Mac Sabbath
w/American Party Machine
Live at the Social
Wednesday, March 9, Orlando FL
There’s two different types of tribute bands. The true to form, go to the extreme to get every last detail right, like the incredible ZOSO, and then there’s the skewed, indirect, approach, like say, Dread Zeppelin, The Misfats, or St. 
Petersburg’s all female, punk appreciation of Hall and Oates, ManEater.
Mac Sabbath falls into the latter category.
Self proclaimed originators of “drive-thru rock,” Mac Sabbath delivered a blinding set before a capacity crowd at the Social. “Is this a Wednesday? You all came out on a Wednesday?” exclaimed Ronald Osborne. Osbourne was quick to point out how there were other bands late to the genre, who couldn’t hold a candle to the originals. “We were here first. Not Burger King Diamond, Great White Castle, or Dairy Queensryche and especially not Cinnabon-Jovi.”
What could have easily been one joke, was worked for all it was worth. There were sight gags, prop comedy and just the right amount of stand-up in between numbers. The rest of the band was duly introduced, Slayer McCheese on guitar, Peter Kriss Kut Fries on Drums, and the surly purple I Can’t Believe it’s not Butler, Working his Bass overtime.
The music was really solid readings of Sabbath songs. And when are you ever going to get to hear or see an evening of Black Sabbath from 10 feet away?
There’s an inclination to want to sing along with theses great songs, but most of the audience didn’t have a complete grasp of the new lyrics to “Cherries are Fruits” (Fairies Wear Boots), or “Sweet Beef” (Sweet Leaf).
The show opened with a tough reading of “More Ribs” (War Pigs), and closed with a solid, punkishly agitated reading of “Pair a Buns” (Paranoid), complete with Osbourne crowd surfing. All in all, a solid set of music and entertainment for anyone who appreciates their art twisted from start to finish.
Orlando’s own American Party Machine opened the show. Their live set tightened up in the year in between having last seen them. Decked out in red, white and blue, they looked like Evel Kneivel’s support crew. Theirs is a celebration of all things big, thick headed and truly American. Without the space to really have the back up singers perform their WWE inspired moves, they relied on the music, and it was enough. American Party Machine are coming into their own, and should not be missed.
