Subject: Tubes at Vernon Downs NY
Date: 8/24/98 7:34 PM Mountain Daylight Time
From: WhytePunk
Message-id: <1998082501340600.VAA24995@ladder01.news.aol.com>
Well, it wasn't the ideal venue for me as it turned out, but the band played well under some
adverse conditions. I arrived with my family, knowing that there were to be other bands, but
unsure of exactly who else would be playing. I asked about 5 different people, including a
person from the "event staff" and NO ONE knew who was playing at all! The consensus
answer was "not a clue"...LOL....
The parking lot had opened at 11am for an event scheduled past dark. The Tubes were to
come on at 4:10pm. It looked like a giant tailgate party when I arrived with people drinking
and smoking all over. Everyone seemed semi-comatose at best. I'm still blown away that so
many people didn't know any of the bands. It turned out to be a local band or two,
The Tubes, Night Ranger, and Paul Rodgers.
The Tubes were basically the opening "name" act. They were forced to start quickly and
end quickly because the show was running late. I had hoped to capture a few songs for
my own viewing and memories on videotape, but the security threatened to take my camera
and wanted me to give them the tape out of it. There were about a dozen goons staring
angrily out at the audience for the entire show. Maybe they also had to pay the $3.00 for
a slice of cold pizza like I did!!! ..hahaha...
The Tubes were great though! The band was tight and Fee was his wonderful self. He did
a wonderful rendition of "Mr. Hate" and was really smoking during "What Do You Want
From Life". The sad part was that the band had to fight with the promoters to come out for
one more song! They wanted the band to stop before they played "W.P.O.D.", but Fee and
Co. wouldn't have it. I was waiting for security to charge the stage! Well, we won out and
they played White Punks as Fee thanked them for their generosity!
I want to see them again as the main act, and none of this security and time crunch
bullshit...it made me long a little for the old days!..... But, all-in-all they were excellent!
Neil
(
geocities.com/jdsundstrom)