This show was incredible. I have been waiting too long to see these guys, and my buddy and I had to take leave (Air Force) and drive 500 miles from Oklahomeless to see them. They were playing in a bowling alley
and we rolled in at about 5. I wanted to check out the venue, then go find a hotel room until the show started at 8. I walked in to the bowling alley, and wouldn't you know it, LePond, Rullo, and Allen were bowling. All by themselves. Not swarmed by fans, just hangin'. I talked to Romeo (greatest guitarist alive) in the hall. I couldn't get over the fact that here was my favorite band on Earth.....bowling. The bar (part of the bowling alley building) they played was not very big (200 people would have needed snorkels), and the steel rafters did not lend themselves to good acoustics. I saw Jimmy Page and Robert Plant play Wembley in '96, and their sound was atrocious. I expected more of the same at this show, but was astounded by the perfect mixing. Their sound guy deserves a medal for what he had to deal with on this tour. The entire set went without a hitch, and the songs were even more amazing when the guys improvised. I have seen a great many bands play half-assed live, but these guys actually improved on the studio versions! Even without the benefit (or distraction) of a light show or pyrotechnics, this was by far the best concert I have ever seen.
After the show, we waited around for about a half hour, and the guys came out and signed autographs and hung out with us. I completely understand their rush to leave, as they had to drive to CO Springs for the next night's show, and we all appreciated the fact that they hung with us as long as they did. They just get better and better in my mind.
