Most of the crowd had Patton related t-shirts on (mostly Mr. Bungle and Fantomas). Those that didn't were not wearing Serj t-shirts...
By the time Fantomas came on around 9:30 the people had packed in a bit, but the gig wasn't sold out. Fantomas played "The Directors Cut" album right through. No encore. Off by 10:15. They seemed to be dressed as cricketers (whites, white zinc cream, white gloves).
Melvins drummer Dale Crover was on drums instead of Dave Lombardo. He played very well (better I think than what I've seen of Bozzio who can be a little too interpretive), if a little hard at times.
Fantomas set up the stage so the drummer is right up front so you get a good view. Patton seemed to conduct him a fair bit (moving his arms when he was supposed to play), but Dale wasn't watching.
I spent most of the gig watching Buzz (guitar) and Trevor (bass). I've seen Patton in Fantomas a million times so I took the opportunity to watch these two smash out the riffs. Both looked slightly less bored than usually, especially Buzz who looked like he was almost enjoying himself.
Patton stole the stage every now and then though, doing his usual crowd banter and holding the mic in his mouth, spitting on the idiots up the front.
Patton seemed to think we hated them and were waiting for Serj Tankian (who Fantomas were allegedly "supporting") but when the crowd booed at the mention of his name he probably figured out most of us were here for Fantomas.
The rest of the gig from that point was played with extra enthusiasm with the final few tracks from the album sounding awesome.
The second Fantomas left the stage and the roadies started pulling down their gear, about 40% of the crowd left. Security was mighty confused at the half empty venue before the main act was to start.
A friend of mine said he was going for a beer, and literally ten seconds later was back. That's how empty it was. Unheard of...
I suspect probably half of those left when Serj came on were only there because they'd paid for it, not specifically for Serj. About eight rows of mosh were definitely fans, but there were a lot of sit-back-and-watchers.
I didn't like Serj.
I really like System Of A Down (except their last album), and I found plenty to like in the guitarist's (Daron) solo project (Scars on Broadway), but I just couldn't get into Serj's solo album. I hoped it would be better live...
Live, the music sounded too pop. Too contrived. Too silly. Like a mix between Limp Bizkit and the Twilight soundtrack. I know I would have loved it ten years ago. All the elements that should have made it good pop/rock where there, but I just didn't like it. There were a few moments that were almost good, and elements of some songs I liked, but overall... no. Strangely, System Of A Down are far sillier, and I like them. But they're heavier. Who knows...
To top it off, for the encore he murdered David Bowie's "Space Oddity".
We went home and listened to the original to rid ourselves of the bad taste.
And $16 for parking on a weeknight is B.S.