Milk Bar, Jacksonville, Florida
Opening Bands: Theater Gallery, Love In Reverse
The last time I saw Ian it was at a free show in Gainsville, Florida
on February 14th 1992. The Cult and Lenny Kravitz at the bandshell.
Ian sure does look different now.
At eight dollars though I'd pay three times as much just to here Ian
(holy) and his Barbarians live. The Milk Bar is a pretty small bar
(club), which is underground. It use to be a fitness center, if you look
on the floor you can still see signs of where the track that circled the
place use to be. Being a pretty big Cult fan I couldn't wait to see what
the Holy Barbarians had to offer. The new CD is great! If the Cult had
not of broken up I would have seen them in March of 95. Now one year
later The Holy Barbarians! I can't wait!
At about 8:30pm me and my friend Abeed got into my car and we were
headed for the MilkBar. We stopped for a six pack of Mickeys Malt and a
six of Killeens Honey Brown. On the way to the show it was just pouring
down rain really hard. I spilled a full Honey Brown all over my seat, my
ass was soaked and it was very noticeable. I didn't care I knew it was
going to be a great night.
We got to the Milk Bar around 9:45 and checked out the opening acts.
Theater Gallery was pretty cool, I couldn't understand a word he was
saying (singing) it was pretty distorted, I was praying they would have
that problem fixed as soon as the Holy Barbarians came on. We hung around
until the second band came on (Love in Reverse) we then decided it was
time to take a piss. While in the bathroom I noticed a few people
gathering around the mirror area, I looked over to see what the big deal
was and standing 12 feet in front of me was the Sun King himself Ian
Astbury. I brought my camera with me maybe just to take a few live
performance shoots. Me and my friend got closer and closer to him, now
I am about 2 feet away from him and had the balls to ask if he would let
me take a picture. He said "In a minute". My friend was getting
impatience so he asked again and Ian still replied "In a minute". He was
really nice about it, real cool.
There were about ten guys just hanging around asking questions like "Hey
are you going to play any of the old Cult stuff?" I really couldn't hear
Ian's response because he was talking and putting on his makeup at the
same time. Check this out Ian was wearing a Dennis Rodman #91 Bulls
tanktop jersey and a skirt and he was putting on lipstick and mascara, I
was just shocked I didn't know what to expect. Finally he starts putting
his makeup away and is now ready for a picture. I was so stunned, I just
couldn't believe how cool Ian was.
Before the show started we were getting another beer, I noticed Scott
Garret walking around checking out the place. I went up to him and said
"Hey have a great show!" He said "Thanks a lot" and went backstage. I was
so pumped I just couldn't wait anymore.
The show started off with a recording of some poetry (I assumed it was
the Lipton stuff) and then some Jazz music. Me and my buddy got right up
in front of the stage so when Ian came out he was like 3 feet in front of
me. The crowd didn't seem big at first but it started getting a little
bigger, people pushing trying to get up to were I was but I didn't budge.
They started off by playing Blind, Ian and his tambourine, man I
just couldn't believe it, I was watching this show and I got a picture of
me and him together. Man they sounded so good it was awesome. I couldn't
believe they played The Witch, I never before saw that song live.
Space Junkie just got the crowd moving they were just pushing
harder and people were crowd surfing, a couple of ladies that were in
front had to be escorted off of the stage because they got pushed that
hard. The whole group was just playing there asses off. I watched each
of them at certain times it was just amazing how much of a groove they
were all in. Ian even played guitar on Brother Fights, he was
pretty much into that song. Bodhisattva man what a great song, Ian
was going off, he was really into it. After that the band left the stage,
I was sure they would come back and do an encore. Sure enough Patrick,
Matt and Scott all came back Ian just stood off to the side while they
just powered out Midnite Exspress, Oh man they can jam. They
almost immediately without stopping went into Magick Christian,
they were playing pretty hard and Ian was just whaling out the words. I
was surprised when they played Helter Skelter because I read in the
other reviews that they played it and man it was excellent. They put
anybodies version of it to shame. Boy was I surprised after that Ian
announced he wanted to play something from The Cult and busted out with
Wildflower. That place was rocking, man I was all sweaty and my
ass was soaked with beer, but I tell you what it was worth, for the
picture the concert and yes after he threw his tambourine (which was given
back to him) he announced that tomorrow night they would be in Gainsville
(which is about a hours drive from Jacksonville). I just knew I had to be
there. It was worth it just to see and hear them again. The Holy
Barbarians, if you get a chance to see them don't miss it if you do you're
a fool eight dollars a picture with Ian, my camera broke while in my
pocket but the pictures came out. I am definitely going to the show in
Gainsville! Oh! Yeahaaaaa Baby!
Steve Holland
Setlist:
Jazz/Howl
Blind
Dolly Bird
Cream
The Witch
You Are There
Space Junkie
Brother Fights
Bodhisattva
Encore:
Midnite Exspress
Magick Christian
Helter Skelter
Wildflower