At The Whisky March 11, 2015

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All Photos By "Gnarly" Charlie Steffens

MOTOR SISTER was born from a scheme Scott Ian had of putting a band together for the purpose of playing MOTHER SUPERIOR songs and having a good time. Days before his 50th birthday celebration, the ANTHRAX guitarist had asked a group of friends to indulge him in his wish to play a set of songs from the band. Ian’s friends agreed, one of whom was MOTHER SUPERIOR front man Jim Wilson.

The birthday gig went so well that the five friends—all accomplished musicians--recorded an album made up of select MOTHER SUPERIOR songs. The new record, aptly titled Ride, was released March 10, 2015 on Metal Blade Records.

Last week, the Whisky A Go Go had a real, honest to God, bare bones rock and roll show atop its storied stage with MOTOR SISTER headlining. Ian and Wilson, along with bassist Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT), singer Pearl Aday (PEARL) and drummer Johnny Tempesta (WHITE ZOMBIE) performed an amazing set that people will be talking about for years to come.

Cliché standing firm: this is a supergroup, and proved worthy of the title on this night in Hollywood. Wilson, a riveting guitar player and extraordinary singer, was flanked by one of the best rhythm guitarists in the game (Ian), and incredible vocalist Aday. Wilson and Aday’s jaw-dropping harmonies were most pronounced on “This Song Reminds Me of You” and “Fool Around”. Combining bluesy Southern flavor and guitar power with adrenalized balls-to-the-walls rhythms a la Vera and Tempesta, MOTOR SISTER showed off their range of influences in the short 13-song set.

Tempesta’s drumming was stupendous, and apparently inspired to greater heights by the audience’s enthusiastic reaction. A few times while he was wailing away behind the kit, the rest of the band looked at each other with bewildered “He didn’t do that at rehearsal!” expressions on their faces.

Raucous numbers like “Pretty In The Morning” and “Whore” did MOTHER SUPERIOR (a trio) proud, exhibiting what five incendiary musicians can do with an appreciative audience.

The cohesiveness among these fine players on the Whisky stage is characteristic of bands that have been together for many years. Ian expressed his gratitude to the crowd, emphasizing the fun, the party, and the spirit of real rock and roll.

SETLIST

• "A Hole"
• "Beg Borrow Steal"
• "Get That Girl"
• "This Song Reminds Me Of You"
• "Fool Around"
• "Head Hanging Low"
• "Fork In The Road"
• "Little Motor Sister"
• "Pretty In The Morning"
• "Doghouse"
• "Whore"
• "Devil Wind"
• "Rolling Boy Blues"