Sevendust/Wicked Wisdom Preview
Sevendust, Wicked Wisdom
Friday, February 10, 2006
Pearl Room, Mokena
You have to give Jada Pinkett Smith points for bravery.
The actress and wife of Will Smith has dove headfirst into this heavy metal thing with her band Wicked Wisdom. First, in a shameless marketing ploy by Sharon Osbourne, WW was chosen to play the second stage of last summer’s Ozzfest. And now, the group is on the verge of releasing its self-titled debut (February 21st) through Suburban Noize Records, home to Kottonmouth Kings and (hed) p.e., which should set warning sirens off in your brain if they weren’t already.
Pinkett Smith isn’t a strong vocalist, which can easily be forgiven in metal if interesting lyrics are offered. But this subject matter is about as appealing as watching Woo three times in a row. “Set Me Free,” where the pint-sized singer rails against domestic violence and young male’s rap video attitudes of women, is a noble stance but hard to take seriously as she tries to finesse her way through the “They don’t love them hoes” bridge. “Yesterday Don’t Mean” has been done by 1,000 other bands with nothing else to say, and the use of “mothersucker” on “Don’t Hate Me” is boggling, especially because the alternative is used less than 30 seconds later. Guitarists Pocket Honore and Cameron Graves, bassist Rio, and drummer #Phillip Fisher# (ex-Fishbone) are solid, but bogged down in incredibly unimaginative material; the one finger, downtuned, muddled riffs are a dime a dozen on any Korn record. Six years ago, when nu metal was the shit, this record still would have been weak.
You can’t say she isn’t persistent, though. Despite, uh, less-than-warm Ozzfest reactions (we witnessed repeated “Fuck You!” shouts and concert patrons who simply stood motionless with a middle finger held in the air during WW’s set) and cynical-as-fuck critics like us, Big Willy’s wife refuses to quit. It would be easy to for her to give up this gig and dismiss it as, you know, as a silly hobby — laugh and put it all behind her. But for better or worse, she isn’t giving up, and while there’s little positive to say about the record, we’ll applaud the tenacity.
Show headliners Sevendust know a thing or two about tenacious. They lost key member Clint Lowery (guitar) last year but managed to keep on keepin’ on and released Next in late 2005. Sonny Mayo (ex-Snot) replaced Lowery.
Nonpoint, Socialburn, and One are also on the bill.
— Trevor Fisher
Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly
I beg to differ. I think that Wicked Wisdom f**ing ROCK! Jada is doin her thing. I bought the album on a whim and ended up loving it.
Personally, you’re all wet. To get up and do something so different from what you have always done shows true charge of yourself, and having witnessed this group perform live on Mar 25th, I can tell you that not only was I previously unaware of who fronted this band, the crowd was happy and seemingly impressed. While Jada does best on the songs she sings on rather than raps, it is quite obvious to me that they are growing into their sound, and have improved consisantly. I’m sure they will continue to improve and shut even your mouth.
As for the Sevendust comment – MANAGED to keep on? Not only are you a fool for making such a comment, you obviously lack a musical ear for one of the best Metal acts that continued from the late 90’s into this decade. Perhaps you shouldn’t review things you seem to know little about!
dood i’m definately gonna go and agree with the guys above! despite your crappy ass review i believe this band has a shot, potential, and could possibly make it. and i’m not to sure what ozzfest show you caught, maybe just all the fucking people are idiots or something where your currently living but the show i caught, jada was being praised man. and btw dont diss sevendust either.