Everybody is a Rage Against The Machine fan these days. But do you have their free demo tape above? I didn't think so. I acquired that tape in 1992 when I saw Rage Against The Machine at the Hollywood Palladium open for some band called Pearl Jam. It is still one of the most memorable shows I have ever attended. I missed Rage Against The Machine's return at Coachella but heard that they were back in full force. I have a black Fender Telecaster that I have been known to plug in and play along to their self titled debut album. Tom Morello (Guitars) was on fire as he made his guitar sound like a siren during the "Sleep Now In A Fire". Tom was also playing his trademark frankenstein "Arm The Homeless" guitar. I imagine Matt Bellamy from Muse was on the side of the stage taking notes on how to use the Digitech Whammy Pedal that Tom Morello made so famous. Zack De La Rocha (Vocals) sounded just like I remembered and even changed the lyrics to "Killing In The Name" by saying "Some of those that work forces...are the same that hold office". It had been many years since I saw them and I was still in a state of disbelief when I saw them on stage. Some of the other highlights from their set include "Testify", "Bulls On Parade", "Bombtrack", "Know Your Enemy", "Bullet In The Head", "Vietnow", "Tire Me", "Guerilla Radio", "Calm Like A Bomb", "War Within A Breath", and "Freedom".
Muse
Muse rocks. Muse saved Street Scene the day after I saw them in Irvine. Muse wrapped up their forever tour of the U.S. with a bang in Las Vegas. It looked like Muse was playing some rented gear because they had just played in Copenhagen a few days prior. Matt Bellamy(Vocals/Guitars) did have his custom made Hugh Manson guitars. I do own a Korg Kaoss pad but unfortunately it is not loaded into my guitar. Matt is already talented enough but having custom super guitars is just not fair. Dominic Howard (Drums) was sporting a slick spiderman outfit as he bashed the drums. It is still very fitting for them to end their set with "Take A Bow". I look forward to their new album.
Muse setlist in Las Vegas for the Vegoose Festival (10/29/07)
"Knights of Cydonia"
"Hysteria"
"Map Of The Problematique"
"Supermassive Black Hole"
"Butterflies And Hurricanes"
"New Born"
"Starlight"
"Feeling Good"
"Invincible"
"Time Is Running Out"
"Plug In Baby"
"Stockholm Syndrome"
"Take A Bow
Unkle
Unkle was another must see of the Vegoose festival. Unkle is the brainchild of James Lavelle. Unkle rarely tours and when he does tour, it is usually not as a full band. Unkle played some smaller warm up dates in San Francisco and Los Angeles before their U.S. Festival debut as a full band. James and company played selections off his latest album "War Stories" as well as touching on "Psyence Fiction" and "Never,Never,Land". Unkle came on late to the stage but it soon all made sense after some thinking. Unkle was slotted against Muse but was the last band to play that particular stage and smartly delayed their set so more people could see what an amazing performance they put on. I was not surprised how big their turn out was after seeing them perform.
Ghostland Observatory
Ghostland Observatory knows how to get a crowd moving. The Las Vegas sun was scorching but it didn't matter as Aaron Behrens(Vocals/Guitars) electrified the crowd with his frantic stage dancing as Thomas Turner (Keyboards) worked his keyboard setup. I thought it might be to early in the afternoon to dance. I was wrong. I had heard these guys put on an energetic set and I can now confirm this in person. I hope to catch them at their own show on November 30th at the Henry Fonda.
Infected Mushroom
Infected Mushroom is billed as an electronica duo but they had me fooled into thinking they were an industrial band after the performance they turned in at Vegoose. I was wondering where they got that vintage Kiss shirt?
Micheal Franti And Spearhead
Political advocate Micheal Franti turned in a feel good performance at Vegoose and managed to find time to jump into the crowd for some towel waving.
Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Robert Randolph had a slick sparkled Fender Telecaster. I was really taken by his slide guitar playing.
Overall, Vegoose was one heck of a weekend. The lineup was almost too good as one had to make difficult choices due to schedule conflicts. It will be really interesting to see what Vegoose '08 holds because it will be difficult to top the line up from this year. The only thing I will bet is that it will be a good time. I somehow suspect they already have something up their sleeve.
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