TOOL Show #2 ...

Back from the second TOOL show in two nights, we are still both hyped. what an amazing night of art and music, coming together in one giant whirlwind. thanks to everyone involved, everyone we met and the artists themselves. worth every penny, these guys once again proved why I'm willing to travel across oceans to see them.

The day began out with breakfast, and a quick trek out to Emeryville in Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco. our plan was to catch the Amtrak train up north (2.5hrs) to Sacramento for the next show, and stay the night over at a local hotel. yeh we don't do things by halfs, and we've learnt the hard way before, no point rushing around after a show, better to just relax and get some sleep for a travel leg back.

I must say the Amtrak train and coach service here is fantastic. quiet clean and easy to ride, i'd happily recommend it to anyone travelling through the US. boarding a train in Emeryville I managed a few snaps out whilst chilling to a Coast to Coast AM show :) the countryside curves around farming regions to towns along San Pablo Bay, and things are super dry here in the middle of summer. very interesting to see the views change from city to outer towns, steel works, industrial works, farming zones, naval yards and finally Sacramento City center. hopping out to a 32 degree day, we didn't walk around too much, but what we saw in the short time there, just didn't grab us. it was off to check into the hotel and hit the show early.

Now here's an interesting story for you. after turing up to the show, no doors are open, lines are only just starting to form, and out of no where, the base player for TOOL, Justin Chancellor rides around the corner on a mountain bike! just chilling out before the show. ok so if that wasn't crazy enough, we walk around the arena to just take it in. out of no where there seems to be an Arco Arena staff member selling limited edition event posters (same as previous nights, with different artwork) outside the arena. first thought was, this is a scam, has to be fake. i know a little about print design and production. i checked, this was legit. embossed watermark and all. so we each grabbed one and now have a matching pair of posters for the two shows we have attended in California. I mean .... it can't get any better. wait, it does.

We later hear that, although those posters were legitimate, and limited to 400, they seemed to have been pulled from sale for the night for some reason. seems this guys was sneaking some out to fans early? we don't know, but right now, there's less than 100 out there. we have two. oh it gets better ... after entering the event we hit the merch stand for Mark to grab a shirt, and we see 2 fully signed posters for the Alberta Canada show!! 2!! this artwork was some of the best ive seen of all the posters available, and no way could this be passed up. somehow, we lined up and reserved the two last ones available. shots attached. all signed by the band. trust me, as Mark and I were buying these, alot of fans behind us were whispering "those guys can't be buying two" there must be more ... lol

Onto the show.
Wow. what can I say that hasn't been said in the previous post? I mean, these guys have this so dialed in its a fantastic specticle. The show opens with Timothy Leary giving a speech "Think for yourself, "Question Authority". moving right into the track "Thirdeye". each song interacts with visuals and video that is displayed on multiple screens behind, side on and in front of the band. the result is all encompassing, and takes you to another place. to listen to the music is one facet. to FEEL the art in this true open sense is the true experience for this band. we even saw a 15 min version of "Lateralus" with dual drumkits and base guitars from members of the opening act joining TOOL onstage for the ultimate psychodelic jazz rock freakout and comedown before closing the set on AEnima.

Amazing....