Review of Throbbing Gristle at Ricardo Montalblan Theatre

If you’re not familiar with Throbbing Gristle, I won’t hold it against you. The name hasn’t come up in the public eye for quite some time. I would dare to say the majority of the world’s population hadn’t even heard of the band up until they were added to the third day of Coachella 09. Quite a statement, but I’m sticking with it. Most of my friends actually responded by saying “who?” when I expressed excitement with TG getting added to this years Coachella line-up.

With that said, “unfuckingbelievable” was the only thing my mind could conger up when I saw them perform an intimate show in Hollywood, CA at the Ricardo Montalblan Theatre on April 21st, 2009. All expletives aside, I truly felt as if I witnessed history. Why, you ask? The last time Throbbing Gristle played a show in California was four years before my birth – May 29th, 1981 to be exact. Saying this band likes to stay underground would be an understatement. I digress, though. They did play at Coachella a few days prior.

And while I wasn’t able to make it out to see them play at Coachella (damn you, bank account!), I was still able to catch one of the most spectacular performances of my short little life at the Montalblan Theatre. Having coined the term ‘industrial’ and jump-started a genre that would spawn the likes of Skinny Puppy, Marilyn Manson, Death In June and Front Line Assembly just to name a few, key members of TG also went on to create ands such as Psychic TV & Coil. Truth is, I could probably go on for about seven pages worth of reasons as to why I think Throbbing Gristle is one of the most influential bands ever. But I’ll cut to the chase and focus on the actual performance I was lucky enough to partake in.

Unlike the Coachella set, TG paid tribute to a film called In the Shadow of the Sun by playing the soundtrack they created for the underground masterpiece back in the early/mid 80’s.  I had never viewed the abstract film, so watching it for the first time with Throbbing Gristle in the background was quite an experience. All the members sat down in front of computers and instruments, in-sync sonically with each segment of the film. Explaining the avant-garde movie would not do it justice, as it was a surreal experience that should not be recreated in any form of print media. However, I shall try: To me, the film documented the earth being engulfed by flames, in association with an occult group that worships the beast that is killing them all; fire.

60 minutes into the seamless soundtrack, the credits rolled and the show was over. The 1200 plus people in attendance would not accept this and cheered for at least 7 minutes until the band re-entered the stage for a breathe-taking encore that featured the track “Persuasion” (taken from Throbbing Gristles cult following album 20 Jazz Funk Greats). Shortly after, the theatre lights turned on and the night was over. While I would have enjoyed another set from the band that featured TG classics, I left with a smile on my face and disappointment no where to be seen.

If you made it to this show, or the Coachella show, I congratulate you. If not, I must say, you missed something spectacular.