Butthole Surfers
London Kentish Town Forum
26th July, 2008

View: front, standing

Butthole Surfers’ shows of yesteryear were decadent carnivals of chaos; porn, pyromania and pharmaceuticals. The original line-up has reformed and the Texan noise terrorists are a lot wiser and cleaner. Without the hedonistic sideshow, the Surfers’ songs are in the spotlight; fascinating absurdist tactics harnessed to the filthiest musical excesses of 70s stadium rock. Group mastermind Gibby Haynes (replete with office clerk specs) is a clever cookie. Ushering members of the Paul Green School Of Rock into his circus tent, he manages to recapture the anarchic past. With the teens acting up, the Butts concentrate on nailing the catalogue. Hairway To Steven and Cream Corn From The Socket Of Davis shine, while Goofy’s Concern is a palette cleanser amid odder excursions. Cowboy Bob and Cherub sear the synapses, while Paul Leary’s soloing on 22 Going On 23 sends shivers down the spine. Sweat Loaf gets the biggest cheer, with its repeated refrain of “Satan” and Butthole Surfers set off to save the kids one more time.

Reviewed by Spencer Grady
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