Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals @ The Orange Peel

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 550th concert.
This is my 8th concert at the Orange Peel.
This is my 21st concert in Asheville.
This is my 169th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 350th concert in the USA.
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals are the 638th band I've seen.

Band of Horses & Dinosaur Jr @ Hellbender

A is out of town for work , so the boys and I head up to Asheville for the night.  And they want to come and see Dinosaur Jr (again).  So we're off to the very first show at the Orange Peel's new venue, Hellbender.

A few hours drive up to Asheville, including a Chick Fil-A drive thru and we are at the hotel mid-afternoon.  Before we head to the show we finally make it to Asheville Pinball Museum.  we'd tried a couple of times before, but never when it was open.  We blew through 2 hours before we knew it.  They weren't as impressed with 1942, Galaga, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders and Moon Patrol as I was, but they had a great time nonetheless.

We drove out to the venue a little early, as I wasn't quite sure where it was, or what we might be in for.  For starters, I'm glad I forked out for parking.  We weren't a quarter of a mile from the entrance.  And those that hadn't planned ahead looked like they were struggling.  A storm caused some chaos as it delayed the gates opening in this outdoor venue.   The line came all the way back to the parking lot, then curved back to the entrance.  It took about 40 minutes to get in, but when we reached the point we started, the line was longer still.

We missed the first 2 Dinosaur Jr songs (Goin' Home & I I Ain't Sating), as we were outside, but we could still here them pretty well.  We were in place for them to start their shortened Where You Been set.  After a great Out There and Start Choppin, there was a commotion down the front, which Lou Barlow called for medics.  There was a delay for a medical team to take care of someone.  I'm not sure what happened but it seemed like the patron was stretchered out.  Dinosaur Jr continued on, but didn't play 3 songs off the album, finishing with Get Me.  They finished with 4 songs from different eras, including their new single, Several Got Away.  But Just Like Heaven and Feel The Pain was the blistering finish to a shortened set.  Another great show from a favorite band.

Dinosaur Jr Setlist

The boys enjoyed it, and I'm glad to report they knew a few songs.  I must be doing something right.  We lined up for some pizza right after the set, and weren't served until after Band of Horses started.  Food was good, and by the 2nd song we were back into the show.  None of us know Band of Horses stuff, and they were playing their album Everything All The Time.  We stuck around until mid set and I went to the now not-song-long-lined merch tent to by Where You Been on vinyl.  Would have loved the shirt too, but that may have been overkill.  I met up with the boys and watched a couple more songs.  They hit a slower song, so we decided to call it a night.  On the way out we stopped side stage to watch one more song.  This was the best spot of the night, I wish I'd found it earlier.  The Band Of Horses fans were having a blast, but it wasn't for us, so we left and beat the crowds getting out.

Band of Horses Setlist

A couple of things about the new venue.  Firstly we did the right thing by paying for parking.  We paid a mid price $20, but it was real convenient.  After the show I read of long waits to get the shuttle back to the remote parking lot.  Next, there was a lot of lines.  To get in - though through no fault of the venue.  The weather was the problem here, but it was disappointing not to see the whole Dinosaur Jr set, as that was who we were there for, but what can you do?  The beer sales were in a spot that would've been a prime viewing for the bands, it needed to be way back.  The lines there were out of control, and it was funny listening to Asheville people complaining that there was only Charlotte beer available.  We waited a long time to get food as well.  There were 5 or 6 food trucks in the venue.  In future there may need to be more.  I hope these inconveniences can be worked out over a couple of shows, as this seems like a great outdoor venue.  I might see how things change for Acid Bath and Melvins in September.

We tried to get up and go for a hike in DuPont State Recreational Forest.  After 3 full parking lots, a storm put and end to our plans.  Instead we drove into Brevard, had a quick walk around and then a great lunch at the Square Root.  All this and we still made it back to Charlotte in time to catch the England v France 3rd place World Cup game.  

The Crap Facts
This is my 547th concert.
Hellbender is the 145th venue I've seen a concert in.
This is my 20th concert in Asheville.
This is my 167th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 347th concert in the USA.
This is my 12th Dinosaur Jr concert.

Dinosaur Jr are the 650th time I've seen an American band.

This is my 2nd Band of Horses concert.

Band of Horses is the 300th time I've seen a band in North Carolina.

Bush & James and The Cold Gun @ Skyla CU Amphitheater

It was a slow start after gates opened, even with minimal staff, so I did get to see a bit of James & The Cold Gun.  Their giant frontman, James (obviously) had a great stage presence, which may have made him look bigger than he was.  They played some rocking tunes (none of which I knew) and had the crowd well and truly warmed up.  

Afterwards was Mammoth, Wolfgang van Halen.  I was sent on a break at the start of their set, and was too busy to pay attention when I got back.

James & The Cold Gun Setlist

I had seen Gavin Rossdale with his dog inside the Fillmore as I was clocking in.  He was having a great time with his dog.  They guys is 7 years older than me, but still looks like he did in the 90s.  Bastard!  Bush came out all guns blazing with an Everything's Zen - The Chemicals Between Us start.  Crowd responded appropriately.  It set the tone for the whole set.  Bush were having a great time on stage, and I'm not sure out of them and the audience, who was feeding off who.  The Sound of Winter was the only song they played of their under-rated Sea of Memories album.  One I like.  It's a shame there wasn't space for a couple more.  Swallowed mid set saw Rossdale start the song solo, as the band came back in at the end.  The crowd was singing louder than her was.  And near the end, after expending so much energy on stage, Rossdale made his way out into the crowd to dance with almost everyone during Flowers Oa A Grave.  A brief break then saw them come out and encore with Machinehead, Glycerine & Comedown.  A fantastic finish to a great night.  I am looking forward to more shows in Skyla this season.

Bush Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 542nd concert.
This is my 25th concert at the Skyla CU Amphitheater.

This is my 135th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 162nd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 342nd concert in the USA.

This is my 2nd Bush concert.

Bush is the 100th time I've seen an English band.

Bush is the 50th time I've seen a band at the Skyla CU Amphitheater.
James & The Cold Gun is the 632nd band I've seen.

Everclear, Local H & Sponge @ Neighborhood Theater

I have been excited for this show for a long time.  Tickets were secured the day they went on sale.  Everclear always put on a good show, and Local H know no other way.  

I got to the Neighborhood Theatre just before 8 and was surprised by a line still at the door.  It took a while to get in, and it was hard to find a spot for Sponge, as the place was jammed solid.  I ended up side stage - just behind the VIP tables and caught the last few songs of their set.  I don't remember them being big in Australia in the 90s, and I didn't know any songs.  But the crowd knew Plowed (the last song) and the venue was jumping.  The band were humbled by the turnout so early in the night, and their energy let fans remember back when it was easier to be at concerts.  And let us pretend were were in out 20s again - and not our 50s.  well, me anyway.

Sponge Setlist

Once Sponge was over, and the crowd came tot he bar for drinks, I headed into the main room and got myself a great unobstructed spot midway down the hall.  I may actually be here more because of Local H.  They have been a favorite since I first saw them at Equinox in 1997.  Tonight they continued their run of 7 awesome shows.  They played my favorite song first.  High Fivin' MF set the tone for the rest of the intense 45 minute set.  As loud and as fast as you want it, this is such an awesome song, and a real ballsy opener.  A couple more songs off As Good As Dead filtered into the opening part of the set.  Fritz's Corner was great, as was Eddie Vedder.  Everyone loved, and shouted the chorus for California Songs.  And Bound For The Floor was the hit that sent the crowd over the edge.  I thought it was great, and the TV Eye snippet mid-song was the chef's kiss.

Local H Setlist

Everclear are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the great Sparkle & Fade album.  It's only appropriate the I see it, because they toured Australia on the back of that release in 1996, and they played an awesome show at the Metro opening for silverchair.  The band itself has changed with age.  Songs don't hit as fast as they used to, but Art Alexakis and band still enjoy themselves up there.  The songs do stand the test of time.  Heroin Girl was a great song, even if it sounds a little different when slower.  It is still my favorite Everclear song.  Father Of Mine got the crowd really going, and Heartspark Dollarsign was another great trip down memory lane.  The band didn't play the whole album start to finish but sprinkled some other songs into the set throughout.  In the meantime we got a couple of great covers, including Highway To Hell and Whole Lotta Love (with Scott Lucas).  

When the main set was finished I rushed over and got myself and Everclear shirt.  Then, Lucas was at the Local H table, with his dog, Karen, who was taking all the attention at the time.  I bought a vinyl copy of Whatever Happened to PJ Soles and he was kind enough to sign a poster for me.

I went side stage again for the 3 song encore.  So Much For The Afterglow was great, as was I Will Buy You A New Life.  But it was the crowd at its loudest singing Santa Monica put the icing on tonight's rock n roll cake.  Such a good song, and the perfect way to end the night.

Everclear Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 534th concert.
This is my 12th concert at The Neighborhood Theater.
This is my 130th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 155th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 334th concert in the USA.
Sponge are the 627th band I've seen.
Sponge are the 350th American band I've seen.

This is my 7th Local H concert.

This is my 5th Everclear concert.

Collective Soul & Live @ Skyla CU Amphitheater

Yet another band I have waited forever to see again.  It was in the pouring rain at Alternative Nation 30 years ago that I last saw Live.  30 Years!!!!  And that was the original Live - though I'm not bothered about line up changes, as long as the band performs.

I remember dad bringing me the Mental Jewelry CD, and loving it from the first listen.  So to hear Pain Lies On The Riverside first up was the start of something magic.  And straight into Selling The Drama......chef's kiss.  I'm 22 again.  In a Throwing Copper dominant set, there were few songs I didn't know.  This is a great show!  Shit Towne and Lakini's Juice definite highlights.  As expected they finished with a couple of crowd pleasers.  Both I Alone and Lightning Crashes made the hair stand up on back of my neck.  To hear such great songs be so powerfully played after 30 years was unbelievable.  I hope I get the chance to see Live again.  This night was awesome!

Live Setlist

I had some work to do, and was posted in a different spot when Collective Soul came on, so I didn't get into the set as much.  Actually I don't know a lot of their stuff.  But it was a good sound, and, as always in this venue, people were into it.  I was surprised/delighted to hear Shine pretty early in the set.  It sounded so good .  They other song I pined for, and got near the end, was Gel.  And again it was perfect.  I see a lot of older bands slow their stuff down, but the tempo on this song was hot, and the crowd responded accordingly.

Another night of good music - that they are now paying me to listen to.  How good is that?

Collective Soul Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 529th concert.
This is my 21st concert at Skyla CU Amphitheater.
This is my 126th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 150th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 329th concert in the USA.
This is my 3rd Live concert.

Collective Soul are the 620th band I've seen.

Peach Pit, Briston Maroney & Bnny @ Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater

I'll take the fall for this one.  I didn't write this entry until 3 months after the show happened.  There were so many work shows in a row, I was not keeping up.  Not a lot stands out in this show for me.  The music is not what I'd go for and was not enough to keep my attention.  I do remember Bnny did a cover of Weezer's Sweater Song.  It was slowed down, and sounded silky, but that was the highlight early on for me.  Between the extreme heat and getting people where they needed to go, the music didn't capture me.  But this was another show where good fans of these bands were great people and had a ton of fun.

Briston Maroney Setlist

Peach Pit Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 523rd concert.
This is my 16th concert at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater.
This is my 120th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 144th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 323rd concert in the USA.
Bnny are the 609th band I've seen.
Briston Maroney are the 610th band I've seen.
Briston Maroney is the 400th different band I've seen in the US.

Peach Pit are the 611th band I've seen.

Babymetal, Black Veil Brides & Bloodywood @ Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater

What have I just seen? This is my 2nd night working at the Amp and things couldn't be any different from Sturgill Simpson's show last month.

First up was Bloodywood.  An Indian metal band.  I liked this sound.  The metal with the south-east Asian twang is really unique.  Throw in the fact they are a bunch of boy-band-good-looking blokes dressed in different colored dhotis (? - I could be wrong about the name, but it looked like traditional Indian clothing).  It still makes me turned around when I hear metal during daylight.  And in this heat....  Interesting sound that I would like to see in a smaller club (in the dark).

Bloodywood Setlist

Babymetal did the right thing picking Black Veil Brides as an opener.  These heavy goth rockers (Does that sound Gen X enough) have a good following in, and are keen to get the energy levels up.  I admit, I only heard the show, I didn't see much as I was ushering people into seats.  When the sound went 2 or 3 songs in, I thought there might be a riot, but all was fixed by song's end, and Black Veil Brides powered through the rest of the set, with fans a blazing.

Black Veil Brides Setlist

And then there was Babymetal.  They've played the Underground (800 people) and the Fillmore (1800) and now selling out Skyla (5000 people) in the 3 years I've worked this venue.  And these fans are die hard.  They band come out, in the background, dressed as Japanese warriors and started a heavy riff.  Then appeared the 3 Babymetal singers, dressed in a kimono-styled dress, who proceeded to deliver a Japanese language metal scream while performing choreographed pop dance moves.  I've never seen anything like it.  Old man here had no idea what was going on, but there was no one in the crowd that wasn't top of their lungs singing.  It was wild!  I didn't understand a word sung, but I was oddly drawn into this spectacle.  The Japanese-metal-pop-imagery-choreography scene is definitely not my thing, but good on Babymetal for finding an audience and growing it rapidly.  Maybe next time they'll be at the PNC Pavilion.

Babymetal Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 522nd concert.
This is my 15th concert at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater.
This is my 119th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 143rd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 322nd concert in the USA.
Bloodywood are the 606th band I've seen.
Black Veil Brides are the 607th band I've seen.

Black Veil Brides are the 250th time I've seen a band in North Carolina.

Babymetal are the 608th band I've seen.

Babymetal are the 200th different band I've seen in North Carolina.

Metallica, Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies @ Bank of America Stadium

It's so Dad Rock Central here, I thought I had gone to a Tool concert.  I love it.  Plenty of people my age here, and a lot of them have bought there kids.  It's awesome!

A couple of firsts in this show.  The first time I've seen a show in a stadium.  I've done festivals with a bunch of people there, but this is huge.  Bank of America Stadium holds 70,000 for the football.  Add how many people will be on the floor and this may be the biggest show I've ever seen.  Also this is my first Metallica show.  I remember them playing once in Vegas when I lived there, but they just have never been anywhere nearby for me to see.  I also went through a long phase where I was pissed that Jason Newstead wasn't in the band and all the Napster shit.  But here I am.  And this was the 2nd show I'd been to where I'd seen a sniper patrolling the venue (the other time was Punk Rock Bowling 19 - a year after Fat Mike said something stupid about the Route 91 Harvest shootings).  The sniper and spotter sat on top of the scoreboard at the Mint Street end of the stadium.

I'm deliberately there early to see Suicidal Tendencies.  It had been 26 years since I saw them at a Warped Tour back in Sydney.  That day Mike Muir came into the crowd and ended up next to me watching Pennywise.  He then dragged me into Pennywise's requested giant circle pit.  A great concert moment I'll never forget.  Though the venue was not half full, it didn't stop Suicidal playing like it was their show.  I watched the drummer come out early and greet all the fans close to the stage before doing all his stretches, and they got their deserved dues as they hit the stage.  Muir skipped his way around the arena, both on and off the stage, for the full 40 minutes.  The band also acknowledged the small mosh pit not far from where I was seated.  Yes, this old man sat in the stands (at the back of the lower level).  Great view of stage and crowd.  Institutionalized and Subliminal were highlights

Suicidal Tendencies Setlist

31 years was how long since I'd seen Pantera.  And that still remains one of the top 20 concerts I've seen.  I wasn't quite sure if it really was Pantera without Dime and Vinnie, but that stupid notion was put to rest even before a note was played.  Charlie Benante with his kick drums covered in portraits of the 2 Abbott brothers, and Zakk Wylde in his CFH leather vest that also paid tribute showed a respect that I thought was admirable.  Last time I saw them They didn't play Mouth for War or I'm Broken, so to get both in the first half of the set was amazing.  Again the stage, a huge circle in the middle of the field, was well used by the band, with Benante paying 1/2 the set far from me, and the 2nd half on another kit closer to us, and the other 3 stalking the stage, playing to everyone.  After a recorded version of Cemetery Gates, that showed a video tribute to the Abbott brothers, Pantera just killed an awesome 4 song streak, 5 Minutes Alone, This Love, Fucking Hostile and Walk was just amazing.  I just pity the folks that weren't there early enough to see it.  Not sure I have another 31 years to wait to see Pantera again.  I hope they come through Charlotte again soon.

Pantera, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Pantera Setlist

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

I had an hour between Pantera and Metallica, so I raced to the restroom, and as quick as I was, I then had no chance of getting either food or merchandise before Metallica started.  That said, I was hoping to pick up some vinyl but there were only tshirts for sale, and I opted not to add to my black tshirt collection.

With the sun finally set, and the stadium about 95% full (all the seats taken, but a fair bit of space left on the floor), Metallica walked around the stage greeting fans before getting up there to the sounds of AC/DCs A Long Way To The Top.  This began a great set, with the added bonus of the art of distraction.  Being so far back, there was plenty to see, but there wasn't even a drum kit on stage when the band walked out.  But all of a sudden there was a smaller than expected kit ready to go as the rest of the band got there other instruments.  Metallica then put on a well curated set.  Starting off with 3 classics: Creeping Death, For Whom The Bell Tolls and Ride the Lightning would have made a lot of old school fans happy (and there were a lot here).  A few songs I didn't know, including 2 off the new 72 seasons album, and just under half way in Kirk and Rob did an instrumental duo at our end of the stage.  It wasn't till the full band came back on that I finally saw the drums rising out of the stage in a different quadrant.  It still doesn't explain how the drums were rotated on the spot - which I never saw happen.  Fuel saw the flames introduced into the set, and Orion was dedicated to Cliff Burton, before the stadium filled with iPhone lights for Nothing Else Matters - which also saw rain fall for a couple of minutes (who's happy to be back under shelter now).  Fireworks and flames acted as the war field as One began.  This is what I was here for.  To me this is Metallica's best song.  And it did not disappoint!  Hair on the back of my neck and arms stood up as Hetfield angrily belted out "Darkness....imprisoning me...all that I see....absolute horror....".  Seek and Destroy showed how much the band liked performing, with Hetfield telling the crowd how he has the best job in the world.  He, and the rest of the band, certainly looked like it.  Master of Puppets was amazing and hard to believe that it could be topped.  But it was.  Easily!  Metallica's most successful song, I find, is the divider between old school Metallica fans (the ones that loved the thrashier stuff) and the more modern heavy rock fan.  But tonight, swelled by the good mix of both styles during the night, saw everyone go absolutely apeshit to the first notes of Enter Sandman.  Everyone knew every word and it was being belted out at maximum volume.  

Metallica, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Metallica Setlist

What a performance!  Makes me a little sad that I'd never seen Metallica before, and I likely would not have gone with out he openers being Suicidals and Pantera.  But even as the 2nd most expensive concert I've been too, it was well worth the price of admission.

Side note: Played the boys some Pantera and Metallica in the car the next day.  I got the "hmm...that's good dad...can we listed to anything else?"

The Crap Facts
This is my 520th concert.
Bank of America Stadium is the 141st venue I've seen a concert at.
This is my 118th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 141st concert in North Carolina.
This is my 320th concert in the USA.
This is my 3rd Suicidal Tendencies concert.

This is my 2nd Pantera concert.

Metallica are the 604th band I've seen.

Metallica are the 200th time I've seen a band in Charlotte.

Kraftwerk @ Ovens Auditorium

So what do you do on a St Patrick's Day Monday?  Go and see the German pioneers of EDM, of course!

I don't know much about Kraftwerk, but if a band is doing a 50th anniversary tour, they've go to be doing something right.  Right?  I'm still not sure.

I bought a last minute ticket and headed over to Ovens because it had been over a month since I'd seen a show.  And I need live music - I can feel it.  I'm panicked because I have nothing for certain coming up until May.  Anyway at 8pm (on the dot), 4 guys walked on stage, stood behind what looked like 4 desks and proceeded to "play" for the next 2 hours.  I say "play" because, for all I know they pressed a button, and then everything was done for the night.  As for the music, it's not my thing, but I can see where this was revolutionary at the time.  I'm glad I was there, like when I saw Daft Punk, but I'm not sure I'll ever hear another Kraftwerk song again.  Visually, it was stunning.  A video choreographed to every song and Kraftwerk's suits blending in with said videos.

At first it felt like I was in a German Contemporary Art Museum watching a video.  Everyone around me seemed interested art students, and as if they knew what was happening.  I had no idea what was going on.  But I did grow into it.  The Man Machine was familiar to me.  I really liked Neon Lights.  Geiger Counter and Radioactivity were a good follow up and Robots near the end was a good song.

Again I had a good night, but maybe not a great night.  Not what I'd usually see, but glad I went to my one and only Kraftwerk show.

Kraftwerk, Ovens Auditorium

Kraftwerk, Ovens Auditorium

Kraftwerk, Ovens Auditorium

Kraftwerk Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 516th concert.
This is my 5th concert at Ovens Auditorium.
This is my 114th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 137th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 316th concert in the USA.
Kraftwerk are the 600th band I've seen.

The Jesus Lizard & Fantomex @ Orange Peel

26 years ago was the last time I saw the Jesus Lizard and if you think a 2.5 hour drive was going to stop me seeing them again, you'd be sadly mistaken.  I made the drive up to Asheville and booked a night at the Hotel Indigo, so I didn't have to turn around and drive back the same night.  

Another reason to head up to Asheville, was to see how recovery was going after Hurricane Helene last October.  And the result is heartbreaking.  Driving up past Swannanoa and Old Fort, you can still the debris in these towns (whether still laying around, or pushed to a spot near the freeway because there is no where to put so much of it).  Asheville itself is also not great.  The Biltmore Village, just outside the Biltmore entrance, looks like a warzone.  Building with out walls, mud, and debris everywhere.  The Village is closed off to road traffic and looks like a long way from reopening.  While downtown Asheville, up on the hill, looks fine, it is a ghost town.  Gone is the hustle and bustle of tourists (though it was a Tuesday night).  Shops with limited hours and just people nowhere to be seen.  This is such a great town.  A week before Christmas, you'd hope it would be a hive of activity.  It's far from it, but hopefully it will recover quickly.

I walked down to the Orange Peel via Maguro, a Japanese restaurant, where I stooped for some good sushi and a Sapporo.  Walked into the venue just as Fantomex hit the stage.  Was great to see a local band get a good size crowd.  And they didn't disappoint.  Well suited as an opener for the Jesus Lizard, Fantomex ripped through nearly a dozen rocking punk / hardcore songs.

Fantomex Setlist

I got about halfway to the stage, in front of guitarist Duane Denison, for the Jesus Lizard. Just a perfect spot. When the first drum beat was hit for the opening, Grind, David Yow was in the audience, being passed around till he he to the mixing desk. I thought that was crazy when I saw him do that, now that he's in his 60's he's just putting his life in our hands. He's be in and out of the crowd all night. It felt like the next 4 songs were put on just for me. Puss, Mouth Breather, Boilermaker & Nub - one after the other. Just brilliant. And the crowd was amped. The band sounded so good. Tight and just killing it. A third of the set was the new album, but that left plenty of nostalgia during the evening. Gladiator and Seasick were other highlights for me, and hearing Wheelchair Epidemic during the encore was amazing.  I was surprised how many people left after the encore.  The lights never came on, and no taped music came on, but people were bailing out.  Good for me.  I walked right up and stood on the barricade for the 4 song second encore. 

It was such a great show.  It's a shame they don't come around this area more often (or anywhere for that fact).  But put me down for any more Jesus Lizard shows that come through.  It was the show of the year.

The Jesus Lizard Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 514th concert.
This is my 4th concert at Orange Peel.
This is my 15th concert in Asheville.
This is my 135th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 314th concert in the USA.
Fantomex are the 599th band I've seen.
This is my 5th Jesus Lizard concert.

Jesus Lizard is the 600th time I've seen an American band.

Les Savy Fav & Ultra Lights @ The Earl

I am getting to an age where I still love seeing shows, but getting motivated to see them is getting harder and harder.  This is the case tonight.  Les Savy Fav are a bucket list band, but Atlanta is as close as they get.  And when a three and a half hour drive turns into as 6 hour drive, I really question what I am doing.  There were 2 occasions where I was just stopped on the 85 for 45 minutes at a time, and considered turning around and going home.  I'm so glad I didn't!

The Earl is a new venue for me, and is in the cool East Atlanta Village.  It looks like a street where it all happens.  Late night bars, restaurants and just people out and about.  But tonight I get to the venue just in time to line up through the narrow corridor, to the back room, for Ultra Lights to start 5 minutes later.  While waiting in line, Les Savy walked past, much to the crowds cheer.

Ultra Lights are a local band, and seemed pretty stoked to be playing tonight.  A good sized crowd in the small room (Dive bar?  maybe) were in early and saw Ultra Lights put in a good 35 minute set to warm up the crowd.

Within 25 minutes a white-wigged Tim Harrington was on stage, pulling out all the dance moves to the lead-on song, before the rest of the band joined him.  As the guitarist's pick slid up the strings and Harrington burst into "He's a bad motherfucker....16 pairs of shoes in his closet....", the wig was quickly lost, the suit jacket dispersed of, but the dancing ramped up a couple of notches - band and crowd - as LSF opened with Blackouts on Thursday.  From the start the band were on fire, and Harrington spent as much time in the crowd as on stage.  And when you could take your eyes of him in the crowd, you'd see a tight band having a great time on stage.  The music reflected that.  The sound and songs are great.  I'm not familiar with a lot of their songs, but Reprobate's Resume was rocking, as was Patty Lee.  To finish the set the notes of The Sweat Descends rang out to the joy of everyone.  You could tell people had been having a good night but this song took it up a notch.  Again Harrington was out in the crowd, and was this the song he left and sung in the front room (? - I can't quite remember).  The band left the stage, leaving behind a fired up crowd.  It wasn't long before Les Savy Fav were back for more.  The 4 song encore crescendoed when in the middle of Dirty Knails, Harrington got everyone on the floor, before busting out for a banging finish.  I'm not sure how he did it, but by the time I bought the Oui LP, Harrington was a the exit, thanking everyone for coming.

My cousin Moz gave me a digital copy of Inches in 2009, and it is an album that gets listened to all the way through quite often.  Les Savy Fav are now a bucket list band I can cross off, but I'd happily sit in 6 hours of traffic to see them again - any day.

Les Savy Fav Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 512th concert.
The Earl is the 140th venue I've seen a concert at.
This is my 2nd concert in Atlanta.
This is my 2nd concert in Georgia.
This is my 312th concert in the USA.
Ultra Lights are the 595th band I've seen.

Les Savy Fav is the 596th band I've seen.

Les Savy Fav are the 600th time I've seen a band in the US.

Airborne Toxic Event @ The Underground

Time for another freebie show, and another one for the boys to see.

It's been over 11 years since Erik and I made our discovery of Airborne Toxic Event, after we saw them at the Hard Rock Pool.  Since then, their self titled debut gets plenty of play in our house.  Hence the boys know them, so even after a game of soccer in the morning and a 9pm start, they were keen to go.

We walked in just before they started and were immediately greeted to Wishing Well, which got the crowd into a good mood.  A few songs from the new album, Glory, before a ripping mid-set Gasoline.  After this the boys started to fade, with fewer recognizable songs, but a great show regardless.  The main set finished with Something Around Midnight, and afterwards the band left the stage with the crowd wanting a lot more.  I know the boys were tired, so we moved closer to the exit for when the encore finished.  But the last 3 of the 4 encore songs were a highlight for me - and the boys.  Does This Mean You're Moving On? was excellent.  The highly anticipated Missy was so good.  Such a great day.  And the way they weave in I'm On Fire and Folsom Prison Blues is exciting.  Happiness Is Overrated finished the night and left everyone on a high.  

BD&L Rockin' Out

I know the boys were super tired, and have the teenage emotional range of "Good" when asked how they enjoyed everything, but I really think they enjoyed the night.  Let's see how they go on Wednesday when we have to drive to Greenville after school to see Weezer.

Airborne Toxic Event Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 509th concert.
This is my 10th concert at The Underground.
This is my 110th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 132nd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 309th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Airborne Toxic Event concert.

Airborne Toxic Event is the 1150th time I've seen a band.

Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Events Center

This morning we got up earlyish and drove down to the Punk Rock Museum.  We only decided on this last night, and opted for an early start, given the weekend.  Dave met Erik & I there and we had the place to ourselves for the first half an hour or so.  Dave is an annual memmer, so we had our own personal tour guide for the first hour, til he had to leave and meet Dee. The museum is great, plenty of memorabilia from the last 50 years of punk (mostly American).  Dave says they rotate stuff through their regularly, he sees new stuff every visit.  I liked the Pennywise garage.  If we'd known we'd have stayed longer, as Guitar Wolf played and hour after we left.

We hid from the heat back at Erik's house before we headed downtown to the show at around 3pm.  Erik dropped me off, as he was going to his godson's graduation first.  Within moments of getting through the gate, I hooked up with Dave and we went into the smaller stage to see Teen Mortgage (he'd already got in early to buy merchandise and see a couple of bands).  Teen Mortgage was a great start.  This 2 piece had a fantastic energy and sound, and the lucky few that were there early enough really dug it.

Into the main stage area to catch The Skatalites.  In the early afternoon heat, the Jamaican band bought a very mellow vibe.  Like the Specials 5 years ago, The Skatalites left everyone relaxed - not in a frenetic condition like the rest of the days punk bands.  After running into Ricardo from Trader Joes, we disappeared, before the end of the set.  Though we could hear a ska version of Viva Las Vegas in the middle of the Guns of Navarone.

The Skatalites setlist

999 were on the small stage next.  Old school English punk from the late 70s.  Dave knew of this band, but I'd never heard of them.  It was basically a half hour of hard driven rock.  Good show that would've been better if I was more familiar with the content.

Back into the main stage for Lagwagon and the first relatively big crowd.  I never got into this band.  They have the Fat Wreck Chords sound that is only best used by NoFX.  Most of these unknown to me songs, sounded the same, and yeah I can tick them off a list of bands I've seen, but probably not again.

Lagwagon setlist

Back at the smaller stage, Madball united a crowd not only out from, but on stage as well.  I don't knw who was watching from onstage, but it seemed like family and New York Hardcore royalty hanging out with friends.  I don't know any Madball songs, but like Gorilla Biscuits and H2O at Riot Fest, this band put on a show.  And the people loved it!  Lead singer, Freddy Madball, was having a great time.  As was his 8 year old daughter.  Watching on stage, she knew the beat of every song , and joined dad for a song, and played it like she'd been on stage forever.  She had all of dad's moves down and was not afraid to come to the front of the the stage for the crowd.  Freddie's son also joined dad for a song, though he seemed a little more reserved - hanging back as dad covered the whole stage.  This may have been the most fun set of the day.

Madball setlist

Billy Bragg was definitely a big drawcard for me.  I was supposed to see him 18 months ago in Raleigh. But I got Covid and had to miss out.  He labeled himself pretty well.  As much a punk, as a folk hero, or great story teller.  I thought it brave for him to be up there on his own, mixing great stories both with and without music, which really suited the audiences beliefs.  Erik finally joined us just after the start of the set.  Sexuality was great to hear.  Woodie Guthrie's All You Fascists Are Bound To Lose got the biggest cheer of the day.  Waiting For The Great Leap Forward was the song I wanted (and got).  It was perfect.  And the closing A New England was a song I forgot I knew, and a great end to his too short set.

 

Billy Bragg setlist

Back to the smaller stage for the ever ready Gorilla Biscuits.  Again their positive message and hardcore beats were a great mix for a good show.  From the opening trumpet of New Direction, Civ came to dance.  He had a blast, and was in the crowd as often as he was skankin' around the stage for the entire set.  And the band's energy was matched by an enthusiastic crowd up front, and an out of control pit.  While this set didn't reach the heights of Riot Fest las September, it was still a damn good show.

Gorilla Biscuits setlist

Too many people at Gorilla Biscuits means we didn't get back for the start of the Descendents closing set.  Of course we got our spor and I went to get a drink of water and they played the 1 song I knew, I Like Food.  All 17 seconds of it.  This is my 4th time seeing them, I should probably get better at knowing their songs.  They are short and sharp.  The loyal Southern Californians were soaking it up, but just after halfway through, Erik & I had had enough (Dave had gone after the Gorilla Biscuits) and made our way back to the car, listening to the rest of the gig walking through the streets.

Descendants setlist

On the way out I picked up the obligatory festival shirt to add to my collection of too many black shirts.  I good first day.  Hot, but not Las Vegas extreme, and I enjoyed all I heard.  Looking forward to continuing tomorrow.  I was in bed within 10 minutes of getting back to Erik's, and asleep within 2 minutes of that - still on East Coast time.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 505th concert.
This is my 5th concert at The Downtown Events Center.
This is my 151st concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 151st concert in Nevada.
This is my 306th concert in the USA.
Teen Mortgage are the 581st band I've seen.

Teen Mortgage are the 250th time I've seen a band in Las Vegas & Nevada.

The Skatalites are the 582nd band I've seen.

999 are the 583rd band I've seen.

Lagwagon are the 584th band I've seen.

Madball are the 585th band I've seen.

This is my 2nd Billy Bragg show.

This is my 2nd Gorilla Biscuits show.

This is my 4th Descendants show.

Allgood @ Visulite Theater

This is a little different than a usual concert I go to.  I didn't necessarily go out to see a band.  This was a 25th anniversary party for Peter & Leanne, 2 of Drew's friends.  I have met them a couple of times previously, but they know Drew and A pretty well, so I tagged along.  Natalie also came up to come along with us.

Allgood is a band they liked to listen to back in college and they were hired to play this private event tonight.  Instead of being down the front watching the band, it was more a less background music while the party socialised.  A few of the party did get down the front for a dance, and a reliving of their youth.  For the most part the band played a solid set, but, as expected for a band I'd never heard of, I did not know any of their music.

Definitely a fun night was had by a good majority of the party, as this seemed to be more of a reunion than an anniversary party.  The boys went to a Charlotte FC game, so I snuck out a little early to be home when they got back.  A & Natalie hung around for a bit extra.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 503rd concert.
This is my 15th concert at The Visulite.
This is my 108th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 130th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 304th concert in the USA.
Allgood are the 580th band I've seen.

Allgood are the 150th different band I've seen in Charlotte.

Mudhoney & Hooveriii @ Grey Eagle

46 and a half years ago my mum and aunt gave me my first taste of live music.  It was a 4th birthday present to see Abba.  I remember nothing of the concert, except for wearing my Abba socks, dancing on the seat and leaving straight away at the end becasue I was scared of the fireworks.  Regardless, it was the start of a love affair with live music leading up to tonight....driving 2 and a bit hours up to Asheville to see the great Mudhoney for the 5th time, and my 500th concert.

The boys are now old enough to head out on Halloween on their own, so while I was sad that I am becoming redundant as a dad, going to a show sure made me forget.

Hooveriii had already started their set by the time I got to the Grey Eagle.  A good size crowd (the biggest I'd seen here) were getting into it.  The band were having fun, and although I didn't know any of their stuff, I thought it was a great set.  But for me they suffered the wrath of me just wanting to see Muhoney.

Hooveriii Setlist

Not long after 9.15, Mudhoney made their way onto stage in front of pretty much a full house.  Quietly they built up to When Tomorrow Hits beofre taking off into In n Out of Grace.  You Got it was pretty early in the set and an absolute blast - a song I've loved for a long time.  It was the 1st time I'd heard Let it Slide live, which was a bonus and soon after was the mid set double Sweet Young Thing and Touch Me I'm Sick.   Touch Me may be my all time favourite song.  I remember hearing it on a Triple J Live at The Wireless a gazillion years ago and was taken right away.  It was the first song out of Seattle that I'd heard, and was to lead to many more.  It was the Claudette Colvin to Teen Spirit's Rosa Parks for my musical taste.  By the time the set was over, Mudhoney had ploughed through 24 great songs, walking off after Plasticity, off the new Plastic Eternity.  The band did a great job of playing new and old stuff, evenly distributed throughout the set.  The new stuff off Plastic Eternity like Flush The Fascists and Human Stock Capital are great.  Still there was more.  A five song encore that included Suck You Dry, Who You Drivin' Now and finishing the night with a monumental Here Comes Sickness.

On the way out, I picked out a shirt and a vinyl copy of Superfuzz Bigmuff.  A long, late drive back to Charlotte, but well worth the trip.  It's been 9 years since I last saw Mudhoney.  I definitely don't want to wait that long again.

Mudhoney Setlist

The Crap Facts:
This is my 500th concert.
This is my 4th concert at The Grey Eagle.
This is my 14th concert in Asheville.
This is my 127th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 301st concert in the USA.
Hooveriii are the 577th band I've seen.
This is my 5th Mudhoney concert.

Les Claypools Frog Brigade @ Fillmore

So while I love a good Primus show, I actually came tonight so that Tuesday's Mudhoney show would be my 500th.  Having said that, I liked Claypool Lennon Delirium when I saw them open for The Flaming Lips 4 years ago.

Except for The Beat's cover of Mirror In the Bathroom, the first 5 songs were long jam-bandy, and not really what I was hoping for.  I was pretty surprised when the band walked off stage then.  It didn't take long before they were back on stage and broke into Pink Floyd's Pigs On The Wing Part I.  Not only was that amazing, but they then proceeded to play the whole Animal's album.  Suddenly I knew some songs and the show picked up.  It wasn;'t till the finished Pigs II, and had a short break, they I found out the guitar player with his face partially hidden by hat and hair, has Sean Lennon.  I didn't know he played in this band as well.  5 more songs from Claypools' other incarnations of bands finished off the set.  Finally the night finished off with only Cosmic Highway as the encore.  For me this show didn't carry the joy that a Primus show would, but to hear Pink Floyd's Animals being played live was pretty special in the gamut of concert experiences.

Les Claypool's Frog Brigade Setlist

The Crap Facts:
This is my 499th concert.
This is my 30th concert at The Fillmore.
This is my 105th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 126th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 300th concert in the USA.
Les Claypools Frog Brigade are the 576th band I've seen.

Les Claypools Frog Brigade are the 50th different band I've seen at the Fillmore.

Nick Cave @ Harrah's Cherokee Center

Still recovering from Riot Fest, I drove up to Asheville tonight to see Nick Cave.  I bought these tickets so long ago, that I forgot about it when I book my 4 nights in Chicago.

An easy drive up had me in my seat right at 8pm.  20 minutes late Cave walked out, with Radiohead bassist, Colin Greenwood, to play an evening of songs on his piano.  Again I thought Asheville was a strange place to start a tour (for an Australian coming to the US), but Cave stated they had been in town a few weeks rehearsing.  It was just last March that Cave and Warren Ellis started their tour in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (next door).   This show had to be moved into this room as, apparently, there were some severe problems in the Auditorium's air conditioning.  That suited me.  I got an elevated seat and the isle, with no one in front of me.  A perfect view.

From the beginning Cave was in a jovial mood.  Early banter saw the crowd leave their seats and rush to the front of the stage after an audience asked if that was possible and Cave answered "I'm not in charge of that!"  Girl In Amber was the first song I recognized, and dare I say, sounded better than the recorded version.  Are You The One I've Been Waiting for was the start of the great stuff (for me).  Such a beautiful song normally, it seems to get better just with a piano and bass.  Same goes for The Weeping Song.  Which was followed by the sweet sounding Nobody's Baby Now and the brilliant Mercy Seat.  Cave did a good job of mixing old and new songs, and Greenwood played the invisible bassist, stepping behind his amp or off stage when he was not required.  Cave (truly solo) did a moving rendition of Into My Arms.  Is there any other type for that song?  Ending the main set with Push The Sky Away.

When Cave asked for requests at the beginning of the encore, overwhelmingly the response was Stagger Lee, but Cave claimed he couldn't remember the song and hadn't rehearsed it, so wouldn't play it.  It was then a man close enough to the front told him how the song had made life easier for him as a gay man (the full story I couldn't hear), but Cave responded in kind and dedicated Balcony Man to the gentleman.  He played straight into The Ship Song (which is another favorite of mine) and played T-Rex's Cosmic Dancer again (he played it with Ellis last year).  Still the audience persisted and eventually Cave relented and played an improvised version for Stagger Lee - which Greenwood adapted to quickly and brilliantly.  Such was the truth about him not remembering the song, Cave bought the man on stage to help him with lyrics.  Lastly, Cave finished with Grinderman's Man In The Moon, before leaving the stage to thunderous applause.  2 hours of greatness.

I didn't want to make the drive to Asheville and back tonight, and was tired driving up there, but the show was so good, I was buzzing all the way home.  So happy I made the trip.

Nick Cave Setlist

The Crap Facts:
This is my 493rd concert.
Harrah's Cherokee Center is the 136th venue I've seen a concert in..
This is my 12th concert in Asheville.
This is my 120th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 294th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Nick Cave concert.

Nick Cave is the 550th time I've seen a band in the US.

Riot Fest @ Douglass Park

A bit of rain this morning sees us leave the hotel early and head back to Yolk, where we are now recognized by the wait staff.  Doors have been delayed to 2pm, so we're in no rush to get out to Douglass Park this morning.  Hell, I'd be content to just see The Cure tonight.  It's the reason we're here in the first place.

It is not what we do.  We leave the hotel at 2pm and get to the station as the train arrives.  Everything goes smoothly and we are in the venue and in place to see Ride take the Riot stage at 3.30pm.  I couldn't believe this was the Ride from the 90's.  Very little fanfare in the US about their show.  I didn't even know they were still playing together.  I was never a big fan of the shoegaze style but remember they had a great album cover for Nowhere (with the curvy wave) and it was everywhere in the time I was discovering Waterfront Records, Red Eye and other of Sydney's independent record stores.  Turns out that today was the perfect day for them to play.  That dreary English weather followed them over, and their swirling sound literally swirled around in the Chicago breeze.  Vapour Trail was the only song I vaguely recognized, but all in all a good start to the day.

Ride Setlist

Erik wanted to stay for AFI, but I walked around to the distant Rebel Stage to see H2O.  Another band who has eluded me over the years.  I new they were a New York hardcore band, but had never listened to or seen them before.  I missed the first couple of songs, but singer Todd Morse was already in the pit (apparently he started an over 50's only circle - damn I missed it).  And it was there he stayed.  I still have no idea what he looks like.  Morse powered through the whole set in the crowd, as the band killed it from the stage.  It was definitely a great set, with a dedicated fan base loving every moment of it.  It was the closest I'd been to a stage so far, and definitely was boosted by the surrounding energy.

H2O Setlist

The Gorilla Biscuits were on this stage next, so I walked over to the Rise Stage to grab a late lunch and see a few Flogging Molly songs.  Again, this is a band that doesn't seem right to be see during the day.  Regardless, they gave it their all, as they always do when I see them, And the crowd was into it - all the way to the back.

Flogging Molly Setlist

Back to the Rebel Stage and in place (up front to the side of stage) for the Gorilla Biscuits.  First time hearing and seeing them as well.  The line up says they are playing their 1989 album Start Today, and I wanted to see what it was all about.  Erik was still over watching  Dresden Dolls, but, me and the crowd, and tons of people on stage waited in high anticipation until the thunderous arrival of the Biscuits.  From the get go, this fast action band had their diehard fans in a frenzy.  Their new ones were also enjoying it.  They played hard and fast, and had a dedicated crew in the audience singing every word.  They packed 17 songs into their tight set and were great from start to finish.  On day one, they had a great shirt at the merchandise booth (a Chicago Bulls comic front with Riot Fest 23 on the back), that I didn't buy because I didn't want to jinx them by getting the shirt before I saw them - wish I had now.  Great show.  Hope I get to see them again some time.

Gorilla Biscuits Setlist

I met Erik at the Rise Stage (found each other easily for 50,000 people in the grounds).  I was pretty excited to see another Gaslight Anthem show (twice in a year doesn't happen very often to me anymore).  The band sounded great from the start, and Brian's risky Chicago pizza jokes paid off, winning the local crowd over.  Old White Lincoln and Senor & The Queen were my 2 favorites.  While I hung on as long as possible to hear The 59 Sound, good spots need to be found for the Cure.  After the band finished Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts we walked away, only to hear the start of the song I wanted, before being lost in the sound of Mars Volta's last songs.

Gaslight Anthem Setlist

It's finally dark, dark when The Cure take the stage, and we are nearing the end of 3 good days of music.  While it feels like we're miles away from the stage, we have a decent view and the sound is great.  They started with Alone, off the latest album, which I'm not familiar with, and then plowed into 2 plus hours of great song after great song.  High was played in good spirit.  Hearing the bass start for Lovesong is always the best.  Was great to hear Burn from the Crow soundtrack (not one they often played until recently).  In Between Days and Just Like Heaven back to back was amazing.  I love Dinosaur Jr's cover, which I heard just last week, but the original is just the best.   And of course, A Forest is a personal favorite.  When they came back on for an encore, Smith explained he would speak little in order to get as many songs in as possible.  An 8 song encore!  Pretty sure they covered it.  Each encore song was better than the last.  Close to Me and Boys Don't Cry.  By the time they finished near on 10pm with Killing An Arab, I no longer wanted to go anywhere, and just have them play forever.  

The Cure @ Riot Fest

The Cure Setlist

Pretty easy ride home, and a successful, fun weekend had by all.  Having said that I think I'm done with the 3 day festival.  Even without partying, it takes a toll on this old body.  I say that now, but put the Cure back on the bill and I'll be the first one with tickets.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 492nd concert.
This is my 3rd concert at Douglass Park.
This is my 6th concert in Chicago.
This is my 6th concert in Illinois.
This is my 293rd concert in the USA.
Ride are the 568th band I've seen.
Ride are the 1100th time I've seen a band.

H2O the 569th band I've seen.
This is my 3rd Flogging Molly concert.

Gorilla Biscuits are the 570th band I've seen.
This is my 7th Gaslight Anthem concert.
This is my 6th The Cure concert.

Riot Fest @ Douglass Park

 Day 2 started back at our breakfast spot at Yolk.  Definitely no rush today, as we don't plan on seeing a band until 5pm.  You'd think being in Chicago, we'd take a look around after breakfast.  Nope!  Not us.  We've both been to Chicago a number of times, and yesterday took it out of us old guys.  So we rested up in the hotel.  And I enjoyed having a kid break.

We did work out that we can catch a train to Douglass Park, well close to it.  So just after 3pm we walked up to the L Train at Harold Washington Library and caught the Pink Line out to California and then the 20 minute walk into Riot Fest.  Much easier than yesterday.  But holy shit there a lot more people here today, already.

First up was Head Automatica on the Riot Stage (we're here a whole band earlier than expected).  Not my cup of tea.  

Head Automatica Setlist

We watched for the first 20 minutes before heading over to the Roots Stage to see Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls.  I've never heard of this band, but for some reason I wanted to see them.. And a right decision was made. This Englishman and his band were rocking.  And they have a pretty good following.  I wonder why they have slipped past me.  Anyway, there 45 minutes of energy was a good warm up for what was to come.

Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls Setlist

Death Grips were next on the Roots Stage.  I had heard that this band had a reputation for a great show.  And if the opening song was anything to go by, this was totally true.  The Energy!  Man, the lead singer had an Iggy Pop-like energy and the drummer played like his life depended on how hard and often he hit those drums.  I'm unfamiliar with their hip-hop/punk songs, and some of it, to an unfamiliar ear, made me wonder if I'd heard 17 songs or one hour long song (it was the former).  In the end 3 tubs of sweat splashed off stage and a crowd was left to recover and seek rehydration before their next move.

Death Grips Setlist

Next up, on the adjacent Riot Stage, was the complete opposite to what we'd just seen.  Death Cab for Cutie.  Again another band I didn't know much about, be we used the set to get Erik a good spot for Queens of the Stone Age.  Death Cab just made me feel old.  All the kids loved them, but this old man couldn't get into it.  

Death Cab For Cutie Setlist

With the sun setting, I left Erik to go back to the Rise Stage to catch my 9th Pennywise show.  And as expected, they flew through another blistering set.  From Straight Ahead to begin, Pennywise put in a show as good as always.  Wasn't long before an all time favorite was played, Same Old Story.  Their 3 mini song NoFx covers lit up the crowd, as the band pleaded for them not to break up.  About 1/2 way through, they called out Chicago sons, Tim McIlrath and Joe Principe of Rise Against.  They joined the band to play Nervous Breakdown and Minor Threat.  I was supposed to head back to Erik at this oint to catch the start of Queens, but this was the best I'd seen all day, and we all know how a Pennywise set finishes.  Perfect People and Society were great lead ins to the sing along Stand By Me cover.  Unfortunately this set had to end.  I could have stayed there the rest of the night.  The distinctive bass line of Bro Hymn saw the bands' mass of friends move in from side stage to front and center.  Man, that is such a great song, and such a powerful set ender.  To have family and friends on stage singing to and about a former bandmate is something even the crown can share.

Pennywise Setlist

Between Pennywise songs I could hear Queens of the Stone Age kick off their set with No One Knows.  I got back to the Roots Stage to see their 5th song, If I Had A Tail.   From then on, Josh Homme's swagger filled the stage and Queens played an awesome set.  Make It With Chu and Little Sister were great songs, but A Song For The Dead to finish their hour was an attack on the senses.  I'd hate to be The Postal Service following that.  I had planned to see all of Queens of the Stone Age, and was bummed when they conflicted with Pennywise, but as much as I enjoyed the end of Queens, I'm glad I changed my mind and saw all of Pennywise.

Queens of the Stone Age Setlist

Erik and I split again as he stated to see Postal Service, I headed back to the Rise Stage to see Mr. Bungle.  I'd had a hit and miss with 2 Faith No More shows in the 90's, but was keen to see what this "experimental" band could do.  I thought that there would be some off-beat metal/noise-rock happening, but with Anthrax's Scott Ian and Slayer's Dave Lombardo, tonight's set was pretty straight forward metal.  Which there is not a lot of at Riot Fest.  I really liked the song Hypocrites/Habla Espanyol o Muere.  They then did a I'm Not In Love, a 10cc cover.  Great version, and funny to watch people think they know the songs and then it finally clicks.  I didn't stay to the end, but did get to hear Slayer's Hell Awaits and left after Spandau Ballet's True.  I thought that was a great way to finish the night.

Mr. Bungle Setlist 

A 20 minute walk back to the station as Erik and I relived the highlights.  The first 4 car train was packed, but moments later was an empty 8 car became full to the brim, to take us back into downtown.  So much easier than last night.  A good Day 2, while I didn't enjoy all the bands, I still like to see something new to decide on future shows,  Pennywise & Queens of the Stone Age were the best, but I am a new fam of Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 491st concert.
This is my 2nd concert at Douglass Park.

This is my 5th concert in Chicago.
This is my 5th concert in Illinois.
This is my 292nd concert in the USA.
Head Automatica are the 563rd band I've seen.
Head Automatica are the 550th time I've seen an American band.
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls the 564th band I've seen.
Death Grips are the 565th band I've seen.
Death Cab For Cutie are the 566th band I've seen.
Death Cab For Cutie are the 350th different band I've seen in the US.
This is my 9th Pennywise concert.
This is my 3rd Queens Of The Stone Age concert.
Queens Of The Stone Age are the 100th band I've seen in at least 3 times.
Mr. Bungle are the 567th band I've seen.