concert reviews firsthand, immediate, from the heart

07/29/2001

Review written by: JRod (jasonrod@kda.attmil.ne.jp)
Review posted on: 08/09/01 13:58:32 ET


This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

 Fuji Rock Fest '01
29 Jul 01
 
Holy shit!!  They were fucking great!!  One hour before the 
show I stood right in front.  Center stage and within spitting 
distance.  They started clearing all the shit from the System 
of Down gig, then in it rolled, Danny's drum set.  That's 
when it hit me.  Everyone around me knew it hit me.  
Yelling, "Where's Danny....Danny!!  One of the their stage 
hands, nice looking lady, looked toward the crowd and 
smiled.  I was pumped.  The Japanese crowd is really quite 
unless the music is playing.  When there is pauses between 
songs, nothing....they are totally silent.  Which gave me a 
chance to talk to the band once they paused between 
songs.  Everyone could hear me, I know they did.  Still they 
stayed with the script and never smiled or acknowledge what 
I was saying to them.  Professionals, unmatched by anyone 
else who had the privilege to play on the same stage.  Thirty 
more minutes....the crowd is starting to get ready.  The cage 
is packed now, TOOL fans all around.  I was stoked.  
Experiencing it with fellow TOOL fans is great, where ever 
you my be.  I started to realize something, I've got to piss 
bad!  It was taken out of my zone.  I tried to ignore it.  Not 
happening.  One of my buddies had an empty water bottle, 
I grabbed it and without hesitation filled it.  Back in the 
zone.  And I had something to throw at security.
Ten minutes....the stage was set and the sound checks were 
done.  Behind the drum set was a huge screen, to Danny's 
right a small platform with a mic stand and another screen 
behind it.  Maynard moved from it only once during the 
show, huddling around Danny's set with Justin and Adam 
right before the last song (Aenema).  In front and a little 
right of Maynard, Adam.  Justin was directly in front of 
Danny.  It's time.....and I noticed now night had fallen.  The 
stage was dark.  First came Danny, Justin and Adam.  They 
plugged in.  Danny was further back than them and still 
easier to see.  Then the moment... I turned to a friend, I 
wonder what Maynard will wear?  Coming from the back.  The 
blue man.  Painted blue from head to toe.  Wearing nothing 
but a Speedo.  Unless you were close you could not see 
him.  People later told me from further away it only looked 
like three on stage.  I could see the whites in his eyes.  The 
crowd started cheering.  He removed the mic from the stand 
and set it off his platform.  Not one word.  Then he got in his 
wide stance, bent at the knees and waist while rocking back 
and forth watching Danny, waiting for the start of The 
Grudge.  Three...two....one.  My rush.  TOOL live!!
 
Set list:
The Grudge
Stinkfist
46 & 2
Schism
Disposition
Reflection
Sober
Parabola
Lateralus
Aenema
 
Moving in front of his screen showing all the graphics from 
their videos and more, feeling his message no doubt. 
Maynard stayed hidden.  Not one single spot light on any of 
them.  He said, "Thank you." twice during the show.  He also 
said something in Japanese.  Adam stood with head on 
cords and so did Justin.  Danny was going off!  Ending, 
Maynard comes to the front of the stage and throws two 
water bottles in the crowd.  Exit stage right.  Danny the last 
this time tossing the sticks.  We didn't want to see the end.  
They always leave me wanting more.  Thank you TOOL.  
 
JRod








Review written by: Rammy (Rammy@merdenoms.net)
Review posted on: 08/10/01 16:32:44 ET


This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

TOOL RULES! Awesome!

SET LIST:

The Grudge
Stinkfist
46 & 2
Schism
Disposition
Reflection
Sober
Parabola
Aenema
Lateralus

Their last song in Japan was "Lateralus". not "Aenema".