TOOL came back to Chicago on Monday, September 18th. The played a larger venue this time (the Allstate Arena). This was the second time I was able to go this year. Last time they played, Maynard (lead singer) was ill. I hoped this time he would be well. Searching a TOOL Fan website gave me some disturbing news: Maynard had been battling another illness, and may be sick for this show. Ugh..
The setlist:
Stinkfist Jambi Forty Six & 2 The Pot Schism Lost Keys Rosetta Stoned Wings For Marie 10,000 Days Lateralus Vicarious Ænema
Yes. They started out with "Stinkfist". I could tell immediately that Maynard lacked the power he normally possesses. Sure enough, he mentioned to the crowd that he was indeed ill AGAIN and that he was sorry. He said he would do his best and thanked the crowd for their patience. He said his throat was sore and that his vagina itched. Hilarious. Not hilarious was that this was now two times in a row (well, the two sonsecutive times they've played Chicago) that he's been sick. Come on Maynard. It's not like this is your first go at a rock and roll tour buddy. Wash your hands more often, stop shaking people's hands, and stop *bleeping* your little Tool groupies on the road. Get rest. Singing in a band is your freakin' job.
The band sounded great, the lights were great, and the stage was solid WHITE! The videos and effects were easily projected onto the white stage, and it was amazing.
They soon ripped into "Jambi". It's one of my faves off the new album, and it sounded GREAT!
It was great to hear "46 & 2" live. I think they play it on every set list in every city on tour. I love it. Such power. Such force. Maynard seemed to be getting warmed up. Soon he had removed his shirt and was rolling along with the rest of the band. Visually, they were absolutely stunning. The shame was the fact that SO many people in the audience seemed more concerned with taking cell phone pictures of each and every moment they deemed a 'must have' moment. Ridiculous. How they could pay attention and enjoy the show was beyond me. There was also a teeneged jerk that was one row behind us who kept talking through the whole set.
"A doctor who shall remain nameless told me not to sing this song... But since you all have such great pizza and root for the Bears, I'm gonna do it". Sure enough, they launched into "The Pot" - my absolute favorite song on their latest record. It's soooooo good, and Maynard sounded pretty good... but the dedicated fan could tell that he was holding back. Shame. "The Pot" is fucking tremendous...
They had a long musical intro, then went into "Schism". They played videos on the back white walls of the stage, and the lights that they had for the show looked great. Woulda been nice to have Maynard be able to *really* sing this one, but alas he was sick. The band sounded great aside from a few times being a bit too loud for the acoustical nightmare that is the Allstate Arena (hey, anything's better than The Aragon....).
Maynard took off his cowboy hat and loaded up with his vocal effect generator. That meant it was time for "Rosetta Stoned/Lost Keys". The first time I saw them on this tour I wasn't that familiar with these songs, but after that show I made sure I was. They soon became a not too distant favorite of mine off the album - right behind "The Pot". "lost Keys" is such a great song (Rosetta Stoned is like the intro). The song is about a guy who's on a 'patrol' shift at Area 51. He's exposed to an alien life form that tells him the secret of universe, but he can't remember it when he regains consciousness. The song is better than I am explaining it to be, trust me. They absolutely rocked the hell out of that song, and it was great to be more familiar with the words as he sang them. This is also the kind of song that reminds you (in case you forgot - like you would ever forget) that Tool is a total POWER band.
The next two songs are also a back-to-back deal on the album: "Wings for Marie/10,000 Days". They are long songs (10,000 Days is over 11 minutes long). While they're not necessarily my fave songs on the album, it was cool to hear them live. The whole Arena filled with people holding up their cigarette lighters, and it looked cool as hell.
They then went into my fave song from "Lateralus" - the title track. Man I love that song, and they really opened up the lighting effects for this one. I was in seventh heaven as Maynard fired through this one. There I was with him, screaming the final chorus "Spiral out/keep going"... So damn good.
They finshed the set with "Vicarious" and "Ænema". Since Maynard was sick, (and had been singing the whole night) he didn't hit the final notes in "Vicarious" (Vicariously I/Live while the world dies/much better you than I). Shame, but the audience howled it anyway, so you did hear it... heh.
"Ænema" is the song they typically close the show with. Bill Hicks had a comedy bit where he said California would soon sink into the ocean and those who lived in certain places of Arizona would soon find themselves with beachfront property. Tool took this concept and inserted it into a song about their dislike of Los Angeles. It's a great song.
Personally, I could have been happier with other songs than "Schism", "Ænema", "wings for Marie/10,000 Days", but I am fairly certain that they won't play gems like "Intolerance", "Eulogy", "Pushit", "The Grudge", or "The Patient" anymore, so I guess that's what I get.
I was glad I was able to get a ticket and that the night of the concert didn't interfere with my work or improv schedule. I was very lucky.
"We all feed on tragedy/it's like blood to a vampire".
Please go buy or download some TOOL if you don't have any. It's absolutely vital to my musical experience.... You won't be disappointed.
JRB has a show tomorrow, but I will have to miss it due to my work schedule. I don't like missing shows, but sometimes I can't make them all. Thursdays are rough. I work my double shift.
Suggestion was "RAILS" and we took it in the slang direction. We did a lot of work about super-skinny people and how society views them.
I got to play a drill instructor at a fat camp in the second beat. Felt like a million bucks doing that scene with Todd, Jim and Katie.
Emily, Jim and Katie had a GREAT scene as well in an ice cream store.
Man I love this team.
We played with Bullet Lounge, and they were absolutely wonderful. So many talented people on that team. I could watch Joey Bland, Rich Prouty, Tom Middleditch and TJ Miller all damned day.
Freeze tag last night was the best I have seen it in years. So high-energy and so funny. Very fast paced.
Spoke with some friends after the show, and Charna came to speak with me, Todd and Rich. It was so cool to bounce ideas back and forth and talk about the absolutely wonderful place we all were a part of.
Thanks to the audience for being so cool as well. Nice group.
