Home

numblogo.gif (23031 bytes)

with
Randolph's Grin

Live at the
Viper Room
Detroit, Michigan
June 2, 1998

(Reviewed by Kim Alexander)



          Numb was absolutely incredible live at the Viper Room in Detroit. The venue was put on with help from Carpe Mortem Records/Productions. The opportunity to hear/see, and talk with Numb was a treat in itself.
          Arriving around nine pm and wondering if we were late, we entered the Viper Room -- a small club situated on the outer limits of Northeast Detroit that might hold 100 people comfortably. Between the time we showed up to the club, and the time Numb took the stage, we were able to have a number of rather long discussions with Don Gordon, David Collings, and Greg Price for about three hours.
          All three members were most interesting to chat with and a joy to hear live. Topics ranged from food to Asian culture, the Vancouver music scene in the early 80s and a brief historical account by Don and David of what they concluded were a number of aspects to the highs, lows and circular patterns to creation of electro-industrial/underground music from the past 2.5 decades.

          The opening band, Randolph's Grin was really GOOD! The sound system was lacking in stage monitors, but somehow the members of both bands were able to overcome this problem. Randolph's Grin is an enticing sound from the Detroit area, which was formed in the Winter 1994/95 by Robert Bowman and Adelheid Winkler. They have been featured on Diva X Machina by COP International featuring the track, "Indulgence," and have performed with Energy recording artists Heavy Water Factory at their CD release party; in summer of 1997 with Crash Worship and in Texas with Apparatus at the Impala, -- (Impala data taken from a flyer from the Impala).
          I was given the Detroit area compilation CD Darkness and the Machine by Carpe Mortem Records with their Melt cd track titled "Ask Me" -- a favourite of mine, which is dark electro-synth ebm/industrial -- very original in sound and composition and well done live and on CD. Melt is off Ilacon Records. Don't dismis Randolph's Grin as some lamer band, if they open for a band you intend on seeing




Visit
maprecordslogo.gif (9655 bytes)

metropolislogo.gif (6960 bytes)

randolphsgrinlogo.gif (43728 bytes)

numblogo.gif (23031 bytes)

carpemortemlogo.jpg (14907 bytes)



rgmeltcdlogo.gif (77058 bytes)

a band you intend on seeing live, because their presence and performance coupled with their sound makes for a fabulous show. Their cd information can be found here.

          Numb took stage around midnight if my memory serves me well. The set list was as follows:

No Time
Auto-Erotic
Curse
Desire
Shithammer
Wasted Sky
Dirt
Blood
Suspended
Blind

and two encores:

Push It
Ophelia






numb13.gif (46013 bytes)



numb11.gif (64446 bytes)



          EXCELLENT performance! Awesome sound! The added dimension of lights and background movies were presented by tour manager Robert Shea of Map Records (you go Robert!) of which can be seen in the Numb Photos here at Last Sigh. Hard core, pounding, intensely rich in sound and super stage performances by Don Gordon on Guitar and David Collings on vocals. Greg Price sweated his butt off on synth drums which kicked it hard, all the while David screamed his way through a rather lengthy set, leaving us wanting more.
          David has a super stage show -- he cruises the audience ranting and screaming his way through the crowd -- he gets right into it. Don Gordon gave us a treat on the electric guitar and took a break off the keys for a few minutes, WOW he is GOOD!
          There were about 50 or so people at the show, which was REALLY UPSETTING to me! I drove 3.5 hours ONE WAY to see Numb in Detroit. What the hell is wrong with you people around the Detroit area anyway? Numb drives all the way from



numb1.gif (88210 bytes)



numb20.gif (68138 bytes)



numbbloodcover.gif (13686 bytes)



Vancouver, and only 50 people show up in DETROIT? What the FUCK is that all about? All I can add to this lack of attendance is this: Don't complain about lack of tours in the future if you don't take the time to see them live now....! Get off your asses and support these live touring bands now or they might not come back again.
          For those of you who DID miss Numb, well, you missed an excellent show...YOUR LOSS! You can however get Blood Meridian to make up for missing the show if you like the sounds of Numb.



numbblindsingle.gif (19476 bytes)