Words by Jimmy Glinster
Pix by Squirty G
In a now non-existent venue called Festival Hall, many many years ago, I went to my very first concert. That concert was Pantera’s Great Southern Trendkill and the year was 1996, but this ain’t about Pantera, this is about Shihad. What has Shihad got to do with that, you say? Well, Shihad was the opening band, which makes Shihad the very first ever band that I ever saw in concert. And now, 29 years later I get to see them again on their farewell tour in another defunct, but reopened venue called Crowbar. Not the old Crowbar, this is the new Crowbar, in the old Zoo. “The Zoo”, not a zoo. I’ll stop now …
Anyway, a group of about six people enter stage and shortly after some single kick hits start thumping through the PA. The band is made up of a drummer, bassist, two guitarists, a keyboardist a vocalist and a clarinetist. I’m not sure what kind of music this is, but it’s some kind of hipster indie rock pop punk mashup type of thing.
The band is called Fat Dog and The Tits. As they play some freaky psychedelic number, I take a minute to grab some selfie stick footage. Then we get promised that we are about to get ripped a new one. It was a bit faster, but I don’t have a new one yet. This is a very interesting band full of super energetic, and a little overexcited band members. I’ve just noticed a pink keytar beside the keyboard player and am now very excited to see that bad boy/girl in action. More interestingly, though, I’ve just noticed the skillet on the vocalist. I thought her hair was just tied back under a bandana. Credit where credit is due!
That was Fat Dog and the Tits, and that was a show indeed. Interesting, very interesting.
A glowing red crucifix appears centre stage, although a little crooked. Then some creepy intro plays that apparently has something to do with Life of Brian? I wouldn’t know though because I’ve never seen it, and probably never will. The band then entered stage in some weird looking pope style outfits. One with some kind of wings, and the other with very large sequent horns. Oh, and the pink keytar that I mentioned earlier finally makes an appearance.
What follows is some traditional style metal with overtones of thrash. The vocals are a mix of gravely spoken word and soaring melodic cleans. This one’s something to do with being the beast, and it ends with a ripping guitar battle between the two guitarists. Next up is a song of their own name, Battlesnake. This one’s a bit slower and groovier, with a bouncing and chugging step riff. It all gets a bit theatrical as the next couple of songs chug their way along. It’s interesting to say the least.
This is by far the weirdest gig I have been to for a while. I’m not even sure what’s happening anymore as the band continues to thrash its way through a couple more numbers. I’m sure this performance is themed, maybe to Life of Brian, or so I’m told. I don’t really get it, but the crowd seems to like it, if not only for the unique gimmick that it is.
And as a last-minute spectacle and a treat for the ladies, and Krispy, the vocalist and keytarist strip down to their undies for a cover of AC/DC’s Let There Be Rock. That ain’t the end of the show, though. Not before they bring a ladder into the middle of the crowd, and all climb up if to end the song. Yeah, not sure what that was all about, but there’ll be a reel.
About 10 minutes after the scheduled starting time, the stage goes dark and the band walks on stage. The stage lights back up and Shihad kick into Comfort Me. The crowd are quick to join in through the choruses, and when the song finishes, they erupt into a massive cheer and applause. We then get told we are going to hear the whole Pacifier album.
If I remember correctly, the band changed their name to Pacifier following 911 due to the similarities of Shihad to Jihad. At least that’s how I remember it, anyway. I’ve probably fucked that up though.
I’m not sure what this next song is, but I’m guessing it’s probably the second one off the album. It gains a massive clap along from the crowd mid-song, and again the crowd sing along in the choruses. Next up is Holding On, or at least I think that’s what it’s called. Turns out I’m wrong and it’s called Run. I’m pretty sure it was one of their biggest hits because even I know the words to the chorus in this one. The crowd fucking loves it!
The next one is the next one on the album and it’s called Everything. I don’t know this one, it’s a bit of a slower one. For now, anyway. I probably should have done some research and listened to this album this afternoon instead of The General Electric.
I must stop and give full cred to the sound guy because the sound is on point. And Mr Toogood, the guitars aren’t too loud. Oh, hang on, I might know this song, or at least know this chorus of “everything is falling down”?
Apparently, they’ve never played this next one before, or at least Jon doesn’t remember because he was on drugs. His words, not mine. He also let us know that he wrote every Shihad song ever while on drugs, and then apologised to someone’s mum after telling us he doesn’t condone it. I think he said it was called Stranger, but I could be wrong.
Well, that was a stitch-up. Turns out they are not playing the album in order, or so Google tells me. But Google was wrong and the next one is called Home, which is the next one on the album. It’s completely unfamiliar to me, as was that last one. This next one is heavy though, and I have no idea what it’s called, but apparently, they used to play it for us at the Big Day Out. I’ve just clicked that it’s called Bulletproof, and I may actually remember it as the catchy as fuck chorus kicks in.
As the acoustic guitar comes out, I realise it’s time to take a quick walk and stretch my legs. Whatever this song is called, it’s the acoustic one on the album. I miss a song and when I return I don’t know the next one either, but it is probably the last song from the album. I’ll guess I’ll find out in a minute.
Oh no, the acoustic is back out again, and I think we are about to get a cover of an Oasis song. Turns out it’s a song Jon wrote with Scott Weiland while he was sober. That might explain a few things. I do know this song, but I’m fucked if I know the name of it and for a song written while Scott was sober, it actually isn’t too bad.
And that my friends was Pacifier, I mean Shihad, who are the same band, playing the Pacifier album. It’s really not as confusing as it sounds, and it doesn’t even really need to make sense because that was one hell of a performance. It’s not the end though, there’s more to come, a full hour, but I ain’t going to spoil all the fun for you, or the people going to the next sold out show tomorrow night at the Triffid!
