Meat Puppets, live at the Independent, SF, CA 6/17/11

Disaster Amnesiac and Scarp braved the parking nightmare that is the now-happenin' Western Addition of San Francisco to catch the re-animated Kirkwood brothers show at the Independent, and were both glad we did. The Meat Puppets played a tight, yet at the same time loose set, made up of tunes from as early as II right on up through their current album.
What's always been great about the Meat Puppets is their use of simple rhythms and drum kit patterns as launching pads for psychedelic guitar excursions.  Curt Kirkwood was in fine form-he definitely went off and out at the earliest chance he had. It's great to see Cris Kirkwood play, as his downward spiral is the stuff of legend. Cris's bass playing ranged from big driving low end chords to near silence. Shandon Sahm played said simple style excellently. His drumming provided a solid foundation for the two brothers up front.
Meat Puppets' wonderful mix of high-lonesome desert redneck Psych Rock has been inspiring Disaster Amnesiac since 1986 or so. I was so glad to be able to finally see the Kirkwood brothers live, loose, and loud as hell. Long may they ride!