... the sound board operator doesn't know what he's doing.

I just attended a concert on Tuesday... The Black Crows opening for Tom Petty.

Now before you jump to conlusions, I do like the Crows, but here's where I had the issue: they either had the volume up WAY too loud, too much distortion in the mic, or a combination of both. I couln't understand any of the lyrics... not even close to recognizable even on the songs I knew.

When Petty came on, the volume was still cranking, but you could hear what he said and/or sang.

And another thing... if you're going to be the front man for a band... learn to play a guitar. That way, you have a prop to kill time with while the other band members have their solos... other than the mike stand. Only Steven Tyler can make dancing around with the mike stand cool, and sometimes that even crosses over to Lame and quickly approaches Richard Simmons.

Have you guys seen Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Remember the scene where Sean Penn is dancing on stage? The micro steps and moving the hands in small, counter rotating circles with the head flopping back and forth like a toy monkey? That's what Chris Robinson would do whenever there was a solo.

Don't even get me started on the solos! When you get to the level they have, the band members should only get ONE solo per show, not one solo per song. I'm not paying to see a jam band at the local bar... I expect a professional concert. The only exception to this rule would be solos by the headliner. If I go to a Clapton concert, he can solo to his hearts content, 'cause that's who I came to see. I didn't pay to see a drum solo longer than Innagoddadavita. Wait... I guess I did >

How lucky can one guy be? Granted, he's not as homely as Ric Ocasic from the Cars or Lemmy from Motorhead, but he's no Ricky Martin. So how does he get even get a second look Goldie Hawn's daughter, much less marry her? He must have some SERIOUS mojo workin.

On to the better part of the concert...

TOM PETTY WAS FREAKIN AWESOME!!!!

There's just something amazing about 12,000+ people all singing every word to every song (except for two new songs coming out on his next album which were great BTW)

He could have played until 2am without coming close to exhausting his hits or the fans, but I guess I'll have to settle for 2 3/4 hour set he did.

I highly recommend attending this show if it comes to your town, just skip the opener.

Tour Schedule

Support bands never fail to dissapoint

Great write up gumby, damn you were lucky getting a 2 3/4 hour show, last band i went to see (System Of A Down) didn't even do an encore!

Crows played from 7 to 8:15, 15 minute set change over including roadies installing carpet on stage (vacuumed after it was taped down... I guess Tom didn't want to play on dirty carpet... but then again who does?) Tom came on at 8:30 until 11, then 5 solid minutes of applause until the encore. This was one of the best shows I've seen in a long time.

I think there is an unwriten rule out there that states that the opening band CANNOT sound better than the headliner. I have been to some concerts that I KNOW the opening act is as good or better than the headliner (yes, I have gone to shows before just to see the opening band.... but not often). I only have my suspicions as to why.

It reminds me of when my brother went to see Barenaked Ladies, The Proclaimers were opening. There were seats at the venue, and everybody sat until they played "500 Miles", at which point they got standing applause and a wild crowd and all that. After the song, they rather dejectedly told everybody they could sit back down until BnL came out.

It sucks to be a one hit wonder sometimes.

I remember when I went to a Rolling Stones concert back in 79' or 80' (so long ago.....heh) and Iggy Pop opened for them..........but not very long though.......Iggy decided whip out his scwantz during the opener and he got boo'd (and alot of crap thrown at him) off the stage...........what a frickin idiot......

just to let you know... the black crows are pretty much a jam band and their iive performance is always like that, their real fans expect them to play like one. i wouldnt want to see them live if they DIDNT play a lot of solos, but hey to each his own i guess

I saw God Forbid at the Showcase theatre a few months back and the guitars were to loud (never thought I would say that). I don't remember hearing vocals all night, and it was odd seeing the drummer playing but yet no sound coming fromthem since all I heard was guitars. But they were goo none the less.

Also two years ago I saw Hemlock open for some band and they were so solid. Yet when the headlining band came out half the crowd left. (well they sucked so I can see why I left too).