Everything else aside, that I'll post here later, this is just the nitty gritty facts on the show.

In the setlist was a hint of "My New Self" during "My Old Self", a bit of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" in "Sugarcane", and a bit of "All It Amounts To".

Unfortunately, I think this was the most poorly-attended WMM show ever on PEI. I think a few things fed into that... it was a Thursday, poor advertising, no local radio play of new songs, no play on Much, university's Spring Break, and the fact it'd been 3 and a half years since the last show (which I reminded them of). Earl and Shaun said it was alright, though... we were all into the show and were appreciative... so it was OK. How many was "we"? I dunno... maybe 50? I was really disappointed. That's not usually how PEI comes out for the guys... it's usually pretty packed. Ah well. I hope they still get called back here soon.

I decided to not be the total "superfan / documentarian" this time. Basically, I just didn't bring my camera in. I suppose I should have. I always have in the past. I guess I just wanted to be unencumbered this time, just enjoy the show. Of course, now, I wish I brought my camera in. I broke my streak.

Shaun wore just a purplish striped dress shirt and jeans. Simon wore a t-shirt and brown pants, maybe. Earl had the camo army cap on, tank top, bands on the elbows, and the usual fare for pants.

Everything about the show seemed kind of stripped down. Shaun only had 2 guitars, the venue had to be asked (nicely) by Shaun twice to get some towels during the show. A girl offered herself to dry them, but thank God, the towels came. I found watching Simon to be kind of bland compared to Saf. No facial contortions (including tongue ), or emotion at all. No added vocals, nothing fancy. All business. He hits hard, though, and plays well. He broke a couple sticks, and a big chunk of one was stuck to the backdrop behind him for the whole show. I also found Shaun and Earl to be kind of out-of-sync sometimes, like some bad note combos. Not the norm. Sound was also muddy for the first several songs. That was no fault of theirs, though. Plus, my ears were just nakedly adjusting to the volume. This was one of their bluesier shows, kind of like back in the old days. They started out with all the rock, did some bluesy funk towards the finish, and did a great "Mary, Mary" at the end. I also liked the bluesy stomp tune which led into MM. I like seeing how Shaun's changed his showmanship moves... with the forearm on the forehead a lot now when he's playing... kind of reminded me of Prince doing his hair when he was soloing in a tune on SNL a few weeks ago. They all had some good solos, and Shaun had a lot of great ones. He had the longest tooth-solo during MM that I've ever seen, and it was the first time I ever saw him snap himself out of what appeared to be an eyes-closed trance during a solo. It was almost like he woke up with a jolt.

Everything around the show said "small", but of course, the guys put on a "big" show. They always kick ass, and dagnabbit, I love 'em for it. My WMM concert virgin friend I brought along was very impressed, including how excited Earl was to see me at the end of the encore.
And despite his shyness, I forced him to let me introduce him to the guys.

I also got my poster for their independent CD, The Nazarene (which both were more than surprised to see) and China CD signed.

As always, a fantastic eve. I just wish more people were there.

The chats, postable news, and funny girl stories I'll post later.