2002

Down
@ The Trocadero
Philadelphia, PA – November 20, 2002

My inaugural pure-metal show, coming just 2 and a half weeks after my introduction to the Trocadero itself, was really aided along by booze and the appeal of the venue to this brand of music. The act itself, Louisiana-based Down, was more noticeable for what it was made up of, and what surrounded it, rather than the band’s music. After an excessively long video opening – which played softer stuff such as Ac/Dc and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and whose home video clips of Down wore out their welcome after a few moments, the band of the night finally took the stage. A supergroup of three metal acts, Down is yet another outlet for the drug induced insanity of Phil Anselmo. Coming out in a drunken-drugged out stammer, Phil shows appreciation for the audience by simulating shooting the crowd with a gun and then turning this imaginary gun on himself. Besides “New Orleans is a Dying Whore”, the music of Down doesn’t really stand out, at least in a sober perspective. In one joyful moment, Anselmo broke front man tradition and actually questioned whether Down would return to Philadelphia (but he did assure the crowd that if they did, they would rock out). In hindsight this doesn’t matter, as Down has terminated and has been supplanted by Super Joint Ritual. So the only real things of note otherwise from this night, was the one black guy in the crowd, who wore a Confederate flag as a bandana, and my little drunken party afterwards which featured the music of Flogging Molly, as I was still on a high from the concert of 2 and a half weeks before.

Flogging Molly; Andrew W.K., Alistair
@ The Trocadero
Philadelphia, PA – October 31, 2002

After a yearlong drought of concerts, this was the best way to get back in the groove. All the elements of total rock chaos were at hand: A pumped audience, a Halloween night, loads of Guinness and other delights, and one of the most tightly in sync acts in all of music – the punk-Irish melody outfit that is Flogging Molly. Led by the consummate front man Dave King, these minstrels and troubadours prove live what they do in the studio: they merge exceptional musical talent with punk sentiments and Irish tradition. Dressed hilariously in the get-up of their opening act Andrew WK, FM delivered the goods in their own unique way. On the one hand, the Mollies relish along with their audience in beer swilling, whiskey pounding, and good time rock n’ roll mayhem. In great Irish moments, we are treated to a lovely tribute by Dave King to his father, and given anecdotes on the history of the Irish. At the same time, we are treated to such musical clarity, it is almost sobering. To watch fiddler Bridget Regan and her male co-horts concentrate on their music, one can almost get mushy and fall in love with the pure energy that makes up Flogging Molly. It really doesn’t get any better than this. But speaking of Andrew WK and falling in love, those are two elements that wouldn’t immediately seem to mix, but in seeing ol WK live, it is apparent that Andrew is quite in love with his fans. It is quite unnerving to see a big, brutish-looking thrasher continually profess his love for the audience, and instructing his audience on the need for everyone to feel happy and love and stick together “because that’s important”. This sentiment, while appreciated, takes away from WK’s relentless musical emphasis to party. His live singing is atrocious and the only thing that stands out about his band is the muttonchops on one of his guitar players (and this band suffers from excess musicians). And just when you can handle and rock out to Andrew’s laughable keyboard work and his party anthems, he then feels the need to have his entire set marked by having fans jump on stage, and carry them (up to 3 stacked!) on his shoulders. Andrew WK does carry a big load on his shoulders – the burden of party and love. As for the opening acts, Alistair didn’t stand out except for their Halloween costumes and their passion for the Ramones, and the act before them were too Warped tour-ish and out of place and so forgettable, their name escapes me.

The Guess Who
@Music Fest
Bethelem, PA – August 2002

Classic rockers The Guess Who entertained the crowd with hit songs and the two BTO hits as thunderstorms threatened the crowd.