, attached to 1996-11-16

Review by TheEmu

TheEmu In order to fully appreciate this show, you should really check out the many videos available on YouTube. The first set is solid, nothing too amazing, unless you were under the influence of mescaline and practically ran for your life when they played David Bowie. But I digress...

As Trey makes mention during the second set, it was an all GA show with no seats on the floor. The Civic Auditorium (may it rest in peace) was PACKED, and I had to get out of the crush, so I made my way to the seats behind the stage, where I had a good view of the second set insanity.

A solid La Grange opener gives way to a Runaway Jim that meanders for a bit before entering some darker territory. It's at this point that Trey steps up and says he's going to give us the Vibration of Life, so you can feel it in your ass and in your solar plexus and be recharged for the rest of the evening. They then proceeded to Kung the Omaha crowd before Trey headed for his mini drum kit for a bizarre jam that turned into Catapult. Mike added some babushka-waiving antics that must have had many people asking "WTF?" This insanity is followed by a ripping Axilla I with spooky Axilla II ending and hilarious shouting about Kuroda, Leigh Fordam, and a trip to Cuba. Fishman carries the Leigh Fordham craziness right into a now-famous Harry Hood that contains a full three minute sustained note from Trey which sees him playing the crowd like puppets. Fantastic. Wrap it up with Suzy, Grace, and the first American Band encore as a shout out to my home town, and it was really a memorable night. If you are looking for amazing jams, this might not blow you away, but it was tremendously fun to be at and a fun listen, even on tape. Part of me wants to say 5 stars, but it was more about a good time than great music, so I'll stick with 4.


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