Pixies & Fuck Buttons @ The New Joint

I listened to Doolittle, my one and only Pixies album, on the drive to the Joint. This is another band I had never really gotten into (not sure why not) but they were a favorite of a favorite of mine (Nirvana), so Erik and I went to check them out.

Firstly though we had to endure the Fuck Buttons. Like Animal Collective, the Fuck Buttons are a couple of guys making electronic noise and boring the shit out of me. I understand that people have a wide variety of music tastes and that some people would like this (I'm looking at you Moz), but there is a time and a place. Surely being a band for 20 plus years, the Pixies could have come up with a better support act. Either that or it was genius to put such an ordinary support on the slot, so that way you look so good it is ridiculous.

The Pixies entrance was accompanied by a video in the background, which was highly surreal. The whole crowd cringed in horror as the clip showed a donkey's eye being slit. I had heard a movie that had this, but it was the only part of the movie I knew of. As it turns out, this was the move. The Luis Bunuel / Salvador Dali "Un Chien Andalou". The surrealists 16 minute silent film was the backdrop to the Pixies taking the stage.

So ignorant was I of the Pixies that as they started I found out that the tour was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Doolittle. Which means at least I'd know some of the songs. And from the start the band had the crowd partying. A few b-sides and songs before Debaser sent the crowd into a frenzy. Pixies then proceeded to play Doolittle from start to finish. Great sound (the best at the New Joint since No Doubt) and a rockin', visual, quick set. When they finished after Gouge Away they made a big deal about farewelling the crowd. It looked like we were only going to get an hour - not happy (but it would give me the opportunity to possibly get to the Las Vegas Country Saloon to see a mate's band, Ditch Diggers, perform. Wheels were almost in motion until after a short break the Pixies were back on stage for the first of 2 encores.

Overall a great show, considering I wasn't familiar with a lot of their work, but the highlights for me were Debaser, Monkey Gone To Heaven and, from the 2nd encore, Where is My Mind? Another band off the bucket list.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 301st concert.

This is my 6th concert at The New Joint.

This is my 98th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 98th concert in Nevada.

This is my 109th concert in the USA.

Fuck Buttons are the 374th band I've seen.
The Pixies are the 375th band I've seen.

Viva Elvis @ Aria

Viva Elvis again (the 3rd time). I had to go as part of my job. I need to know how to sell the show. I was actually a little psyched about seeing it in the 3rd last row, to give a different perspective, but after taking our seats an usher moved us closer to the front i.e. the 4th row. Wow! That's pretty close. The show is no different from the last time we saw it, and still enjoyable. As long as people realize this is a musical tribute to Elvis and not as acrobatic as other shows, there is no reason not to love the show.

The Cult & The Black Ryder @ Pearl

15 years.....that's a long time between seeing a band. But not since the 95 Big Day Out had I seen The Cult. And even then I was miles away from the stage, so I assumed seeing them at the intimate Pearl would be a treat. I would be proved right.

Met Dave there and we were going to see if we could scalp a ticket (this is Dave's new skill - buying tickets under face value). There were not a lot of people around, and very few people selling tickets, so we lined up to get a ticket and just as we were next in line, someone came to us with floor tickets for $25 (half price).

We walked in to a near empty Pearl just as The Black Ryder hit the stage. This six piece played that shoegazer rock reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Swirl, Swervedriver etc. This is not usually my cup of tea, but these guys were good - and the sound was excellent. It was like they were meant to play this size venue. As it turns out The Black Ryder are an Aussie band, who toured with The Cult in Australia. The Cult liked them so much, they invited them to support in the US.

For some ungodly reason it took The Cult over an hour to come on after The Black Ryder. Maybe it was so the Pearl could fill up a bit more (probably 3/4 full without the upper balcony being used.) But it was well worth the wait. They Rocked! You know how sometimes you wonder whether a band can live up to how good they were - well there is no doubt in my mind The Cult were as good as they have ever been. Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy looked they were having a ball and all their songs were great. I knew a lot more than I expected, but Fire Woman and She Sells Sanctuary were definitely highlights for me. Also enjoyed the visuals projected behind the back of the band on a big screen.

If I wait 15 years again to see The Cult I'll be 52 - but if they come through town again, I'll have no hesitation going to see them.

 

The Crap Facts:

This is my 300th concert.

This is my 8th concert at The Pearl.

This is my 97th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 97th concert in Nevada.

This is my 108th concert in the USA.

The Black Ryder are the 373rd band I've seen.
This is my 2nd Cult show.

Frank Caliendo @ Monte Carlo

The fortunes of a work freebie. I knew of Frank Caliendo from his TBS show a couple of years back, but had never actually seen the man do any impersonations. I had been pre-empted with the fact that it was man / sport related humor, so it sounded good to me. A would be the test.

Again it is hard to review a comedy show, because it is not you can recall the jokes, especially in his impersonated voices, but Caliendo did some great versions of Obama, Bush, Pacino, Charles Barkley and John Madden (amongst others). His near ending hand puppet routine, while funny, ran a little long. For me, as someone who has only lived in the US for 8 years, it was the fact that his characters are more modern (than Danny Gans' were) that made him a fun show.

Both A and I really enjoyed the show, as did Jesse & Ashley who we ran into for the first time in a long while. It is now a show I can confidently recommend to others when looking for a comedy show.

Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp & The Dough Rollers @ Caesars Colosseum

An interesting night to say the least.

It was only the day before that I decided to get a ticket to this show and took a cheaper option to sit on the 1st Mezzanine at the Colosseum. Previous shows on the main floor (Cher, Bette Midler Stevie Nicks, Dennis Miller) had been great seating and the 2nd Mezzanine (Jon Stewart) had been awful - so we took the middle ground.

The night started with the Dough Rollers. 2 guys playing their guitars and singing some old school blues (mostly covers of John Lee Hooker, Mississippi John Hurt etc). AMAZING!!!! What a way to kick off the night. The Dough Rollers probably ploughed through 10 songs in their quick 1/2 hour set. This is a band I will definitely look for in the future - in a small venue they'd be phenomenal.

John Mellencamp came out and from the start had the audience jumping. He played a plethora of old hits (including a rousing acapella rendition version of Cherry Bomb) sprinkled in with some of his new new stuff (meh!). But overall a great performance. He knew it wasn't his show and was limited on time, so he gave the audience what they wanted and teased them with a couple of new songs, which I'm sure he'll do when he has his own tour later in the year. I would've loved to of heard Jack & Diane, but as I said he picked a bunch of greats. And if I really wanted to hear that song I should have went with everyone 20 years ago when he toured Australia for the Lonesome Jubilee.

Then there was Bob Dylan. I wanted to like this. I even tried. But this was just terrible. He had no presence on stage, no connection with the audience (as seen by the dimmed lights between EVERY song) and the sound was atrociously mixed. Some of his harmonica solos were ear-splittingly painful. A and I left after a mere 7 songs. This is only the 3rd time I've ever done that (once with Sonic Youth in '98, and The Vines in '04).  I kept waiting for it to get better - but it wouldn't. And while I'm sure a lot of people liked it, there was also a bucket load of people leaving at the same time we were. Me thinks Mellencamp should've been the headliner, but then would we have suffered through all of Dylan. 

The Crap Facts:

This is my 299th concert.

This is my 4th concert at Caesars Colosseum.

This is my 96th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 96th concert in Nevada.

This is my 107th concert in the USA.

The Dough Roller are the 370th band I've seen.
John Mellencamp is the 371st band I've seen.
Bob Dylan is the 372nd band I've seen.

Primus @ The New Joint

Midnight! It's not that I'm too old to see a band at midnight, it's that I'm too old to get up and be at work for 7.30 the next morning. But it's Primus - so we must make the effort. And to combat the late start (because they had been to the MGM to see Rush earlier in the evening) I got a early evening nanna-nap in.

And, as always (this is my 5th Primus show) I was completely amazed. These guys are just such great musicians it is hard to know which way to look. Ultimately you end up back on Les Claypool, as his unique voice and bass playing take precedence over everything. From the start of Pudding Time, the audience as a whole were captivated by another great performance. Particular highlights were My Name Is Mud and the Primus song in my all time Top 20 Tommy The Cat.

Two hours of skilled musicianship and we bid farewell to Primus after Too Many Puppies (only the 2nd song of the encore). I didn't want it too end. But is was only 4 hours until I had to be up for work again. Damn you hospitality industry and making me work weekends!

When are they coming back?

The Crap Facts:

This is my 298th concert.

This is my 5th concert at The New Joint.

This is my 95th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 95th concert in Nevada.

This is my 106th concert in the USA.

This is my 5th Primus concert.

Best Postcard Ever

Thanks Phil. Made my day.

Blondie & B52s @ Mandalay Bay Beach

Ohhhhh Yeah! This is how every concert in Vegas should be. Ankle deep in water, not crowded and full of people just having FUN! For our first ever concert at Mandalay Bay Beach, A and I joined Dave and headed into see the B52s open for Blondie. A bit of a nostalgia trip, and not sure what to expect, but this was to be a blast of night.

This outdoor venue gives the option of standing back a ways on the sand or actually being in the pool to get closed to the stage. We opted to cool our heels in the middle of the Vegas summer and relaxed into the evening.

Once the B52s came on stage everyone was in party mode (especially the muscly dude in the pink dress and matching beehive who we'd seen earlier in the night eating dinner inside Hussongs). There is nothing complex in what the B52s do - it's just fun, dance music. Even the songs which I didn't know - which was most of them - were catchy enough to keep the crowd moving. They finished the main set with Love Shack - and yes the girls can still hit those notes - which lit the place up. But for me the highlight was definitely their encore ending Rock Lobster. I rate seeing that song live up there with seeing Smells Like Teen Spirit and Killing In The Name Of live. It was spine tingling.

How were Blondie ever going to top this. Unfortunately they weren't, but they did hold their own. I enjoyed the set when I knew the songs (Hanging On The Telephone, Rapture, Call Me, Heart Of Glass, One Way Or Another, The Tide Is High etc), the songs I didn't know lost me (and I think the crowd). Still a great show. It was also great watching a storm roll in from the south east and travel east of the Strip, yet the concerns of lightning forced everyone out of the pool for the (probably shortened to) 1 song encore of Blondie.

2 legendary bands now ticked off my bucket list.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 297th concert.

Mandalay Bay Beach is the 80th venue I've seen a concert in.

This is my 94th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 94th concert in Nevada.

This is my 105th concert in the USA.

The B52s are the 368th band I've seen.
Blondie are the 369th band I've seen.
Blondie are the 150th time I've seen a band in Las Vegas.

Reggae & Phil's Wedding

We got to hang with the Reggae & Phil one more time after I finished work, as they came to our place for a quick dinner before we dropped them off at the Strip so they could go and see Love. I’ve had such a great week with them here, actually 2 weeks if you count the time with everyone in Hawaii as well. Tomorrow they continue on their US trip, while I have to work on keeping this quiet for 3 months until they have their Australian wedding. I think I’ll make it ?!?!

Reggae & Phil's Wedding

Still working as the newlyweds get to spend their first day together celebrating Phil’s birthday. Again we meet up when I’ve finished work and the 6 of us head out to Joe’s Stone Crab for dinner. Again, a great meal with some good company. And no trip to Vegas is complete until drinks have been had at the Peppermill. The pictures below say it all I think. Tonight was our farewell to the Saffas, as they head back to Houston in the morning.

Us In The Car

Us @ The Peppermill

Reggae & Phil's Wedding

Again I had to work today, so all was left for preparation for the big night.  Reggae & Phil get married at the Graceland Wedding Chapel. The girls were spoiled by a hairdresser & make-up artist, while the boys …well just got ready when they had to.

Gretchen, Reggae & A @ Aria

Me & A @ Aria

Regs & Her Bridesmaids

Reggae On Her Way To The Chapel

Saffa & I escorted Reggae to the Chapel and in Vegas style we were up and done in 20 minutes. Elvis walked her down the short isle to her nervous husband in waiting. Elvis then proceeded to perform a great, fun ceremony and before we knew it Reggae & Phil were Happily Ever Aftered.

Me, A, Gretchen & Saffa

Phil & Reggae @ Graceland Wedding Chapel

After the ceremony, the Reggae & Phil had hired a photographer who had a limo driver take us to different parts of the city for 2 hours for the wedding photos. We went to the Vegas sign, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio & Caesars Palace before heading to Firefly at The Plaza for the reception dinner.  Definitely a fun wedding and a great night had by all.

Regs & Her Boys

KISS and Reggae & Phil

Phil & Reggae & Cake @ Firefly

Reggae & Phil's Wedding

I had to work today so I had Phil & Regs drive me to work so they could have my car and have the day to do as they please. Also Phil is moving into Aria today - to keep away from his bride the night before the wedding. He will be joined there by his mate, Zu, who will partake it the events as well. Also Saffa and Gretchen arrive into Vegas this afternoon to complete the party.

After work we all met at Aria to let them marvel at where I work, and have a drink before keeping it low key and having dinner at the Hookah Lounge - a fave from Reggae's last visit. We escort the bride home afterwards and the boys headed back for a bit of fun on the casino floor.

Me, Zu, Regs, Phil, A, Gretchen & Saffa @ Aria

Reggae & Phil's Wedding

A mere 3 days after getting back from Hawaii we are blessed by the incoming Reggae & Phil, who are doing a few week tour through the US (LA, Vegas, Chicago, NY, Amish Country, Memphis, Nashville and Honolulu). But this stop is special as it includes a secret wedding that only parents and the 5 guests (Me, A, Saffa, Gretchen & Zu) know about.

I picked the kids up from the airport and we made the trip directly to get the Marriage Licence from Clark County Courthouse before going to Rent a Dress & Tux to get the kids outfitted for Friday. While alterations were made we headed over to the Hard Rock Hotel for lunch at Mr Luckys.

 

Reggae & Phil getting their Marriage Licence

10 days of travelling and the upcoming fun ahead and Phil & Regs were happy for a night in and a home cooked meal. Fine by us too.

Barnesy & Jill's Wedding

The morning after was spent at Brunch back at the Westin. It was fun to relive the previous nights' funny parts and everyone's great memories over a Bloody Mary.

Again afterwards we spent the afternoon dividing time between the pool and the beach. Such a hard life!

Later that evening the Joyners, Creans, Besters-To-Be and the us joined forces and headed down to the Hyatt for the Luau. I had a blast - great company (never know when we are all going to get together again), good food, the outdoors (we didn't even budge when it started raining in the middle of dinner) and decent entertainment. However us oldies were straight back to the hotel afterwards too exhausted to go on.

Me & The Creans @ The Hyatt Luau

A and I got up early on our last morning to walk along the beach and get a quick swim in before we head back to reality. Got a taxi back to the airport with the Creans and spent the flight back reflecting on how stoked we were to get the opportunity to make our first trip to Hawaii such a special one. And how can we get back quickly?

Barnesy & Jill's Monaghan Wedding

Plenty of relaxing time around the pool and at the beach before we have to get ready for the evening festivities. It is so good to sit in the sun and not worry about anything - work, cell phones, life etc. You just have to not get sunburned.

We caught the early shuttle for the 20 minute ride up to the Ritz, where the wedding is held outside down by the ocean. Just ridiculously beautiful! We waited a while as a storm passed through - just enough to make the wedding party nervous. But the simple ceremony had all the elements of beauty. The waves in the background, a small group of close friends and family, the setting sun and the happy couple. Everyone was so happy it all went well for Greg & Jill.

Regs, Phil, KTel, Creany, A & I @ The Ritz

Greg, Mick & Anthony at the ready

Jill & Greg married in paradise

A & I after the wedding

The evening then moved back into the hotel where the open reception room, looking over the golf course and the coast, hosted the festivities in style. When the wedding party arrived - the party started. A great meal followed by all the usual wedding frivolities topped off a great day for everyone, especially Greg & Jill.  A and I are definitely blessed to have such great friends and a good life.

A, Phil, Suzanne & KTel @ The Reception

Barnes, Me, Crean, Regs & JJ @ The Reception