I will never forget what I witnessed tonight. It Could be one of the most monumental Cult shows ever.

The Cult played in Toledo, OH on the eve of 10.26.01 at the Hard Hat Club. I almost didn't go, but thought that they may start to change the set list a little since this is the 2nd leg of the tour. DID THEY EVER! A respectable crowd (for Toledo) showed up to the Hard Hat and was treated to a Cult show that defied belief. The Cult opened up with their new single Rise. Guitarist Billy Duffy had a new honeyburst Gibson Les Paul custom shop that was really sharp. They then played a few new gems off of their new album like American Gothic and Ashes And Ghosts. Astbury also encouraged the crowd to call up the radio stations to play True Believers. The crowd was very into the show with crowd surfing and bare breasts as proof. The Cult had a fourteen song set and then took a break. When they emerged for the encore, they ripped into War. What happened immediately after the song kept the venue buzzing till close. Ian Astbury announced that they were about to do a song off of the Ceremony album they hadn't played in years. This song was White. Now, for those of you who just pray for a show like this, read on. The band starts into the song. It soon becomes apparent through the second verse that Ian forgot some of the lyrics, yet in my opinion, the song still sounded good and the crowd was relatively into this off the charts song. Right in the middle of the song, Billy Duffy just stopped playing. I mean he just STOPPED PLAYING! He then told the rest of the band to stop dead in their tracks. The audience looked at each other in amazement. The band was huddled by the drum kit and Billy was just going apeshit. Ian blurted right into the microphone, "He doesn't want to play the song. I thought it sounded pretty good. Do you want us to play the rest of the song?" The crowd shot back an overwhelming YES. Billy Duffy reluctantly started back into the song he almost abdicated. I was watching this and thinking "Argentina '95". They finished the song but Duffy's playing was insipid the remainder of the evening. The band did their best to make up for it, including Sorum's mini solo at the end of the show.

Mr. Duffy or anyone who is his acquaintance, if you are reading this, please let it be known that the current recession has hit the blue-collar town of Toledo rather hard. People paid $27 to see The Cult. That is $27 that some of us could have saved to buy necessities if we had known we would be treated to a tantrum during a really good song. So what if the band wasn't tight during that number. You haven't played it in 10 years! Please consider that many of us love that song. I hope you lose that Vinnie Vincent attitude before the next time I see The Cult again.

Joel

Rise
Lil' Devil
Peace Dog
Take The Power
Rain
Edie (Ciao Baby)
American Gothic
Ashes and Ghosts
The Witch
Sweet Soul Sister
True Believers
Wild Flower
Fire Woman
She Sells Sanctuary
War
White
Sun King
Love Removal Machine