Tool & Elder @ Spectrum Center

Oh no!  Am I getting too old for dad-rock?  Or is it just that I have seen a couple of Tool shows too close together (I mean, it has been nearly 2 years).

An early crowd was exposed to the most suited Tool support I have ever seen.  Elder.  Their heavy prog-rock light-on-lyrics songs made me wonder if I'd seen 6 5-minute songs or one 30 minute opus.  Regardless I thought it was pretty good.  Not only did I not know the songs, but I had not heard of the band either.  One to keep an eye on.

A sold out crowd in the Spectrum Center made plenty of noise as Tool came on stage piece by piece.  With Maynard standing on the opposite side of us, beside the drum, in the dark as usual.  Starting off with Fear Inoculum I am not hopeful that this set will be newer album heavy.  Fortunately Jambi was up next, which is my favorite Tool song.  And it sounded great, and as usual the visuals that come with the music at a Tool show were outstanding.  Rosetta Stoned straight after saw the last of the 10,000 days songs played for the night.  It was fantastic to hear Intolerance and I would have liked to have heard a lot more Undertow stuff, but apparently those days are long gone.  It was about now I noticed a dad and 2 sons on the opposite side of the arena from where I was sitting.  Dad was into, but his sons, maybe 10 & 13, were also having a blast.  The sons may not have known the music, but it didn't stop them dancing their hearts out for the rest of the show.  It distracted me from the band quite a bit.  But that didn't matter, because I felt like I was standing behind Adam Jones for a lot of the show.  The Grudge was a nice finisher to the set.  The encore started with Chocolate Chip Trip - which I've seen a bunch of times live now.  I understand Danny is an incredible drummer, but as a fan I want to see him display that with a different song.  Schism was a bit anti-clamitc for the final song, especially seeing they have been playing Stinkfist at some other shows.  But again that's just me.

Overall I think I'll wait before I head back to see Tool.  No doubt they are incredible musicians, who put on a big show, but the last 3 I've seen (in 5 years) have all been Fear Inoculum heavy.  It is the older stuff that does it for me - no Aenema songs tonight.  And tonight I understand the show went for 2 hours - and no I don't include the publicized 12 minute break between 7 song main set and 4 song encore - but 11 songs for $185 - the 2nd most I've ever paid for any concert - and $50 for a t-shirt (pass).  Who's the family member stereotypically counting where the money is going.  Dad!  It seems like it's alienating your prime audience a bit.  That said, most concert tickets are on the rise - maybe I'm just a grumpy old man, past his concert used by date.  We'll see.

Tool Setlist

The Crap Facts:

This is my 501st concert.

This is my 5th concert at The Spectrum Center.
This is my 106th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 128th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 302nd concert in the USA.
Elder are the 578th band I've seen.
This is my 8th Tool concert

Las Vegas Golden Knights v Carolina Hurricanes @ PNC Arena

So we headed up to Raleigh for the 2nd time in 2 years to see the Vegas Golden Knights play the Hurricanes.  The result didn't go the way we wnated the first time, we were hoping for a change this time around.

We took the boys out of school early as it was the last day before the Christmas break, and they weren't going to miss out on much.  A smooth ride up north but we hit a bit of traffic as we got nearer to Raleigh.    We are staying the night in the hope of looking around Raleigh and Chapel Hill tomorrow and have booked the night at Home2 Suites about 2 miles from the PNC Arena.

It was easy getting into the parking and the arena and after world's most expensive Chick Fil-A dinner, we get to our seats.  We are in the lower section of the arena, in the corner, at the end Vegas will attack twice.  Boys are pretty excited, decked out in their newish VGK jerseys, and hoping for a win.

Only 10 minutes in and the Hurricanes were 1-0 up, but Vegas came down our end and leveled it up 3 minutes later.  Vegas looked to be on top in the first period, dominating the game and having plenty of shots.  That all changed starting in the 2nd period.  The Canes scored in the 24th minutes and by 32 had another 2 in the net.  Down 1-4, the only consolation was that we were at the end where most of the goals were being scored.  The 3rd period started with a Knights player in the box within a minute, and he barely had time to sit down and the Canes scored again.  Our fate was complete.  Then the nail was hammered in 3 minutes later as the Canes scored their 6th.  With 6 minutes left, we'd seen enough, and decided to sneak out before all the Canes fans cloggded up the parking lot.  As a consolation, Vegas got 2 goals after we left, but were convincingly beaten 3-6.  That makes us 0-2 in Vegas games.  We should have known things were not going to go wel when B dropped his fries on the ground before the first puck was even dropped.  But it was a fun night, and while not officially a Christmas present, a gift of an experience rather that a thing is what I'd much prefer for them.

BL&M @ Vegas Golden Knights v Carolina Hurricanes @ PNC Arena, Raleigh

Unfortunately I started getting a migraine during the game.  A good night's sleep and one of my tablets couldn't rectify the problem, so instead of spending Wednesday in Raleigh, we checked out and drove straight home.  Maybe next season we'll have better luck.

Carolina Hurricanes 6: A. Svechnikov (10), J. Staal (24), J. Kotkaniemi (30), M. Bunting (32), S. Jarvis (41), B. Skjei (44) defeated Las Vegas Golden Knights 3: W. Carrier (13, 79), J. Eichel (78).

Crowd: 18,815

Charlotte Checkers v Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins @ Bojangles Arena

$16 tickets to the hockey?  Yes please. 

We got the Ryans & Thomissers together and the 10 of us headed to Bojangles to get our 2nd game of the season in.  

This time we got tickets sitting behind the goal that the Checkers attack twice.  Just for a different view.  And I think for the better. The Checkers started strong, and unlike last month's game, fouls were relatively limited.  The Checkers put away 2 goals in the first period, and I really liked watching the build up down the ice, and then we were all out of our seats for the final shot, as the goals were slightly obstructed by the height we were at.

Another goal in the 2nd period seemed to sure up the match, but the Peguins came out swinging in the 3rd and quickly had 2 goals back, making thing momentarily interesting.  The Checkers killed it off with 2 more goals in the 6th minute of the last period and the game ended 6-3.

I found this game easier to follow the puck, but still things happen so fast that I don't see what and why fouls are called.  But I am a fan of sitting behind the net, instead of side on.  I think I now know what is icing is, so that's a start.  It's also nice seeing a Charlotte team doing resonably well (unlike the Panthers & Hornets).  We now have a 4-3 record when coming to watch the Checkers.

Charlotte Checkers 6: J. Sourdif (10, 59), M. Samoskevich (15), Z. Dalpe (34), S. Kinnunen (45), B. Perlini (45) defeated Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3: J. Gruden (40), C. Dessruixeaux (42), T. Smith (51)

Crowd: 7,525.

500 Concerts

Here are The Crap Facts of the shows I've seen

1st Concert: Abba @ Sydney Showgrounds on 2 March 1977

100th Concert: You Am I @ The Metro, Sydney on 28 September 1996

200th Concert: The White Stripes @ The Joint, Las Vegas on 20 September 2003

300th Concert: The Cult @ The Pearl, Las Vegas on 16 September 2010

400th Concert: Tool @ Bojangles Arena, Charlotte on 26 January 2016

500th Concert: Mudhoney @ Grey Eagle, Asheville on 31 October 2023

1st Band Seen: Abba @ Sydney Showgrounds on 2 March 1977

100th Band Seen: Exploding Daisies @ Selina's Coogee Bay Hotel on 19 August 1995

200th Band Seen: P. J. Harvey @ Festival Sudoeste, Zambujeira do Mar on 9 August 1998

300th Band Seen: Citizen Cope @ House of Blues Las Vegas on 6 June 2007

400th Band Seen: Jesus & The Mary Chain @ House of Blues Las Vegas on 15 June 2012

500th Band Seen: Seth Lakeman @ Ovens Auditorium on 11 February 2018

10 Best Concerts:

The Cure @ Festival Sudoeste, Zambujeira do Mar on 7 August 1998

Paul McCartney @ Coachella on 17 April 2009

Nirvana @ Big Day Out, Sydney on 25 January 1992

The Cure @ PNC Pavilion, Charlotte on 23 June 2016

The Cure @ Coachella on 19 April 2009

The Stooges @ Vegoose, Las Vegas on 27 October 2007

The Hives @ The Joint, Las Vegas on 15 January 2005

The Offspring @ Selina's Coogee Bay Hotel on 24 January 1995

Ramones @ Big Day Out, Sydney on 26 January 1994

The White Stripes @ The Joint, Las Vegas on 20 September 2003

10 Least Favorite Concerts:

Sonic Youth at Festival Sudoeste, Zambujeira do Mar on 8 August 1998

Filter @ The Metro, Sydney on 19 February 2000

Barry Manilow @ Las Vegas Hilton on 14 November 2008

Blur @ House of Blues, Las Vegas on 12 June 2003

Soundgarden @ Hordern Pavilion, Sydney on 30 January 1997

Bob Dylan @ Caesars Coloseum, Las Vegas on 18 August 2010

Cher @ Caesars Coloseum, Las Vegas on 18 March 2009

Garbage at Hordern Pavilion, Sydney on 7 October 1996

Beastie Boys @ The Joint, Las Vegas on 23 October 2006

Swervedriver @ The Metro, Sydney on 5 May 1998 

Loudest Concerts:

My Bloody Valentine @ Coachella on 19 April 2009

Dinosaur Jr @ The Metro, Sydney on 1 October 1997

Number of Bands Seen: 577 from 21 different countries

Number of Times Seen: 1120

Band Most Seen: Tumbleweed - 19 times

Bands seen 5 or more times: 56. Tumbleweed – 19, Unseen – 14, You Am I – 12, Frenzal Rhomb – 12, silverchair – 11, Dinosaur Jr – 10, Melvins – 10, Henry Rollins – 10, Primus – 10, Pennywise – 9, The Gaslight Anthem – 7, Magic Dirt – 7, Tool – 7, The Tea Party – 7, Danzig – 7, Violent Femmes – 7, Regurgitator – 7, Placebo – 7, The Living End – 7, Shihad – 7, Peg – 7, The Porkers – 7, The Fauves – 7, The Cure – 6, Local H – 6, Rancid – 6, Mastodon – 6, Midnight Oil – 6, Unwritten Law – 6, Jebediah – 6, Powderfinger – 6, Nitocris – 6, Spiderbait – 6, The Hard Ons – 6, Def FX – 6, Mudhoney – 5, Foo Fighters – 5, The Flaming Lips – 5, The Black Keys – 5, Helmet – 5, Deftones – 5, Rise Against – 5, Weezer – 5, Bloc Party – 5, The Offspring – 5, Soundgarden – 5, Cage The Elephant – 5, Rollins Band – 5, Something For Kate – 5, The Mark of Cain – 5, Fur – 5, Screamfeeder – 5, Custard – 5, Front End Loader – 5, Crow – 5, Swirl – 5.

Venues: 137 in 56 cities in 16 states across 5 countries

Most Concerts at a Venue: House of Blues Las Vegas - 45

Favorite Venue: The Metro, Sydney

Most Concerts in a City: Las Vegas - 150

Venues I've seen 5 or more concerts in: 19. House of Blues, Las Vegas – 45, The Metro, Sydney – 41, The Fillmore, Charlotte – 30, The Joint, Las Vegas – 23, Hordern Pavilion – 22, The Long Jetty Hotel - 22, Selina’s Coogee Bay Hotel - 22, The New Joint, Las Vegas – 15, The Visulite, Charlotte – 13, Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheater - 13, The Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte – 10, The Pearl, Las Vegas – 10, The Underground, Charlotte – 9, The Annandale Hotel, Sydney – 8, Caesar’s Colosseum Las Vegas – 7, Central Coast Leagues, Gosford – 7, Sydney Showgrounds – 7, The Pool at The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas – 6, Sandringham Hotel, Newtown – 5.

Bands I've seen in 5 states: 3. Melvins - 5 (NSW, BC, NV, CA & NC), The Cure - 5 (Alentejo, CA, IL, NC, GA), Dinosaur Jr - 5 (NSW, QLD, NV, NC, SC).

Bands I've seen in 3 countries: 2.  Placebo - 3 (Portugal, Australia, USA), Melvins - 3 (Australia, Canada, USA).

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.

Charlotte Checkers v Bridgeport Islanders @ Bojangles Arena

 

A last minute call from the Ryans saw the boys and I head almost around the corner to Bojangles Arena for another Checkers game.  Bean's soccer team were having an outing, so while the boys were hanging out, Steve and I watched from seats nearby.

A quiet start to the game just needed a goal from the Checkers in the 8th minute to heat things up.  After that it was hard to keep with who was actually on the ice.  20 fouls meant during the whole game 10 players from each team ended up in the box.  No love was lost out there.  The Checkers finished the scoring in the 19th minute of the first period and from there on out, it was a slugfest.  Not a particularly pretty game to watch, but a victory for the Checkers kept the home crowd happy.  

The highlight probably went to some of the kids from Bean's soccer families.  They all went down to the players entrance for the starrt of the 2nd period to high five the players.  Some of them then got to ride in a car on the ice at the end of that period.  They have a competition where if you can throw a puck into a whole in the sunroof, you win some money.  The kids sat in the car as it got pelted with pucks from the crowd.  No one hit the target.  Then in the 3rd period, when most of the kids lost interest, they went over to where Greasy Keys (the Checkers organist and musical hype-man) was and danced around until they got on the big screen.

Always a good night out at the Checkers

Charlotte Checkers 2: L. Carlsson (7), J. Wise (18) defeated Bridgeport Islanders 0

Crowd: 6,030.

The Chats, Cosmic Psychos, Schizophonics & Gymshorts at Orange Peel

Made the drive up to Asheville this afternoon for what I though were 3 very good reasons.  Turns out it was 4.  An early kick off meant I didn't stop to eat on the way up (after dropping the boys at a party at Top Golf) and I found my spot in the venue and only had to wait 10 minutes before Gymshorts hit the stage.  This band is great.  Rocking out and with a sense of humor well suited to the Psychos and the Chats.  I picked up on a few songs I liked - Date Kate Jones (You Can't), I'm The Jeff Gordon Of Our Generation and Zero Thanks Given.  A raucous half hour to start.

Gymshorts Setlist

It was only 20 minutes before The Schizophonics then tornadoed up the stage, with a new bass player.  I saw this band at the Grey Eagle back in January on a whim (something I very rarely do nowadays).  And they blew my mind that night!  Tonight they did the same.  Pat Beers took his James Brown-Iggy-Pop-Tasmanian Devil inspired performance to expel so much energy he could have lit up half the planet.  I found myself so fixated watching him sometimes, you forget about the great sound the band has.  After half an hour I was exhausted, I can't imagine how the band felt.  It really was an all round great show.

Again a quick turn around before the Cosmic Psychos entered the stage.  I was surprised by hw many people know them.  I assumed their cult status stayed in Australia - not spread as for as North Carolina.  From the get go the Psychos had that great Aussie pub-rock/punk sound, and the sarcasm in their songs that went with it.  Pub and A Great Day To Go To The Pub were a perfect starter and Dea In A Ditch was a good near follower.  Crowd reacted well to Fuckwit City but it took the final song for things to get silly.  During an extended David Lee Roth, Asheville had the priveledge of see guitarist, Mad Macka, whip off the blue Bonds singlet and give a lesson in rock guitar....and beer belly dancing.  Moving away from Australia all thse years ago means it has been 26 years since I last saw the Cosmic Psychos (in a wild double header with the Melvins).  Definitely well worth the wait.

Cosmic Psychos Setlist

Cosmic Psychos @ Orange Peel, Asheville

Again minimal time was wasted before The Chats hit the stage.  I'd heard these guys were good.  Sunshine Coast boys, that Hayden said were great.  But I decided not to listen to any of their stuff before hand, and just take it all in for the first time live.  Instantly the packed Orange Peel was into it.  The Australian humor started with Nambored.  6L GTR was a rollicking song that put the crowd into overdrive (once again I was stunned by how well an Aussie band was known in North Carolina).  The Kids Need Guns was a little Aussie dig at the US.  Southport Superman and Heatstroke were 2 favorites mid set.  Near the end they were joined by Gymshorts Sarah Greenwell for a fun version of Heaps.  Smoko was definitely the song that the crowd new.  I wonder did the words translate?  I think the song is hilarious.  And Pub Feed to finish the night showed how a simple topic and some good hard rock make for a great song.

The Chats Setlist

The Chats exceeded expetations, The Cosmic Psychos were as iconic as always, The Schizophonics blew me away for the 2nd time this year and Gymshorts put on a good show too.  All in all, a fantastic, well thought out line up.  I definitely want the opportunity to see these bands again.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 498th concert.
This is my 3rd concert at Orange Peel.
This is my 13th concert in Asheville.
This is my 125th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 299th concert in the USA.
Gymshorts are the 574th band I've seen.

This is my 2nd Schizophonics concert.
This is my 3rd Cosmic Psychos concert.

The Chats are the 575th band I've seen.

Superchunk @ Neighborhood Theater

I don't really know Superchuck songs, but everytime I see them they put on a good show....and tonight was no exception.  There weren't as many people as I expected, I pictured a lot more UNC alums reliving their early 20's and having an unofficial reunion.  But it is a Thursday night, and those people (like me) are edging or passing 50, so......

Show started really well and the tempo was upped for For Tension.  Learned to Surf and Detroit Has A Skyline were other favorites in the first half of the set.  What I really loved is how much the band were into it.  You know they've played some of these songs endlessly over their 30 plus years, but each song is attacked with a fervour that makes you want to like the song and the band.  But for me it was all about the last song.  Slack Motherfucker.  With a chorus that should be everyone's anthem, Superchunk blitzed through this song as a finale to their main set.  It may be a song they need mid-set  because it unites every fan.  It almost seems like a different fun energy when this song comes on.  Another song worth the price of admission alone.  That energy did spill over into a rocking 5 song encore.  When Mac started talking about playing a cover, I was hoping his Saints t-shirt would be the influence, but the Misfits' Children In Heat was also a good choice.

I know I should know more Superchunk songs, but I feel like everytime I see them I am discovering how good and (to me) new they are.  It's a fine line, but I'm sure my Clambakes record will get a run in the next couple of days.

Superchunk Setlist

The Crap Facts:
This is my 497th concert.
This is my 10th concert at Neighborhood Theater.
This is my 104th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 124th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 298th concert in the USA.
This is my 4th Superchunk concert.

Joelle Jacobs & The Enthusiasts @ Backyard at the Stonehaven

So Mike has recently worked with a friend of his, Joelle, to produce an album.  He was really excited not only to do it, but the finished product as well.  From it, Joelle put together a band, which included Mike as well as Ripley's dad, Matt.  Unfortunately, with Matt's devastating and untimely passing in January, the band has been in limbo.  But this all changed this evening for their first ever performance of Joelle's music.  In a friend's backyard, on a little deck off a man-cave, the band set up, while friends and family bought lawn chairs and filled the backyard.

We hung with Cam and Sanders, as the band waited for the guests of honor to arrive.  Nicole, Sadie, Ripley and Clifton showed up at 8.  I've seen the family at soccer twice a week since March and still can't help get emotional when I see them (the Flaming Lips was a personal disaster).  Nicole's strength is limitless, I sometimes feel like she is handling this better than everyone else combined.  Those kids are definitely in good hands.

Mike had played me a couple of Joelle's songs, and they filled out really well with a full band (guitar, keyboard, bass and drums).  All the songs were great, and Joelle's voice was similar to that of Delores O'Riordan of the Cranberries, as featured in a cover of Linger they did later in the set.  We also got a cover of The Cure's Lovesong.

I know Mike wants this album to become something and I hope they get to play this music to a wider audience than just friends in a backyard.  Time will tell.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 496th concert.
Backyard at The Stonehaven is the 137th venue I've seen a concert at.
This is my 103rd concert in Charlotte.
This is my 123rd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 297th concert in the USA.
Joelle Jacobs & The Enthusiasts are the 573rd band I've seen

Flogging Molly & The Bronx @ Fillmore

This is my 7th concert in the last 3 weeks - I'm WAYYYY too old for this.  Made the most of some free tickets and took the Steves to see some mid week Dad Rock.

I wanted to make sure I was there early to see The Bronx.  This has been my first chance to see them since they opened for The Descendants at this venue 6 years ago.  (They clashed with Ride at Riot Fest last week - decisions were made).  Man, this band is so good!  Front man Matt Caughthran is a punk rock showman.  When a wary crowd didn't dance enough, his encouragement bought them out of their shell.  His climb into the crowd half way through the set, was enough to get the place rocking for the rest of the set.  The driving hard rock/punk sound of the band is music to my ears.  I can't wait till these guys come through town again - which seems to happen regularly in spite of the 6 year gap between show.

Steve R suggested this show and Steve T was happy to come along.  I saw some of Flogging Molly's set last weekend and was impressed by how much better they sounded tonight.  While I don't know any of their songs, around us (mid way back in the Fillmore) people were into it.  For me, that violin/banjo/accordion sound gets a bit samey after a while, but tonight's show was a good one.  Dave King has a very good repoire with the audience, but I'm pretty sure that those coming to a Flogging Molly show know that this "next song is about Ireland".  Not as great as their Salvage Station shows a couple of years ago, but a fun night and good show all the same.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 495th concert.
This is my 29th concert at The Fillmore.
This is my 102nd concert in Charlotte.
This is my 122nd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 296th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd The Bronx concert.

This is my 4th Flogging Molly concert.

Circle Jerks, TSOL & Negative Approach @ Underground

Twice I've seen the Circle Jerks, but only as a support act for Pennywise, so I wanted to see what one of their own shows would be like.

I walked in as Negative Approach were blasting through Sham 69's Borstal Breakout.  A great song I've only ever heard Bored! cover.  I wish I'd gotten here sooner to catch the whole set.  Also didn't know John Bannon was their singer.  I'd seen him twice with Easy Action, but he seemed more at home with his original band.  Tied Down and Lead song were also blistering songs.

I wanted to see TSOL - I feel like I've missed them at other shows before, and their status as early punk pioneers means you'd think I'd have seen them at some point.  I didn't know any songs, but the crowd around me did.  I was expecting something faster, but these songs sounded like great rock songs instead of the blistering punk I was expecting.

In contradiction, Circle Jerks were super fast.  Songs flying by at pace the audience remembers - and loves.  From the first notes of When The Shit Hits The Fan until the last song ninety minutes and 31 songs later, Keith Morris lead the band in a frenetic set.  Wild In The Streets early on was awesome.  And it sounds cheesy, but the 25-second Deny Everything made every cent of the concert ticket worth it.  Between songs Morris explained the history of So-Cal Punk and why bands set up their sets in blocks of songs (tuning, drinks, vaping etc).  The Circle Jerks, were appreciative of the turn out and performed accordingly.  Moral Majority and Coup D'état were great. and as a bonus for me, they played World Up My Ass (I didn't know that was one of their songs).  Circle Jerks version of Wasted was a hit al round (is it a cover if Morris co-wrote it?).  And Red Tape finished off the main set.  I don't think it was 3 minutes before they were back for a frenetic encore.  The Soft Boys I Wanna Destroy You, quickly followed by What's Your Problem and Question Authority finished off a great performance all round.  Glad I dragged myself out on a Monday night.

Circle Jerks Setlist

The Crap Facts:

This is my 494th concert.
This is my 9th concert at The Underground.

This is my 101st concert in Charlotte.
This is my 121st concert in North Carolina.
This is my 295th concert in the USA.
Negative Approach are the 571st band I've seen.

TSOL are the 572nd band I've seen.

This is my 3rd Circle Jerks concert.

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.