The Santa Barbara Bowl is a neat place, nestled in the hills among beautiful houses. I wondered how the people in the houses felt about all the noise. Perhaps they moved there for the concerts. who knows?

Intro bands, Stabbing (darkly) Westward and Monster (we swear a lot) Magnet. I didn't see much of the Stabbing Westward show, because I was standing off to side. They sounded competent and I recognized a few of their more notable hits. Monster Magnet attempted to be the firey bad boys of "real" rock. I have to say that Monster Magnet isn't quite my cup of tea. Just not hooky enough for my taste. But the lead singer did have these black leather bell bottoms with flames coming up from the bottom. Cool. He attempted to incite a riot by flipping off everything and talking about putting his weenie in plastic. It's tough for a rock band to get things going in the light of day. I always think they look a little silly running around the stage without the support of the lights and smoke.

Ian's quotable quote for the night "smoking mari-jah-wana is mmm bad for you... mmmkay?"

The Cult: I spent the show fumbling with my new minidisc recording "rig." The recording came out pretty well, to my amazement. I'll try to get what I have up on the net. Never done that, I'll try to get it taken care of next week and let you all know where the recordings are. I missed recording the last third of the concert because I think I pressed pause accidentally after I switched minidiscs. Oh well.

Anyway. They hauled up this big curtain with the "firestar" symbol on it. The outside lights went down and a few minutes later Billy starts into the Rise chordings. The band follows and the curtain comes down a little into the song. Ian is wearing the big furry grey hat that seems to have become a staple for him. I think it's an "audience energy wave catcher." After the song Ian says, "thank you, good evening. This is In The Clouds. They do a good version of it. The sound at this place is pretty good. 12 JBL Vertec (I believe) speakers each side arranged in a "J" formation, with two big bass cabinets each side (I know, I know... GEEK!). It's amazing how fast concerts get going these days. I remember waiting forever for guys to get the sound set up for each act. Things sound so much better than they used to.

After In The Clouds, Ian said, "good evening. You ready for some old school?" The crowd went, "YYYYYAAAAHHH AHAHHHHHAHH!" The Cult ripped into Lil' Devil, Rain, Edie (Ciao Baby), and The Witch.

Then they played a Breath, The Saint, Ian said as Fire Woman was starting do you know what this song is? Oh yeah... Tight trousers, long hair... Fuck the hair!" And yes, Ian said, "kemMON!" right as they ripped into the song in perfect '80's style. Sweet Soul Sister was next.

Take The Power was next. After this, I did my little recorder boo-boo so I'm not exactly sure what the next song was. I believe that the encore happend after Take The Power. They came back with a new one though, and then, after that Ian conferred with Billy the Bassist about something ("maybe... "um, Ian, I have a really hot chick waiting back at the bus... can we go home now?") Ian sort of went.."uh, uh-huh... ok." Then said, "Ok, are you ready for the Love Removal Machine!?!?," which was their last song.

The place, unfortunately was about 2/3's full. Hopefully if the album sales kick in, the sellouts will roll in. We all know of the "rock" (who don't actually play rock but some kind of of mutant, bluesless, noise) bands that are out there, The Cult deserve to be selling places out. The band was very tight and confident. Much better than the reunion tour of a few years ago. One thing I didn't appreciate was the big beer-guzzling crowd. I've been lucky enough to see the Cult in these places in order, The Paramount in Seattle, 1999, The House of Blues 1999 (as I remember), and the Whiskey a Go-Go (what the hell does a Go-Go mean?). In all of these places the crowd were all die-hard Cult fans, not too interested in getting drunk off their ass. At least I didn't run into anyone that was. This show was over-run with beer-downing, Trans Am drivin, Iron Maiden t-shirt wearing, boneheads. Maybe it's just the bigger size if the venue, or maybe it was the area where the concert was held. Who knows? One of these boneheads poured beer all over my (luckily) waterproof motorcycle jacket. I've never wanted to take someone out at a concert, but this guy was the first guy on the edge of receiving that distinction. Not enough that he spilled beer all over my jacket, he then mumbles.. "immm ahhh, sowwy mahn..." and then proceeds to attempt to wipe the beer off with his HAND. "OK, Dude, we're cutting you off. Coffee from now on for you." It's interesting that you could have drank enough beer at this concert to have your liver explode... But, mari-jah-wana is BAD for you. You're right, Ian, Marijuana is bad for you (no matter what the stoners say), but I would have rather have had all the stumblers stoned, than drunk. I cut out a bit early on my motorcycle, in attempting to get out ahead of all the drunk driving.

Good concert though.

CULT Children on the side of the mountain! Santa Barbara California! A wonderful venue to see a live show! Not a big crowd,. about 3000 rockers; place holds 4400. Nice to see lots of the "regulars" out,., and lookin good! The MadMan wore wore a vintage pull-over from the 'Ceremonial Stomp' of days long past,., and many noticed & commented. The Show: Stabbing Westward,., well,.., they used to be a good band. Good songs flavored with British electronica and a hardness and sincerity that rock needs. Now, however, they play nancy-boy love songs, placidly delivered by a spoiled rock-star who has no statement to make. Fully a 7 on the Suck-O-Meter. Monster Magnet: No sucky here. Bam Bang Boom. Best CULT opening set,.,. maybe ever. Kicked my ass ,. and my face. 'Powertrip', 'Crop Circles', 'Space Lord', good set! Leather clad rockers not interested in kissing you ladies down front row. If you did not leave Monster Magnet's set feeling like you got your hair pulled and your ass slapped,., you missed the point. The CULT: Let's go ahead and say it: The new songs are so much better. Rise, War, Take The Power, The Saint, Breathe,.,. big and beaty, mean and bouncy. I noticed the energy level change from the stage every time they launch into one of the new tunes. However, over the last 3 years, we've heard the same group of oldies, give or take the occasional Nirvana, in support. The band has to be tired of playing the same set, especially when lots of the same faces appear at many shows. Or maybe not,., I heard though, several times, from several places, fans,.,. long-time fans,.,. yelling out song titles: Outlaw!! The Phoenix!! Drug Tongue!! But you know the rest: C'mon now! Say them with me (Again): Lil' Debbil,. Edie (Chowbaby),. Wild Flower, Rain, She Sells Sanctuary, Peace Dog, In The Clouds, Lub Remoobal Macheen.,.,.., I & B: Do you know how many of us travel to see you? Any idea how many of us would just love to hear Wild Hearted Son or Love or Saints Are Down? Lesson: The Grateful Dead played three consecutive nights at most of their festivals, *and never played the same song twice*. Dammit Ian,. I just can't see dropping $120 to see the same set (Again) in Anaheim at the House of Blues! You have pro musicians, including, arguably, the best drummer in rock, and an astounding list of songs,..,., so,., what up with the set list? Don't think I don't love you,.,., just one of these nights,,. please ,.,. can we the fans ride on top?

I took a little 6 hour drive to Santa Barbara to visit friends and see the Cult this past weekend. The show was great. The venue was disappointingly only about 2/3rds full, but the crowd was very enthusiastic. This was my 7th time seeing the Cult and it seemed that Ian was enjoying himself more than at any other concert that I have witnessed him perform. Great energy. The new songs worked well, except for War. This surprised me because I think that War is the probably the strongest song on the new album. For some reason the song didn't translate very well into the live setting. The band, predictably, wrapped up the show with Love Removal Machine. But the most random of moments happened at the climax of the song. Ian brought out Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top (long beard and all) to wail away with Billy Duffy on guitar. They cranked out a frenzied, extended, three minute long, final act to the song.

Thank you to the Cult for the Rock n Roll.

The Cult seemed to be very charged and healthy. Full of energy. As if the new phase with Atlantic records breathed new life into the band. The show seemed a bit short. Ian explained the local curfew was the reason. Billy Gibbons joined the band for the last encore. And may I say what a suprise that was!! The Cult are sounding better than ever. Really producing a tooth gritting aggresive sound on the new stuff. Monster Magnet also kicked my face. Solid chunks of guitar rock. A perfect opening act for the Cult. Stabbing Westward left a lot to be desired. Their music was a little on the light side. Singer was a rock star poser. Full of himself. But the rest of the night was incredible. Madmike and I were also blessed with a barroge of beautiful young women flashing their breasts right behind us!! And security trying to make them stop...NOT!!! I hope madmike finally sobered up.....I still have a fog on my brain.......CULT SHOW IN SANTA BARBARA K,NAY!!!

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