ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
By Dathan Kazsuk | Aug 10, 2015
Twitter: TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | Instagram: trianglearoundtown
Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that it has been 31-years since the release of KMFDM's first album "Opium" back in 1984. Of course I wasn't listening to them that far back – I was only 12 when the release hit the streets. It wasn't until 1990 that I was introduced to KMFDM with the release of the album "Naive."So when KMFDM passed through Raleigh on July 30 at the Lincoln Theater, I made sure I was there to see Sascha and the gang rip through a 20-song set featuring some of my favorite KMFDM ditties such as "Light," "Son of a Gun," "Tohuvabohu," "A Drug Against War" and "Godlike."
Here are 5 things that caught my attention during the show – take it for what it is. Even though I've been listening to the band for 25 years – I still have some gripes with them live.
| KMFDM's current lineup - photos c/o KMFDM.net. |
THE CROWD: I was impressed with Raleigh's crowd. I've seen KMFDM in Charlotte in 2003 and in Chapel Hill in 2007 and the crowds back then just stood around like zombies. This time, several mini mosh-pits came into existence during the songs "A Drug Against War," "Tohuvabohu" and "Godlike."
SASCHA KONIETZKO: The only remaining founder of the band after 31 years. I wonder if he's sad about that, or he eventually forced out everyone. At one point in time, KMFDM had a great group of musicians writing and performing with the band: En Esch, Raymond Watts, Tim Skold, Bill Rieflin and Gunter Schultz ... now, all gone!
LUCIA CIFARELLI: She seems to be a hit to some – but doens't really do too much for me. Sure, if she belts out a powerful song, I enjoy it. But she's no En Esch or Raymond Watts. Both Esch and Watts had powerful vocals without the need to scream at the top of their lungs, which it seems Lucia has to do. But I guess there are some perks to being married to Sascha.
THE SONGS: Again, I love KMFDM's music, but I wish they'd do a little more restructuring or remixing of the songs they perform live. Most, if not all of the songs performed live, sound almost exactly like the album version – minus the ear drum buzz at the end of the night.
THE DRINKS: We all know that you pretty much have to take out a loan to drink alcohol once you step foot inside a concert venue – and it was no exception at The Lincoln Theater. We were spending $12 a pop to order a 16-oz. can of Bell's Oberon and a small vodka-cranberry. But at least it's not like going to Walnut Creek, where you spend $12 for one 23-oz. Budweiser Light. I do need to give props to the Lincoln for having a nice selection of craft beers sold by the can.