John 5 at Come and Take it Live
Photo Credit To © 2022 Michael Mullenix
John 5 at Come and Take it Live

John 5 at Come and Take it Live

Date:

Come and Take it Live, Austin, Texas
April 29, 2022

Photography by Michael Mullinex

Come And Take It Live hosted John 5 and the Creatures on Thursday Night (4/28) for an evening of horror-themed technical fretmanship. The house lights went down and the video monitors sparked to life as a John 5 Mascot ran onstage waving around a light gun, signaling his arrival. John took the stage dawning a skull mask and shredding up a storm to wild cheers from the crowd. These types of predominantly instrumental shows are fascinating, and it’s fascinating to see the cultish devotion from die-hard Audiophiles and guitar nerds. John 5’s set was a technical display of skill, ranging in style from Industrial tinged Metal to acidic Rockabilly. To distinguish the songs beyond the skillful flourishes, 5 leans into the theatrical side employing different costumes, video feeds, and even masks for each song. Something as simple as using a violin bow on a Lava Lamp Telecaster adds a memorable quality to the song “Six Hundred & Sixty-Six Pickers.” The night reached its apex as John 5 launched into a medley of different popular Metal songs from Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name to Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, before giving his fans one last reason to howl at the moon with his hit This Is My Rifle.

 

Michael Mullenix
Michael Mullenix
Growing up around the world, Michael developed a taste and appreciation for all styles of music. While studying film making at Boston University, he dove headfirst into a mosh-pit and never came out. It was in Boston that he combined his love of film and photography with his drive and passion for being a chronicler of the underground music scene. After graduation he headed to Los Angeles and for over a decade has worked with some of the top musicians and actors in the entertainment industry. Lured to Austin by the cultural explosion in the music and film scenes taking place there, he relocated two years ago and describes Austin as a cultural Shang Ri La!