Revolting Cocks at the Gramercy Theatre

Richard 23 (left) and Chris Connelly (right)

Richard 23 of Front 242, Luc Van Acker, and Al Jourgensen of Ministry formed Revolting Cocks as an electro-industrial side-project in 1985. 23 left a year later, numerous musicians came and went, Van Acker left in 1991, and finally the group ended in 1993 after three albums. In 2004, Jourgensen revived the group, released one song, and assembled a live band called RevCo for a 2006 tour opening for his band Ministry; Revco ultimately disintegrated in 2010. Several brief reunions ensued in 2011 and 2013. In 2016, 23 and Van Acker formed a touring band called the Cocks, but returned as the Revolting Cocks in 2017. The Revolting Cocks' sixth and most recent studio album is 2010's ¿Got Cock?

The Revolting Cocks' 2017 tour, which stopped at the Gramercy Theatre tonight,  celebrates the 30th anniversary of the band's debut album, Big Sexy Land, which actually was released in 1986. The first part of the set featured original vocalist 23 singing the album in its entirety; the second part of the performance featured his successor, Chris Connelly, singing songs from later albums. Backed by three musicians and programmed tracks, both 23 and Connelly fronted their songs well, dancing energetically and injecting their fun-loving personalities into the EBM catalogues. The electronically-driven songs pulsed relentlessly behind them, saturating the venue with hard and dark dance beats. The evening ended as light-heartedly as it began, this time climaxing with 23 and Connelly sharing vocals on the encore cover of Rod Stewart's "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?"

Setlist:

Big Sexy Land with Richard 23 on vocals

1. Big Sexy Land
2. 38
3. We Shall Cleanse the World
4. Attack Ships on Fire
5. Union Carbide
6. T.V. Mind
7. No Devotion
8. You Often Forget

Chris Connelly on vocals

1. Cattle Grind
2. Physical (Olivia Newton‐John cover)
3. Stainless Steel Providers
4. Crackin' Up
5. Something Wonderful
6. Beers, Steers & Queers

Encore:

1. Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? (Rod Stewart cover)