Michael F. Vinning
While local rock fans are just sobering up from a less-than-week-old performance from Candlebox and Jazz Fest’s first weekend, The City Club in downtown Houma isn’t stopping with its deluge of live shows.
Multi-platinum recording artist, Richard Patrick, and his band, Filter, is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. May 3 at The City Club in downtown Houma.
“We can’t wait to rock Houma,” John Spiker, Filter’s bassist, said to Big Fun on the Bayou. “We absolutely love the South!”
The band is touring off its fourth CD, 2008’s “Anthems for the Damned” — its first in five years since “The Amalgamut.”
“Anthems for the Damned” features collaborations from some of rocks most-famous musicians, including guitarist John 5 from Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie, guitarist Wes Borland from Limp Bizkit, and drummer Josh Freese from A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails, Guns N Roses and the Vandals.
“It’s about the embarrassment of being a human in the face of the awesome power of nature,” Patrick said in a news release. “To see what we’re doing to the planet and each other — I’m ashamed about the shape of the world we’re leaving to our children. And I’m not excusing myself either. I’m just asking, ‘Why can’t we get it right?’ ”
The band is excited to bring the new messages to its fans.
“Anthems is a return to Filter’s roots, and we’re all excited about that fact,” Spiker said from Germany, where the band is wrapping up its European tour.
And if you think the band is bummed about playing smaller venues, that’s something band members don’t concern themselves with.
“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Spiker said. “This way you feel as if you’re actually connecting with members of the audience.”
Filter and Patrick received mainstream attention in the mid- and late-’90s with hits like “Hey Man, Nice Shot” from its 1995 debut, “Short Bus” and “Take a Picture” from 1999’s “Title of Record.”
“While the tour may be to support the new record, our song line-up reads more like the greatest-hits album Filter just released,” said Spiker, who was formerly with Tenacious D, actor Jack Black’s side project. “We’re going to open the show in Houma with ‘Welcome to the Fold’ and then roll through all the classics from ‘Short Bus’ and ‘Title of Record’.”
But, don’t expect a salute to the older material, Spiker said the alternative group plans on letting the Houma crowd sample some of its newest material.
“There may have been rumors that this was Richard’s last album with Filter, but it’s just not true,” Spiker said. “We plan to be back in the studio in Los Angeles early next year to lay down the new tracks we’re currently working on.”
After working as a vocalist for Army of Anyone, Patrick decided to resurrect Filter after five years in the dark.
“I’ve always loved collaborating with other people, but the stuff I do on my own is the most fulfilling,” said Patrick about his work with Army of Anyone, which included Dean and Robert DeLeo from Stone Temple Pilots and drummer Ray Luzier. “It was an amazing experience to be in a group with such talents as Robert Dean and Ray, but I felt I had some unfinished business with Filter; and I think they understood that. Filter will always be my legacy.”
Filter’s band lineup has changed over the years. Patrick, a former member of Nine Inch Nails, has taken to a similar philosophy as Nine Inch Nails’ founder Trent Reznor. Patrick writes, arranges and plays most of the instruments while recording Filter albums. When tour time rolls around, he simply hires a group of musicians to learn the songs and tour with him under the band name.
The band’s current lineup features Patrick, vocals and guitar; Spiker, bass; Mitchell Marlow, guitar; and Mika Fineo, drums and percussion.
“Like many other national acts have recently, this will be the first time Filter will be performing in Houma,” City Club owner Mike Fesi said. “We (The City Club) are being respected and are now being included on national tour routes. We can only continue this quality entertainment with the continued support of Terrebonne Parish and the surrounding areas.”
He said he is honored to bring entertainment to Houma.
“We want to make downtown Houma great!” Fesi said.
Filter is the latest in a string of rock concerts Fesi has brought to the night club, 7861 Main St. So far this year, Fesi has staged concerts for Saliva, Hoobastank, Framing Hanley and Candlebox.
The show is scheduled for 8 p.m. featuring Pandemic, Aura and Filter. Doors open at 7 p.m. General-admission tickets cost $20 and VIP tickets cost $30. Tickets can be purchased at www.cityclubofhouma.com or from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. at Good Times Tavern on Main Street. Tickets also can be purchased at The Rock 106.3 on Prevost Drive in Houma.
Future shows at The City Club include blues musician Amos Lee with Robin Kinchen on May 17; Red on May 18; and 12 Stones on May 22.
