I love all sorts of bands, but there are a few that rank above the rest. They are the ones that I'll travel unreasonably for, the ones I know all the lyrics of, the ones that I wait in line for hours before the doors even open just to get that coveted spot in the front.
The last time I saw QOTSA & EODM play together, it was in Palm Desert a few years back. It was a good show, but the bizarre venue (an elegant Palm Desert theater) and my shitty seat kind of hindered the entire experience for me, not to mention having to drive back to LAthat night to go to work the next day. Ah, what I do for my bands.
Needless to say, my head just about exploded when I found out that they would be playing together again, this time for a great cause. Eagles of Death Metal is one of those bands that when I am listening to live, I have a huge grin on my face. You may even catch me shimmying in my car while driving and listening to them...they just make me happy. Bands that you love become an extension of your family. Like those distant cousins that you love, but you don't ever get to hang out with. I was devastated to hear that Brian O' Connor of EODM had developed cancer, and they were having this show (as well as one in London) to help offset his medical costs. I would have pounced on this show regardless of the reason for its existence, but this made it all the sweeter. I happily purchased my tickets & made an extra donation to the cause before and after the show. Anyone who went to this show and didn't make an extra donation after witnessing this incredible show is a moron. It was the first thing I did when I got home.
I got to the venue around 1 pm, found about 15 people in line already. I was lucky enough to end up next to some really cool people in line that made the wait a bit easier. Getting in was a disaster - Club Nokia staff can kiss my ass. I landed a decent spot on the rail, despite the moronic behavior of the guy letting us into the pit.
Eagles of Death Metal opened the show and I was pleased to see Brian was playing with the band. I know he had someone fill in for him during the last few shows, and I was thrilled to see him today. They all seemed so happy and humbled by it all that it just made you feel good inside... Such a weird combination of feelings at a rock show - warm fuzzies & rocking out. Weird, but really good.
Eagles of Death Metal opened the show and I was pleased to see Brian was playing with the band. I know he had someone fill in for him during the last few shows, and I was thrilled to see him today. They all seemed so happy and humbled by it all that it just made you feel good inside... Such a weird combination of feelings at a rock show - warm fuzzies & rocking out. Weird, but really good.
The Last Shadow Puppets came out after, played a short set, and then Alain Johannes came out and performed some of his solo material. I was really impressed with Alain's solo material. It felt a bit out of place after the EODM set, but it was fantastic stuff. I'm really looking forward to hearing more of it when the album gets released.
Bring on QOTSA. I heard quite a few people complain about the setlist that night, but I loved it. Thought it was a good assortment of songs & I thought they sounded great. Everyone seemed really happy to be up there, most of all Josh. However, nothing could have topped the encore. I figured something special would happen that night, but I never expected this. Lots of people in line talked of John Paul Jones coming out, Dave Grohl drumming, the usual rumors... but I could have never guessed Mark-FUCKING-Lanegan would have come out and done an entire encore of songs.
Rated R is my favorite Queens of the Stone Age album, with In The Fade being one of my favorite Queens of the Stone Age tracks. I don't know what it is about that song, but I love it. I heard them soundchecking it while waiting in line and got really excited, but I've learned over time that just because you hear it in soundcheck, doesn't mean it's going to be played(I'm looking at you NIN...*ahem*), so I didn't get my hopes up. I had my camera ready for whatever the encore was going to bring, and imagine my excitement when I see Mark Lanegan stroll out in the shadows and hear the first chords of In The Fade start. It was hard for me to videotape this song because of how much I love it... I almost put it down just so I could fully enjoy it, but I'm glad I held out because I've got a video I can watch on repeat all the time now. In fact, I'm listening to it as I write this. ;-)
Only downside to the night was getting clocked in the face over a setlist (see ripped half below) and finding that someone side-swiped my car in the parking lot and took off my side mirror. Small price to pay to the Rock Gods though for an amazing night. This is one of those shows that has definitely secured a place in my list of top shows. Two of my favorite bands and an amazing night for a great cause.
Please donate to Brian's cause at www.brianeodm.org - every little bit counts.
Setlist & picks from Troy (QOTSA) & Dave (EODM).
Queens of the Stone Age Setlist:
Misfit Love
Sick, Sick, Sick
Feel Good Hit of the Summer
The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret
Tangled Up in Plaid
Burn the Witch
Battery Acid
Make it wit Chu
Long Slow Goodbye (with finale)
Little Sister
Turnin’ on the Screw
3’s and 7’s
Go with the Flow
No One Knows
I Think I Lost My Headache
Encores with Mark Lanegan:
In the Fade
Hangin’ Tree
God is on the Radio
A Song for the Dead
Photos:
Queens of the Stone Age - "Burn The Witch" Video
Queens of the Stone Age, with Mark Lanegan - "In The Fade" Video
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