(Fwd) tBS in Elmira

[Ted Jackson jr.]

Malpractising Surgeons Infect Kingsbury's


Leaving their trepaning borers and hammers back in their boxes, the
Brain Surgeons instead chose drumsticks, voices and amplified guitars
to give a lucky group of converts some very specialized bedside
manner.  Judging by the deranged looks of delirium on the faces of
the faithful, the operation was a complete success.

Albert Bouchard, late of heavy rock giants Blue Oyster Cult, blew
into Elmira with his current band the Brain Surgeons Friday night to
play microscopic Kingsbury's.  A shoulder-to shoulder crowd of
appreciative rockers who braved a night of horrible driving
rain to attend, heartily approved.  The Surgeons performed songs from
all four of their Cellsum releases, plus a generous sampling of tunes
Albert made famous with Blue Oyster Cult.  Lead vocals came mainly
from pint-sized powerhouse Deb Frost, Al's wife, and a former rock
critic.  Deb also provided guitarwork on several songs.  A dual
guitar attack, courtesy of a towering and newly-shorn Peter Bohovesky
and Billy Hilfiger, Nigel Tufnel's evil twin fueled the show with
high-octane string slashing.

A highlight of the second set came during 'I Play the Drums,' when
Albert, not merely content with crushing his drumkit, proceded to
actually play the room.  But not in the traditional manner.
No, Albert took his sticks to the building itself, hammering out his
beat on windows, floors, bars, patron's beer bottles--anything that
would stand still for his assault.  The crowd was wild in its
reception, and swarmed the band members during breaks, requesting
autographs and photo opportunities. One lucky patron captured the
event on video.

The Brain Surgeons were full of surprises this night, the greatest,
no doubt,  being their rendition of a--get this--Lynyrd Skynyrd tune,
Simple Man, sung by Billy and dedicated to two men apparently known
to the local crowd, who howled their assent.  At the conclusion of
the show, Albert treated the crowd to a solo, impromptu version of
'Death Valley Nights' from Blue Oyster Cult's watershed album
Spectres.  The quiet rendition on which Al accompanied himself on
guitar provided an eerily contemplative afterglow to the evening's
wildly electric show, easing the crowd back from the ledge toward
which they had hurtled.

The first set included many songs Al had written for his previous
group, and it delighted this reviewer to hear them sung by their
original, and penultimate performer.  The anthemic Cities on Flame
With Rock and Roll, restored that song to its mythic status among
the rock cognnoscenti, while the second set's Dominance and
Submission reminded us all what an essential gem that song has become
within the heavy rock canon.  Rejuvenated by its creator's voice, and
infused with new menace by a triple guitar threat with Deb Frost
joining on a Stratocaster that dwarfed her diminutive stature, this
classic tune truly regained its trademark air of uncertainty and
upheaval.

In the wake of this monstrous show, the stunned patrons recovered
sufficiently to show their heartfelt appreciation, and treated Al and
company to repeated kudos.  Well past 1am, the crowd remained to talk
with band members and purchase CDs and band paraphenalia, and just
generally hang with the band.  The enthusiastic outpouring of support
for this creative and daring group bodes well for the future of heavy
rock music.  "Dr. Bouchard, to the OR--stat!"



theo
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"...it's legal, but it ain't a hundred percent legal..."
v.vega