Photos: (c) mmjustinwagner
Ventura Review, or Two Sisters Get Their Glam on In Ventura and Mingle With the Gods of Yum Perhaps I am biased, but I have never witnessed a bad live experience with the Cult. It's such a natural extension of the energy they bring to the feast with their wonderful, soulful music.
Wednesday 16 August, 2000 show at the Majestic Ventura Theatre in Ventura, CA was no exception. First I want to tell you a bit about the venue itself. It's a lovely but small old theatre from the late 1920's with the most fabulous chandeliers. These chandeliers don't dangle, they soar. Amazing history in every inch of the place. An energy that can't be ignored. The city of Ventura itself has a lot of interesting history. My sister and I went up from our normal stomping grounds of San Jose, CA to the show and got to stay in the lovely and haunted Bella Maggiore Inn, a mere stroll from our eventual concert destination. We arrived and waited in line to get in, and there seemed to already a lovely energy current making its way through the line. Once inside, the waiting began, and it got hot really fast. The opening band, U.P.O was decent and managed to keep an audience eager to see The Cult appeased, or at least not angry. My sister says U.P.O was okay but felt they didn't have anything too original to share. I just enjoyed it. After all the anxiety of facing my fears of flying and getting to Ventura, and all the hassle of having to cancel my Portland trip with the cancellation of that show, I was just too happy to be there knowing that eventually the Cult would arise and take the stage. The show kicked off with Zap City, and it was as though the room suddenly caught fire. A sea of fleshy arms flew into the air and a surge of electricity shot back in waves from the stage through us. I could tell from this start, that this was going to be more like rough sex than gentle lovemaking. There was no warning and no mercy, just sudden spectacle. Ian came out wearing a white hooded number over black tank top and black pants, and this kept him a bit elusive, as though he was not quite feeling the need to share everything with the adoring crowd, just yet. He looked almost angry, though it seemed that the energy was simply raw prowess, razor blade, safety pin punk rock attitude. The sort of energy you sometimes see in little kids when they get so excited over something that they start to shake uncontrollably. I sometimes do it too.
At one point Ian promised they would do their best to satisfy us. I think most agree that they did more than that. A few songs in to the set, Ian started inching back the hood, and giving us more, until eventually the hooded shirt came off completely. The crowd was thrilled. It seemed a newer level of intimacy had been engaged, or that we had hit a comfortable rhythm at this point, and it was okay to be all the things that we usually keep tucked away for the elite few close friends. Ian 'Fancy Feet' Astbury did his fancy footwork all over the stage, and punctuated his performance with his infamous naughty little brat faces. At this point we were drenched hot, sweaty hands and all. Like nervous, ecstatic first dates all crammed into one room. I couldn't tell if I was on the threshold of trance or unconsciousness, but it felt good. Despite the fact that my feet hurt, my back hurt and my lovely faux leopard print coat seemed to weight about as much a real leopard, I was in a state of absolute Zen. The final song of the main set was She Sells Sanctuary, which I think just about killed the crowd. It seemed so much had been given, and yet here we were receiving more that any of us had ever anticipated. The encore kicked off with Nirvana, soured into Spiritwalker, then ended with Love Removal Machine, when Ian dove into the audience, not once, but twice, loosing a shoe, then hoping around on one foot to remove the other shoe and toss it to the crowd. It was utterly fantastic. Some personal highlights for me were The Witch, which I am always jazzed to hear live since my little coven of witches have adopted it as a bit of a theme song. It doesn't get much sassier than that. The so new it's not finished yet song, Breathe, which has a nice little drum 'n bass break in it, perfect for getting your groove on to, and In The Clouds, which just kind of cracks me wide open like an egg every time I hear it. Though the entire set was absolutely magic. There was so much romance in the entire exchange. So much excitement and mystery. Like being five years old, secure and trusting in the grocery cart as your grandparent pushes you way too fast for your mom or dad's comfort down the street. That sort of marvelous. The sort of beauty you find in broken things. To top an already tremendous evening with a cherry, after 16 years of caring around the sort of crush an eleven year old impressionable girl gets, (I was eleven when I first experienced the Cult and got all turned to Jell-o liquid by Ian's amazing voice) I got a few truly sweet and memorable seconds of his time, as well as Matt's. My sister and I were completely delighted. And certainly satisfied.
Well we went all the way to the Ventura Theater. Came from Riverside, 100 miles or so. Know why? Cause I know just how intimate the Ventura Theater is. Well we got their at around five and before we ate and looked for a hotel we stopped by the theater. Lo and behold they were gettin ready for soundcheck. The roadies were loading stuff in the side and I walked up and there's Matt. I asked "Hey Matt,how's it feel to be back home with your boys?" he came over and asked if I was a writer lol. I said no and we rapped. He was damn coredial meeting the rest of my party etc. We had to leave, got our room, ate, drank(heheh) and went to the show. There was now a long line. We get in and its so small lol. I was thinking 'this is gonna be great!". They came on after U.P.O's set which was sorta Pearl Jam meets Sabath lol. Cult came on to sing Zap City as an opener. They had opera strings to introduce em as they walked out. One thing: they came out to kick ass. Ian came out swinging, dressed and acting like a boxer with shades and hooded sweatshirt. They played some deep cuts too - Nirvana, Revolution, Rain, Peace Dog! Sweet Soul Sister was just a revelation. One thing that shocked me was that Ian had cut his hair and looked like Freddie Mercury. Oh the place was rocking, loud and damned sweaty! At the end he yelled "our we the fucking outsiders or what?!" lol. That night we were. They ended of course with Love Removal Machine. Through it all Billy was just amazing. He is simply one of the most underrated guitar players. They played a set so forceful and sweaty that it should have been filmed. They had the audience eating out of their hands. Wow - we needed a shower after the concert. But the real treat was meeting them. After the show not only was Steve Jones hangin out back and I took a photo with, but the band came out after an hour or so. But during the coda to Love Removal Machine Ian stage dived twice into the crowd. The first time someone took one of his shoes. At the end he threw the other into the audience and yelled "enjoy the shoe!" lol. Waiting to meet them afterwards I met the guy who got the shoe. A ice gentlemen from England who was with his friend from Ireland and Santa Barbara. Well the kind gent gave me the shoe after hearing me ramble on about music and The Cult. Ian signed it lol. He signed and took photos. He is very reserved. Almost freaky. His roady told me that he was just a wildman in South Africa tour. Hmmmm. Billy was equally accomadating and the gentlemen. Matt was the all around good guy who even yelled for me to wait "Im comin down!" when he thought I was leaving (only to get my Pure Cult cd). What a night with the added treat of finally meeting the band. Cult rules.Ok..so I realize that at my age of 23 The Cult has been around about as long as I have been alive.. but that's ok..I can deal with it..my sister..has always been in love with The Cult..and so when she decided that we were going to fly down to Ventura (we are from San Jose area) to see them..I had to say YES...I have to say the show was fantastic..except for the annoying blonde bimbette next to me. After the show my sister and I waited outside the venue..when talking with a roadie we found out that the members of The Cult were all upstairs at an after party...we decided to hang outside for awhile..I mean what else did we have to do right? Our hotel was just a block away...so we found a nice cement planter to sit on..and lots of converstation..After about an hour..a beautiful blonde man popped his head out of a window above..Matt Sorum..was sticking out of the window ..bestow my heart!! He announced that he would be down to say hello to the crowd..true to his word...out he came..stumbling and fumbling with my paper and pen..I finally got my chance to say hello..Matt was the nicest man..he signed my paper..kissed my cheek and chatted for a few minutes..he made a dream come true of me...I want to marry the man..really..I do.. Then came Ian..all sex and rock n roll...we waited patiently as people swarmed around him..and finally we got our chance..signed ticket stubs..and we even got a picture with him..one that he stopped what he was doing and posed for...not some cheap shot of us standing next to him while he signed autographs.. All and all it was an amazing few days..and best of all..it brought me and my big sister closer together.
Riverside? Please. We drove from Palm Springs for this show. Totally awesome!! Never been hotter and sweatier. Great set list, great energy. Better than the show at the House of Blues a year earlier.
Lil' Devil
Sweet Soul Sister
In The Clouds
Rain
The Witch
Breath
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Peace Dog
Firewoman
Wild Flower
She Sells Sanctuary
Spiritwalker
Love Removal Machine