PHOTOS: Them Crooked Vultures by Gene Schilling

Yesterday MCB made its way over to Windsor ON to check out Them Crooked Vultures which turned out to be one for the MCB scrapbooks....



The supergroup comprised of members of Led Zeppelin, Nirvana and Queens of The Stone Age delivered a amazing live show to an eagerly awaiting crowd. Them Crooked Vultures pounded the fans with an array of fist wrenching energy filled future classics that seemed to get racier and quicker to the punch as the minutes passed.

2 parts "the distinct style that is Josh Homme" -- add 1 part John Paul Jones (there were a handful of moments when you could feel the Led getting out of the Zep and the crowd ate it up)--toss in a gratuitous helping of the high energy of Dave Grohl and the powerhouse destroyed without mercy. I have to say I am sold on TVC but it did take the live show for me to become a believer.

When first walking into The Colosseum it comes across like your entering a Sam's Club...not a lot of flash but when the lights go down the sound is great and the seats are comfortable and great views from all spots. This show they removed all floor seating and nice carpeting for the General Admission so it seemed a little bleak compared to what it usually is dressed up to be.

Add the fact that the Ceasars Windsor is one of the nicest casinos around...let me tell you that the staff actually smile at you and help you out if you have a question. They say hello when you walk by and you may not think much of that but unlike a few other places we have visited I actually wanted to stay longer than I planned and enjoyed the VU BAR which hosts an awesome panaramic view of Detroit.

As usual my only complaint would be having to wait in line for 2 or 3 songs just to get a beer and then they shut down service like 4 songs into the set.

MCB's Gene Schilling shot both Alberta Cross and Them Crooked Vultures

Leaving for Canada in the early afternoon we planned on some dinner and drinks with friends prior to heading to the casino for the show. The drive down to the Detroit was smooth and we blazed through the tunnel only to be pushed to the side for inspection upon arrival in our northern neighbors land. This is not a suprise to me as I am inspected EVERY time I go to Windsor - you could bet the family cow on it that Canadian Border Patrol will yellow tag the MCB Challenger and send me into that room where they ask you why what where when and with who you know knew ... I always anticipate this and it meant earlier I made a trip to the carwash removing any and all evidence that someone like me used this car for any length of time...took about 2 hours to get her all shiny and clean like every good girl should be and after finally getting the go ahead (an hour later) we pulled the Dodge out onto the streets of Windsor and blew past the speed limit signs as fast as we could get to Spago down in Little Italy to meet up with MCB's Moneypenny and her assistant. After some Pasta Fagilio and a few american imports we made our way back to the riverfront and to our seats just as Alberta Cross hit the stage.

The boys from AC were pretty damn good and unlike many opening acts being on this bill is not a gratuatious handout...they have a distinct sound and were a powerful kickoff to the TCV show. The song writing and more so the song development and delivery on a whole was very engaging. They even had a song half way in that reminded my girl of the old grateful dead days and she got up and danced in the aisles for that song. This band is far from GD in all ways but keep you eyes and ears peeled for Alberta Cross who lived up to the live show expectations I had from NYC pals emailing about the band weeks prior.

Heading back to the USA is never a problem - I always seem to get the line with this one dude who owns the same car I have - we chat about HEMI's and cops and chicks and he waves me through and once in Detroit you can drive off the overpass and no one will notice so we were banging home in no time flat.

We have to thank ATO Records for the photo pass and press tickets and of course TCV and Ceasars Windsor for approving our photo credentials.

Bands=A
Venue=B+
Casino=A-
CA Border Patrol=D+ (for not ripping out my interior trunk panels as usual)
US Border Patrol=A+