More than 30 years after the release of Rock Lobster the B52s are touring yet again, this time in support of their 2008 effort, Funplex.  Minus an apostrophe, and their lead guitarist Ricky Wilson the B52s rumbled through O-Town playing to a packed HOB of mostly boomers and gen-xers. 

What the band lacked in youthful exuberance, they certainly made up for in musicality.  The visibly mature trio of vocalists were audibly stronger than ever. Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson belted out every song as if the last 30 years were a flash of a strobe light.    Noticeably huskier and more resonant their signature ear-splitting sound ala Planet Clarie was in a lower octave, but effective just the same. Fred Schneider has maintained his vocal quality and his sprechgesang had the same quirky campiness as always. 

Thoroughly impressive! Keith Stickland’s move to guitars clearly had no effect on quality.  He rolled through each track as if he had been playing them forever. Supported by what appeared to be a session drummer, bassist and keyboardist, this touring team made for a stronger deeper talent than can be heard on the studio versions.

Playing all the old favorites as well as newer tracks from Funplex, the B52’s had the audience bouncing and dancing like it was 1980.  The mesmerizing Planet Claire and crowd pleaser Rock Lobster were saved, as Mark had predicted, for the encore.