Review - Revolting Cocks, Front Line Assembly & Cubanate @ the Mezzanine (11/12/17)

The Revolting Cocks - Paul Barker, Chris Connelly, Richard 23 (L-R) (Photo: Kevin Keating)

The Revolting Cocks, a side project originally formed by Richard 23 of Front 242 and Luc Van Acker, celebrated the 30th anniversary of their debut album last night at the Mezzanine in San Francisco. The Cocks have frequently been referred to as an Industrial 'supergroup' and have featured no less than 23 artists across its 30 year history. The core (and current) line-up includes Richard 23, Chris Connelly, and Paul Barker of Ministry/Lead Into Gold, along with touring members Jason Novak and Dan Brill. I'd be remiss not to mention Ministry's Al Jourgensen who's also been an integral part of the Cocks over the years but isn't involved in the current incarnation of the band, and Luc Van Acker (who joined on the 2016 Cocks EU tour, but not the recent US tour.) Opening for the Cocks on their 8-city US tour this year has been another Industrial stalwart, Front Line Assembly, along with Cubanate.

Paul Barker and Richard 23 of the Revolting Cocks (Photo: Kevin Keating)

Cubanate kicked off the night with an impressive 40 minute set to warm-up the crowd. And by far, these guys were the surprise hit of the night with the raw energy they brought to the Mezzanine. Surprisingly, Bill Leeb's Front Line Assembly fell relatively flat compared to the three-piece that proceeded them, and were given a 50-minute slot before the main attraction of the evening hit the stage shortly after 11pm. That's when Dan Brill (drums), Jason Novak (keyboards/guitar), Paul Barker (bass) and Richard 23 (vocals) hit the stage with the opening track off Big Sexy Land, "38".

Paul Barker of the Revolting Cocks (Photo: Kevin Keating)

Richard 23 was at the helm for roughly the first half of their set while the band worked their way through the Big Sexy Land album. Then Chris Connelly took over for the remainder of the set until Richard 23 rejoined the group for their closing encore. But Chris shined while he took care of the Cock's more popular dance hits including "Let's Get Physical", "Stainless Steel Providers", and their most popular track, "Beers, Steers, and Queers".

Paul Barker & Chris Connelly of the Revolting Cocks (Photo: Kevin Keating)

It was clear throughout the set that these guys were having a blast working through their classic songs. The band members were joking and smiling with each other and the crowd appreciated every moment. The night was capped off when, as I mentioned earlier, Richard 23 rejoined the group, and alongside Chris Connelly, belted out the dancy "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" as their closing number.

Paul Barker, Chris Connelly & Jason Novak of the Revolting Cocks (Photo: Kevin Keating)

It's unclear if we'll see any new Cocks material in the near-term, but each of the collective members seem to be keeping busy with projects of their own. For example, Paul Barker has recently teased new music from Lead Into Gold. And Jason Novak has been busy with his annual Cold Waves Industrial music benefit. With only a couple of dates left on the RevCo tour, you'd be insane to miss their Chicago or NYC dates this weekend! Maybe we'll even see a Wax Trax! Records tour sometime over the next year in support of the eventual release of Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records.