Pub
 

Just saw Flower Kings last night - after seeing them at Nearfest. Just 30 people to see one of the greatest bands ever? After a thousand two days before? The power of the Pub!

Going to see Iluvatar 10 minutes away on Saturday - the only local band ever worth it. This place seats 50 on a cramped night. Seen Echolyn there, and Tunnels. The Power of the Pub!

Re: Pub
 

Amazing!!!!!

I like to pop down to my local pub at least once a week to see what/who's on.

The drinks not bad either.:D

Keith -
 

I thought you only drank at work!

Re: Keith -
 

I drink ANYWHERE!!!

Good man!

Tull and Oil
 

I had a girlfriend that drew the Broadsword album cover for me. A good part of that tour was that the keyboards (P. Vetesse) were a main focus, which is not usually the Tull style. I'm not sure if Saga opened up for them on that tour or if it was the Under Wraps tour. A good choice.

I never did get to see Midnight Oil, but I can imagine them being athletic - Mr. Garrett is one big dude. Bands like that that (more of a straightforward sound) are very fun live.

Any more decent gigs recently??????
 

Has anyone seen a gig recently that they would like to tell us about???

I've not been to many gigs lately. The Proms are on at the moment and so most of my concert going has been classical music for the last month or so.

PS. Hey Rick what about those pictures of you with your umbrella??:D

King Crimson
 

Recently, I saw Fates Warning/Queensryche/Dream Theater, but in my mind it wasn't very memorable except for being rather confused when Portnoy stood up mid song and flipped the audience the bird. I wasn't thrilled.

The one that does stick out in my mind was in December of 2001 when I saw King Crimson. This was at a theater and we had front row seats right by Robert Fripp. The show was incredible and we enjoyed it a lot. I remember at the end, the band was standing on stage acknowledging the applause. After a minute, Fripp shielded his eyes from the bright lights and looked right at us. This was funny because just before he did that we were getting to the point where our applause was starting to wane. We had an awkward moment and started to clap more heartily again.

Maybe it was just a response to the stage lights, but the look on Fripp's face right then was priceless, as if to say, "How dare you not applaud!?"

Yeah, I'm burnt out on Dream Theater.

It seems like everyone has Crimson somewhere as a favorire moment. The Discipline & Beat tours were mind-boggling. Bruford walking around the stage on "The Sheltering Sky", and Belew and Bruford on percussion on the opener "Waiting Man".

One time on a tour in the late 90's Fripp actually stood up during a guitar lead. I thought he was having an erection!

Keith - I have that picture but don't have sending capabilities or any computer knowhow. - I'll figure it out somehow (better get my oldest son involved).

My Fav gig...
 

I must say that my favorite gig was The Flower Kings in Seattle,Wa. last year! I estimate the crowd was about 100 strong. The sound was amazing, It was literally like having headphones on!!
TFK played a show that I will never forget! They are one of the most amazing groups.
-Dave

Here's one that may be a surprise - my brother and I saw Neil Young Friday night - and that was one of the best concerts I've EVER seen. I'd seen him twice before, and enjoyed it, but his current tour in support of the Greendale album is at another level and a must see.

Greendale is a concept album in the truest sense of the word. While the music is about what you'd expect from Neil Young, the stage presentation is incredible. He has dozens of people acting out the story line of the album, with a movie screen/changeable set behind the band. It was the most tightly integrated stage show/storyline that I've seen since Pink Floyd's "The Wall".

While Neil Young's music is far from progressive, I think most progressive rock fans would thoroughly enjoy the current tour. And if you happen to be a fan of Neil's music, don't be afraid to sell your brother's bike to raise enough cash to buy a ticket. If you haven't gotten the message yet, go and see him!

dave
 

Welcome aboard!

Two of the best shows I have seen have been the Flower Kings. The band played two years ago in a bar with about 30 other patrons. It is so hard to imagine a band of that caliber playing to an audience of so little. Six songs, 150 minutes of music.

The other show was at Neafest in June. Seeing Stardust performed was absolutely riveting. I caught them a few days later also. It's good that the band members are having fun, because sometimes Roine needs to lighten up a little.

What a great band!

Neil and Jim and me
 

Neil Young was one of everyone's favorites that I grew up with. Peeling away the one-note solos and the some of the corny stuff, he's a great musician and songwriter. He's truly got something for everyone.

I can only imagine what this show is like. I'll keep an ear out for it.

Did your brother sell his bike to go with you?

I actually consider him very progressive. He's not everyone's cup of tea, but he sure does command respect.

Baltimore 24, San Diego 10!

Re: Neil and Jim and me
 

ooh! low blow!

the sad thing is, that's the best we've played all year. I'm hoping for 5 wins this season, but I'm not betting on it.

Neil Young - My brother actually paid for my ticket, so no, he didn't steal my bike. I agree that Neil is a much better musician then he is generally given credit for, but I also realize that many prog fans may not be into his music. Even so, I'd still recommend this tour.
Flower Kings - agree completely. NEARfest was the only time I've seen them, but if I ever have another chance, I'll jump on it. I thought they were the highlight of 2003 NEARfest, which is no small accomplishment.

reply
 

As in most cases, see the Kings at a small place!

Unfortunately, the SD coach is the most conservative man on the planet. If any call was made on the first scoring drive other than a QB draw on 3rd down, they would have had 6 and the game would have been much different. We lucked out. And it was a master stroke to go out there 5 days prior (because of the hurricane) - but I hear any excuse to spend time in San Diego is a treat!

Re: reply
 

no, it's terrible here, and the weather sucks. really.

Actually, San Diego is a great place to live, but I find myself tempted to advertise as above, as it's getting a little overcrowded here. Thought not as many people as my hometown (ooh, another clue to the quiz question!)

Porcupine Tree...
 

I did just see Porcupine Tree last month. Those guys are amazing as well! Steven Wilson has the best guitar tone. I was right at the front of the stage for the entire performance. With the exception of the guy behind me trying to start a mosh pit during the first song,it was top notch.
I've seen them twice now and plan to see them every chance I get. I've been a fan since 1996, but they just started coming to the northwest last year.
My other favs would have to be:
- Peter Gabriel - US tour
- Genesis - We can't dance tour (what can I say, it was the last..)
- Yes - Talk tour (at The Gorge ampitheater - last with Trevor)
- K.Crimson - Thrak tour (front row!)
but enough of my yakkin'!!
-Dave

busy busy . . .
 

I've been quite busy with concerts lately, as far as prog though, caught Blue Man Group when they rolled through Houston last month. That was an amazing show. Just seeing them do the cover of Baba O'Reilly with Tracey Chapman on the violin was worth the ticket price alone.

Great show, don't miss it (although I just missed the CGT for the third time straight, D'OH!).

It does, however, look like King Crimson will finally be rolling through Texas again with the new tour. when the venture through the SouthWest.

Tommy

CGT
 

got "hurricaned out" on Thursday - not sure if they will be back soon.

Blue Man Group
 

Best concert I've ever seen, ever, period, is...

The Complex Rock Tour by Blue Man Group. Dang. Who else saw it? I saw it at Oak Mountain Ampitheater in Birmingham, AL in August. UnBelievable.

Oh, and I love Neil Young. I've been snapping up the re-releases. As for him being progressive, Um, Well, No, he's not. I love Neil, and I agree he's one of the best live shows in the history of rock (the guy does not know how to give anything less than 110% - You'll never leave a Young show thinking "I was cheated"), but progressive? Please, even by my liberal prog standards I have to vote no on that.

That's not to say I would mind seeing the song "Change Your Mind" from SLEEPS WITH ANGELS added to the station:p

Sleeps with Angels is a great album. But adding "Change Your Mind" - for right now, I'd have to change my mind...

And Yesspaz, just to repeat, the Greendale tour is way BETTER than any other Neil Young concert I've seen - you get the same 110%, plus a stage production that's much bigger than anything he's attempted in the past. I'm still in awe over it...

Adding "Change Your Mind" was half a joke. One of the best VHS things I have is NY&CH in 1991 on the FREEDOM tour. Dang. GREENDALE is solid. Do you have the one with the DVD? It's a live DVD of the concert!!!

I saw Yes in 1972-4 (hazy times at best) with Black Sabbath and Grand Funk Railway. Grand Funk had a hit song with "Captain", Black Sabbath had "Iron Man" and Yes were virtually unknown (although "Your Move" was on the radio a bit). Yes blew everyone away. Black Sabbath couldn't even get on stage as the crowd kept encoring Yes. What a night.
I saw ELP at the Olympic Stadium at the height of their pomposity: with a full symphony orchestra, supporting the "Works" album. I can't remember a concert that blew me away as much as that one.

I have the one with the DVD,and I finally watched it. The DVD is cool, but nothing like the show I saw. The DVD is solo Neil with no band, no set, no actors. Enjoyable, but not at the same level.

About that DVD...
 

Oh...

Well, tonight is going to RULE! I'm going to see King's X tonight at The Nick here in the Ham, and it'll be sweet. I hope they play "Ono."

The concert doesn't start until 10:30 and there's an opening band, so I'm thinking 3:00am getting home. It's worth it.

Great Yesspaz!!!!
 

Watch out for the leg, man.

Let us know how the gig was when you get a moment, eh?

Enjoy!!!!!

shows
 

The King's X boys will be playing up here on 10/10 - Yesspaz, make sure they put you up front!

To all of you that never have seen them, go go go! They play all of the time, late, etc. - in five years they might be totally fried!

Keith - Dada is here 10/7, and I am already there! I can't wait, man.

There's a show that Nik Turner is doing with his band at a local bar, but it seems like "Spacerock", and I'm not really into that. Also, Project Object (the great Zappa band) and The Mahavishnu Project (also a smoking band) are playing separate shows that night. Decisions, decisions!

Re: shows
 

Dada???? You jammy bugger!!!! Wanted to see them for years. Their first album "Puzzle" is a MASTERPIECE.

I'd go to the Nik turner gig Rick. It WILL be spacey but I'm sure you'll love it!!!

Dada was here last week and I missed them!
Let us know how it goes.
I would have loved to hear "Ask the Dust" from American Highway Flower.

Dada X Zappa
 

I only have AHF and Puzzle. I have to just "go with" the other stuff they will play. Absolutely I will let you know. It's at a place with real tables and a real intimate setting.

I just found out that I will miss King's X again. It's about 75 miles away and I couldn't do it. They have skipped Baltimore like the plague.

Has anyone seen Project Object also? They've been great each time I've seen them.

DaDa.......
 

Have you heard the band "Butterfly Jones" seems they were 2/3 of Dada and released an album called 'Napalm Springs'

I've only been able to find 2 Dada albums, 'Puzzle' and 'AHF'. Were there any more?

There was an album called 'Dada' by a band called "The Flow" and Amazon pissed a lot of Dada fans off because the way they listed it looked as if it was a Dada album called The Flow and quite a few were sold.

You have been warned!

Dada
 

Don't worry, I don't buy anything much anymore anyway.

After a small struggle, I found the website - dadatheband.com - it appears there are two more studio records before their hiatus and another to be released soon. Butterfly Jones is on there I think, and definitely on the Joie Calio web page.

I guess Amazon.com is like an Amazonian woman. You can get what you need, but you better be very careful!!!

Re: Dada X Zappa
 

Don't do it Rick. You HAVE to go! This show ruled.

When your head clears.....
 

details!!!!!!!!!

I am a junkie for any and all info King's X!

Welcome to the Groove Machine!
 

Welcome to the Groove Machine!

Saw King's X last night at The Nick in Birmingham, AL. What a show. Here's the set, with notes, for anyone who cares:


Groove Machine (TAPE HEAD)
Believe (MANIC MOONLIGHT)
Dogman (DOGMAN)
Complain (DOGMAN)
Black Flag (KING'S X 4)
Black Like Sunday (BLACK LIKE SUNDAY)
Finished (BLACK LIKE SUNDAY)
Johnny (BLACK LIKE SUNDAY)
Summerland (GRETCHEN GOES TO NEBRASKA)
Looking for Love (EAR CANDY)
Pretend (DOGMAN)
Screamer (BLACK LIKE SUNDAY)
Climb Up the Ladder (new)
Black the Sky (DOGMAN)
(Happy Birthday to some guy named Josh)
Walter Bela Farkas (TAPE HEAD)
Cigarettes (DOGMAN)
It's Love (FAITH HOPE LOVE)
Static (MANIC MOONLIGHT)
Sometime (EAR CANDY)
We Were Born to be Loved (FAITH HOPE LOVE)

Encore:
Over My Head (GRETCHEN GOES TO NEBRASKA)
Moanjam (FAITH HOPE LOVE)


Dogman - 5
BLS - 4
FHL - 3
EC - 2
MM - 2
GGtN - 2
TH - 2 (if you count WBF)
KX4 - 1
new - 1


I, due to my leg, was able to get a chair and sit right at the stage. The Nick is a small little club, so I was right there. I got one of Doug's bass picks that he dropped. I got high-fives from Doug during a section where he wasn't playing. We made eye contact numerous times and he smiled at me a lot (slightly weird since he's gay and I'm straight) 'cause I was so into the show (KX is a sing-along band, so we were all jamming with every song). We grasped hands one time like we were arm-wrestling and shook each other during a Ty solo. I shook hands with Ty and Jerry too. Ty said at one point, "Ya'll are neighbors to my home state, Mississippi." I yelled out, "I'm from Brandon!" (Brandon is the next-door-neighbor to Ty's hometown, Pearl). He said, "Hey my parents live in Brandon!" That was fun. Ok, so you know now just how close I was to the stage. Wow. I almost got Doug-sweat on me. Thankfully, No....

They started at 11:30 and played till 1:35. The show started with a bad mix. Too much bass and they played Groove Machine and Believe too slow (nice popping and slapping on Believe). So cool to start a show with a song that has a drum solo. Once they hit Dogman, it was all good. They decided to play Complain and Doug had the lyrics taped to the floor because he couldn't remember them, but it was too dark for him to read it, so he kind of mumbled and laughed through most of the song. The crowd loved it. Then they hit Black Flag, a good sing-a-long. They introduced their new album and did three songs from it. Black Like Sunday ruled, especially that part where they don't sing the word "down" but instead just bend the E to the Dropped D - "He always brings me *BBOOOWWWW*" Sweet.

Isn't it weird how songs that you think, "why would they pick this to play live" sometimes turn out to be some of the best concert pieces? This was the case with Finished. I'd not have picked it from BLACK LIKE SUNDAY to play, but it ruled. Next, they played Johnny. Holy Crap. They did the full 11 minute version, but they probably got in 10 minutes. SOOOOO good. Ty's solo went for about 5 minutes, and was killer, and what a bass line! Summerland was moved from the first song of the encore (I could see the setlist) to here because some girl was begging them to play it early 'cause she had to leave. Whatever. Great song. Next was Looking for Love. Good stuff. Then they did another song from the new album, Screamer. This song kick maximum glute live. I finally figured out how Doug gets that big bend in his bass tone on this song. He reaced up and pressed down on the Dropped C# on the headstock, between the nut and the key. This song was so good. The crown was singing along quite loudly with the - DOW DOW DO-DOW "no" DOW DOW DO-DOW "NO" DOW DOW DO-DOW "AAAAAYYYYEEEEE!!!!"

Next they played a new song (I think he said, Climb Up the Ladder). It is as progressive as anything they've ever done. Very fast, very heavy, very showy, very good. It bodes well for the next album. Then, one of the the highligts of the show, Black the Sky. If any of you know this song, you will understand that's it's one of the few times I just had to stand up. The whole crowd just went nuts on the Dropped C riff with the gutteral yell, fist-pumping, "HUH!" Gracious, what a show.

Then some chick handed Doug a napkin with "Please sing Happy Birthday to Josh, he's 23 today" written on it (told you I was close). So they did a really fast Happy Birthday.

Now, all this time, since at least Dogman, people were yelling songs they wanted to hear. See, KX hadn't been to the Steel City in 8 years, and they knew we wanted to hear certain songs. Doug said it was the first night of the tour and they were loose and he and Ty were commenting on songs we yelled. We were giving good crowd feedback, so they were laughing and Ty said, "You guys are yelling for 'Flies and Blue Skies' and 'Lies in the Sand' - I don't even remember how to play those." Doug laughed when someone yelled for "The Difference." Ok, so by the time they were goofing off doing Happy Birthday, Doug joked, "We've got ten albums, how can we play it all?" Some guy yelled, "We've got all night!" Doug laughed and said, "I don't! You really want us to play all the songs?" And the guy said "We like them all." Doug: "YOU like them all, but what about everyone else? Hey, do you guys like all King's X songs?" We went nuts. So, Ty goes, "Ok, how about Walter Bela Farkas?" So they started playing it and we laughed and laughed. Doug was doing Wally's screaming parts. It was horrible. Then Doug and Ty told a story about when they recorded that. It was in Boston and they're were a lot of Berkley people there, who were "watching our fingers and counting time and s*~^ like that, so we did WBF on the spur and one guy yelled, 'you're ruining the show!' So we played it like, two more minutes." It was fun times.

Ok, so then they played Cigarettes. Need I comment? Well, I will. The crowd was all over the song, singing along. KX took it easily to 8 or 9 minutes. Ty's second solo used an e-bow. His gain was so high that he had the e-bow on and was just pulling and hammering the whole solo. Perfect technique. Then Doug pulled out the 12 string bass for It's Love. Static didn't work so well live as I thought it would. It really is a studio song. But it was fun and they jammed it out for about 10 minutes. They'll probably drop it from the set. Next up was Sometime (the Ear Candy one, not the Out of the Silent Planet one). This funky number was a great jam. Next on the set list was Visions, but they skipped it without saying why...

Then, the highlight of the show, without question. They played We Were Born to be Loved, and they played it note-perfect. During the long stop-start ending, Doug and Ty came up and stood on these two huge speakers that were laying on their sides in front of the stage, so they were literally in the crowd, but higher. They were having a blast. One of the best Prog-rock songs of all time right there. AMAZING. As they were leaving the stage, we all started chanting "Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry." Drummers never get that much respect because they sit in the back, so I think this made him feel appreciated and he was grinning and being bashful. He's such a good drummer, eh Jim?

Then they took the encore with Over My Head. Well, folks, before they even started playing, the crowd was singing the chorus over and over. So instead of counting in, the band kind of joined in at the chorus and then kicked in the whole song. When they got to the bridge (where the piano comes in), they stopped playing and we sang the chorus 3X (Doug came out onto the speaker again [he did this often] and lead us in the singing with no mic).

"Music, music, I hear music.
Music, Music, I hear music.
Music, Oh, oh, oh Lord...
Music over my head."

We did it three times a capella, and at the end of it, Doug got in front of the mic just in time to scream, "Just like yesterday!" and BaM! Back into it. Then, of course, they killed Moanjam, with Doug and Ty out on the speaker for the whole part after the vox were over. They easily made this 6 minute song 8. Ty's guitar playing is immaculate. He's flawless in his technique.


The only downside of the concert was that there were so many other songs they should've played!!! I'd have loved to hear "The Big Picture," "Prisoner" (Ty doesn't like to do these live because they both have three guitar parts, and there's only one of him), "Goldilox" (this is their "Shiny Happy People" - the song everyone wants to hear that they refuse to play because they hate it - Whenever they do play it, the don't sing - They let the crowd sing because everyone knows every word), "A Box," "Mr. Wilson," "Fade," "Dreams," and my personal favorite, "Ono." Also, they didn't play anything from PLEASE COME HOME, MR. BULBOUS. I'd have liked "Smudge" and "Fish Bowl Man" from that one. But I dare not complain. I've waited years to see King's X. I will definitely see them again. The band really seemed to have a blast and Doug said he had so much fun that he promised they'd be back on each tour because he liked the Steel City.




En Finale, if you have a chance at all of seeing this band live, GO! Dang! One of the four best concerts of my life - the others being Iona, Stavesacre, and Blue Man Group.


Long live the King!

Kings X
 

What a great review. Made me think I was at the show.

Really glad you enjoyed it.

Now Rick you HAVE to go. :D

A very comprehensive review!
 

Thanks for the comments - it brings back all of the memories. the only thing from the list I haven't seen live is the new stuff. One time they did GFR's "Closer To Home" - now there's a song!

It's interesting to poll fans of King's X and see what their favorite songs are, cause a lot of them are different.

When I saw them last year their stretched-out song du jour was "Vegetable". 17 minutes of mostly Ty and Jerry back and forth. I was exhausted. I actually sat through the horrible three bands before them, and as usual, King's X just blistered through the set.

I've been out of action so long, I forgot about the "new" record. I need to get that.

I saw them twice in 1992 (both with the underrated Galactic Cowboys), once each in 1994 & 1996, and once last year.

For comparison, here's some old set lists - note how they change as the newer material is added:

2002 - Out Of the Silent Planet (I am not kidding!), It's Love, Talk To You, We We Born..., Big Picture, Lost In Germany, Dogman, Cigarettes, Sometime, Groove Machine, Higher Than God, She's Gone Away, Marshmellow Field, Believe, Manic, Vegetable, Static.

1996 - a lot of Tape Head & Ear Candy, The Grand Funk tune, and the old favorites, including Mr. Wilson.

1994 (in order) - Human Behavior, Complain, Pillow, We Were Born, Black the Sky, Cigarettes, Black Flag, Goldilox, Pretend, Over My Head, Fool You, Dogman, It's Love, Moanjam, Shoes, Far Far Away, and King (Yeah yeah yeah yeah.......)!

1992 (in order) - The World Around Me, Shot of Love (what a song!), germany, Big Picture, It's Love, We Are Finding Who We Are (another favorite) (played them in reverse order from the record!), Fall On Me (even another favorite), Summerland, Prisoner, Mr. Wilson, Wonder, We Wer Born, Far Far Away, Black Flag (on my roaches), Goldilox, Over My Head, Moanjam, Mission (yes, it's true), and Not Just For The Dead.

And here's a set list from 7/17/91 from Ohio, from the best man in my wedding (7/20/91)! (I of course did not see this)

:(

Mission intro, King, Fine Art Of Friendship, Talk To You, Power of Love, Shot of Love, Summerland, Fall On Me, We Are Finding..., Goldilox, It's Love, I'll Never Get Tired Of You, We Were Born, Visions, Over My Head, Moanjam, Mission, I'll Never Be The Same, The Burning Down

Keith - at least I have the other shows' memories. I really don't think the show next week is feasible. Family considerstions....

Re: A very comprehensive review!
 

Yes You Do!


WOW! These are all songs you said you'd seen 'em play that I'd love to have seen them play. And Look, that's a whole other set list! I still crave Smudge, Ono, Fade, Cupid, When You're Scared, etc. Dang it! Why can't they just play like, 7 hours?



uhg, possibly the worst KX song, besides Far, Far Away...



Oh, you have to try... the new stuff is sooooo good.

Forgotten
 

I didn't write down the 1996 songs - they also did Train, What I'm Gonna Do, Fathers, A Box, 67, Mississipi Moon, Little Bit of Soul, Happy, and Hate You.

Like I said, everyone has their favorites - Shot of Love was done a cappela on the verses! I'll give you Far Far Away......