Loud, gaudy guitars. That’s how I like my music. And that’s what I got Friday night at the Grand Sierra Resort.
As dorky as it may sound, I finally realized one of my ‘Bucket List’ items – I got to see Stone Temple Pilots in concert before they (inevitably) break up again.
I was supposed to see them in ’93 when they opened up for Megadeth in Reno, but conveniently Dave Mustaine got a cold that week, and subsequent show dates were cancelled. And of course, never rescheduled.
Obviously things have changed since then – for one – camera cell phones. I counted 35 of them (along with digital cameras) during the extra long version of ‘Creep.’
I convinced myself that ‘Plush’ (one of my 5 favorite songs ever made) would be part of the encore. Imagine my shock when they played it during their middle of their set. How could they? Their biggest hit and then toss it into the regular set? I’d never end my show with ‘Dead and Bloated.’ On the other hand, I’m not them.
I was surprised how long the show actually turned out to be since they had no NEW songs to promote. But I also didn’t care – I was in heaven.
During their opener, at one point, Robert DeLeo’s sunglasses fell off his face. A roadie from the OPPOSITE end of the stage rushed to them, picked them up and placed them back on his face. Now that’s the life of a rock star right there.
Scott Weiland wore tuxedo pants (yes, with the black stripe), white shirt, gray vest, tie and jacket. As the night wore on, he’d loosen up his clothes, take off other items and finally unbuttoned his shirt during the encore.
I had a hard time understanding what little words he’d say in between songs. Most of them I picked up, but I also assumed that’s his normal self.
It was like time stood still. They looked the same: hair, clothes…and still blasted their loud signature sound. Even the female groupies dressed the same – short, black skirts (as if you had to ask!).
Funny thing is I grew out of that phase when I was like 16. It’s like I did the reverse: I wear jeans now when the groupies/female fans wore jeans back then. Of course I’d still love to meet rock stars (who doesn’t?), but I don’t feel the need to dress slutty anymore to get their attention. I feel by wearing normal clothes, I actually stand out from the black-leather-clad masses, but it remains just a theory. I’m still waiting to see if it works!
I have no idea what they would have been like live in ’93, but no matter, I feel I got just a good enough, if not better, music session Friday night.
Filed under: All About Me!, Showtime! | Tagged: dave mustaine, dead and bloated, grand sierra resort, megadeth, plush, Reno, richard deleo, scott weiland, stone temple pilots
