Powerman 5000 rockets into Harpo's with 'Robots' tour

By David Reamer

Daily Arts Writer

If you're into science-fiction metal, industrial disco or, well, Dope, the powers that be have put together the tour for you: Powerman 5000, Static-X and Dope all under one roof. The three bands, who have all made names for themselves through extensive touring, combine to form a lineup of impressive young musicians who are sure to be around well into the 21st Century.

Touring is nothing new to Powerman 5000, whose current Rockets & Robots Tour showcases music from its platinum-selling sophomore release "Tonight the Stars Revolt!". Over the last decade, the band, fronted by Rob Zombie's younger brother Spider One, has done practically nothing but tour, stopping only to record new material for their two major label releases.

PM5K has also contributed tracks to two recent soundtracks, "End of Days" and "Scream 3," both of which have been highly publicized.

PM5K's live show, like the new album, features a science-fiction theme. Cheesy movie samples, apocalyptic commentary and deep-space lyrics dominate the band's sound, and are sure to be incorporated into the live set in a multimedia display. The songs themselves range from rock anthems like "Get On, Get Off" to the dance metal of the album's first single "When Worlds Collide."

Spider One's howling vocal narration ties the various components of PM5K's music together, and creates a continuous story in lyrical form. Put all of these elements together, and you've got a group with both range and showmanship, two qualities essential to a good touring band.

Static-X, the tour's other headlining band, has been on the road for nearly a year supporting "Wisconsin Death Trip," a collection of heavy\metal disco tracks guaranteed to set your head spinning. Incorporating dance beats with heavy guitars, vocal samples and demonic lyrics, Static-X have a sound all their own that perfectly fits the futuristic atmosphere of the Rockets & Robots Tour. Also present will be Dope, a rap-metal band that has won crowds over with its harsh lyrics and simple riffs.

Featuring three of heavy metal's premiere young acts, the Rockets & Robots Tour is a herald of the popular genre's changing of the guard. As the eerie introduction to "Tonight the Stars Revolt!" proclaims: "The future has arrived ... Are you ready to go?"

Courtesy of Dreamworks Records

Metal rockers Powerman 5000 will thrash through Detroit on Friday night.