So I had to resort to an eBay superlative to express my feelings about this one. Though the band didn't bust out some of the rarities I had hoped for, there was definitely a novelty to being not only a witness to a majestic performance, but being surrounded by fans clearly committed to the music. It was similar to the last Viper Room show--everyone knew the words down to every last little intonation, but multiply that room by 50 and you get a sense for the grandiosity of this achievement.

Some highlights:

*Alive - One of the genuinely unifying moments of the evening. I have never felt the uplifting tone of this song until hearing it sung back to Alex by 1500 other people.

* Philosophofee - Isn't this supposed to be one of the mellower album tracks? The crowd response here was huge and it was so amazing to see the band play off of it.

* Black Jettas - Scott has added something new to this song, especially on the breakdown section where he puts the emphasis on some rhythm different from the album track. Just an example of how he brings something new to the table.

* A Is For Action - So frenzied, most bands would use this as a closer. It was I think Ima Robot's second or third song.

* What Are We Made From - Wow. When I heard the audience spit out the "What" in the title lyric just like Alex sings it on the album, I knew this was a record that people had lived with for a pretty long time.

There are bands that might have sold more records, but I can think of no recent show I've been to where the band was able to elicit such a response from their audience. Amazing performance. If you missed it, I wouldn't admit it.

I was so happy to see them do Ages of Ruin!!!
Yea Drac, they sounded amazing... Wheres the pics and all that good stuff? I know you'll get around to it , im just anxious!!!:P

Ahh my thoughts on the show... haven't posted here in a while :X. Heh but back from MIA. The highlights for me were, Ages of Ruin, and What Are We Made From, since I never heard them live. Me and turtle enterprises were hoping for The Beat Goes On, but no dice... and yeah Black Jettas was insane. Real nice... all in all I had a real good time, and I enjoyed all the opening bands, which is a first Good Show, solid performance.

Thanks to turtle, for coming with me to the top :$.

Oh yea ! Forgot to mention... the show was SOLD OUT! :D

Aggghh, just woke up but we'll check out the photos and recording today!

Who were those people running across the stage across at the end of the show ?

You all are so lucky! I'm glad the show was so much fun!!Can't wait to see the photos....

Hey, did anyone make it to Neuwaves after party bash?

This show was so simply awesome. Ima Robot has obviously transcended to a new plane. A Is For Action, which was about the third song played was just unreal. On this night I hadn't ingested any alcohol or psychotropic drugs of any sort, but when A Is For Action was played the audience really transformed into it's own being. You really could sense a pulse and energy from them as they repeated every word, for word, with Alex. It was really amazing. The audience was it’s own animal.

There came a point when it appeared that the whole crowed could have broken into a massive riot as they had so much energy. The crowd was able to move the front security gating, which created the press gutter, about three feet. Security guards had a pretty difficult time holding them back. I'm pretty sure mdub got pinched against the stage as the crowed pushed through to the front.

The band really played off this energy and I can only think that they left that show with a “Holy Shit…this crowd was awesome.” This is the type of audience bands dream to play to; and for Ima Robot there will only be more of this as they tour and get additional exposure. Surly, this was a wonderful way for them to start of 2004.

Setlist, Pics, Recordings all coming…time for me to catch my breath.

yeah I was uptop, and crowd defenitely had energy, I also like all the little new things they added to a bunch of songs. I took pics too but far away heh... ill post the decent ones, when I resize them.

The concert was absolutely great. I think it was one of the best shows ever and the crowd was awesome. If you missed it you sure missed out on a lot. The other bands were also really good too. Good times

ohh yeah that reminds me, who exactly were the opening bands besides Self??

I think; Dance Disaster Movement?

the show was awsome, although i did get smashed up against the bar, i have bruises all over my legs and arms,lol... it was truly amazing, alex's girfriend is so pretty, i loved her outfit... this girl that was standing infront of the bar which what i was behind of, when the crowd was pushing and the bar slid, she kicked me, that really pissed me off, i called her a few words because that was messed up, as if i were the cause of pushing the bars to the stage, i was the one getting pushed,but anyway, it was a great show, can't wait to see them again, i thought i saw bam margera there.....?

Quote:

Hey, did anyone make it to Neuwaves after party bash?

Didn't happen Michi. I had just recovered from Illness Thusday night, and wasn't up to it, but I wonder if Alex did, because as he left the stage, he said, "Party at my house". I really dug the atmosphere last night. It was really mellow. The guys seemed very relaxed. That was my first show seeing Scott, and I think he represented the LBC to the fullest. Much respect. A few moshers got dragged out by the ear. That was funny.

First time at the Fonda too. Nice venue.

Whoo! I made it to the show and I am so glad I did! So much fun! Batcave did some wheeling and dealing and got us up to the front row, which was great..second row just wouldn't have been the same! Opened with Ages of Ruin, which I begged Justin to do!whoo! I swear they only did it cuz I asked.. The crowd response was so odd to hear, especially after the Sacto show, which didn't even come close! Didn't I say I didn't trust those barriers?? Oi..Anywho, amazing show and I'm so glad I was there to witness it..:D

Oh..And my friend was standing next to some guy who's girlfriend had to be taken out of the front cuz she was being smashed!! That's hardcore! Luckily, she was fine a few minutes later when the show ended..:D

[Edited on 1-19-2004 by poobs]

Oh yeah..And you totally did see Bam..He walked right by me when he was leaving..He had his hat pulled down and was kinda hunched over like he was some huge celebrity that didn't want to be noticed..Ha!

And Seksu Roba was the other opening band..

Bam must like Ima R0obot because I heard one of their songs on his show! Pretty cool!:o But as far as him being a star......nah. I feel so sorry for his Mom & Dad!:wow:

Quote:

Originally posted by n0lram Me and turtle enterprises were hoping for The Beat Goes On, but no dice...

Justin said they were hoping to do some of those rare songs, like The Beat Goes On and I'm Your Bitch, but Alex had been really sick and couldn't rehearse with them..I think when they perform those songs, they want to put it all out there, and just weren't confident enough to do it yet..But I'm sure they will soon enough if they were talking about it! At least you got Ages of Ruin in..That song just rocks my socks off everytime!!

Ages of Ruin, Great song to start off with !!!

It'll be a cool day when they start playing "I'm Your Bitch" live!

Too bad it wasn't at this show with all the hardcores in house...

Definitely a terrific show. The boys looked like they had spent the last several weeks underground, engaging in rampant god-only-knows hedonism at some preternatural bacchanal. A healthy dose of vampirism in effect. No doubt.

Ebert, in particular, seemed to be using this performance as the perfect end to a perfect binge. He was in top form, with a wonderous Bowie-esque arrival and a performance that mixed a fair amount of veiny rock star frailty with a huge helping of manic energy.

I was pleased to see that frat boy Scott has dropped the "salesman at Structure" look and has become appropriately robotized. Kudos.

The other boys all represented with equal aplomb. Justin's paternal kindness shined through once more, with his charming if nearly effusive gratitude given out at frequent intervals. Justin -- you're welcome. Seriously.

Strange days for a fan who has seen this band go from small clubs populated with a handful of bewildered spectators to what occurred on Friday -- true blue raging robot revelry.

And how great was the girl fight during the Self set? Or the boys in the back throwing punches while Timmy set the terrifying scene?

Good times.

Girl fight? Guys throwing punches? Whaa??

Alex surprised me..Justin was saying he was totally sick, but he came out and was a maniac! I think he fed off of the energy of the crowd for sure..:D

Wow...that show was bananas. Completely outrageous I had so much fun considering...all the mayham and energy from the crowd that night. I too was a victim of being crushed against those metal barriers. But I try to manage to keep my place in front. I wasn't gonna let anyone take my place.

I think when "Dynamite" started playing the peeps in the back started rushing in and I was moved from one side to another, still fighting my way in front. I wasn't too surprise by the reaction of the crowd, cuz how can you not be excited with a band that performs such awesome songs back to back. I would think that the more mellow songs would actually calm the crowd down a bit but the opposite happened.

That was one great show...Awesome energy from the crowd!!!


=MARV=

I totalllly agree with the LA show being freakin kick a$$ crazE cool full of mada$$ energy, but i also went to the SD show the next night and that was awsome. That show was fabulous! the energy just contiued from the previous night. The guys were able to get a little more crazey (justin dropin his pants for a minute). The preformance was just as stellar and the crowd was just as crazE ++++ it was wonderfully small venue. I especially loved it when alex fell on top of me while attempting to crowd surf our not so tightly enough packed quiasi pit area. good times good times. Justin I am so ur #1 fan, too. Thanks for the kiss. It made my weekend. You are beauuuutttiiful.

*monet

:D:D:D

The girl fight during Self was about ten feet behind you on the left, Poobs. Highly strange.

"Veiny rock star frailty" describes him perfectly, Riff--you would have expected Alex needed at least a couple of days to recover from that one, so it's notable that he was able to go on the next night and, apparently, put on an equally insane performance.