By: Darius

Powerman 5000

Powerman 5000 recently played the legendary Whisky A Go Go, which was a pseudo warm-up gig for their upcoming tour which launches in mid-October. The new album, titled Somewhere On The Other Side Of Nowhere will be released on October 6th. I was never the biggest Powerman 5000 fan and I last saw them on 2001’s Summer Sanitarium tour with Metallica, Korn, and Kid Rock, but I figured why not?

I must report that they well exceeded my expectations. Lead singer Spider One was excellent. He’s the only original member left and his current cast of musicians are noticeably younger but they got up on stage and killed it. I loved the band’s energy. After starting off with a new song called “Show Me What You Got”, the band launched into “Nobody’s Real,” “Tonight The Stars Revolt,” and “Free”. The Whisky is a small room with a floor capacity of maybe 350, and it was pretty full for this show. The band mercifully left “Wild World” off of the evening’s setlist. I can’t stand that song; it’s like Powerman 5000 doing their best Green Day impression.

I was really pleased with the band’s performance. It was a good show, and Powerman 5000 predictably closed with their biggest hit, “When World’s Collide.” The set was peppered with songs off of the upcoming record which is pretty good, I have to admit. I’ve listened to it a couple of times now and think that it’s better than most of the prior catalog. Oh and I have to share this one peculiar, yet hilarious, metal moment. After one of the songs mid-set, Spider says onstage and into the microphone to one of the fans in the front row: “I appreciate your enthusiasm but could you please not hit me in the nuts? That f*ckin hurt.” I about died. Ever the professional, Spider One collected himself and continued on with the show.

Definitely look out for Powerman 5000 in the next couple of months, as they have announced a full tour. And if you’re standing in the front row, please watch those hands.

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