THE BUNNYMEN, IRVING PLAZA, NIGHT 2

I woke up mid morning after wandering the streets of New York City late into the night.  Took a shower, dressed and spent sometime looking over the equipment to determine what the problem was the previous night.  I decided to minimize the risk and settled for a different rig, crossing my fingers that it would work better this time.  As always, I only blame myself, problems always arising from human error.  Pizza for breakfast!

At noon I met an old friend of mine who I had not seen for many years, Mike, a former roommate from the University, sharing a year rooming together in 1975-1976.  We were both older, both successful in our own ways, with so much happening in the intervening years.  But we were still friends just like it was yesterday.  Mike had a treat for me, driving into Manhattan from Brooklyn on his motorcycle.  The plan was to spend the afternoon driving around NYC, have a cigar and a drink over lunch in Greenwich Village and end the time with a short trip to an up and coming hip section of Brooklyn.  It was a fabulous experience, getting to see the city in a way I had never seen it before in my life.  All these sights seen from a different angle,  sky scrappers whizzing by.  The five hours went by quickly, Mike dropping me off at the hotel where I returned upstairs to prepare for this evenings show.



I changed, gathered up my gear and went out for dinner, smoking a cigar as I made my way to the theater to stand in line.

The band seemed to be more in tune with the audience, and the crowd was more into the show than the previous night.  It was Sunday night, the true fans willing to stick around late into the evening and risk being tired and hung over for work in the morning.  The band responded by putting on a great show.  Lots of smiles from Jez and Nick.  Ian seemed to be in a good mood throughout the show, not sensing the usual tension among the band members who in the past would look at Ian expectantly, waiting for his directions.  Not tonight.

As is always the case, it all comes to an end so quickly and I find myself standing outside in the cool summer evening near the back stage door.  Tonight they erected a barricade between the door and the street behind which the sizable crowd gathered.  Gordy was no where to be seen this evening, perhaps busy with his new friend from the previous evening.  Will came out and signed some autographs, spending some time chatting with a group of women who I believe were part of the VIP crowd.  He was standing right next to me, I being fearful of saying something stupid to this legendary figure.  Ian was in good spirits when he stepped out, his pen autographing whatever was put before him.  I was standing behind one or two other people watching all this unfold.  I was stunned when Ian and I made eye contact and he immediately extended his had out to me, we shake and exchanging pleasant remarks, I thanking him for another fine performance.  Off into the waiting taxi and he's gone.  There's a new young guy directing things involving the band these last two evenings.  I make the comment to him and Ian, asking whether he's the new Peasy (band manager).  This young gentleman jokingly highlights the difference between himself and Peasy by patting his belly, this guy in his all black military style ensemble. Stephen, Jez and Nick came out together and we chatted for a bit.  Once again they departed together, heading down an empty street in the direction of Union Park.  I was in heaven.

I wandered the streets making my way back to the hotel.  I gulped several beverages in an effort to rehydrate.  Ray's Pizza provided a late night snack.  It was sad to think this week and now come and gone.  All that was left was to sleep, pack and return to LaGuardia Airport to catch an early afternoon flight.

CMJ wrotes:

Last night, the classic drama-pop masters, Echo & The Bunnymen, played the second of two sold-out nights at Irving Plaza in Manhattan. They’ve been touring the U.S. this month in support of their new album, Meteorites, released on May 26 in the U.K. and then June 3 here in the U.S., via 429 Records. They doled out a mix of old and new material interspersed with chatter from leader Ian McCulloch’s barely decipherable Liverpudlian accent, though this time around his singing voice and stage energy were better than the last time the band strolled through NYC a couple years ago. The Cutter, The Killing Moon and especially Lips Like Sugar seemed to be crowd favorites, the newer songs went over well, and a fair bit of dancing and arm-waving went on throughout. This brazen Brit bunch continue to prove they still have some viability left after all these years.

Download the audio here (better quality than the YouTube Videos):
http://www.filefactory.com/file/5eg9v5p3h9kr/n/MP3_EATB_-_Irving_Plaza_NYC_June_17,_2014.rar

THE BUNNYMEN, IRVING PLAZA, NIGHT 1

That time had come to make the pilgrimage to the big city of New York to once again experience Echo and the Bunnymen at Irving Plaza.  I took a few days off to visit with family and friends and to spend some time on the beach.  And I did a lot of the latter, spending about 40 hours of the few days I was on the Island near the ocean.  I flew into NY, had dinner with family and at the end of the evening I requested to be dropped off at the beach I spent so much time at while growing up. All for the purpose of experiencing this beautiful place on the day of my birthday that began at midnight. A storm moved in while dancing on the sand in the darkness as I listened to music, legs wet from the surf. Strong wind and pelting rain whipped the sea into a frenzy, something that I had never seen before, the high tide covering the beach with water, waves lapping the sand dunes. What a loud night in the tent that the wind succeeded in flattening atop me. Wonderful!

Two nights with the Bunnymen.  I stayed at the same hotel as last time.  Killing time by hanging out on the street watching the world walk by, enjoying a cigar.  I did walk by Irving Plaza but saw no sign of the band, assuming that they had arrived early and were set up inside.  Dinner and then off to stand in line for an early entry and a place up front.

Need I say it was a fabulous show?  Their music carries me away to a beautiful, far off land.

Hung out at the theater exit hoping the band would be kind enough to come out and say hello.  I was not disappointed.  Gordie was trying his best to make friends with and attractive young woman.  Caught Will and Ian as they made their exit, thanking both for a wonderful performance. Will said that there was going to be an after party at a destination he provided, but my legs were not in a condition to allow me to walk that far that late at night.  Stephen, Jez and Nick acted like buddies on this visit to NY, departing together and heading off for what I assume was to look for some fun at a place of their own.  I did spend a little time speaking to them, telling me that all was well with the band, having found that place where they all worked well together.  And it showed in their performance with Ian giving a very relaxed performance and smiles being flashed by other band members, particularly Nick and Jez.

Back to the hotel where I had a slice of pizza before heading upstairs for a long sleep.  Plans were already made for some fun Sunday afternoon.

ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN IN LIVERPOOL

I flew in from Naples and waited for my daughters arrival from Florence.  I got a scare when she failed to show up at the anticipated time.  Turns out it was miscommunication, she was waiting for me in the baggage claim area in a secure part of the terminal where the general public was not allowed (I flew into a different terminal).

The Royal Norfolk Hotel at Paddington station is just as I remembered it, a funky, somewhat dilapidated hotel with tiny rooms.  But it works considering it's only meant for sleeping.

Went to see Ranking Roger and The Beat that first night in London.  Excellent.

The train ride through the English country side to Liverpool.  We caught an earlier train than the one I reserved, so we got into Lime Street Station an hour earlier.

We toured the waterfront along the River Mersey, spending most of the time at the Liverpool Museum, with a required walk down Mathew Street.

Got to the theater early and stood near the head of the line, entertained by the crowd of girls who were waiting to get into the theater to see the Valentine Brothers.  Pounding the doors to get in to be with their heart throbs.

The Probes were the opening act, with early 80's influences, including the Bunnymen.  They sounded great and put me in the mood for what was to come.

The Bunnymen were phenomenal, rousing the crowd into one big sing along all night long.  Two new songs off of an album to be released...soon?  We had front row seat, the barricade offering an anchor against the swaying crowd pushing from behind.  Loud, very loud audience.

Hanging out near the stage door exit.  Before exiting the building I met Peasy and told him to have the band come to the US in 2014.  Spent some time with The Probes, a local band hoping to release their first EP.  Told them to make the trip to America.  The Bunnymen came out one by one, greeting them with complements on their performance.  Caught Ian as he hopped in a waiting vehicle, getting a smile out of him when I said his music put me in heaven.  Very surprised when Gordy greeted me by name.  Will was last to exit, informing me of the fact a few of them were heading over to the Grapes bar, "near the bombed out church."  I've been in Liverpool long enough to know exactly where that was.  I made the point very clear that they should tour in the US next year.

Spent a little time at the Grapes bar, speaking to Gordy and several fans of the band.  Interesting conversation.  While distracted, Will slipped out and was gone.

Another early train ride, but this time back to London, sitting in a car with a bunch of guys, one of whom walked on with a big plastic bag of bottled beer, cracking them open at 10:30 in the morning.  Must have been a good game they watched the day before.

Time in London was limited, visiting a print/water color gallery and the TATE Modern along the River Thames.  Dinner at an Indian food restaurant and then back to the hotel to repack our bags in anticipation of an early flight out of Heathrow the following morning.

Hanging out at the airport waiting for the flight.  I felt like I was in a shopping mall with all the stores around.

Flew over Greenland, blue shadowed peaks rising above the smooth ice cap, yellow sunlight reflecting off the water in the fiord's on the west coast.

Frigid temps in Chicago, the snow just beginning to come down.  Concerned as they deiced the plane while the snow only kept increasing in intensity.  Visions of a skidding airplane as it attempted to climb off a slick runway.

We return home in Denver, the excitement is over, back to reality, resuming an ordinary life, but only after a good nights rest.

Download the show:
http://www.filefactory.com/file/42occ05uxxin/EATB%20O2%20LPOOL%20141213%20mp3.rar

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

There's not enough time in the day to get everything I want done and something has to suffer.  One of the things that I didn't have time for this past month is posting to the blog, my spare time spent building the bookcase, repairing the walls, texturing the walls, painting, replacing the floor boards, replacing all electrical fixtures and then putting things back together again. The room is largely done, except for replacing the books and paintings/prints.  This project was hard to complete because I was not motivated to do it from the very beginning.  It was accomplished only because I was a zombie and simply went through the motions to get it done.  This project effectively completes the interior of the house, the last room to be renovated.  Yet other lesser projects remain to be completed in the coming years.  I like to believe they are smaller in size and scope, but that's always an illusion based on my experience, with unplanned tasks always requiring added effort.

But the music kept on playing.

Sex Pistols
Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, CA, USA
September 3, 2003

At the Warfield on Wednesday, the Sex Pistols crawled from history's crypt and returned to the city where they ended their brief but brilliant career in 1978. Someone should have nailed the crypt door shut. It isn't that the resurrected Pistols -- singer John Lydon (a.k.a. Johnny Rotten), guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and original bassist Glen Matlock, who preceded the late Sid Vicious in the lineup -- were technically awful. Just embarrassing for anyone who saw them when they were still vibrant, twentysomething malcontents caught between trying to destroy a bloated music industry and milk it dry.

The real Sex Pistols met their Goetterdaemmerung with open arms on a spit- soaked Winterland stage in 1978. The embalmed facsimile that played San Francisco on Wednesday as part of its second blighted reunion tour (the first was in 1996) barely qualified as an homage. With eyes closed, the hourlong set, which included all of 1977's "Never Mind the Bollocks" album and a few singles (including the marathon cover of the Stooges' "No Fun"), seemed like a cool jolt to the memory circuits. Most of the songs still live as powerful and euphoric expressions of a certain time and place; Lydon's voice retained its distinctive sneer, and his band mates churned through their limited repertoire with workmanlike precision.

"Any of you got anything funny to say?" he demanded after a competent rendition of "God Save the Queen."

"F-- you!" replied a few middle-aged voices enthusiastically. "How do you like your meat?" Lydon spat back. "Old and tough?"

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/music/article/Sex-Pistols-Lydon-tries-but-can-t-revive-rage-2590991.php

Download it here:
https://rapidshare.com/#!download|340p7|3549447949|5.%20Warfield%20Theatre_%20San%20Francisco_%20Ca_%20USA_%2003.09.03.rar|49812|0|0

Angry eye of red
Stares down upon corruption
Death is in the air

Their moral conflicts
In a world of black and white
Colored with denial

Words meant to persuade
Spoken with such eloquence
The truth’s not required

Van Halen
Atlantic City, NJ, USA
March 24, 2012

A fan writes:

First, as you can tell, I don't post much but I am a regular on this board (basically a troll...lol). I have seen every VH tour (all except with that Cherone (spelling) joker) since the beginning when they warmed up Black Sabbath at the Spectrum. I saw the Philly show a couple weeks ago and to be honest there was no way I thought they could top that show. Boy, was I wrong. The band was tight and the acoustics in AC were tremendous. I was in the 18th row on Eddie's side and they kicked ass from start to finish. Less "chitter,chatter" from Dave tonight than Philly. This is definitley a new version of VH. I consider this the "mature" version of the band. I paid 170 both shows and it was worth every penny. A whole lot of band hugs and joking with each other. It was a tremendous show and all I can hope is that they do this again some day. KUDOS to this board as you guys all rock. I have followed many tours on here. No comparision to the tour 3 years ago. This one is tops.

Read it all here: http://www.vhlinks.com/vbforums/showthread.php?p=1502382

Download it here:
http://www.depositfiles.com/files/c1virkzhv

Clergy's whitewashed room
Sun shines outside its window
There beyond the bars

Sun rises so red
Omen of some prophecy
Nation in decline

High upon the stage
Preaching their morality
Swept up by the lies

Look to the future
But when eyes close forever
He's stuck in the past

Their optimism
Farther than the eye can see
Suffer from blindness

Joy Division
Live at Nashville Ballroom, London, UK
September 22, 1979

Excellent sound to this classic recording of the band led by Ian Curtis.

Download it here:
http://www.filefactory.com/file/cf9ab4c/n/Joy_Division_1979-09-22_Nashville_Ballroom,_London._U.K._(FLAC).rar

Scatter the ashes
Turns his back and says goodbye
Nothing but silence

A gorgeous sunset
Brilliant light shines from within
Everyone is special

Public Image limited
Belgrade Calling Festival, USCE Park, Serbia
June 29, 2012

Excellent recording from their 2012 tour, playing both old classics and new songs off their recent release.

"This summer the beautiful Ušće Park, set in New Belgrade at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, will be the setting for one of the largest music festivals that the city have ever seen, with headliners including the legendary Ozzy Osbourne featuring guitarist extraordinaire Slash, the criminally underrated American rock band Faith No More, and the absurdly popular British singer Jesse J (who we had literally never heard of before writing this, but apparently has hundreds of millions of views on on Youtube). For us some of the 'supporting' acts are even more noteworthy, with the likes of Public Enemy, the Cult, Public Image Ltd, Orbital and the Horrors all taking to the stage over the festival's three days. Definitely one event not to be missed!"

Download it here, thanks to Pilhead:
http://www.mediafire.com/?wxd0gcok778r4cb

Leaves his childhood's town
Their down turned heads are weeping
Lay them in the ground

Iggy Pop
Roadkill Rising

I listened to discs two (1980's) and three (1990's) from the Shout! Factory’s 2011 release, Roadkill Rising, a collection of live, unreleased tracks from the 1970s through the 2000s, culled from numerous gigs around the world.

"Discs two and three mix in some of Iggy’s almost-hits, like “Nightclubbing”, “Real Wild Child” from Blah Blah Blah, and “China Girl”, which David Bowie rode as a huge hit in the summer of 1983. Other surprises include the “Batman Theme” and a filthy version of “Louie Louie” that segues into “Hang on Sloopy”, while older tunes like “Loose” and “TV Eye” are still in the setlist. A particularly delicious highlight is a ten-minute-plus version of the bluesy “One for My Baby” from the much-reviled Party album. It’s unexpectedly hilarious to hear Iggy trying to quiet down the audience so he can hear himself sing; this version is so long because he keeps stopping to harangue the crowd. The sound on these discs is clearer than disc one, with heavier bass, although the buzz-saw guitars are still there and the crowd noise remains prominent throughout."

Read it here:
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/141611-iggy-pop-roadkill-rising/

What's most interesting on the second disc is the recording of "One for My Baby (Quarter to Three)." It's more than ten minutes, if only for several false starts due to a rowdy audience. Iggy even starts to get pissed off as he's unable to sing his song. The thing is, he sounds like he means it when he says he wants to sing the song. So despite critics panning the bulk of his 80s output, apparently Iggy did believe in what he was doing. The song's low key croon isn't at all bad, and Iggy pulls it off convincingly. It's refreshing (and perhaps revitalizing) to hear his pleading with the audience though, as it does add levity to his patchy studio work through that strange decade.

Read it here:
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2573752

Go out and buy it!

Van Halen
Right Here, Right Now

Van Halen with Eddie and Sammy at their finest!  I was in a mood for 90's Van Halen from the Hagar era.

Go out and buy it!

Echo and the Bunnymen
O2 Brixton, London, UK
December 9, 2010

My recording from that night. 

When I listened to it on Saturday night I was somewhat disappointed at the fact that there was something lacking in me, unable to connect, as though a part of me had turned the page on this band, particularly in light of their recent failings.  It's as though the magic has gone.

Read about the trip here:
http://whatatemper.blogspot.com/2010/12/london-calling.html

Iggy Pop
Live At Channel, Boston, MA, USA
July 19, 1988

Great CD reissue of the Iggy live at the Channel Boston 1988 "when he was touring to promote Instinct, one of his less impressive solo albums, when he performed the concert taped by the King Biscuit Flower Hour and presented here, on July 19, 1988. Since Instinct was a return to simple hard rock, the seven songs from the album fit well stylistically, if not qualitatively, with the Iggy and the Stooges evergreens -- "1969," "No Fun," "I Wanna Be Your Dog," "Penetration," "Search and Destroy" -- that fill out the set list. The revved-up, near-metal arrangements are reminiscent of Lou Reed's revamping of his catalog on Rock and Roll Animal, if not as imaginative. But Pop is an enthusiastic, appreciative frontman, even if his lyrics and spoken remarks contain so many four-letter words that the original broadcast must have been heavily edited."

Download it from the Concert Vault:
http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/iggy-pop/concerts/agora-ballroom-march-21-1977.html?utm_source=CVNL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=120917#channel-july-19-1988.html

Van Halen
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC, Canada
May 7, 2012

A fan wrote about the show:

At its fullest, I'd say it hit about 85% full. Not a sell out, but pretty well attended. Very fun crowd both inside and outside the arena; there were large groups of vans strolling through the street before the show drunkenly singing VH tunes. That they butchered the music was irrelevant - it was the thought that counted.

The show was fantastic, IMO. Dave had some struggles lyrically/vocally at points, but he made up for that with his typical Diamond Dave showmanship. He worked the crowd to his advantage and moved the evening along as a Maestro would. Ed, Al and Wolf didn't miss a beat all night - just extremely tight, and the background harmonies provided by Ed and Wolf were one of the best parts of the evening.

Vocally and musically, Wolf more than capably fills Mikey's void. He definitely doesn't possess the stage presence/fan interactivity that Mikey had, but he was still noticeably better than 2007. As the kid gets older, he's going to be fierce.

The whole show flew past, it was just like a shot of adrenaline full in the face. They ripped through everything and the energy level was fantastic. I'd rate it easily above the 2007 show that I saw. Again, just a great, fun evening.

Funny moment: When China Town started, I am 99% certain that Dave began singing the lyrics to "Bullethead" instead. He stopped, frozen on stage as the others kept chugging a long, and then deadpanned into the mic: "I fucked up the lyrics." Everyone laughed, he waited for the next verse and leapt back in.

Best moment: Eddie's solo, IMO. Didn't drag it out, didn't make it too short, it was just right - and man oh man, the man is fucking amazing.

Read more here:
http://www.vhlinks.com/vbforums/showthread.php?p=1517463

Download it here:
http://www.filefactory.com/file/78qcya8qjfal/n/VaHa.2012-05-07.Vancouver.FLAC.by.T.U.B.E.zip