Belly Up Tavern, Sept 19th

[randyc]

Wow:beer: :up:

[RonB]

Great review Randy!!:D

Ron

[mirjam deen]

Could you elaborate a little Randy:confused:

Mirjam

[nikkelenkuijper]

Indeed Randy, great review, so warm and enthousiastic, I can almost feel it rotfl

:beer:
Ellen

[Su2000]

And the vivid way in which he describes the atmosphere, the vibe in the audience, the songs and what they did to him...
SENSATIONAL!
Two thumbs up, Randy!
:up: :up:

;)

[randyc]

rotfl


I was pretty tired. :)

Long version:

It was very cool

[randyc]

Okay, stuff from the concert.

1. I never saw the spoon. Too many utensils in that drawer.
2. Thanks to Jon Delong for giving me one of his seats.
3. It was great seeing Dortha Baldi again, I was worried since we have not heard from her on the yahoo list.
4. They were not limiting the sales of the CD. I picked up 3, two of which are spoken for. I saw someone else with 5 or 6.

The opening band was interesting. I liked them, they seemed enthusiastic. Not sure if it was an intentional joke, but they referred to the next band as Ventura. The band played about an hour of songs, mostly roots rock and some bluesy influences.

Interestingly, they ended with a cover song. Sympathy For the Devil by the Rolling Stones. A nice version, if a little rough.

Venice took the stage after a bit of time. The crowd was pretty packed and enthusiastic. The opening song was "Most of Us."

I thought it was a great opener. It grabbed the audience. What was cool was looking around and seeing how many people were singing along. The best part was Michaels voice thing. I found it fascinating.

They eventually played almost every song on the new album and the audience did not seem to mind, though you could tell they all responded also very well to the older songs. I think the only new songs not played were Language of the Heart and Sun Inside. Someone let me know if I am wrong on that.

I didn't get a setlist or write one down and I was enjoying some beverages, so I am not going to recall every song. They did For a Kiss. The Man You Think I Am. Baby's Calling. One Quiet Day. World Upon My Back. If I Were You. Bad Timing Song. All My Life.

And what was interesting was that they did for an encore, the same song the opening band did, Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Songs. Of course that was more part of a longer medley that was interspersed with All My Life.


A funny point was when the entire band messed up. Michael picked up the guitar and starting playing a certain song. Well, everyone else wanted to play something else. They covered by saying it was Michael's fault. :)

The musicians were just incredible. The drummer Matt Laug really is very good and fun to watch. Akexis Sklarevski on the bass was excellent as was the person on keyboard/guitar. The guy (sorry, missed the name) that was doing the percussions was also great. Sorry, it's like asking the waitress at a cheap diner what is good on the menu. "It's all good." :)

[conny]

Thanks for the review Randy

:wave: conny

[spoonido]

it's true! the randy man was in there somewhere, BUT he didn't stand out enough. let's trade in the buttons for hats with rabbit ears!

great show. a bit more edgy in a good way. the live arrangements are so dynamic! randy is right about all the songs on the new album.

and of course the guys were there to sign CDs after the show. even in the crush of the crowd they were happy to see me! (and pat even remembered my name!)

alright, now all our dutch and european friends! you're next!

[Su2000]

Yoohoo!

:)

[Paula]

Really love the reviews. I'm sure I will do my part after I've seen the guys live in October.
And Steven, I was very happy surprised too that the guys knew my name so quickly. I met them for the first time in Helmond in March 2001 and even 3 months later, when I saw them again in June 2001, they still knew my name!

Paula

[mikeinoc]

Randy wrote:

as was the person on keyboard/guitar. The guy (sorry, missed the name) that was doing the percussions was also great.

Chris Horvath was on keyboard/guitar, and Rich Mangicaro (not sure if I spelled that right) was the percussionist. After the show, Rich said he was very excited to be going on the upcoming tour. Chris said he had other commitments, and wouldn't be able to go.

Of the three shows I've seen recently (Canyon Club, Galaxy, and Belly Up), I would have to rate this as the best. I like the Galaxy as a venue better, because it seems like the people there pay more attention to the music, but the crowd at the Belly Up really seemed into it last night.

Hopefully my "Venice fix" will last me until the next show, which probably won't be until the "Christmas" show(s)! However, being able to buy a copy of WTTROYL will help tide me over!!! :)

Mike

[spoonido]

Originally posted by mikeinoc

Of the three shows I've seen recently (Canyon Club, Galaxy, and Belly Up), I would have to rate this as the best. I like the Galaxy as a venue better, because it seems like the people there pay more attention to the music, but the crowd at the Belly Up really seemed into it last night.
Mike

i agree, mike. the band seems to be really revved up with the european tour promising bigger success. spirits were obviously high from the first notes on. they pushed the songs into exciting places last night.

when you think of the big acts out there that are charging big money to sit a football field away from the stage, it's pretty obvious where you'll have a better time. last night at the belly up it cost only $12 to stand inches away from these very skilled musicians performing so professionally for a club full of enthused fans. these guys earned my $12. is there anyone out there really worth spending $250 (or more) to see?

[Paula]

Venice shows in Holland are a little bit more expensive (about 20 euros is average), but still very very very much worth it!!!
Fetched my tickets for Groningen and Amsterdam this morning and this afternoon I'm gonna fetch my ticket for Leeuwarden, which I've ordered about 2 weeks ago, or was it 3 weeks? Anyhow, it's almost October!!! ;)

Paula

[Diane Triantis]

Once again San Diego showed their support and enthusiasm for Venice. There is a good vibe at the Belly Up, despite some of the drunks who tend to talk too much when the band performs. No town in California has promoted this band as San Diego has and it is acknowledged and appreciated by the band.

A good time was had by all on stage and off. It was great to hear the new songs from WTTROYL live again especially after listening to them on the CD for the past 2 weeks. I cannot decide which song I like best, but I really love "Not Myself" and "One Word" and of course "Think Again". The crowd enthusiastically welcomed the new music mixed with some old favorites. I am waiting (patiently) for Pat to perform "Language of the Heart" which will be done live in Holland and then on the cruise in November, according to Pat himself.

It was great watching the reactions of some Venice Virgins (friends of Rich Mangicaro and Wally and Francine's friend, Diana) who were obviously bitten by the Venice virus. I'm sure I will see them again at another show. Thursday night was a great send off for the upcoming European tour and the guys sound and look wonderful perched as they are on the edge of more well deserved success. Thanks Michael, Kipp, Pat and Mark (and Matt, Alexis, Rich and Chris) for another memorable show that will have to hold us Californians over until November.

Diane (in Orange County)

[Was Peter]

Actually Randy,
the mistake you referred to was not Michael's, but mine. I overlooked a song on the set list, and went right to the one that Michael plays electric 12 string on, Blue Paint. I gave him that guitar, he started giving Matt the tempo, and then Kipp looked at him and told him it was the wrong song. Michael looked at me, and then I realized I had screwed up. I gave him the right guitar, and the rest of the show went off without a hitch. I thought I'd let you know, just to set the record straight.

[randyc]

Thanks Peter. You looked very busy. I am just glad when I make mistakes in my work (often), it's not in public.

Well, I guess if I screw up the websites, it is.


Now that I think about it, I need my own Peter to hand me the special trackball mouse for certain tasks... and then to switch out to a pressure sensitive tablet for close graphics work.

:)

[Paula]

So Pete, did that mean you got that 'look' again? ;)
Don't worry, everybody makes mistakes, we still luv ya!

Paula

[mirjam deen]

Thanx for the reviews guys!!!

I passed Solana Beach this summer on my way to Del Mar and it was a bummer to know I was missing the guys once again this summer.
I left for the States just as they were coming to Holland and went back home right before they were performing in California again.

Oh well, I just got my tickets for Amsterdam so I'll at least be able to see the guys once this year.:p
Looking forward to it as you can imagine.

Mirjam

[G&D Isner]

Hi all,

just got back from LA. Sorry I didn´t post from there, but
was having a great busy,busy time.

Belly Up was awesome:beer:

the wife and I drove down early, got to say hi to the boys
after sound check. Had some good sushi and bad teriaki and
caught a wicked Venice show.

Michael was realy impressive throughout.(Same old quote from
my wife Diana. "I didn´t realise Michael was such a great guitar
player. I thought he was the smart, funny one."
Kip´s voice sounded clearer and stronger than ever.(especially
on his pantented "ad libs". I had to stop and say "wow" a few
times.
Once Marky got into the groove, he was sex god of the century.
Diana fell for him big time.
Pat, great as usual and seemed to be having alot of fun. We drove
home with him and here´s a quote. "Man, if we sound this good now,
just wait ´till we get to Holland." Lucky, lucky Dutchies

By the way Pat, hope I didn´t talk your ear off.

Think I saw Spoony but didn´t recognise him without biker boots.
Thought he would be shorter :p

Great job Kevin Lennon and new brother in law Marty Carrillo
on sound and lights.

Great job Petey V. I dont know how you screwed up. Michael doesn´t
use very much stuff.;)

It was cool to see the boys in Cali and not know everybody. I saw
alot of jaws drop. new fans, wheeheee!!!!

Extra rumor. Pat said he will sing in Holland.

Hope to see you Dutchies in December. Maybe New Years Eve.

Greg

[mirjam deen]

Hey Greg, what's with December:confused:
Are you coming to visit us Dutchies? Maybe we'll have some snow for you:D

Mirjam

[nikkelenkuijper]

He means the Christmas shows:D

:wave:
Ellen

[spoonido]

no, no biker boots for me... and you can't get any shorter, either!

[Su2000]

Yes you can, look at short Su

[spoonido]

Originally posted by Su2000
Yes you can, look at short Su oh, i have! for a loooonng time!:drooling: :goofy: :blushing:

[Su2000]

:o

[nikkelenkuijper]

Oh oh, beware;)