From: shirley@bush.jsc.nasa.gov (Bill Shirley [CSC])
Newsgroups: houston.music
Subject: Lollapalooza Impressions
Date: 11 Sep 92 17:02:29 GMT
Organization: Software Technology Branch - NASA/JSC
Originator: shirley@bush



LollaImpressions

Lineup:

Lush
Pearl Jam
Jesus and Mary Chain
Soundgarden
Ice Cube
Ministry
Red Hot Chili Peppers

started at 3pm, ended at 12 midnight

I went to the show in Dallas last year, and the Fort Bend (Houston) 
show this year.

Overall, I think the music was *much* better last year, but the 'event' 
was better this year.  If the trend continues, next year Criss Cross (or
is that Kriss Kross?) and Whitney Houston may be there. :-)

OK, now that I've slammed the popification of Lollapalooza, the arguably
most 'pop' band (to use the term *loosely) was the one who put on the
best show; Pearl Jam.

If I had to rank the bands against one another, 10 being best of show, and
0 meaning the show would have been better off with dead time.

10.0	Pearl Jam
 9.0	Red Hot Chili Peppers
 7.5	Lush
 7.0	Jesus and Mary Chain
 7.0	Ministry
 4.5	Soundgarden
 0.2	Ice Cube


Pearl Jam was great!  No question about it.  A bit cliche', but at one
point <lead singer> climbed up, across and down the entire 10-12 story
scafolding on the right side of the stage.  It's been done before, but
the band was jammin' the whole time, and I just didn't really mind.
<lead singer>'s voice is *very* powerful.

I hadn't seen the Red Hot Chili Peppers before, not for lack of wanting,
but for lack of planning.  (They alwats sellout before I bother to try
to get tickets.)  I enjoyed them alot.  Second hand info tells me they've
had many a better (and longer) show.  I would have to believe that; in
a smaller place they are bound to be better.

I haddn't as much as heard a song from Lush before the show and I really
enjoyed them.  (disclaimer: I am partial to female singers - for no apparent
reason)  If I had to characterize them, it would be a cross between the 
Pixies and the Cocteau Twins (odd, I know).  I'll be buying their album
shortly.

I was crashed out on the ground during Jesus and Mary Chain, but that did
keep me from telling they were good.  I'm not a big JnMC fan, and those that
were, enjoyed it thoroughly (naturally).

Ministry was bizarre.  I new many of their songs and should have suspected
as much.  I definately enjoyed it, and from scouting reports, the slam dancing
was most violent up front during this one.  Those who were long time
ministry fans (you could see it in their eyes) were mezmerized throughout
this entire show.  They had a fairly intense lighting and 'slide show'
backdrop.  (Not to mention the two ~10 foot sculptures made of animal bones
on rollers that <lead singer> would push arround stage when he got bored.)

In all fairness to Soundgarden, many others liked them more than I.  For 
me they are just a generic metal band, not 'alternative' (whatever that
*means*).  All their song's sounded the same, except for their version
of Ice T's 'Cop Killer', which was received enthusiastically, if just
for its non-censorship overtones.

Ice Cube was PATHETIC!  juvenile, boring, repetitive, droll, (I could
pull adjectives out of a bag all day).  I thought I was at a Jr. High
pep-rally.  On every song (except one old song of his, which was good)
he *needed* audience support.  "We were in New Orleans and they said
they could yell louder than y'all."  "I think the right side is louder
than the left side"  "I think that the girls are louder than the guys"
"The Cops just said they were gonna shut us down because we're making
too much noise."  (Which could put me off on a tangent forever)
There is rap that I consider 'good rap' and some I consider 'bad rap',
I even like some of the rap that also fits in the 'pop' mainstream 
(but I wouldn't pay money for it).  Maybe after Ice T last year, I expected
something half decent.  Well this was BAD!



At one point a DJ from 104 came out and said "blah, blah, blah...
104, Houston's alternative radio station....".  At which point he
was booed off stage.

The media misrepresented most of what went on at the show.

A post reporter (Marty Racine) reported about how horrible the trafic
was and that the parking lot filled up around 3:30, implying that he
had been stuck in this trafic.  Also, he dogged the first act (Lush)
in his review, but said nothing specific.  He also didn't give the on
time and off time for this band (as he did for the others).  So my
question is, "How was he in two places, reporting on two things?"


I have to hold back from saying derogitory things about the Rosenburg
residents, despite some of the comments quoted in the paper.  I have
to believe that it was reporters using the quotes of the "dumbest 
people" because it makes better news.  (Anthony (?) on Designing Women
said something to that effect this week - no I don't normally watch that)

I will however coment on a quote I saw from a policeman working the 
show.  Something to the effect of, "They've been well behaved, but if
I had my choice, they wouldn't be here."  What's with that!?  Why
don't you wan't 30,000 dropping $30 a head for tickets, $3 a glass of
beer, $2 soda, 4$ food?  None of the articles (that I saw) said exactly
how much money this little shin-dig brought into this town.  I'm sure 
it was a good amount (probably rivaling the rodeo).
Did he not want them there because they were different than him?  Because
they were a bad influence? (on who?)  What?  Why?

Injuries.  The paper said heat exaustion, bumps, scrapes.
Can you be more non discript?

Heat exaustion.
They were selling ~10 oz. bottled water for $2 !!!! (which they ran out of)
I saw one water fountain (with one humongous line)
I found one "real" bathroom.  It had two sinks (which people were sticking
	their heads under.
They had a shower set up.  It was a kiosk with pipes with 3 shower heads
sticking out on 4 sides.  The water presure was pathetic.  There were
dribbles comming out of many of the shower heads and people standing
underneath them holding cup up in the air over their heads trying to get
some water.


There was a little more than bumps, and scrapes, but the First Aid Fascility
was VERY prepared.  The best organized part of the fairgrounds support.
I saw several people with their arms strapped to their bodies, presumably
with dislocated sholders or the like.  Many people with wrists, hands, 
and fingers wrapped up (in really big bandages).  The paper said no broken
bones, but there's no telling on hand injuries  (you'de treat most of them
the same anyway.)  I would also think they didn't have an onsite x-ray 
fascility (but maybe they did).  I also saw one girl with her head heavily
wrapped.  She was covered in blood, presumable hers.  She probly lost at 
least a pint.

The paper also said someone OD'd on acid.  Is this possible?  What are
the symptoms?  The person thinks they're a giant lollipop from Mars?


  Just my recolections and opinions, hope you enjoyed.

  Bill
-- 
Bill Shirley            |  ``Computer Science is not about computers any 
shirley@fdr.jsc.nasa.gov|     more than astronomy is about telescopes.''
Newsgroups: houston.music