Long-Awaited Living Colour Show Does Not Disappoint

Living Colour, the Birchmere, September 1

It’s been six years since Living Colour’s last tour. They are back with a new disc, The Chair in the Doorway, and opened the tour on September 1 at the Birchmere. The nearly two-hour set showcased the stellar musicianship of these four New York lads. Three of the four are original members while bassist Doug came on board back in ’94.

Drummer Will Calhoun* had told me, “Bring earplugs, girl. It’s gonna be loud.” And he was right. But it was good loud. Living Colour’s sound fuses hard rock and metal, with funk, punk, and a bit of hip hop, ably led by Cory Glover’s talented vocals.

When they first hit the music scene in 1983, there was nothing quite like it. They were the first African American hard rock band and inspired the sound of other similar bands to come. The quartet burst into the public eye in 1988 with their radio hit, “Cult of Personality.” And they’re still touring and making new music. Of the songs they played from their new release, which wasn’t out yet at the time of this show, they complement their earlier sound well, with hard-driving beats and insightful lyrics.

*ClubD wishes to thank drummer Will Calhoun for putting her & ClubDave on the list for this show. We met barely two weeks earlier when he arrived in Reston, VA as the drummer for the Stanley Jordan trio. Meeting him: with his down-to-earth, goodhearted nature and spectacular smile, has been nothing short of a joy.