Puscifer @ The Pearl

ummmmm......errrrrr. I'm not sure what I just witnessed. It as like being at a surreal art/comedy show with mood music played in the background - and being very much out of the loop.

Hence the performance of Puscifer.

Arrived at the Palms to catch the last songs of Uncle Scratches Gospel Revival. I wish I'd gotten in earlier as this 2 piece faux-Christian blues rock band had the crowd eating out of the palm of their bible-laden hands. Heard 2 great tunes "Give Me Back My Bible" and "Amen"

Once they cleared the stage and the silver caravan was revealed, we waited a short time for Puscifer. What I knew was this was another project from Maynard (Tool, A Perfect Circle) so it was going to be interesting. A great live feed started the show with Maynard in the caravan, with a wasted cross-dressing nurse (who turned out to be Primus' Tim Alexander), trying to get the troops together to perform a 3rd show for the weekend. Once the band took the stage, Maynard took his usual unusual front man role, where he sung behind a TV screen which magnified his movements and face. Comedic video interjected the music - which I can best describe as dark and brooding, while a rotation of musicians and vocalists filled the stage (and the caravan). Except for "The Mission" not many of the songs were a big standout, but I did enjoy the visuals, and various musicians coming in and out.

I know you shouldn't hope this band would be another Tool or A Perfect Circle, but my disappointment lied in Maynard's voice. His vocals are so powerful and unique, but in Puscifier, he did not have the opportunity to unleash this.

Not the greatest concert I've ever seen, but far from the worst. It was definitely more of an arty experince than I can comprehend, however it is one of the more unique concerts I've ever seen. That's my opinon - there were plenty of Puscifer fans in the crowd that really enjoyed the whole concept.

The Crap Facts
This is my 275th concert.
This is my 6th concert at The Pearl.
This is my 78th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 78th concert in Nevada.

This is my 83rd concert in the USA.

Puscifer are the 334th band I've seen.

Stratta & Danny Gans @ Wynn

Ahh Valentine's Day. Take the Mrs out for dinner and a show - well who can say no when it's free.

We haven't eaten at Stratta since it had changed from Corsa Cucina and we were looking forward to see what, if any, changes were to be seen. We were seated near the open kitchen, which I like, as I like to watch the buzz around the hub of the restaurant. Having said that, this would not be an ideal place for a quiet, romantic dinner as the restaurant is quite noisy. We started off by splitting the signature Corsa Salad (a favorite from the last time we were here). Not quite how I remembered it, but a nice start. For our entrees I was talked into the nightly special - Osso Bucco with Saffron Risotto, while AH had the Butternut Squash Ravioli. The Osso Bucco was incredible. I stuck my fork in and the meat peeled off the bone - no need for a knife at all. Succulent and tender. I am not a fan of risotto and, while I tried, this one was not changing my opinion. Didn't get the chance to try the raviolli (only an appetizer size), but it was enjoyed with a couple of glasses of (well liked) Valpolicella. Went with the Bombolini desert - a fancy name for warm hazelnut donuts covered in sugar - way too decadent. Will make the eventual return to Stratta.

Danny Gans we've seen before, but we went again to see him in his new home at the Wynn (in the old Spamalot Theater - the greatest show to not make inroads in Las Vegas). What I remember from seeing him last time was his impersonations were too old and American for me (and me only - I'm 35 and only lived in the US for 7 years). He is a great performer, and again he did some stuff I didn't know (eg Johnny Carson - I know who that is, but am not familiar with his Tonight Show schtick), but he also did a lot of modern stuff. And some of his references in his jokes were extremely current (like the Michael Phelps pot incident, and reference to Bernie Maddoff' problems). His voices are great, and his singing better. Both AH and I enjoyed the show. My favorite part was his Al Pacino in Scent Of A Woman. Also when you know how much he does for local charities, you can't not like Danny Gans.

Coming to Vegas? Stratta and Danny Gans is not a bad combination for a night out.

Boa @ Forum Shops & O @ Bellagio

Dinner and a show...gotta love living in Vegas.

A tale of 2 dinners. We've eaten at Boa twice before...once was awesome, the other very ordinary. Tonight was to be the decider. Was really quiet in restaurant when we arrived, but it wasn't long before the place started filling up. Boa has a great ambience and a real modern feel. Our server was great but (for me) the food let me down. The BLT salad was a great starter - hey you can't go wrong when bacon is in the dressing. But the steak the killer. Dry and tasteless - not what you ever want let alone in a steakhouse. On the other hand the Mrs said the ahi tuna was the best she'd ever had. There are so many great steak places in Vegas, I think Boa will be down the bottom of the list in future dining decisions.

On with the show.

My second trip to O at the Bellagio. Again I was blown away. As with any Cirque show, the skills that these people have are phenomenal. But how do people know they can do those things and bend there bodies in these ways? Every minute you just stare, jaw agape at everything that is done. Great show - definitely a show I'd recommend to everyone.

Pennywise & The Circle Jerks @ House Of Blues

So the first gig of the year - what better time to begin a blog.....

I am a Pennywise fan. Not a huge one. I only have About Time on CD and of course Bro Hymn is one of the greatest anthems of all time. I am also a fan of the Vegas House of Blues. A good size venue (ie not to big) and a spot to see the bands anywhere. (And as an old guy - it's nice to have it all over by 10pm).

I've seen the Circle Jerks before - supporting Pennywise funnily enough. Not familiar with their songs but love their style. Every guy in a state of arrested development must look up to Keith Morris. Still playing punk and by his rules after all these years. And never short on energy or sarcasm. Good show. Fave was Red Tape before they finished the set with 3 blistering Black Flag songs - enough to have me sing myself hoarse.

Half an hour later on come Pennywise and all of a sudden the floor is twice as crowded and from the go the crowd was wild. A Pennywise show seems like some sort of organised chaos. Friends onstage, pulling fans out of the crowd for great tattoos, guest singers - but best of all - fun. The band feeds off the crowd and vice versa. As usual they band play a great set, with the highlight being Keith Morris coming out to do Nervous Breakdown. For me I would of liked some About Time songs, but that is the trouble with bands who have been around for a long time, they have a tonne of songs to choose from and won't always play your faves. None the less a great show topped off by, of course, Bro Hymn. This is a song that I've seen live 6 times and it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up everytime.

They have a second show tomorrow night, but Fletch says they should be back in April with Pepper, so I'll wait for that one instead.

The Crap Facts
This is my 274th concert.
This is my 30th concert at the House Of Blues.
This is my 77th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 77th concert in Nevada.

This is my 82nd concert in the USA.

This is my 2nd Circle Jerks concert.
This is my 6th Pennywise concert.

Love @ Mirage Hotel

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A, Drew & Lynn.

This was to be the 7th and final time I saw Love.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

A & I, Westin Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Me, Westin Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

From our room, Westin Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Tequila!, Westin Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

What I remember (in 2024)

Flew to Puerto Vallarta, via Phoenix, on December 10 for 4 nights.  Left Phoenix only to find out the plane did not have all the instruments for an international flight.  We had to return to Phoenix and wait a few hours.  When we finally were ready to take off, some dickhead wouldn't sit down and was being such an arse that he was eventually removed for the plane - his girlfriend reluctantly got off as well.

Stayed at the Westin.

We left the resort only on Friday night, to go into town to have dinner.  Otherwise we spent time by either the pool or the beach.  Water in both places was freezing.

Each afternoon we took advantage of the 2 for 1 happy hour drinks by the pool.

Barry Manilow @ Las Vegas Hilton

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A.

Comp tickets from SNHCA.

Had a flutter on the pokies before we went in and won a couple of hundred bucks.

Really disappointing show.  Manilow seemed to deride some of his fans, not sure if he was just having a bad night.  He didn't play Copacabana and just had no heart to what he was doing.  Would've been upset if we'd paid for tickets.

The Crap Facts

This is my 273rd concert.

This is my 2nd concert at the Las Vegas Hilton.

This is my 76th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 76th concert in Nevada.

This is my 81st concert in the USA.

Barry Manilow is the 333rd band I've seen.

Danzig & Dimmu Borgir @ The Joint

The Crap Facts

This is my 272nd concert.
This is my 23rd concert at the The Joint.
This is my 75th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 75th concert in Nevada.

This is my 80th concert in the USA.

Dimmu Bogir are the 332nd band I've seen.
This is my 5th Danzig show.

Love @ Mirage Hotel

Unwritten Law, Otherwise & Glory Stoppers @ Icehouse

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with Dave.  Keli'i and Eric from work were also there.

A few people dressed up for Halloween.

Unwritten Law in a small bar - you can't go wrong.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 271st concert.

Icehouse is the 72nd venue I've seen a concert.

This is my 74th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 74th concert in Nevada.

This is my 79th concert in the USA.

Glory Stoppers are the 330th band I've seen.
Otherwise are the 331st band I've seen.
This is my 6th Unwritten Law concert.

Kings Of Leon & We Are Scientists @ The Joint

The Crap Facts

This is my 270th concert.
This is my 22nd concert at The Joint.
This is my 73rd concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 73rd concert in Nevada.
This is my 78th concert in the USA.

We Are Scientists are the 329th band I've seen.
This is my 3rd Kings Of Leon concert

Henry Rollins @ House Of Blues

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A & Bert, from her work).

Sat up in the top level looking down.

Another great 3 hours from Henry.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 269th concert.
This is my 29th concert at House Of Blues.
This is my 72nd concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 72nd concert in Nevada.
This is my 77th concert in the USA.

This is my 6th Henry Rollins concert.

Gogol Bordello @ Fremont East

What I remember (in 2024)

Went on my own.

The show was in a vacant, fenced off block next to one of the casinos downtown.  

Didn't know what time it started and turned up as Voodoo Glow Skulls, who I really wanted to see, walk off stage.

Gogol Bordello were as energetic as always.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 268th concert.
Fremont East is the 71st venue I've seen a concert.
This is my 71st concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 71st concert in Nevada.
This is my 76th concert in the USA.

This is my 2nd Gogol Bordello concert.

Gogol Bordello are the 50th American band I've seen at least twice.

Jersey Boys @ Palazzo Hotel

Foo Fighters @ The Joint

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A.

Bigger venue, but just as energetic as the House of Blues show in 2003.

The Crap Facts
This is my 267th concert.

This is my 21st concert at The Joint.
This is my 70th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 70th concert in Nevada.
This is my 75th concert in the USA.

This is my 4th Foo Fighters concert.