I went to both shows in San Francisco. What did you think?

The first show was pure, ecstatic joy for me. Opens with Los Angeles?!?! Exactly what I was hoping for. I knew they would be cookin’ after that one opening anthem.

His voice was perfection. The signature growl into falsettos did not belie any decay in vocal super powers.

TOTY opened hot and the crowd responded with energy. I appreciated the gentlemen trying to get some moshing activated. I should have reciprocated but ya know…my beer.

The band was tight and LYLE WORKMAN was certainly workin’ it! Some solos were better than the album versions! His “joy-rising” was clearly apparent through his huge muppet-like smile. Occasionally he would try to improvise, resulting in somewhat awkward resolutions, and it may have come off as unpracticed to some. The crowd rallied behind him though, giving him elevated shouts of love through the evening. He genuinely appreciated it.

I was fearful that people singing along in the crowd may be a drawback for me. However, Abstract Plain and Headache were accentuated by the crowd vocalizing, so I had no problem joining in myself. This was seriously the best version of Headache (not really one of my favs) that I’ve ever heard!

One of the songs I was most looking forward to was Two Reelers. I could never wrap my head around how in the fuck the drummer could ever pull this song off live. When it kicked in, it felt herky jerky, and my wonder seemed justified as the performance wasn’t living up to my magical fantasy of these rock gawds smirking and spitting on my disbelief. I was slightly justified. Oh well, maybe tomorrow night…

On most tracks Wednesday night, the rhythm section was inspiring. The mix on the drums was powerfully bombastic. The keys were not apparent in some areas that they needed to be. In fact, as I was pointing out to Frank that the keys needed volume, he stopped Fiddle Riddle during the intro and asked for some adjustments. It sounded better when they began the tune again.

Forgetting what was coming next because it had been a decade since I’ve heard this masterpiece, the band never disappointed. Each surprise (to me) song brought back intense nostalgia. The lyrics about LA were bitter sweet considering recent events and Frank did acknowledge this onstage.

Finally, Bad Wicked World and Pie in the Sky erupted into flames and pummeled the crowd in bludgeoning PUNK ROCK that boiled my blood. INTENSE.

The second night also opened with some solo tunes from the first album. The band sounded more relaxed and confident. They were super tight! This seemed to be the theme of the second show for me. No stumbling, no hiccups in play, and the mix was PERFECT. Keyboard volume issues were sorted thankfully.

I feel Lyle’s solos weren’t as inspired as the first night’s show, but he was more solid in transitions and little rhythmic intricacies that might have slipped by previously. Eric Drew was more on point as well.

AND AND AND Two Reelers FUCKING RIPPED. This was the highlight of the second night for me. I finally witnessed my rock gawds shoving me down in the mud, stomping on my face, kicking me in the ribs and saying, “There ya go ya impudent, little fuck. WE ARE YOUR ROCK GAWDS!”

What did you think?