It was around 11 p.m. when the “Legends of Hip Hop” took the stage with fists in the air. Public Enemy’s audience had been warmed up earlier by Suburban Noize Records recording artist X-Clan and a conglomerate of SLAMjamz Records’ artists. The house was full but not packed with a very diverse group of people. Chicago was the second city hit on their Beats to Mecca Tour #57 in North America.
|
| |
Public Enemy
|
 Entertainment
 Art
House of Blues
Chicago, Ill.
March 8, 2007
|
| |
|
|
The night started out with Chuck D and Professor Griff going right into “Welcome to the Terrordome” (off of Fear of a Black Planet album) along with the greatest Hype-man Flavor Flav to the delight of the overzealous crowd. They quickly jumped into “Bring the Noise,” which gained notoriety when they performed it with the heavy metal group Anthrax in 1991. Next, PE used a battery of chants to incite the fans such as “Chicago,” “Public Enemy is in Chicago” and of course political ones like “F*ck George Bush” and “F*ck Dick Chaney,” which segued into “Son of a Bush” from Revolverlution. During the song, Chuck D was jumping around the stage giving the “Heil Hitler” salute and it ended with everybody showing the middle finger instead of fists.
Rhythm & Blues saxophonist “Daddy G” (Gene Barge) was the first guest artist brought out that night to play on Muse Sick in Hour Age’s “What kind of Power We Got?” followed by “Shut Em Down,” “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos,” “He Got Game,” “Bring the Beat Back” and “Can’t Truss it.” At this time, Chuck D payed tribute to James Brown by saying that without influences like, Public Enemy wouldn’t be around. He then thanked all of the opening bands and introduced his backing band. which consisted of Khari Wynn on guitar, Brian Hardgroove on bass, and Mike Faulkner on drums. He also announced S1W’s James Bomb and Pop Diesel who were dressed in red & green accented desert camouflage and sporting Samurai style short swords instead of the traditional Uzis. Guitarist Pete Cosey was the other guest from Chicago brought out to play a solo on a Sanza (Thumb Piano from Africa) and also added to other songs played throughout the night.
With Flavor Flav doing an extended version of his famous “Yeeahh Boyyeee!!!” and “911 is a Joke,” the show was started back up again. “Time Bomb,” “Do You Wanna Go Our Way???” and “Public Enemy No.1” preceded Flavor announcing that his DJ was the “badest;” DJ Lord then demonstrated his mad skills as everybody left the stage. Soon after, Professor Griff came back and mentioned that he needed a drummer because Mike hadn’t made it back out yet. Once he took his place, the backing band showcased their talent by playing a medley of songs from “Purple Haze” to “Back in Black.” There’s a little “Cold Lampin’ with Flavor” as Flavor also performed “Can’t Do Nuttin’ For Ya Man” and “Too Much Posse” by himself and then showed off by playing a drum solo.
The entire cast of Public Enemy rejoined the stage and continued with “Don’t Believe The Hype,” “You’re Gonna Get Yours,” “Rebel Without Pause” and ended the night with “Fight The Power.” Although I didn’t catch any, Professor Griff and Chuck D did push-ups during the last song which is normally done when a member makes a mistake during the show. After they thanked everybody for coming out and they exited the stage, Flavor Flav called them all back out to do a quick chorus of Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again).”
PE is still as politically charged as ever and Flavor Flav is still up too his usual antics. These guys are still jumping around like they did twenty years ago and putting on a great show. If you get a chance you should check them out; they haven’t missed a beat and neither should you.
Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
