My BR Counterparts,
In the name of tradition, here are my observations of the show through the eyes of a long-time BR consumer and advocate. Read an OC Register review if you want "spirit of the crowd" reflections. I hope you find these unique details insightful and worthy of your fandom read.
1) Jay reverted to his old Fender Bass and seemed far more comfortable then the night prior when he looked to be playing something of a Rickenbacker.
2) Greg G noted that this was the "beginning of the next 30 years, not a celebration of the last 30." Back when wise men peered through glass tubes towards the sky.
3) Greg G's ear monitors are definitely his new hobby. He was poking around with the nobs during solos, fine-tuning the sonic relay to ensure optimal vocal chord usage.
4) Brian, Jay and Brett had the little foam insulators on the head of their mics. Highly unusual for the boys, but Greg G quickly noted that they were recording the show. Hence the mic afros. Submerged in electric waves.
5) Brett was far more mobile this night, and I suspect it was because his new wife / baby-mama Gena Miko was in the audience. So says his Twitter feed.
6) Jay made minimal social chatter contributions as he was cautious about getting his wisdom's on tape. He did manage to do his JB standard "fuuuuuuck Yooo" with a kind glance at the band for authorization.
7) Jay, along with everyone else in the room attempting to sing along, messed up on the "Everyone's fighting for _______ (patronage / dominance)" in the song The Handshake. He smirked it off, we singers pretended Greg G messed up - of course.
8) Greg G surveyed the audience for previous night attendees. About 25 of us raised our hands. The conversation quickly turned to their "age"... with Brett/Jay/Greg G noting that 30 years in band years is like 30 years in dog years. Someone who is AWESOME screamed out "Eat Your Dog!". Greg G asked "do you reallllly want to hear that song?" I guess no Bad Religion song can make your life complete. Jay did manage to play it on bass though.
9) They played Materialist from Process of Belief and it felt slightly homoerotic to get to scream "The process of belief is an elixir when you're weak, I must confess at times, I indulge it on the sneak..." Something about hearing BR title tracks in the middle of songs tickles BR-fan pickles. "How could hell be any worse"... "Suffer"... each made their lyrical appearances.
10) Midway through the set, Brett abandoned his spectacles. It had no effect on his guitar performance.
11) Jay and Brian showed their stage-right affection by leaning on each other as Greg G sang "And grab yourself a neighbors' skeleton to lean upon" in Dearly Beloved.
12) In a rare band vs. Greg G, two whole measures (pre-vocals) into How Much is Enough, Greg G forgot what song they were playing. He aimed the blame squarely at the font size on the set list. It'll be interesting how that fairs on the *live* album. A monumental blunder averted?
13) Greg H pulled off a rare guitar solo op on Man With a Mission. Brian hung out in the corner by his fan... keeping it cool.
14) No break between the set and the encore... just a senior citizen pause to introduce the new song "Resist-stance". See yesterday's note for further evaluation of the new number.
15) Just before the breakdown in Infected, Brett screamed out "This goes out to Gena!" I guess he wants to revile her body and make more Niko Moons (he's new daughter, produced with the assistance of said wife Gena).
16) And, in the last 30 seconds of the set, a stage diver reminded us why we were all there. Greg smirked ear to ear.
17) Average age, 35, but with a really wide spread. From what I could tell, about 10 kids lost their BR virginity and easily 50 guys and gals over 45 years old were reminiscing about high school as they bopped around to anything pre-No Control.
March on you automatons in business suits,
Sasha
