This Garbage Ain’t No Rubbish

Had the pleasure of seeing Garbage play a sold-out show at History last Wednesday. They’re as good, tight, and as commanding a force as ever.

Formed over three decades ago in Wisconsin, the band consists of the same talented members: Scotswoman/frontwoman Shirley Manson, guitarist/bassist/keyboardist Duke Erikson, drummer and percussionist Butch Vig, and guitarist/keyboardist Steve Marker. They were hot back then, with critically acclaimed [million-plus-selling] albums and hits like “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When it Rains”, and they still sizzle!

The band offered a good selection of tunes from various periods in their thirty-plus years, including some from “Let All that We Imagine be the Light”, the latest [eighth studio] album—with LGBTQ+ supporter Shirley sharing stories and thoughts, further engaging an active/animated audience.

And hats offf to the opening bandStarcrawler. did they rock! Hailing from L.A., this hard-edged [alternative/indie] band—singer Arrow de Wilde, guitarist Henri Cash, bassist Tim Franco, drummer Seth Carolina, and pedal steel/guitar player Bill Cash—were spellboundingly amazinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng.