Nine Inch Nails - Live 6.6.09 - Holmdel, NJ

It is quite possible that my seventh time seeing Trent and company could be my last NIN show. While my fingers are crossed for a reunion, I don't know if NIN could ever top the experience they created this past Saturday night. Having my brother with me for his first NIN show made a special night even better.

We were nestled under the pavilion hood, in seats just behind and to the left of the soundboards. Optimum position for maximum volume. Street Sweeper Social Club started it off, unremarkable except for Morello who has cemented his position in my mind as a guitar master. Boots Riley repeated between songs, "We're not a band, we're a social club." That was starting to become annoying by the end of their 45 minute set.

Immediately after SSSC left the stage, the enormous NIN crew began setting up. Seriously, there were like 30 people scrambling around on the stage. The sun started to go down and the opening notes of "Pinion" penetrated through the thick fog. The crowd roared and the band launched into "Wish." They've played this everytime I've seen them, but never started with it. The energy in the sold-out ampitheater was ridiculous. The breakneck pace continued when "Wish" morphed into "Last." They rarely play this song and I was not expecting it at all. Surprise!

The newer material was scattered throughout the setlist, but the real crowd-pleasers were the classics. I was exploding with excitement when "March of the Pigs" went into "Reptile." I had all of my fingers crossed for that one since I hadn't seen it performed since '05. Score!

This show was just a constant assault of greatness. Trent (sporting red leather pants by the way) confirmed that this was to be the last tour, that they weren't done, just not touring anymore. He also shared that he wanted this tour to be outside venues because he loved playing as the sun set. I usually prefer arenas for NIN, but I wouldn't change a thing about this show. Especially not after "Gave Up>La Mer>Non-Entity>The Way Out Is Through>fucking Mr. Self Destruct." Mindblowing.

The cooldown after that onslaught was when it really hit me that I may never see NIN again. When the whole crowd was singing along during "Head Like A Hole," I started getting a little verklempt. By the time they came out for the "Hurt" encore, tears were welling up. NIN's concerts are unparalleled, and I'm saddened by the thought of an indefinite amount of time without that spiritual cleansing. There are plenty of other bands to help fill the void, but there is nothing that can compare to Nine Inch Nails.

Jane's Addiction helped lighten my post-NIN mood, although I didn't have much energy left and the beers I pounded in the parking lot had definitely worn off. Their first song was "Three Days" and Dave Navarro unleashed some ridiculous guitar solos. I had forgotten how good he is at what he does (and also didn't remember what a sexy beast he is). Everytime he soloed, it was technically perfect. Very impressed by him.

I love Perry, always have, and it was amusing to watch him battle with Navarro for the spotlight. I later heard that he has a severe leg injury, but he didn't show it at all. He must be on some powerful pills. He was jumping and sliding around the stage like he didn't have a pain in the world. Hope he doesn't cause irreparable damage. He is a true showman in every sense of the word, fusing elements of Iggy Pop and Mick Jagger and a uniqueness of his own.

Highlights from JA's set were "Ain't No Right," "Mountain Song," and "Ocean Size." By the encore, I was ready to get a headstart on traffic. I'm sad to say I heard "Stop" while walking to my car (which was at least a frigging mile away ugh). I missed "Jane Says" entirely. While that sucked, I quickly forgot when I sunk my teeth into a Baconator and finally had dinner at midnight.

All in all, it was a tremendously unforgettable night. Best concert of '09 without a doubt. All subsequent shows (this year and beyond) will have big shoes to fill.

NIN Setlist
Pinion
Wish
Last
Discipline
March of the Pigs
Reptile
Meet Your Master
Gave Up
La Mer
Non-Entity
The Way Out Is Through
Mr. Self Destruct
1,000,000
Echoplex
Survivalism
The Good Soldier
The Hand That Feeds
Head Like A Hole
Hurt

JA Setlist
Three Days
Whores
Ain’t No Right
Pigs In Zen
Then She Did…
Up The Beach
Mountain Song
Been Caught Stealing
Obvious
Ocean Size
Ted, Just Admit it…
Summertime Rolls
Stop!
Jane Says

***Disclaimer: Not my pictures. Got 'em from MaebeFunke on Flickr.***

ZZ Top - Live 5.15.09 - Portsmouth, VA

Legendary. Masterful. ZZ Top is what every other power-trio should strive to be. It is tough to name the best bands of our time without mentioning these boogie-blues-rock veterans. Playing together for nearly 40 years, they are one of the rare groups still composed of the original recording members.

ZZ Top started off their rip-roaring set of tunes at Portsmouth's nTelos Pavilion with 1983 chart-topper "Got Me Under Pressure." From there they took a journey through all of their greatest hits, paying homage to Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters along the way with colossal covers of "Hey Joe" and "Catfish Blues."

"Waiting for the Bus>Jesus Just Left Chicago" got the all-ages crowd standing and dancing, with intoxicating guitar work from the Reverend Willie G and bottom-line domination from Dusty Hill and Frank Beard. "Just Got Paid" was a shoo-in for a Friday night show, and my personal highlight. Another winner, "Heard It On The X," was stuck in my head all day Saturday. The fuzzy white guitars made a brief appearance during "Legs," and were then carried offstage by guitar tech Elwood, who Billy Gibbons proclaimed as being "the best guitar guy in the world." Billy handled most of the crowd banter and singing throughout the night, with Dusty taking lead for a few tracks and manning backup vocals for the rest.

When introducing the band, Billy noted the irony of the drummer being "the man without the beard, Mr. Frank Beard." He also made sure to mention that they had gone out for Mexican earlier since he was "about a quart low on hot sauce." Not too long after that comment, the backdrop screens displayed a slideshow of tacos, enchiladas, burritos, etc. that had my mouth watering for queso.

Although the synchronized steps and struts have definitely become less frequent, the beards are still long and the jams are almighty. If you're so fortunate to have ZZ Top tour in your area, do not miss the chance to go. These founding fathers of hard rock are a must-see.

The Dead - Live 4.15.09 - Charlottesville, VA

With our Thai chicken wraps from Zazus and a sixer of Red Stripe in tow, we waited in the long line of cars entering the John Paul Jones Arena parking lots. Once admitted, we were basically told by the parking attendant, "good luck." All of the real spots had been taken and people had begun parking on curbs, in front of fire hydrants, basically wherever a car could fit. So I backed the KIA up on a grassy knoll and let the people-watching/pre-gaming begin. The shakedown scene was exactly as it should've been - lots of dreads, tie-dye, balloons, glassware and kindness.

After we had sufficiently lubricated ourselves, we trekked into the arena. Bathroom was the first stop once inside, and that's the last time I saw my cell phone. Somewhere between the toilets and our seats, that little bugger slipped out of my pocket and he has now hopefully gone to hippie phone heaven. Hence, no pictures.

I was pretty preoccupied with the lost phone, but the sounds of "New Speedway Boogie" made me remember that the music is all that matters. From the first note of set one until the final choruses of the "G-L-O-R-I-A" encore, I was reminded of the magic of the Grateful Dead catalog. They went deep, pulling out lesser known songs from nearly four decades ago. Click Here for Dean Smith's spot-on review at Jambase. There's no way I could describe it better.

Everything about this concert and the overall experience was so perfect that losing my cell phone was a small price to pay. The Dead are ALIVE!

The Curse Has Lifted!

I am feeling better about my three failed attempts to get Phish tickets through their ticket lottery-thing and the public onsales. When the band announced the additional late summer tour dates, I decided to give it one more chance and try for Merriweather Post tickets.

The miracle Hampton ticket must've changed my luck, because according to my checking account I have been charged. it looks like I won the lottery! See ya in the forest this August!