Stan Ridgway, former lead singer of Wall of Voodoo, performed at Hollywoods House of Blues the Sunday before Halloween. In the spirit of Halloween and the sound of Stan Ridgways voice, the show was titled Halloween of Voodoo. On the bid for the night: spooky tunes, candy, and a magician named Rob Zabrecky.
If youve ever been to a House of Blues, the walls are completely decorated in a feeling of Dia de los Muertos. The theme of the venue gave a perfect atmosphere for the Halloween of Voodoo.
I came in when the opening local band The Janks already onstage. There wasnt that many people just yet, but the ones there in the front seemed to be having a ball dancing to the band. Even a man with crotches hopped around with the rest of the young people of the show. The band performed so well with energy driven through with the smiling drummer. They even gave away (with hopes of donations) their EP. Their music on CD is not as good as live but still a worthy listen.
Next on the bill was magician Rob Zabrecky. He gave a comedy performance of magic but just seemed to make fun of himself and the crowd. He broke a glass beer bottle with a hammer and put the jagged edge on a table. He covered the bottle with a brown paper bag and hid it with three other brown paper bags. He asked audience members to choose a bag without the bottle so that he can crush the bag with his hands and not cause any pain. Most seemed too nervous to say anything so he just picked on a lady. As she decided when he should stop his hand, he took out a first aid kit to put on the table. His comedy routine seemed to be more of his performances than actual tricks.
The curtains closed to get ready for Stan Ridgway and his band.
Ridgway performed his solo hits as well as his Wall of Voodoo hits. Wall of Voodoos biggest hit, Mexican Radio dates back to 1983, a few years shy of my birth. Many of the classic fans were in attendance with their years under their belt. I felt young and not too accepted as I tried to sing along but was quieted by their booming voices. They bounced in the crowd and some of the men even yelled their love towards Pietra, Stans wife on the synthesizer.
Stan Ridgway had his trusty harmonica in the inside of his blazer jacket and when he pulled it out, the audience cheered. His voice and skills on the harmonica shined during the whole show.
The band performed in a much more rock form than the old Western feel with a new wave flare. Though, Ridgway still had the voice that attracted me to the band. He constantly talked to the fans in a way he sang. Sounded like he was telling us stories that he has been retelling for years. Stores that made you feel like you were lost in America.
Yet, one of the stories I got to experience was this: a man kept yelling to Stan, What did he say?! He attempted to buy Stan a drink and so he pushed everyone aside to come with a can of beer and lime slice. Stan didnt drink it, so the man chugged the drink and threw the can on the stage. A few songs later, he was back and demanded Stan to drink. Stan said, Ill meet up with you later buddy. Maybe we can go drink and you can throw me in the tar pits. We laughed and the guy walked off. After the show, we saw the same guy start throwing punches near the bar and needed five security guards to take him out.
