SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS
NICO VEGA
BREED LOVE
The Paradise in Boston, MA
April 2010
SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS Live Show Review and Live Photos by Lena Lamoray

BREED LOVE opened the show as a single performer singing with a cd for a band that he flew in from New York with a couple of background dancers. It was an interesting performance and both Breed Love and his shirt are also stars of Glamour Magazine’s fashion don’t list. NICO VEGA took over and I have heard of them but have never really heard them and I was impressed. They have a very THE WHITE STRIPES and THE DEAD WEATHER vibe and that is pretty cool in my book. I was enjoyed AJA VOLKMAN’s emotional stage presence and vocal style. The band is a three piece consisting of only a singer, drummer and guitar player. The guitar player, RICH KOEHLER was incredible and he looks like he could be the rock n’ roll version of MATTHEW GRAY GUBLER from CRIMINAL MINDS. I would love to see them live again.

SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS live at The Paradise in Boston, MA and all I have to say is they are the reason why I am a concert photographer. I forgot how awesome it is to be challenged by the pure action of every band member on stage. Normally, when you see a show one or maybe two at the most of the members do something exciting but these guys make a perfect foursome of live action delight. I will go on record saying that JUSTIN TRANTER, COLE WHITTLE, DAN CREAN and STEVY PYNE are the hardest working representatives of rock n’ roll in history. I LOVE these guys! They embody what every band should be talented, energetic and not afraid to admit that they are fucking gorgeous. All that and I have not even gotten to the good part, the splits. JUSTIN TRANTER is the king of the splits and high kicks! He is one fascinating individual that is motivated beyond comprehension. His stage persona is a blend of the classic bests of DAVID BOWIE, PETER GABRIEL, CYNDI LAUPER and MADONNA. He has a special spark that comes through on everything that he does. Even if JUSTIN TRANTER was stripped of his makeup and flashy clothing you know that he would still be the person that you would want to be next to at a party because he just has that essence of excitement written all over him. He is so marvelous that he doesn’t even leave the stage for a costume change, the pants just get whipped off right in front of you. It takes some brass nuggets of awesomeness to pull that off! Oh, did I mention that he performs the entire set in high heels, cartwheels and all. Most men could never accomplish what he does in sneakers let alone five inch glitter stilettos.

SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS are my very favorite stage assailants. They are individually so incredibly talented that when they unite they exceed super group status and form a superior group of the most perfectly trained and accomplished musicians and stage performers in history. They are amazing and even when they are flipping around they never miss a beat and it takes talent and dedication to be that good. The music and vocal styling of SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS is unmatched and exuberantly fun. My favorite songs are MAGNETIC BABY, ROCK N’ ROLL NEVER LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL, HER HAIR IS ON FIRE and BLEED TO HEAL to name just a few.

I interviewed SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS the last time they were in town and not only are they amazing entertainers and musicians but they are awesome human beings. They are all very sweet and I am so happy that they are gaining even more ground with a larger record label and the support of LADY GAGA. It’s nice when a smaller band gets a bit of a push so everyone can be enlightened to their tremendous potential and witness the mark that they will leave on the world. I absolutely love everything about SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS and the only negative thing I can say about the show is that it was too short. I could listen to them for a lifetime and you should too! Don’t miss them on tour with LADY GAGA and buy a copy of their album, some cool merchandise and if t-shirts are not your thing check out the jewelry by FETTY, JUSTIN TRANTER’s jewelry line.