Well, I waited 11 years to see the Cult again, and it was every bit worth the wait! My last (and only) previous show was in St. Louis for the Sonic Temple Tour. The show last night in Baton Rouge was fabulous, and heavy. A nice, small venue allowed everyone to see everything on stage. Sounds like the new album is going to really rock! They played a little over 75 minutes -- short, but sweet. There was a small glitch when Nirvana began because the backup guitarist was way out of tune, so they stopped about 10 seconds into it and restarted. Ian sounds as good as he did years ago. It was the first, and probably the last, time The Cult will come to Baton Rouge, so I'm savoring this unique experience. As a bonus, one of the sound/light technicians gave me wife (the "cute red-head," as he put it) his copy of the setlist after the show -- bonus! This show reminded me that this band is the best I've ever seen that simply rock, period.

I hadn't seen The Cult since a big arena show at the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium in the early 90's (Lenny Kravitz opened for them back then). The Varsity was a much smaller venue, but the expererience was twice as great. The band ripped through all the hits with great energy and excitement, in front of a packed, enthusiastic crowd. The band seemed to have as much fun as the crowd. Love Removal Machine rocked live.

05/08/01 Baton Rouge, LA The Varsity Club 850 crowd capacity, SOLD OUT! Over 600 miles plus drive for this show! Oh yeah! Myself, Danny, Julie and Joey were very anxious for the show to begin! We got to The Varsity early, to check it out and to see if we could catch the sound check We noticed Billy Morrison looking around and trying to get inside the club. I talked to Billy briefly about how he liked being in THE CULT and the ATLANTA show! He told me that it was time to step up and THE CULT was the next thing for him. Billy stated that he had been really good friends with Billy Duffy for a while, a long time actually. I asked him if we were going to be lucky enough to catch him and Mr. Duffy switch positions on the stage again like they did at the Atlanta show! He said that they were working on it and he would see what he could do! WOW! He had to leave, but let me tell you, he was so cool! Very approachable and very happy to be a new member of THE CULT! I think THE CULT has a winner with this guy! He does one hell of a job! Nice Ink! Even though we couldn’t see THE CULT at sound check, we got to hear them behind the doors! Sound check sounded great! They were practicing War! We all knew this night was going to be something special! The wait is always the killer before the show. I just focus on what I am waiting for and relax and chat with all of the others that are outside, filling them in with news about THE CULT and the new album coming out June 5th! As soon as they decided to let us in we managed to get to the front of the stage, and I do mean front. The only thing that was between the stage and me was a three and half foot railing. The opening band, From Zero sounded really good! Very tight band! They were very happy to be opening up for THE CULT! Of course, my main focus was THE CULT, so I was anxious to see From Zero’s set end. Now the only thing we were waiting for was Dual Of The Fates. I had recorded this early in week along with some other CULT tunes to get us psyched for the show! This also helped during the ten-hour road trip from Jacksonville, Florida to Baton Rouge, LA. The intensity as the gear techs arranged the equipment was rising every minute! I just knew I was going to go nuts when the show started. I did. Dual Of The Fates came on and everyone started freakin! One by one the members of THE CULT came out on the stage. Matt, Mike, Morrison and Duffy, they instantly started into Rise and as soon as the vocals were needed the almighty IAN ASTBURY appeared from the background of smoke. Such a strong song! Hard and Heavy! Without stopping they drove right In The Clouds! I love this song! Give em smokes! At this point I kinda lost my thoughts and just let go - I mean I was into it! They burned into Lil' Devil, singing along with the songs fist pumping in the air, you name it! I wouldn’t ask for any other place to be at a CULT concert! So intense! There was so much going on, it’s hard to write about everything without it being the size of a book! Before the show we meet a lot of fans. Three guys from Tennessee, Jason, John and Clarance. These guys won tickets to the very first show! They all had shirts on from THE CULT’s last full album tour from 1995. Each one of them had marked on each other’s hand a peace sign symbol in the palm of their right hand and the word dog in the palm of their left hand. After talking to them, I was convinced it was the right thing to do, and it was! During the forth song THE CULT played, Peace Dog, we all got into it! What fun I tell you, what fun! Tiring to take in as much as one could possibly do, I tried to give each one of the band members equal attention, but its difficult when the lead singer in directly in front of you! THE CULT was NON-STOP! Rain and Edie (Ciao Baby) were back to back! Matt’s was tearing it up! Beating the hell out of those skins! He puts everything into it! He is such an amazing drummer. I am so glad that he is back with THE CULT! The focus Ian Astbury has during the show is unbelievable. He doesn’t miss a beat. His singing talent can’t be mistaken. The Witch got the crowd really jumping! This song gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. During Breathe and The Saint, I was in awe at his singing ability. You can obviously tell that he is giving it his all when he is singing. THE CULT didn’t stop, until after The Saint, Ian stated, that was our new song The Saint, now here is some old school! Fire Woman, the whole place went NUTS! For those who have seen THE CULT, you know what I am taking about. Again non-stop right into Sweet Soul Sister, which is a fist pumper! SWEET! SOUL! SISTER! Ian is amazing! Wild Flower! These guys are unbelievable! NON STOP! Of course after each song was completed, Ian always said THANK YOU! I was thanking him, what an amazing individual! The only time the band took a break was when Mr. Duffy switched guitars for She Sells Sanctuary! Another crowd favorite! Ever now and then I would look behind me to see the whole place enjoying the show! At the end of She Sells Sanctuary, Ian stated if you want to hear some more, please let us know. Sweating my ass off, literally, I just looked over at Danny and attempted to call to him, but noticed my voice was gone! I could barely say anything at all! Danny had the same problem I did, but we didn’t care! We were having a blast! The crowd was chanting CULT! CULT! CULT! CULT! CULT! I was still yelling my ass off! After ever song was over, I let them know! I screamed as loud as I could, with my hands in the air, so they knew how damn good they were! ENCORE here we come! War! This song rocks! Danny knew all the words! This was the first time I saw THE CULT play War live! WOW! Before the next song started Ian said, this is our first time in Baton Rouge, what about you Billy? First time! Shaking his head, like he couldn’t believe the crowd was so intense! Billy said something to Ian, but I couldn’t make out what it was, I just knew these guys were have a great time up there! Another old school song, Nirvana! MAN, the chill bumps were getting bigger! These guys looked like they could play for hours without stopping, they looked so fresh. Billy vs. Billy. These guys are having fun up there! Mr. Duffy, what can I say, you are fucking amazing! Every time he had the stage (guitar solo) I would point directly at him, this man knows he KICKS ASS!! Hey, we can’t forget about Mike Dimkitch, the touring rhythm guitarist for THE CULT! Without Mike, Billy wouldn’t sound as good as he does! Mike is the man! They should just go ahead and make him a full-fledged member of the band! My hats off to you sir! Since you always leave yours on! ;) I was able to get Morrison’s attention during Love Removal Machine, and asked him to switch with Duffy, he mouthed to me "tomorrow night!" At the very end of Love Removal Machine, the light effect that they added to the set was amazing! Blinded the hell out of me, but I enjoyed ever single bit of it! As usual Ian threw out his tambourine and Matt threw out some sticks! I wish it didn’t have to end, but then again, New Orleans is tomorrow night! My ears are still ringing from this show! This was Joey’s first CULT show and first concert to boot! He was skipping school to witness this show! I can’t wait for the album to come out JUNE 5th! If you haven’t already checked out the new CULT website http://www.thecultnet.com do it! Tour Dates and a new Message board are already in place!

Rise
In The Clouds
Lil' Devil
Peace Dog
Rain
Edie (Ciao Baby)
The Witch
Breathe
The Saint
Fire Woman
Sweet Soul Sister
Wild Flower
She Sells Sanctuary
War
Nirvana
Love Removal Machine