Shirley Manson and Garbage perform in Oakland

By Daniel Gluskoter
Special to the Martinez Tribune

Shirley Manson and Garbage appeared at the Fox Theater October 7, marking the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. The alternative rock band, featuring drummer Butch Vig, also the producer of Nirvana’s seminal grunge classic “Nevermind” along with guitarists Duke Erikson and Steve Marker were on just the second night of a 27 date tour that takes them across North America during October before wrapping up with two weeks of shows in Europe next month.

Titled the ’20 Year Queer Tour’ to commemorate their first release that included such worldwide hits as ‘Queer’, ‘Only Happens When It Rains’ and ‘Stupid Girl’, the Scottish lead singer and her American band mates are performing the record in it’s entirety for the first time along with a handful of other assorted cuts. The sold out crowd in Oakland was treated to a nearly two hour
set that while often dark maintained a high energy level throughout and had many of their rabid
fans singing along to every word.

Their generous five song encore featuring Vic Chestnut’s ‘Kick My Ass’ along with “Push It’
and ‘Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!) was a nice touch to end the evening, and for those longing to hear more of Garbage’s greatest hits even better news came when the band announced that they’re close to completing a new album that should have them back in the Bay Area again
in the not too distant future.