, that there's nothing left, that it no longer hits, that no one has anything to say anymore.
No, no, no, no.
Nothing of the sort, last night, at the Viper. A rather crowded room full of people in the mood to have fun, sing and (mis)behave, a solid but not anonymous backing band, also featuring two black backing singers, and Adam Green himself giving everything on stage, all for 10 euros. My eyes and ears couldn't have asked for anything more on a Friday night as Bon Scott commands.
And so, after about an hour's wait from the official start, Adam hits the stage dressed as follows: jeans, silver shoes and a red leather women's jacket, bare-chested. Go, Adam, go! A life-sized cardboard pig, black with pink patches, watches him from the edge of the stage, and the show begins.
The substance is all there. Green's songs fit perfectly live. They are performed with more drive than the album versions, grittier and sometimes slightly rearranged, but always tremendously effective. The setlist includes a mix of all the nasal one's albums, and a couple of acoustic moments alone on stage, which are decidedly successful.
On the basis of such richness, there is plenty of room for all the theatrics of the situation. Everything is smashed on stage, including the poor pig at the end of the opener "Emily". Our guy sways around dancing like a spastic the whole time, bumps into the bassist with the mic stand (who is excellent), the bassist responds with a friendly shin kick, Adam sways away, pulls the stand to the ground and stumbles over it, rolling around, all without stopping singing, amid general laughter. Indeed, it seems like the guy could sing naturally even in the ring with Tyson in '86. During the continuous stage diving, the audience does everything to him, from caresses, slaps, hugs, and assaults, and he continues to sing, undeterred, with his booming voice, returning everything with an impassive and dazed look.
A kooky man, lots of good music, and some decidedly strong songs. Naturalness, spontaneity, and simplicity to season a great vocal talent and excellent stage presence. It's nice to see that certain things always manage to entertain regardless. An honorable mention to the sounds, superior to the average "rock" live performances usually heard in Italy: besides Green's voice, delivered at its best, a solid but not invasive bass, an intense drumming, a warm guitar just at the right point (thanks, Fender DeVille), and impeccable backing vocals.
I couldn't see the Rock'n'Roll Circus in '68, I couldn't see the Dictators in '78, I console myself with bands and characters like this one, whom I feel much closer and mine compared to the old Founding Fathers.
Recommended for young and old, and especially to all my Friends of Mine.
Last night Adam really showed them.
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