School has been in full effect for five weeks now and there was no better reward then attending Weezer / Blink 182 concert on Thursday Septemeber 30 at the Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre in Irvine.
Not to discerdit Taking Back Sunday who was on mainstage till half past seven.
As sharp s a needle, Weezer grooved onto the stage at 8:00 pm with War Pigs by Black Sabbath and some microphone trouble that may have been Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, lead guitar) Youtube breakdown moment. They did prevail and Weezer showed the crowd something like no other.
The scenery they chose… A golden drape with WEEZER in bold black. The outfits they chose… White hooded Nike jumpsuits. Simplicity in vision but nowhere near simplistic in sound. Weezer in the past, have been reserved in their performances, but this performance is exactly where they needed to be. The energy was senstaional and Rivers was out of his shell, even smashimng an accoustic guitar during “Beverly Hills.”
They took a calm approach to “Islands in the Sun”, which is always performed in such a clever way, as Rivers, one by one, played each instument to build the song. First drums, then tambourine, bass line, an accoustic flicker and then the infamous electric guitar flavor.
Closing the show with The Clash “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” was perfect to end that amazing performance. Weezer is on top of the world right now and is in full affect. They have their seventh CD coming out next month, RADITUDE.
Being promt was a huge focus that night. It was 9:30 pm on the dot when Blink 182 smacked onto the stage. Dumpweed was the starter, the crowd went crazy and you can bet your pocketbook change that the inbetween song banters between Tom DeLonge (vocals / guitarist) and Mark Hoppus (vocals / bass) were filled with insults about each others mothers and lots of “special” cussing. They love the crowd and the crowd loves Blink as Tom shows no mercy using a certain four letter word.
Travis Barker (drummer) was eventually strapped to an elevated and then floating drumset banging the hell ot of them over the crowd, sideways, back and forth. He kept on, knowing the death of a just recently passed friend (DJ AM) made no reference to the fact. Barker was playing in a very focused and aggressive manner. He was right on, snapping and banging on sum Zildijans for 90 minutes.
Blink 182’s next performance locally will be October 10 at the Hollywood Paladium. Tickets on sale September 26.
