Monday 13 April 2020

Bauhaus - Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA, USA - 01.12.2019 (Flac)



HUGE Thanks to the original uploader on Dime.


Original Info File.

SOURCE:
SP-CMC-8 (w/Mods) > Roland R-07 > Sandisk Mini-SD Card (32gb - Class 10)

TRANSFER:
.WAV (24 Bit) > Adobe Audition 2019 CC (normalize/amplify/tracking/dithering/downsampling) > .WAV (16 Bit) > Trader's Little Helper > FLAC (Level 8)

SETLIST:

01. (intro)
02. Rosegarden Funeral of Sores (John Cale cover)
03. Double Dare
04. In the Flat Field
05. A God In An Alcove
06. In Fear of Fear
07. Spy in the Cab
08. Terror Couple Kill Colonel
09. Swing the Heartache
10. She's in Parties
11. Bela Lugosi's Dead
12. The Man With the X-Ray Eyes ("Press the Eject" version)
13. Stigmata Martyr
14. Silent Hedges
15. The Passion of Lovers
16. Dark Entries
17. (encore break #1)
18. Sister Midnight (Iggy Pop cover)
19. Telegram Sam (T.Rex cover)
20. Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie cover)
21. (encore break #2)
22. Third Uncle (Brian Eno cover)

NOTES:

Final show of the year, and I (we) decided to end it in the "Bat Cave", as I like to call it, by seeing the newly reunited (first shows since 2006) Bauhaus. I had actually seen Bauhaus during their first reunion run, back in 2005, at Coachella, where Peter Murphy famously hung upside down to start the set while singing "Bela Lugosi's Dead" (it was quite the moment, one I'll never forget). I tried to get tickets to their first two gigs back (in the same venue, the Hollywood Palladium) in early November, but failed. So I was thrilled when I saw they managed to add a third date a month later. Figuring (and hoping) demand would be a little lower, since they had just played, I logged on and was able to score a couple of tickets pretty easily for Stacie and I.

This was her first time seeing the band. I have no idea who she saw at Coachella 2005 instead (I dare not bring it up as "Coachella regrets" can get frosty). Excitement was high, given she had seen Peter Murphy at his own solo show (where of course he plays a lot of Bauhaus material anyway), and I was hoping to make a special night of it, but not everything always goes exactly to plan. A long drive from Phoenix, mixed with the terrible holiday traffic coming home from Thanksgiving, lead to a 7+ hour drive to L.A., and then instead of then leaving right away from my place to the venue, we hung out and ended up watching the last hour of "The Shining", which was sort of fitting for the night and band ahead, given it's dark and haunting nature. But that meant we didn't leave my place until well after 6pm, and doors for the show were at 7pm, but I figured most Bauhaus fans were in the "older crowd" and wouldn't be arriving to the venue until much later to start time (silly me in retrospect). And naturually, that night was the one damn night where Hollywood Blvd was closed off for a parade. A parade!? Seriously!? Of all nights? And what parade you might ask? Well I do not know, but as you can imagine, it made traffic (for both us and our Uber driver) a nightmare.

After what felt like years in the car, we were delivered to the venue, still ahead of the 7pm opening of doors, hoping to find a short line for the entrance. Our grand plan was to get there early enough to get a front-row rail spot. Well, remember that scene in "A Christmas Story" where the parents drop off Ralphie and Randy at the mall for their meet and greet with Santa, only to find the line to see Santa is about a mile and a half long? Yeah, that's what we found awaiting us as we exited the car. I could immediately sense the disappointment (it was if I had the gift of the "shining" and was able to read her thoughts), and kicked myself (mentally of course) for not having left earlier (I blame the damn Overlook). So much for front row.

The saving grace here was that where we were located, underneath the marquee awning, we kept hearing these high pitched chirps, which we were sure were just baby birds hiding away in some unseen nest, but actually imagined (and hoped) it was Peter Murphy playing back bat noises to us poor, cold and dark souls waiting in line outside. We also saw plenty of bootleg scarves and ponchos (yes, Bauhaus ponchos!) being sold out on the street, which both amused and saddened me, as it made me realize how much I really do hate Hollywood shows and the ridiculous amount of crowds and bootleg products they offer.

Anyway, the line got moving, I was able to sneak my gear in with no trouble at all, and Stacie was able to grab a poster (thought not the $35 signed versions that were supposedly sold at the first two shows). Of course though, as mentioned earlier, front row was all but out of the question when I skittled my way onto the floor. I managed to find a spot about 6 rows back (still fairly close and decent in my opinion - and by "decent" I mean right in line with some of the speaker stacks which would likely result in a prime recording spot, a lot better than what would be offered at the front of the rail - but I'll usually sacrifice a prime recording spot if it means we can be closer and happier during the show) but nothing is ever quite as it seems, as we ended up getting stuck behind a few drunk douchebags, who not only were somewhat obnoxiously loud, but also spent the better half of the night looking up porn on whatever dating apps they were desperately trying to hook up on (I mean I suppose there's a time and place for all that, but right there in the crowd amongst us all, where we have to both see and hear? I don't think that's the time nor place, but that's just me). This whole scenario of our floor spot and neighbors made me feel really bad for Stacie, as I had failed at getting us a rail spot for her first Bauhaus show, and ended up getting us stuck near some annoying neighbors (but that's random concert life for you, and you just have to make the best of it). She eventually manuevered her way to a different spot, which I hoped worked out, but if you read this, please know I'm sorry and wish I could have delivered you a better spot (if I can master quantum theory and invent that time machine, I'll make sure we arrive much earlier, I promise).

As for the actual band and show, I must say I was quite impressed with Peter Murphy and the gang. Given all the rumors of Peter's heart condition, and his past arrests (and apparent meth addictions?), he looked great and healthy I thought. But he did walk out on stage with aid of a cane, which I actually thought he now needed to get around and move about. I actually thought to myself, when he first appeared, "poor Murph, has to use a cane now, but at least he's making the best of it", but come to find out, the cane was just a prop (which he did use for some cool lighting effects) that he threw down after only a couple of songs. In fact the whole band looked and sounded great, which was no surprise (despite a few technical issues). It's not like any of these guys have just been sitting around in their bedrooms hoping for a reunion call. With Tones on Tail, Poptone, Love and Rockets, solo shows (and God knows what else), I feel like all these guys ever do is play these songs at various live shows (in whatever various forms), so I was not surprised at all to hear how tight sounding and well rehearsed they all sounded (both musically and vocally).

I was stoked to hear "Double Dare", a song famously missing in their 2005/2006 sets, along with their covers of both "Ziggy Stardust" and "Telegram Sam" during the first encore. I would love to have heard their cover of "Severance" (and also "All We Ever Wanted Was Everything" while we're naming missing songs) but figured that was a long shot that was most likely not to happen.  I must say though, as great musically as the show was (and as bad as the crowd was), part of me had trouble really enjoying myself for the entire 3+ hours that we were there. My feet and back were killing me about three songs into the set (no surprise as I had shopped and walked over 7 miles already that day), and the encore breaks felt like they lasted an hour, which didn't help. I can remember thinking to myself, "Jesus Murphy, get back on stage and finish already so I can go sit down!"

Regardless of whatever let downs and pain though, I think we both had a good time and it was nice to hear these songs live again after fourteen plus years. It's crazy to think that much time has already passed. Take time to appreciate your spot in the universe during all these small moments folks, regardless of where you end up standing or how bad your feet might hurt or who your neighbor might be. They'll only be memories within a short time (thankfully these have audio to go along with them!). Enjoy!

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http://www.themojavetent.com
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***DO WHATEVER YOU WANT WITH THIS RECORDING EXCEPT SELL IT, OR ELSE THE KARMA POLICE WILL GET YOU*



bauhauspalladium2019

3 comments:

  1. Can't wait to hear this! Thank you sir. Oh, first reunion was the so-called 'Resurrection Tour', 1998. I was there. Carr Performing Arts Center, Orlando, FL. Definitely a Lugosi-friendly venue! 5th row center. Excellent show.

    McB

    ReplyDelete
  2. Saw that "resurrection" tour show in Seattle. It was fantastic, and I was only a mild fan of the band but was blown away and and my admiration for the band greatly increased after seeing them live.

    ReplyDelete
  3. 1981-11-21 Trojan Horse,Den Haag, Netherlands
    you wouldn't have this one perchance? It has all three parts of colours the only recording that has them all.

    ReplyDelete