This is now the ninth outing in the Kung Fu Records ever more familiar ‘Show Must Go Off’ series and it is now the band who started it all to get their name on the growing roster of talent. Of course the quartet are no strangers to being in front of the camera having produced and appeared in all manner of VHS/DVD’s including their annual ‘Oi to the World’ jaunts as well as a few cheeky spoof films featuring familiar faces from the world of punk. ‘Live at the House of Blues’ encompasses 22 Vandals tracks (Their longest gig ever apparently) and pretty much is a ‘best of’ from the last 12 years or so. All albums are covered and although six of the weaker efforts from the ‘Internet Dating Superstuds’ are included it doesn’t detract from what is, on the whole, a very tidy, smart and stylish DVD.
As you come to expect, the band rattle through the 22 songs with minimum of ease and fuss with the music being played tight and the vocals pulling it together but the real gold of this DVD is the mind-blowing drumming of Josh Freese. As you may of heard, one of the main draws in terms of special features on the disc is the Josh Freese cam in which, if you wish, you can watch the whole gig with the camera solely focused on him, and as dull as that sounds, there is ultimately something hypnotising about watching someone perform with that much talent. Indeed on tracks such as ‘Unseen Tears of the Albacore’ and ‘Marry Me’ his skills are shown to the max, but it is on ‘Behind the Music’ where a drum solo that is needed to be seen to be believed that he sells himself as one of the best in the business.
The 22 tracks on show are generally of a high standard with ‘It’s a Fact‘, ‘Ape Drape’ and ‘Take it Back’ standing out above the rest while the only minor disappointments prove to be the lacklustre ‘Soccer Mom’ and ‘Appreciate my Honesty’ which of course come off their oft-criticised ‘Superstuds’ album. As for the other special features you get a run of the mill photo gallery and a pleasant feature, which sticks all the lyrics on the screen as the band strum and sing along. It’s a subtle touch that works well, but what really sells the DVD is the hilarious band commentary which everyone but Josh is involved in. Amusing stories involving ex bands Longfellow and The Assorted Jellybeans are brought up along with corporate advertising and how the House of Blues is their favourite club, which pretty much covers what Kung Fu and The Vandals have put together in a highly impressive package.
Coming with a free CD that is the gig in music only form for your car etc, this is a release not to be shirked at. It’s dirt-cheap and a must for anyone who is a fan of the punk funsters. It’s hard to say whether the Vandals will be around much longer as their music of late has lost some of its cutting edge, but this compilation of (mostly) their finest work is something to treasure.
Jay