Sometimes the most memorable performances and fan favorite shows are the artists bottom choice. As is with this amazing performance by Trent and my favorite line-up of the constantly evolving roster of band-members. Known by the outside world as the band who played covered in mud, it was known to us "Pigs" (NIN fans to those that don't know) as one of the best shows ever. Not because they played everything perfect or because every song was our favorites, but for the brutal emotion and non conforming performance that they would have played like any other night or show. But this evening it would be in front of a sea of fans, drunk frat dicks, Metallica fans and random collective types from the 90's.
Trent came out in the same "I am here, love me, worship me, fuck off" arms raised entrance, as he confidently but slowly took the stage accepting the challenge and moniker as the catalyst of destruction, mud, blood and other emotions that held the stench of indignation that seemed to burst out like water in a balloon the exact moment it is pierced with a needle. The sea of people rolled like a wave and pushed forward and back, that ebb and flow of tension that the track Pinion brings as it pulses like a tornado siren warning of the impending shit that's about to go down.
And of course he delivers.
Chris Vrenna is amazing as always, especially in March of the Pigs even though Trent's vocals would start to go a little crazy with its cut out effects. And the equipment would soon follow. . . .all attributed to the large amount of mud that has now started to dry on their bodies and electronics, slowly sweating water and dust into everything. But in what would be in my opinion the best song of the evening, would prove to make the performance more memorable by triggering Trent's famously known temper when things don't work. . . .
That song is Happiness in Slavery which you just need to watch. My wife would probably find it necessary to mention how much she "enjoyed" Trent in this song, especially his relationship that he had with his keyboard that at this point was half working and keys missing. It was also the best set up which had two steel bars that bent in the middle and was connected to the drum sets base stage, allowing Trent to move around to an extent in his area of the stage. After realizing how messed up the instrument was, keys started flying and what once was carefully placed fingertips to hit notes, was now flat blunt side blows from his palm and fists along with Trent using his hips to slam (hump) the keyboard into the base that it was connected to. He ended it by screaming "Slavery" into the mic over and over as he pressed his whole weight onto the now for the most part dead skeletal remains of the instrument. And to finalize the second to last song of the night, Trent would put this keyboard out of it's misery and release some stress by bludgeoning the shell of a keyboard with the base end of his mic-stand... proceeding to the other synths and boards on the stage to give them swift justice and the same outcome of his.
A funny note: Danny Lohner's short and muddy dreads would throughout the set add off key contributions to the songs as he did his little "Lohner Lunge" head bangs that would propel a dread to just graze a key and in consequence, let out a "blaaarg" like sound. I'm surprised Trent didn't give Danny a whack or two for this, something that was never out of the question.................................
No comments:
Post a Comment