From: GPEPIN@FSC.EDU
Subject: The Strand Review 11.26.96

After driving two and a half hours, I arrived at the Strand theatre
in Providence, RI.  It was a very cold night out, and I was wearing
very little.  I got at the end of the line at exactly 8:00 and stayed
in line for about 45 minutes, and finally got in around quarter to nine.
The Strand was pretty packed by the time I got in; I'd say that there were
already 300-400 people scattered around the place.

Psychotica came on around 9:30 and played a *really* good set.  Although
the music was really good(and really loud), I couldn't stop laughing at
some of the band's antics.  The lead singer came out in a white rubber
skinhugging suit(which was pretty cool).  He followed in many glam
rock band's footsteps in saying something like, "Providence, are you
ready to rock".  Then the rest of the band came out(whew).  There was
a rather beautiful woman with her hair up in horns(seems to be a theme)
, the chelloist, and the cheesy glam rock guitarist.  I stood there
for about ten minutes wondering what the horned woman was there for...that
is until I heard her scream(my ears are still ringing from that).  She did
a really cool evil voice too.  They finished their set around 10:00 and
the stage crew began breaking down the set.

There was music for about another fifteen minutes of music(Evil Empire).
Then there was the trademarked intro for another fifteen minutes.  I was 
really relaxed by that music.  BTW, does anyone know if TOOL composed 
that?

TOOL finally came on around 10:30 and started with Stinkfist.  I was so in
awe by their opening song that I didn't realize I was standing in the 
eye of a pit, seemingly untouched. All until I got hit from the back and 
front simultanaeously.   By the end of the song I was wedged between
a large hairy man and the steps at the back of general admission, and
that pissed me off.  People were still pushing back and forth trying to
open
a pit in the back.

Ok, here's where I'll probably get flamed later.

I'd like to comsider my self an 'OGT' of sorts.  Around X-mas of '92
a freind of mine visiting from out west played Opiate for me.  I 
ordered the disc the next day and have been a faithful fan since.
I saw them once at Lollapalooza and was very amazed by the music, the
band's stage presence, and just the 'life' of the experience.
Well, last night was hardly that.  After being forced to the back, I found 
a spot where I could view the band without getting mauled.  I watched
the whole show from there and just wasn't impressed.  Maybe it's because
I've been reading everyone else's concert reviews.  Everything that 
people have written about happened exactly how they said it. It
probably would have been a better show if it had been more spontanaous.
I don't remember the set list exactly, but it went something like:
Stinkfist, Forty Six & Two, Eulogy, H, Prison Sex, Jimmy, Sober, 
and ended with opiate.  And yes, it was a *very* short set.  They 
were done by 11:30.  And yes, thats one hour.  There was one kid
that was next to me for most of the concert and every time that I 
knew what was going to happen, I'd tell him...he was amazed, and disapp-
ointed as well.  Maynard ended by saying, "This is the last
song...(booing)
off our first album(cheering)".  And yes, I Knew he was going to do this
also.  THe funny thing was It really was their last song...Right after
the song they all ran off stage.  I stood my ground, though and was
expecting an encore of Third Eye, but was disappointed.  The lights came 
on and the cops came in, escorting everyone to the exit.  

Needless to say, I was pretty disapponted with the concert.  There was
no life like there was a few years ago.  But, I'll take this as a 
grain of salt and see if they'll do any better tonight in my Home-
town of Fitchburg.  Maybe the guys were sick.  I noticed that 
Maynard wasn't screaming...so That might be it...if that's the 
case, then I'm sorry.  If not, there's no excuse.

Greg
all flames- gpepin@fsc.edu

ps- The ringing is much more of a cricket noise...I feel disgustipated.