Rock Concert Reviews

Submitted by baker on Mon, 07/25/2005 - 11:14
Tags: 
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Technorati

  • Mighty, Mighty Boss Tones w/ The Royal Crowns (1997?, UMASS, Dartmouth, MA) [***]

  • The Boss Tones were fun, but the really great part was hearing The Royal Crowns. A rockin' good time.

  • Tool w/ The Fantomas (22SEP2001, Civic Center, Hartford, CT) [*****]

  • By far the best concert I've ever been to. Tool really took their time getting their instruments set up. The sound quality was so perfect, I could hardly believe I was listening to a live performance. Maynard exudes a potent energy that simply explodes on his crescendo vocal moments. My friend and I, along with a couple big fans sitting next to us were going absolutely nuts during "Undertow" and we got a fist salute from the guitarist. The only bad part of the concert was the excruciatingly painful performance by the opening band, The Fantomas. Purely blender noise and screaming with no rhythm or melody to speak of. The crowd was disgusted, but the funny thing was when the band finished, the lead singer said, "Thanks for putting up with us!" That got him some laughs and applause.
  • Playlist:
  • "The Grudge"
  • "(-)ions"
  • "Stinkfist"
  • "Forty-Six & 2
  • "Undertow"
  • "Eulogy"
  • "Schism"
  • "Disposition"
  • "Reflection"
  • "Parabol"
  • "Parabola"
  • "Eon Blue Apocalypse"
  • "The Patient"
  • "Aenima"
  • "Lateralus"

  • Motley Crue (24SEP2005, World Arena, Colorado Springs, CO) [**]

  • Some fun 80s music nostalgia. "Girls, Girls, Girls" was definitely the high point of the concert. Some great pyrotechnics, light action, and pole dancers. Tommy Lee was awesome flying around on wires from platform to platform, tearing up the drum action. Also, at one point he pulled out a camcorder getting the chicks in the audience to flash everyone on the projector screen.

  • Dredg w/ Veda and The Life That Is (27SEP2005, Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO) [*****]

  • A small venue but a very cool informal closeness to the band. Dredg's performance was absolutely beautiful music, taking care to hit the tough notes and riffs. The lead singer's voice was tired so he couldn't hit the high notes, but he apologized and still did an awesome job. Plus, for purchasing their new album for $8 I got to meet the band and get their autographs. Very classy and humble guys. The nice surprise was how awesome the band Veda was. Definitely some quality music, but maybe not quite original/distinct enough.
  • Playlist:
  • "Ode to the Sun"
  • "Same 'ol Road"
  • "Sanzen"
  • "Lechium"
  • "Jamais Vu"
  • "It Only Took A Day"
  • "Movement II: Crosswind Minuet"
  • "Of the Room"
  • "Sang Real"
  • "Hungover On A Tuesday"
  • "Bug Eyes"
  • "Triangle"
  • "The Canyon Behind Her"
  • "Yatahaze"

  • Nine Inch Nails w/ Queens of the Stone Age and Autolux (05OCT2005, Pepsi Center, Denver, CO) [****]

  • Awesome concert. Trent Reznor really has a ton of energy on stage. The crowd was a little tame in the stands, but everybody was really jamming during "March of the Pigs" and "Terrible Lie." The lighting effects were great, but the real jewel of the concert was the evolution/predator/war themed montage set to the song "Eraser": a visual/auditory stimulus masterpiece.
  • Playlist:
  • "Pinion"
  • "Love Is Not Enough"
  • "You Know What You Are?"
  • "The Line Begins To Blur"
  • "March of the Pigs" / "All the Pigs, All Lined Up"
  • "Terrible Lie"
  • "The Wretched"
  • "Closer"
  • "Burn"
  • "Gave Up"
  • "Eraser"
  • "Right Where It Belongs"
  • "Beside You In Time"
  • "Wish"
  • "Sin"
  • "Only"
  • "Hurt"
  • "The Hand That Feeds"
  • "Starfuckers, Inc." - Trent stops in the middle of the song and says he originally thought it was a funny idea for a song but that it's really become a pain in the ass to perform. He then thanks the crowd for the positive thoughts for their drummer who had to leave the tour with a heart condition. Then he has the crowd give it up for their replacement drummer, and cuts to the last minute of the song.
  • "Head Like A Hole"
lbangs07/29/2005

Congrats on catching a concert you loved! I bet Tool does put on a good live show.

Shalom, y'all!

L. Bangs

baker07/29/2005

Oh, man, definitely. Tool was so incredible in concert. Plus, Tool fans are awesome. Everybody was so into it, yet not getting out of hand. Half the place would sing along to the lyrics. And their lead vocalist, Maynard, really motivated the crowd with his brief speeches in between songs. They're all about using the power of music to influence positive output/inspiration. I also had quite a thrill when one of the guitarists raised his fist in salute to the cheers of me and my friends to the right of the stage. Tool is coming out with a new album this year, so go to one of their concerts when they come by your area. Good times.