Collectorz.com Connect Blog

The B-52s were out of the picture for a while but came back earlier this year with a new album ‘Funplex’. And so it was time to go on tour again. But the ladies and gentlemen aren’t the youngest anymore so how would they be holding up? I went to see them in Paradiso to find out.

 B-52s at Paradiso Amsterdam, 19 July 2008 (Ronald says 3 out of 5)

The B-52 is a big airplane bomber of course but is also the name of a cocktail named after the plane: take a shooter glass and pour some coffee liqueur like Tia Maria in it. Then carefully pour some Bailey’s Irish Cream over the back of a cold spoon. Then do the same with the Grand Marnier. You should get three nice layers. Light the sucker and stick a straw in. Then quickly suck your drink before your straw catches fire. Then there’s also the hair cut named after the airplane that was very popular in the 60s. And then there’s the band named after the hair cut. Are you still with me? The ladies in the band, Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, tend to wear their hear that way. And their music is influenced by the 60s surf music. Mixed with danceable riffs and beats it’s party time with the B-52s!

The crowd was definitely in a party mood and easy to please. They were singing along with all the hits like “Love Shack”, “Rock Lobster”, “Good Stuff” and “Private Idaho” and swinging to the happy tunes. However somehow the party just never turned really wild. Cindy Wilson was the most active in the beginning but then quiet down. Sometimes she would do some 60s inspired dancing but it looked like she studied the moves but didn’t remember all of them. Kate Pierson’s memory was better and threw in some moves herself but it all stayed nice and safe. Cindy was also playing the bongos occasionally but that really didn’t add much to the music. Fred Schneider, the male vocalist of the band, looks a bit like a drill instructor which is totally intended. He shouts out commands to the crowd and his staccato lyrics respond to the female singers. However his stage appearance is a bit static and even stiff at times. The most active band member is the drum player who is much younger than the rest. He’s banging his drums with a lot of power as if he’s playing  in a big football stadium. But it is tight and the volume is never too loud.

Although the stage appearance is all a bit laid back the music is definitely still strong. The songs never sound old but sound fresh. The new songs fit in nicely with the rest although I think the new album lacks some songs that really stick out. What struck me most was how good Kate and Cindy were singing. Their singing is still clear and doesn’t seem to have lost power over the years. So in the end it was still a nice party but one that could have been a lot wilder.