UFO

On November 1, 2009, UFO landed at the cesspool known as The Independent (“TI”), a grungy club in a fairly scruffy neighborhood. This marks the second consecutive concert UFO has played at TI, the last time also being on a Sunday, July 25, 2005. TI is a 375 seat club built approximately 50 years ago that previously operated under names such as The Kennel Club and Viz.

As you walk through the entrance and go through a narrow hallway you immediately end up on the general admission floor approximately 10 feet stage left. The stage measures approximately 30 feet across and only four feet high with no photo pit. The bar is located opposite the stage. TI has a second floor that includes quasi box seat sections stage right (eight- to 10 seat capacity) and stage left (three- to four seat capacity), as well as a mixing console across the stage. [The box seats are not as grandiose as the ones located in a traditional theater and more resemble wooden structures perched atop a tree house. The venue size gives TI more of a square than a rectangular shape, making it ideal for (1) a cock fight contest or (2) the chap toting, beer swigging redneck brigade to raise a raucous line dancing. For these reasons, and the shady neighborhood, if UFO was really an alien ship, I am hard pressed to believe it would have taken a gander at this venue, much less went inside.] However, the intimate venue size, low raised stage, and lack of photo pit afford an opportunity to get close to performers. For this reason, I have not passed up opportunities to see acts such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Blackmore’s Night, Testament, and Y&T at TI.

UFO was supported by the Travis Larson Band, a Southern California based fusion rock band that played a 45-minute instrumental set from 8:15 to 9:00.

UFO played 16 songs. Rather than act as a brace laden, pigtailed teenage girl who is a tease only flashing her developing goods to a hormone enraged boy (i.e., analogous to you the readers), I will enumerate all the songs UFO performed in lieu of a select group.

1. Saving Me (The Visitor record, 2009). The show started out with background music that was the introduction to the first song off UFO’s new (and 20th) studio record released in June 2009. I give credit to UFO for having the courage to start a show not only with a new song, one that most fans are not familiar with, but also one that is mid tempo with an acoustic introduction that Vinnie Moore (“VM”) played on a guitar propped on a stand a la “Beyond the Realms of Death” by the mighty Judas Priest. [I would have preferred if the show started with a song powerful enough to sheer the skin off my face or, at the very least, pummel my brain to the point where I can only speak in monosyllables.] This song is very bluesy with a strong guitar riff, solid drum beat, and an acoustic guitar solo. At the end of the song, Phil Mogg (“PM”) pulled a note out of his pocket and extended “Happy Birthday to Bob.” [Two questions popped in my head. First, why on earth would PM need to keep a note to remember a name as simple and short as Bob. The only simpler name I can think of is Ed. Second, what would be the most efficient and clandestine means for me to hunt down Bob and shove my combat boot up his butt for interrupting the momentum so early in the gig.]

2. Daylight Goes to Town (You Are Here, 2004) features soulful vocal performance by PM. PM wore black jean pants, black jean jacket, black tank top, and black boots that he laced up above him cuffs. [PM was the rock version of Johnny Cash, only much leaner and fit, surprising given the amount of beer he consumed (see below).]

3. Mother Mary (Force It, 1975) featured fiery guitar riffs and runs, as well as a great guitar solo. VM wore black jean pants (with a chain extending from his belt loop to his back pocket), black and grey t shirt with a glitter skull emblem atop a cross, and black sneakers. PM repeatedly held up the mike stand throughout this song. PM continued this tradition throughout the show. [I was inclined to suggest a workout regimen to PM, placing circular weights at the stand base to make a makeshift dumbbell.]