Review written by: Mike (mnb808@aol.com) Review posted on: 09/01/98 06:01:49 You might not believe me, but this was my 15th time seeing TooL, and this is my first review. I know what it's like to truly be OGT. I first saw TooL open up for the Rollins Band, back in July '92, in the Fairfax High School Gymnasium, in L.A. Since then, I've seen them all over, Downtown L.A.(Grand Olympic), Hollywood(Palladium), SanDiego(Soma,Rimac Arena), Mexico(MexitLan in T.J.), Ventura Theatre, , Universal Ampetheatre, Pomona(Glasshouse), Santa Fe Dam(Lollapalooza 93), and other places I'm sure I'm forgetting. You get my point, Tool is my favorite band. This was my first time to the Santa Barbara Bowl. I was pleasantly surprised. It was much smaller than I expected. Anyway, on to the review... The show was fucking great. I went with my girlfriend. They only played nine songs, but they were all sOOOOO good, as usual. Part of me was a great opener, it's filled with such emotion and passion. Eulogy was beautiful. The first tear I shed that night was when Maynard sang "You claimed..." The ending to Eulogy was crazier than I've ever heard it before, they were going off. Then came Stinkfist with Buzz, as usual. It was also great, very powerful. I loved the improvisation they did before he sings, "Something kinda sad about..." They played it like I've never heard before. Swamp song was fucking brilliant. The second tear I shed was when he sang "No one told you to COME." It was probably my favorite song of the evening. I really enjoyed Third Eye during the middle of the show. It's a great spot for it, much better than an opener. Then came sober, great as usual, but I wish they wouldn't play it EVERY night. They should take a break from it once in a while. Play something else, like 4degrees. Next came the slow version of PuShit, with the tabla guy. I'd seen it before, and was more captivated by it this time around. The ending was so intense, probably my second favorite song of the night. Along came an Aenema. And finally we got the Jerk-Off. I think it's funny how he has been changing the lyrics to "Fuck you Myself, and Put my foot up your Fucking Ass," but I do hope that he will oneday sing it with the original lyrics. I was bummed when the concert ended. I was hoping so much for just a few more songs. And then came that Hooker Lounge video, and I knew it was over. A really funny part of the night was towards the end, when they decided to take a break, and all just sat around on the stage for a few minutes. This show did not let me down. They never fail to amaze me. They sounded incredible, especially for how much they've been touring recently. They've played so many nights the past few months. I must say that my favorite shows I ever saw were the Two Completly Seperate Experience nights at the Hollywood Palladium back in March. It was my dream come true to see Tool two nights in a row, playing two completely different sets. They played around 25 different songs those two nights. Please God, let them play another two night set sometime again. Their music is so incredible, so intelligent, so passionate, so influential, so meaningful, so spiritual, so abolutely fucking amazing. I hope they take a great break, and come back blaring with another 10 new tunes. See ya @ the next tour...
Review written by: Bill (SWSess@MSN.Com) Review posted on: 09/01/98 00:43:27 Okay. Here it is. Straight forward, no shit. The following is exactly how the show was. It is not open for interpretation, no sir. Just read my words and you'll know exactly the show was, from begining to end. Here we go...The show was as follows: Real Good. The reason for this show's success was not entirely due, however, to the set list (which was in fact real good), nor was it because of the precision and enthusiasm with which the band played (because this, too was good, real good). The reason for the shows success was very simple: Seats! Seats, do you hear me, seats I say!!! Once again I was surrounded by thick skull, jack asses with marine haircuts, but the seats saved me. You see, they couldn't bump into me or step on my head and throat, or put their elbows through my lips thereby shattering my inscissors and Molars. They could not for one moment tear the shirt from my back as they tossed my in a circular motion. Why? I had a seat. It was mine and you jarhead, fuckfaces can't sit with me. You will not invade my space at the Santa Barbara bowl! No!!! Away from me!! You will stay away!!! You can headbutt your butthead friends to your little black hearts' content, but not mine. Mine head shall not be shattered by the likes of you, because I have a seat. Unfortunately though, this new seat thing brought about a new kind of annoyance....the shouter. The young fellow behind me resolved to shouting either "Toooool" or "Fucking Toooool" or "Whooooooo Fuck Yeah, Tooooool" over three hundred and seventy two times over the course of the evening. That's like fifty or sixty times per song. I thought he'd shout himself dry after at least the first song (part of me) but he just kepon goin'. About half way through the show, I told him that actually listening to the music can be a fun and enjoyable method of experiencing a live concert. He looked confused and responded by saying simply, "Toooool". But oh the band was good. Loud and good and tight and emotional and that's all you need to know.
Review written by: Master Reviewer Stinkfst32 (Stinkfst32) Review posted on: 09/01/98 00:15:40 It's been two days since the TOOL show in Santa Barbara and I still can't sleep. I was cleansed and spiritually lifted by the Santa Barbara Bowl experience. This was probably the best TOOL performance I have ever had the pleasure to witness, and I will never forget it. To open with Part of me was awesome, to close with jerk-off was brilliant. To play Third eye and pushit was perfect. I was almost in tears by the end of the slow version of pushit, this band is so ingenious and every single lyric and chord seems to reach out and slam me in my soul. I had the privelege of obtaining pit tickets, and that made the concert even more worthwhile. I looked behind and saw a sea of people I'm sure were wishing they had my seats. My adrenaline was pumping full fuckin' force at this show! The pit was insane and people seemed to have etiquette about the moshpit, they were picking up those who had fallen. The band was dead on, and they sounded great! I remember telling my friend, I hope they play Swamp song, and out of the songs from undertow, they played two, that was one of them. I can't even begin to explain how great this show was. Nothing can ever compare, emotionally, physically, spiritually. I dont want to repeat what has already been said by other TOOLians, but Aenima was the most powerful I have ever heard it. The best thing about TOOL is that their lyrics are vague enough for you to draw your own conclusions about their meaning. To see the graphic of the guy saying, question authority, well that sums up TOOL for me. To me it means, question all things, even yourself-to you it could mean something else entirely. I love this fuckin' band-I only can pray they will tour again soon. Long live TOOL FUCKIN TOOL!!!! "There's no love in FEAR!!!"
Review written by: Tool Head (NA) Review posted on: 08/31/98 23:27:26 I knew this was going to be a very special show. Much better than the night before in Fresno. The Bowl is such an awsome venue to see any band perform. The crowd was way better. The band themselves seemed so happy to play there and reflected through their performance. This was my 12th time seeing them and one of the best shows so far. I cant say enough about this show. I was privlaged to speak to some first time Tool goers and I saw the amazment in their eyes that I remember from my first show and I'm sure it wont be their last because its not enough ...we need more...nothing seems to satisfy
Review written by: Master Reviewer (SOBER@netgate.net) Review posted on: 08/31/98 20:57:26 20% pleasing. 75% very disappointed. 5% pissed OFF! Same act, same set list, same-laim crowd reaction. The highlite of the evening was the redo of "push it" and the final encore of "jerk off" After seeing this show i came to a conclusion that these are not the same people who i saw in 95/96 New year's eve show in oakland. Vincent .C SOBER@netgate.net
Review written by: "The Quiet Guy" (jgrady@cmpnetmail.com) Review posted on: 08/31/98 19:57:25 Hey, y'know I've got to ask, are there any Tool fans out there besides myself that are aware that Tool isn't *just* a band and are actually telling us something important about ourselves and our world? Is it just me? I've seen these guys 5 times now and I've got to say that this show was the most emotionally and spiritually powerful show I've seen, not just Tool, but other bands as well. When Maynard spoke about the coming changes, he wasn't just talking about the band, when they play the video of Tim Leary saying "Question authority, question your need to question", this wasn't just a trippy graphic. This band is trying to tell you something important and it came out in spades in Santa Barbara. I can see Tool getting frustrated that their audience isn't listening to the message he's sending. He also seems a little bored with the people who want to show up, thrash around and kick each other's asses. "It's okay to be angry, just don't be hateful," he said, "Turn fear into love." Are these messages hard to understand? Can you not apply them to the "real world", or is it too difficult to take seriously something that supposed to be entertainment? Fuck that, sometimes there are exceptional artists and thinkers who are "entertainers", but that's just to put the sugar on the medicine. To make it easier to swallow. This is art here people, it's telling you a great deal, and if you listen correctly (as some of us do), you'll find it's actually educational, too. The sound was amazing, the band was tight, the energy in the air was palpable. I'm the "quiet guy" Maynard referred to before playing the beautiful new reworking of "Pushit". I was at the second Palladium show where no one was paying attention to the music. I began yelling at people to be quiet so we could hear this incredible rendition of the song. How can people be that rude? I mean, we came to see this amazing band called Tool, and just because they didn't play the boom-crash version of "Pushit" people ignored them. Christ, doesn't anyone see what great musicians/artists these guys are? It may have been slow, but if everyone could shut the hell up and listen, you might find it's just as powerful as the original, if not then you're obviuosly taking the wrong drugs. Anyway, this show affected me greatly, I didn't want it to end and when it did I wouldn't leave. Something compelled me to stay. Was this a subliminal message sent out to the fans who are hearing the message that Tool has been sending out in their music? I've read some other reviews and talked to some other people who couldn't leave at the end of the show either, while most just filed out as if nothing had happened. I think the others and I were compelled to stay because Maynard was trying to tell us that the band was going to be different, but those who were really listening would still get the message. Don't give up on the band if you believe in the information their songs convey to you, even if the music is different. I hope I'm not wrong, I really like the new direction it looks like Tool's going to take. Frankly, I look forward to it.
Review written by: anomie (garland1@home.com) Review posted on: 08/31/98 17:17:57 One of the things i most enjoyed about this show was that it made me think. Even though it may be things I've heard a thousand times before("think for yourself, question authority"), and even at other Tool shows, it's always good to hear them again. I love the different interpretations of songs they do, and I think I am able to see them in a different light after seeing them performed live. I wouldn't go so far as to claim I understand everything that Maynard or Tool is trying to say in their songs, like he said, misinterpretation is what it's all about, but I do think I learned a bit from the many video and side dialogues offered by Maynard and the band, in addition to the songs. Like when Maynard described the song Aenema as being about, "Learning to swim in the waters of the collective unconcious" thus relating the song to Carl Jung's theories, I began to look at the song differently. Maybe he's not just saying "Fuck all..." this and that solely because he has a personal dislike of these things. Maybe the reasoning runs deeper. Tool is great because they justify the heaviness and aggression to their sound, instead of just playing loud and angry with no introsection at all, like some brainless death metal band or something. But about the show. It was a cool venue, not too big. People have been saying the security was tight, but I started in the back and made my way to the pit for the last song, so it couldn't have been too bad(except for getting thrown over some chairs by a big ape of a security guard once). Jerk-Off, what a great closing song. The pit was going crazy and so was I. Then the pussy mouth Hooker with a P enis thing on the screen. I like the image, my only problem is that I never actually get to hear them play the actual song, which is one of my favorites off Aenema. Oh well. The closing childrens song was cool and strange. It reminded me a little of the Mickey Mouse chant at the end of "Full Metal Jacket". All that aggression leading up to a sweet childrens rhyme, very eerie. Until the next mind expanding, dream dissecting, uplifting, soul crushing experience...Adieu
Review written by: T (TFenner@altavista.net) Review posted on: 08/31/98 16:46:41 Drove 6 hours from San Fran to see them. Was well worth it. Drove back up to SJ Sunday to see them again. They didn't seem to want to really be in SJ. Don't blame them...the tour was supposed to be over in SB anyway...SB show definately better than SJ. Their emotions seemed high, they really seemed to be enjoying themselves- doing something special for their friends that were up from LA...although he did say before AEnima that the song was neither about rectal water sports nor bad real estate choices...at the SJ show he said it WAS about rectal water sports...go figure. The sound in SB was awesome, unfortunately they had to quit early due to noise control laws-very unique show. I'm glad I saw them there, the San Jose show just wasn't as good...too loud, bad acoustics...SB sound was perfect...Seeing Tool is almost a religious experience for me...Seen them 4 times, this was by far the best...And from where I was sitting, Maynard makes a pretty good woman....better than most of us ladies at the show...
Review written by: T (TFenner@altavista.net) Review posted on: 08/31/98 16:46:02 Drove 6 hours from San Fran to see them. Was well worth it. Drove back up to SJ Sunday to see them again. They didn't seem to want to really be in SJ. Don't blame them...the tour was supposed to be over in SB anyway...SB show definately better than SJ. Their emotions seemed high, they really seemed to be enjoying themselves- doing something special for their friends that were up from LA...although he did say before AEnima that the song was neither about rectal water sports nor bad real estate choices...at the SJ show he said it WAS about rectal water sports...go figure. The sound in SB was awesome, unfortunately they had to quit early due to noise control laws-very unique show. I'm glad I saw them there, the San Jose show just wasn't as good...too loud, bad acoustics...SB sound was perfect...Seeing Tool is almost a religious experience for me...Seen them 4 times, this was by far the best...And from where I was sitting, Maynard makes a pretty good woman....better than most of us ladies at the show...
Review written by: Hi8is (tcaesar@castaic.k12.ca.us) Review posted on: 08/31/98 14:04:30 (KABIR: THIS IS THE GOOD REVIEW, KEEP THIS ONE TRASH THE PRIVIOUS) ****IF ANYONE HAS ANY PICTURES/VIDEO/AUDIO OF THIS SHOW EMAIL ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**** This was the 2nd time I saw tool live, and it was defiantly the better of the 2. the unofficial set-list: 1. Part of me 2. Eulogy 3. Stinkfist 4. Swamp Song 5. Third Eye 6. Drum Solo 7. Sober 8. Pushit (new slower version with Danny's teacher) 9. Aenema 10. Jerk-Off 11. Hooker with a Penis (lounge version with pussy/lips video) The show it self was great, the only thing I would have liked to experience was a cover. The bowl was a great venue, sound was clean, crowd was really cool, the security was kinda tight in the area I was located (lawn, front against the railing to the left of the stage). The band was set up with Danny on a raised drum platform on the far left, Maynard to his right, Justin to Maynards right, and Adam on the far right. All the members of the band looked really happy to be playing this show, there emotions were high at all times. After the show my friend Scott and I went to the back dressing room area to try and get a record of Aenima signed, we 1st got to meet Danny, he was a really nice, out going guy, we talked about if they are going to be doing any new work in the studio, "that's what we plain to do after we get done touring." he replied. He was talking about there current zoo lawsuit with some friends , I suggested that they just made there own label, his response was, "that my be the route we decide to take." Next I got Adam to sign the other record (Aenmia is a double record) he was kinda busy and had his hands full so I didn't really get to talk to him. Maynard came out of the dressing room, saw me and said, "ill be back in a while" so I waited for about another 30 minutes and he came back out and signed my record, he looked really tired, there were about 5 others that wanted his signature, so he turned to me and said, "can I borrow this" holding up my pen. Everyone was being really patient and asking him questions and stuff but the only thing he said the whole time was, "can I borrow this." he went back to the dressing room, I can understand how he felt after touring for such a long time. I saw Justin still in the dressing room so I hung around waiting for him to come out, about a hour later he came out with his hands full, I asked him if he could sign my record and he gave me his beer while he signed it. I was talking to him about his old band peach VS. TOOL, and London, when all of a sudden from the dressing room someone yelled, "FUCK YOU!!!" Justin gave me my pen back, walked toward the dressing room and yelled back, "FUCK YOU!!!" this went on between the two for about 10 minutes. So I thanked him for the great performance and we left.(I am going to get my records scanned and email them to kabir.) Great Show, Trevor Caesar
Review written by: Another Kabir (khemraja@lynx.neu.edu) Review posted on: 08/31/98 05:30:52 This is my fourth time seeing Tool and was also the best show yet.. I was one of the unlucky bastards stationed outside without tickets but (shameless plug) thanks to the fine folks at 97.5, I walked away with a pair of great seats.. Everyone else did a fine job of summing up the performance but no one mentioned how amazing the coordination was. The lights were perfectly synced, the breaks came off better. I don't recall ever seeing the band that together before. Most notably, PuShit. I was at the Palladium so I've heard the tablas before but this was rehearsed really well, especially the drum solos.. All in all, words can't describe what must be felt and experienced in order to comprehend. Reading this does the show no justice. The SB Bowl was a great venue, a bit like Red Rocks if anyone's ever seen that. The ppl were also pretty cool, much better than the Ozzfest shows and the redneck hicks that showed up there. And far better than the Palladium show where there were more people looking to kick someone's ass than actually listen to Tool. i do wish though that crowd would shut up every now and again when Maynard tries to say something. I'm not trying to make him out to be some great savior but he's got interesting views.. If only more listened. *** Just as others before me did, I'd also like to ask if anyone has tapes of this performance, I'd like to know. MP3's would be ever better.. Thanks. ***
Review written by: A&8 (his_ancient@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/31/98 02:54:53 Zealots in the front going to and fro The music starts and they are off. well, until an extended song is played then they stand still swaying in the ruins of their private, perfect, selfish, ritual But at least they move Granted some danced but the rest the rest were mammals in a truck's headlights packed together like a Khmer Rouge mass grave nothing not even air may pass between them In the seats, they sip and kiss they mouth the words they may choose to raise a fist and nod in approval they might not they have the luxury of comfort the music is a constant very good and paid, enjoyed, and approved by all express your approval of the music that helps/defines/heals you in any of the above three ways just don't feel the need to hurt one another in the name of anyone but yourself (whether physically or my writing a snide quip in your concert review) Therefore the blood is on your hands and they'll fear you sooner and I'll know you better Remember Hate yourself Its simpler and cleaner Cody's Fate to us All
Review written by: Tom (vector_m12@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/31/98 02:32:11 Much better venue than when I saw them last time (at the Palladium). Apparently Maynard shot some kid last time they were in Santa Barbara (j/k of course)... Uh.. it's all been said already. Great show. I hope Duncan was there recording away so he can share the mp3s until Tool puts out some new stuff. If anyone's got a recording of the show.. please send me some email! Thanks!
Review written by: Nava (sol2ride@lightspeed.net) Review posted on: 08/31/98 02:07:47 Third time seeing Tool, A great show in an awsome venue. They never stop amazing me with thier musical timming and raw power. The Santa Barbera bowl was the perfect place to see Tool no hassels with the venue workers, very cool croud also. Sad to see the tour come to an end, I would go see the same show 3 more times, however I Cant wait until thier next creation. Nava
Review written by: precious evil (fucked-up-beyond-recognition@beer.com) Review posted on: 08/30/98 23:12:52 well several of you were confused about the set list so this is what it said on the ACTUAL set list: part of me eulogy stinkfist swampsong 3rd eye(vid) sober(short intro) pushit aenema jerk-off(hooker vid...outro) beautiful concert...very front and center in the pit!! definitely worth the 3 hours drive in the scorching sun with no air conditioner. everything was perfect except for some dumbfuck who tried to ruin the show by barraging into everyone. the venue was really nice, too...all in all, one of the best shows of my life. i'd write a really long, intricate review but it seems like everyone else has already done it for me. all i have to say is, you have to see them at least once in your life. without the melvins!! god they sucked...
Review written by: FezuS (webmaster@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/30/98 21:42:54 iT WAS GOOD it was fun, it hurt, imbruisedand cut, i reeked of nicotine smoke, marijuana smoke, cloves smoke, and beer smoke.. dressed in the sweat of many, the 185 mile ride home with the windows down still wasnt enough to air out the smell of a good tool concert. i managed my way past 4 guards by moving a garbadge can and timing my move right..waded through the pit, and ended up against the rail, just as tool was starting the first song. everyone pretty much covered the cool stuff.. at one point..maynard paced the staged in his bra and boxers and asked the crowd if anyone knew what chakras are.. everyone was just screaming "tool!" and "maynard!" and just praising the band during the silent moment, so maynard dropped it and went on to talk about other stuff...then they played a song (GASP!!) the sound was good..but not as perfect as i'd experienced before i must mention.. if you are near me, and you point and zap your little laser at any band member, i will make sure you hurt a little more the next morning, and you can say goodbye to the laser. thank you for your time
Review written by: "dead" taylor (testspecimen23@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/30/98 19:19:42 the second best concert i've been to in my life was last night in santa barbara, TooL...with the Melvins, of course...the only better show was Nine Inch Nails, Hole and Marilyn Manson in dallas in 1994, only because i had better seats... they played: 01 part of me (opiate, 1992) 02 eulogy (ćnima, 1996) 03 stinkfist ć 04 swamp song (undertow, 1993) 05 third eye ć followed by some sort of drum solo by mr carrey, with mr chancellor and mr jones fooling around making acidic noises, then 06 sober u followed by an explanation of the reminances of touring and their changes to the next song and the addition of danny's drumming instructor or something, the song being 07 pushit ć 08 ćnema 09 jerk-off 10 hooker with a penis (video displayed pornographic swing cartoon version) my first tool show, obviously the best, was awesome, despite our seats all the way in the far back left...binoculars helped, though...melvins were a basic nirvana/TooL cross, a sit-out, yet interesting... then TooL came out, and as opposed to his beige priest suit told of in past reviews, maynard was dressed similar to a barbara streisand moteif, as he later mention santa "barbara" being his favorite santa for her reason... great sound, awesome lighting, wish i'd had acid, great crowd, limited merchandise...danny and adam had similar haircuts to their ears, and justin added to his cuteness with a short bleach as opposed to the burr...maynard kept the fetal baldness... beautiful.
Review written by: Hi8is (tcaesar@castaic.k12.ca.us) Review posted on: 08/30/98 18:24:07 ****IF ANYONE HAS ANY PICTURES/VIDEO/AUDIO OF THIS SHOW EMAIL ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**** This was the 2nd time I saw tool live, did it was defiantly the better of the 2, the set-list was: 1. Part of me 2. Eulogy 3. Stinkfist 4. Swamp Song 5. Third Eye 6. Sober 7. Drum Solo 8. Pushit (new slower version with Danny's teacher) 9. Aenema 10. Jerk-Off 11. Hooker with a Penis (lounge version with pussy/lips video) The show it self was great, the only thing I would have liked to experience was a cover. The bowl was a great venue, sound was clean, crowd was really cool, the security was kinda tight in the area I was located (lawn, front against the railing to the left of the stage). The band was set up with Danny on a raised drum platform on the far left, maynard to his right, Justin to Maynards right, and Adam on the far right. All the members of the band looked really happy to be playing this show, there emotions were high at all times. After the show with my friend Scott I went to the back dressing room area to try and get a record of Aenima signed, we 1st got to meet Danny, he was a really nice, out going guy, we talked about if they are going to be doing any new work in the studio, "that's what we plain to do after we get done touring." he replied. He was talking about there current zoo lawsuit with some friends , I suggested that they just made there own label his response was, "that my be the route we decide to take." Next I got Adam to sign the other record (Anemia is a double record) he was kinda busy and had his hands full so I didn't really get to talk to him. Maynard came out of the dressing room, saw me and said, "ill be back in a while" so I waited for about another 30 minutes and he came back out and signed my record, he looked really tired, there were about 5 others that wanted his signature, so he turned to me and said, "can I borrow this" holding up my pen. Everyone was being really patient and asking him questions and stuff but the only thing he said was, "can I borrow this." then he left, I can understand how he felt after touring for such a long time. I saw Justin still in the dressing room so I hung around waiting for him to come out, about a hour later he came out with his hands full, I asked him if he could sign my record and he gave me his beer to hold while he signed it. I was talking to him about his old band peach, and London, when all of a sudden from the dressing room someone yelled, "FUCK YOU!!!" and Justin gave me my pen back, walked toward the dressing room and yelled back, "FUCK YOU!!!" this went on between the two for about 10 minutes. So I thanked him for the great performance and we left.(I am going to get my records scanned and email them to kabir.) Great Show, Trevor Caesar
Review written by: Mark Ross (fleury@gte.net) Review posted on: 08/30/98 16:43:27 They can keep on "pushing me and shoving me". I have seen them three times. Each time has been a new experience. After reading most of the reviews, I'd like to add one point not already said. They firmly believe in what they are doing. They have a point to make, and never waiver from it. Maynards voice reflects his passion in each song. Live, The video screen illustrates the emotions of the songs, it dosen't take your attention away from the performance, it enhances it. The show was awesome. The emotions were equally as strong. If more bands put their soles into their music, all of us would enjoy more bands like TOOL...until that happens, they are in a catagory by themselves. TOOL ON! Mark
Review written by: Jared Williams (cl46@thegrid.net) Review posted on: 08/30/98 16:36:13 I have never experienced TOOL until last night. It was an experience that I will never forget. I'm at a loss for words, I was left totally spechless. My friend has been a fan since their first album. I had heard some of there music, but never turned it up loud if you know what i mean. Well i can say there is NO BAND BETTER! when we were driving to Santa Barbara and listening to the UNDERTOW cd I knew I was in for a treat! When I heard the first live song I knew I was in for a lot more!!. They are the most talented group known to the man in my eyes. Have you ever heard something so good so extrodinary? So powerful that you know with out a doubt that there is nothing better? Well that is TOOL there is nothing better and i havent heard everything of theirs yet. I came just a person and i left a crazed TOOL MONSTER!!! This is power! They are the best in every way, from their outstanding concert effects to Maynards amazing voice. I suggest that any everybody experience at least one TOOL show. Jared
Review written by: Master Reviewer (sethman@thegrid.net) Review posted on: 08/30/98 16:09:29 Does anyone Know if they played a slightly different version if "jimmy" at the SB show last night, I got there late and a couple people told me they played eleven which I assumed was probably jimmy and they said maynord sang it differently...? So if ya know if it was in the setlist for sure, any info is appreciated. peace
Review written by: Master Reviewer (sethman@thegrid.net) Review posted on: 08/30/98 14:19:20 No words could do this experience justice, the venue was awesome, and the band seemed to be in good spirits, I wish I had gotten to my seat before they opened with part of me, but oh well. Maynards movements on stage were beyond hypnotic, and the AV scree n in the front center just added to a completely ruling show. and to all that didn't know this, TOOL stopped playing after Jerk off at almost 10:00 on the dot, and the santa barbara bowl, shut down at 10:00 so even if they wanted to generous and play more songs they couldn't of because the venue is near a residential area and there is a noise violation law at the SB after ten PM. Thanks to all who showed up, great crowd. peace-OGT
Review written by: " Mia " (succubus27@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 08/30/98 06:35:22 OK lemme first figure out where to start. God Tool has power, it's almost ironic. So around 7, Maynard comes onstage (though it was hard to recognize him in sweat pants and a plain T-shirt, and so short without his high-heels), gives a sweeping look to the half-empty bowl, then says, "OK we'll come in about an hourŠ if you guys wake up by thenŠ" stares, waits for us to scream some more. "'cuz you know, if you're tired we can set up pillows up in the back, so you could lie down if you wanna sleepŠ" He introduces the Melvins, who played one song I liked, but it didn't feel like the concert had started yet-the sun was still up, people were still coming in. Most didn't give a shit about the Melvins, and were busy getting their artillery to get drunk. I'm not sure if the crowd booed them or cheered out of happiness when they left. By the time the sun set, the lights went off, the agonizing pain ended, I stopped twitching uncontrollably and cracking every single joint in my body and screamed along with the crowd to welcome Tool onstageŠ Justin shirtless in the middle, Adam to the right, then a sexy weird goth chick in front of the tall drum set and its tall drummer. I'm thinking, "Damn, what kind of freaky girlfriend did Maynard find this time??" So the sexy weird goth chick turns around, and I just feel like slapping myself for underestimating the extent to which Maynard's own creativity can lead him. Maynard starts with something like, "We've been touring for about two months, and this was supposed to be our last showŠ we went thru Santa Cruz, Santa this Santa that, but I have a personal thing with Santa BarbaraŠ reminds me of a great influence, Mrs. Barbara Straisand (?) to whole I dedicate this outfitŠ" You know, his usually humor. Part of Me. The great floaty mesmerizing and soothing beginning of Eulogy, greatly performed. Guest Melvins' Buzz Osbourne is invited to play Stinkfist ("This is a song about deep penetrating love"Š), did a good job I guess-did he modify some lyrics or did I just get high by breathing the THC flavored oxygen? The floor and the benches were vibratingŠ Maynard strips, looses the long black curly hair wig and the sexy long dressŠ With the blood red light in the background, from the back he looked like a weird being made of tight Guns'n'Roses shorts, a bra and his spine tattoo on his back connecting the two. He was having a good timeŠ The huge background screen either had weird indescribable patterns that moved with the music, weird half human things moving, or was bright red. Maynard goes, "this is gonna the last songŠ" Waits for enough to get mad and boo him loud enough, then goes onŠ "before the next song!!!" HA-HA-HA. I love this guyŠ "There's a difference between anger and hateŠ" Swamp song. A Timothy Leary on the screen, with colors and shapes moving like we're just all on LSDŠ "Think for yourself, question authorityŠ think for yourself, question authorityŠ Don't let authority guide you through political, educational, cultural meansŠ" Inspiring and trippy. By the time they had finished the introduction to Third Eye, I had screamed uncontrollably so much already that when I tasted blood in the bottom of my throat, I shut the fuck up and listened. You know, I realize that this review doesn't sound that enthusiastic, but don't get me wrong, this concert was amazing. It's just that I naturally think too much, and Tool is a 'thinking person's band' like this guy put it. I knew I would start thinking too much and cry when they'd play Third Eye, which I completely did. My friend had tears streaming on her cheeks during the whole show, but for different reasons. Oh my fucking God this isŠ nevermind I'll blow up again. There was a great drum solo at a certain point, and I just looked up at all the constellations-you could see the stars and the milky wayŠ All aspects of the show were great. The place was about to burst it was so fullŠ Long intro to Sober, great song. Maynard chit chats again, "We've been doing this new experimental thing during the tourŠ Danny's drummer teacher will join usŠ I hope you guys like it." Blah blah blah. I love the guy, it seems as though stage fright is not part of his vocabulary. He talks to the crowd like to a friend. Beautiful slower version of Pushit. People even got out lighters and waved them like you do at a Š at a Barbara Straisand concert or something. At the end, each member of the band waits for his turn to get to hug the drummer teacher, who is incredible at those oriental drums, and thank him. At a certain point you saw this guy playing Game Boy on the screen, saying repeatedly, "Help-Help-H-H-Help-Help-Do YOU know the meaning of life?? H-Help. Do YOU know the meaning of life?? Help." Maynard goes on, "We'd like to thank all of you for being here, for making it to hereŠ we'd like to thank the special people in hereŠ we have a something for you special people who made in from LAŠ" So the LA people screamed, and that included meŠ "This song is often misinterpretedŠ Some people think it's about bad real estateŠ" Screams rise, more little green phosphorescent tubes fly down. "or about water sportsŠ But it's about a little more than that. It's about going back to your roots, to crawling back to that vulnerable place, that vulnerable yet warm and comfortable place and learning how to swim againŠ" "About choosing compassion over fearŠ to have the strength to be vulnerableŠ to have to strength to cryŠ to have the strength to evolveŠ" Heavy breathing, guess what song. The people got wild in the pit, but in the upper sections people were more, floating, or swimming shall I say. I took a look around and most of us looked like snakes charmed and hypnotized by the music. Jerk-Off. Maynard pretending to jerk-off as he sangŠ Tool slaps you back down to reality, but does it in a different dimension. I was trying to compare the planet I felt on there, and the one I'll be on soon enough. And I though, Fuck it, I like this one better, I wanna stay here!! But as soon as I though that, they finished the song, waved by, had the lounge pussy-lipped and dickface version of Hooker with a Penis, and before anyone could realize it was over, the lights went on, the techies packed up while this cute happy FAO-Swartz-toy-store children song went on, "Welcome to our worldŠ welcome to our worldŠ welcome to our world of toys!!! Welcome to our world, welcome to our worldŠ" Funny to see drunk metal heads singing that. I refused to get my ass up out of the bowl until the security guards were telling us, "come on you're the last ones, you gotta leaveŠ" So we dragged ourselves out, and my quadriceps were shaking uncontrollably as I went down the hillŠ This event wasŠ outlandish, I don't know. I'm surprised they have Tool show on this planet. It's something meant to happen on Mars or Venus or something. I apologize to the people around me for making them go more deaf than they were meant to, and for not being able to sit still in only one position. I hope that anyone who hasn't seen Tool live yet one day gets to experience swimming in this ocean of lights and noise and harmonious chaosŠ I congratulate the few of you who've actually followed my words up to here. I gotta go think and reluctantly drag myself out of this exile I put was inŠ Did you notice that Star-Trek Vulcan sign Maynard did?? "Live long and Prosper."
Review written by: Anthony Azzari (aazzari@tcsn.net) Review posted on: 08/30/98 05:12:08 Well I would post a set list, except there is already one here, and it is pretty damn exact. Anyway... this was my first Tool show, and the first show I've seen in Santa Barbara. I would like to start off by saying, if you have the opprotunity to see a show in SB, then do it. There is no bad seat at all. I was in section B, way at the top... but even there I was pretty damn close. But to my opinion... The show kicked ass, exactly what I expected. They played the newer version of pushit, and maynar d talked about how the song ment a lot to him. The people however did not seem too energetic, almost like they couldn't care about the band they were seeing. Maynard even noted on how he thought the crowd was 'sleeping'. However I was rather upset tha t they did not play No Quarter. But the instrumental they did play was probebly enough to let them go on this one.
Review written by: Steven Selzer (khammett@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/30/98 04:37:11 beautiful concert. it was very emotional, even on the harder songs. tool definitely adds emotion to their music live that just can't be felt on a studio recorded album, and it was a great experience for me, and those around me. there's nothing i can say that hasn't been said before, but this concert was simply beautiful.
Review written by: david (glusku@earthlink.net) Review posted on: 08/30/98 04:34:47 wow!!! this show was absolutly beutiful!the crowd was a little on the mellow side,but you could tell,everyone was diggen there show in a big way.i was talkin to my friend before the show,wondering why korn is being called the big hard rock band of the 90's,and not tool.dont get me wrong, korn does some cool stuff,but with juvinile lyrics and 3 minute songs,main stream america just laps it up.i bring this up because tonight, maynard talked about things in between songs that you know he means,but just dosnt have the time on stage to fully explain or make clear to most average joes.ya just find yourself wanting to know more. so here is my point.tool is the thinking persons band,and is not for simple minded moshers. the set was done differently than most of the aenima shows ive seen.the new version of pushit was incredible!! the bowl is an incredible place to see a show.different instramentel before sober. a great interlude midway through jerk-off.maynard , who seems to be staying away from hatefull lyrics,changed "shoot you myself" to "fuck you myself"and"fuck-you-up-your fuckin ass"at the end.i hope that most werent too drunk to get the message of healing in the music.hopefully we'll hear more from reverend maynard soon.god bless him.most of us sure could use a little of what he has.tool is THE band of the 90's!!!e mail me if you have this show. peace
Review written by: Tim (fezzywig@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/30/98 03:51:07 This was my first tool show. Imagine how suprised I was when Maynard came out in a blue sequence(?) dress and a black wig. I have to say I was hyped up much. I expected more than I got, but at the same time, It was extremley different from what I expected. It was an almost spiritual experience. The highlight for me, was a "change" for pushit, where the drummers teacher joined in. He seemed to be very close to the band. It just fucking rocked. I can't wait to experience this agian.
Review written by: LOWDID (DrumZone13@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/30/98 03:21:31 Oops I spelled Stinkfist wrong on my previous post . So shoot me in my fucking head !!!!!!
Review written by: LOWDID (DrumZone13@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/30/98 02:59:27 Official - Unofficial song list 1. Part of me 2. Eulogy 3. Sinkfist 4. Swamp Song 5. Third Eye 6. Sober 7. Pushit 8. Aenema 9. Jerkoff Tool is Tool, but anyone would have to agree if they went to the show in Fresno last night, that this show was much better!! Plus the fact that Maynard's choice of "dress" and wig was quite elogant. (tribute to Barbara Streisand). Although the crowd was a bit calmer. The band seemed a lot more happy to be playing tonight, and Maynard was quite a bit more animated. Highlight of the show was when Danny's drum teacher sat in for Pushit. Buzz from the Melvins played on one song - Stinkfist. (surprise surprise) I dare to say that this could be called "The Best" show on this tour, and I am sure anyone that has been following the tour would agree with me. Maynard did make comments that led me to believe that he wasn't too happy about having to play San Jose tomorrow... but as I said in the beginning Tool is Tool and I am sure they will put on a great show !!
Review written by: Master Reviewer (na) Review posted on: 08/30/98 02:36:25 KICK ASS SHOW!!!!
Reviews posted before 11:35 PM California time the night of the show were lost due to a server error. Sorry folks.