Karl's Corner - 07/21/2005

...MB '05 Tour: Day 59: Municipal Auditorium -Nashville, TN
deep in a circular skateable building with fancy pedestrian ramps...story coming asap...
We rolled over from hotel and immediately recognized the Municipal Auditorium from 2/21/02, the Hyper Extended Midget Tour. On that day, high fevers were flaring up for both Pat and Rivers, who managed to pull it together just enough to deliver the rock show. Today, by contrast, was far healthier, with everyone in tip top shape. The only high temperature being recorded was outside, in the air! Inside there was a nice AC system pumping, though the sheer mass of bodies in the crowd kinda cancelled that right out by showtime. 3 years ago, the aforementioned illnesses prevented what could have been a 3rd 'challenge', after the very sucessful Cobo Challenge and KC Muni Challenges that were filmed, starring Pat luge-boarding down the pedestrian ramps. Today, the excuse was the inability to locate a skateboard! Thats right, the only board on tour at the moment is owned by one of the lighting guys, and we couldnt find him in time to rip it up before they let the peeps in. Ah well. Theres always another architecturally skateboard friendly auditorium down the road somewhere...
3 years ago, the opening acts were Ozma and Saves The Day. Today, we had another nice dose of The Fray, and then the first of 2 nights with Ben Folds, who weezer has never had the pleasure of sharing a bill with before, aside from a possible festival here and there over the years. Ben + co. started their set off with a cool cover of the The Cure's "In Between Days", and later did a cool sing along, 'conducting' the crowd with his arms (and a few choice hand signals to those who wouldnt cooperate!) He finished his set with a trademark piano stool bashing, leaving the stage for weezer to do their thang. Weezer continued what has become since about Montreal a vey consistent and energetic set, firing on all cylanders. Another hot 'Why Bother' with Brian on lead vox, another killer 'Fall Together' from Scott, another set of rock shapes pulled to the stoke of the crowd, another Perfect Situation sing along, another rad Beverly Hills extended solo breakdown. In short: get 'er done!
Pat says of tonights show: "I played like Terry Bozzio, my new mentor, and to all the naysayers, i say, yea, in order to negate your nay. Thereby, eternally, preserving the natural order. Plus the foccacia is fantastic tonight."
large size picture link: . 
...Kudos to the staff and crew whose efforts have made the Make Believe Tour possible...
Stuart R. - Tour Manager - the only one besides Barbara Streisand who can do everything.
Sarah C.K. - Assisstant - needs more computers, more hard drive space, and more storage media. now.
Arthur K. - production manager - best zoo noises, shirts, lions
Lee R. - production coordinator - the golden child. magic!
Mike W. - Security manager - king hell bad-ass, in a tender, giving way
Craig O. - Front Of House Engineer - a calming herbal tea of an engineer
Kevin G. - Monitor Engineer - hey Kevin! ...How do we play this game?
Leif D. - Lighting Director - wookin pa nub in aw de wong paces
Bobby S. - Guitar Tech (+addl guitar on some songs) - a shining star, no matter who he are
Aron M. - Bass, Drum Tech - refining the possibilities of bitterness in a warm cozy way
Tom ('Biss') K. - Rigger/Carpenter - Biss!
Andy T. - Audio tech (Rat Sound) - we need more Englishmen exactly like Andy (for experiments)
Daniel B. - Audio tech (Rat Sound) - the strong, silent type
Lee V. - Audio tech (Rat Sound) - the silent, strong type
Mike G. - lighting tech (Upstaging) - pinball wizard
John C. - lighting tech (Upstaging) resident skateboard champ. heelflips over barrels? goooodnight!
Jon H. - merchandise - dont throw off his count!
Charlie A. - band bus driver - voted prettiest ankles in the bus driving industry 2002, 2004
Alan D. - band bus driver - theyre naming streets after this guy. top man!
Randy D. - crew bus driver - voted 'steadiest hand', '99,'01,'03
Keith K. - crew bus driver - beat Tiger Woods at his own game
Paul S. - lead truck driver - won the 'semi truck quarter mile', '02,'03,'04
Benny L. - truck driver - rising fast in the rankings, known for his curling skills
John T. - truck driver - makes the highway sing like a bird
...weezer (unfortunately?) mentioned in this CNN article.
...look for a Make Believe song slipping into the upcoming issue of Mojo Magazines 'Mojo Playlist' (hat tip: Daniel B.)
...review of the recent Atlantic City show. And another homegrown review of Make Believe.
The current tour merchandise can be seen (updated 7/10/05).
Category:Karl's Corner - July 2005