There are some groups that, for me, bring me back to a specific place in time. The B52s is one of those groups. I was living in Philadelphia when 'Rock Lobster' was released and I can remember hanging out at an after hours bar and hearing it played. It is hard to believe 'Rock Lobster' was released 30 years ago!
I had tried to see the B52s last year when they performed at the Paradise Club, but it was sold out. This time I had better luck. They performed last Saturday at the new Boston House of Blues. It was another sold out show. I can remember going to this venue over 30 years ago when it was a disco (15 Lansdowne Street), then another disco (Boston, Boston), then a club (Avalon). The last time I was there, I saw Robert Palmer (may he rest in peace). The lay out of the club hasn't changed. The majority of the tickets were for the 'standing room only' sections. I secured a ticket for a seat in the VIP section that looked down on the stage (great location).
The B52s came on and started the set with their single 'Pump' from their latest release 'Funplex'. The B52s have their own distinctive sound, so some of the songs that I wasn't familiar with, sounded like their other more popular songs. The set list included 'Private Idaho', 'Mesopotamia', 'Funplex', 'Strobe Light', 'Quiche Lorraine', 'Juliet of the Spirits', 'Roam', and 'Love in the Year 3000'. The audience was jumping and singing through 'Love Shack'. Of course, everyone was yelling 'Tin Roof Rusted'. The only song I would have liked to have heard was 'Dance this Mess Around'.
Kate Pearson and Fred Schneider were in great voice, Cindy Wilson's voice was a bit thin on some of the higher notes. Fred endeared me by playing the glockenspiel on one of the songs, which is an unusual instrument for a rock band. Keith Strickland is still pretty hot and really wailed on the guitar wearing his sun glasses. Both Fred and Kate look pretty much the same, too. Cindy needs to reconsider her wardrobe (she just doesn't have the legs to pull off a micro-mini skirt).
Their encore brought the house down with 'Planet Claire' and 'Rock Lobster'. Even though Fred was yelling 'Down! Down!' none of the very middle aged audience were lowering themselves down to the floor (I don't think anyone's knees were up to it). Most of us in the VIP seats were dancing through the encore. It was a lot of fun.