The Tubes overcome obstacles with exciting New Orleans performance

By Jes Sharai

DATELINE: MAY 15, 1998 - NEW ORLEANS, LA, USA
VENUE: KENNY'S KEY WEST NIGHTCLUB

Although the venue was not exactly up to par when considering where the Tubes are used to performing, the sparse crowd certainly made up for it in enthusiasm. Inadequate advertising and a midnight start time could also be held accountable for a less than full house. But even with the conditions being as they were, the Tubes made up for it with a professional and enthusiastic performance that left the crowd satisfied, if not wanting more.

This writer was positioned as good as front and center, with one foot on the bar rail and no one to obstruct the view. The boys hit the stage about ten minutes late due what appeared to be a contracted PA company and a frustrated monitor engineer. This continued to be a bane during the entire show and drew pained expressions from Fee Waybill. I can't lay blame entirely on the soundman, though. The venue was extremely close quartered with a shallow stage depth and cramped stage. The pre-show answer would have been to have the band members turn down their amps on stage and run them through the monitors as needed, but it was too late, as monitor tried to overcome the stage volume and vice-versa with the ultimate result being ringing monitors and a too-loud house mix with inadequate vocals. It was almost as if the band's engineer was less interested in the vocals and more interested in the instruments. Even after walking the venue several times, he appeared unconcerned about the lack of Fee's presence in the mains. Well, enough critique of the sound...the music was more important.

The band opened with "Overture", and from there on blazed through a 70 minute set that included classics and new tunes. There were only two songs that this writer did not recognize and assumed were from the new album, "Genius of America". Fee was obviously miffed at the venue and crowd size and really didn't make a secret of it. He even went so far as to comment on how this was his first visit to New Orleans and sarcastically referred to how he'd "be back REAL soon". (After being skeptical about purchasing the new CD, all guards were down after hearing the two songs that they played. They were both dynamite packed and unexpectedly rock hard. Definitely worth a try.)

After asking the eager crowd, "What Do You Want From Life?", they continued through the set that wowed and satisfied. The only conspicuous items missing from the repertoire were songs from REMOTE CONTROL. The audience didn't seem to mind, though, as the list included the recognized run of Tubes standards..."She's A Beauty", "Tip of My Tongue", and "Sushi Girl". They even surprised this writer by throwing in a sleeper from NOW, "Slipped my Disco". Duelling guitars in "TTYL" was the encore highpoint, with Steen and Cambra belting it out.

Fee was constantly aggravated by an obviously intoxicated fan who kept insisting on "White Punks On Dope". A perfect example of a "white dope on punk". Nevertheless, they kept on. Roger Steen was in amazing form as Prairie Prince kept the beat. The band was definitely laid back, as Fee wore jeans and a Bob Marley T-shirt with a flannel shirt cover up. He looked more at times like Eddie Vedder than Fee Waybill. The rest of the band followed suit, with Rick Anderson looking the "best dressed" with a pseudo-Members Only jacket on over a T-shirt. The elaborate stage show of the past is definitely gone. Thank God that their verve and energy isn't.

Keyboard/guitar player, Gary Cambra, did a fantastic job, right down to nailing the vocals on "Up From The Deep". The other keyboard player, Dave Medd, was not only one of the most genuinely nicest guys in the world, he was great at his art. He filled the job of a horn and rythym section complete with timbales and looked like he was having a great time doing it.

I really expected them to break into "God-Bird-Change", but alas...It's really too bad Fee was aggravated, as he neglected to indicate any of the songs from the new CD and failed to introduce any of the band. Oh yeah...the asshole that kept asking for WPOD...when they played it, he was gone from the room and missed half the song. There is justice in this world.

My heart still lies with the Tubes, and I guess it always will. My apologies from New Orleans for not showing you a better time, guys, but some things we just can't control. You'll always be number one in my book and welcome in my home and car...even if it is on the CD player or turntable.

The Tubes in New Orleans? I don't have to wait anymore. Thanks for a night to remember.




Last Updated: May 16, 1997
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