1 [LIVE REVIEW] Red Fang @ Funhouse (5/2/10)

Words and Video by Nik Christofferson

Sunday’s show at the Funhouse was another prime example of Red Fang's awesomely heavy yet melodic rock prowess, further cementing any and all notions that they are indeed the best modern day heavy rock band around -- widely known or not. Even though a sizable crowd was on hand (which was really great to see on a Sunday night), and Red Fang gave a spirited peformance which of course kicked ass. There is no way any show will ever compare to their wildly sold out home turf show at Dante’s back in March.

That PDX show was definitely one for the ages, strife with brand spanking new material, and enough fist pumps and PBR to possibly go down as one of the most memorable concert experiences of my short life. Not to mention the SRG crew together as one, rocking the fuck out with matching Red Fang beer cozies like the group of music geeks we tend to be. The trip had all the makings of an epic evening of rock and roll excess with one of our favorite bands and man did we take advantage and they deliver.

Trade PBR for Olympia, and subtract out a few of the massive new tunes we heard in Portland, a roadtrip, and a brutal next day hangover and that was pretty much the short and skinny of Sunday’s show. Red Fang took the stage and churned out hit after hit – “Reverse Thunder”, “Prehistoric Dog”, “Good to Die” were all there and so was Soundgarden’s Ben Shepherd who took an obvious liking to the Fang’s amazing drummer John Sherman. That man can play drums like no other – brute force and whip tight perfection. The driving guitars of Bryan Giles and David Sullivan were of course roaring, and when “Sharks” and its crushing climax came with bassist Aaron Beam leading the way, all bets were off.  The crowd ate up the new tracks including the now streaming on MySpace, “Wires” as well, which is always a great sign. Though little does Seattle know what else Red Fang has up their sleeve, because the best was not revealed.

By Monday morning my Red Fang-over was in full swing – the usual bewildered gaze and permagrin were all present and of course even my co-workers remarked on my sunny demeanor around the office. I proceeded to blast the self-titled record behind closed doors for the one millionth time -- triumphantly getting no work done at all. Anxious thoughts swelled in my head as to when this new Red Fang beast will be unleashed upon the world, and how glorious that day will be. One thing is for certain, when it comes SRG will be clamoring of its arrival like a bunch of fucking cheerleaders, and of course banging our collective heads like South Americans at a Metallica concert.