A Perfect Circle...Brandeis University...Waltham, MA...March 8, 2001
Mar 09 '01
The Bottom Line A tight and nearly perfect performance that should not be missed, especially given the band's uncertain future.
Next to U2's coming appearance in June, this may have been the concert I had been looking most forward to in 2001. A Perfect Circle was coming to town (literally) for a show at Brandeis University here in my lovely hometown of Waltham, Massacusetts.
I first became familiar with this band the same way most people did; by hearing first single Judith on the radio. That song entranced me into buying the album from whence it came, and I thought it was easily one of the better rock albums released last year.
Unfortunately, I had to sit through not one, but two opening bands. The first was Cave In. By the time I arrived and got into the venue, these guys were already about halfway through their 25 minutes or so. I have to say it doesn't look like I missed much. They were your run of the mill angry and p*ssed at the world rock band that offered absolutely nothing new.
And then there was Snake River Conspiracy. If you've never heard Snake River Conspiracy, this is my advice. Imagine a band that sounds like Marilyn Manson with a female lead singer who not only prances around the stage trying to act all mysterious, but who at the very same time tries her damndest to sound like Gwen Stefani of all people. Another not so pretty sight.
So finally they left the stage, and the stage was set for A Perfect Circle to save the night. And, after a rather long 40 minute wait, they did just that with 70 minutes of their style of melodic, dark and intense hard rock.
As bassist Paz Lenchman jumped onto one of the amplifier, violin in hand, the crowd exploded, awaiting the arrival of frontman Maynard James Keenan, who also happens to sing for a band called Tool. Maybe you've heard of them. In a true sign of showmanship though, the crowd had to wait just a couple minutes more, as from the violin solo the band went straight into the droning Renholder. However, as soon as that song began to fade out, Maynard appeared to the jubilation of the crowd.
I must say I haven't been this pleasantly surprised at a show since first seeing Tool themselves in 1997. I was afraid that the band would maybe try to make the visuals the main attraction. Instead, the band mixed attention grabbing backgrounds with perfect lighting effects, making for a well rehearsed show.
Luckily, the band was in sync as well. They are a very tight unit, and aside from some sound system problems (which isn't really the band's fault, as the venue was a gymnasium) on a song or two, the sound came across as such. Lead guitarist and group founder Billy Howerdel combined screaming and fierce guitar solos with melodic and soft interludes, recreating just the type of dichotomy that made the album such a joy to listen to.
The band played just about everything off their album, as well as a couple of songs that don't appear on the album, and a cover of David Bowie's Ashes to Ashes, which, when combined with the preceding Judith and the show closing The Hollow, helped make a rollicking final trifecta of songs that had the audience swooning with pleasure.
One can only hope that this band will be around again in a couple years, once Tool is done supporting their new record that comes out in May. This band is tight, and they fit together perfectly. My advice to you is to go see them on this tour that runs through the end of this month...it may be your last chance.
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MattA75
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Member: Matt Aucoin
Location: South Berwick, ME
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Gonna be a daddy, April 2010!
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