Well I just got back from the show. First time at the Gorge, it was alright, but I still prefer the intimacy of a nice club or small theatre. The show was pretty great. I got off work at 3, came home, showered and left. Got up there around 5, stood in line for an hour. Walked right to my seat, 6th row, center section. At the time me and my buddy sat down, we were the only people at all in Section B. Sparta took the stage on time, did a decent set. Not really my thing, but could be worse, and I know it must suck playing these gigs where the crowd could give 2 shits about them. Alice took the stage for their streamlined set. The crowd really filled in by this time, but there were still a few seats in front of me empty and only handful of people on the rail. So I figured I'd take my chance while I still had one and jumped over the few chairs and got right on the rail. The show was pretty good, too short, but what can we expect. I was right in front of Mike the entire show. We connected right away and he tried to flick a pick at me. It fell right next to the barrier and I couldn't see it. Then as I pull out my phone to look for it, someone comes up from behind me shines a light right on it and grabs it. Sucks.... Mike then proceeded to spend the rest of the set trying to get a pick to me... no luck. Finally right near the end his last pick, he flicks, it's short lands in no mans land. The security guard picks it up, goes to hand it to me, and the fucker next to me swipes it. WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!?!? Oh well, I was cool with it, as many of you know, I have had some pretty incredible experiences at the shows in the past. I have picks, I have autographs, I have pictures... it was pretty cool just to connect with Mike... Or so I thought... At the end of the set, Mike/Will's tech hands Mike and handfull of picks. First thing Mike does is walk to the corner of the extension, bends over, grabs my hand and puts a pick in it. Right on! Needless to say everyone around me, including the fucker that jacked the pick intended for me, was pretty damn jealous. Then a couple seconds later, Jerry tosses a few picks off the center extension, and I actually get one of those, too. I feel like Baldy must... who, by the way I did see... didn't get a chance to talk with him as he was busy "working." If this fucker ever dies, or even get's a cold, I call dibs on his job. Anyway's, after being to quite a few of these shows, it's really hard to write something new and original about the music. It was great as far as I could tell... the vocals... I could hardly hear from where I was. I think the bulk of the vocals I was hearing was off the side-fill monitors on the stage, which was no where near enough. But Will was definitely selling it. So going by all the shows in the past, I'm pretty sure he was spot on... I heard no mistakes, other then maybe a harmony that Jerry and William might have been singing different lyrics on, but I think Jerry might have actually been at fault for that one. I spent a lot of time focused on Mike.... I have never got to be that close to him during a show, and boy was it fun. Now, Velvet Revolver.... Security came by and checked tickets of everyone on the rail for VR. The booted out over half of the people, but it must have been the first 10 rows or so they allowed on the rail, because the girl saw my ticket and said I was cool, the kicked out like 10 people directly around me. I wasn't sure what to expect. But I stayed right where I was because Wieland is pretty much a rock God, Slash IS and Duff is fucking cool too. So I had to witness. Now I don't know where this shit talking is coming from VR fucking rocked. That was a rock show. AIC is no slouch on the stage, but VR came out and looked like a fucking freak show... (that's good) Scott is so Glam, it is so badass. I have witness a legend. Slash, although it isn't as magical for me to see Slash up close as Jerry, it still was pretty fuckin' cool. I have witnessed a guitar God. Duff, he is so cool, he is a class act performer, all over the stage and just really rocking. And Dave, he kind of chilled out for the first part of the show, staying in his little corner, then he fucking exploded from one side to the other running on the monitor blocks across the stage, thrashing his guitar around... wow, good show. The music, a lot of STP, some GNR, which Scott did a great job with. (the vocals got better for VR, but that is again because of the side fill on the stage, about a song or two in they really cranked those puppy's, because I was pelted with knarly attack from the kick drum and was finally able to hear the vocals better, still not great though) The songs off Contraband were really rocked, and of course the STP was, the crowd really got into that. The new material, not so much. I kind of wish I would have bought the CD so I would have known the songs a little bit. Overall a great night of Rock and Roll.

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That's how you become great, man, hang your balls out there.

Setlist: (if i remember right after driving 4 hours) Again Grind We Die Young Them Bones Rain When I Die Dam That River Nutshell Junkhead It Aint Like That Man in the Box Would Rooster Jerry during the show: "Give it for Mr. Duvall, and Mike Inez on the bass, Sean Kinney on drums, and i'm Jerry Cantrell, and we're Alice in Chains". I got to the show around 7:30 expecting Alice to come on around 8:30 or so. 10 minutes later i'm in my seat, and suddenly I hear this guitar feedback. Then AIC comes on stage. I was like OH SHIT! Suddenly everyone starts running down the grass and into there seats. I loved it. Everyone had their fists pumped for the ending verse of Would?, and sang the last ooooOOOooo of Rooster. It was awesome show with Jerry saying there was a lot of people they knew in the audience. I look forward to tomrrows show too.

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www.laynestaleyfund.com

Great reviews, you guys!!  I thought this Washington show would rock and it sounds like I was right!  Thanks for sharing!!!!!

 

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"We play so fine, don't you agree?" ~ Layne Staley

"We want to celebrate what we did and the memory of our friend." ~ Jerry Cantrell

That's awesome guys...

I'll give my review of tonights show at Ridgefield/Clark County Amphitheatre/Portland when i get back!!!  I want to hear more about last nights show though... there can't be that many too messed up and still sleeping...

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The "Cat In The Box"

A.K.A. "Nimble"

REDS!!!

Please tell me you A. Had your CWTF shirt on & B. Were waving around your BTLL CD way above your head during the show 

Great reviews everybody, thanks for all that typing.....I bet there WERE a ton of friends in the audience, hehehe, wonder if anyone was there for VR 

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Check out WILLIAM'S OTHER BAND
CWTF music page: http://www.comeswiththefall.com/music.html
Newest music: http://www.myspace.com/comeswiththefall

I had my CWTF shirt on... I think that is what really go Mike's eye. And I'm not crazy, I'm not going to risk BTLL in a crowd. I rocked it in the parking lot though. :D

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That's how you become great, man, hang your balls out there.

Redsand187:

I had my CWTF shirt on... I think that is what really go Mike's eye. And I'm not crazy, I'm not going to risk BTLL in a crowd. I rocked it in the parking lot though. :D

 

They do look for that shirt, no lie.....it's a lucky charm every time  

One out of two is good enough  

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Check out WILLIAM'S OTHER BAND
CWTF music page: http://www.comeswiththefall.com/music.html
Newest music: http://www.myspace.com/comeswiththefall

Ok, Im finally back at a computer and have some time to sit down and do this.

The show last night was just awesome. I had never been to the Gorge before and I have to say....just a spectacular setting. Absolutely beautiful. As for the guys, they were awesome. I thought they sounded great and the crowd seemed to be really into it. Everyone around me was just rocking out the entire time they were on. It was a blast. Will sounded really really good. He just nailed it, as did the rest of them. I only wish they could have been up there longer. I wanted more, dammit. I wish I could give ya'll a setlist, but I don't remember, and I was having too much fun to think to text it to myself or something like that. =)

I actually didn't get to my seat until long after Sparta finished and just as Alice was starting, so I can't comment on Sparta. Velvet Revolver put on a hell of a show though. I've heard mixed reviews on the board, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I hate the song Patience SO much that I was ready to scream when they broke into it, but other than that, they were a blast. Scott Weiland is freakin NUTS! He's got so much energy that he just sort of drew me in until I was rockin out with everyone else. I will say this...I did prefer the STP songs they did over most of their actual material, but that's just me. =)

All in all, great night of rock n' roll.

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"I'm too much of a f**cking wolf - kill, attack, move on." --Jerry Cantrell

Well, the review none of you have been waiting for....  

  I must say this was one hell of a gig. While Sparta flailed away on the mainstage, I spent most of it up in the food court watching another band play some covers, mostly butchering the Doors. They did a GREAT cover of Joplin's "Ball And Chain" though. Then we headed down to our seats, where we had a great view despite being a few rows back. Watched the rest of Sparta's set, though they didn't make me throw up they weren't gonna get a shout for an encore either.

 Then after we watched the roadies set up AIC's gear, I looked to the right of the stage and saw Jerry's unmistakable profile. The feedback started, then they rushed onstage and played so loud I could feel the music going all the way into my backbone. The crowd went nuts (as I did) when they jumped into "Grind". YEAAHHHHHH!!!!

 Jerry was in great spirits, and their playing was flawless. My only small gripe was the lack of "No Excuses", otherwise the set was great. I blew out my throat singing along as well. STILL can't talk too good...

 Velvet Revolver also put on a GREAT show. Phenomenal setlist, covering both of their albums as well as 3 GNR and 3 STP covers.

 Sorry if this "review" is a bit short, but I'm still exhausted from the drive back.

  I was also pleased to see a few people wearing their CWTF shirts. I wound up wearing my Boggy Depot "Dickeye" shirt myself, but it was good to see a few people showin' the love for William and his band as well.

 One last note: I too, like ALL other Alice fans, miss Layne terribly. BUT WILLIAM ROCKED!! He's definitely the right man for the job. No, he's not a Layne clone. But he definitely does justice to the tunes.

 This was the best show I've ever seen.   

 

Richard Eye

 

 

 

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"Madonna is simply Courtney Love with an occasional bath"

 

Alotta familiar faces (actually, names, LOL) were at this show  

I bet it was LOUD

Ok, Mr. Eye, a solo shirt counts just as much  

  

Thanks for the experience stories....we live for those, ya know  

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Check out WILLIAM'S OTHER BAND
CWTF music page: http://www.comeswiththefall.com/music.html
Newest music: http://www.myspace.com/comeswiththefall

My body is STILL shaking from the sheer volume...

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"Madonna is simply Courtney Love with an occasional bath"

Dickeye:

My body is STILL shaking from the sheer volume...

 

Brings a whole new depth the the term "power band" huh?  

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Check out WILLIAM'S OTHER BAND
CWTF music page: http://www.comeswiththefall.com/music.html
Newest music: http://www.myspace.com/comeswiththefall

naturegirl:

 

Alotta familiar faces (actually, names, LOL) were at this show  

I bet it was LOUD

Ok, Mr. Eye, a solo shirt counts just as much  

  

Thanks for the experience stories....we live for those, ya know  

Yea, I wish I could have hung out with some of the names on here I recognize! I tried to keep an eye out for familiar faces....but I was so into the show and the cute new man in my life that was next to me. =) Was very good to see Arlene (aka Cat) there, and was a pleasure to share a row with her! You rock, Cat! =)

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"I'm too much of a f**cking wolf - kill, attack, move on." --Jerry Cantrell

naturegirl:

Dickeye:

My body is STILL shaking from the sheer volume...

 

Brings a whole new depth the the term "power band" huh?  

 

No shit!

I thought Mrs. Eye was gonna get shaken clear out of the ampitheatre!! She had this "HOLY FUCK!!!!" look on her face at first during "Again". But as soon as "Grind" started I swear I saw tears of joy. Felt 'em myself too...

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"Madonna is simply Courtney Love with an occasional bath"

Dickeye:

Well, the review none of you have been waiting for....  

  I must say this was one hell of a gig. While Sparta flailed away on the mainstage, I spent most of it up in the food court watching another band play some covers, mostly butchering the Doors. They did a GREAT cover of Joplin's "Ball And Chain" though. Then we headed down to our seats, where we had a great view despite being a few rows back. Watched the rest of Sparta's set, though they didn't make me throw up they weren't gonna get a shout for an encore either.

 Then after we watched the roadies set up AIC's gear, I looked to the right of the stage and saw Jerry's unmistakable profile. The feedback started, then they rushed onstage and played so loud I could feel the music going all the way into my backbone. The crowd went nuts (as I did) when they jumped into "Grind". YEAAHHHHHH!!!!

 Jerry was in great spirits, and their playing was flawless. My only small gripe was the lack of "No Excuses", otherwise the set was great. I blew out my throat singing along as well. STILL can't talk too good...

 Velvet Revolver also put on a GREAT show. Phenomenal setlist, covering both of their albums as well as 3 GNR and 3 STP covers.

 Sorry if this "review" is a bit short, but I'm still exhausted from the drive back.

  I was also pleased to see a few people wearing their CWTF shirts. I wound up wearing my Boggy Depot "Dickeye" shirt myself, but it was good to see a few people showin' the love for William and his band as well.

 One last note: I too, like ALL other Alice fans, miss Layne terribly. BUT WILLIAM ROCKED!! He's definitely the right man for the job. No, he's not a Layne clone. But he definitely does justice to the tunes.

 This was the best show I've ever seen.   

 

Richard Eye

 

 

 

Well fuck man, we were standing right next to each other before the gates opened. I thought I heard you say something to your wife about my CWTF shirt. I was about to start talking to you just because you were sporting a Jerry shirt, but I decided not to be a geek, if only I new it was a boardie.

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That's how you become great, man, hang your balls out there.