PUSCIFER
Berklee Performance Center in Boston, MA
March 2010
PUSCIFER Live Show Review and Live Photos by Lena Lamoray

UNCLE SCRATCH’S GOSPEL’S REVIVAL opened the night with their two man TOM CRUISE and Wal-Mart hating act.  Their clunky Rockabilly sound comes courtesy of a cardboard barrel drum kit.  They sang the sure to be a hit song, I BANGED A SINNER.   They later joined PUSCIFER on stage to partake in the wine and cheese party. 

PUSCIFER is the brainchild and sexy side project of MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN from A PERFECT CIRCLE and a little known act you may have heard of called TOOL.  PUSCIFER played two nights in Boston in order to accommodate their many fans and the venue was still too small for them.   They certainly could have used more room on stage for their gaggle of participants.  The members of PUSCIFER vary depending on who is available and where you see them.  A couple of members of ASHES DIVIDE were on loan for this tour among members from other bands.  The Las Vegas show featured MILLA JOVOICH but she was not with them in on tour due to her busy filming schedule, isn’t RESIDENT EVIL Part 10 coming out soon?  Some of the band members on stage in Boston were TIM ALEXANDER, MATT MCJUNKINS, JOHNNY POLONSKY, CARINA ROUND and obviously, the shapeshifter himself MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN. 

The show started with a video of MAJOR DOUCHE laying down the law and a real life depiction of what really goes on at a press junket.  The band took the stage creepily smiling and posing prior to starting their performance which went on to feature Maynard and Carina singing behind television screens with their faces broadcasted to the audience.  That is how they sang all night with the exception of one song that Maynard sang sitting down in the front.  The musical highlights for me were VAGINA MINE, POLAR BEAR, DOZO and THE MISSION.  What can I say about MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN’s voice other than wow!  I’ve seen him live in TOOL, A PERFECT CIRCLE and now in PUSCIFER and his voice is just so damn beautiful.  I don’t know how else to put it other than this guy could be a doctor that has to tell you that you are going to die a slow painful death but as long as he serenaded you with the news you would still have a good day.  He is that good!  I actually think that he chose to perform behind the television set because his panty collection was getting too big.  Seriously, though what an amazing voice and it’s no wonder that he is in so many bands…spread the love and vocal prowess around.  CARINA ROUND was an exquisite match to Maynard’s vocals. 

The stage was divided between the band, video screens and couches and pretty much after every song the band dressed as clergymen would come out and join the wine and cheese party occurring on the couches.  The show also consisted of several videos where Maynard would play a bevy of characters one of which he talked in a perverted Kermit the Frog voice, pretty funny.  Maynard is also a fan or foe of either JOHN BON JOVI or DAVID SPADE judging by the image on his monitor.  I must say that I was disappointed that we didn’t get a CUNTRY BONER performance.  That was the first PUSCIFER song that I heard and that song is a classic good time.  I saw photos from last year’s performance that had everyone dressed up as country stars complete with cowboy hats and boots and it was adorable and I was looking forward to that experience but it never came.  Perhaps next time we will get that special performance!  Seeing PUSCIFER is a pretty unique musical and visual journey and I recommend it to all who are searching for something a bit different.