Post by tinley on Aug 5, 2008 20:13:19 GMT -5
California, Maryland will forever be known as the place where Marty Casey and Taime Downe caught their first live crab. (As crabs go, it was puny, at least according to Marty...I never got Taime's opinion on the matter.) Crabbing, if you don't know, has a way of bringing out the kid in people and rockstars are no exception. So it's no surprise that the crowd of about 100 who showed up at Hulas on this Monday night, were treated to a playful version of LA Guns. LA Guns were treated to possibly the smallest stage ever. The drum kit teetered up on a riser that was barely accessible...one patented Marty leap and Chad was a goner...for that matter he'd probably take out Jeremy, too...and maybe Alec...and did I mention the disco ball hanging over the front of the stage? So all in all, the Guns had about ten square feet of space to work from...and they worked it.
This was a shorter set than the one I'd seen two weeks earlier at Jaxx, and they started off in high gear with "No Mercy". The audience hung about 8 feet back from the stage, but Marty reeled us in at the end of the song. This time I got a closer look at Tracii's guitar work, Jeremy's intensity and Chad in the catbird seat having a blast on those drums. I even caught an occasional glimpse of Alec's face...he's just got this chill presence on stage. This band has phenomenal synergy. The rest of the set, in mostly correct order ~
Fire It Up - Great groove to this song...a funked up, let's have a good time kind of song. I can't wait to hear the album version.
One More Reason - I knew more of the words to this one than I thought...and the rest of the audience really started to get into the set with this song.
Wish You Were Here - Marty always cuts to the heart with this song and tonight Tracii's guitar work was so sweetly soulful...they had me floating. Last time I heard this song at Jaxx, I missed the energy of the full band, this time I was kind of blissed out hoping it would go on longer.
Jayne - Whoa, there was a rush of air as all the women pushed to the front of the stage...
Can't Always Get - Marty's vocals just amazed me again on this song. And I don't think I was the only one. This is one of those songs that the band encourages some audience participation. But we were all so gob-smacked we missed our cue...fortunately, Marty gave us another chance.
Sex Action - Think about it.
STFU - Jeremy had sized up the audience and he didn't mess around like Marty does. He ordered us to sing and we weren't going to argue with him...we sang. This song is just such a blast...if we were all teenagers a mosh pit might break out.
Trees - Okay, when I realized I was singing along to this, I looked around and noticed there were maybe 5 other people in the crowd who knew the words. I did what any other girl with a streak of self-preservation does, I ducked behind the guy in front of me and hoped the guy with the microphone didn't notice me. The band really looks like they enjoy playing their amped up version of this song and the audience really loved hearing it.
Never Enough - If we thought we were having a blast before, this song lifted it to a whole new level. This may be my favorite LA Guns song...love the snarling, gutteral guitar riff.
Rip & Tear - The band just seems to throw everything into this song...Tracii is in total control of his band on this one...they're all dancing to his tune. It's really fun to watch the give and take between them all on this, and what they get up to is amazing.
And that quickly the show was over. It wasn't as intense and focused as the longer set I had experienced at Springfield, but the band was having fun and the audience loved it. There was one guy up front who kept turning around to look at all of us behind him with a look of absolute glee on his face. And another guy planted himself in the front row and rocked out the entire set...there were times I thought he'd take Marty's eye out.
If you get the chance to see this band...go...see...experience. You'll have a blast.
This was a shorter set than the one I'd seen two weeks earlier at Jaxx, and they started off in high gear with "No Mercy". The audience hung about 8 feet back from the stage, but Marty reeled us in at the end of the song. This time I got a closer look at Tracii's guitar work, Jeremy's intensity and Chad in the catbird seat having a blast on those drums. I even caught an occasional glimpse of Alec's face...he's just got this chill presence on stage. This band has phenomenal synergy. The rest of the set, in mostly correct order ~
Fire It Up - Great groove to this song...a funked up, let's have a good time kind of song. I can't wait to hear the album version.
One More Reason - I knew more of the words to this one than I thought...and the rest of the audience really started to get into the set with this song.
Wish You Were Here - Marty always cuts to the heart with this song and tonight Tracii's guitar work was so sweetly soulful...they had me floating. Last time I heard this song at Jaxx, I missed the energy of the full band, this time I was kind of blissed out hoping it would go on longer.
Jayne - Whoa, there was a rush of air as all the women pushed to the front of the stage...
Can't Always Get - Marty's vocals just amazed me again on this song. And I don't think I was the only one. This is one of those songs that the band encourages some audience participation. But we were all so gob-smacked we missed our cue...fortunately, Marty gave us another chance.
Sex Action - Think about it.
STFU - Jeremy had sized up the audience and he didn't mess around like Marty does. He ordered us to sing and we weren't going to argue with him...we sang. This song is just such a blast...if we were all teenagers a mosh pit might break out.
Trees - Okay, when I realized I was singing along to this, I looked around and noticed there were maybe 5 other people in the crowd who knew the words. I did what any other girl with a streak of self-preservation does, I ducked behind the guy in front of me and hoped the guy with the microphone didn't notice me. The band really looks like they enjoy playing their amped up version of this song and the audience really loved hearing it.
Never Enough - If we thought we were having a blast before, this song lifted it to a whole new level. This may be my favorite LA Guns song...love the snarling, gutteral guitar riff.
Rip & Tear - The band just seems to throw everything into this song...Tracii is in total control of his band on this one...they're all dancing to his tune. It's really fun to watch the give and take between them all on this, and what they get up to is amazing.
And that quickly the show was over. It wasn't as intense and focused as the longer set I had experienced at Springfield, but the band was having fun and the audience loved it. There was one guy up front who kept turning around to look at all of us behind him with a look of absolute glee on his face. And another guy planted himself in the front row and rocked out the entire set...there were times I thought he'd take Marty's eye out.
If you get the chance to see this band...go...see...experience. You'll have a blast.
Great review tinley. Thanks so much for all the detail, helps me imagine being right there with you! 
Tinley, Wonderful Review!! 
