Jane's Addiction @ O2 Forum Kentish Town, London - June 13, 2016

Sometimes I go to concerts to experience a band live and get to know them a bit better. But tonight, I went to relive a piece of my past. The early '90s to be precise. Right before alternative music broke into the mainstream, Jane's was paving the way, like NIN and a few others. This music feels very personal to me; it was mine before I had to share it with the rest of the world. And when we did have to share it, in that post-Smells Like Teen Spirit world, Perry Farrell was the main curator through Lollapalooza.

I never saw Jane's Addiction live and missed the first couple of Lollapaloozas as I wasn't in the country, but I was at the 3rd one, and the 5th one. I had friends who'd followed them around on tour, inspired to be in bands themselves. I was a particular fan of Nothing's Shocking. Honestly, I found the song and video for Been Caught Stealing ridiculous and cartoonish. But this album was special as it was released after I already loved them and was eager for more. Reliving the album in full in concert was a bit like discovering it the first time, unwrapping the CD. Yeah, they're still pretty awesome, was the exact feeling of relief I felt on both occasions.

The first thing that I was impressed by was the gogo dancers on scaffolding, gyrating behind the band on the opener, Stop! How perfectly Jane's, and how perfectly Ritual. So few bands do more than just show up, stand there and play. I really should have known to expect more from these inveterate showmen!

The band looked like they were having a good time with plenty of smiles and interaction. They sounded good and looked dapper and showy with just the right dash of maturity to acknowledge the 25 years past. I don't think I could have taken Perry in braids and a sundress.

The truly jaw-dropping moment of the show came at the end of the first encore when they play Ted, Just Admit It... Two girls in bondage gear thrashed around at the end of long lines dangling from the ceiling on either side of the stage. And yes, they were hooked through the skin, in the old native american sun-ritual way. The song's phrase "Nothing's Shocking" was surreal: I was genuinely shocked, and yet I would have been less shocked in 1990. Is this a function of aging? I don't know. I saw the Jim Rose Circus Sideshow back in the day (an act that benefited from Perry's promotion), but it's been so long since I've seen a band that want to play provocateur with their art. I miss it.

The evening wrapped up with a stripped back performance of Jane Says, encouraging the sing-a-long atmosphere everyone knew was coming. The band were all at the front of the stage with bongoes and acoustic guitars, with all the go-go dancers, satyrs and suspension girls joining them, making for an intimate finale, complete with theatrical bow.

Setlist:
Stop!
No One's Leaving
Ain't No Right
Obvious
Been Caught Stealing
Three Days
Then She Did...
Of Course
Classic Girl

Encore 1:
Mountain Song
Rebel Rebel (Bowie Cover)
Just Because
Ted, Just Admit It...

Encore 2:
Jane Says

Weezer @ O2 Academy Brixton, London - April 5/16

This concert has been a long time coming. I was a fan from the first, back to '94's Blue album. And Island in the Sun is probably my favourite pop song....Of. All. Time. Weezer seem to play a lot of festivals, and as you may know from reading below, I avoid festivals unless they are really really packed with amazing bands I can't bring myself to miss. Then, finally, back in 2008, Weezer were playing Vancouver and I was on the verge of buying tickets when I checked out the date with my brand new (at-the-time) boyfriend, Steve. Uh-oh. Same date as his best friend's wedding, of which he was the best man, and of which I was his date. Can't really wriggle out of that one. Many swear words were invented and tested out that day. It's probably a good thing I didn't know then it would take another eight years for this to finally happen. But it has. And it was great.

It wasn't great in exactly the way I thought it would be though. Based on the many mellow songs Weezer has, I was worried it would be a more sedate show than I really like. Sure lots are poppy and make you want to move, but not in a moshing kind of way. But fans mosh to Weezer. There was a definite crush up front, not helped by some idiotically placed permanent barriers on the O2 Academy floor. Maybe I was a little less sweaty than I would be after an Against Me! gig but I jumped up and down a whole hell of a lot. Many songs live are more energetic than off the albums, Island in the Sun being a prime example. The prettiness of it got lost somewhere between the fans screaming along and the less sparse, simple arrangement of the recording. The perfection of the "hip, hip" moment, produced perfectly on the record, was just an approximation on this night, but it was enough for me.

I heard plenty of North American accents, as we wound our way from the bar towards the stage. The crowd looked to be about 75% geeky college boy, which makes sense. No bad asses in sight, and a few cute, if straight-laced, girls. I'd say most in their mid to late 20s, but it's harder to tell as I get older. But, they seemed a good deal younger than that when Weezer closed the main set with the Sweater Song and a violent grappling of a jumper ensued after someone held theirs aloft. They will have a good story as to how they lost a sweater during that song at a Weezer concert, but the garment, I'm sure, is history.

So, my impression is that Weezer live are a massive and bouncy sing-a-long band, even though the band themselves are pretty low-key. I thought that the show would be more centred on the new, White album, as it only dropped 4 days ago, and the show seemed to be promoted in that light (and it's a bit of a trend to do whole albums these days), but we only got 5 out of the 10 new tracks. My favourite new track Do You Wanna Get High? was my least favourite new live song of the bunch which was weird, but there were so many other highlights it was fine.

Setlist:
California Kids
My Name Is Jonas
Hash Pipe
Back to the Shack
L.A. Girlz
El Scorcho
The British Are Coming
Pork and Beans
(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
Do You Wanna Get High?
Cleopatra
The Waste Land (Instrumental)
Thank God for Girls
Say It Ain't So
The Good Life
You Gave Your Love to Me Softly
King of the World
Island in the Sun
Undone- The Sweater Song
Encore:
Beverly Hills
Buddy Holly

Full Set recorded by fan, Vaso Proiou:


Or watch on youtube, with comments and song timing marked.

Peter and the Test Tube Babies @ The Owl Sanctuary, Norwich - January 30, 2016

Old school British punk in a great small punk venue. So much fun.

When I heard that The Owl Sanctuary was losing it's current lease, I decided I had to check it out before it closed (it's now relocated thank goodness). My concert pal, Janey, has told me lots of great things about this place, and we decided to check out the last live show there.

I was never a big Peter and the Test Tube Babies, but remembered the awesome Banned From the Pubs from the punk complilation Punk and Disorderly.

Partial Setlist:
Moped Lads
The Jinx
Elvis Is Dead
Up Yer Bum
Transvestite
Banned From the Pubs
Keep Britain Untidy

Reading Festival - August 30/15

After pouring over the line-up, Janey and I decided to just go to the Reading Fest on Sunday. I live close by which was great for a real bed and shower at the end of a long and tiring day.

We arrived pretty early in the day and managed to just catch the last song by The Skints, enough to peak my interest. We saw all of the Single Mothers set, which was a high point for me. I love discovering a new band. It's what festivals are made for, if you ask me. These guys are from Ontario and the singer is manic. Great performance. We caught bits of Frank Iero, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Jamie T, The Gaslight Anthem, and COASTS all of which failed to interest me much.

On the main stage, I did enjoy seeing The Cribs finally. One show was cancelled and then I bailed on another club gig years ago, and still regret it. I will hopefully remedy that one day. The Maccabees were pretty damn good. I really like some of their stuff, and they managed to sound good in the sonically unforgiving festival environment. Frank Turner gave a good acoustic set in one of the tents, albeit with a crowd I would not expect him to draw. The girls we were squished in next to were busier taking selfies and chatting than appreciating the music. I did not deliver any throat-punches, nor could I enjoy imagining it as both the girls and the fantasy were a distraction from really enjoying Frank's set.

The highlight of the day was Against Me! by far. Not a big surprise. Laura Jane Grace was still rocking her Gender is Over shirt and Inge Johansson was as bouncy as ever. Laura introduced some of the songs with some banter and they did their best to bring a pretty passive audience to life. It's a bit disheartening to see such a great club band have to perform to a mildly responding crowd, but the scope of a huge festival can do that to many but the biggest names in music. I enjoyed myself anyways, but it's the least favourite show I've seen of theirs. They just shine so damn hard in a small venue.

Finally, the closer of the day was The Libertines. They were a little more low key than I expected, but the crowd still loved them. I did see enough to want to see them in a much smaller venue if the opportunity comes up. It was fun hearing some favourites done live, like Can't Stand Me Now, and Boys in the Band. We didn't make the encore as we were just too exhaused by that point and headed out listening to the final songs get fainter and fainter.

Festivals are a mixed bag and not my favourite way to see live music. I've only been to a handful over the years and it takes a lot to get me to one. I'm glad I made the effort to see a Reading date but that might be it for me. We'll see.

Against Me! Setlist:
True Trans Soul Rebel
Pints of Guinness Make You Strong
Unconditional Love
Walking Is Still Honest
Cliche Guevara
White People for Peace
FuckMyLife666
Transgender Dysphoria Blues
Dead Friend
White Crosses
Spanish Moss
Thrash Unreal
Black Me Out
I Was a Teenage Anarchist

Against Me! & The Gaslight Anthem @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire - August 29/15

Against Me! and The Gaslight Anthem were booked to play the Leeds Festival on Friday, August 28th and the Reading Festival on Sunday, August 30th. Being the lazy sods they are, they slotted in another gig in London on their night "off".

The venue was a great size with 3 tiered levels above the ground. We were on the floor and found it easy to get near the front. The show had amazing energy as is usual for Against Me! in a small-ish venue (2000 capacity, but only 1150 on the floor). I did notice that this time Laura Jane Grace had her hair over her face more often than not (she did this at Reading too). They did about an hour with no encore as The Gaslight Anthem were following.

We stayed for most of The Gaslight Anthem, leaving just before Frank Turner joined them onstage.  Because we had an early start for the Reading Festival in the morning, and there was some train strike action, we were playing it safe. Our priority was AM! anyway.

I've added some videos I found on youtube, but they are pretty blurry.


AM! Setlist:
True Trans Soul Rebel (video)
Pints of Guinness Make You Strong
Unconditional Love
Walking is Still Honest
Cliché Guevara
White People for Peace
FuckMyLife666 (video)
Transgender Dysphoria Blues (video)
Dead Friend
White Crosses / Spanish Moss (short version)
Thrash Unreal
Black Me Out
I Was a Teenage Anarchist

Faith No More @ Roundhouse, London - June 17/15

My friend couldn't make this gig in the end, and found someone who wanted the ticket. Turned out good for me, 'cuz Seaghan (who came over from Dublin for the show) was a massive FNM fan and a good concert pal.

The openers were The Pop Group, post-punk pioneers active from '77-'81 and then reformed in the past few years. I'd never even heard of them, so when I read up on them before the gig, I knew I had to check out this band that paved the way for Gang of Four and PiL. Roddy introduced them, and it was definitely that echo-y, sparse post-punk sound, I dig. "We Are All Prostitutes" was a highlight.

This was Night One of two Faith No More were playing in London, and unlike at the NY show, the gimp made an appearance to much cheering.

The show had the same great energy as the NY one, but they mixed up the setlist with 6 different songs which was awesome. Got to hear more of the new album live and some older faves. We Care A Lot was a more straightforward rendition, as there was no Rahzel, but Patton did pull out his trademark megaphone to good effect for the night's closing song.

I noticed more snarky banter with the crowd. Is this a big city thing, or a FNM thing? But Patton had no problem letting us sing the Midlife Crisis chorus. Patton's voice was amazing, showing much of his range. The whole band seemed to be enjoying themselves and invigorated by having new music to play for us. It was a great show, and I'd definitely see them again if I get the chance.

Setlist:
Motherfucker
Be Aggressive
Caffeine
Evidence
Epic
Black Friday
Richochet
Midlife Crisis
The Gentle Art of Making Enemies
Easy
Separation Anxiety
Last Cup of Sorrow
Digging the Grave
Matador
Ashes to Ashes
Superhero
Encore:
Sol Invictus
Everything's Ruined
We Care a Lot

The Pop Group Setlist:
Thief of fire
Citizen Zombie
She Is Beyond Good and Evil
Hell is Empty
King Stupid
We Are All Prostitutes
Nowhere Girl
St. Outrageous
We Are Time

Faith No More @ Webster Hall, New York - May 14, 2015

The last time we were visiting Vancouver, I saw that Faith No More were playing there soon and 'isn't that just my luck?; as soon as I move away from a city, a band I've wanted to see forever shows up? Steve said to look up where else they are touring and when I mentioned New York (a place neither of has been yet) he said "why not?" It was a crazy whim, but led to an awesome week, starting off with this concert.

Webster Hall is a 1500-capacity venue and, no surprise, was sold-out. They did two nights here (we were at the 2nd night), and then came back to NY later to do Madison Square Gardens. Maybe they didn't realize the demand a tour supporting their new record, Sol Invictus, would generate.

Le Butcherettes opened and were energetic, fun and edgy. The lead singer, Teri Gender Bender is a born showman reminding me of Nina Hagen in a blood-red outfit with dramatically jerky physicality.

Steve was a trooper but after the opener, left me to the sweaty floor on the edge of the pit, and stationed himself at the bar.

Right off the bat, the stage and the band was a visual feast. Boys in white linen, flowers everywhere, the stage bathed in a series of solid-coloured lights...blue, red, white, yellow, purple.

My god. What a show. It totally lived up to what I imagined a FNM show would be like. I'd seen Mike Patton with Peeping Tom in 2008, so I knew how compelling a front man he is, but the whole band was so "on" and energetic. There was a little New York-baiting banter, but it always seems like everything Patton says could be dripping with disdain as he cocks an eyebrow and stares down the crowd. Roddy Bottum shared vocal singing and banter duties and was positioned at the front left of the stage. I particularly loved their back and forth on Superhero.

Getting to experience Midlife Crisis, Evidence, Everything's Ruined, We Care a Lot, From Out of Nowhere and Epic live was a mind-blowing treat.

Being a Peeping Tom fan, another bonus was Rahzel coming on stage and doing We Care A Lot with them. His vocal tricks and beatboxing perfectly matched the pounding tune, and he added a whole new rap to the mix. A fitting NY treat.

Setlist:
Motherfucker
Be Aggressive
Caffeine
Evidence
Epic
Sunny Side Up
Get Out
Midlife Crisis (video)
Everything's Ruined
The Gentle Art of Making Enemies
Easy
We Care A Lot (with Rahzel) (video)
King For a Day
Ashes to Ashes
Superhero
Encore:
Matador
From Out of Nowhere (video)

Le Butcherettes Setlist:
Burn the Scab
Demon Stuck in Your Eye
The Devil Lived
Boulders Love over Layers of Rock
I'm Getting Sick of You
Shave the Pride
Bang!
The Leibniz Language
Your Weakness Gives Me Life
Henry Don't Got Love