Puscifer @ Fox Theater 11/4/09

“What do we want? Vagina! When do we want it? Now!” For those of us who were at the Puscifer show at Oakland’s Fox Theater on Nov 4th, we aided this chant at the start of the show.

Puscifer is one of the musical projects of the alt rock deity “Maynard” James Kennan. We all know Maynard from such bands as Tool and A Perfect Circle, where he is the front man. Puscifer, however, is a band that is all of his own fruition, self described as where his “Id, Ego, and Anima all come together…”

While the musical deviation is something many Maynard’s fans are adjusting to, what attracts the core audience is his voice and his stage presence. His voice is emotional and confrontational while he himself is mysterious and reserved.

The show was an Avant-garde rock show. Throughout the concert, Maynard sung behind a 20-inch black and white television that projected his face, while the live band either played their instruments or sat center stage on couches and enjoyed wine and cheese (Who does that!?). And yes, this performance was still compelling and captivating.

The show worked because of its reluctant star, Maynard, who has mastered the art of hiding in plan site behind a wall of music (or television). He knows how to keep his fans intrigued as well as entertained.

Puscifer songs that stood out in during the performance are “Polar Bear,” “Indigo Children,” “The Undertaker,” and “The Humbling River.”

The New Puscifer EP ’C’ is for (Please Insert Sophomoric G*******a Reference Here) will be released Nov 10th.