Reply #4: Gloriously Bad Live

[NashVegas]

First time I ever saw them was just catching the tail end of a club show in Albany. It was pretty much all over but the noise and Bob in his Fruit-of-the-Looms.

Two years later at the Chance in Poughkeepsie, NY. They were shitfaced (not as bad in their really early days). Sloppiest show I'd ever seen but there was something wonderful about it: they were so apathetic about it that after 10 minutes I came out of shock and stopped caring, too, and fell in love with the spirit of it.

Saw them twice in 89 - one show headlining (so-so) and opening up for Tom Petty. The Petty fans did not react well. Though that set was mostly mediocre, they pulled out a heartstopping rendition of "Within Your Reach" that later showed up on some compilations.

The most "together" I've ever seen them was on the All Shook Down tour, their last. Sobriety did good things for them, but not enough. There was something about their performance that was just so restrained.

Caught Westerberg's solo show twice. The first time, after 14 Songs came out. Thought it was good, not great. The Eventually tour show was the best I've ever seen him. The audience was giving that man all the love in the world and he was lapping it up and giving some back.