No Doubt, Lit & Black Eyed Peas

I expected that there would be a lot of young people, but I had no idea that the place would be full of pre-teens, moms and dads. I almost felt guilty for drinking, but with each beer guilt faded into disbelief. This was truly a sureal experiance.

We spent too long drinking in the parking lot, so we missed most of the Black Eyed Peas’ set. I should have been more responsible, but I was enjoying myself. We finally went in and got another beer before sitting down to see the last three songs. I was definitely impressed; their sound was hip-hop infused with latin, soul and jazz. With a full band, a singer, and the three MCs, the stage was crowded and incredibly active. It’s a shame that they fell on deaf ears — this was not the crowd for original misic. I heard them compared to Arrested Development in the bathroom, that’s how bright the crowd was.

It’s a shame when a good band changes their musical direction for the allmighty dollar. A few years ago I saw Lit here in Chico, and they went off. They used to sound like a cross between Social Distortion and Stone Temple Pilots, but not any more. Now, they still have great guitar sounds, but they've been Blink 182’d nearly out of existance. By the time they took the stage I had another beer and had prepared myself for the worst. They came out in their designer Dickies and glittery shirts and played watered down versions of their radio hits; they played the song with Pamela Anderson in the video,and of course, "My Own Worst Enemy." They almost saved the set by covering "Back in Black," but they played only a few bars and went into the aforementioned crap. I was really hoping that they would play some of the old stuff, but the crowd probably wouldn’t have gotten it. The most interesting point of the set was when Jeremy Popof produced a large chrome vibrator, and to the shock of the parents in the crowd used it as slide, it was great. I really hope that when fame fades they will return to their original sound.

A long wait, another beer and No Doubt was ready for their extra-pretentious entrance. The band is still down to earth, but miss Gwen is now a full blown teen idol. Teen girls cried and screamed and whipped themself into a frenzy for the pink haired sex symbol gone lame. My biggest problem with the show was the unsung band members, the horn and keyboard players who were left on the side half in the dark, while Gwen sauntered around in her cute pink outfit and continually upstaged the rest of the band. During one of Tom Dummont’s guitar solos she brought a horn player to the middle of the stage for a cute little dance, completely de-emphasizing an amazing lead. They played all of the expected hits and one older song, "Trapped in a Box," from their self-titled album, then and left the stage. After a long wait they came out for the obligitory encore. The under-age girls freaked the fuck out when they played "Spiderwebs"; they brought out the guys from Lit and Black Eyed Peas for maximum effect. The set ended with back flips and crying pre-teens everywhere.

As much shit as I talk, I have to admit I had a great time. I was with friends I had lots of beer and the whole show was entertaining. I would deffinatly go again, but I think I’de get even more trashed.

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