Summer 1998 Tour Reviews

Date: 0823


Review written by: Rick Gardner (rgardjr@icehouse.net) Review posted on: 09/01/98 19:30:07 Another incredible show by Tool. I just get more impressed each time I see this band. Maynard spoke more at this show than he has the other two times I've seen him. He was absolutely hilarious. I love the way this guys jam and extend songs live. I did record this with my minidisc recorder and I'm interested in trading for this or other shows from this summer. I will eventually rip some of the songs to MP3 and get them up on the net for all to enjoy. I can't wait to see these guys again.

Review written by: Luke (luke@flyfishingworld.com) Review posted on: 08/31/98 17:25:40 All I can say is that Tool was extremely awsome. The Melvins were awsome too. Too bad they never let Kurt Cobain join. If any one taped this show please e-mail me so we can work out a trade.

Review written by: Paul "Dedicated" (Laszlo888@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/28/98 13:34:46 Tooooooooooooooooooooollllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...... OK well i'v just got one quick thing to ask, Did anyone hear the persons name maynard "Dedicted" Pushit too ??? Best Show i'v EVER seen by the way !! Tool ARE THE BEST BAND IN THE WORLD !!....shh....Dont tell everyone though !! E-mail me if you know what h said,AHH hell E-Mail if you went at all !!! Tooooooooooooooooooooollllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll......

Review written by: Darryl Brown (outcastt99@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/28/98 03:25:20 I saw TOOL in Seattle and it was the coolest thing I have ever done in my whole life. For the last two months after i I got tickets that is all I could think of. I was on the floor trying to get into the biggest pits and closer to the stage, I alm ost past out twice but I kept on going, I went with twelve of my friends and it was the kill party. It was a drug in its self, that is the only way I could think of describing the show, TOOL, you guys are awsome and I'm waiting for your new album. Darryl Brown

Review written by: Daniel (ScorpioEagle23@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/27/98 12:14:38 This was a great show...stood outside with a sign that said "XTRA TICKET OR DOSE ME" and the bass player for Nirvana (no shit at all) gave me one of his complimentary tickets...tons of hot chicks in the Arena that night...TO THE GIRL I TALKED TO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW: If you are reading this, e-mail me so we can get together (!!!)...they played Download to start the mood right, then the lights went out and Tool came on-stage... Maynerd in his televangelist costume and the rest of the Tool players wearing their respective street clothing...they started off with Sweat, which really surprised me, then some guy behind me disassociated his body from his mind and almost ruined the whole concert for me...I had to watch the show far from Maynerd, but it was still great...Eulogy came next, which was unfuckingbelievable... and also Maynerd talked to the crowd more often than any other Tool show I'd been to...the next song was Undertow, the only song I do not know by heart (synchronicity?), it was absolutely brilliant... Maynerd's use of the delay switch for his voice was absolutely trip-inducing, and I was almost sober (one hit of herb) and I felt like I was frying most of the night...he played You Lied, their cover song that I've never heard before, and I swear Maynerd looked at me and made a face which conveyed the emotion that he was as surprised as I was!!!...great song, by the way...He played Stinkphist, Sober, 46 and 2 (which was phenomenal!!!), oh yeah, the new version of Pushit which should win a Grammy award, because it is a very good and truly beautiful song...the last song was Aenima and they left for a short while, when they brought out this Terminator-skeleton-alien "My grandma, what big hands you have"...then they played Opiate, then FLOOD!!! my fav Tool song...at the beginning of the show I was yelling FLOOD so I can hear it, and it was the last song!!! True bliss, my friends...to avoid the basic cliche`s (too late?), this was a great show, Maynerd's vocal tricks, the image show, including the great lounge version of Hooker with a Penis, Maynerd's stripping, Adam and Justin's trippy guitar playing, the drum solo, and, of course, the crowd made this a great addition to the Church of Jesus Fucking Christ (the only part I didn't like was the fact that Maynerd left for a while then came on stage and looked as if he was posing for pictures...maybe he was frying and wanted to see flashes!!!)

Review written by: BluntTrash (trash420@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/27/98 12:06:28 Okay i'm the first person to say i'm not the biggest TOOL fan out there but this was definately the best concert i have gone to so far. I was amazed to see how many people didn't know the words to MOST of the songs. I admit i was lost in the first song it took me a few minutes to figure out what the fuck they were playing. but anyway. the concert was great. Melvins were alright but they were a little to slow for me. i prefer the faster type music. The strange thing was that the Melvins mosh pit was much m ore violent i saw one guy get escorted out because he was beaten the shit out of people in it. Anyway finally the Melvins got done and about 10 minutes later Maynard pops out. He was dressed as a um Televangelist or some shit like that. I couldn't see him that well until later in the concert. The mosh pit went ape shit during Stinkfist, 46&2 and AENIMA fortunately i was in the Mosh pit during 46&2 and Aenima it was the best mosh pit i've ever been in but then agian i've only been in two well i hope i do this damn Set List right and i know i'll have all the RIGHT songs in it. For all those morons who put down Crawl Away and ???? or NEW SONG SET LIST: Sweat Eulogy Stinkfist w/buzz You Lied w/buzz Push It (slow version) Sober (long ass drum solo) 46&2 Aenima Encore: Opiate Flood Finale: Hooker With a Penis talking screen show. So thats the setlist and the my fav. songs they played were Eulogy, 46&2 and the best time i had in the Mosh Pit was Aenima I highly suggest going to a tool concert and going in the mosh pit becase its not that violent and the people around you are usually pretty cool and will save your ass from falling down. So if a Tool concert is coming your way GO TO IT.

Review written by: Erik "Jerk Off" Wilson (kriskdf@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 08/27/98 02:26:47 Well, my three friends and I went to see TOOL. I was the only one who had a General Admission Ticket, so my firends, (Adam, Kris, and Andrew) had to bribe a corrupt security guard to be able to get on the floor to be able to yell shit at the Melvins. (Buzz, I'm sorry, but YOU are the "Bob Marley wanna-be- mother fucker...ok? get a goddamn haircut) Anyway, we got on the floor and wormed our way nearer to the front. Note: I'm gonna skip the Melvins, cause I don't want to hurt their feelings. So the reverend Maynard comes out to introduce the Melvins and get this, no one realizes it was him! Everyone is stupid! I hate everyone! But I digress. So when the actual show begins, Maynard comes out dressed as THE REVEREND in a grey Bill Graham outfit with a bad ass tie and a big white wig, kinda reminiscient of Phil Donahue. He proclaimed that this was the "Church of Jesus Fucking Christ" and proceeded to lead the band on a dizzying whirlwind set of many different selections from albums both old and new. (By the way, when he danced to the music, he did so in an almost robotic fashin, much like when television evangalists "catch the spirit." He read from the Bible before they started Stinkfist. Quoth Maynard, "'Nieva, I will lift thy skirts to expose thy nakedness to all nations.' That basically means you should all get naked..." big roar from crowd. "...Then go into the lobby and buy a t-shirt..." Many cries of "Fuck you Maynard!" "...Just kidding, it means you should all start fucking!" Much applause. For those interested, the Bible verse that Maynard quoted is in the old testament. In the Book of Nahum, chapter 3, verses 5-7. Depending on which version your parent's Bible is, verses may vary. $4.99 a minute. For entertainment purposes only.

Review written by: bastardometer (bastardometer13@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/26/98 15:30:25 Tool was again perfect. I dont see how anyone could get more out of a concert experience than with Tool. I walked up to the Mercer Arena where tool was playing from Hempfest which had some bands playing and some activists trying to legalize marijuana, which is cool by me. One had an excellent point saying that pot is the only drug that you cant overdose on..youll just fall asleep. It was a breeze entering the venue..plus i didnt have any recording devices. It is a small arena but the upper seats werent filled the whole night. Maynard came walking out in normal clothes and introduced the Melvins as a band of teenagers. It was odd because i felt that i was one of few to recognize Maynard at this time. MAYNARD!! I was able to laugh at his humor because i knew he was kidding. Many dont realize some things at their first Tool show but i had seen them last year at lolla and two nights before in Portland plus many video bootlegs and could know what to expect...Invoking music and the run of the mill dumbfuck moshers affecting your ability to enjoy the best band ever. I still was up as close can be on the floor when Maynard came out as a Reverend with the others normal looking. They rip into Sweat. It was very different from the versions ive heard before..kept everybody missing beats-you know the one..weve all done it before. Maynard then said the stuff about doing the lords work. This isnt the house of Jesus or of Christ but Jesus FUCKING Christ with a loud, exaggerated tone. Then can i get an Amen, a hallelujah. They did Eulogy then Maynard introduced Buzz as his wicked stepmother as he steps up with additional guitars on Stinkfist-he really adds a cool effect to the song and his part has evolved, let say, to emphasize what makes it sound so cool backing Adams Guitarwork. Buzz stuck around for You Lied, a cover from Justins old British band, Peach. Justin sings the last verse with Maynard. Tim Leary gives his think for yourself, vulnerable yet comfortable spot speach on the projector screen as the Band starts 46 and 2. They then played Undertow. Sweat and this were the only changes from Part of Me and Swamp Song in Portland. The asked the crowd to listen at a diffent angle as they play the slower opening version of Pushit-it is beautiful to hear even from the john as i had to relieve myself. I came back in and the song finishes up in its powerful aggressive, style. I work into the crowd closer to the band and know after these wierd effects and drum solo that theyll play Sober and all the radio, mtv friendly crowd will go crazy and tire out allowing me to slip in for Aenema, Opiate, and Flood. I really felt that most people are hopeless freaks and dumb founded dipshits as they push and jump and headbang to the few lyrics they know. They all sit down by Danneys set and a wierd alien from Aenema vid comes out slightly jigglying. The Play Opiate and the alien spins and tweaks out. I havent heard of theis being at other shows- i wonder if Adam makes stuff on the road. Then they right into Flood after Opiate and left the stage after Maynards says heres a treat for you. Its the lounge version of Hooker w a Penis where a pussy and some dicks sing it. great show-unbelievable-couldnt talk afterwards Three more things-They dedicated Pushit to Paul D'Mour(know how to pronounce it know)he is from Spokane, WA and before opiate i believe, Maynard has us all say happy birthday Kevin(willis)the artwork dude and the guy fucking the stan winston corpse in opite liner notes i think-and third, i found out the next day Noiseland Arcade played the day before the show at a small club..look for them(Adam and Buzz)

Review written by: Adam D (ThirdEye66@aol) Review posted on: 08/25/98 07:12:41 This was my first Tool concert ever and it was !0 times better than I thought it would be. I have been a big fan of Tool and i have been awaiting their concert for years now. I didnt really have a favorite song cause they all KICKED FUCKIN ASS BABY!!!!!!!!! i wish they would have played some more songs thought. Like ThirdEye and Jerk off, but im not complaining. If they would have just played pushit all night i would have been happy. or even if Maynard just stood up there and talked all night. I hope Tool comes out with a new album soon cause u can only listen to opiate, undertow and aenima so many times. Well thats about it. If u didnt like the concert ell i guess there is only o thing to say to u "FUCK YOU BUDDY!!!!!!" alright im outta here TOOL FOREVER BABY!!!!!!!! MAYNARD IS JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review written by: Paul "Burlyman" Verge (burlyguy@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/25/98 00:27:48 Well........ I came with my girlfriend all the way down from Vancouver to the Mercer Arena in Seattle. Damn border crossing made us wait an hour and a half but we were well on our way and we finally made it to Seattle, we found parking luckily right next to the Arena and all the way there were people with signs saying "I NEED TOOL TICKETS" or the like; my favorite was "Will do sexual favours for Tool tickets." We got in after being metal detected, which they dont have in Canada (probably because we arent all gun- toting... hehehehe) and sat down stage left where Maynard introduced a new band of 16 and 17 year olds called Mungy the Clown (pronounced Mun-jee) who were of course, the Melvins. We really couldnt see the Melvins except for Buzz and his big curly afro. They were OK. A little slower than I had hoped, but a few good songs, kind of Tool- impresario type of music, but when the tempo sped up a little pit opened up and the Slayer thrashers started up. Hmm, interesting I thought, as a security guard pulled one of the more violent thrashers out of the pit and ejected him OUT of the concert. HAHAHA thats what you get for being a Fuckstick, you miss Tool. Anyways, after the Melvins, who had their original drummer come up and play "Sacrifice" and the singer was telling everyone to be quiet (which of course they were happy not to oblige).... the lights came up and the arena was filled with some electro synth type new age laser music that went on for like 20 minutes or so, in which time some guy who smoked up too much (must have been good old B.C. bud) fainted right there and then attracting a lot of the crowd. But he got up and was ok after like 5 minutes. So this tripped out laser synth music played louder and louder surrounding the crowd and almost calming us all down despite our anticipation to hear Maynard and the boys. And so it happened...... The lights dimmed and all came out. Maynard draped in his Billy Graham uniform, Justin, no shirt, Danny in Tool shirt, and Adam dressed all in black. And Maynard announced the shit about the Church of Jesus Fucking Christ. And they launched into Sweat. WICKED SONG... the crowd was crazy, but I am happy to say, and i was 5 people from the front at the farthest for the whole concert, that the drunk ass fucks that punch people out (who have apparantly been a problem at other venues) were virtually non-existant during this concert, just a bunch of people who no more violent than Maynard on stage contorting and thrusting along with the music. He really likes to hump the air. The set list went on as follows: Sweat -- Eulogy --(done perfectly) Stinkfist -- w/Buzz (Afro) Melvin coming out to join them You Lied --(you know the old Peach song) w/Buzz and Justin backing vocals 46 + 2 --(hehehehehe) Pushit --(new slow version, really good) Long Intro --leading into Sober -- Aenima -- (i love this song) After Maynards long description of the next song's meaning. :) THANK YOU VERY MUCH EVERYONE!! YOU'VE BEEN FABULOUS. ***ENCORE*** Big Terminator/Alien design like Opiate cover comes out as the band rests and talks in front of Danny's drum kit and the all get up, grab their gear and Justin plays the bass lead in for... Opiate -- which just when i thought it would end, (and hoped it would lead into...) it led into... Flood -- (Big closer. ASS KICKING! My favorite song out of all 3 albums) Hooker with a penis -- Lounge version video with talking cunt and flying talking penises. And finally some happy song Welcome to my world of toys -- or something like that Maynard said lots of funny, witty shit and those who think he's being too theatrical, hmmm, do you want him to be the same for ever, not to grow and change and be different. I liked the Maynard I saw last night. He was there to please and to spread his message, does he have to do anything else? Being theatrical is his choice to have a little fun. So there. Read other reviews to know exactly what he said. The MUSIC is there and they played it with feeling even if they dont ROCK OUT on stage. Maynard chooses to because he is evoking his emotion through voice. The others have shown feeling because they created the music in the first place, so give them a break, they PLAY awesome and the crowd is pleased so if its not good enough for you then here's a big bag of FUCK YOU!!! So that was the concert, the first time seeing Tool for this Canuck who doesnt live in a fucking igloo, and if i did I would have to use a bicycle to create the electricity to power my computer for writing this review (and i use two cans and a piece of string for a modem) Laterz.. and down with TOOL FUCKING TOOL shirts, some guy created them who sucks, not the band.. you like Tool? MAke your own ORIGINAL SHIRT. The Burly Blond Guy

Review written by: Paul "Burlyman" Verge (burlyguy@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/25/98 00:26:04 Well........ I came with my girlfriend all the way down from Vancouver to the Mercer Arena in Seattle. Damn border crossing made us wait an hour and a half but we were well on our way and we finally made it to Seattle, we found parking luckily right next to the Arena and all the way there were people with signs saying "I NEED TOOL TICKETS" or the like; my favorite was "Will do sexual favours for Tool tickets." We got in after being metal detected, which they dont have in Canada (probably because we arent all gun- toting... hehehehe) and sat down stage left where Maynard introduced a new band of 16 and 17 year olds called Mungy the Clown (pronounced Mun-jee) who were of course, the Melvins. We really couldnt see the Melvins except for Buzz and his big curly afro. They were OK. A little slower than I had hoped, but a few good songs, kind of Tool- impresario type of music, but when the tempo sped up a little pit opened up and the Slayer thrashers started up. Hmm, interesting I thought, as a security guard pulled one of the more violent thrashers out of the pit and ejected him OUT of the concert. HAHAHA thats what you get for being a Fuckstick, you miss Tool. Anyways, after the Melvins, who had their original drummer come up and play "Sacrifice" and the singer was telling everyone to be quiet (which of course they were happy not to oblige).... the lights came up and the arena was filled with some electro synth type new age laser music that went on for like 20 minutes or so, in which time some guy who smoked up too much (must have been good old B.C. bud) fainted right there and then attracting a lot of the crowd. But he got up and was ok after like 5 minutes. So this tripped out laser synth music played louder and louder surrounding the crowd and almost calming us all down despite our anticipation to hear Maynard and the boys. And so it happened...... The lights dimmed and all came out. Maynard draped in his Billy Graham uniform, Justin, no shirt, Danny in Tool shirt, and Adam dressed all in black. And Maynard announced the shit about the Church of Jesus Fucking Christ. And they launched into Sweat. WICKED SONG... the crowd was crazy, but I am happy to say, and i was 5 people from the front at the farthest for the whole concert, that the drunk ass fucks that punch people out (who have apparantly been a problem at other venues) were virtually non-existant during this concert, just a bunch of people who no more violent than Maynard on stage contorting and thrusting along with the music. He really likes to hump the air. The set list went on as follows: Sweat -- Eulogy --(done perfectly) Stinkfist -- w/Buzz (Afro) Melvin coming out to join them You Lied --(you know the old Peach song) w/Buzz and Justin backing vocals 46 + 2 --(hehehehehe) Pushit --(new slow version, really good) Long Intro --leading into Sober -- Aenima -- (i love this song) After Maynards long description of the next song's meaning. :) THANK YOU VERY MUCH EVERYONE!! YOU'VE BEEN FABULOUS. ***ENCORE*** Big Terminator/Alien design like Opiate cover comes out as the band rests and talks in front of Danny's drum kit and the all get up, grab their gear and Justin plays the bass lead in for... Opiate -- which just when i thought it would end, (and hoped it would lead into...) it led into... Flood -- (Big closer. ASS KICKING! My favorite song out of all 3 albums) Hooker with a penis -- Lounge version video with talking cunt and flying talking penises. And finally some happy song Welcome to my world of toys -- or something like that Maynard said lots of funny, witty shit and those who think he's being too theatrical, hmmm, do you want him to be the same for ever, not to grow and change and be different. I liked the Maynard I saw last night. He was there to please and to spread his message, does he have to do anything else? Being theatrical is his choice to have a little fun. So there. Read other reviews to know exactly what he said. The MUSIC is there and they played it with feeling even if they dont ROCK OUT on stage. Maynard chooses to because he is evoking his emotion through voice. The others have shown feeling because they created the music in the first place, so give them a break, they PLAY awesome and the crowd is pleased so if its not good enough for you then here's a big bad of FUCK YOU!!! So that was the concert, the first time seeing Tool for this Canuck who doesnt live in a fucking igloo, and if i did I would have to use a bicycle to create the electricity to power my computer for writing this review (and i use two cans and a piece of string for a modem) Laterz.. and down with TOOL FUCKING TOOL shirts, some guy created them who sucks, not the band.. you like Tool? MAke your own ORIGINAL SHIRT. The Burly Blond Guy

Review written by: Kelly (groverx@rogers.wave.ca) Review posted on: 08/25/98 00:24:04 This was my first TOOL concert after two long years of waiting. It was an amazing experience...definitely worth the 3 hour drive and the 46 Canadian dollars. highlights for me included: - intermission music between the melvins' set and when TOOL began (pls e-mail me if you knew who or what that was) - maynard's creepy evangelist outfit - maynard's breasts - buzz melvin's "sideshow bob" appearance - video show and projected graphics - the closing combo of opiate and flood my only complaint was the sound...it was so bad..maynard was drowned out by the bass a lot of the time...and that's a shame since he's got such a great voice does anyone else have any comments on the sound...?

Review written by: Mark Taylor (mark462@ior.com) Review posted on: 08/24/98 22:10:22 It was my fifth time seeing Tool last night & yet it's amazing every time I see them. Danny has got to be the biggest drummer around & when he sets the tone for the rest, it sure shows. I can't think of another band that sounds as together as this band. Maynard doesn't sing, he plays an instrument. His voice compliments the guitar & the guitar, the bass...When I listen to them, especially live, I can't help but think, "How can ANYONE be so good? How can a band compliment each other so well?". That's just the music. That doesn't even include the lyrics and the meaning I get from their songs. It was well worth another drive from Spokane to yet another show at the Church of Jesus Fucking Christ... Until again...

Review written by: jeremy (lookseeme) Review posted on: 08/24/98 21:54:36 As normal as expected TOOL fuckin rocked. I got there at around five o'clock, two and a half hours before the show started. It seemed to me like every person I saw asked me if I had an extra ticket. tickets were very hard to find last night, unless u wanted to pay $100-$150. Also before the show not many people reckognized him but none other than Danny Carey was out by the skatepark playing basketball. The Melvins werent as bad as other reviews said they were, they werent that great either, they played a good 45 min. set introduced by MJK. There was about a Half hour intermission to rip down the Melvins equip. and set up TOOLS. Then TOOL took the stage, Maynard in an evangelist outfit and almost immediatly opened up with Sweat, after that the lights dimmed and the only light that shone was on MJK. saying "This is not the church of jesus, this is not the church of christ, this is the church of JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!!!" Eventually MJK released himself of his restrictive theatrical evangelist getup and reached deeper into his soul squeezing, intense,normal state of conciousness, The band wasnt as into it as I've seen them in other shows, MJK was more theatrical in his performance which I'm not so sure if I liked that as much. They played a very cool version of Pushit. This was a very intense show musically. It seemed like they were trying to flush Mercer Arena away Tool is definitely an excellent live band,the best, MJK also seemed to like the crowd this time except for the fight during Pushit, which is a rarity, If anyone has recordings or pics of this show or the one in '96 at UPS Fieldhouse in Tacoma E-mail me I will pay.

Review written by: Madame Sticky (lisa1@nwlink.com) Review posted on: 08/24/98 21:37:41 ok..here is the deal..I have been a massive TOOL fan since OPIATE..and when I first saw them in TUCSON a few years ago during the UNDERTOW tour..I was completley transformed. The amount of energy that the band played with that night was so fukcing unbeliveable..that words cannot explain,but last night I wish Iwould have sold my ticket to someone else...cause I was said that the concert last night did not go that way. I don't mean to be a bith or anything but you know...the only cool thing about TOOL was MAYNARD..the rest of the band didn't sound thaT GREAT....It also could have been cause I was up in the FUCKING stands.....AAAGGGHH!!!!...You don't even know how sad I was that I didn't get to experiance the same feelings I had that night in TUCSON some years ago. ANyway..enough shit...for now...TO anyone that has never seen TOOL liove I highly recommend it still. I stil think that TOOL is so fucking amazing...MAYNARD is a true POET.....I just had to say my peace about this show...BY the way...one good thing about the show...Mucho hot sweaty young guys all around.... .

Review written by: PK Review posted on: 08/24/98 21:04:18 The Seattle show rocked!!! I can definitely say that this show was better than Portland... even though they played the same songs. I liked Sweat better as an opener rather than "part of me." Eulogy was alot better than last night. Maynard got the intro part right on. Stinkfist was Amazing!!! Tool has transformed this song into something that is way better than their album version!!!!! That and "FLood" were my favorite songs of the night." Danny was awesome as usual. Melvins rocked. I was surprised at how many people knew the words to "Opiate." P.S. I AM LOOKING FOR A GUITARIST IN THE SEATTLE AREA (AROUND KING COUNTY) WHO IS INFLUENCED BY TOOL AND CAN PLAY AT LEAST A COUPLE OF THEIR SONGS. I AM A DRUMMER (17 YEARS OLD) WHO HAS BEEN HEAVELY INFLUENCED BY DANNY CAREY AND I CAN PLAY ALOT OF TOOL SONGS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JAMMING OR STARTING A BAND, EMAIL ME......

Review written by: ScreamingSlave (maynard@premier1.net) Review posted on: 08/24/98 19:32:01 Okay, this was my first tool concert and it was unbelievable. First of all the night before the concert the car we were supposed to go in broke down. So we had to scramble and find a car so we could make it there. My friend and I both snuck in Instant camera's so we should hopefully have some good pictures in a few days. Maynard came out and introduced the Melvins as some band with the name "clown" in it. He said that they are a young band who are all 19 years of age. The Melvins were not nearly as bad as some of the reviews implied. Buzz was a riot. I loved his hair. I thought he was a pretty good guitarist but his voice was nothing to be desired. When Tool came out the crowd went crazy. Maynard was dressed up as a televangelist. Maynard came out and said something about "are u ready to hear the word of god" and then the crowd was like NOOOO..then he said "well u have come to the wrong place, You see this is not the church of Jesus, this is not the church of Christ, this is the church of Jesus FUCKING Christ, can u all say Jesus FUCKING christ?" Setlist: Sweat Eulogy Stinkfist(w/ buzz) and an Extra verse You Lied (Justin on backup vocals) Undertow 46+2 Pushit (slow version) Sober (7 minute drum solo-different from the bootlegs i have heard) Aenema Opiate Flood It was really quite funny to look around at everyone's faces during "You Lied" i heard many people mumble that they thought it was a new song. Then before maynard played Pushit he said "this is something we have been trying throughout the tour, it is a new perspective, we need your help. Go down deep into that place.. where u feel vulnerable" Oh.. wait i have a shout to the 2 jock FUCKS that decided to get into a fight when Maynard was yelling " I must persuade you another way." You are the fucks that hold us all back. Well i am just about done talking here. But right before the encore they rolled out this skeleton thing on the the stage. Maynard said "what big hands u have grandma." Flood was the best song they performed all night. I was surprised how many people didn't know the words. If anyone recorded the show... i will do as lyndon will do.. i will remove my left teste for it.. so please contact me at Maynard@premier1.net

Review written by: 1970 Buick GSX (cfd6137@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/24/98 17:28:05 My first time seeing TOOL, even though I been listening to them since Opiate. For some reason I think the guys at ticket master cant figure out which seats are best, because we had crappy seats even though we bought them less than a minute after they went on sale. This concert kicked ass, although no one in the seats wanted to stand... which was lame. But TOOL sounds so much better live than any other band I have seen. The Melvins or whoever they were, were pretty much a piece of crap. Well if you've read this far, the only thing I have to say is go see them next time theyre in the area because they kick ass!!!

Review written by: Joe Sihota (joes@sonic-systems.com) Review posted on: 08/24/98 16:56:38 It was fun.

Review written by: A. J. Kulic (szlappy@sprynet.com) Review posted on: 08/24/98 16:43:14 On our way to the arena we walked by a skatepark, and a basketball court. As we crossed the street towards the arena, I noticed a rather large individual in shorts and a t-shirt holding a basketball hunched over talking to someone in a car. It was Danny Carey. I went up to him and waited until he was finished talking to the person in the car. He was sweating so I'd say it's safe to assume that he was playing ball. I told him that I just wanted him to know that Tool's music is very special to me, and thanked him. He responded by saying, "That's really cool man; thanks." There were other fans around on their way to the show, but no one seemed to recognize him. He seemed in a hurry, as if he was late, not as if he was trying to avoid fans--if he was he wouldn't have walked through that area. After the incident I kept thinking, "What if he had sprained an ankle playing ball." Nothing a cortizone shot couldn't remedy I guess. Well, if that wasn't a good omen, I don't know what is. The entrance arrangements to Mercer Arena were pathetic; one way in and one way out. I missed half of the Melvins' set because I was forced to wait 45 min. to get into the arena. Further to the lineup debacle, the minute I got in I got separated from my mates. I spent the ensuing 10 min. looking for them, so I wasn't able to pay much attention to the Melvins until we hooked up for the last couple of songs. The Melvins didn't seem fantastic, but they definitely didn't suck. I'll probably buy a cd of theirs to familiarize myself w/ their stuff (If you're a Melvins fan, and you have a recommendation, don't hesitate to email me.) There was, as per usual, a short intermission between bands in which loud, synthesized music boomed through the arena. Tool took the stage with each of them looking rather...conservative (maybe that's not the best choice of words), with the exception of Maynard, who, as you most assuredly know by now, was decked out in the televangelist getup. The setlist, to the best of my memory, went as follows: Sweat Eulogy Stinkfist (w/Buzz Melvin) You Lied (w/Buzz) Undertow 46+2 Pushit (new version) drum solo (long intro)Sober Aenima Opiate Flood Hooker With a Penis (lounge version by talking genitalia) The band was as tight as I've ever seen them, live or on video. Maynard dubbed the arena, "The Church of Jesus Fucking Christ", and reminded us repeatedly throughout the evening that, "Were going to do some healing right now." Maynard was certainly more theatrical than I've ever seen him, and although I was entertained by his schtick, a part of me is a little bothered by it. I can't quite explain it yet. It had nothing to do with the farce he was making, but rather the fact that it was so overt and theatrical--I guess I prefer the subtlety of Maynard's usual dry wit. It certainly didn't bother me to the point that I couldn't reach the transcendental state that I always seem to reach while experienceing Tool live; and by the time Maynard shed the outfit down to the bra and shorts, it seemed back to normal. Before they played Opiate they wheeled out a skeletal robot that seemed to be inspired by the priest frome the cover of Opiate. As they wheeled him out Maynard said, "My Grandma, what big hands you have." Once again, nothing short of religious.

Review written by: A. J. Kulic (szlappy@sprynet.com) Review posted on: 08/24/98 16:42:04 On our way to the arena we walked by a skatepark, and a basketball court. As we crossed the street towards the arena, I noticed a rather large individual in shorts and a t-shirt holding a basketball hunched over talking to someone in a car. It was Danny Carey. I went up to him and waited until he was finished talking to the person in the car. He was sweating so I'd say it's safe to assume that he was playing ball. I told him that I just wanted him to know that Tool's music is very special to me, and thanked him. He responded by saying, "That's really cool man; thanks." There were other fans around on their way to the show, but no one seemed to recognize him. He seemed in a hurry, as if he was late, not as if he was trying to avoid fans--if he was he wouldn't have walked through that area. After the incident I kept thinking, "What if he had sprained an ankle playing ball." Nothing a cortizone shot couldn't remedy I guess. Well, if that wasn't a good omen, I don't know what is. The entrance arrangements to Mercer Arena were pathetic; one way in and one way out. I missed half of the Melvins' set because I was forced to wait 45 min. to get into the arena. Further to the lineup debacle, the minute I got in I got separated from my mates. I spent the ensuing 10 min. looking for them, so I wasn't able to pay much attention to the Melvins until we hooked up for the last couple of songs. The Melvins didn't seem fantastic, but they definitely didn't suck. I'll probably buy a cd of theirs to familiarize myself w/ their stuff (If you're a Melvins fan, and you have a recommendation, don't hesitate to email me.) There was, as per usual, a short intermission between bands in which loud, synthesized music boomed through the arena. Tool took the stage with each of them looking rather...conservative (maybe that's not the best choice of words), with the exception of Maynard, who, as you most assuredly know by now, was decked out in the televangelist getup. The setlist, to the best of my memory, went as follows: Sweat Eulogy Stinkfist (w/Buzz Melvin) You Lied (w/Buzz) Undertow 46+2 Pushit (new version) drum solo (long intro)Sober%

Review written by: Kayt (professionalwidow@mailcity.com) Review posted on: 08/24/98 13:50:41 So the Melvins were somehow convinced that they weren't actually the Melvins, but some band whose name involved the word "clown". Anyway, they were amusing, to say the least, but the feedback shite got pretty old. But, of course, Tool made it completely worthwhile. Maynard came out in his Tele-Evangelist gear, complete with bible and pelvic thrusts. The crowd went crazy at the first notes of Eulogy, which was an OUTSTANDING performance! Complete with kickass effects and a very cynical Maynard sneer. One of the highlights of the night. "the Reverend Buzz" came out for the following two songs...Stinkfist kicked much ass, of course...quite a power source. At this point, the crowd was just one big, pulsing mass...very cool to watch. Unfortunately, Ticketmaster fucked me over, so I had seats and couldn't be down there...but the seats were all right, so no worries. I was thrilled to see Forty-Six and Two, one of my all-time favourites, played...and that was, of course, amazing. Maynard stripped down to his women's underwear here, and man, what a body! He talked about Tool's quest to find their sensitive side and lead into the slow version of Pushit--which I thought was smashing. It was a chance for Maynard to prove that he's got a great voice which he rarely gets credit for. I was surprised to see Sober played, and it was a lot better than I'd expected, considering the band's slight disdain for it. I guess they're over it...Aenima was also a highlight. Crowd goes crazy again, and the band was having a lot of fun. They took a break after that, and some giant alien was pushed out...whose various body segments spun around during the following songs. Opiate was totally fabulous, another favourite of mine. The band left on a really good note, with the infamous talking pussy on the screen, and the "welcome to my world of toys" track following us out of the arena. Very cool shite. Setlist: Sweat(?) Eulogy Stinkfist--Buzz comes out ?--Buzz leaves Undertow 46+2 Pushit random drum solo... Sober Aenima Opiate Crawl Away Hooker With a Penis monologue

Review written by: Scott Fine (sf54302@televar.com) Review posted on: 08/24/98 04:45:18 Arrived in the middle of the Melvins little shpeal, it was ok and got some people to bob their heads for a while. After 20-30 min. or so of setting up the lights darkend and the energy in the crowd started to rize. People began to scream and the surge toward the stage began. Then our saviors took the stage. Everyone looked pretty normal except for Maynard who came out in a light colored wig and a cheasy suit and tie. He looked just like a Telavangalist. After a little signaling to the crowed that he wanted us to sream louder he began to do a little sermon. He asked "who is here to celebrate jesus?"Ý after the croud yelled he added "well if you are your in the wrong place, cause this isn't the church of jesus, this isn't the church of christ, this is the church of jesus fucking christ!!" With that the crowd went wild. The first song was Sweat, one of my favorites, durring the song I was buldosed forward by annother forward surge of the crowd. I ended up 20 feet from stage or so. By the end of the song everyone was dripping and the cement floor became a rank, grimy slip-n-slide. After the second song, (I think it was Eulogy) I moved back a ways to catch my breath and ran into my friends so I stayed put for a little bit. For two of the songs the lead from the Melvins played with the guys, one was a new piece that I hadn't herd before. Lets see, They also played: Stinkfist, Undertow, Pushit, 46&2, Flood, Sober,Ý one or two others that were new, then after a little intermission they did Opiate and Aenima ( <---these are guesses and not in exact order). Well anyway it was the greatest show I've ever seen, I was so into it I didn't even feel my watch get ripped of (Gold and Silver citizen if someone found it and it survived being trampled on) I don't think there is many other bands that come close to Tool when it comes to live shows. Almost all of the fans knew the songs by heart and most were singing along it was an awesome thing to witness. All I can say is when and are they playing here again?

Review written by: Amir Kouretchian (adog1111@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/24/98 03:04:21 That show was just as fucking awsome as the other one. Saw a couple rare songs as well tonight, including Undertow and Sweat. Maynard came out appropriately dressed as an evangelist or a reverend or whatever the fuck it was. He's like "have you all come to hear the word of God?" and everyong went crazy, naturally. Then he says "well you've come to the wrong place." He says something like, "no jesus, no christ, but JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!" and we all go crazy. It was awsome as hell. They also played the slow version of Pushit which I must say again, rocked. Oh yeah, they had a strange lookin' skeleton type thing roll out onto stage before playing their last two songs (Opiate and Flood). It was pretty cool lookin'. It was like, a skull on top of the ribs and shit, but then there was another set of ribs, then the legs. Two sets of arms as well. Pretty funky. I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned anything about this yet, but in the Portland show and in the Seattle show, there was some sort of little symbol thing which consisted of what looked like a cross with a bunch of little lines passing through it. Does anybody know anything about it? What's its significance, if it has any??? If anybody knows what's the deal with that symbol, e-mail me PLEASE. That's just about all. Lots of moshing, lots of weed, the usual shit. Bad ass show.

Review written by: Luke Chaya (pinky_hop@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/24/98 02:54:14 The Melvins were great, mostly playing from the 'Stag' album. On a song called "Sacrifice" the original drummer of the Melvins came on stage to play the drums while Dale Crover(drummer) took on the guitar. They did a few improvs between songs and I think there was a song from 'Ozma'. Tool was greater than I had expected. Maynard came out dressed as tv evangelist, a white Elvis wig with polyester suit. After stating the arena as the chruch of "Jesus Fucking Christ" the show began. Contorting as usual Tool went through most of 'Anema' [Stinkfist, Eulogy, forty six & 2, Cesaro Summability, Anema],a few from 'Undertow' [Sober, undertow], and a few from 'Opiate' [Sweat, Jerk-Off, Opiate]. On 'Stinkfist', Buzz of the Melvins came on to play guitar. As a five piece they moved into a song that I am not familiar with but may hear in their next release. "Cesaro Summability" was done with a "different perspective" and dedicated to Paul D'Armour. It was kept very suttle until the end but just as good. The second half of the concert, Maynard stripped to his usual boxers and stuffed bra. After take a short break, a alien like figure was pulled out to the stage. Seperated at head and both torsos, the figure moved with its four arms and bulging head. Maynard thanked the audience for being "fabulous, super fab". By far the greatest concert since I saw Jane's Addiction at the Key Arena. If I got the play list wrong or forgot a song please forgive me, I am overrun with excitement.