Okay, so I’ll probably be a little biased on this review because I am a Rev fan. Shameful to say that as many times as the band has played San Diego, I’ve actually never seen them live. But as if the Zeegig gods themselves commanded it to happened, the heavens opened up and the angels sang as the Holy Psychobillys themselves headlined their own show at the House of Blues. A tangent gig from their second bill tour with Motorhead, Reverend Horton Heat blasted onstage a full twisted set of mayhem and madness. You got to hand it to these guys who can command a room full of greasers, hellbetties, skater punks, surf dudes, stoners, and swingkids to all magically rock out in a harmonious fashion. It was amazing to see one moment of a hillbilly hoedown to couples swing dancing to a full swirling pit. And although they were touring for their latest CD Laughin’ and Cryin’, this show was pretty much a retrospective of their 20 year career.
Surprisingly, the Rev’s performance was not what I expected (RHH virgins take note: RHH is a band name not one person, although sometimes frontman Jim Heath is referred to as “Reverend” or “Horton.” It’s like saying Pink Floyd was a guy and not a band. Anyways…) Despite the wild and speedy tempo of his guitar, the Rev had a calm and concentrated demeanor occasionally looking up to give a wicked smile to the fans. Of course, you can’t leave out Jimbo and his upright, which he stood on and used as a surfboard on “I Can’t Surf.” But the biggest crowd pleaser of them all was when they did a cover of Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades.” The fans went ape shit. Amazingly, the House of Blues is still standing. For now, I can finally say I was blessed with the holy sweat of a Reverend show. Amen.
Full setlist in all it’s glory:
1. Rev’s Big Blue Car2. Now, Right Now3. I’m Mad4. Callin’ in Twisted5. Indigo Friends6. Galaxy 5007. Bales of Cocaine8. Its Martini Time9. Big Little Baby10. Psychobilly Freakout11. Ain’t No Saguaro in Texas12. My Beer Holder is Getting Bigger Everyday13. Drinkin’ & Smokin’14. Rural Point of View15. Please Don’t Take the Baby to the Liquor Store16. Death Metal Guys17. Girl in Blue18. Livin’ on the Edge19. Big Sky20. Baddest of the Bad21. Five-O Ford22. I Can’t Surf23. Wiggle Stick24. 400 Bucks25. Jimbo26. Ace of Spades (Motorhead cover)27. Devil’s Chasing Me28. (Encore) Big Red Rocket of Love