September 2010, Center Stage, Atlanta, Ga.
The first time I came in contact with Public Enemy was 1988 in a house in College Park, Md. where my girlfriend at the time was living with five other women. A boyfriend of one of her roommates — his name was Mike — had more of an eclectic taste in music than any I ever met. He was in a band that made lots of noise and listened to bands I never heard of. I walked in one day and Mike is blasting “Miuzi Weighs a Ton”.
What is that I asked, immediately drawn to it. Public Enemy he said.
Mike’s full name is Mike Schulman, and he would go on to found and create slumberland Records, a legendary independent record label that boasts Velocity Girl, Black Tambourine, The Aislers Set and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart to its repertoire. Mike has always known good music, and I always remember him when I listen to Public Enemy.
Public Enemy’s show was two hours of rollicking goodness, as Chuck D and the boys roamed with wild abandon while showcasing songs from Fear of a Black Planet, the stunning 1990 album the band was celebrating in its 20th year in existence. Chuck, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff and the S1W’s were all in attendance, with only DJ Terminator X not on stage (but who was well-represented by DJ Lloyd).
As long as I’ve been a fan of PE, I’ve never had the chance to see them live. But while Chuck D turned 50 that year, there was nothing about his performance or gusto to suggest he lost a step. Along with several selections for Fear of a Black Planet — “Brothers Gonna Work It Out,” “Welcome to the Terrordome,” “Power to the People,” “Can’t Do Nuttin’ for Ya Man” — PE also cranked out excellent versions of “Don’t Believe the Hype,” “Bring the Noise,” “Public Enemy No. 1” and “Terminator X Speaks With His Hands” — which Chuck said the band hadn’t played in 23 years.
A good part of the show belonged to Flavor Flav. “I can’t believe the people at VH1 were surprised about how crazy Flavor is,” Chuck said. “The guy’s always been crazy.”
Flavor came on stage following the opening song, sans clock and crazy hat. But after thanking the fans and remarking how he’s the biggest TV star in VH1 history (“7.5 million views,” Flavor boasted “they’ll never see an audience like that again”), he pulled out the clock from under his shirt and cranked into “9-1-1 is a Joke” with the wonderful verve only Flavor has. “Cold Lampin” was added later in the set, much to the crowd’s delight, as Flavor danced on stage with his usual bravado.
The show ended with the band’s ultimate anthem “Fight The Power,” as the crowd stood in unison with fists proudly in the air.
What’s most impressive about PE is how the themes in its music stand the test of time, a best example seen from 1991’s “By the Time I Get to Arizona”. The song, about Arizona’s decision not to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, resonates today as Arizona implements tough anti-immigration laws. “Jan Brewer is fucking Hitler,” Chuck D said, leaving no question about his views of the law.
Suffice to say the show was everything I thought it would be — powerful, thought-provoking, humorous, historic. For a band that’s been around almost 30 years, it’s never been more vital.
Public Enemy No. 1, indeed. Thanks Mike.
