Jersey Beat Music Fanzine
 

HIM Live at Irving Plaza 3/14/14


Review by Deborah J. Draisin
Photos by Deborah J. Draisin and Justine Perez

It’s been a hot minute since H.I.M. (the acronym for the band’s former identity, His Infernal Majesty) played New York City, or anyplace in America really. Plagued by illnesses, injuries and other manifestations of crappy luck, the band finally got the opportunity to showcase last year’s release, “Tears On Tape” in a live setting here in the States, and it was well worth the wait.

Playing a tight 90-minute set jam-packed with both cool, newer cuts like “Into The Night” as well as crowd favorites, such as “Your Sweet 666,” “Wings Of A Butterfly” “Join Me In Death” and their cover of Chris Isaak’s iconic “Wicked Game” while cracking jokes at one another’s expense (vocalist Ville Valo was momentarily rendered unable to sing as he both chuckled at and sympathized with bassist Mikko Paananen’s slip onto his butt due to spilled beer onstage, which a tech rushed to wipe up after the fact.)

The crowd was awesome: responsive, loving, and screaming back every word. The band looked positively jubilant (even tough manager Janne Tamminen was beaming at the prospect of a second show in town as his girlfriend joked about shopping for two days straight on Madison Avenue.)

It was a triumphant return for a band who has more than braved their share of trials and tribulations while, amazingly, remaining intact (this lineup contains all of the founding members, although drummers and keyboardists have come and go here and there – a rare sight for bands of any era.) Their appreciation for one another is clearly apparent to spectators, and their respect for their fans (much eye contact was made, many thanks were given and many drumsticks and picks were distributed) a tangible thing.

Here’s hoping that they will be able to return sooner next time.

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JerseyBeat.com is an independently published music fanzine covering punk, alternative, ska, techno and garage music, focusing on New Jersey and the Tri-State area. For the past 25 years, the Jersey Beat music fanzine has been the authority on the latest upcoming bands and a resource for all those interested in rock and roll.


 
 
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