The Hell on Heels Tour with Semi Precious Weapons and Von Iva, and guests Killola stormed the main stage at The Knitting Factory on March 11, 2009, leaving memorable marks on the Hollywood hotspot.
Brooklyn’s Semi Precious Weapons, who have been touring fiercely since January, show no signs of slowing down, and reaffirm that practice makes perfect. (High)-kicking off their consistently rowdy set with “Semi Precious Weapons,” the band’s narcissistic-like (to the point of humorous) antics and Justin Tranter’s intimacy with front-row fans created wild audience participation that ignited with “Her Hair is On Fire.” On a gleaming new tune, “Put a Diamond in It and Bite Down,” Cole Whittle’s bass lines and Stevy Pyne’s guitar bends pounded through the speakers as Tranter chanted, “Who!? Who!? Who wants my baby?!” During “That’s K***!” Justin demanded a shout-along and repetition of his favorite four-letter profanity, which produced mixed reactions: recognizable fans yelled with might, “THAT’S K***!” while newbies looked to each other in semi-horror. Another new gem “You Could Still Be Mine” showcased SPW’s bold attitude and outrageous energy, while revealing the fervor for SPW's upcoming releases. The Knitting Factory’s black-slatted floor rumbled with waves of synchronized stomping to “Magnetic Baby” which has gained enormous popularity since the band’s music video premiere on MTV. Their finale, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Never Looked So Beautiful,” a composition on the brink of glam rock opera seria, closed SPW’s set in chaos: Tranter rolled through full splits, kicked into handstands, and wrapped his legs around the neck of bassist Cole Whittle who dragged Tranter across the stage. Stevy Pyne twirled around the stage, and rubbed the frets of his guitar across Tranter’s gyrating behind (one of his most notable assets) while Dan Crean put the finishing crashes on his cymbals and flung empty water bottles into the hordes. Rock ‘n’ roll never looked or sounded so entertaining.
Semi Precious Weapons’ set was framed by Killola and Von Iva who proved that men and women alike, whether wearing stilettos, boots, or platforms, can create and “pump up” a fiery rock spirit. Please visit these lady-led rockers on www.myspace.com/killola and www.myspace.com/voniva whose records are downloadable on iTunes.
Semi Precious Weapons will continue the Hell on Heels Tour through May, astounding audiences at Austin's SXSW before heading back East to their home territory. Kick it up with the band at www.myspace.com/semipreciousweapons, track them on Twitter at twitter.com/preciousweapons, and grab a copy of We Love You, in stores or on iTunes, a must-have album for any well-heeled rock buff.
