Everybody Knows That You're Insane
Last weekend, Riss, and my friend Dan and his girlfriend Maile took in the Queens of the Stone Age show at the Ventura Theatre. I had never been there before, or to Ventura for that matter. Ventura is a sweet little coastal town about an hour north of Los Angeles. The theatre there is a classic movie palace style venue, with what's left of really cool ornate architecture inside. The place was packed. "The Eagles of Death Metal" opened the show, and Josh Homme came out and played the last two songs on the drums. Fuck, that guy is tall. We were watching from the balcony and he just looked like crazy giant man compared to all the other EODM band members. It occurred to me that it would really entertaining if he went crazy and wrecked the stage like Godzilla and ate all the Eagles of Death Metal, but that didn't end up happening. Maybe he should consider such a move on the final date of the tour.
Dan and I muscled our way onto the floor and in front of the band for the QOTSA set. Only had to give the quick elbow-chop to the teeth of a couple of innocent concertgoers to edge our way into prime viewing real estate.
First they gaveth...
Wow. This was a set from a band who is at the very peak of their powers. Every part of every song was so on the money it was ridiculous. The vocals, the guitar tones, the choice of songs, it all was top-notch. They played on Saturday Night Live a few weeks back, and sounded just as good, and it is a bitch to sound good on TV. Especially when you don't use tapes and sweetening tracks like every goddamn other act in the world these days.
Dan and I last saw the band at their Halloween night '03 show at the open-air Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in the middle of a rainstorm. They were great though, we didn't even care. They came out as the Village People for the encore and played a flawless set. I have to say that I think this one last week was even better. I missed Mark Lanegan, though. What a voice.
Highlights: In my Head, The Blood Is Love, The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret, The Sky is Fallin'...
They didn't play "No One Knows", and my favorite "Hangin' Tree". Really enjoyed "You Can't Quit Me Babe" from the first album, they said they hadn't played it in years. Also it was wonderful to see two of my favorite musicians, Alain Johannes and Natasha Schnieder (bass and keyboards respectively) playing with the band. I've been into them since they were a band called Walk the Moon, then as a duo doing shows at Cafe Largo, then with their band Eleven, and with their various production projects. They are a great couple and are so intertwined personally and creatively, I have always been a strong supporter of whatever they do and always will.
So a scorecard for the QOTSA show:
Josh Homme = A Full Badass, mad props.
Alain & Natasha = My Heroes.
Ventura Theatre = Disheveled yet grand place to catch a show.
Riss = Thanks for the tickets!
Dan & Maile = Thanks for driving!
Sweaty Moshpit guys wrecking the vibe on the floor = Go drown in your own rancid ball sweat!
I want something good to die for, to make it beautiful to live...
Comments
goodbye yellow brick road!
nice! one of my all time favourite albums!
Posted by: ooftymcgoofty | June 4, 2005 06:21 AM
must've been a nice show, bro... i've got a boot from boston from the beginning of the tour--sweet gig, too. they opened up w/"someone's in the wolf", but i noticed on some of their more recent gigs, they're finishing w/it... anyhoo--
i've been wanting to say thanks for turning me on to TMV. after all your hype when 'frances' dropped, i went out and got the cd, then 'deloused', now i'm hooked! went with my wife to see 'em in montreal a couple weeks back, and you are in for an awesome show at the greek. do you check out the comatorium? they've got some great boots of the recent 'jam' shows they've done lately (at the KROQ weenie roast, where cedric comes out & sits at a typewriter for the first 10 minutes of an HOUR JAM, then gives the lyrics he typed to a fan after; AND the fan gig they did in SF 2 days ago for about 75 ppl--again, a half-hour jam. no 'songs', just jamming.)
can you tell i like 'em?
good to hear your out having fun, have a blast and let us know about your time at the greek show soon, ok?
Posted by: zim | June 4, 2005 07:39 AM
ok, i guess the l.a. show isn't at the greek--it was last nite in SF.
all i mean to say is have a great time at TMV show and let us know how it goes! if you get to hang out w/ced or omar, will you post a few pics?
laterzzz...
Posted by: zim | June 4, 2005 07:42 AM
that abondoned jap amusment park on your del.icio.us page it WIERD
Posted by: Transcending | June 4, 2005 11:15 AM
"Jap" ? Nice sensitivity, man.
Posted by: Mike | June 4, 2005 12:02 PM
hangin' tree kicks ass live
lanegan is superb
Posted by: chris | June 4, 2005 05:46 PM
Nice! Glad to see that you got out and had some fun. From your review, I guess they aren't missing Oliveri all that much. And I agree about Lanegan, one of the best whiskey drenched voices around!
Posted by: Mike C. | June 4, 2005 10:39 PM
I've yet to see QOTSA... I get the festival treatment later on this year, and probably (more like hopefully) a gig if they tour the UK... anyways, glad you had fun, personally, I can't wait, and yes, Josh is fucking huge. (;
love
soph xx
Posted by: Sophia | June 5, 2005 10:25 AM
Hey Steve, I know you don't do many questions, but if you have time, what are your thoughts of 'Out of Exile'?
Posted by: Simon | June 5, 2005 01:16 PM
"rancid ball sweat"... you're funny;)
Posted by: Zane Gray | June 5, 2005 03:49 PM
"Dan and I muscled our way onto the floor and in front of the band for the QOTSA set. Only had to give the quick elbow-chop to the teeth of a couple of innocent concertgoers to edge our way into prime viewing real estate. "
poor innocent concertgoers...
Posted by: Wendybird | June 5, 2005 04:44 PM
Sounds like a great show Steve. Ventura's great.
Posted by: Jonathan Lamas | June 6, 2005 12:13 AM
Thanks for the great review Steve. I am going to see EODM/QOTSA end of this month......and i can't wait.
First time QOTSA live for me!!!!!!!!!
(I hope Mark will be on tour with them in Europe)
Posted by: Navarrian | June 6, 2005 05:17 AM
Saw QOTSA in 2003 when they were touring Songs For The Deaf they were fucking amazing , especially when they played hangin' tree and when they dedicated go with the flow to me and my friends.
Ive seen EODM supporting The Distillers they were pretty awesome too.
Glad you had a good time. Really looking forward to hearing TPC album.
Posted by: Georgina | June 14, 2005 03:35 AM
Steve,
What about Troy... do you dig him? Do you think he fits the band well?
Pony
Posted by: WhitePony | June 14, 2005 11:34 AM
Where'd you go?
Posted by: Transcending | June 20, 2005 11:32 AM
Hi Steve, I'm not sure if you remember me. I had a huge crush on you when you were 'Tommy' and saw you twice (once in Boston and once in DC). I guess I scared the crap out of you by making a personalized Tommy necklace for you. It was a hard time in my life, and I apologize for the awkwardness you probably felt. I was cleaning and found some old scraps of fabric I used to make crafts out of, I had made a Peter Pan card for you, and I thought, well I'll google. You are such a creative introspective intelligent person, and not too bad on the eyes either. It's great to see that you are still performing and creating. I live in California also now (in El Dorado Hills - Sierra Foothills). I love your blog, and must say that what captivated me most about you was your intellect AND goofiness, a great mix. Take Care of yourself, I'd love to see you if you perform in my area, won't be travelling anymore, I know that must have been spooky. Kay
Posted by: Kay beeman | August 4, 2005 07:05 PM