Well, I'll trim it down to PG-13 for this board. Sorry. Also, I'm sorry if there's a lot of inside jokes on here, but I'm just going to cut & paste this from my primary message board, and edit where appropriate.

Long saga ahead...not just AIC stuff; also general road experiences.


Chapter I - Baltimore & D.C.
MILFs, lap dances, and my first official accident
(got your attention now?)

Day One.
Yea, and so it was that I departed for the land of Baltimore upon the crisp autumnday of October 24, 2006. I arrived in the city early enough to scope out the scene, and find the location of the venue, Ram's Head Live. I'm pretty familiar with the area now, so I got a hotel room, and a bite to eat, then just explored the city a bit. So nothing really eventful. Evening came, and I went to the venue a bit early, which was good because doors were actually at 6:30. Now, the entrance to the venue was a clusterfuck so horrendous that you couldn't tell where the line started. So after getting my ticket, I arbitrarily picked a spot amid the clump of people and waited to get in. Then the kid in front of me has a fake ID, and ends up holding up the line another 5 mintues. Anyway, I get inside, and...hey, Ram's Head Live is a damn fine venue. Three stories high with bars and little restaurants galore, and several different vantage points for viewing the stage. The catch was, they had terrible beer. I decided to try the local lager called "Fordham" or something. Disgusting. Drank about half a cup and didn't touch another beer all night.

But enough bullshit for now; on to the show. *SOME SPOILERZ* I easily got pretty close to the stage, as the crowd wasn't very dense (stage right: Mike Inez side). The opening band Hurt came on, and honestly, I thought they were pretty good. Much better than most opening bands I've seen. The drummer was really good, and the singer/frontman had a lot of positive energy, and the songs were decent. Then came the big guns. The mighty A I C. It's good to see Jerry sporting the beard once again. ;) I'll post the setlist at the end, but I'll say this now: of all the times I've seen AIC/Cantrell in the past, this was the best setlist EVAR. A hard, strong 2-hour set that didn't disappoint once. All the boys in the band were on fire as usual, and it seems Duvall gets better and better every time I see him. So after a powerful first set, the crew starts setting up an acoustic kit while a wonderful Staley tribute plays on the background. Most of it was material that I don't think has ever been seen before. At least I have never seen it. So five minutes or so pass by in this fashion, and then the stage lights up with soft light pillars, and Jerry and Will return with their acoustic guitars, soon to be joined by the others. I gotta say...I never expected them to play "Don't Follow," but lo and behold, that's what the acoustic set opened with. So the acoustic set ended, and the crew disassembled the stage while another Staley/AIC compilation played on the backdrop, and another heavy electric set followed. Again...best setlist EVAR. And I won't complain if it stays the same every night (though it apparently won't, since the setlist sheet said "Setlist 1." I was actually surprised at the Maryland crowd. I mean, they were into it, but not very much so. No moshing, pushing or crowdsurfing at all. I guess that's good, but usually with intense energy comes these things. Well, whatever. They just weren't as crazy as the crowds we have up here. Someone still managed to spill a beer on me, which rained down from above. Thanks, buddy.

Now this is where the, um, "weirdness" begins. So after the show, I go to the parking building, and seeing the long line of cars attempting to get out, I decide to just kick back in my car and wait a while for the traffic to die down. I grab a piece of paper and start scribbling the setlist down. After a while, two girls--obviously just a bit wasted--come to the car next to me. One is a tight, busty blonde, good-looking, about my age, the other is an equally attractive brunette probably around 30. Now this first part all kind of happens pretty fast. The blonde girl is just hooting and stuff and standing by the back of the car, and the brunette walks right by me--sitting in my car, remember--and leans against the concrete wall in front of the cars, right next to my window. Apparently, she didn't see my in the car, and she proceeds to say, "I really need to piss bad." Next thing I know, her ass pops out, she turns around, pulls down the undies, and FULL FRONTAL!!!  As she squats, gentleman that I am, I hold up the piece of paper in my hand, at least ATTEMPTING to pretend I didn't see anything. At this moment, the blonde comes up and leans in my window--unaware that her friend is making an attempt to pee right there. So the blonde asks how old I am, did I see the show, etc., etc. Then as the trickling starts, she looks over and sees what's going on, laughs and calls her friend an asshole. Then she looks at me and says (playfully, mind you):
"Hey! Stop watching! You're not a cop are you?"
Me: "No, I'm not a cop. Look! I'm holding the paper up! I see nothing!!!"
Her: "You can still see, that's not fair."
*she opens my door*
Me: "I'm swear I'm not watching!"
***[Rest of the story edited for content...sorry, folks! You have to be a Pub member to get all the details!]***


Day Two.
Trip to DC. I had been to the 9:30 Club before, so it wasn't too hard to find again, but I was really early, so I just did some exploring as I tend to do. Now it seems that unlike up here in Jersey, DC has two-lane roads that abruptly turn into one lane + one parking lane. So essentially, a normal driving lane instantly and without warning becomes a parking lane. Well, I didn't realize this, as there wasn't any indication that such a thing would or could happen. So, misjudging the distance at play here, *WHACK* my passenger mirror slaps off the mirror of a parked car. WTF??? There's my first official accident in 10 years of driving. There was a cop right there, who didn't do ANYTHING, so their worthlessness came in handy for me for once. However, 1.) just in case, I pulled over, 2.) the girl who owned the car (an extremely attractive brunette) was right there on the scene. So, nice girl, we settled things out and agreed not to call cops/insurance companies, and that I would send her a check as soon as she got the estimate. So if anyone sees my mirror duct-taped on to my car before I get it fixed, that's what happened. LOLLERSKATES! And so my guardian angel got revenge on my for the previous night's debauchery. So after that debacle, and having been fighting a mild cold for the past couple days, I got a parking spot near the venue, forgot to eat, took Nyquil instead of Dayquil by mistake, and passed out in my car for an hour or two. About five o'clock, I decided to get out and wait in line, in an attempt to get a rail spot for the show (which I did, easily). Had an interesting conversation with some guy while waiting in line, but I won't bore you with those details since you're probably already bored from this novel I'm writing. One thing that stood out though, was when I told him I don't like Tool as much as I used to, he gasped and said, seriously, "So you really don't think Tool is the best thing since sliced bread?" and I laughed, recalling my comment here about mulletguy a while back. [inside joke, sorry]

Hehe. So, in the venue, on the rail, while waiting for the bands, a woman takes a spot next to me, and we start talking about this and that. So she's brunette, attractive, nice face, probably about mid-thirties forty at the most [inside joke edited]. Single...so maybe wacky...I don't know, she seemed really nice to me. Anyway, she invites me to a CRUISE in January. Apparantly there's a "Rock Cruise" on Carnival involving Collective Soul and a few other similar bands. So...this is interesting. And I'm considering it. She said, she has an extra ticket because the person who was supposed to go with her bailed, and she's now considering not going too if she can't find someone else to go with. She gave me her email in case I was interested. Now...not that I expect anything to "happen," but the only thing is, what if I accept, she's some weirdo, bails on ME, then I end up on a cruise with some gay guy or something. I'll think back ruefully to my youth when my mommy told me not to talk to strangers.

So that's that story.

There's not much to add about the bands.  AIC's set was pretty much the same, and I enjoyed it just as much, if not more, since I was right up on the rail in front of mah man Cantrell. They added a few more teasers, including Cantrell playing the intro to "Battery" during the acoustic set. Also during the acoustic set, after the first song, the band was joined by special guest Scott Olsen, who you will remember is the guy who played with them during the Unplugged show.

So all was said and done in the first part of my tour. All that was left was the ride home. So I gunned up the engine, adjusted my decrepit rearview mirror, cracked open a Monster, turned up Testament, and started my journey back home. I feel these events will not be topped, but only time will tell. Now, I must rest for tonight's show in Philly. WOOT!

Appendix: Oh yeah, funny thing overhead while waiting in line in DC. Some guy behind me was talking about the other concerts he had been to, and he mentioned Dragonforce, saying, "That has to be the gayest concert and the gayest crowd I ever saw. There were actually guys humping other guys in the crowd during the show."



Chapter II - Philly
I = Katherine

Day 3.
Wow. Ok, well after some warped and disjointed planning, Katherine and I met up for dinner, when I came to a realization. MY DRIVER'S LICENSE IS MISSING. I NEVER lose shit like this. My license never leaves my wallet unless I'm carded, and then it goes right back. So where is it? The last time I remember having it was when I flashed it at the 9:30 Club in DC, and therefore, since it's not in my apartment, car, or backpack, I must have somehow lost it there at the show. So, after making fun of Katherine a week or two ago about carrying around her passport instead of her license, I walked around flashing my passport to get access to clubs tonight.  This tour is just chock full of ups and downs, n'est pas?

Anyway, the show at the Electric Factory was generally nothing new for me: same setlist, same energy, same greatness. Except Katherine and Jim were with me this time, so I got to enjoy it with other people. ;)  Well, it started out ok, but the action where Kath and I were standing just freaking peetered out. Everyone around us became statues near the end of the show. So Katherine took a stand and we moved into the mosh pit, and eventually made our way practically to the front.
\m/  \m/ So everything worked out. Except Katherine bought a shirt that will probably fit her sister for 6 months and then have to become a hand-me-down to her cat because it's so small. :P

But anyway, three down, four to go. Thanks for coming out guys. Good show as always. And Katherine, don't worry, I'll protect you, babe. [another inside joke]

Cut/paste from the other thread:
Yeah, so the Philly crowd kicked the crap out of the MD and DC crowds!!! It was really good to be home, I'll tell you. Moshpits...crowdsurfing...ACTION!!! And as I always say: when the crowd is more into the show, the band is more into the show. The setlist didn't change from the other nights AND I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS. As I've said repeatedly, this setlist is so good, I don't care hearing it over and over again.

although I'd die to hear Sunshine thrown in there one night. ;)

So thanks again to Jerry and the boys for a great show. Three down, four to go for me! \m/ It was good to see Scott Olsen again tonight...I didn't expect to see him at more than one show. So thanks for showing up.
 
Now, there were a few minor differences in the show. At the beginning of the acoustic set, Jerry came out donning a massive sombrero, and gave us a little flamenco gusto. LOL Through the set, the hat migrated to Sean then to Mike, and finally ended up being thrown into the crowd where it was ripped to shreds (I must say I saw that one coming). Then at the beginning of the next set, Duvall came out and he and Sean started jamming a little "Roadhouse Blues." Heh. Sweet. Actually where we were standing, the action died down near the end of the show, so my Katherine and I moved to the moshpit and made our ways practically to the front to get away from the party poopers. ROCK.

Well, it'll be good to have a day off tomorrow so I can recuperate from all the wacky shit that's been happening to me as I travel the east coast with AIC.  AIC in AC on Saturday!!!

Oh and I recorded the setlists on my last.fm journal. I'll just post the link to avoid giving any spoilers.
http://www.last.fm/user/Rifugium/journal/

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A little late on this one, but here it is.

Chapter III - Atlantic City

Day 4.
Well, not much to speak of today. I won $300 at the casino, so that's a plus.  The Borgata is of course probably the best casino this side of Vegas, with women....women.....WOMEN. Like Playboy-quality women everywhere: mainly the waitresses. All wearing corsets and skimpy skirts. Damn, I love that place. Not to mention all the half-naked girlies in Halloween outfits. Yum.

No change in the AIC set again, as expected, but just as good as always. I was right front-center, and I got some good pics that I'll post later. The crowd wasn't as wild as the Philly crowd, but they were still better than Baltimore/DC, though there were some real dickheads there, and some drunk dude passed out and hit the floor right next to me.

So now...I'm once again contemplating not going to the show tomorrow. Mainly because I feel more like shit today from this damn cold, and therefore I really don't feel like doing this 4-hour one-way drive tomorrow. I realize they'll probably keep the set the same, and I still want to see them again....but I still have two NYC shows to go, so maybe I'll sit tomorrow's show out and just rest off this cold.

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Chapter IV - Albany
Worst driving experience...ever. And MORE NUDITY!!!

Day 5.
Yeah, so I did decide to go to the Albany show. I'm just that hardcore. I don't regret it for a moment, but as I said, I had the single worst driving experience of my life, and it was all thanks to freakin' internet directions. Let's just say, thanks to said directions, I spent over two hours driving around IN New York City, instead of bypassing the city and making it to the Thruway without incident. Consequentally, I think I ended up paying in tolls at least twice the amount I paid for my ticket. Thank God I had a complimentary "directions help" through OnStar, or I probably wouldn't have made it to the show at all.

Anyway, Albany was an awesome city. At least it seemed to be. Unfortunately I didn't get any time to explore since I got there just in time for the show instead of nice and early like I had planned. I'm really getting sick of Hurt now. :lol: I mean the first time, I thought they were ok, but now it's like, c'mon guys...you suck, and I just want to see AIC!!! No changes in AIC's set again, but Cantrell threw in another little Metallica tribute during the acoustic set with teasers from "Nothing Else Matters" and the beginning riff of "Battery." (And sorry, but Battery was what he played in DC too, not "Blackened" as I indicated previously.) Then Cantrell said in a Beavis voice, "Heh heh heh...Metallica rocks."

Oh yeah, the nudity. Some cutie flashed her tatties during the intermission break and then again somewhere within the second electric set. Come clean, was it one of you girls? So not as good as the up-close-and-personal action I got in Baltimore, but still good stuff. And of course Jerry approved.  Despite getting to the show late, I was about two people from the front on Mike's side (figured I'd give him a little attention tonight. ) I wanted a rail spot, but oh well.

I don't regret yesterday's trip. REALLY long drive, and that horrific unnecessary tour of New York City. But AIC made it all better. Worth it...but I won't ever do it again. Not for a while anyway.

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  Sorry to hear about your traveling woes, but glad you made it! It's really hard to go from show to show, I've done it, too, so I feel you. 

  If it makes you feel any better, our internet directions sucked, too, and we drove around quite out of our way before we found the place thanks to some nice locals. It's that damned Mercury Retrograde that started yesterday! Expect about six more weeks of miscommunication lol.

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"Imagination is intelligence with an erection."
Victor Hugo

lol @ Rifugium asking if the titie girl was one of us. It wasn't there so it wasn't me...I swear! I may love Jerry, but I only do private showings.

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

driving in albany doesnt suck... its absolutely god aweful. no one gives a crap and wont let u in. i can say this cuz i've lived here for 4 years and i hate it. armory website says 2,000 parking spots in a few block radius... in the ghetto maybe. couldnt find on street parking... couldnt park in the garage for the armory...   i ended up walking from pricechopper. for those who are from or familiar with albany thats the pricechopper on delaware aka "ghettochopper". walked 6-8 blocks but was well worth the walk. shoulda just walked from the damn pharmacy school campus. woulda saved the gas from driving around one ways for 20 mins. lol..

Great Show. Glad to see so many fans out on a sunday to enjoy some amazing music

haha. my best friend was at the albany show because she goes to school up there.

by any chance was the flasher asian? 

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sickness was fixing me some
coughed out my heart in the last stall
now that the damage is done
i never miss it at all

Nah, white girl with short brown hair I think.

There was a parking building and lot right there, but they were both full by the time I got there. I parked on the street about 2 blocks away...wasn't that bad.

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Chapter V - NYCI
THANK YOU NEW YORK CITY, for the best show yet!

Day 6.
Woo! Yeah! Definitely the best show so far, thanks to the enthuiastic crowd. I'm glad to have a girl as hardcore as Katherine with me on these ventures. We both kicked our share of asses tonight and arose victorious...though a bit tenderized. AND we made it back to the train station in record time. We rule.  It's great how other guys think that Katherine needs their protection. Also saw some catfights tonight. LOL Some drunk blonde biddy was causing all kinds of problems. First, she pissed some girl off so much, the security had to hold her back. That girl was FUMING. I laughed. Then after the show, I saw a black woman (who was cool, because I talked to her a bit earlier) right up in her face yelling. I chuckled.

Ok. Can I just say, I'm really sick of Hurt? I mean REALLY. Seriously, how did they get on this tour. Fortunately, we did hear some really good heckling tonight. Oneliners such as, "Do they make sunglasses for music?" , "I wish my playing was as tight as my pants," and my personal favorite, "This is like high school all over again...except I'm not having fun!"  Oh well...I just have to stand through them once more. Then I never have to hear them again.

AIC was tremendous tonight. Same setlists as I've been seeing, but with the overly zealous and crowd, it just made the show so much better, further proving my theory that the band's performance is directly proportional to the enthusiasm of the crowd. Cantrell was the man as usual. I was pleased that someone started a "SEAN!" chant, because Sean is the man, and deserves his own chant. It can't always be "JERRY! JERRY! JERRY!" Right before the encore, some dickhead threw a full beer can on the stage, and Jerry got pissed. Thankfully, not pissed enough to skip the encore.  Before they started playing, Sean actually approached the mic first saying that not only was the act insulting, but stupid considering NYC beers are $12 a piece. Then Jerry threatened that if only the offender had the balls to reveal himself, he would kick his ass right there on the stage. Hells yeah.

So, I'm looking forward to my last show tomorrow night. Depending on Jimbo, I'll attempt a rail position tomorrow.

I LOVE NYC! I LOVE THE NOKIA THEATER!

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Great Review, Rifugium!!
Thanks!! I wish I were there.... I just cant understand how rude some people can be....

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Eu juro que é melhor
Não ser o normal
Se eu posso pensar que Deus sou eu

-----> Luke

Actually, I got beer spilled on my person as well. Someone trying to squeeze in front of me in an impossible position got my elbow to his chest. Little did I know he was holding a beer, half of which spilled on me. I wouldn't have been too pissed, except it was a Budweiser. If you're going to spill beer on me, at least make it a GOOD beer. Fuckers.

Oh, and I was about one person from the front, Cantrell side again.

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Yeah like Corona or Heineken... At least those are my fave... but I still prefer vodka

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Eu juro que é melhor
Não ser o normal
Se eu posso pensar que Deus sou eu

-----> Luke

Boo Corona. Though it's what the boys have been drinking every night, so I guess I wouldn't complain.

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And once again, here's the link to my concert setlist journal: http://www.last.fm/user/Rifugium/journal/

I'm gonna hit the hay. Thanks again NYC for a great night. I'll be back tomorrow!

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Well, Rifugium you're doing a magnificent job of this touring stuff.....right on top of posting fast too.....

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