Friday
Aug312018
A Review Of A Review: Alice In Chains, Bush, The Cult and Stone Temple Pilots
Friday, August 31, 2018 at 07:49AM Today's post is from our friend HIM.
A REVIEW OF A REVIEW: ALICE IN CHAINS, BUSH, THE CULT, AND STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, SUNLIGHT SUPPLY AMPHITHEATER, RIDGEVIEW, WA, AUGUST 26, 2018.
I was all set to post a review of this show. Alas, Ruben Mosqueda beat me to it on Sleaze Roxx. If the videos are accurate, he had slightly better seats than I did. He also has a slightly different approach than I do. But his is a great review. So it stands on its own:
So let me add to, and subtract from, his wise observations.
First off, this was my first time at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater (formerly Sleep Country Amphitheater). It holds 18K and is designed in reverse fashion to my usual amphitheater venue experience, Shoreline, in Mountain View, Ca., (you enter from in front of the stage instead of from behind). The other notable difference is that the design of the concert area proper is much more akin to the Concord Pavilion, also in California. The overhang/seating area is bigger than the lawn/GA area. It also features (or did this night) a GA standing area directly in front of the stage as well. That said, it is ultimately designed in a similar fashion in terms of the concessions, restrooms, etc., that surround the seating area. I am sorta’ sad that I haven’t attended shows here before. It is a good venue, with good sound (from my Sect. 100 seating), and a good group of people helping attendees get in and out of the place, buy food and spirits, and so on. It wasn’t a full house. Still, it was a decent (over 3/4 full) showing for a Sunday night.
While the last three bands are currently on the road on an “all headliner” (any one can be the lead that night) Revolution 3 bill, that didn’t make this a Revolution 3-plus-Alice-in-Chains show. They were there to support Alice and the recent release of a new album. That said, the issue came up for me and my friend: what would that mean for the supporting acts in terms of who went on first and last? I argued that it should be STP first, Bush next, and The Cult right before Alice. He disagreed. I was wrong. I still think that was the best order. But what do I know? I was surrounded by people who spent most of the night talking about STP and Bush. So now let’s talk about the bands themselves, in the order they played . . . with respect to what Mosqueda wrote:
STP: I admit it. They sounded great. I am not a fan. I know their songs. I like some of them. They have been in the news recently for some bad reasons. They lost their front man for sad reasons. I mean, I get their appeal. And, on this night, I was amazed by how good they were . . . with one caveat. Mosqueda under-sells just how much they have forced Jeff Gutt to look like Scott Weiland. It isn’t just eerie. It is pantomime. And I would think, if STP is to do anything beyond nostalgia tours, it would be wise to drop that level of copying and let the singer stand on his own . . . while singing a dead man’s songs and carving out his niche on new ones. Not doing so won’t help or hurt their legacy, sure. But it won’t do anything to secure them a future as a viable act.
The Cult: Mosqueda needed to have my friend next to him. I love The Cult, especially anything post-Dreamtime (1984) and Love (1985). Yes, I even include albums up to the most recent, Hidden City (2016). The combo of Duffy and Astbury is magic to me. I have seen them several times in recent years. I am always amazed. I am glad that Astbury survived and that The Cult continue. They seem ferocious to me, even at this late date in their career. But my friend leaned over to me at one point, just after they finished “Rain,” and said: “he (Astbury) is phoning it in.” We even discussed this after the show. And, though hard to admit, I must. My friend is likely right. They still sound great. I can grant Astbury a few lost steps. But he isn’t doing as much as it seems he could. For me, that is fine. For others, like my friend, it is a bit less enjoyable. I see a great band and a great lead singer doing what I love for them to do. He sees a great band and a lead singer . . . playing a tambourine, singing parts of songs, and acting like he deserves applause. I still think they do. So does my friend. His observation, though, gave me pause. But he got a nod from both of us when he slyly noted that people in the Northwest should feel lucky since “they have a Whole Foods on ever corner.” See? I love a good jab. I also supported them by buying some signed sticks from Tempesta ($25) and a couple of signed tins of picks from Duffy ($30). Compared to the pricing on some merch, those seemed like a steal.
Bush: I saw the first and last songs. I was hungry. I wanted to be ready for Alice. They sounded good. Rossdale looked good. The audience ate it up. I, instead, ate fries, had a beer and a couple of smokes. I got to see “Machinehead.” I can now check that off my list of songs to see live.
Alice in Chains: Mosqueda is pretty much spot on. Thing is, any lag was not due to Alice or their mixing in new songs. It was due to the fact that three acts played before them (and some of them for longer than perhaps was warranted, at least to me). Their set list gave pride of place to their glory years. For me, “Angry Chair” is both the goofiest and most slamming song they ever wrote or performed. That night, it was spot on. At the same time, they also featured solid cuts from Black Gives Way to Blue (2009) and The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013), both of which introduced fans (and critics) to William DuVall. He isn’t Staley. Never tried to be. And, live at least, he is even more a front man for the band that he is on the albums. He is moving about the stage and staking his claim to a part in this band’s future, whereas on albums, even the newest one, it sometimes feels like Cantrell holds him back a bit. Live though? The band feels complete. They slam out one song after the next. And even Cantrell (newly long-ish hair draping his older frame) had to correct a couple of the previous bands who name-checked Portland when he noted: “We are still in Washington!” It was an epic set from a band I have seen several times in recent years. They were the headliners. They proved it.
The other thing that Mosqueda didn’t mention: it was a cool day/night, with near constant drizzle, after weeks and weeks of sun and heat and smoke. It was perfectly suited to Alice in Chains’ new album, Rainier Fog, itself a tip of the hat to the Northwest. The other thing that he sorta’ glossed over: yes, the venue is minutes away from Portland . . . but that is also close to twenty miles and more minutes away. This matters if you are staying in Portland. My advice: take Uber or Lyft and use the off-site (and low cost) park-and-ride option. It will cost you. It will take a while. But, if reviews are correct, it is a nightmare getting out of the venue if you parked in the lot.
Bottom-line: Mosqueda wrote a good review. I had to add my two cents. I bet the Revolution 3 tour would be great fun if it comes close to you (it ends soon). Me? I only wish it was Alice and The Cult.
Reader Comments (11)
I think I went in auto pilot because I’m still reeling from Metallica’s bone a*s move to license out their name to a mediocre whiskey company.
Doncha just know this was their manager’s or talent agency’s idea. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if they were repped by William Morris or IMG, though I doubt they would bring them such an uninspired offer.
And, Metalboytallica!?!?, I think my friend was partially right. But I still stand by my love for The Cult. This wasn't the same force of nature I saw a few years back at the Roseland Ballroom in Portland. When they opened, on the second floor, with "Ocean," you could swear the floor was going to break. Then again the club vs. shed experience is different. I am just glad they are still playing (esp. with Tempesta in the fold now). I don't think it fair to suggest that they are pulling a Guess Who and phoning it in. The Cult continue to do justice to their classic era(s), while still releasing music that challenges and rewards listeners. Same with AiC, another band with only two original members.
Then again, some bands with far less original players still put on a great show (Foghat) and put out quality music (Tygers of Pan Tang). But that is fodder for a different discussion.
Although I'm old as dirt this was the first time seeing all 3 bands live. STP opened, then The cult and then Bush.I thoroughly enjoyed all 3. the only bummer was 3 songs into the show a huge thunder and rain storm happened and the whole show was delayed 1 1/2 hours. (it was an amphitheater) the $12 tall boy Bud's were a shock too :/
"Naked City Colts" and "Cicada Tree" aren't bad at all. I wouldn't mind seeing TDH open. And they are obviously playing off the fact that Jenine Cali is a slamming (female) drummer, somewhat in the vein of The White Stripes's Meg White. Come to think of it, they also have that sorta' post-rock/retro-rock sound that The Stripes mined (even a touch of the two-person Brits Royal Blood). I hope others on here get a chance to listen to them. Once again, BBG! provides a taste of a band that I didn't even know existed. Thanks, crued.
Oh, one last thing: that Camelbak idea is already a cherished tradition for one of my friends in California. He'd rather drink some good stuff. All he has to do is pay for a Coke (or two)! Voila! A wonderful evening for him. But I caution others: make sure you know how the security treats "checking" you before you enter the venue. Some of them are a bit "touchy-feely"; others, not so much. Cases in point: at Shoreline, you have to be creative with your placement. At Sunlight, I think you could hide a car battery under your shirt and they wouldn't care! Me? I just pay what I have to and factor in whether or not we have time to tail-gate (another issue that varies from venue to venue). But I certainly don't want to be blasted at a show. What's the point? Unless you are just there to hang out.