On Flame with Tech Issues (And Rock and Roll)

Concert Review: Blue Oyster Cult

10.23.2021

A quiet section of the town became slightly louder last week as a bunch of seventy-year-olds descended upon the venue at which another group of seventy-year-olds were playing rock and roll. At their age, Blue Oyster Cult didn’t bring down the house, but let’s blame that on the tech issues they faced during the first quarter of their show.

The first thirty minutes of the show were stop and go. Techs ran on again, off again trying to kill the buzz from Buck Dharma’s guitar (killing the buzz from the crowd in the process). The band was gracious and entertained the crowd as best as they could. Eric Bloom told the (allegedly) true story of the source of their song title “Before the Kiss, a Redcap.” It’s about drugs. Of course it is.

Rather than wait in awkward silence for another ten minutes, Ritchie Castellano took lead on one of three reasons some of the crowd was there: “Burnin’ for You.” Castellano had to win over a crowd of fans older than he was who would much rather hear the original guitarist play lead on the smash single. He filled in admirably.

“That Was Me” (a makeover of “Career of Evil”) came next, as the first song they played from their successful return to the recording studio, last year’s album “The Symbol Remains.” Other songs they played off that album were “Box in My Head,” and, during the encore, “Tainted Blood.” Ritchie nailed lead vocals and shredded like the best guitar gods. Eric Bloom found a couple of extra drumsticks and whacked away at the hi-hat while Jules Radino laughed.

There's a lull in the atmosphere; Eric Bloom takes advantage of it. “Do you hear it? That sound?” A boom offstage. “Those giant footsteps?” Boom. “Something heavy is coming up the Potomac!” Boom. “What is it?” The crowd roared back: “Godzilla!” The band launched into their smash hit. I admit I missed the absurd pitch-shifted vocals during the bridge, but the song was exactly what they needed to bring the energy back the tech issues stole.

Naturally, “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” was another crowd favorite, and the final song in the trio of surefires they’d play. Most disappointing to me was the lack of a dedicated cowbell player (cowbellist? cowbeller? cowballer? just kidding, cowbell isn’t that cool). Will Ferrell’s rate must have been too high.

The final song before the encore, “E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence),” got a shout of joy from the crowd. After the lights came up, the applause was strong, but a number of audience members left. Five minutes later, after three waves of encouragement, Blue Oyster Cult came back for a lengthy encore.

After Tainted Blood, to my surprise and delight, they played two of my favorites. First, “Joan Crawford,” complete with the piano opening played perfectly by Ritchie Castellano, the assorted background sounds of chaos, and the terrifying whispers of “Christina!” “Christina! Mother’s home!” during the bridge. Immediately following came my other favorite BOC track: “Harvester of Eyes” and its simple but driving riff from Buck Dharma.

Wrapping up the long and storied night came their first single: Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll. Audience participation peaked; the crowd yelled back the chorus to Eric Bloom. Eric Bloom, Buck Dharma, Ritchie Castellano, and Danny Miranda played their hearts out during their final jam of the night. Castellano and Dharma dueled: Castellano shredded once again and garnered applause and shouts from the crowd for his flashy metal-style solo; Dharma showed him the old-school solo: starting slow and atmospheric and speeding up to a speedy and melodic climax. Shredding perfectly in time, they brought the song and the concert to a close with a flourish.