Subject: Concert Review: LA, Universal Amp; Dec 19, 1996 
From: flood777

Concert Review by SC
Dec. 19, 1996: LA, Universal Ampitheatre 


First, I live in El Cajon, so this show was about a 3-4 hour drive, but 
it was definitely well worth it. Psychotica opened up, but I did not like 
them. They were kind of a punk/rock/screaming/noisy bunch of...crap. I 
think they were about a decade late. They jumped around, and screamed 
bloody murder, and said phrases like, "I am the freak you all created." I 
did not like them.

But then, it started. It started. What I have been dreaming of, started. 
The stage was set up by a few bald men dressed in black. There were 
mannequins of human bodies (one in a rather twisted position) all over 
the stage, and a screen in the back. 
The lights went out. The crowd stood up and cheered. (the crowd made me 
angry though. there was a lot of pot, and stupidity, and a lot of people 
didn't belong there. It just added a distraction, but I didn't care, 
because the only thing that mattered was on stage.) A bolt of electricity 
was strung between two wires, then the animated "smoke box" appeared on 
the screen behind. They opened with "Third Eye," and it was great. Danny 
was hidden behind his set, Justin was kind of in the darkness, only half 
visible, Adam was right up front with his face covered by a shield of 
hair, and then there was Maynard... he was half blue & half white. It 
didn't really look as if it was paint though, but a kind of thin, 
partially transparent body suit of latex. They were great. Maynard had so 
much energy, kind of diving and bending back and fourth, looking as if he 
is going to fall, but then regaining balance again. Adam was pretty much 
motionless, except for his wonderful hands, and so was Justin (I could 
make out his horns, though). 

-Key Points-

-Maynard did what he could to give a semi-explanation to some of the 
songs. Example: He said, "This is kind of a 'Prison Sex' II," this was to 
Jimmy. He gave "H" out to his son, Devo, and said it was about choices. 
He also explained the deal with "Enema," but I am not going to tell you, 
because YOU DIDN'T GO TO THE CONCERT! haha. 

-During the majority of songs, videos were played behind them. They were 
really cool (i assume they were made by Adam, but I could be wrong) and 
they added a lot to the music. Some were of decaying objects, a distorted 
path of evolution from prehistoric to now (during Eulogy), and there was 
footage from the "Sober" video when they played that song. 

-Maynard said something that made the crowd crack up. When the bald guy 
in black came out to assist Adam with something, Maynard said, "Ladies 
and Gentlemen, the Keyboardest for the SMITHS (pointing to the bald 
assistant), ... look at him now."

**And my favorite--the two special treats they had for us. First, they 
brought out the master chef, dressed appropriately, of course, and 
recited "Die Eier Von Satan." The music sounded a little different, but 
it was still amazing.
Next, they gave us a very special Christmas Gift: --a cartoon (probably 
made by Adam, but again, I could be wrong). This was the funniest thing I 
have ever seen in my life. The theme was pretty much "Christ vs Santa." 
It opens up with little kids with high voices singing Christmas Caroles, 
and then a conflict because one of the kids was a Jew. Then, Christ comes 
down, and explains the true meaning of christmas, and everything. so, 
they go to the mall to find santa. Christ and Santa Argue about the true 
meaning, weather it is "Giving" or "The Birth of Christ." They Fight! 
Jesus throws a fireball at Santa, but misses and kills a whole group of 
kids. Santa does the same. It goes on, Santa and Jesus make up, and the 
kids figure out the TRUE meaning of Christmas...
presents!


--this was probably the best day of my life. I love them so much, and I 
want to go again, but this was the last concert of this tour. I will 
hopefully see them again in the future... 

i want to thank them