You could argue that catching CAKE live has been the most overdue live show of my life. Ever since a friend bought me ‘Fashion Nugget’ for my birthday many many years ago I have followed the Sacramento band’s every move and enjoyed their musical endeavours.
Somehow events have conspired against me so that I have always missed out when the band were touring near me. I thought this would surely change given my recent re-location to Los Angeles but with no dates in my vicinity this could well have been the review that never was. Instead, I spotted a scheduled date in Las Vegas and made sure nothing in the world would stop me from being there.
For those who don’t know the Cosmopolitan Hotel is situated in the middle of the Vegas Strip and boasts a glamorous pool that overlooks several of the key sites, the gambling Mecca has on offer. Not knowing what to expect I was relieved to see a sizeable crowd lining up at the entrance; despite the 15-dollar beer and overpriced hotdog/burger combo, this was starting to look like a real rock n roll show.
To see CAKE in such extravagant surroundings has got to be one of the most surreal musical experiences you can imagine. Here is a band that has made its name as the sarcastic outsider to the traditional music business trappings performing within sight of a replica Eiffel Tower. Indeed, the irony is not missed by singer John McCrea who, before the band has even played a single note, warms up dishing out a trademark jab at the luxurious surroundings and the distance the stage is from the VIP section.
The band kick off proceedings with their cover of Willie Nelson‘s ‘Sad Songs And Waltzes‘ before shifting up a gear with ‘Opera Singer‘, ‘Wheels‘ and a glorious rendition of ‘Rock N Roll Lifestyle‘, which McCrea delivers with added venom. It is also around this time that he begins what is an ongoing, and largely amusing, tirade about the barbecue smoke being purposefully situated to blow towards the stage to specifically make him hungry.
Next up is ‘Sheep Go To Heaven‘ which somehow sounds even catchier than it does on record. What is most impressive about this initial salvo is how tight the band sound live. What follows is a pick and mix of old and new favourites blended with the audience greeting each trumpet/guitar solo with enthusiastic cheer and shouting back every memorable lyric. In particular, the classic tracks ‘Mexico‘ and ‘Sick Of You‘, from their latest album, seem to blow the metaphorical roof off of the pool.
After over 20 years in existence, these guys (perhaps unsurprisingly) all prove extremely skilled at their craft. The rhythm section consisting of Gabe Nelson and Paulo Baldi is ridiculously talented whilst Vince DiFiore provides some flair with his trumpet, one of the unique aspects that differentiates CAKE from other bands. Whilst the focus may often fall on frontman McCrae guitarist Xan McCurdy gives him a run for his money delivering impressive licks and posing like a rock god.
After a slightly over-extended tree giveaway which sees the band hand out a tree to one fan who then promises to plant it and take care of it (incidentally, CAKE have said they will not be returning to London until the winner of the tree there sends proof that it is fine) the band launch into their first encore. I would be hard-pressed to name a track in the band’s repertoire as demonstrated by this encore with ‘Satan Is My Motor‘ and ‘Never There‘, plus the new song ‘Federal Funding‘ played as good, if not better than, on record.
Whilst their cover of ‘I Will Survive‘ is left out the band seem to cover all their bases with this excellent setlist pretty much hitting all the right spots. However, no CAKE show would be complete without arguably their biggest two tracks and the band are savvy enough to leave these to last. After yet another tirade about the, now admittingly irritating, barbeque smoke the 5 piece show how it’s done with ‘Short Skirt/Long Jacket‘ before upping the stakes with a wicked rendition of ‘The Distance‘.
Longtime and new fans would have been delighted with the as CAKE dropped more memorable hooks and lines than old ladies dropping quarters at the slot machines. As for me, I will hopefully catch the band again in a “normal” venue but as a first-time experience, I couldn’t have asked for much more.
