Garbage

                                   Adoring Garbage at the Rivera. 
         Studio Cats, Security Rats & Sonic Defiance of Gothic Punk.





The Stratospheric rise to the top has been a long journey through the dark alleys of pain and hopelessness for Trip Hop Alternative Rock group, Garbage. What began as joke, soon would become reality at Smart Studios as music producer, Bryan David Vig (a.k.a.Butch Vig) had laid-down some experimental music tracks that lacked potential. With that in mind, Vig and his colleagues decided to name their group, Garbage. Before all that, Vig performed with Fire Town and later produced some tracks for Kill Dozer and TAD that lead to a passageway into the incinerator of fame. Heavy Metal had made a strong comeback, with bands such as Skid Row and Korn and Vig's musical career was looking grim. The world of Doc Martens and the flannel-clad of 90's Grunge music was about to become the Genesis of a new era. A 23-year old song writer, Kurt Cobain came knocking on the Smart Studio Doors in 1990 to produce an album that would single-handedly  launch the Grunge movement.

Shirley Manson

In the meantime, Shirley Manson had a brief love affair with  her boyfriend's band Good Bye Mr. McKenzie. and later joined a part time spotlight with Angelfish. Butch Vig was already known as "The Godfather of Grunge"  producing for heavy hitters such as Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and U2.  The time was now right to form Garbage with two other studio cats named Duke Erikson and Steve Marker. Exhausted from the Grunge monster they helped to create and watching MTV at a time when music videos were actually played on television. Lead guitarist, Steve Marker made a triumphant discovery, and knew that Shirley Manson would be hotter than a pistol for their new group, Garbage.
Making some calls, and flying Manson to the Midwest from her hometown Edinburgh, Scotland, Angelfish was cutted, gutted and fed to the rats, only to be consumed by this musical vortex.

In 1995, Garbage released their self titled debut that featured "Only Happy When It Rains" an obscure melody  that welcomes pain and misery. In an interview with Addicted to Noise, Marker stated, "It's really just us poking fun of ourselves. We're poking fun at the alteratroc angst, wearing your heart on your sleeve thing and at ourselves for writing such dark songs," he adds.  Other essential songs from Garbage include, Stupid Girl, Push It and I Think I'm Paranoid offer a range of Sci-Fi Pop due to the technical aspect of these musical productions. Gamers can enjoy  "Not Your Kind Of People" as players suit up for battle in Metal Gear Solid 5.   Fueling a wrath of dominance, Garbage recorded the theme song for the 1999 James Bond Movie "The World Is Not Enough" and has now sold over 17 millions copies worldwide during their career.

Armed with an arsenal of flashy dance beats, slick and polished guitar riffs and that bubblegum sound that fans adore, Garbage has returned to Chicago for their 20 Years Queer Tour. Members include: Shirley Manson (Lead Vocals) Steve Marker (Guitars) Duke Erikson (Guitars/Keyboards) and Butch Vig (Drums). Unlike these studio cats who have made a substantial impact on a sub-culture, one must be vaguely careful when discussing the nature of  business about the security rats that littered the Rivera. Most fans do not like being treated like small children and reprimanded  where to stand in this packed sold out venue. No sir, they are all adults that paid good money to see their super heroes at work and no Garbage fan should be bullied by the hired help! The lack of respect and Gestapo tactics will be addressed at another time in another publication. But never mind that. Let's get back on track to the tenacious sounds of Garbage. 

Duke Erikson

A white stage curtain flashed images during the shows introduction as spectators eagerly awaited more. Opening up their set with "Subhuman" this space age sound is accompanied with zany keyboards and heavy bottom bass grooves. Still unable to see Garbage behind what looks like a white bed sheet, a silhouette of performers and cheap strobe light effects to create more intensity. Finally, the shroud of illusion is revealed and the powerful stage lights draw you into a dynamic sense of feeling behind every note. "Girl Don't Come" is another song with that dirty grungy upbeat tempo we all know and love. This hard driven song had their fans hungry for more sonic assault as Manson sang the lyrics giving no sympathy to the foolish heart. During the middle of Garbage's set, Manson reached out to her fans and said, "Music comes in, fills you up and you fall in love."  The scarlet lights glow on stage and more fist-pumping tunes such as "You'll Never Get To Heaven"  played throughout the night at the Rivera.

Garbage 

Under those  circumstances, Garbage performed well that night,using a phenomenal light show and drop dead collaboration of music, power and raw emotions. Despite the venue's lack of planning and making the necessary provision for a sold out crowd, this was a concert worth attending. Again, Garbage fans do not need to be corralled like cattle, and placing  safety barriers throughout the venue would have been a better choice for club owner, Jerry Mickelson.  It's hard to have a good time when some rent-a-cop is demanding that you move, and there is no place to stand. Comparatively, most theaters in Chicago are familiar dealing with crowd control, allowing folks to enjoy a show with safety and comfort. However, the Rivera lacks a better understanding of maintaining a secure area without the hassle. With that said, more audiences can enjoy their concert experience and not worry about being tossed out into the street like Garbage for not obeying the rules. That is not cool by any standards and this type of abuse needs to end. A rat will do anything to survive and can suck the fun right out of your soul. Do not allow this to happen. Remember, the night belongs to you and not the Third Reich of justice. Until then, have fun and be safe!