Walking out of the DTE Music Theater, the sudden realization that I had witnessed one of my boyhood bands Black Sabbath for the very last time, led to a slight state of depression. A lifelong love of Ozzy and the gang was quickly coming to a close.
With some late-night munchie cravings kicking in, I headed out of the parking lot & downtown to the corner of Woodward and Willis in search of some relief. Standing there, trying to decide between Hopcat, Coneys or Pizzapopalis, I gave my head a shake as the distinct sound of Ozzy’s voice and some familiar Sabbath licks filled my ears. My senses lead me upstairs into the Magic Stick, where I was confronted with Mac Sabbath: a Black Sabbath parody band dressed as McDonald’s characters.
Opening this night of demented clowns was Clownvis Presley (aka Mike Leahy of 7 Shot Screamers), a hardcore vaudeville-style Elvis impersonator. Fans of America’s Got Talent would remember him from the Season 5 auditions, where Sharon Osborne told him to “f$@K off” on national TV after he disrespected Ozzy. First looks were deceiving, but his act kinda worked with my gut at times aching from laughter, but overall, his act needed lots of improvement. He brought his own set of lyrical interpretations such as “Barack O’s Tacos” and “Fresh Prince in the Ghetto”, which were complimented with side jokes and even a good-natured rant at the sound engineer.
It was then time for Mac Sabbath. Lead singer Ronald Osborne, dressed in full Ronald McDonald attire, was belting out the tunes with true Ozzy flair. Complementing Osborne was guitarist Mayor McCheese with a set of Motorhead tusks a woolly mammoth would be proudof, Grimace on bass, and the Hamburglar/Peter Criss on the skins.
The stage was a paradise of McD’s paraphernalia: the mic stand was a soft drink, evil Ronnie heads spewed smoke and beamed lasers, and creepy skulls embedded into inflatable versions of Ronald flanked the drum kit.
Although the licks were the same, the lyrics of such Sabbath classics “Iron Man” and “War Pigs” had been altered into “Frying Pan” and “More Ribs” to fit the food-based theme. Complementing the tunes was a full set of shenanigans, including an on-stage BBQ grill, the world’s longest straw turned beer bong, and even the occasional ketchup & mustard squirt bottle used to wet the audience down. The band’s lyrics covered everything from obesity to GMO’s to anything and everything else that makes McDonald’s on of the worst restaurants on the planet. This band was fantastic, their energy was amazing, and it turned my depression of leaving the real thing into excitement to see these guys again.
