Concert Review

Semi Precious Weapons

Bowery Ballroom, NYC

May 20, 2010

Getting Naked and Setting Riots

On April 26, New York City glam rockers Semi Precious Weapons put on a wild rock show, the likes of which hasn’t been seen since the 80s. The boys in SPW put on a dirty yet glamorous rock show at the Bowery Ballroom that left a screaming audience sticky with champagne…literally!

I arrived at the venue a few hours early to interview the band (they were hilarious!) after their soundcheck. I realized the show would be something special when I ran outside to get a bite to eat before the doors opened and saw, waiting patiently outside in the pouring rain, a line of fans stretching around the block.

SPW fans braving it outside the venue in the cold rain! Photo Credit: gagafrontrow.net

When the doors opened, Lady Starlight (Lady Gaga’s former go-go dancing partner and collaborator) began DJ-ing and spinning an eclectic assortment of retro rock hits (Bowie, Def Leppard) that set the tone for the show.

A true rocker at heart, Lady Starlight still spins her DJ sets with vinyl records! Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Lady Starlight and friends strike a pose in the DJ booth. Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Rocking out to her own set! Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Breedlove took the stage first in a sweatshirt custom-made by Lady Starlight (he thanked her for it onstage) and launched into set that he describes as “dress-to-depress rock’n'roll cabaret.” It’s an avant-garde take on indie rock — fun, simple songs with a cabaret flourish that disguise flatly pessimistic lyrics.

Breedlove singing his soon to be hit "Love on the Telephone!" Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

He quickly won over the audience, stripping off the hoodie to reveal a hideously funny tank top with his face on it. He topped this new look off with a sequined gold jacket, starting the multiple outfit changes that would emerge as a trend for the night.

Breedlove and dancer Leigh stare longingly at their reflections as he sings "Oh, Pierre." Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Breedlove and his favorite shirt. Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Next up, Nico Vega. I wasn’t familiar with these alterna-rockers from Los Angeles, but they turned out to be the perfect openers for Semi Precious Weapons. Furiously energetic lead singer Aja Volkman threw herself around the stage in a mesmerizing frenzy of trailing hair and barefoot agility. The songs run the spectrum from guitary-heavy hard rock to soulful rock, but it’s the band’s aggressive and powerful lyrics along with Volkman’s voice that makes all the difference: raspy and passionate, it covers a huge range.

AJa giving it her all on stage. Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Nico Vega rocking out to "Million Years" Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Anticipation was thick in the air after Nico Vega. The audience was warmed up and screaming for SPW. The second the crowd got a glimpse of guitarist Stevy Pyne, it erupted into high-pitched squeals and cheers. Once drummer Dan Whittle and bassist Cole Crean took their respective places onstage, the lights went down and singer Justin Tranter appeared, a perfectly timed entrance accompanied by the first few chords of their eponymous hit, “Semi Precious Weapons.”

Dan drumming it out! Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Cole and Stevy rocking out to "Semi Precious Weapons!" Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Stevy showing off his agility. Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

To say that Justin Tranter makes quite an entrance is a monumental understatement. He sauntered up to the audience in a studded leather jacket and a blatantly obvious lack of pants. Sparkling gold boots with 5-inch heels were basically a giant exclamation point to the pantslessness.

Real rock stars don't wear pants. Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Justin eats applause for breakfast. Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

As he strutted across the stage, he egged the crowed on for more applause, screaming “I can’t pay my rent but I’m f*cking gorgeous!!!” over the roar of the audience.

Who needs to pay their rent when they're f*cking gorgeous? Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Few other bands can hold a candle to SPW in terms of audience interaction. As Justin bantered, threw merch, and shared the mic with fans on songs like “Put a Diamond in it” and “Her hair is on Fire,” guitarist Stevy Pyne writhed around in a display of freakish agility.

Justin giving fans want they want... a piece of him! Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Cole seemed entertained letting the audience fondle his bass. Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Backbends and guitar, quite an entertaining combination! Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Midway through the set, Justin brought out a bottle of champagne, complete with his face on it (faces on things — also a theme for the night!), and sprayed the audience — much to their sticky delight — as he sang the infectious single “Sticky with Champagne.”

"Sticky with champagne it's okay it's her birthday!" Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

This halfway point of the show clearly demanded an outfit change. Justin did not disappoint, stripping right there onstage from his barely-there golden look to a silvery grey ensemble that included leggings silk-screened with various images of sex icon Marilyn Monroe.

Modesty is not in Justin's vocabulary. Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Who better than Marilyn Monroe to grace Justin's lengthy legs? Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Could this band be any more rock and roll?
It didn’t seem possible. But they outdid themselves, even by SPW standards during the final song, “Magnetic Baby.” (Yes, the one that features a young, brunette Lady Gaga in the music video.) As the entire venue started rocking out, Stevy Pyne leaped up to the balcony and finished his guitar solo dangling over the audience on the main floor. It nearly caused a riot, as the crowd went berserk cheering him on.

Justin throwing Stevy around the stage right before he made his acrobatic debut. Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Hanging on for dear life! Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Dangling from the balcony is one way to get everyone's attention! Photo Credit: Michelle Salgado

Before all this madness, soon after I interviewed them in the quiet recesses of their backstage green room, Semi Precious Weapons sent me off with a shot of Jack Daniels and the promise to show me what a true New York City glam band could do.

As Stevy climbed down and the lights went up, I was left shaking my head with wonder — SPW most definitely kept their promise and then some.