The Loud Family Tour 1998:

From: James Robson
Subject: [loud-fans] Minneapolis!

Had to chime in when it seemed that no one would step up to the plate and deliver the play-by-play on the Minneapolis show. Alright, maybe not that detailed to be a spoiler, but the band ROCKED!

Got to the Entry when the doors opened (along with a pal from work) at 8:00. Imagine my surprise to see the band schedule INSIDE, not outside the club with the Louds going on at 12:00!!! Opening were Gild (from Duluth, as it said on the bill),and somebody named David Garza, who was advertised as a mix between AC/DC, ELO, Eno and T. Rex! Turned out he couldn't deliver the goods, to no surprise. Gild gets the nod of the openers by default, but don't rule out that Duluth sound!

While the opening bands were flailing away, we renewed bonds with fellow fans and engaged Our Scott in conversation on many topics. A fellow with more wit, humor and charm you'd be hard-pressed to find, but we all knew that already, didn't we?

Alison arrived later (she was out with old friends) and was practically bubbling over with enthusiasm - I think of her as the Loud's cheerleader, what a kick she is!

On to the set: As someone posted earlier on the tour (Roger?), if these guys are this good and the tour's still in its early stages, they will positively smoke the stage in the later shows. Kenny's and Alison's vocals really meshed behind Scott, the band played with alternating restraint and abandon, always with confidence and had the crowd of 40 or so raving and drooling...

Helped Alison out at the merchandise counter and everyone seemed to load down with shirts, CD's, singles, and stickers. I could go on (and probably will later) but lack of sleep is catching up to me. Not only to see the best damn band in the land but to strike up a friendship made it a perfect night. I LOVE THESE GUYS!

Still giddy,
Jim Robson

From: "l51, behind the firehouse"
Subject: [loud-fans] (possible spoilers herein) 7th Street Entry show for the MinneFans

OK, step up to the plate. Breathe in...
Hard to decribe seeing my favorite band and how cool that is. Let's just assume it's the tops and move on.

Highlights and comments from a wonderful show in Minneapolis:
While I like to bemoan the fact that more people don't hear or know of the Family, the upshot is that with a small (though fervant) following in Minnesota, we get a chance to meet and chat with the band. Otherwise I may not have a chance to talk with Scott about how he wrote "Sister Sleep." And hear how he actually enjoys the intimate shows in their own way. ("Opportunity to connect on a personal level" but I may be paraphrasing.) I also had Scott sign an IbC disc for a 20 year old friend of mine who I introduced to LF. "You mean he listens to us AND Rage Against the Machine?" Scott joked. "Actually, Rage is his favorite band." He got a good laugh out of that. But never underestimate the LF to win someone over. Another friend who I made a LF mix for only three days before the show really enjoyed seeing the LF live.

Opening Acts: The Guild from Duluth: energetic dance pop, young band so I tend to not criticize too much. Good energy level. David Garza: has a following who were there to see him. I kind of enjoyed his riff-rock reworkings for about half the set. My old man comment: too loud.

Someone managed to pilfer Alison's tambourine which altered the new spiky version of "Sword Swallower." (During the momentary search for said tambourine, Scott did an impromptu piece of "Hero Worship.")

Sometimes you just need a live version to make you realize a fine song; last night, the live version of "Mozart Sonatas" opened my eyes to its new wavey pleasures. Similarly, I didn't really warm up to "Here It is Tomorrow" until after the demise of GT, but live it had the real venom. Seeing "Room for One More, Honey" live and in color was a real treat followed by "Where they Go Back to School..." so my friend Craig and I heard two of our favorites back to back.

To finish the well programmed set, the ever-changing line from "Spot the Setup" was "I used to go out with Natalie Imbruglia, but it didn't make my life OK."

The small yet vociferous crowd wouldn't let the Louds off with one encore, the band came back and did "Mauritania" claiming it was the first time ever. ("Except for when we recorded it," added Alison.)

The band overcame some serious hum early and as the show went, Scott's vox seemed to get drowned out somewhat. But for the most part, the sound was pretty good. I still remember those great Gil fills from "Deee-Pression."

The inclusion of some "Oddities" from D4D worked fine and setting aside live favorites seems impossible but the set definately ended strong. If I had to pick my faves:
"Room for One More,"(Scott Miller was in a band before Wings)
"Where they Go Back to School," (ethereal)
"Sodium Laureth Sulfate," (great vox interplay)
"Spot the Setup," ("I didn't picture the audience naked! I'll do better next time.") &
"Here it Is..." (hisssssss!!)
(I'll send a set list to Sue.)

Ed Ackerman of Polara was on-hand and even helped out the band with a place to stay. Good folk. I considered inviting the band to our humble abode, but considering our current existence in the main/only flight path from Minne-airport, I think they'd probably get better sleep in the city.

"Execution Day" sounded great so i promptly bought the single to add to the other merch (two shirts for friends, The Fog Show, 2 bumper stickers). Anyway enough rambling, I'm still basking in the glow...

and preparing to head to Chicago.

Tony

Back to the diary index.