| 9th November 2006 08:28 PM |
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| Dan |
Last night, Aerosmith and Motley Crue's Route Of All Evil tour hit the Hollywood Bowl for the first of 3 shows in the Southern California area. I really wanted to see this show ever since the rumors hit about a year ago. Since I did so well on concert ticket prices the past few weeks, I was able to do this one in style with an excellent lower level seat.
From what I gathered on my Who experience, the Garden Box is the best place to be. Unfortunately the best I was able to get over the weekend was a pair in Sec D. Tried in vain until the last minute to trade up to aGarden Box but there wasn't much better available so at 7:15 I dumped the extra and went in.
Aerosmith is no longer a poor man's anything. They now
rival many top tier acts with what they are asking for
tickets and attendance suffered with an entire level
of the Bowl nearly empty. Either tour less or charge
less. I admit it was the opportunity to get two almost
headline sets out of this that had me plonking down
the big bucks.
Motley Crue had a great stage show but this time the music just didn't match up. I had a great time at the Forum on the reunion tour. Perhaps it's because fun and musical
appreciation at a Motley Crue show is directly proportional to the amount of alcohol consumed or more
likely the novelty is starting to wear off.
But I am a sucker for good stage gimmicks like lots of
pyro and chicks hanging from the ceiling in cages. "Louder Than Hell" and "Primal Scream" still sound great regardless of how bad Vince's singing is. The stage was
different than on the Carnival Of Sins tour but the setlist was just a shortened version of the same show. The
mix was odd with Tommy's drums up loud and everything
else buried underneath it.
It was still somewhat entertaining if just a little
too long for this particular occassion. Nikki Sixx and
Vince Neil said how great it was to be touring with their heroes Aerosmith and also complained about the lack of response from the crowd who mostly was there to see Aerosmith anyway.
I was somewhat disappointed that "Too Fast For Love,"
the title track off the one and only classic album was
no longer in the set but the breaks between the songs
were painful. Did they really drop it so Tommy Lee
could hurl more profane whiggerisms at the crowd?
Ran into Craig who is on a few Stones boards who just
happened to have seats in the row behind me. Made a quick run to look where another board member was but the seats were empty.
After a 45 minute wait, the lights went off and they
hit the stage with a smoking "Toys In The Attic." It was
definitely a different Aerosmith than the one I suffered through for most of the 90's. Sure, they briefly touched upon the era with "Eat The Rich" and "Cryin'" but gone were the endless parade of cheesy pop singles and ballads laden with canned horns and harmonies that sound like a
dying cat. This was Aerosmith as bluesy and jammy as I
have ever seen them.
The chick next to me screaming in my ear was getting
annoying so I moved into the center aisle, having
perfected the art of wandering during the 2 previous Who shows. It was a little tighter tonight, security not allowing anyone to just stand against the bushes. A security guard took me to the nearest usher and she apparently didn't know how to read tickets because she directed me into the Terrace boxes where I quickly found an empty seat just off center.
I could now see and hear everything perfectly. It was loud
and clear with the guitars far up front. "Baby Please
Don't Go" was performed as an extended jam with a lot
of harp from Steven and Joe and Brad trading licks. Joe took over lead vocals on the cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Stop Messin' Around." It was followed by a way too short teaser of "Hangman Jury" which really deserves to be played in it's entirety but was soon forgotten as it segued into a beautiful "Seasons Of Wither," Steven and Joe sitting at the end of the catwalk as faux snow fell on the crowd.
"Dream On" was the only other slow song that night before they cranked up the rock and kept it at a peak level for the rest of the night. "Devil's Got A New Disguise," the sole new song, sounds great live. Tyler veered off to side stage which was filled with celebrities and started singing in Tommy Lee's face. He was rocking out and playing air drums all night obviously having the time of his life getting to see that show every night.
"Love In An Elevator" was added for the first time in a few months and Steven forgot the scream at the beginning and add-libbed the first few verses. The flub unpolished the song for sure which was a lot rougher than usual all the way through.
"Sweet Emotion" had an extended bass intro as usual,
this time by Tom's stand in David Hull. I wish they
would retire this song until he comes back. It was
definitely lacking something at least until Joe
Perry's guitar solo in the middle, right under blue
laser lights.
"Draw The Line" was the show highlight just as it has been at every show they played it for the last several years. The song and main set ended with Joe throwing his guitar down at the end of the catwalk and beating on it with shirt.
"Walk This Way" wrapped things up. Sometimes it seems played out but I have never seen a bad version of this song. Bolted as soon as the song was over, watched the band introductions on the big screen next to the exit and ran out when I was sure it was over. Just in time to see Brad get into a black SUV and a security guard halt pedestrian traffic so the convoy could make its getaway, with a police and fire escort.
As a postscript I decided to walk a few extra blocks to the Avalon but the Dolls were already on so I headed home. Later on found out that was where Joe Perry and Slash were headed.
Did 7 shows in 8 days, was planning on pushing it farther but I think I picked up something on one of the city disease incubators I have been riding on all week.
setlists:
Dr Feelgood
Shout At The Devil
Wild Side
Looks That Kill
Livewire
Same Ol Situation
Home Sweet Home
Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go AWay)
Louder Than Hell
Sick Love Song
Primal Scream
Girls Girls Girls
-Mick Mars solo-
Kickstart My Heart
Toys In The Attic
Walkin' The Dog
Eat The Rich
Cryin'
Baby Please Don't Go
Stop Messin' Around
Hangman Jury (intro)
Seasons Of Wither
Dream On
Devil's Got A New Disguise
Love In An Elevator
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line
Walk This Way
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| 9th November 2006 09:09 PM |
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| mrhipfl |
sounds like a good show. I'm seeing them at the Ford Amphitheatre on the 23rd with a couple of buddies. We're stoked for mit. I saw Aerosmith a year ago, or so, and was dissappointed by the sound quality. It might just have been our seats though. Was there a noticeable difference in Tyler's voice? |
| 9th November 2006 09:15 PM |
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| Nellcote |
Thanks for the review.
They are carrying on as usual.
Was Tom Hamilton anywhere to be seen?
Here's hoping there's a Bahston New Years Eve gig left in them... |
| 9th November 2006 10:22 PM |
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| Dan |
quote:
mrhipfl wrote:
sounds like a good show. I'm seeing them at the Ford Amphitheatre on the 23rd with a couple of buddies. We're stoked for mit. I saw Aerosmith a year ago, or so, and was dissappointed by the sound quality. It might just have been our seats though. Was there a noticeable difference in Tyler's voice?
The sound quality was good last night. Tyler's voice was great, he sounded like he always did. Him messing up the lyrics to Love In An Elevator was funny though. As soon as the song started he ran back to the teleprompter. If not for teleprompters there might not be any setlist changes these days. |
| 9th November 2006 10:23 PM |
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| Dan |
quote:
Nellcote wrote:
Thanks for the review.
They are carrying on as usual.
Was Tom Hamilton anywhere to be seen?
Here's hoping there's a Bahston New Years Eve gig left in them...
Joe said he was hoping Tom would be back in a few weeks. |
| 10th November 2006 12:14 AM |
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| Poison Dart |
Is Tommy Lee playing w/ Motley Crew? |
| 10th November 2006 11:03 AM |
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| jb |
God they suck!!! |
| 10th November 2006 11:07 AM |
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| glencar |
Vince Neil's voice is shot? |
| 10th November 2006 11:31 AM |
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| jb |
quote:
glencar wrote:
Vince Neil's voice is shot?
2 bands that should have died in the 80's..really dreadful.. |
| 10th November 2006 11:36 AM |
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| glencar |
A-smith did indeed die in the early 80's. The current incarnation is an animatronic show a la Col. Otter's Jug Band at Disneyworld. |
| 10th November 2006 06:18 PM |
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| Slavegirl |
Nice review! I was there as well and agree with everything Dan said about Motley Crue being more show than substance. I remember Tommy coming down stage and passing a bottle of Jaeger into the crowd after taking a swig from it...kinda gross if you ask me. Vince's voice was pretty shoddy, from my crappy seats you could only hear every third word or so...the rest of his singing was very muffled and had no power at all. Thankfully I ran into a friend with VIP seats before Aerosmith came on...they were fantastic!!! I had never seen them live and I was shocked at the quality and power of Steven Tyler's voice...it sounds exactly like the record and the band was really sharp and tight as well. Overall a great time which can only be eclipsed when I go to see the Stones in Vegas this saturday!! Woo hoo!! =) |
| 12th November 2006 02:51 PM |
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| WattsAtScotts |
Dan, have you seen Paul Stanley?
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| 12th November 2006 06:51 PM |
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| Dan |
quote:
WattsAtScotts wrote:
Dan, have you seen Paul Stanley?
Not this tour. I saw his first ever solo tour in 1989.
For Aerosmith and Motley Crue in Devore they lowered the Orchestra section price from $200 to $100 then I pulled 3rd row PIT a few seats from the catwalk on the right side. Spent about an hour trying to give away my other ticket before just hitting the show and ditching it in the parking lot for $20.
Motley Crue was a lot better in Devore last night. Vince was drinking beer and grinning ear to ear all night. The place was already full when they went on. This gig totally emptied out the trailer parks. Aerosmith was awesome and they played "Kings And Queens." It was divine so I feel redeemed for missing it in Anaheim. The show was good enough I was able to forget about everybody dropping dead for a few hours. |
| 13th November 2006 10:44 AM |
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| Saint Sway |
is Aerosmith playing hte Beacon? |
| 13th November 2006 01:36 PM |
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| Dan |
quote:
Saint Sway wrote:
is Aerosmith playing hte Beacon?
Yes they are! Last I heard it's supposed to be an unplugged show. |
| 13th November 2006 01:45 PM |
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| Saint Sway |
when? |
| 13th November 2006 02:15 PM |
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| Dan |
December 3rd I think. Also think it's sold out but I haven't paid much attention. |
| 13th November 2006 02:24 PM |
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| Saint Sway |
can I get in for twenty bucks? |
| 13th November 2006 02:31 PM |
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| Dan |
quote:
Saint Sway wrote:
can I get in for twenty bucks?
I don't think so, though they have saturated the market a bit out there. |
| 13th November 2006 02:44 PM |
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| Saint Sway |
35? Or will I have to go up to 50? I think seeing them in the Beacon could be cool but I really dont want to spend that much on this |
| 13th November 2006 03:06 PM |
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| Dan |
It's not even on TM, I forget how tix were distributed but I think they were about $300. |
| 13th November 2006 10:59 PM |
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| sweetcharmedlife |
Aerosmith needs to drop the crue. I am a fan of both bands, butb this co-headline stuff is shit. Aerosmith should tour solo. The setlist is not bad , but way too short. Plus why don't they ever play anything from rocks? If I ever found out they would play nobody's fault, live, I would be there in a second. |
| 13th November 2006 11:22 PM |
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| time is on my side |
quote:
sweetcharmedlife wrote:
Plus why don't they ever play anything from rocks? If I ever found out they would play nobody's fault, live, I would be there in a second.
Maybe not in a second but at least I would think about it. Strange that a band doesn't play more from what is judged by most people to be their best album. Sure it's nostalgic but rocks rocks- great album. |
| 14th November 2006 08:03 AM |
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| TommyHawk |
quote:
Dan wrote:
December 3rd I think. Also think it's sold out but I haven't paid much attention.
Wasn't that the show for Credit Card employees or something? |
| 14th November 2006 12:19 PM |
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| Dan |
quote:
TommyHawk wrote:
Wasn't that the show for Credit Card employees or something?
That's it!
Yeah nothing off Rocks either show this time. Saw Back In The Saddle in Feb, and in Dec 2003 they did a private 5 song gig at soundcheck for a food drive and played Nobody's Fault by my request then at the regular show later on did a smoking version of Rats In The Cellar and then Last Child.
Personally, if its paced right, I think 80 mins is about the optimum time for a concert. Most of the best ones I have seen in my life ran from 60-80 mins. And these Aerosmith gigs were better than any 2 hour gigs I have ever seen. |
| 14th November 2006 02:02 PM |
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| sweetcharmedlife |
quote:
Dan wrote:
That's it!
Yeah nothing off Rocks either show this time. Saw Back In The Saddle in Feb, and in Dec 2003 they did a private 5 song gig at soundcheck for a food drive and played Nobody's Fault by my request then at the regular show later on did a smoking version of Rats In The Cellar and then Last Child.
Personally, if its paced right, I think 80 mins is about the optimum time for a concert. Most of the best ones I have seen in my life ran from 60-80 mins. And these Aerosmith gigs were better than any 2 hour gigs I have ever seen.
Nobody's Fault and Rats in the Cellar live. Now that would be hot. I have heard Last Child and Back in the Saddle live.
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| 16th November 2006 11:11 AM |
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| Saint Sway |
Steven Tyler & Joe Perry went to see the Black Crowes show in LA last week. They said Tyler is now sporting the fishing lures and assorted trinkets in his hair ala Keith
Kinda silly to cop it but I'm guessing he can pull it off
looks like I just might be hooked up for their Beacon show. Hoping, anyway... Should be a cool show. |
| 16th November 2006 03:29 PM |
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| Ronnie Richards |
For fuck's sake!
Granted, Aerosmith was great for a couple of years in the mid-70s, but Motley Crue??!! LOL!
The only band that rivals Crue's position as the worst band in the history of mankind is Kiss.
Seeing Paul Stanley's solo tour?
Is this some sort of a in-joke, cuz I certainly don't get it.
Christ on a bike, Paul Stanley is to rock'n'roll what Hitler was to democracy.. |
| 16th November 2006 03:47 PM |
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| Dan |
quote:
Ronnie Richards wrote:
For fuck's sake!
Granted, Aerosmith was great for a couple of years in the mid-70s, but Motley Crue??!! LOL!
The only band that rivals Crue's position as the worst band in the history of mankind is Kiss.
Seeing Paul Stanley's solo tour?
Is this some sort of a in-joke, cuz I certainly don't get it.
Christ on a bike, Paul Stanley is to rock'n'roll what Hitler was to democracy..
Hitler was democratically elected at first. Motley Crue had a great stage show, a great guitar player and 2 great songs in the set.
I am not sure what you see as a joke but most of the bands mentioned on this board as well the band this board is dedicated to are a bunch of washed up classic rockers so I guess the humor is all in the eye of the beholder.
First and foremost rock music is supposed to be fun and these shows were the most fun I had all year. Still flying on a high and wish there were more gigs in the area for me to attend.
I met Paul Stanley before and he was a helluva nice guy. |
