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Statistiques
Biographie
Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona brothers Curt and Cris Kirkwood played in a number of hard and mainstreams rock and roll bands. After graduating from a Jesuit prep school the brothers created The Bastions of Immaturity before changing the name to Meat Puppets and enlisting the help of Derrick Bostrom on drums. The sound that ensued was undeniably punk rock and their debut EP “In a Car” remains their loudest and noisiest release, fusing hardcore punk with a propensity for the avante-garde.
After its release head of SST records and lead guitarist of the enviable Black Flag, Greg Ginn, offered the band a contract through which they released their full-length self-titled debut in 1982. Their sophomore album was where the band really found its feet and developed a distinctive sound; mixing punk with country and psychedelic rock influences.
The mid-80s saw Meat Puppets' gradual shift into more mainstream publications and a softening of their punk rock tone. In 1987 the band released the album “Mirage”, which was critically acclaimed and earned the band a cult-like following within the American underground circuit, with regular airplay on college radios. This critical success was cemented with their follow-up “Huevos” unlike its successor “Monsters” which took the band in a more straightforward rock trajectory, to the displeasure of many of their fans.
After a disbanding and re-forming Meat Puppets signed to the major label London Records and released “Forbidden Place” (1991) which can only be described as a flop. In 1993 none other than Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain invited the Kirkwood brothers to join him on stage at MTV Unplugged after listening to their music when he was younger. The event became a turning point for both Cobain, who would die 138 days afterwards, and Meat Puppets who were taken to new commercial realms.
The band’s subsequent album “Too High To Die” sold over 500,000 records and outlines some of the extensive drug use by Cris and co. including heroin, crack cocaine and LSD – his wife would later die of overdose. The follow-up album 1995’s “No Joke!” was the last album to be recorded with the original line-up and wasn’t a particular success.
In 1996 the band split and fractioned off with drummer Bostrom recording under the name Today’s Sounds and Curt moving to Austin, Texas, U.S. and performing under the band name the Royal Neanderthal Orchestra. The band eventually took the Meat Puppets name and signed to Breaking Records and Cris Kirkwood returned after a 7-year struggle with drug use. Meat Puppets released “Rise to Your Knees” in 2007 followed by a gigs at SXSW festival and ATP New York Festival.
Since then the band has released “Sewn Together” in 2009, “Lollipop” in 2011 and “Rat Farm” in 2013. Despite the band’s dissonant line-up and history, they proved to be a figurehead alternative music, they have influenced bands such as Soundgarden, Dinosaur Jr., and Pavement and are continually invited to play alongside artists like Animal Collective, Dead Confederate and Dave Grohl.
Avis
The Meat Puppets always manage to amaze me when I see them live. It impresses me how tight knit the band is when they perform, but at the same time their performance seems so loose and inspired.
The band is so unique because they manage to incorporate various styles of music into their performance such as psychedelic, punk, and rockabilly. Lead singer and guitarist, Curt Kirkwood, and bass player, Chris Kirkwood, have excellent dynamics when performing live. Chris lays down the rhythmic foundation to the songs, sometimes performing intricate melodies on the bass, and Curt plays angular guitar leads often using country techniques such as chicken pickin, but he often adds interesting effects to his guitar as well as goes into long drone sessions, which create a psychedelic vibe to the performance. Curt recently enlisted his son Elmo into the band to play guitar, which creates a more rich sound and allows Curt to experiment more in live performances while Elmo holds down the basic tune.
Not only has Meat Puppets managed to impress their fans with their unique brand of psychedelic punk, but they have also inspired numerous bands. Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, and Pavement have all listed Meat Puppets as a major influence, and Nirvana even asked Meat Puppets to join them on their MTV Unplugged performance. Meat Puppets play a wide selection of their songs when they perform live. They play the classics such as “Plateau” and “Up On the Sun” as well as some from their newest album, Rat Farm. When I saw them play at the 40 Watt in Athens they did an interesting cover of the Beach Boys’ song, “Sloop John B”, as well as play “Lake of Fire”, which extended into an over ten minute psychedelic jam session.
Meat Puppets’ high energetic, psychedelic performances as well as their tenacity to perform such a large and rewarding setlist makes them a band that should not be missed when they come through town.
wjmcc
Good thing that the Meat Puppets were great or Mike Watt would have stolen the show.
Both bands exceeded expectations!
Underground Arts is not the best venue in town, but the quality of playing and showmanship made up for the small echoey room.
maxklineisawesome
These guys rocked my world! Would definitely want to see again! I got to meet some great people with awesome vibes, got signed by Modern Era and Meat Puppets on my arms! They even gifted me some drumsticks and got some awesome merch! Loved every bit.
Chavizzle
Was very good one they play very nice one group was see long time never see I'm very happy...im very happy also have the ticket last day have same many problem for this ticket i don't now whay any way thanks song kick
nicola-mattarollo
After 25+ years finally seeing them live was a hoot! A great band, wonderful music, fun song selection and a great jam of "Upon the Sun". Won't wait another 25 years to see them again!
DonnyBrook47
