Review: Alt-rockers Garbage grace McKees Rocks stage

MCKEES ROCKS − Shirley Manson voiced a political view Wednesday at the Roxian Theatre − get accustomed to that, summer concertgoers.

But a more pressing matter commanded Manson's attention first: Why weren't young kids in the audience wearing earplugs? Reminding parents they don't want their kids to be hard of hearing when they reach her age (55) Manson promptly made sure her crew and bandmates distributed earplugs to children ages 10 and 4, who were accompanying parents on opposite sides of the jam-packed floor.

Plugs weren't a bad idea for adults either; my ears were ringing when I got to my car after a 95-minute crowd-pleasing performance by Manson's famed alternative-rock band Garbage making a rare Pittsburgh area appearance.

Sonically, the mix was heavily dominated by Butch Vig's drumming. He was fun to hear and watch, for sure. As Dave Grohl says in his 2021 autobiography, "There is no easier hang than a Butch Vig hang ... the word 'chill' doesn't even begin to describe his Midwest Zen demeanor."

Vig cut his teeth producing albums like Smashing Pumpkins' "Gish" and Nirvana's esteemed "Nevermind" before his 1993 co-founding of Garbage, which still bears the all-original lineup of Scottish singer Manson; and Duke Erikson and Steve Marker each on guitar and keys − plus tour bassist Eric Avery (Jane's Addiction).

I'd have liked to hear more of the guitar and keys Wednesday in the somewhat muddy mix. While tough to prove, I'd guess the band used a few sequenced tracks. For instance, no one on stage seemed to be creating live that cool slide-and-sudden-stop guitar riff on "Stupid Girl," first of the Garbage radio hits to appear in the setlist three songs in; and a few songs later came a moment where we heard a thick bass sound that nobody appeared to be plucking or foot pedaling.

The quite-mixed-age audience loved what they heard, singing along loudly to "Special" and erupting in joy when Manson introduced 1995 hit "Queer" as the song that set the blueprint for Garbage's diversely influenced alternative sound.

Pandemonium broke out once fans realized Garbage had begun wrapping "Wicked Ways" verses nicely around a good portion of Depeche Mode's 1989 dance club banger "Personal Jesus."

Manson, sporting sunset-colored hair, commanded the stage, keeping a fierce countenance leveled with cheery banter of how great it felt to be back in front of an enthusiastic audience.

Though she said it would be uncharacteristic of her if she didn't address the "insanity" of recent events, calling for action to "abort the Supreme Court," a reference to last Friday's court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, removing federal protections for abortions.

Manson's remark drew a loud cheer from the McKees Rocks crowd, as the band then tore into "The Men Who Rule The World," a 2021 song with an opening line "The men who rule the world/Have made a (swear word) mess."

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Manson said "Bleed Like Me," would be a true test of the diehard fans. Slow and quiet with explosive interludes after the chorus, it went over well Wednesday. The slamming "I Think I'm Paranoid" got people dancing in the second level of the general admission area (the lower level was too jammed to move much, with security having to remind people they couldn't stand on the stairs to watch.) Ritualistic clapping to the beat and more dancing ensued, as Garbage charged through the industrial sounding "Push It."

Manson said she was touched to see the Roxian bar had crafted specialty drinks named after Garbage songs. A good one would have been the You Look So Fine for the pre-encore selection Mansion mixed with a bit of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams."

Manson's vocals sounded superb on second encore selection "Can't Cry These Tears," Garbage's spot-on homage to '60s female pop singers like Lesley Gore and Ronnie Spector. Manson prefaced it with a dig at Spector's former husband, famed producer Phil Spector who was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson and died in prison in 2021, five years after splitting with his third wife, Blackhawk High graduate Rachelle Short.

"Phil Spector is canceled," Manson said with satisfaction, quick to add she's no fan of cancel culture.

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Garbage finished with "I'm Only Happy When It Rains," the band's biggest hit, given a slower, sparser intro. Just when it reached full speed and fury, Manson abruptly ordered the band to stop as she spotted a female fan in physical distress near the front of the stage. Imploring the floor crowd to take a step back to give the woman space to breathe, Manson waited till the fan seemed OK.

"I feel like I'm the safety officer tonight," Manson quipped, adding, "I'd be a good one, just for the record."

With normalcy restored, the band re-started "I'm Only Happy When It Rains," again with its slowed and sparse beginning, growing into the fully fleshed "pour your misery down on me" part that delighted fans.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Review: Alt-rockers Garbage grace McKees Rocks stage