PETER MURPHY - THE RETROSPECTIVE TOUR - MY REVIEW!

PETER MURPHY - RETROSPECTIVE TOUR 2008

w/ Special guest Ali Eskandarian

Live @ The Trocadero Theater, Philadelphia, PA

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

It took me a little longer than I had hoped to bring you this story of my time in Philadelphia with my good pal Rick, and one of our favorite artists of all time...Peter Murphy (Bauhaus/Dali's Car/etc.)

And the reason for that, is simple. I could not find a listing of the set list. Instead I took a risk and shared what seems, based on the other concert set lists on this tour, and my sometimes fantastic memory, the right list of songs Peter played that night. 

So, Rick and I headed down to Philadelphia to catch the show. We were not sure how a sunday night show featuring a legendary singer would be as far as audience attendance. Luckily for us, the place was dead when we went in. We made our way to the balcony section, thinking we wanted to sit and enjoy the show. Sure enough, the attendance grew with the time, and became a modest sunday night crowd, just before the first performer came onstage. The opener at this show was a singer by the name of Ali Eskandarian. I hated this guy's show. I don't normally blog about the bands I do not care for, but this guy was asking for it. Rick and I wanted to find this guy after his show and just beat his face in. Him, and that idiot sitting there, dressed like he was in the middle of a blizzard, pushing buttons, making monotonous drum sounds and drinking beer. 

Ali, impressing absolutely nobody.

Ali came out, dancing, literally, like a belly dancer, or some sort of seductive stripper. He looked like the singer of Mars Volta. Big afro, skinny figure. Tight black clothes. Dark complexion. The entire balcony just looked around and held back laughter for this guy. Occasionally playing guitar, while his goofy friend made noises, Ali just rambled on with political poetry, that brought to mind a really bad episode of Def Poetry. Luckily for us, he did not play very long, and he acted quite normal in between songs, giving us hope that he might know he is a goof ball, and we didn't have to find him and let him know ourselves. 

Once Ali finished up, it did not take too long until the lights went down and Peter Murphy  took the stage. It was dark, and he walked out with a sinister stillness, one he is well known for. Dressed in a nice suit, and with a single light shining down onto his face, he started singing, with the band building up to the first song, the Bauhaus classic "Burning From The Inside"

We decided to move down to the main floor, and try and get closer, considering that most of the people in attendance are over age, and were in the balcony, while the floor attendance was full but not packed. Peter's band was tight (well everyone but the drummer). I was impressed with the guitarist for this tour, Mark Thwaite. He beefed up the guitar sound, without changing the elements that were used on the records. Peter focused primarily on the records Deep, Cascade, with a few Bauhaus songs to boot. We got quite close to the front of the stage, and were about 10 feet from Peter. We were on the far right of the stage, and the way the lights were, and the way everyone was positioned, we were apparently quite visible from the stage. I know this because Peter, on several occasion made it known to us, by waving to us from stage, making eye contact with us as we sang along to the songs, etc. It was weird. As I sang out loud the lyrics to several of his songs, he noticed us and would lean out to us and stare, while singing, making us sing harder and louder of course. At one point in the show Rick was singing along, and anybody who knows Rick, knows his mouth resonates over any sound system. Peter saw and perhaps heard him, and pointed right at him and nodded. It was a highlight. Another highlight was when Peter "opened up the floor, for questions", and everyone was yelling questions out to him. Some of the questions that he picked up and asked were "Why did you move to Turkey, and Do you miss Europe"?

He took his time talking back to several of the members of the audience, and when he could not hear the responses, he would say to them "What was that"? So there were a few one on one conversations taking place. I was impressed that he was so personable and took time to acknowledge his audience. It really is a beautiful thing, when you think about the cost of the concert experience. Gas, tolls, parking (outragious btw) surcharges on tickets, and of course, the ticket prices. All of this going up in price, going to see a $20 show, cannot cost any less than $50. I don't know if Peter was thinking about these things (we certainly were) but for whatever reason, it was impressive that he took the time to respect his audience and see them as people who came out to support him and hear his wonderful songs. This point convicts me, being a musician myself, and knowing how important it is to always listen to, and appreciate those who make it possible for me to have a life in music, whatever that means. Peter and the band picked some great songs to play, and most of my faves were delivered, with energy, and fun. Peter even tripped at one point and just laughed to himself, and just didn't miss a beat. At one point,a fan handed him a hat, and he wore it for several songs. Strangely it matched his suit. He eventually returned the hat to the fan. The musical aspect of the show was fantastic, but the added bonus of having contact with Peter Murphy and the fact that he showed his appreciation for the audience, made all the pathetic concert going fees well worth it.

Being only 30 years old, I have never "grown up" on Murphy's music, in this case Bauhaus. It was all out there...his solo albums, Bauhaus albums, Dali's Car, etc. I love everything PM does, but my favorite albums from him is Deep, Dali's Car, Cascade, and Mask. I am not sold, soley on his work in Bauhaus. I love the pop singles too, and sometimes more so, than Bauhaus. I like a little of everything, and that is, for the most part, what this show was. Almost, my own personal concert, with most of my requests :)  :)  :)

and, thank YOU Peter....you were excellent.

 Set List:

Intro

Burning From The Inside

Disappearing

Line Between The Devil's Teeth

Gliding Like A Whale

Marlene Dietrich's Favourite Poem

I'll Fall With Your Knife

Sweetest Drop

Black Stone Heart

Crystal Wrists

Huuvola

Deep Ocean, Vast Sea

Idle Flow

Encore 1:

The Three Shadows, Part 1

A Strange Kind Of Love/Bela Legosi's Dead (Medley)

Cuts You Up

Encore 2:

Adrenaline

She's In Parties/Be My Wife (Bowie cover) (Medley)

Encore 3:

Transmission (Joy Division cover)

Set Highlights:

Burning From The Inside

The Line Between The Devil's Teeth

Marlene Dietrich's Favourite Poem

Crystal Wrists

Deep Ocean, Vast Sea

The entire Encore 1 (Cuts You Up is my all time fave)

Worthy mentions:

*Peter Murphy's onstage antics and

singing along with him face to face.

*No more smoking indoors.

* drinking Guinness on tap.

BLEED INTO ONE - THE STORY OF CHRISTIAN ROCK! and a rant about Tantrum Of The Muse's overlooked work!

Guys and gals, it brings me great pleasure to introduce this to you, if you have not already heard.

BLEED INTO ONE - THE STORY OF CHRISTIAN ROCK

This is so overwhelming to me. For so many reasons.

1. My whole life, I listened to almost all of the bands featured in this film. I know what it was like growing up on 70s and 80s christian music, as well as 90s and current. I watched the bible belt squeeze the life out of so many of these bands. I have come from an era when christian music was judged far greater than it could possibly be today. I was a metal head in the 80s. It started with Stryper, and it went into bands like Vengeance Rising, and Deliverance. My metal moved into hardcore, in the early 90s. The Crucified, and Scaterd Few were some of my favorite punk bands, and to this day, they still remain timeless and powerfully effective. To see somebody put a movie out on the subject of a massive culture of christian music, that somehow is completely (much like the very belief of christianity) misunderstood. America views christian music as "untalented, and foolish" when in fact, some christian artists have inspired some of the biggest groups today. Hell, God is the author of art, and music. Its like Larry Norman sang, and like Tantrum Of The Muse re-sang...WHY SHOULD THE DEVIL HAVE ALL THE GOOD MUSIC?????????

2. Speaking of Tantrum Of The Muse. I am hopeful that this film will mention the work Takehold Records did for the christian music industry. Takehold records, TOTM's record label, came the closest to being a christian business, that actually bridged a gap between christian music industry, and secular music industry. Signing us (TOTM) to the label was probably THR's most risk taking business decision. We were saying lyrically, and doing musically way more risky things. Then you have THR bands like Underoath, who has gone on to outsell to the major label status. This band was on THR along with some great bands like Narcissus, Fewleftstanding, Twothirtyeight, etc. Chad Johnson, the owner of THR, went as far as putting together a very successful 2/3 day music festival called "Furnace Fest" where Christian believing bands like mine, shared the stage with bands like Hatebreed, Isis, Andrew W.K., Hum, and The Dillinger Escape Plan. I mean, this was huge at the time!!!!!!

In a perfect world, Tantrum Of The Muse would have a voice on this documentary, especially when the reactions to us from CHRISTIAN alternative music fans ALONE, made waves big enough that TOTM could barely stay afloat. TOTM and THR saw the last moment in Christian music, when the industry had not changed, people were still buying CDs, passing in demos, and you could make a real statement, not just with your lyrics but with your music. 

TOTM was doing something revolutionary for christian music. It has been said about the band, and I am saying it about the band. 

But, because we sold only a few thousand CDS, where Underoath continues to sell many thousands, Underoath gets a voice in "The history of Christian rock"

Its just the way it is. 

TOTM or not, make sure you see this film when it comes out!!!!

Oh, and check out some of these links on Tantrum Of The Muse:

TANTRUM OF THE MUSE - MYSPACE MEMORIAL (1998-2004)

TANTRUM OF THE MUSE - A BRIEF HISTORY

The 77's - Holy Ghost Building, review (And a list of other crucial 77s records)

THE SEVENTY SEVENS - HOLY GHOST BUILDING

(2008 - Lo-Fidelity/Fools Of The World)

track list:

I'm Working on a Building 

 Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning 

Stranger Won't You Change Your Sinful Ways 

 I'll Remember You, Love, In My Prayers 

You're Gonna Be Sorry 

 What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul 

 He's A Mighty Good Leader 

 When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again 

 Everybody Ought To Pray Sometime 

I'm Gonna Run To The City of Refuge 

 A Lifetime Without You

The Seventy Sevens are easily one of THE BEST rock bands to come out of the last few decades, from any genre, period! 77s frontman, Michael Roe's guitar work is uncommon and overwhelming. Without a doubt he is a guitar prodigy, that I seriously rank up with the best! I can name a number of tracks to prove this view, hell, I have tons of material to pick from. This band has been kicking all of our asses since the late 70s!!!! Here it is, 2008, and we are treated to another studio outing, titled "Holy Ghost Building", the band's homage to the gospel/blues/bluegrass bands of old. Michael Roe said, when asked about the sound of this album, "When folks ask me what this record sounds like, I like to say 'Elvis, Scotty, Bill & D.J.' because we did it exactly the way those guys did the early Elvis recordings. It even sounds like them sonically here and there, but thankfully none of that was planned either, which of course makes me very happy. You can't plan those things without them often sounding planned, and I'm so glad we didn't. Even the one original tune we tacked on at the end of this project as a bonus treat for the fans was made up on the spot: music, lyrics, melody and all. Talk about risk! But that's how you end up with records like the ones I loved as a kid, and this one's got that sound and feeling."

For the record, every song on this cd rocks. From beginning to end, we get what we expect. High quality, tons of guitars. A lot of attitude. What some might not expect however is that even though experimentation is nothing new for this band, the guys still find ways to bring new ideas into their music. The 77s have done blues, and gospel in the past, but it was done in small doses. The band's pop sensibilities always dominated it though. Here, Roe tries new things with his voice. Some of the vocal work will surprise you. He manages to capture the vocal stylings of various singers, who have influenced the album. At first listen, I was actually shocked to hear how far the band was going to take this sound. Again, with the band's pop sensibility being a major force in the past, I did not expect this album to disconnect so much with past albums. On this record, we are treated to entirely new 77s. Another strength to this album is that the songs do not all sound alike. There are several different examples of rock history here to examine. It is not a run of the mill blues record. Roe's guitar jangling dominates the music, which is a high point for me personally. I am also happy that the band sounds less tired on this record, than they did on their last full length "A Golden Field Of Radioactive Crows". Granted, this record, musically, is slower, and less "modern rock" but the band has a lot of life, and it shows on this one. It is a natural progression, or maybe just a well needed reminder, that this band still rocks with the best of them!!! 

Now, this record does not come without flaws, and I will elaborate. For one. Somehow I missed the memo and thought this was a record of completely brand new songs, written by the 77s. What we get here is 77s renditions of already existent gospel and blues songs. THAT fact alone took some wind out of my sails, when you consider the hype that was brought with this record, and when you consider how long it has been since the last album (6 years).

Not having a full length new album of songs penned by the band only, kinda bummed me out, but they did manage to end the album on an original, and i think its the best song on the album. I might be alone here, but I really think "A Lifetime Without You" sticks out and shines with classic 77s spirit. And it is no surprise, being the one original on the record, its a shame we didn't hear what more the band could do with a few more originals. 

A lot of fans might not get this one, or like it because it is strictly a gospel/blues record, but I get a lot of joy from that. But, with this record not being filled with originals, and with this record being so different from the others, I really hope the band will spend less time than this one took, making a new album, that pays homage to some of the classic older sound, where gospel and blues was carefully blended with progressive rock, and pop hooks.

THANK YOU BOYS for another awesome album. DO NOT STOP!!! Keep kicking asses. Give us a classic sounding 77s record sometime in the next 3 years.

And, for God sake, can somebody please book a show in PA?!?!?!

And, while we are talking 77s, track down and find these records:

All Fall Down (1984)

The Seventy Sevens (1986)

Sticks And Stones (1990)

Pray Naked (1992)

Drowning With Land In Sight (1994)

Tom Tom Blues (1995)

EP (1999)

Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull (A non spoiler review)

 As I promised...

So, I heard quite a bit of negative reviews by the fans, about Indiana Jones 4. Most of the complaints I heard was that it was too much story telling, too slow in it's pace, and that the story was terrible. Hmm. Then I heard all of the famous critics, saying how amazing the movie is, and how it sits comfortably with the first 3. The only thing I can do is think about what made the 3 classic films so damn good to me, and with the long space in between films, it was obvious that there might be the issue of the best movie makers in my lifetime, (Spielberg/Lucas) might not "have it" anymore. I promised myself that I would go into this movie, and just be honest about it. I just want to have fun!!!!

Because this is a new movie, and one that I am sure everyone and their mother will see...i will be brief!! It was good. It was not as good as the classic 3, but I think part of what made those movies so good was my imagination, which made the effect of the films much stronger growing up. Nostalgia plays a big part too, and it was weird connecting with the idea of a new Indie film. There were some things I believe should have been different. Mainly the plot. The plot kinda takes away from the spirit of the series. Outside of that fact, the execution of the movie, plot and all, is excellent. Harrison Ford did an outstanding job at his old age, to naturally fall back into the character. You really do forget that he is much older than he appears on film. The twists and turns, the action, the characters are all very well written. The humor that made the 3 classics work, is in tact. The sets are beautiful. The horrific moments are in tact as well. The ending, obviously felt weak, but that goes without saying, when the plot is not that good. You kind of don't know the full details though, and that helps the movie, knowing that the plot is not fully revealed. It doesn't distract. There were some great throw back moments to the classics as well. See if you can catch them all. I was satisfied with the movie. The odds were against them, and the cast and crew pulled off a fun and almost equally stunning movie as the original series. What the fans wanted, is definitely here. The fans will definitely have some complaints, but, that would never change. Undisputedly enjoyable, and worth your time and money.

Oh, and Indie still hates snakes!!!! ;)

Great lyrics I felt compelled to share with you

The holding stare, that lurks around me everywhere completes the vacant eyes and ignorant side you choose to stare to hide behind in sinful despair. The black to see in humanity weaves all imagery in the likeness of guilt over you. The chambers of deadly are sowed from your heart and sucking the life blood spills to the floor. Evil is laughing over you. Laughing death over you. Repeat Our Father, Jesus Cristo, virgin Mary and saint Peter calling upon an exorcist. Casting out demonic unrest. Faith in religious ceremonials. Putting trust in spiritual overtures. Life of goodness. Pious appeal. Holy fervour fanatical zeal. Works of mercy door to door. Counting beads repeat some more. The wisdom of man, peace within. Self salvational means found in our tasks. I'm a God, your a God. Evil is negative energy. Your a positive entity. Heaven and Hell are a state of mind. God is a human insecurity. An inner force. The essence of time. A political lie to keep us in mind. Then who is Jesus? Who is Jesus to you?

The holding stare that lurks around me everywhere like a hall of tortures between the ears that contaminates the heart and all you hear. Here the truth to see the ears hold the ring of keys to release you free from the bondage of Hell over you. Till the chambers of deadly are gouged from your heart and the blood of the lamb is free to spill out the laughter of evil continues to smile laughing death over you. So listen to the holding stare.

Who is Jesus to you???

- Allan Aguire (singing in the band "Scaterd Few" on the album, "Jawboneofanass" on the song "Holding stare")

Scaterd Few - Jawboneofanass 

(1994 - Sopa Records)

and might I also add, that this album, is one of the greatest punk/hardcore/art rock albums of all time!! It is almost as good as their debut "Sin Disease"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow I shall lighten up, only a little, to go see the new Indiana Jones film, which is getting mixed reviews. Dammit, I want a great movie, and I fear I am going to be disappointed. But what else is new?? Ok, so I will review it tomorrow night...

stay tuned.

Destiny?

I went to my brother's college graduation yesterday. There, I saw so many people who had a whole life ahead of them, with a goal. A career, a life, that they had control over. A plan that they were excited to start. Out of school, ready to take their permission slip out into the real world, to receive a real life. The speech of the day? 

"Find what it is that makes you happy and thrive to make your mark"!!!!

but what if you are undisputedly created to do one thing. What if these college kids sat there yesterday remembering the days when they dreamed about being something specific. Being young and childish, playing in the bathroom in front of the mirror. Talking to themselves, pretending to be something they are not but eventually, in time will surely enough become.

Did anybody think about those days, where cleaning your room, helping with family chores, meeting the expectations of teachers, parents, family, friends, mattered very little to you, because you were fixated on a dream, a destiny, a vision that seems all to real to you, and your young and foolish and that is all that you care about, what else could matter more than that??

Do you think these college kids recall those days, later, in middle or high school. Trying to deal with the pressures of fitting in and being accepted, while learning the useless things that school teaches you. Remember when that childish dream now started to seem more real than ever? 

You surround yourself with like minded people, who shared the same interest. Nobody can understand why you think the way you do. Its not an idea that is socially acceptable. You do not fit into the "popular crowd" and you do not get the hot girl. You get the unusual and mysterious girl, who happens to be hot to you, but not to the cool crowd. You get a chip on your shoulder, because you feel "more aware" than the cool crowd and only time will prove you right. Time, something that is surely on your side. You dive head first into your interests, ignoring everything else, and you get nowhere with what everybody wants you to do, but you start your adventure in that dream you have had, that seems so real. Everybody is concerned for you because you do not seem "the same" as everyone else. Lets not forget this is Christian school, so now we start wondering if...your "offbeat" sense of style and ambition is cause for concern to others. Are you gay? You aren't doing the normal things, son. Are you depressed? Of course your not, because your doing what has only been normal to do, all of these years you have been alive. You feel so strongly about it. It feels natural. It is how the engine was built to run, and no other function would work. Nobody understands it because your so young. One day, you are told, you will snap right out of it and be proper. You do not believe that though, this is you and it is for life. Out of panic, people start to think you need serious help. The idea of connecting with all of these stupid things in school, are so important to everybody in control, that you start to find yourself getting mental evaluation, and you start to get force fed medication. Now you are depressed, not because you needed medicine, but because your fight to be "you" has now become an endless war. Sure, they only love you, but you still feel more "aware" so you just keep doing what it is that defines,simply, you!!!

You graduate from high school and now you are expected to go to college. You have followed your dreaming heart now, all the way to the end. This dream, this passion you have had your whole life, has now created your character. Your friends know what you are, your enemies still think your nuts. You still have a select core group of friends, because this is art and art doesn't make sense in Christian school life. Now you are known as the troublemaker, because you clearly did only the bare minimum to get by in school, you only worked hard enough to give the teachers and parents what they paid for. A child, with a diploma. You have now been through several schools, psychiatrists, medicines, friends, and your emotionally a mess. You have been completely abandoned by people, because you just didn't fit into the requirements of the society laid in front of you. Because you are "special needs" you get a free pass to go to college. But, you don't need college for what it is you still love. Now you are a free man, and you can pursue this love, without any distraction. College is a distraction. You have a gift now, not a dream. This love you had as a child, has now become a gift. This gift is clear to everyone. Now people are starting to really appreciate it. Your starting to help other people with it. You think back to all of the years, and all of the mess, and how it seems so obvious now. Now, with the pain you experienced, you don't just have a name, but a face, for this gift. Ministry. This is something God has put inside you, from such an early age. Everyone who understood you has been saying that all along. Your parents have always been saying "Your called and your going to do something big with your life" You are read like a newspaper. It is so clear to everybody.

Now, they see whats going on, and they know its your life. Your destiny!!!!!!

You run full tilt, into the life you now waited your whole life for. You have developed, naturally, a knack for doing this thing a certain way, and naturally, the people who are capable of keeping up with you, see eye to eye and join you in this. You pour your whole life into it, and now the dream you have had is bigger than you are. You have now become secondary to a larger life. You are a leader, and people are scratching their heads at you. "How on earth did you come up with this"? How did you? From all of the years, and all of the lessons learned, and all of mirrors you practiced in. And all of the visions you had as a teenager. It is just natural. Its who you are and what you do. Now this dream of yours takes on a life of its own. You are now doing this dream life, just how you pictured it, and nothing stands in your way. So young. All of your work has paid off. All of your patience. All of the pain. It led up to this. Your set free and you are seeing how God is using it, finally, for his good. Destiny, indeed!!!!

A short few years goes by, and your still young and thriving. But now, you have outdone yourself so much, that when others no longer share that dream with you, they move on. You have done things in such a specific style, that only you were capable of. Nobody else seems able to do it. You cant do this by yourself. It would not make any sense. Its like a vehicle with one tire. You need the others. God will make this work, right? After all. What was a life of fight for?

Patiently, you wait. You realize that now it is going to take some effort. Effort you never had to use. You try so hard to get moving again. Life is going on. You get married. You are now sharing this life, for good or bad, with your best friend. You want even more, to succeed. You know your limitations. You know what you have to offer this world, but you know what you don't have to offer, and now you are scared and confused. What happened???????? How on earth did this happen to you?? Your life is piling up, and now the "fall back" job has become your life. You do it, because you have to. You need money. You are on your own. Now you are taking care of your wife. More than ever, like is spiraling out of control, and all of your efforts to get back to what it is, that makes you, YOU, is more and more impossible. Your dreams are a giant ship, and you fell into the ocean, and the ship is smaller and smaller. Your drowning. 

But wait!!!! What about ALL OF THOSE YEARS?? life doesn't make any sense now. You are not person B, you are person A. You have nothing else to offer. You try. You try so many different outlets. You start to receive everyone's advice. Advice you thought was a distraction, seems to be a desperate attempt to cling to a lifeboat before going under. Nothing is working. 

You turn 30. You have sacrificed a typical life all of your years. You are married, to someone who is so much like you. Together, you wonder where your lives are, and where they went. Everyone who made you feel so small growing up, they have all gone on to live typical, and safe existences. You wonder, "How do they stay sane"? But you remember, "Because that is what they are made for" But not you. 

Crazy enough, your dream still grows alive in you, and your inspiration is still a bleeding heart. Inside your heart and head, there is a world of amazing beauty, and your dream has outgrown it all, and needs an outlet. Yet, you can't fix it. It is out of your control. Clearly, it seems God wants different things from you, and you try every door that opens. But to no avail, your life is still in chains. Everything you have said in defense to your destiny, is slapping you in the face.

But, how do you get people to understand???? Your not crazy, it was all so right!!!! 

Now, everyone, like before, dictates that your dream should one day, and now is.....over.

Like a fish out of water, you flap around, trying to breathe. You literally panic. You lose your identity. You want so bad for your best friend, your partner, to know what you knew growing up all those years. They take your word, and support you, but its not as real to your partner as it is inside of you. You start loosing control over normal things, like your emotions. Self control. Anger. Now you are a disappointment to so many. Like it is the easiest thing in the world, they tell you "Its time to move on" but they never provide a path for you to follow. "That is your job" and you start to affect everyone around you negatively. You literally feel dead inside, and your health is starting to be affected negatively from it. This is not the life you were supposed to live!!!!!!!! You realize, that you want safety. You want what God wants. You surrender. You finally get to a place where you do not care what it is that God wants for you. You simply want peace in your life. Peace has now become the dream life you want to live.

Give me your still small voice!!!!!

Those college grads only know so much of my story. 

Some of those kids will lead normal, safe lives. Staying on the surface, married,buying a small house with the white fence and target home decor, content in a no name town, that is safe and quiet. Outside of the 9 to 5 job they didn't go to school for, they will call their friends to inform them about all of the deals the market had on various grocery items, and when they have some time, they will invest it in doing things with the kids they now have while the other spouse it working even more and more to pay off that house.

. Some of those kids will go on to become important. Their dreams will serve them correct, and they will prove the whole world wrong. They will be in the right place at the right time, ripe and young, with nothing but success in front of them. Destiny will have its way. 

Some of those kids are big time dreamers, and will always be. Sadly, that dream will stay dormant inside of them, like a colorful world everybody should see, but wont. Holding that in, without an outlet, will kill a part of them forever, or maybe worse, they will fall apart for good. That inspiration inside of them is vital in helping so many people, including themselves. It will go wasted.

So sad. 

But right now, all of mom and dad's money has been spent, assuring the naive students that its a small price you pay, for the child's dreams to come true. Nothing is going to stand in their way!!!!!

 "Time is on their side"

THE CURE "Live In 2008" My Review...

The Cure's Robert Smith, at Wachovia Spectrum,

Saturday, May 10th, 2008

Setlist:

open
fascination street
a strange day
alt.end
the walk
the end of the world
lovesong
kyoto song
pictures of you
lullaby
maybe someday
the perfect boy
from the edge of the deep green sea
the only one
push
how beautiful you are
in between days
just like heaven
primary
never enough
wrong number
one hundred years
end

Encore:

if only tonight we could sleep
the kiss

Encore 2:

freak show
close to me
why can't i be you?

Encore 3:

three imaginary boys
fire in cairo
boys don't cry
jumping someone else's train
grinding halt
10:15 saturday night
killing an arab

Sighhhhhh!!!! I am not sure if that is a sigh of relief, or a sigh from an empty feeling in my stomach, probably both. Anyone who has been a fan of the Cure from, say any point up to 2004, knows 2 big facts: 1. The line up has changed often through-out the years and 2.There have always been keyboards, minimal, to outstanding amounts, in most of their songs, certainly on all of their albums. Since the successful 2004 resurfacing, with a new hit album, the band has gone through a devastating change. The line up that stayed consistantly strong from 1995-2004 was abruptly changed, when Roger O' Donnell (Keyboardist for the albums Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, Disintegration, Wild Mood Swings, Bloodflowers, and 2004's The Cure) and Perry Bamonte (Guitars/keys for albums Wish,Wild Mood Swings, Bloodflowers, and 2004's The Cure) were suddenly and awkwardly "removed" from the Cure, by Robert Smith. Well, at least that is what the public was told. Weird. Oh well, I guess Robert will get a new guitarist, and a new keyboardist, right? After all, they are back on top. A whole new generation of emotionally distressed high schoolers are all over this band. Certainly, it will all be fine......

Fast forward to the "New Cure"

It is 2008, a new album is coming out,the band is a 4 piece, with NO keyboardist. Porl Thompson is back in the band (an original member of the band, who was out of the band before they even released Three Imaginary Boys, he is the most important member next to Simon and Robert. Porl played on The Top, The Head On The Door,Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me,Disintegration,and Wish) this is absolutely BRILLIANT news. The idea is that the band will focus on re-crafting the classic set list, without the use of keys, leaning heavily on Porl's guitar icon status.The new album is hinted to having no keys at all. This part of the band, i HATE, and before last night's show I would have told you EVERY SONG that has keyboards, still needs them and will not be as magical without them. A bunch of us went last night to see the band play Philadelphia. I had seem them 3 times on the 2004 Curiosa tour. They were so good. The Set lists were different each night. I heard probably every song I needed to hear. I loved them!!!!

 It is May 2008, the album is still not done. Who cares, right? We got treated to songs we actually know, and that was important, while redeeming my spending so much on a ticket. The band is over 30 years old. Scary. Only a matter of time, eh?

The band greeted the stage, pretty much looking the way you would expect.Porl, looking like your dad trying to stay young (Dude, Dorothy called from the land of Oz, she wants her ruby slippers...er i mean platform shoes back) Robert looked healthier than i expected. A little fat in the face due to his age, and would look thinner if he wore clothes that fit. All in all, with a wig, Robert would look like 90s Robert. Simon still takes the cake as the best aged member. He keeps the goth make up thing minimal and keeps it real, thank you Simon. Jason (The only late 90s era member still in the band) looked slightly more like he is in a band, unlike the past where he looked like your hip math teacher.

Now, the show, the songs, the sound...

We were seated about 30 feet away from the band. We had no idea our tickets were there, and we were surprised by a comfortable seating arrangement. That alone, made any future disappointment still "worth it".

 The band opened up with the classic "Tape" intro that was heard on the Wish tour, followed, of course, by Open. They sounded very loud, and the song sounded just like the album. I was relieved. This vibe continued through-out the entire gig, with the exception of a couple of songs. With occasional back tracking to supply keyboards where they were absolutely needed, I had to wonder why Robert didn't make the keyboards available for the rest of the songs. I mean, come on. The band, compliments to Porl, re-crafted the songs, into a more edgy rock sounding Cure. This did not take away from the songs, again, beside the few songs where it did not work. I expected to see the band coming off tired from the same old thing, and this new direction made the band seem more excited and that gave us a better show. Everyone's performance was OUTSTANDING. Robert moved over near to us occasionally, and we all took turns yelling to him and cheering. Of course, I had to yell "Get your fucking keyboards, Robert" but that was just so I could say I tried to be a good fan. There were things that made this concert special to me. There were fewer things that distracted me from my belief that The Cure is my favorite band. All in all, they still got it. Any lacking integrity is due to them making stupid decisions, NOT due to being too old to rock, or too tired to keep up. In fact, they played for just under 3 hours. It would have been 3 hours, had the band kept playing, instead of the tired "Lets go backstage and re-emerge a few minutes later) These "encore" practices are awkward to me. Alright, I love The Cure. Always will. That will never change. They can put out horrible albums from here on out, and I can still keep the 30 years of music they made up til this point, close to my heart!!!! Those classic Cure songs will be buried in my casket with me. How beautiful they are!!!!

Concert highlights:

Strange Day

Kyoto Song

Pictures Of You

Push

If Only Tonight We Could Sleep

The Kiss

the SECOND HALF of 100 Years.

Encore 3

The seating, and company I had with me

Songs that sucked without keyboards or just sucked:

Lovesong

How beautiful you are

Lullaby

Why can't I be you?

Just like heaven

the FIRST HALF of 100 Years.

Other worthy mentions:

The Song freakshow, I don't know what to think of that. 

My irritable bowel issues that I had to take care of at an arena bathroom. Ugh.

Concert tour shirt prices. $40 a shirt. Kiss my irritable ass.

Enough on that, I am certainly going to remember my night, and I am excited about that new album. There is going to be a new single released every month, until the official album release in September, so keep an eye out, maybe Robert can still squeeze diamonds out of that old gothic ass of his!!!