Review: The Usual in San Jose, CA

The Tubes packed the house on Saturday May 30. A perfect sized club and fans of all ages.

Starting of with one of their better known signature tunes, Up From the Deep, the Tubes kicked things off for Fee's entrance. Looking fit and obviously enjoying married life, Fee cranked into full gear. Hit after hit blast out of the way too loud sound system, displeasing even the Tubes. They are pissed and try to get it turned down. The new stuff was minimal, but Genius of America is a great song and deserves way more airplay.

Big surprises of the night were a Slipped my Disco sung by Roger, a fan’s request (mine) for TV is King and a premarriage song dedication for a blistering version of Mondo Bondage. Overall the mix was good, a couple of tracks off of each album. Sadly, NOW did not warrant any songs while the Tubes churned five songs off of Completion Backwards.

No Tubes show is complete without the usual crowd of fans of all types, from young club hoppers to 1980s frat boys, with girl friends who are a cross of Madonna and Martha Stewart, to the original fans of the early 70s. Brain dead headbangers kept the crowd laughing at the front.

The Band as always delivers, Prairie is the best drummer on the planet, Gary does a great job of being Sputnik, Micheal and Vince. Rick and Roger are always in sync and just rip and new guy Dave does great synth fill and even nailed the intro of TV is King, which Fee said they have not played in a long time. Fee is still the best with the audience of any lead singer. Mr. Hate was great the impressions, the whole thing.

Fans need to get it together and spark the need for a big reunion show and get the whole crew back together for a huge extravaganza for HBO or something. Big thanks to Marilyn Wood for always being there. After the show, the band was pleasant and made it a point to give fans who hung around after the concert the time of the day.

What's next? How about the Tubes unplugged????

Chris Murphy

Last Updated: June 2, 1998
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