Pissing off Scenesters Since 1995
by Michael McNichols
Chicago, IL 2/10/2007
“Shadows fade, but some things last forever. Do not ask who wears the mask!”
I’m only paraphrasing, but that mere sampling of shitty poetry was what Rogue, lead singer of the Cruxshadows, whined between songs at Metro last Saturday night. I’d expect such verbal diarrhea spurting like a geyser out of a teenaged goth girl’s mouth, not a grown man’s.
Rogue (real name Virgil Roger duPont III, yeah, no wonder he uses a pseudonym) had styled his hair into spiky strings that flailed all over his head like a drunk Madonna had gotten her hands on it. He looked like a retarded anime character come to life up on stage in front of me. And this was the man trying to command my and everyone else’s attention in the entire crowd.
I’d never heard of the Cruxshadows before attending their show, but I’d imagined a chaotic dark metal band. Instead, I got techno, industrial, gothic rock hell.
Which wouldn’t have been so bad in of its self.
Except the Cruxshadows had to insult me with bad poetry and theatrics. For one song, Rogue even flipped a kabuki mask up onto his face and pranced around like a ballerina on acid. And he wasn’t alone.
Two back-up singers with long, pink hair and their faces caked with whorish makeup joined Rogue in his feverish, unholy ballet. And since his voice drowned out theirs almost completely, it seemed that apparently all they were needed for was to dance alongside him.
Couldn’t the Cruxshadows have just locked them up in cages and lifted them up off the floor if they’re just going to dance? Actually, they should have stripped for everyone. Let’s not pretend that they had some grand artistic purpose like the violin solos that led off a few songs.
Is there anything that marks a pretentious fucking band more than a violin solo? I’m not saying a violin can’t be used in rock music. I’ve seen it done several times, but never under a spotlight with all emphasis placed upon it like when Rachel McDonnell played hers.
How seriously am I supposed to take the violin player when she’s wearing plaid shorts that her ass hangs out of? She should have just been dancing along with the other girls rather than wearing a stern, constipated look on her face while stringing her violin like she was Mozart reborn.
Behind her, Jen Jawidzik slammed down on the keyboard and George Bikos played the guitar. Bikos’s had long, orange hair stuck in a few spikes and Jawidzik had painted her face to resemble a zombie, but both seemed content to hang back and let their music speak for itself. I’ll admit that was refreshing even if their music wasn’t.
The keyboard played so loudly I couldn’t even pick out the guitar, which made me wonder what the point was to having a guitarist out there at all. Not that I liked the keyboard better. The same, generic techno beat hammered on in every song. And, no, sound effects do not make a concert better. Just fucking sing and play dammit!
All their songs sounded the same and overly long like they thought they’d sell out their artistic genius by cutting off that extra two and a half minutes. In fact, I wondered if it wasn’t just all one really, really long song with breaks in-between.
During one, toward the end of this excruciatingly painful, acid reflux-inducing performance, Rogue addressed the audience in a subdued, clear voice barely resembling his wailing, whining singing one. He apologized for the band showing up late due their tour bus losing a tire.
Also, he mentioned how they’d experienced similar problems touring through Europe, getting lost at sea, trapped on top of a mountain, and how they’d somehow been booked to headline a heavy metal show in Budapest. Laughing, he said he got why the fans there didn’t like their act much.
I assumed that he’d broken character and that this was Virgil speaking instead of Rogue. For a few brief minutes, he showed a calm, self-depreciating wit and I actually started liking him, but then he and the band launched back into their evil eurotrash act.
Obviously, I related far more to the human being Virgil than the goth god he was playing up on stage. The flickering lights, smoke, dancing girls, and bad sound effects ripped off from Run, Lola, Run. I’m supposed to take all this seriously? The Cruxshadows certainly did. None of them even cracked a smile once while playing.
I couldn’t help but laugh at them. They reminded me too much of depressed art school students dancing to techno and never growing up. I felt like I was listening to the modern art equivalent of rock. You know like when someone glues Christmas tree ornaments to a rock, paints a green stripe down the side, and then proclaims it his masterpiece?
Yet, to my shock, when Rogue stepped down off the stage and wandered through the crowd while singing, nobody mobbed and tore him limb from bloody limb. In fact, most people there just danced to the music.
I even noticed that many fans dressed and styled their hair a lot like the Cruxshadows. I suppose I come from a different crowd. Someone else would have written a much more positive review of the “high musical art” of the Cruxshadows.
To each their own, I suppose, but that means I’m free to hate the Cruxshadows as well.
At least their music is alot more openminded than you seem to be when reviewing a show. Would you rather their stage show was the same thing you see at 90 percent of other shows? Even if you don’t like it you have to see that at least they try something different. You mock the violinists skirt but don’t even mention that even though you might not like the solo’s they are well played and the crowds adore them. Your review is more of a rant and whiny bitch fest more then you actually discussing what happened at the show. Did the fans like it? Ask anyone else at the show what they thought? Hell I’d like to see you get up on stage and manage to get 1/10th of the fans that the Cruxshadows have. I don’t even particularly like their music but at least they work hard at it and try and do something you can’t walk into pretty much any other club anywhere and see.
Wow…. I have never heard a more retarded review…. You should join Slant Magazine.
The Cruxshadows are the most influential band ever. They have inspired thousands. I discovered this band a couple years ago and already I have met all the members many times and can say I know them very well. They are dedicated and loyal. Michael McNichols, You need to get your facts straight. As a matter of fact. You need to piss off you liberal wanker. If you dont like the music then piss off. Bet you never expected anyone to actually read your narrow minded views. Well, I did and frankly I am heavily offended. I wont be back to this site to read your pointless response so dont waste your time.
…that’s Pathetic!
after how you talk, i can’t believe what you were doing there!
there are thousands who accually like their music, and about what you say about them “not smiling”, have you ever even touched an instrument? it’s accually hard to play correct, AND smile the whole goddamn time!
didn’t you even see the other who were there? they probably loved the music, and here you come and act like a whiny b*tch!
i think everyone would be happier if you would shut your mouth about what you didn’t like, and opened it on what you DID like.
Suzy~
Hmmm… I am a fan of the cruxshadows. I adore thier music. However, I completely respect your opinion, I actually thought your presentation of it is amusing. A link to this article has been posted on a Cruxshadows fan-forum. I’ll warn you, the fans take this band a little too seriously(which is why I don’t participate in their online fan community), you’re in for a lot of stupid comments as narrow and uneducated as they will claim your opinion to be. Say it anyway, because censorship is bullshit.
Who are you to make judgments?! Who died and ordained you the “god” of knowledge?! Keep those horrid way wrong, just because you aren’t living as grand a life as CXS, thoughts to yourself. Whoever you are, you sound like a sad jealous drama starter. And with that out look on life you will never find happiness.
Live, Love, Be, Believe
~Hannah
Every time I read something written by a teenager it makes me really, really sad. Do they put meth in your school lunches? Oh, right, they don’t actually teach anyone how to read, right and wage an intelligent argument anymore. Clearly though, that class on ‘Affected Commenter Naming’ was well taught.
Why did you go to a Cruxshadows show in the first place? It is quite obvious their music and the goth scene is not your cup of tea. I find their music inspiring. Rogue is very sweet and down to earth with his fans. Perhaps thats why we don’t see the need to rip him to shreds, He always takes the tme to share at least a hug with his fans. As for the violin solo, Rachel is a very good violinist, she deserves to be in the spotlight.
I believe you went to just poke fun at the goths. This is precisely the reason that most mundanes should be banned from Goth events. They are just there to give goths a hard time
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and if you did not enjoy the show you are more then welcome to post your views in public forums.
However your “review” crossed the line into disrespectful. Those people (whose music I happen to love and find inspiring, and I am by no means an angst ridden teenager listening to it in a darkened room!) are doing something that most people can’t….they successfully captivate audience and build dedicated followings wherever they play. I assume, since you feel so free to criticize their “apparent” lack of talent, that you were only there on a much needed break from your own tour?
What was your point in mentioning Rogues’s name? Do you think anyone ever thought Rogue was his given name? What he chooses to be known as is up to him, that is the persona he chooses to be on stage, and really, what right do you have to even comment on it?
And finally, I hate to be the one to tell you but, while you criticize his “whining” on stage, consider how this post makes you sound….
No one is forcing you to listen to music you don’t like, so just grow up and let other people listen to what makes them happy
your ignorance, conceit, and close mindedness worry me. Unfortunately, it’s people like you- biased, unruly, and judgmental assholes, who compose a lot of the American population (not to slander the US in any way shape or form).
I wish you knowledge
dreadfully yours,
Jess
dude you’re just a moron who doesn’t know good music when you hear it. if you didn’t like it to begin with, why did you fragging stay though the whole thing? you’re critical thinking skills obviously need to be returned to the third frigging grade. when I read what kids write, it makes me want to smack them, when I hear this band, it makes me feel better about life and the world. this band has inspired and helped so many people with their songs! including me.
First of all, the quote that you mentioned and the “kabuki mask” you referance is referring to the song “Wake The White Queen” which was wrote for a Neil Gaiman tribute album. The song referances the movie Mirrormask. And if you’ve seen the movie, you’d understand the reasoning for the comment and the mask.
I’d like to propose a task. Find me another internationally known band that is hailed as the forerunners of their genre that is as humble and attentive to their fans. Before I knew who they were, I was a 16 year old girl curious about their music at a sci-fi convention in Atlanta, GA. And Rogue sat down and talked to me for near an hour. Name one band that popular who’s lead singer would take time out of his own day to spend an hour talking about his music to a young girl curious about it.
I accept the fact that not everyone is going to like their music, they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. But I agree with the poster that commented that your review was over the line of being just flat out disrespectful.
Feel free to insult the music all you want. Sure, a lot of the songs sound the same, when you’re only listening to a small portion of it. And I’m sure songs referancing Greek, Roman, Christian, Egyptian, and several other sets of mythologies could bore some people. But when you step over the bounds of reviewing the music and start insulting the people creating the music, it is no longer a review.
dude, this is one of the greatest bands of all time. Maybe if you opened your eyes and your ears you might one day give a band the respect they deserve
I usually don’t interject in threads on my own site, but I figured I would make some sense of the situation.
This review is not written by one of my regular writers, nor is the music reflective of what we cover here on Life In A Bungalo. I was contacted a little over a year ago by the writer who was interested in contributing to the site with music reviews from the Chicago scene.
I told him that was fine, but that we really only cover garage rock, punk, and psychobilly. We went back and forth on a few bands and I allowed the Cruxshadows review because they kinda have that dark goth style that some of the bands we cover share.
He went to the show, panned it, and mocked the band. The review is slanted, but he does a good job describing the situation and the show. Is he taking some creative license with the review? More than likely. Normally, I would pull it down, but after hearing what they sound like on iTunes I can’t argue that the band does not rock. At least not in the way we feel bands should rock.
I’m going to stand by the review and leave it up. But I do want to thank you guys for singlehandedly spiking my visit rate and boosting advertiser and non Cruxshadow reader interest.
I hope you take the time and peruse the rest of the site and leave feedback elsewhere.
For the record, this writer no longer writes for Life In A Bungalo.
Take care
-g-
You are entitled to your own opinion, but so am i. I LOVE the CRUXSHADOWS. their music is spiritually moving, even if it is techno. If you are wondering yes, i do have a life. I am graduating from HS in a few weeks and am going on to college to be a marine biologist. I am a very happy person indeed. Sometimes i do get depressed but it is part of life and i move on. Dwelling on things is not good.
The point i am trying to prove is that i am not some school girl goth who is not going to grow up and neither are they. They are very good musicians but you just have to have the right kind of mind set. For instance i HATE hip hop and rap and pop music, but that does not mean they are bad musicians just that it is not my type of music. I do not hate the people who sing the music, i hate them for how rude they are to people like me before they even get to know us. They know nothing about us yet they assume they know it all just as you have done. I admit that i do not know a damn thing about you so i can not call you a jerk or say that you have a bad taste of music. All i can ask is that you ease up a bit on the Cruxshadows and try to know them and why they play the music they do.
Thank you very much and have a fantastic day!
“Normally, I would pull it down, but after hearing what they sound like on iTunes I can’t argue that the band does not rock. At least not in the way we feel bands should rock.”
You are entitled to your own opinions… if a Goth is entitled so is a mundane norm. And CXS may not “rock” but that might also be because they are not a rock band. I remember when I first heard them so long ago, I didn’t know what to make of the electronic sounds and “odd” voice of the lead singer. Seriously, try listening to them again, and this time open your ears and hear the message behind the not rock music. The Cruxshadows ARE different. Instead of singing about killing each other and hate for man kind and how sexy they are and how they want to jizz off on their girls, the Cruxshadows carry life, meaning, promise, and hope. If everyone was meant to sound or dress the same, don’t you think this would be a very sad boring world? If that’s how “WE” think then I want nothing of it. If Di Vinci was told to only paint, we might not have airplanes today. What if normal people hadn’t liked Nirvana? And this was written about them. Put yourself in our place and think about how disrespectful and demeaning this sounds, not only to the hard working talented band members, but also to the dedicated fans.
i couldnt agree with u more on the crutch fu–s as i refere to them i can not belive how many claim they are a great band i djed at a gothick night with virgil years back and as dark and depressed as he was he didnt know anything about the scene the music he knew the cure sisters of mercy and his hero peter murphy but had no knowledge of the indie greats i played every nightys i love gothic music that is real but the theatrics and lack of instrumentation in the songs he writes what a joke i must give credit where credit is due he made it and there are people who love his music but thats true of many trendy pop bands and thats all he is is a trendy get the kids in black together pop band a bad one at that
Wow. I have never heard a more Biased, Slanderous, Foolish, and Horrible Lie in my life.. You Say they’re Eurotrash, Showing you have no clue about who the bad Members really are.
There’s no Excuse for the Lies you Wrote in that Review. Live. Love. Be. Believe.
“Normally, I would pull it down, but after hearing what they sound like on iTunes I can’t argue that the band does not rock. At least not in the way we feel bands should rock.”
Then you are just as bad as the reviewer. As has been said many times before this isn’t a review so much as a set of insults, and you deem this music not very good, and so keep this here to show how everyone out there should dislike the band because it does not conform to your likes of music.
The Crüxshadows, like a lot of bands, are a matter of taste and nothing more, and I enjoy reading views from both sides of an argument, there is not one thing out there that everyone enjoys and likes, and this is nothing different.
I don’t find this a review in any way, shape or form though, the music is not reviewed, the act barely reviewed, its all aimed to be insulting and demeaning to the band and “goths” in general. The image built up to me by the “reviewers” comments was that he is a poser wannabe goth, who listens to metal an expects all gothic music to be dark, depressing emoish metal with screaming. How long will it take people to understand gothic music is not about being depressed, not about how heavy music can get or how much screaming you can do without becoming sore, its about dark, deep and meaningful music.
Personally I believe this enter page should be removed from the site, if nothing else but to show respect, while I’m all for a good review which shows both sides of the argument, I am certainly not for a one sided, biased insulting rally against anyone.
Finally, “christ 777″ I doubt you know anything about goth music, as you said yourself you play indie, and you think his music is a joke.
Anyway, at the end of the day, its all down to opinions, but only in so much that those opinions do not become slanderous insults.
Live. Love. Be. Believe.
I simply don’t understand why anyone would focus so much time and energy and a band they didn’t like. Go post something about how awesome your favorite group is.
For what it’s worth… I am a fan.
Perhaps the lyrics seem esoteric if you don’t know history and religion well enough to discern the references. That’s one of the things I like best about their material, actually… It’s like an inside joke for the educated.
And anyone who finds fault with the dancers or can’t appreciate Rachel’s musical ability because she’s an attractive female… well, maybe you’re just so used to internet porn and video game characters that you’re overwhelmed by human girls. I promise it will get better after you lose your virginity.
Live, Love, Be, Believe
Staci
Heh….
I just find it ironic that one of the first complaints was about the bands lyrics being whiney.
I stopped listening to much of the so-called goth, punk, industrial, etc. because I was sick and tired of the nihilistic, post-modern downers that many of the songs (and frankly, the bands themselves) were.
A friend got me to listen to Winterborn, and I was impressed. Sure, the situation in the song is nothing less than a desperate last stand, but the song, like many of theirs, actually values and praises the concepts of sacrifice, honor, and heroes. There is a streak of positive outlook in all of their songs.
Frankly, It’s hard for me to think of other bands in the genre that spend LESS time whining and complaining.
Well this is an old post, but as the discussion is still raging on.
About the review itself:
- if you thought you’d find a metal concert, you’ll need to learn to read the announcements more closely, apart from some mix-ups in Europe I have never heard or read of anyone announcing a Cruxshadows concert as metal or goth metal,
- are you reviewing the goth style or the music? if you want to diss the goth style find some board about styles and do that there – I didn’t find a lot of info about the music in this
And I just hope you are not trying to be professional about reviewing concerts, because this is the kind of trash that you cannot make money with.This is rude, ignorant(real journalists research), and on the level of 5th grade bullying.
To the answers, keeping it up because you don’t like their music either, is stupid. It was kind of inevitable that Cruxshadows music would not go down that well with someone who wants rock, or psychabilly or punk. It is still better to keep to the usual common courtsey rules of professional reviewing, if you want your review board to be liked and accepted. Slant won’t help you!
Yes the Cruxshadows are not for everyone – though we took non-fans with us to concerts before and they usually were at least impressed by the stage performance, the energy and the character of the band.
Show me other bands that invest that much into their fans. I am pretty shy, and even I have had two talks with Rogue about his music and what it means for him and about lyrics and stuff.
If you really listen to the songs you will see that it isn’t that cliched as the reviewer said.
And making fun of a line of a tribute song to a movie is oh so intelligent – as I said real reviewers with any interest in real journalism research.
Ironic error from this thread:
It’s from “Emily Dickinson”, the crazy woman insulting the writings of teenagers claiming the schools put meth in their lunches. Well, for someone insulting other’s writings and grammar, you’d at least think they themselves would know how to use words correctly. In referencing the word “write” you incorrectly, wrote it “right”. Ironic eh?
Oh, and by the way “christ 777″, just because you may have been in an indie band that never took off and ended in the gutter, doesn’t mean you should go around bashing bands who actually worked hard to get where they are today. But hey, gotta keep yourself busy SOMEHOW, since you really have nothing else to do…. right
ill keep it short and sweet
if you didnt like the show i suggest to get a one way ticket to germany to go to either the wave gothic treffen or mera luna so that 20,000 of your best friends can eat you alive but first to quote you my friend “mob and tear you limb from bloody limb” so you can have a good laugh when you die
I was honestly going to refrain from commenting on this ‘review’ of the Cruxshadows, simply because everyone IS entitled to their opinion. They’re even allowed to be disrespectful and insulting. I have no problem with the rudeness of the author of this piece. I have no problem with the moderator who said they would not remove the review.
The truth is, while I’m a fan of the Cruxshadows, I know that not everyone will like their music. Some may find it downright vile – it’s a matter of taste. They’re entitled, just as I’m entitled to dislike the genres of music I dislike.
It doesn’t even bother me that the ‘journalist’ made insulting comments on the makeup, clothing, masks, etc… of the members on the stage. Again – it’s a matter of taste, and what some find beautiful others may find horrific. It’s also typical of the genre of “goth” that the makeup, clothing, etc… is not normal, and is often considered to be not very beautiful.
What bothers me is that the author and (mostly) the owner of the site both use absolutes in their speech. More specifically, the phrase that the Cruxshadows “do not rock” stood out to me as incredibly condescending and a piss-poor use of an absolute.
They do not ‘rock’ in the terms of rockabilly, punk, etc. Admittedly, that is not their genre. But in terms of Goth-rock and dark-wave? They very obviously rock. Their multitudes of fans, their energy on stage, and their success all are evidence of them ‘rocking’. Perhaps not to your own tastes, and that’s fine with me. But to say they do not rock at all is a lie. This could have been handled much better with an admission that their music is not appealing to you, or those that tend to be interested in your chosen genre(s) of music.
I will not end this in the cliche manner of quoting the Cruxshadows – you don’t listen to the music, and therefore would have little to no appreciation of the reference. Instead, I wish all the best to you and yours, and hope that perhaps next time something similar to this comes up, you use the proper restraint and decorum, which would have been appreciated by both fan and non-fan of this band and likely this site (though I couldn’t tell, as I haven’t had the time yet to look at other reviews and articles on this site). May you have a joyous New Year.
Thank you very much for the kind words and I wish you all a happy New Years as well. In terms of Goth-Rock, stay tuned. We’ll have a new review of a record by the greatest goth-rock band ever – The Damned. I can assure you, it definitely rocks.
The Damned is not even goth rock. It’s punk rock with some horror flourishes. This goes to show your ignorance of the genre.
The Cure, CXS, Clan of Xymox, Bauhaus, Christian Death (well, arguably anyway), Faith and the Muse etc. are goth rock/darkwave. The sad thing is that even by listening to Lacuna Coil’s earlier work you’d have a better understanding of what goth rock is and why it’s GOOD music than you already do.
You know what? your jus an arrogent ass whole who only judges other people cuz that makes you feel good about yourself. you should study more abpout ythem in order to judge them. and you said rogue sounded like he was whining…. well look at wat you would sound like to someone who loves the cruxshadows like i do. u have no idea wat u are talking about when u say that they have crappy lyrics and that they are “nsulting you”with their “shhitty lyrics” they are making songs that mean something to them… u dont like their music then dont listen to it. and yeah u have the right to your opinian but this crossed the line. i am a gothic teenage girl and yeah these words do come out of my mouth but it also comes out of rogues mouth and a lot of bands have words like his so deal with it. 2 words for u GROW UP!!!!!
Okay so you guys are seriously posers if you hate this band so much why did you waste so much time writing this? Honestly you spend your time obcessing over hating them than an every-day fan, so in reality you cause them more publicity. And you know what? You’re just being judgemental because i bet you listen to music i dont agree with like friggen taylor swift or some shit like that so just leave people alone, your opinion isn’t the only correct one in the world so stop wasting your time your just making people mad and making your self look like a total douche in the process. one of the whole points of the cruxshadows music is for people to stop judging others so use that as an example if you even knew what they were about.
Although this review was excessively derrogatory, he did have some good points. Judging from their videos they have terrible stage theatrics, and the techno really takes away from the songs. And when he mentioned them not smiling, he meant they did not see themselves as funny. He was right that the violin solo does not “rock”, but I personally think that it fits (at least from what I’ve heard).
You know what Michael, I’m going to take the bands attitude about your little rant/hatefest, that being that it doesn’t matter. What you say doesn’t change the fact that their past four consecutive singles have debuted high on the Billboard Charts, and whether you love them or hate them, that is something you can not ignore. I fully expect their next single to chart high as well. They aren’t “eurotrash”, nor do they want you to think they are. The Cruxshadows are The Cruxshadows. They don’t fit your narrow-minded, conformist labels. They are something better than you will ever be with your attitude, and I pity you for your attitude. If I was in practice on either the Guitar or Violin (both of which I have played), I would have tried out for the band back when they were looking.
And really, given the sites motto, I’m glad you don’t like them, because they are pissing off Rock scenesters like you.
As for George, no, they aren’t Rock, they’ve never claimed to be. But when you look at their hellish tour schedules which include not only the US, but Europe as well, and they’ve played in China’s Midi Festival, the first “goth” band to EVER do so, they rock far, far harder than any other band or musician out there.
I’m going to have to say that this particular reviewer is a fucking idiot.
I must say this was pretty entertaining to read. I couldn’t help but to laugh while reading your review. I love the crüxshadows and Rachel is wonderful. They inspire me soooo ******** much. lots a’ love / Ophelia
What you think you see is but an illusion. The depths of music that the cruxshadows convey is soo deep that mere reporters feign at most. If you cannot feel forever then you might already be dead. But don’t worry, there is hope. There is a hero arising above the silence, reminding who you of you are. There is a constitution in your soul, which will not die. The voices sounding deep inside call you to a deeper understanding, which just become a shallow echoing of lost memories.
The dynamite you have touched should have sparked at least a whisper of a flame, though all you see is nothing. The methane, propane, oil, coal, and other is but a shadow of the power that is yet untapped. Do your eyes play ticks with the shadows?
Have you come to a mountain that cannot be touched?
I’m a fan of this genre, but this band comes across as somewhat homosexual… and I don’t like homosexualism in ma fooking music librarry ya fooking dogs ya hear!?