THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES (oeoc) ::

THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES (oeoc)
planet music / vienna, austria
26th nov. 2004

i've been waiting years for this concert to happen... well, let me begin this newest entry in our live-review thread by saying that it was one heck of a strenous friday.

first of all, i was (still am) ill with a cold - sore threat, snot clogging any free space in my head (of which there is a lot, virtually all of where my brains is supposed to be) and aching bones. 2 hours for promo, all full, working in pairs (6 band members = 3 pairs = me running my freaking legs off, because the fucking venue ain't got 3 free next to each other for interviews) and then something that i've dubbed "game & greet" and of which i am quite proud if i may say so. anyway... we were done with promo and everything else at about 19:30 and i sat down to have my first (!) meal of the day. but let's fast forward to the concert itself.

THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES (oeoc) are the inventor's of what is known as swedish rock. as their history shows, they've been highly influential on many, many, many bands that followed in their footsteps. AND, on top of all that, they're really, really good!

maybe that was the problem, because my expectations were extremely high for TSOOL. and so it was quite a bit of a let-down when they didn't connect instantly. sound was very good (not typical for the venue) and the band played tightly and on the spot. but somehow... on a basic level of live music... they just didn't connect with me. at least, for the first couple of numbers. by then it was clear: they just needed to get into their groove. not too far into the concert they stepped on it and there it was: all the glory of THE WHO, LOVE, (pre-trout-mask-replica) CAPTAIN BEEFHEART and maybe (although i kinda dislike the comparison) ROLLING STONES (when they were still young and energetic, so we're talking about a couple of million years ago) mixed together and served piping hot with a generous shot of melodrama and garage sensibility that would've put THE STOOGES to shame. especially "mother one-track-mind" kicked ass!

and ebbot was something to behold alright. in his knee-long kaftan and with his 70ies hippie commune reject chin-long hair and full beard, his puffy red-glowing face, arms stretched out in his best jesus christ superstar pose, he really DID look like some maniac cult leader. audience worshipped him for that - not only did they demand 2 (!) encores, but by the second time TSOOL hit stage, ebbot got down and mingled with the crowd and asked them to take seat. and, wouldn't you know, 500 people drop their asses to the floor and take a fucking seat!!! and ebbot standing in between this people singing "i've been cheated by everyone and everyone's been cheated by me"... jesus or judas. *lol*

lovely, for real. also very, very, very, very lovely: their merch-maid. the girl was stunning. she just looked like the girl next door you would not want to let out of your bed or your arms. black hair, braided, blue shiny eyes, cute face, perfect (and i mean it) apple-bottom, bright smile and a soothing voice. jesus! i almost chatted her up... but then i didn't... because she had already received about a dozen mobile-numbers by various other men. *g* oh, it was a sight to behold anyway.

summary: THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES (oeoc) live up to the hype surrounding them.