The Hives & The Chats @ Citizens House of Blues

I've come to Boston for a few reasons.  First, it's the catch up and a show with Erik.  Second that show is The Hives & The Chats, and 3rd, is because I've never been to Boston before.  We both got in yesterday.  I earlier and I wandered around near the hotel, the Public Garden, Boston Common, and the Cheers Bar.  Erik got in later and we went for a walk into the theatre strict and had dinner at the Fourth Wall.

The following morning we got up and walked around the corner to the Friendly Toast where we had a huge breakfast.  

It was then a $15 Uber ride to get to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.  We had tickets for 10am (doors opening).  We then spent over 3 hours wandering through this palace of art.  I remember hearing of this place, and when Erik said it had been robbed in 1990, I realized I had seen the Netflix documentary, This Is a Robbery, a couple of years ago.  I'm excited to see this palace.  You walk in and immediately step into the courtyard in the center of the 4 story Venetian style palazzo /  former home of Gardner.  Built in the early 1900's by the the widow Isabella Gardner, the museum was personally curated by her, and kept open after her passing in 1924 with the proviso that the permanent exhibit remain as she designed it.  The museum is a series of rooms and corridors, each differently themed.  3 floors of priceless art (the 4th was Gardner's residence), one space just as fascinating as the others.  Weirdly, for me, what was most interesting was the still hanging bare frames from the 1990 robbery.  The first we came across was in the Blue Room on the first floor, a small Manet, was taken and the frame left tauntingly back in the head of security's office.  My favorite thing was all the statues leading down to John Singer Sargent's El Jaleo  in the Spanish corridor.  The 2nd floor contains the large Dutch Room.  It is here where 2 priceless Rembrandts and a Vemeer were taken, amongst other things.  These were larger paintings, and the empty frames on the wall really stand out.  The look sad, as they wait now 36 years for their paintings to return.  In the room workers were actively cleaning the ceiling paint.  About a quarter had been done, as staff carefully removed years of pollution carefully with Q-tips.  A degree of patience that only an art historian could have.  In the Short Gallery on this floor is where 3 Degas were taken.  These drawings were obviously targeted, considering how they had been displayed in folder like cases in the building.  Not necessarily obvious they were there.  The Tapestry Room here was magnificently lined by huge works covering every inch of the walls.  The 3rd floor also was amazing, though nothing from memory really stands out.  It was really interesting being in a museum with a sordid past that you knew some information about.  After 36 years, I think this priceless art is gone forever, but what a glorious day it would be if it was found.  I will watch that documentary again, if only to reconnect to this beautiful place.

It was mid afternoon before we left.  Again we were in an Uber and headed to Faneuil Hall.  A marketplace full of eateries.  We picked up a lighter meal, still recovering from the huge breakfast, before walking in North End.  Erica had told me Mike's Pastries was the place to go.  She was right.  The place was packed, and the food plentiful.  We took what we needed and went around the corner and ate it in front of Paul Revere House.  Afterwards we took the 15 minute self guided tour through the home of this American hero.  It was small. and they have done a great job of preserving it the best they can.  Once we were done here, we just wandered back to the hotel, to get ready for tonight's concert.

No dinner was needed, yet, so we caught an Uber, in the rain down, to the House of Blues at 7pm.  The front door is literally in the shadow of Fenway Park.  It's amazing.  It's really easy getting through doors and we walked into a packed venue.  I got 2 LPs last Saturday, so this week it was a Hives shirt to add to my collection.  We got our spot right behind the sound board, nearer the back, but with a great sightline.  The Chats came out and killed it again.  There set was similar to Asheville.  A different order, as well as the added Casualty and Nazi March near the beginning.  6LGTR had the crowd as pumped as expected and that energy ran through the whole set.  No Gym Shorts cover tonight.  Instead the had Paul Caporino of MOTO join them on stage for a cover of his Dance Dance Dance Dance Dance to the Radio.  Not a song I know, but a good one, and the audience loved it as well.  Smoko was the best song and again Pub Feed was an absolute ripper to finish their set.  I can't get enough of this band.  Let's hope they come nearby again soon

The Chats Setlist

To the fanfare that only The Hives can command, the band graced the House of Blues.  Their set was as dynamic as Asheville and was almost song for song the same.  My favorites came from Veni Vini Vicious, Main Offender and Hate To Say I Told You So.  But even with the familiarity the between song banter was different and the show had so much energy  The threw in a new song OCDOD and the encore had Bigger Hole To Fill instead of Smoke and Mirrors.  Again, I need to get familiar with the last 2 albums as that is where a majority of the set comes from.  But I have one of them now, so that shouldn't be a problem.  C'mon and Tick Tick Boom were excellent main set enders and it was definitely appropriate for them to finish the night with The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives.

Overall a great night!  New venue, new city!  I really dig Boston.  And hope to come back again for a more extended period of time.

The Hives Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 541st concert.
Citizens House of Blues is the 144th venue I've seen a concert in.
Boston is the 59th city I've seen a concert in.
Massachusetts is the 18th state I've seen a concert in.
This is my 341st concert in the USA.
This is my 5th Chats concert.
This is my 5th Hives concert.

The Hives & The Chats @ The Orange Peel

Back in September of 2023 The Hives were supposed to play the Peel, but Hurricane Helene had other plans.  The tour couldn't be rerouted, so this is a show I have been waiting for for over 18 months.  I'm just glad they came back (hint! hint! Violent Femmes).

And they've bought new Aussie legends The Chats with them.  As if I was ever going to miss this.  I drove up and back tonight, as I knew there was no way I was going to be asleep before 2am anyway.  Might as well get back and do it in my own bed.

A quick burger at Daddy Macs, and I'm in the venue 10 minutes before The Chats hit the stage.  Got myself a good spot, half way up the floor on the left.  And The Chats did, what the Chats do best.  Short, fast, aggressive punk rock.  Very much in a Australian pub rock sense.  I love how they have such a great following in the US, as there wording definitely lilts towards the Ocker way.  To see Americans shout out the words to 6L GTR. is amazing.  I don't even know how to convert that into American.  The Price of Smokes is another example of things no one else is singing about.  But the song is a classic.  And all played on borrowed gear, as singer Eamon Sandwith told us that none of their gear had arrived from home.  But for me it was 2 of the last 3 songs that are their best.  Smoko should be the new Australian National Anthem, and Pub Feed is the thought of every bloke after finishing a days work/  The Chats continue to impress, even without any new songs (for me) to throw into their setlist.

The Chats Setlist

The Hives have the best front man in rock today, maybe of all time.  Howlin' Pelle Almqvist has all the moves, charisma, humor and vibes in general to lead this great band.  And tonight he did it in his usual style again.  I was fully charged into the 2nd song, Walk Idiot Walk.  There was a lot of new stuff for me to hear, but it all fit the Hives sound perfectly.  An early Main Offender was definitely a highlight.  Veni Vidi Vicious is my favorite album of theirs, but as time goes on, I hear less of it live.  So it goes without saying that Hate To Say I Told So was another absolute banger.  And Come On! and Tick Tick Boom was a great ending to a short, sharp set.  A 3 song encore only covered their last 2 albums, but The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives was an appropriate ending to a great set.

I walked out with The Chats Get Fucked LP.  I'm sure it will go onto heavy rotation in the near future.  And even better, I'm meeting Erik in Boston next weekend and we're going to see them again at the House of Blues.

The Hives @ The Orange Peel

The Hives Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 540th concert.
This is my 7th concert at the Orange Peel.
This is my 18th concert in Asheville.
This is my 161st concert in North Carolina.
This is my 340th concert in the USA.
This is my 4th Chats concert.

This is my 4th Hives concert.

Los Straitjackets with Deke Dickerson @ Neighborhood Theater

I can't believe it's been 7 years since Mike and I made our discovery of Los Straitjackets at the Free Range Brewery.  When they were coming through Charlotte again, there was no way I was going to miss them.  And I get to find out about Deke Dickerson as well.

I was excited when I arrived at the Neighborhood to see the band was set up on the side stage, in front of the bar.  While I hate that tickets didn't sell enough to get them in the big room, the thought of another show near that stage was awesome.  And that was the case.  I was 3 rows from the stage with plenty of room to groove.  And plenty of dancing was done!

The masked Straitjackets came out and played 5 of their own songs before being joined on stage by Dickerson.  From there on there were classic covers done in the great surf-rock style.  Dickerson, who sadly I knew nothing of, is a rockabilly / surf-rock cult hero.  And a frontman who knows how to engage with a crowd.  His stories between songs, tells of a well travelled man, who spent his life surrounded by great musicians.  California Sun, King Of The Surf and Have love Will Travel was an awesome trio of songs early in the set.  I loved their Hawaii Five O cover, as well as their take on Link Wray's The Rumble in medley of 3 of his songs.  Have to mention singing What's So Funny Bout Peace Love & Understanding at the top of my lungs, and John Travolta-ing to Misrilou.  I was bummed to hear they were leaving the stage, only to find out they be back in 15 minutes to play a 2nd set.

The 2nd set, like the first, had Los Straitjakets come out on their own and play, including an instrumental My Heart Will Go On, a drummer-sung A Cry For A Beatle and an awesomely minimally choreographed Driving Guitars.  Dickerson rejoined them and straight into Bad Reputation meant no one wanted the night to end.  Every song was more fun than the last.  Mr Moto bought a shoutout for NC legend, the late Dex Romweber.  Beach Boys In My Room saw some great harmonies from all and sundry.  Gusto in IU Fought The Law and a finale of Woolly Bully put an end to 30 great songs.  But it wasn't over.  Exhausted, band and crowd also had to dance off to Surfing Bird & Louie Louie.

I know at my age it's hard to find people to hang and enjoy the music I like, but I wish people had listened to me tonight, because Los Straitjackets only means fun and happiness.  And everyone needs that.  I'm glad going to concerts on my own is something I enjoy, but if you weren't here tonight, you missed a great night.

Come back soon Los Straitjackets!

Deke Dickerson & Los Straitjackets @ Neighborhood Theatre

Set 1 Setlist

Set 2 Setlist

Los Straitjackets Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 539th concert.
This is my 13th concert at the Neighborhood Theater.

This is my 134th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 160th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 339th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Los Straitjackets concert.

Nine Inch Nails & Boys Noize @ Spectrum Center

What was almost a disaster of an evening turned into an incredible concert.

Free tickets from work were a blessing.  I had looked into buying tickets, but couldn't justify the price.  Seats in the lower bowl were over $200.  The last time I saw Nine Inch Nails, tickets were $40 and Soundgarden opened for them.  And the time before that was the $140 NIN/Jane's Addiction tour in Vegas.  But 2 days before work came through and we got some freebies up in the top deck.  Mike and I were there early and I went into the seats, with the stadium empty, and freaked out how high up we were.  I had to get back into the foyer to calm down.  We hung out while I tried to psych myself back inside.  Boys Noize started playing, so we walked back around to the seats.  That's when we were accosted by an angel.  A staff member was giving away tickets to fill seats in the lower bowl, and put us on an isle 6 rows back from the small stage in the middle of the floor.  I had already talked myself into leaving Mike there, and walking home.  But alas......we were about to see an amazing show.

Boys Noize DJed an hour.  The music was fine, but the old man in me thought it was only 1 song (and I should've been  DJ....ha!).  Trent Reznor slipped past us and onto the smaller stage right in front of us and started the set on his own, as the band joined one at a time (sans drummer) until they finished their 3rd song, Piggy right there in front of us.  The end of Piggy saw the Josh Freese kick into action with the drum attack of Wish on the main stage, as the rest of the band made their way up.  A frenetic start to the main stage was doubled with March of The Pigs.  Surrounded by a silk screen, and a cameraman who worked double time, Nine Inch Nails visually and sonically blew me away.  Copy of A was the pinnacle.  The multiple light copies of Reznor projected all over the stage was just perfection.  Never has a visual representation of a song been so suited to the music.  

Half way through the night, Reznor, Atticus Rose and Boys Noize cam back to the smaller stage in the middle of arena for another 4 songs, including the highly anticipated Closer.  I just spent the whole song being grateful to be there - I'd almost left before it started and I would've missed all this.  

Back on the main stage The Perfect Drug was a perfect song as was the double header to end the night.  Head Like A Hole was sung louder by the audience than the band in full throttle, only to be bought back down to earth by the haunting Hurt.  Just a dynamically different way to end a show.  This is the 5th time for me seeing Nine Inch Nails - over a 30 years period - and it's safe to say they are a great live band, who only get better each time I see them.  For the first show of 2026, I'm a little worried about how any other band can top that.

Nine Inch Nails Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 538th concert.
This is my 4th concert in the Spectrum Center.

This is my 133rd concert in Charlotte.
This is my 159th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 338th concert in the USA.
Boys Noize are the 631st band I've seen
This is my 5th Nine Inch Nails concert.

Spamalot @ Belk Theater

I love this show.  We saw it 3 times back in Vegas.  So when the opportunity arose for us to see it as a family, there was never a doubt.  I picked a Saturday matinee, because there was no soccer to interrupt us.  Boy was I glad!

All week Charlotte has been threatened with an ice storm.  Now it is due to start at 6pm tonight.  We ran to to Eric's (from soccer) family, who had scrambled to get tickets, as they were originally booked for Saturday night's performance, that has already been cancelled.

We got Uptown (too) early and went and had lunch at Cowbell.  It was perfect warming food for the freeze that was happening outside.  We had some time to kill afterwards, but opted to wait in the foyer of the Belk Theater, just to escape the cold.  We also had the obligatory finding of Mrs. Y, B's 3rd grade teacher.

And the show.  Just as funny as I remembered.  The full version, not the 90 minute scaled down Vegas version.  Casting was great, and how can you not like Monty Python and the Holy Grail set to music.  Mom & B loved it as well.  L could take it or leave it.  I think he is a musical non-lover.  He's rather of been anywhere else (again).  

It's important to me to give the boys these experiences, something that is not the norm, and hopefully expand their interests.  We left in a great mood, only to drive home through the start of sleet.  Spamalot did the right thing by cancelling their Saturday night and Sunday shows.  While we only ended up getting .25 inch of ice, in Charlotte that is Armageddon.  We're just not prepared for it, as shown by the kids getting 3 days off school for it, and to have people out on the road would just be dangerous.

Fechez la vache!

Aziz Ansari @ Ovens Auditorium

Again, I struggle to write a review of a comedy show.  Needless to say - it was funny.  Not quite as good as the first time we saw Ansari, which was fall out of your seat funny, but funny nonetheless.  I can't write down specifically what was said, as it would never do the stories justice, but A&I had a great laugh and would be happy to see Ansari any time he came through town.

GWAR, Helmet, Dwarves & Blood Vulture @ Piedmont Hall

As my las scheduled show of the year, I've picked GWAR at a new city to see a concert.  It's only just over an hour up the road, and I got a cheap ticket off Groupon, so, as tired as I weas, I jumped in the car and headed north.

I caught most of Blood Vulture's set.  A hard rock band with an 80's vampire vibe.  I feel that it was an odd combination for GWAR, but who on this line up isn't.  Not really my thing, but they did a job as the first of 4 bands.

Blood Vulture Setlist

Dwarves are one of those bands that I've wanted to see, but they've neve been where I have (except last years Punk Rock Bowling where they played a side show with the Queers, that I kick myself for not going to).  After some problems with sound a the beginning, Dwarves ripped through a 30 minute set of 15 songs of pure punk, anger, sarcasm and humor.  The bass player, Rex Everything, looked familiar.  I finally worked out it was Nick Oliveri of Queens of the Stone Age.  He was having a blast on stage.  I really liked this show, but you know it would've been better in a smaller venue on a shorter stage (like New Bomb Turks).  I hope the chance to see them again comes around.

Dwarves Setlist

Helmet being on the bill was definitely a draw, and probably the reason I drove to Greensboro for the show.  I took my spot, close to the front in front of singer Page Hamilton, and proceeded to have my ears ripped off (even with earplugs in).  This set had a lot of songs I didn't know, but when something came of that I knew, it was sonic perfection.  Wilma's Rainbow was 5 songs in and got the whole crowd moving.  Unsung was as brilliant live, as it was the first time I ever heard it. And then to end the night the trifecta of Milquetoast, Give It and the fucking awesome In The Meantime just left me wanting more.  50 minutes, and I felt the audience was just getting into its stride.  Helmet don't know how to put on a bad show. 

Helmet Setlist

It's been 11 years since I saw GWAR at Riot Fest.  I'm not sure I'd say I was a fan of the music, but the theatrics are stellar.  Tonight's show was about Gor Gor, the dinosaur GWAR found as an egg, raised as one of their own, taken from then, and his travel back to them.  So funny.  I'm not sure if this really counts as being at a GWAR show, as I was standing in front of Grodius Maximus, but never got covered in any stuff constantly spurting from the stage.  I don't really know GWAR's songs but I picked up on Sadaam a Go Go, Cracked Egg and Fuck This Place.  But it was the story of Gor Gor that was front and center.  His appearances from the egg, as a baby, as a teen to a full grown dinosaur was a feat in itself, pulled off fantastically.  The irony of the crowd singing along to America Must Be Destroyed as the final song of the main set was not lost on me.  A 3 song encore was perfect for what the crowd wanted, as a messed up crowd poured out of Piedmont Music Hall.

GWAR Setlist

Again, I struggled to get motivated to go to this show, but I'm glad I made the effort.  Dwarves were a great find.  Helmet was a powerful as always.  And GWAR is definitely the most I've laughed at a heavy metal show.

Balsac The Jaws Of Death

Beefcake the Mighty

Grodius Maximus

The Crap Facts
This is my 537th concert.
Piedmont Hall is the 143rd venue I've seen a concert at.
Greensboro is the 58th city I've seen a concert at.
This is my 158th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 337th concert in the USA.
Blood Vulture is the 629th band I've seen

Dwarves are the 630th band I've seen

This is my 6th Helmet concert.
This is my 2nd GWAR concert.

Six @ Belk Theater

This is a show that A has wanted to see for a long time, so when it comes into Charlotte, it's a no brainer to buy tickets.  The boys have had a mixed reaction to musicals, so tonight it's just Mom and Dad.  I picked a Sunday matinee, so as to not interfere with the boys soccer, and of course they were scheduled a game that day, so they wouldn't have made it anyway.

I was skeptical about a musical about Henry VIII's 6 wives.  But, to my surprise, this was a good show.  A modern version of each his wives sang their tales of woe, while mixing in the comedy of making themselves better than the other 5.  I really liked that it was just them, and a live all girl band on stage for the whole show.   While I knew a little of the story of his first wife, Catherine, and 2nd, Anne Boleyn, it was fun to hear the stories of the other wives.   And from a female perspective, and not a history book.

I too have not enjoyed some of the musicals we've seen of late, but this one I did.  And more importantly so did A.

 

Devo & B52s @ PNC Pavilion

I didn't really want to see these 2 bands at the big amp, I thought they'd have been better off out our amp.  Smaller, closer to the audience,  But when the offered $25 lawn seats, I even talked the boys into coming with me.

We didn't make it in time to see Lydia Lunch, but I did run into Jeremy from work on our way in.  He told us to check the VIP tent as they were giving free upgrades into sets.  Of course we would.  He had also put us on the VIP list so we could go into the private bar area, away from the crowds between sets.   We checked that out, and then went to our new seats.  We are now seated in the 2nd tier of seats, very central to the stage.  And just before B52s started we were joined by Chris (Eric from soccer's dad).  They had done the same thing as us, at a different time, and scored the seats next to us.  Small world.

I thought the B52s were supposed to be the headliners, but apparently they have been rotating each night, and tonight they were on first.  It has been 15 years since I saw the B52s kill it at Mandalay Bay (with Blondie), but this time didn't quite reach those heights.  It was a slow start and not until Deadbeat Club did I start to see a change from the band and audience.  Kate and Cindy's voices were as good as always, but Fred gave a vibe of not wanting to be there.  I thought they had done the final tour last year, which is another reason to get out and see them while you can.  But this show just didn't have the energy.  Roam was great, but it wasn't until near the end when Love Shack kicked it up a notch.  Everyone knows and loves that song.  Even the boys, who up until this point were just placating their aging dad.  It was cold, I don't blame them.  Rock Lobster finished the set and it was as awesome as I remember.  I love the sped up drum parts in certain spots, and lets face it, it's the most fun song.  I tried to go and get a shirt, but the blue one I wanted only came in women's sizes, and the black version didn't have a XXL.

B52s Setlist

We got some food and were back in out seats for when Devo came on stage. I'll admit this suits me better. I'm more of a Devo fan. Chris was saying he only really knew one of their songs and they left not long after that. Girl U Want and Whip It came back to back early in the set and were great.  This is the biggest stage I've seen Devo pay on, and been so far back.  But they handle it really well.  A quick break, and the band came out in their yellow outfits to rip through Uncontrollable Urge, and said uniforms.  Jocko Homo lead into Smart Patrol/Mr DNA - this was probably my favorite song of the night.  Devo finished with Gates Of Steel, before coming back for only one song.  The excellent Freedom Of Choice.

Late October was a risky time to have an outdoor concert in Charlotte, and tonight it was cold.  We were rugged up in jackets and beanies, but it will definitely have to be a line up as good as this to get me out here in this weather again.  devo have yet to disappoint me live.  The B52s may be closer tot he end of performing, but they still have a couple of songs to fire up a crowd.

Devo Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 536th concert.
This is my 6th concert at PNC Pavilion.
This is my 132nd concert in Charlotte.
This is my 157th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 336th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd B52s concert.

This is my 4th Devo concert.

P.O.D. @ Skyla CU Amphitheater

This was an unexpected show.  I was working but not in my usual spot at the top of the stairs.  (We were short staff).  Instead I was down in the usher area when POD came on, so in between guiding people to their seats I got to see most of the show.  What is most surprising, was how many songs I knew.

Boom! kicked off the set.  And set the tone for the night.  It was good....even in daylight.  Mid set we got a cover of The Beatles Don't Let Me Down.  It definitely better than I would have expected.  The band was appreciative of all the support they were getting for those who showed up early.  And the crowd was really digging it.  Youth Of The Nation was up next, and it is a song I forgot I knew.  It definitely was a crowd favorite.  As the opener of 3 bands, POD were only allowed 9 songs, but Alive to finish the night was superb.   This is their most known song, and from the reaction of the audience, it is absolutely a favorite.  I'd never considered seeing POD before, but after this performance I'd keep an eye out for them again.

I was back at the top of the stairs for Daughtry and Seether and my attention was taken away from the music all night.  And there was a break I got not long after Seether came on.  Because I'm not familiar with either band, no songs really registered with me while I was helping guests.

P.O.D. Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 535th concert.
This is my 24th concert at Skyla CU Amphitheater.
This is my 131st concert in Charlotte.
This is my 156th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 335th concert in the USA.
P.O.D. are the 628th 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.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club & Humanist @ The Orange Peel

I can't believe it's been 7 years since Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have been close enough for me to go and see.  Their show in 2018 was a pearler.

The Orange Peel filled up for the show and I got there early enough to catch the last half of Humanist.  There is a dark Depeche Mode influence in this sound, but not what I was really into tonight.

Humanist's sound did blend well with BRMC playing their 3rd album, Howl,  celebrating its 20th anniversary.  I don't know why this album escaped me, as I loved the first 2, but there was definitely a different sound to what I expect from BRMC.  More atmospheric and moody, not the straight forward rock I was used to.  So for me, the first half of the show was a slow start.  Once I heard Red Eyes and Tears, everything changed.  I think the band felt the same.  The crowd definitely did.  BRMC seemed more relaxed and ready to blaze into the night.  And they did!  Every song got better.  And the crowd really started to get into it.  White Palms was good.  Berlin was excellent!  Whatever Happened to My Rock & Roll was almost an out of body experience.  And Spread Your Love....  This song sits in my Fave 40 playlist.  I can't hear it often enough.  And tonight was as good as I've ever heard it, except that 1 time they played it in the Cosmopolitan, when the casino was using it in it's commercials.  One more song from Howl, Open Invitation, calmed the crowd down before being unleased back on the Asheville night.

This is the 3rd show I've seen in Asheville since the devastating Hurricane Helene 13 months ago.  and the town is still struggling.  There were not many people around before the show (I had another good meal at Farmburger) and I grabbed a quick breakfast before driving home, and it was like walking through a ghost town.  I hope things get better for this great place.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 533rd concert.
This is my 6th concert at The Orange Peel.
This is my 17th concert in Asheville.
This is my 154th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 333rd concert in the USA.
Humanist are the 626th band I've seen.
This is my 5th Black Rebel Motorcycle Club concert.

Neil deGrasse Tyson @ Ovens Auditorium

This is one for L.  He has taken an interest in space, so who better to tell him about it but Neil deGrasse Tyson.  A is out of town, and B wasn't interested so it is just the 2 of us, which is unusual.

Tonight felt like a university lecture done by everyone's favorite professor, but not necessarily my favorite topic.  Tyson spoke of other planets being able to support human life, what other universes might be like, the heat of suns, and his role in the de-planetizing of Pluto.

Like a comedy show, it is hard to go over everything that was said, but needless to say his 2 hours on stage was well received.  WHo knows?  Maybe we'll make a scientist out of L.

 

Wicked @ Belk Theater

I think I've been oversold on Wicked.  It's been around forever, and it is critically acclaimed everywhere, and I was super excited to see it.  A really wanted to go, and we thought the boys would like it too, so it became a family day.

For me though it didn't quite live up to the hype.  I just wasn't into it.  But I am also get less tolerant of musicals (for the most part) as I get older.  That and the fact that the Wizard of Oz is such a classic, I feel a prequel (or a sequel if it had of been) could never live up to that expectation.

On the other hand A&B loved it.  A has seen it before, and sang along with every word, and B was really into it.  L, well L wished he could be anywhere else.  Especially with Arsenal being on tv today.  It's not that I didn't like the show, but it just wasn't a favorite.  And obviously it's important to give the boys different experiences and let them make their own choices.

I was surprised at how packed the theater was for a matinee.  I had picked a Sunday afternoon, thinking that it wouldn't interfere with the boys soccer.  I knew there'd be a few families in there, but there wasn't a spare seat.  Turns out because to the incoming ice storm, the night show had already been cancelled and everyone scrambled for what was left in the matinee.

Papa Roach, Rise Against & Underoath @ Skyla CU Amphitheater

Another work shift at the  top of the stairs.

Underoath got things kicked off.  To be honest I didn't get to see much of them, as this is when the bulk of people were coming in.  With Rise Against being the 2nd band, crowds were getting in early and I didn't really have time to think let alone see Underoath.

But a majority of people were in seats by the time Rise Against started, so it was quite for me and I get to watch them for the 6th time.  While I've seen them now 6 times, it never seems to be on purpose.  It's either they have a great support band (Gaslight Anthem, Rancid, Bad Religion), supporting a great band (Deftones), at a festival and now at work.  It kicked off big time with Re-Education (Through Labor).  Give it All was great.  Prayer For The Refugee was a crowd favorite mid set.  And Savior to close their set, was a popular choice.  Overall a good set, and a solid show as always, but I'm still not sold on this band.  I wish I knew why.

Rise Against Setlist

So apparently Rise Against fans aren't necessarily Papa Roach fans.  I was busier bidding fans a farewell, rather than receiving more during the set changeover.  Regardless Papa Roach came on stage with a mission of matching and ultimately exceeding Rise Against's energy.  And they did a great job of it.   I didn't know any of their stuff until a California Love cover was played.  Lead singer Jacoby Shaddix was having a great time.  By his admission, this came about by turning his life around, as well as run ins with suicidal thoughts.  As an entertainer with a voice, he was really impressive in his advocating for suicide prevention - all the way through the night.  This is not a passing fad for him.  He is keen and willing to help.  While I don't know a lot of their songs, obviously the crowd did, and they loved every moment of it.  Especially during the 2nd last song, Help, when Jacoby came out into the crowd, and all the way back to the lawn.  During the 4 song encore, Papa Roach dropped a heavy medly including Bling, My Own Summer, Break Stuff & Chop Suey.  An absolute corker!  And a wild lead into the penultimate Last Resort, which is their song I do know.  THe perfect finish to a rocking night.

Papa Roach Setlist

I would not have come to this show if I wasn't working.  But I'm glad I was here.  Good crowd and good rock!

The Crap Facts
This is my 532nd concert.
This is my 23rd show at Skyla CU Amphitheater 
This is my 129th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 153rd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 332nd concert in the USA.
Underoath are the 625th band I've seen.

This is my 6th Rise Against concert.

This is my 3rd Papa Roach concert.