You know how you see something cool, and you just have to share it with your friends? Well, when Mac Sabbath joined us on the Monsters of Rock Cruise for the first time, I can tell you that my friends were calling my cabin laughing hysterically and telling me that I just had to come see this band… So, when I heard that Mac Sabbath was hitting the road with The Cybertronic Spree and Playboy Manbaby, I knew that I had to catch then when they drove thru our little burg(er).
First on the bill were Playboy Manbaby, a six piece punk band from Phoenix, AZ with Robbie Pfeffer (vocals), Chris Hudson (bass), TJ Friga (guitar), David Cosme (trumpet), Chad Dennis (drums), and Austin Rickert (sax).
They brought a unique energy and sense of humor to the stage while bringing the funk out with the brass and involving the audience in the strangest game of ‘rock, paper, scissors’ that I’ve ever seen. It was a short set, but definitely worth giving them a listen if you are able to get in early for the show to catch the band known for making goofy videos during lockdown.
The Cybertronic Spree took the stage with a surge of energy dressed Transformers. Hotrod and Arcee could be found fronting the band and trading off the lead center stage. Hot Rod delivered lead vocals while performing on a warlock bass guitar in full costume and the lovely Arcee played keyboards in addition to offering up her skills as a high-kicking lead vocalist. The duo was joined by Unicron and a Quintesson on guitar and Shockwave could be found in the shadows behind the drum kit.
These transformers perform classic cartoon, videogame, and anime theme songs at full volume. And it was definitely a sight to be seen. Highlights from the show included the Transformers movie theme song and a cover of the Stan Buch song “The Touch.” Brought together by the power of rock ‘n roll and reminding us of safety first, this band promises to have the power to light your darkest hour.
They appear to be an eight-piece ensemble in all with credits to the band’s new album Ravage including Hot Rod: lead vocals, backing vocals, bass; Unicron: lead guitars, rhythm guitars; Arcee: lead vocals, backing vocals, synthesizers; Quintesson: rhythm guitars, backing vocals, synthesizers; Rumble: drums and concussion; Shockwave: drums and percussion; and Soundwave, Bumblebee: synthesizers, hype. Check out their VIDEOS and, listen to their MUSIC if we’ve got you curious.
MAC SABBATH’s appropriately titled ‘More Than Meats The Eye’ tour is a testament that this is more than a rock band, they are a in fact a supersized theatrical stage show with humor and evangelistic messages, delivering some of your favorite riffs from bands like Black Sabbath, KISS, and AC/DC.
Loyal disciples packed into Jergels to rock their buns off as MAC SABBATH delivered on a fast food bashing ensemble of metal parody. Ronald Osborne and his band of Monsanto mutants: Slayer MacCheeze (guitar), Grimalice (bass) and the Cat Burglar (drums).
Highlights included a mouthwatering rendition of Black Sabbath’s “Sweet Leaf” that would have you asking ‘Where’s the Beef?’ and for those who didn’t get enough with Cat Burglar Peter’s “Bread,” the KISS parody continued with a little ditty renamed “Love Buns.”
Speaking of watering, we’d caution fans to look out for those ketchup and mustard bottles if you are worried about getting a bit wet, because this show definitely took crowd surfing to a new level from water battles to beach ball burger fun and the real showstopper that required crowd participation as this horrifying clown of a frontman floated across the packed floor in an inflatable burger-themed donut!
As you take in the the wisdom of these pranksters, you’ve gotta wonder what Robert Downy Jr. thinks of the bat eating Ronald’s “Frying Pan” theatrics…by the looks of video we’ve seen online, it would appear that Ozzy approves. And, ‘horns up’, so do we. Check these guys out on the drive-thru lined highway to hell… upcoming tour dates include:
NOV 5, 2023 – Asylum Room @ TempleLive – Cleveland, OH
NOV 7, 2023 – Exit/In – Nashville, TN
NOV 9, 2023 – Zony Mash – New Orleans, LA
NOV 11, 2023 – Come & Take It – Austin, TX
NOV 12, 2023 – Paper Tiger – San Antonio
NOV 14, 2023 – Granada Theatre – Dallas, TX
NOV 16, 2023 – The Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ
NOV 17, 2023 – Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
NOV 19, 2023 – The Vermont Hollywood – LA
Learn more at www.officialmacsabbath.com.
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Live Photos by Editor and founder Kara Marie Uhrlen for The Pure Rock Shop. Posted on 11/5/2023.
