A Perfect Circle @ The Pearl

An extremely rare appearance by A Perfect Circle - their first shows in Vegas 6 years - which I saw at the Joint. Thanks to Erik not wanting to go to a party, we managed to pick up 2 tickets through Stub Hub, as both tonight's and the next sold out in no time.

This was the first show at the Pearl where I had sat in the upper tier and while seats at a rock show aren't usually my thing, tonight it came in handy. After foolishly paying $34 for 4 beers (Pearl: please note I will not be drinking at your venue EVER again unless for some unbelievable reason you make your drinks prices more reasonable) we got to our seats as A Perfect Circle started (right at 8.30pm). Tonight's show was them playing their first album - Mer de Noms - from start to finish. Naturally I was on my feet from the start as I was just waiting to hear one song - Judith - and I was not let down. This definitely an all time favorite. However the rest of the set was not fantastic and this is where the seats came in handy.

After they finished the album, they finished with 2 great covers - David Bowie's Ashes to Ashes (another fave of mine) and John Lennon's Imagine (a dark and disturbing version).

The other disappointment / surprise was that it was all over by 9.45pm. What happened to rock? Not that I ought to complain too much - I did have to be up early for work the following morning.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 308th concert.

This is my 9th concert at The Pearl.

This is my 102nd concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 102nd concert in Nevada.

This is my 114th concert in the USA.

This is my 2nd A Perfect Circle concert.
A Perfect Circle are the 200th time I've seen a band in the USA.

Wait! Wait!...Dont Tell Me @ Paris Hotel

Going to a theater......to watch a radio show being taped.

A Saturday favorite, when I can hear it, NPR's Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me, normally recorded in Chicago, is in Vegas for 1 night only, so even though A flies back from Phoenix from a work trip, we have tickets ready to go.

This is only the 2nd time I've been in this theater, but even from the 2nd last row, seats are not bad. The only disappointment is the place is not even 2/3 full. Oh well, Las Vegas' loss.

WWDTM is a current affairs / comedy program where the host, Peter Sagal, asks questions of a panel of 3 (usually comedians, journalists or political pundits), who are judged by the iconic, Karl Kasell. Listeners phone in and participate and, if successful, get Kasell's voice on their home answering machine. Tonight's show also included an opening performance by Harrah's Mac King, as well as an on-stage interview with Wayne Newton.

As with Jon Stewart earlier in the year, it is hard to describe a comedy show....unless you were there. Needless to say, there were 2.5 hours of laughs and in the end a little insight into the production of the show, as lines we re-read to "tidy up" the sound and the cast took audiences' questions.

I tried to get tickets to this last time we were in Chicago, but they were sold out. I'm so glad they came to Vegas and we got the opportunity to go.

The Hold Steady @ House Of Blues

I love The Hold Steady! And cannot understand why the rest of the whole world is not on board. We enter the House of Blues tonight to an only half full room. Which is good for me and A, because we are on the floor close to the band, and not packed in sardines.

The size of the crowd does not deter Craig Finn from putting on his usual energetic show. He seems to genuinely enjoy what he does and, at times, looks like he is ready to explode with enthusiasm. A lot of bands could learn a lot from seeing The Hold Steady.

Even with an album recently released, THS played a range of songs from their whole repertoire. Highlights for me were, Sequestered In Memphis, Barfruit Blues and Southtown Girls.

I really hope The Hold Steady become a huge success. They play great rock music, which backs some great story telling, told by an excellent frontman. I hope that one day, for their sake, they come to Vegas and play a stadium. But not right away, as their intimate shows (like last April's at the Beauty Bar) are a fantastic rock experience.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 305th concert.

This is my 35th concert at House Of Blues.

This is my 101st concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 101st concert in Nevada.

This is my 113th concert in the USA.

This is my 3rd Hold Steady concert.

Tshirt Retirement

There comes a time when you just have to let go. I have amassed a pretty good tshirt collection over the years, but I have decided to do a clean out and get rid of some of the shirts - some that no longer fit - some that I just don't ear anymore. I hope that someone else will get some enjoyment.

South Park shirt. I was always told that as a youngster I told that I used to mumble when I spoke. Making this shirt from a favorite show highly appropriate.

I got this shirt in 2008 on a trip back home. Since leaving Oz 10 years ago, I have a a heightened sense of patriotism. It took pride of place on Australia Day, but quickly shrunk and disfigured. Now it will be good for someone smaller.

Classic Cons tshirt. Unfortunately this cheap tshirt disintegrated quickly.

One of my slightly offensive shirts. But you gotta admit - pretty funny. Given to me by Reggae, at a time we were a bit larger and having fun with it.

Loved my Homer shirt. Wore my role model proudly for well over 10 years, while trying to live up to the Woo Hoo! feeling.