Puscifer
30th October 2020
Arcosanti Desert, Arizona, United States of America (Via Live Stream)
Review & screen shots by Bridget Herlihy.
With touring not currently possible in most countries, many artists and musicians have been forced to think outside of the proverbial box, finding new and creative ways to deliver performances and experiences virtually. While many may argue that watching a show that is streamed doesn’t quite measure up to being there in the flesh, more often than not it does mean that these performances are readily accessible to a much wider audience.
So, what is a music-performance-art group that is renowned for their electrifying – and frequently eccentric – shows to do when they release a new album? They put on a virtual show in the desert and live stream it globally, of course.
Less than 36 hours after Puscifer’s brand-spanking new album Existential Reckoning dropped in little old’ New Zealand (it’s great that despite the fact the we are at the bottom of the planet that we get to experience all of the new releases first), the band streamed Live at Arcosanti via pusciferlive.com. And in true Puscifer form, it was equal parts exquisite, mesmerising – and most importantly – auralgasmic.
Anyone who has been fortunate enough to see Puscifer live can attest to the fact that their shows are not only a feast for the eyes and ears, but incorporate elements of theatre, and surprise. It’s hard to fathom it has been almost four years since Puscifer visited Auckland, as the Moneyshot show, complete with a posse of luchadors, was a memorable show that left a significant impression long, long after the curtain fell.
As Puscifer have shown in the past, with a new album comes a new theme and story, and Existential Reckoning revolves around extra terrestrials and the demise of humanity. Arcosanti, Arizona was chosen as the location for the show for several reasons; first, front man Maynard James Keenan moved to the nearby town of Jerome 25 years ago; second, Arcosanti is the home to many artists and creatives. Finally, as Keenan explains when in the Arizona desert “ we feel like we’re on the edge of the world. Imagine if you were an extra-terrestrial traveller and you landed in the Southwest and wanted to assume an identity here and blend in, this would probably be a good spot to do that”. With possible dessert-dwelling visitors from outer space in mind, the tagline for the show warned viewers to ‘prepare to be abducted’. And in a way an abduction of sorts did indeed take place, as Puscifer captivated my attention and imagination for the full duration of the show.
After a 30-minute pre-show featurette, which chronicles Puscifer’s origins and the inspirations behind the album and location for the performance, the show commenced. Central Puscifer character Billy D (played by Keenan) is stumbling through the desert talking to himself; perhaps even more discombobulated than usual. He is lost, and wants water, but he is determined to find whatever it is that he is searching for. His frustration is rife. Exhausted, he sits, muttering “you suck Arcosanti!”.
Cut to a stage surrounded by digital screens, and bathed in subtle blue light and smoke, where the Puscifer launch into the opening track of the album, Bread and Circus. Multiple camera angles indicate that this is not a point-and-shoot performance, but a well-choreographed production. The sound quality is superb; as good as if you were listening to the album. The theme for Existential Reckoning revolves around extraterrestrial life and strange happenings, and in line with this theme the band all don black suits, for within the context of this incantation of Puscifer, they are secret agents on the trail of unexplained occurrences in the desert.
As the lights become slightly brighter, it is revealed that the band is playing in a small amphitheatre. Puscifer aren’t ones to conform to conventional stage configurations, and towards the end of second track Apocalyptical Round and Keenan make their way up the steps at the rear of the amphitheatre, and emerge backstage behind the band, and onto scaffolding where they take their places behind their mic stands – facing off against each other.
Each track is delivered live with the same energy and passion that is evident on the album, which is no mean feat. Round and Keenan are an exquisite pairing, not only vocally, but in the way that they play off against each other, mirroring each other’s sassiness.
Approximately half way through the performance it becomes evident that the performance location has shifted, which was not immediately apparent due to the magic of lighting. They are now in the desert, complete with rocks and cacti. Round and Keenan remain perched atop scaffolding at the centre of the ‘stage’, and the area around them has been divided into quarters, with Mat Mitchell (guitar; keys, production), by Greg Edwards (bass, guitar, keys), and Gunnar Olsen (drums) each in their own quadrant. Cleverly, while the performance started while it was dark, as the performance progresses it gets lighter, revealing the stunning backdrop of the vast Arizona desert. By the time the final track Bedalamite is played, it is full daylight, revealing the full set and the scale of the production.
As the credits rolled, it seemed odd that the performance would end so abruptly, without a trademark Puscifer skit of some sort. And then the scene cuts to a karaoke dive bar, with inebriated ‘agents’ Round and Keenan attempting to sing along to Man Overboard from Conditions of My Parole. Keenan has forgotten the words and is trying to get Siri to find them for him. The scene ends with Mitchell, Edwards and Olsen dragging the pair out of the bar. Now that’s more like it.
With Live from Arcosanti Puscifer have laid down the proverbial gauntlet. Not only have they delivered a stunning performance to herald the release of their new album, but the way in which they have done it via an online platform is absolutely breathtaking. Once again, Puscifer has shown how it can be done, and done exceptionally well.
Did you watch this brilliant live-streamed concert? Or have you seen Puscifer perform live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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