Concert Line
Thom, Matt, and I arrived in Cleveland shortly after 3pm, after a slight detour temporarily pointing us toward Columbus. We found the venue after a short trip through the warehouse/ghetto district of the city. When we parked, we were one of roughly five other cars in the lot (not counting radio station vehicles). It was snowing lightly and the wind was fairly strong. A guy parked near us got out of his car to tell us that they had yet to open the doors, but that they normally do so if the weather is poor. We inquired about the nearest restaurant and/or restroom and were directed to a "Mr. Hero" sub shop, which we later found to be utterly abandoned. Kevin arrived shortly after we did, parked between the Mr. Hero spokesman and Thom's car, started to get out of his Ultimate Driving Machine (not a picture of his car, but one very much like it) and promptly smashed the hell out of the Mr. Hero advocate's automobile when the wind grabbed the Festiva's door and threw it open. We all had a good laugh as KP climbed into Thom's Intrepid without a backward glance, especially when Hero-boy had to get out and examine the damage. We decided to leave KP's car in the lot, at the mercy of Mr. Hero and his disciples, while we went looking for something to eat.
We chose to forego a chance to sample a Cleveland Subway in favor of something local, winding up at a place with a really elaborate name that was something like "The New Best Steak and Gyro Restaurant." The place turned out to be huge, just like the woman who took our orders. She was quite friendly though. The interior of the restaurant contained pool tables, arcade games, and a gumball machine. Matt and I got cheeseburgers, Kevin had already eaten, and Thom had a pizza on a cardboard plate. Matt commented on my ability to furnish him with napkins whenever we eat anywhere and claimed to appreciate my utility. Matt speculated that the restaurant was a prime hangout on Friday and Saturday nights, since it is open 24 hours and is close to Cleveland State.
We returned to the parking lot close to 5pm and found a few more cars there. We made our way inside and found ourselves perhaps 10-15 people back in the line. After a long wait which was made much longer by our proximity to so many stupid conversations, and instructions given that cameras were not allowed (and then allowed, and then “instamatic” cameras but not digital cameras), we were ushered into coherent lines. Many people that arrived much later than we did were equally close to the front of the line. The four of us had an understanding that anyone getting to the front would save spots as best he could for the rest. Once through the ticket check and security, I rushed ahead and was able to claim a large section of the railing just to the left of center stage. I was soon joined by my companions, although Thom elected not to squeeze into a spot at the front and elected instead to stand behind me. I thought this was curious, but then as the show got going I saw Thom’s motives more clearly…just kidding, Thom.
After an extensive run through Bob Marley’s greatest hits, the opening act hit the stage just after 8pm. Johnny Polonsky was the opening act. Polonsky covered vocals and lead guitar. He seemed to be begging for a comparison to Kurt Cobain, both in his vocal delivery and in the way he played the guitar (except he was right handed). The guy could definitely play. His solos were pretty intricate. The songs were not incredibly complex though, and they all seemed to be in the same vein. The real entertainment of the opening act was the drummer, who looked to be the absolute least-coordinated musician I’ve ever seen. Most drummers cross their hands, with right-handed drummers positioning their right wrist over their left. This guy played with both sticks parallel, and looked like he had just learned how to play. In fact, he brought to mind someone throwing a baseball for the first time in their life. He didn’t seem to be able to bend his wrists at all and just had no fluidity. Oh – and he looked a lot like Thom Yorke.
I did a little research and it seems that Polonsky has played with Tom Morello in the past, specifically in some Axis of Justice shows.
When the band finally left the stage, we were again treated to yet more Bob Marley, which by this time was getting pretty tiresome. The review of the Audioslave portion will follow, hopefully shortly.
We chose to forego a chance to sample a Cleveland Subway in favor of something local, winding up at a place with a really elaborate name that was something like "The New Best Steak and Gyro Restaurant." The place turned out to be huge, just like the woman who took our orders. She was quite friendly though. The interior of the restaurant contained pool tables, arcade games, and a gumball machine. Matt and I got cheeseburgers, Kevin had already eaten, and Thom had a pizza on a cardboard plate. Matt commented on my ability to furnish him with napkins whenever we eat anywhere and claimed to appreciate my utility. Matt speculated that the restaurant was a prime hangout on Friday and Saturday nights, since it is open 24 hours and is close to Cleveland State.
We returned to the parking lot close to 5pm and found a few more cars there. We made our way inside and found ourselves perhaps 10-15 people back in the line. After a long wait which was made much longer by our proximity to so many stupid conversations, and instructions given that cameras were not allowed (and then allowed, and then “instamatic” cameras but not digital cameras), we were ushered into coherent lines. Many people that arrived much later than we did were equally close to the front of the line. The four of us had an understanding that anyone getting to the front would save spots as best he could for the rest. Once through the ticket check and security, I rushed ahead and was able to claim a large section of the railing just to the left of center stage. I was soon joined by my companions, although Thom elected not to squeeze into a spot at the front and elected instead to stand behind me. I thought this was curious, but then as the show got going I saw Thom’s motives more clearly…just kidding, Thom.
After an extensive run through Bob Marley’s greatest hits, the opening act hit the stage just after 8pm. Johnny Polonsky was the opening act. Polonsky covered vocals and lead guitar. He seemed to be begging for a comparison to Kurt Cobain, both in his vocal delivery and in the way he played the guitar (except he was right handed). The guy could definitely play. His solos were pretty intricate. The songs were not incredibly complex though, and they all seemed to be in the same vein. The real entertainment of the opening act was the drummer, who looked to be the absolute least-coordinated musician I’ve ever seen. Most drummers cross their hands, with right-handed drummers positioning their right wrist over their left. This guy played with both sticks parallel, and looked like he had just learned how to play. In fact, he brought to mind someone throwing a baseball for the first time in their life. He didn’t seem to be able to bend his wrists at all and just had no fluidity. Oh – and he looked a lot like Thom Yorke.
I did a little research and it seems that Polonsky has played with Tom Morello in the past, specifically in some Axis of Justice shows.
When the band finally left the stage, we were again treated to yet more Bob Marley, which by this time was getting pretty tiresome. The review of the Audioslave portion will follow, hopefully shortly.
