Eric Bloom, lead singer and guitarist of Blue Oyster Cult, knows that his band is legendary.
Sure, there are some whose knowledge of Blue Oyster Cult (BOC to purists) is limited to mega-hits “(Don?t Fear) The Reaper” and “Godzilla,” but metal purists contend the band still holds the crown for best metal from this side of the pond. Just ask those who buzz on BOC Web sites about the band?s latest tour and reissued CDs, “Spectres” and “Some Enchanted Evening.” Both include bonus tracks.
“The reissues are the latest news, especially for our hard-core fans,” said Bloom. “We found some new stuff and had it digitized. I think it shows some of our [best work] from the era. Would it knock whoever is popular today off the charts? I doubt it.”
True BOC fans, of course, would beg to differ, which is why the tour and reissues have created such a stir.
“For all the storied history of the band, Blue Oyster Cult has proven their anything-but-an-oldies act coasting on past glories,” said fan and online music critic David Wilson. “In fact … [their latest work shows] that Blue Oyster Cult have many chapters left to write in their spell book.”
Bloom, who?s known for his “stun guitar” mastery and eclectic collection of guitars (many of which hang in Hard Rock Cafes throughout the world) changes the set list every night, sometimes in the middle of the show, to ensure that the energy pumps up the audience.
“I?ve seen many bands over the years and a lot of them do the same show night after night after night,” he said. “Unless it is The Who, I don?t want to see the same show by the same band.”
But, of course, there are a handful of songs BOC audiences want to hear: “The Reaper,” “Godzilla” and “E.T.I.” After 35 years in the biz and half a dozen gold and platinum albums, BOC knows how to please the loyalists, many of whom write to members analyzing songs.
“They bring up points that we had never really thought about,” said Bloom. “I?ll be honest. Sometimes they?ll mention a song, and I have to think a few seconds before I remember which album it was on.”
Blue Oyster Cult
When: Today at 6:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. (two shows)
Venue: Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis
Tickets: $42.50, www.ramsheadtavern.com; 410-268-4545
