The Outer Sunset

Ah, I love living in the future.

My favorite band just played their first show in 11 years earlier today, just a few hours ago, on the other side of Planet Earth.

The sun hasn’t even set in California and we already have several videos online to check out.

Thanks for sharing, England!

I like this one.

Ladies and gentlemen, on the stage for the first time in 11 years, Faith No More –

Opening up their set with a cover of “Reunited” by Peaches and Herb as sung by Patton and Roddy.

Glad to see that you guys still have a sense of humor.

Here’s another cover of an old Bee Gee’s song that FNM is known for.

That’s another thing that’s unique to Faith No More that I really find myself respecting as time goes on.

When Faith No More covers a song they don’t tweak it.

They don’t do a “alternative” or hard version of the song.

They play the song almost exactly as how the original was written.

That’s a dead art form. No major label band does that.

I used to think that alternative covers of old goofy songs were pretty neat, but lately it’s just become a really offensive and cowardly marketing tool by shitty bands that can’t seem to make a name for themselves on their own merit.

Limp Bizkit became famous doing that horrible cover of a George Michael song.

Alien Ant Farm made a name for themselves doing a mediocre cover of a Michael Jackson song.

Orgy chewed up and then shit out a perfectly good New Order song.

The list goes on and on.

That’s why I find myself really respecting Faith No More’s covers. Even if they are covering goofy songs with a certain amount of sarcasm or dark humor, there’s also a hell of a lot of unspoken respect there.

Respect to the original artist, respect to the song itself that says,

“I don’t have to ruin your song to make a name for myself. I will play your song exactly as you wrote it.”

That’s a dead art form.

No other big alternative kind of band does that on a regular basis.

“And this one goes out to all the White rappers. Now that we’re all 40.”

I can’t wait to see the future festival crowds (70,000+ people) response too this song now that, thanks to youtube, we’re onto your game plan Faith No More.

48 hours later –

I had a hell of a time watching the Download festival online. Even if my stream was a bit choppy, I got to see a professional shot festival show for free, I had everything I needed within arms reach, and the bathrooms were clean with no line to get in. It was a great 21st century digital concert experience.

24 hours later in Italy –

You know, being fluent in Italian really does come in handy for a lead singer when doing a show in Italy.

Alright! Mike Patton at 41 still rocking the face-forward 180 degree stage flips.

And way to go FNM!

Fucking awesome jam during the Sun Dance ritual.

Evidence live in Russian (with audience participation).
Moscow. 2009.

I know he’s supposed to be all old & jaded now. But, Man.

Patton can still howl like some 19-year-old kid that REALLY wants that summer job to be the new lead singer of Judas Priest.

Closing out the show.
August 8th, 2009.
Portugal.
And………roll credits…

Budapest, Hungary.

Mike Patton eats a shoelace, finishes the song, throws the shoelace back up and then into the crowd.

Why? I have no idea.

The funny thing is that Patton is known for being a big foodie yet that guy eats and drinks the most horrible things on stage.

Fuck You.
Fuck You Very Much.

Chile has just officially smoked Israel to be the number one audience in the Midlife Crisis sing-a-long contest.

America, we’re all on notice right now. Chile just fucked up the curve.

And San Francisco, we need to bring our A+ Game on April 2010.

I’m talking Michael Phelps and Tim Lincecum, Marvel Team-Up, Gold Medal, A+ Game to the table on April 2010.

Director Patton putting on a little show for the folks down in Brisbane Australia. 2010.

Patton sure has been giving his mic a lot of head during this tour. I like how he handles the mic, he’s got this neat 45-degree angle for his lounge moments, other times he throws it around like a weapon, and here he completely engulfs it. What a great high-five moment.

San Francisco.
Warfield shows.

Amazing Mike Patton, the Tony Hawk of stage divers, picture courtesy of Jay Blakesberg

This was my outfit for the Warfield shows.

I was raving out during Evidence when Mike Patton pointed at me and said, “Show them what you got, Red!” and then the spotlight was on me and all of a sudden my life became and episode of Soul Train and all my years of training paid off.

It was glorious.

Best fan photo of all time goes to FNM2.0 OG Stubb

Photo courtesy of Wanderlusting

The encore with both Chuck and Mike on Introduce Yourself was odd and touching.

It’s like if your parents got divorced on really bad terms and then 20 years later you see the both of them shit-faced drunk at a family wedding and they are bouncing around with each other like they were the Beastie Boys.

***

Related Posts –

Faith No More’s Second Coming

Rosamunde Tuesday Only Cheeseburger Special.