Benchmark Blog 23: Stone Temple Pilots, October 2009
So Chris and I got a chance to see Stone Temple Pilots after 13 years. The last time we had a chance, I was pregnant with our first child and refused to let him go to San Antonio to see them, leaving me home alone for the night. (I was big and pregnant and not comfortable staying alone at night.) Once we heard that they were touring again and were coming to a really close venue, I bought tickets. It was quite a challenge to get a babysitter, as it was homecoming weekend for the local high school, but never underestimate the motivation of me seeing a concert. I worked out a plan that netted our babysitter a ton of cash and gave a friend an entire night alone for her birthday. We really appreciated my friend and the babysitter to agree to the unconventional plan. So thanks guys! On to the review...
The venue, St. Augustine Amphitheatre:
So this is a fairly new venue and luckily Chris saw the sign that pointed to the new venue, because his phone pulled it up wrong. The lot was packed, so we went down until we found parking. It worked out better, because it was an open lot, where we could pull out onto the street immediately after the concert. We opt to not take the rickshaw and walk to the venue. We speed up once we hear that music is playing. We get inside and I want to get a feel for the venue. With the music playing, Chris wants to get biobreak out of the way and then get down there. We split, which was a mistake, but we found each other.
The venue is not set up in the typical amphitheatre style that we have attended, as there is no lawn area. I guess that this might cause more of a problem for people who are trying to control their concert costs. Chris and I always buy pit tickets and it was a really big pit. Other than that, it is set up in a pretty typical format.
I did have issues with the concession stands, because they had signs at the regular stands that made it seem as if they sold beer and liquor, but it was the stand alone stands that you had to get liquor from. So I wasted some time standing in an unnecessary line. Right after I order my drink, I find out that Chris has me a drink already, so I got two drinks. C'est la vie! I also did not like the Finlandia Vodka that they served. It does not compare to Skyy, Grey Goose, or Smirnoff, but they were generous with the pours. The drinks were also priced what is now the average.
The main problem with this venue is the security. Initially they appeared really vigilant. As soon as some guy behind us started lighting up (cigarette or pot, I am not sure), they immediately pointed him out and told him to put it out or be ejected. There were several more smoke puffs that elicited the same response. I was really stoked that they were so vigilant about the smoke. I have come to accept it, but it is a pleasant surprise to not smell like smoke/pot going home. After that, they failed miserably. I warned Chris that this could be the most dangerous crowd due to the mix of potential people. Sure enough, we had another incident like at the Nonpoint concert shortly after STP took the stage. This heavy, short guy rudely pushes forward, then pulls his girlfriend through to the front. Everyone starts pointing them out to security. The pansy security guy figures out who is causing the problem, then makes an umpire "out" sign and says no pushing. WTF?!?!?! If there is a no pushing policy, then take them out of the pit and if you don't eject them from the venue, then at least make them work to get back up there.
Grade: B- (Venue: A, Drinks:B+, Security: D)
Opening Act, Meat Puppets:
So Chris and I were walking up and heard that the opening act had started. I personally hate to miss them, but we were only 10 minutes late. So they apparently started right on time. I had not been able to find any information on who was opening for STP, so I walked in blind. We recognized "Backwater" playing as we walked up, but could not for the life of us remember the title or the band that sang it originally. (Little did we know that this was the original band). It did not sound good, but we were outside the venue proper still, so maybe the acoustics were just bad on this supposed cover. We went in and got a look at the band. Over the hill does not begin to describe this band. They played some bad version of a song next that I recognized, but still could not place who sang. Then they closed with "Lake of Fire". I actually did not know that this was a cover when Nirvana did it. It was a horrible rendition. Cobain sounds like he is trying to purposely sing this song bad. I did not realize that it was Cobain's interpretation of the Meat Puppet's version. It was beyond bad. They never said their name, so I had no clue who they were when they were on stage. They played a 30 minute set. That is a just getting started, we got one new album, set length. I would expect an established band to play for close to an hour. They were awful, especially for having so much experience. I would not recommend you see them at all. Skip them if they are the first act and do a biobreak and sit down if they are in the middle. They were that bad. Time to give it up, guys.
Grade: F (It is sad when you think that the original band is a BAD cover band.)
Main Act, Stone Temple Pilots:
We are down in the pit and there is adequate personal space considering this is a concert. Everybody is really laid back and we are 1-2 people from the rail. Weiland takes the stage about 8:30 and OMG he was so super sexy! He came out in this awesome white, very fine pinstripe suit and he had these sexy little dance moves. Honestly, he seemed like Adam Levine's dirty, older, rock brother. Weiland has never appealed to me on any level before, but he was just it. I don't think that Weiland even had alcohol in his system. He seemed stone cold sober. They open with "Superman Silvergun" and killed it. It was great. "Wicked Garden" was up next and that was when the heavy rude guy pushed up with his girlfriend. I aggressively defend my territory and Chris was so mad because this guy was trying to push his way between us to move forward. Chris said the guy next to him was holding him back. All I heard was "THAT IS MY WIFE!" I had too much to deal with with his girlfriend. She tries, "This is my first time." I say, "Who cares?" Everyone is pushing on her trying to get security to eject them. She is starting to borderline freak out and I am having no sympathy. I say some choice words and she calls me the b*tch. I said, absolutely. It is obvious that security is not going to do anything, so we all decide to enjoy the music. I do take note of her shoes, which look like patent leather Payless dress shoes. They manage to "accidentally" spill a drink on Chris and I thought he was going to lose it. At the end of the next song, I throw my arms in the air with the last of my drink and oh darn, it lands all over her and her boyfriend. She is livid, but her boyfriend is saying, no big deal, ha ha. Chris has six inches on this guy and although he has 50 pounds on Chris, he does not have the attitude to pull it off. When the next song starts and it is a harder song, I start jumping and oh darn, I "accidentally" land on her toe. I catch a glimpse out of the corner of my eye and she is trying to get her boyfriend to cause an issue. Her boyfriend is like chill, this happens. She backs off from me for the rest of the set. They play "7 Caged Tigers", "Sin", "Creep", "Sex Type Thing", and "Dead and Bloated". It was awesome. The guitarist threw a bottleneck to the guy in front. He obviously aimed it and I watched the guy pocket it, so no chance of snagging it. He also threw a pick later, but it hit the speaker and ended up on stage. The punk security guy wouldn't get it.
Right before they leave the stage, the guy in front of me on the rail leaves, and I move forward. I ask his friend is he trying to keep the b*tch from moving forward and he affirmed. So I actively blocked her. I moved over directly in front of her, allowing Chris to move to the rail as well. Her boyfriend managed to get a hand on the rail, but it was under my armpit. I would not want to smell his hand after the concert, because it was hot, no breeze and no fans. They leave the stage and everyone is going wild. The girl starts pushing me, which she does not understand that I take as normal concert behavior. Without truly aggressive behavior, I am not going to react. When she knees me in the butt, I throw my elbow into her chest. She starts, b*tch don't hit me and starts freaking out. I give her a look like you know what you did, now back off. Then I get security's attention, but to no avail.
STP walks back out and they pull out a hard song. I start jumping and oh darn, land on her foot again, as she was again giving me no personal space for no reason. She backed off again. They play a couple of songs and then bow out. The guitarist throws the pick and I manage to snag it midair. Cha-ching! Everyone is looking for it and Chris tells them I got it. The show was awesome! It rocked. I am not sure how they performed when Weiland was high, but it was incredible. I can wholeheartedly recommend seeing them whenever possible.
Grade: A+++
Overall, the concert was really good. I would definitely go to another concert at this venue and definitely would see STP again, if possible. It was disappointing that they only had one opening act and a really bad one at that. They were still well worth the ticket price plus the babysitter.
Grade: A (I hate these entitled crowds. They really detract from my overall enjoyment.)