Just got back from the show. The Cult started promptly at 7:10 PM (In a venue of other bands) Ian was full of 'energy', the rest of the band was also excellent. (I will allow someone else to tell the show set list) The weather was partly cloudy and cool, which happens in So-Cal sometimes in October. The crowd was large and engaging but did not reflect the energy of the band. It was clear to me the band was just revving up when their time was up at 8:05 PM (May I suggest to the band that a venue in Cabo San Lucas, Baja Mexico, would reflect their energy much better, the "Cabo Wabo Cantina" Sammy Hagar's place, http://www.baja-cabo.com The shows lighting was average and the volume of the system needed to be louder, the techs who mastered the show sucked, Ians first several lines of lyrics were not heard, (the mic was off?) and slowly the techs got their act together. Ian wore a black monk outfit and took off his top at the end of the show while also jumping into the pit! Final song was Love Removal Machine, (my favorite!) played short version. Great to see the band, in particular with Ians 'focus' and Mr. Duffy's masterful work. Really would like to see the the band in a small venue in Mex!! In closing, a terrific short version show, left the real fans always wanting more. The Cult, can master 'music fashion' with continued focus the material and masterful "real" Rock.

A chilly, sometimes rainy day at the beautiful Coors Amphitheater in Chula Vista, CA (10 miles from the Mexico border), was the venue for the San Diego radio station KIOZ 105.3 show, "When Bands Attack". A pleasant ride out with Nancy, who stunned me with Social Distortion on tape for the trip.,.,. The place was never near full; 5500 people tops. Alcohol was pushed with obsession. J&B Scotch, Jack Daniel's, Pete's Wicked Ale, Killians, Coors, full-service bars with smiling bartenders all ready to blur your vision and impact yer wallet. E-commerce made their presence known, and everyone scored swag. Band schedules were printed to look like stage-pass laminates, and they were pretty cool. Opening bands Taproot and Sprung Monkey sucked and sucked some more. Side stage bands kept the suck intense. Band called Incubus was a real treat. Very excellent songs presented with gusto. Highly recommended. The CULT's spot was from 7:10-7:55, the fourth of six bands at the show. The placement was perfect. Everyone 'had' to listen a band whose height was realized a decade ago, and was amid today's radio hit-makers. The set was short: Lil' Devil, She Sells Sanctuary, Wildflower, The Witch, Breathe came out (I love this song!), In The Clouds, Fire Woman, Love Removal Machine. Ian was resplendant in a black monk's robe, which melted into tank top and leathers. New bassist Chris Wyse spooned out adequate lines, but he lacks an individual style. The band was playful; Billy & Ian kicking several beach balls off stage as if they were soccer shots. When a pair of rudesters yelled "Foo Fighters" between songs, Ian gave a disgusted look in the general direction and said, "Yeah,., OK,.,. Right." The band created some good heat and had the mosh pit swirling. After a stage dive, Ian fell hard getting back onstage, crashing over his monitor. Some lucky fan got a souvenir when Ian tossed a well-slapped tambourine to the crowd. Some dumb-ass crowd surfing landed on his head when the security team at stage front didn't catch him, and he KO'd himself on the concrete. Ian stood at the edge of the stage checking out the medical people working on the guy, and I know his thought was the same as mine: Dumb Ass,..,. The CULT may have been better served by previewing another song or two of new material to the same kids they hope will buy the upcoming disc. They could have created a buzz of real anticipation, rather than run through 10-15 year old songs one more time. Foo Fighters had the unenviable task of going on after the CULT. I hated their overplayed pompous radio songs done live, so Nancy & I left the stage area to get a hot chocolate. Wouldn't ya know it? The radio station's booth had 'Edie' playing! The evening ended with a faceful of aggro-rock courtesy of DefTones. I used to love getting yelled at by a band. These guys were just too pissed off to enjoy after seeing the CULT. Nice to meet so many people from out of town.,..

There were six bands at this event, and let me tell you. I thought that The Cult came out with all 8 cylinders firing. There were alot of young kids at the show, some who have probably never heard of The Cult. Ian was a maniac and was full of energy trying to get the young ones involved and to feel the music. The set list was pretty much the same as all of the other shows in the past year, except that they played the new one Breathe which totally rocked and showed that Ian is an awesome vocalist, and that guitar still is very much the center of the music. Billy was on fire and I don't remember if I've ever heard him play better. Oh and if anybody thinks that The Cult is going to miss Martyn Le Noble, think again. Chris Wyse was very prepared and was just awesome, His background vocals worked with Ian and Matt very nicely. In the end it was much to short of a show, only 45-50 minutes. They were followed by The Foo Fighters, who I thought were pretty wimpy sounding, and The Deftones whose light show was the best part of their show. I feel that The Cult showed what rock and roll represents, Billy's strong kick you in the teeth guitar playing, Ian's extremely prominent vocals that command your attention, and the excellent supporting cast. I just wish that the radio stations would play them more, give them the props that they deserve, and help to provide the feedback and support so the public knows what they've been missing in the music world.

The Cult once again woke up the crowd this past saturday night in San Diego! They came on in full force as if they never parted. Billy Duffy played and showed the crowd how to do it right!! Ian sounded great and was as crazy as ever! Ian came on stage with a full black robe and his newly shaved head! He even joined the crowd and went surfing! And the new addition sounded just fine. Matt Sorum as always sounded just as great. The band blew away alot of young minds at this show. The energy of the crowd was just amazing! No one can do it better than THE CULT. From: a highly inspired fan in Riverside,California

Another great show with tons of energy! I flew to San Diego from Salt Lake just to see this show after the Cult had to cancel the show in Salt Lake City, and then cancelled another show in San Diego that I had flown in for. Anyway, back to the show. For a moment when the lights were down and the intro was played, new bassist walked out dressed out in black and his hair in the same style as a bassist the Cult had a few tours ago, I thought (hoped) it just might be Jamie Stewart. It wasn't but it was no disappointment, the new bassist Chris Wyse definitely fit in with the Cult. He's not a funky player like Martyn but a harder, heavier sound that complimented Matt's drums. Ian was pure energy from the start as he hit the stage dressed like a buddhist monk with his long black garb and his extremely short hair. Needless to say the band rocked from Billy's opening riff on Lil' Devil through the last one on Love Removal Machine. Ian took the opportunity during Love Removal Machine to surf the crowd and made it back in one piece. Worse part of the show was that the band was limited to only 50 minutes of playing (Lil' Devil, Sweet Soul Sister, Fire Woman, Breathe, The Witch, In The Clouds, Wild Flower, She Sells Sanctuary, and Love Removal Machine). They followed Incubus which were okay and were before the Foo Fighters who were great, but the focus of this concert should have clearly been the Cult and Foo Fighters. What's a Sprung Monkey? Anyway, hearing Breathe for the first time has left me curious as to which way the new album will go, will it be harder like the last album or will it be more in the Love mode. Breathe touches a bit of each and left me wishing they could play longer and more new material. I took a friend to this show to experience his first "Cult" concert and I can truly say they've acquired a new fan. If it wasn't Billy's killer riffs, or Matt's drums, then it had to be the way Ian could get a crowd (50% probably have never heard or seen the Cult, or were born when "Love" came out!) up and rocking with them. Once again, a great and energetic show that leaves me waiting for the next album and next tour!

Lil' Devil
Sweet Soul Sister
Fire Woman
Breathe
The Witch
In The Clouds
Wild Flower
She Sells Sanctuary
Love Removal Machine