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September 14, 2000 - CBS Studios, Late Late Show with Craig Kilbron
Wow! My first time seeing the presidents in action, and it was incredible.
There have been a lot of mixed reactions in here about Subset, so I figure I
should compare how I felt about them before and after seeing this.
Before: Going into the concert I was really really really hoping that I would
be blown away, but I had big doubts, especially with some recent postings. I
had listened to all available mp3's and the pain in the grass real audio. Only
a select few of rap songs I can proclaim good music ("I wish" by Skee-low &
"No Digity" Blackstreet) and Mix seemed to be doing some generic stuff. However,
if your like me, you could still pick up some pusa touches here and there. My
overall impression was that Mix is dominating the group, but I kept feeling
the presidents had a groove going in the background just waiting to bust out.
Subset was a group I like because the presidents were IN IT. I hoped the songs
I had not heard yet would give me a reason to like Subset besides that.
The Concert: Despite my uncertainties, I was pumped and, wanted so bad to get
the most out of the night. Well, got there around 7:30 right as opening act
was starting. Damn! Missed my chance to talk to the band before hand. Ah well,
I just sat through the band (Beyond Control) in anticipation for Subset. I got
frustrated everytime they played another song. Looking back, they weren't bad,
especially given that two of the three were 13 and 14. Oh yeah, durring their
set, I saw these professional looking guys tapping it with a top notch camera.
I asked them if they were doing subset as well, but they said no. BASTARDS!
Oh well, I tried. No boot from me either btw. Ok, around 8:40, the lights dimmed,
and it was showtime.
Something Wicked- Dave kicked out the bassline to this one from behind the curtain.
Damn, no lowrider intro! That was my absolute favorite part of the pain in the
grass. Curtain rises, theres Chris! And Dave! Theres Mix! Theres Jason! Theres......
some other skinny ass african american with another mic? WTF? Who the hell is
this? I couldn't figure it out the whole concert, but at one point Chris referred
to him as "out of sight Mike?" Ummm, ok. Whatever. Someone want to ask about
this? Anyways, aside from this curious predicament, the song was great. Much
better than the studio MP3 version. The pace is fast, the bass line is tough,
right before the chorus Mix and the presidents retort back and forth Something-
Wicked- Something- Wicked! Great build up for the chorus, which sounds much
better when Mix aint screaming so high!
Beach Rats- Mix opens this by talking about being in Santa Barbara earlier,
and telling about what he saw. This song was my favorite mp3, cause I thought
the presidents shined the most (especially at the end of the song) At the concert,
they just rushed through all the parts dave rocks on guitar. Give our guys more
time to rock. Mix really overshadowed in this one, and "Mike" when he kept chiming
in.
Addicted to the Fame- Mix talks about his past addiction, which obviously aint
crack. Wow, I think to myself, all three of the ones I know right away, I expect
the rest of the concert to pick up after this. Not much to say about this one.
Mix asks Chris what hes addicted to, and he replies Fayyeyyeyeyeame, and thats
about all there is to this song. I know its supposed to be their theme, but
its not one that would sell me on this band. The chorus is pretty cool, actually,
thats about it.
Just a Girl- Hurray! Chris is talking to us! "hey everyone give me a D.. give
me an E... V... O... whats that spell? (Its devo for those of you who have trouble
putting letters togethor) This got quite a pop from the crowd. Being 17, I was
never big on Devo, just zip it, and thats about it. However, the song was cool,
upbeat, and gave the crowd something to sing along too. Probably why they decided
to do it so early.
What the Hell- Chris goes to keyboards, Dave takes bass, and Mix talks about
waking up next to some dog in bed after being drunk. This song was a little
slower, and I suppose the devo energy wore off pretty fast. Chris asked the
audience to sing along by repeating "what the hell am I doing here" which I
screamed out and hoped others were too. But when they stopped playing the music
and held the mike out to us, uh oh! Bad idea. Chris shouts out, come on LA.
Finally mix goes, I guess they need the music. "Crap," I thought, how will we
get any encore. I don't think it helped that Mike was neither "Out of sight
Mike nor Out of Mind." He had quite a bit of SOLO TIME on this one! Beyatch!
Next Chris talked about doing some oldy from 1957. Cool, I thought. Recognized
the bassline, but couldn't put a name to the song. The lyrics weren't helping
either, obviously they had changed the words (I think) cause I had no clue what
mix was saying) Nice rock beat to it though. This is the only song I didn't
get the name of (guess thats what happens when your underage and dont get drunk
by the second song! haha, no offense. In three and a half years Ill be doin
it too)
Blood from a stone- Now mix is complaining about a run in with the IRS! I know
that one. This one really begins to shine when Chris sings the chorus. Its not
just a repetative bassline either. I like this one.
She wants you...- I think thats what its called. Pretty funny one, the sceam
out the title, if thats what its called, then Mix goes up way high and chirps
something about spitting on her. It seemed annoying at first, but by the end
I liked it. That part was even something I played in my head today. Cool!
Skinnin and Grinnin- Mix asks who's got alcohal tonight. Three people raise
their glasses in the air. Shit, we are screwed, kiss any chance of encore goodbye.
I had forgotten about this song, it was nice to hear it again. I like the chorus
in this one too. Notice a trend? They are the best parts about these songs.
At one point Jason "falls asleep on the drums" and Mix wakes him up.
Farmer John- First time I heard this song, and it immediately became on of my
favorites. Soft country sounding baseline, with Chris singing a bunch of solo
parts. "and Farmer John....Im in love with your daughter" Mix, "which one" The
oneeeeeeeeeeee. with the lemon toe!" Then an awsome chorus to this one as well.
Seriously, this one rocked. ( I like the way you walk, the way you talk, she
wiggle when she walk) I dunno, it was something like that. The words have been
slipping, but the sounds are still blasting in my head. This is better than
anything I have heard yet, and was one of two songs I took away really remembering.
We cant stop- Dont remember hardly anything about this one at all, so I will
take some time to talk about what else was going on. Nice, big crowd, but not
packed. I sat about 6 ft from the stage. Chris e dressed the nicest with a button
shirt, and a regular stringed guitar with the word COW on it. Bubba cow? nah!
Dave had bleached hair, Man is he skinny! He looked allright with a tshirt,
jeans and a belt. Jason was covered by his drums, but I can tell he has short
hair. Mix had on a rebok shirt if you CARE which you probably dont, but I remembered
it so I thought I would share it.
What can I lick- Here it is, ladies and gentlemen. The song that sold me on
Subset. Chris goes back to keyboards, and Dave on Bass. Its much slower paced,
not like anything I heard before. Maybe thats why I like it. The opening had
soothing mellow grooving feel, seemed like I knew it already. Chris does some
great stuff on the keyboard! He has a ton of time on this one to show off, and
it was awsome. See, when Mix shuts up, the presidents need more time to make
use of their incredible fill in talents. But it was the Chorus (surprise!) that
is what has been playing heavily in my head since the concert ended. "what can
I lick to make you feel better? What can I lick to make it real? What can I
lick to make you feel better? What can I lick to make it real?" My typing cant
do that justice. You can read that in a million different ways, but let me tell
you it just flows! My favorite song by far. Any cd they release with this song
is worth buying it for me.
Ribby Rib- At this time I shout out ribby rib, and weather they hear me or not,
Mix announce hes gonna teach us about evolution. Dave starts it off on guitar,
Chris follows with those classic vocals. Its different then Casper, but not
in a bad way. Then Mix comes in, and I feel that it really loses a lot. The
chorus still holds it togethor, especialy the shouting out of "Togethor Now"
Baby got Back- Mix starts talking about should they stop, and without waiting
for the crowd to say something, Chris says, "I think we got one more song. Mix,
why dont we just make one up" Mix then goes over to the keyboard, hits a few
keys, then eventually pounds out the bassline to baby got back. Well the crowd
freaks, and they are suddenly LOUD! well, its about time. I must admit, I know
the song was huge, but I never memorized more than a few of the words, so I
just watched the crowd on this one.
Lets go Cruisen- Time to packe up.... Uh, maybe not... The crowd actually is
holding up their hands chanting one more song, one more song. Allright, this
one was pretty generic with the earlier stuff in the concert. I dont remember
much more than that. Had some rock out parts to it. Afterward, Chris reminded
everyone they are called subset, and said confidently "We'll be back. Definately
be back" Hmmmm, interesting. I dont know if I buy that though.
The curtains close, and dont open again. (at least I hope not, cause I wanted
to stay longer but my ride was leaving) I bot a Black subset T, with SUB on
top, SET in the middle, and A stick of dynamite on the bottom. Nothing on the
back. Only bought one, sorry ;)
After- My final impressions are that Subset actually has some good songs, and
just need to release an album. I know if I and everyone else had been familiar
with the songs, the energy level would have gone way up, and not rely on Chris
and Dave jumping up and down to get going. I also think that some songs need
more solo/instrumental time, they should include the lowrider intro, and get
rid of that Mike guy ( he really looked ridiculous, and no one knew why he was
there). Afterward I heard people with mediocre things to say about the band.
Most seemed to be fans of the presidents, but their were definately some Mix
along followers there. It was interesting to hear comments from the unbiased.
In the end, I had a blast, and would love to do it again. Like with all presidents
stuff I have had, the more you listent to it, the better it gets. Probably why
you seattle people have shows that seem to get better and better. Anyhow, I
hope you enjoy this, and that you are really envious of me.