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scrapbook of groat:
"We were flying low...and hit something in the air" I have been following Tool since the Undertow release, and finally had a chance to see them (twice) on the 2002 tour. Definitely my favorite live show....until last Friday night. The 13th by the way. I had read about the side project that Danny Carey was in and had always wanted to check them out, but as far as I knew, they had never toured San Diego. The only song I had ever heard from the Pigmy's was the small sound clip on the Pigmy page. So, when I saw that the Pigmy's were coming to SD, I had a feeling, this was one show I couldn't pass up. I proceeded to gather the Tool crew, for a night of some serious B's (buds, beers, buds, babes and BEEF). When we got there, I immediately grabbed a Heineken and noticed the merchandise in the back room. I bought a shirt and 2 signed CDs before I glanced up and saw the DC drum heads. Too cool, so I bought one of those as well (my wife's gonna hurt me if she finds out how much that was). So, there I was---A buck sixty down, and my only experience of the band was a small sound clip on the website. The first band looked like the Monkey's and sounded like R.E.L.I.E.F. after having just overindulged at the local Roberto's. I got the feeling they were only there to piss people off---It worked for me. The next band Sloth, came on were very good. They had a kewl, heavy sound. The guitar player had definitely been influenced by Adam Jones and Jimmy Page. Then came the Pigmy's. I initially got the impression that everyone was there only because Danny was a member of the band. There were chants of "DAN-NY, DAN-NY". I have to admit that, while the band members took the stage I was thinking, 'man these guys look tired'. When Mike grabbed the mic, I could tell I was in for something completely out there. I was right. His stage presence was nothing short of outrageous. I was completely entertained from beginning to end. Both John and Peter rocked my world. They're my 2 new guitar hero's. I could tell Peter had something going on but wasn't really sure what. I just thought he may have been partying all day, being that it was the last show of the tour. When Mike mentioned that Peter had lost his bro the day before in a plane crash, I thought, wow, that's dedication to your band mates. He could have easily said 'fuck it, I can't do it, sorry guys' and I'm sure the rest of the band would have understood. I would have been bummed, but wouldn't have really known what I missed, having never heard or seen you guys. I can honestly say that it wouldn't have been the same without Peter there. He was fucking amazing. I can't imagine having to play and perform under those conditions. He's a true professional and it really showed in his playing. He later thanked the crowd for our overwhelming enthusiasm, and mentioned that he wouldn't have been able to do it without the support of his band mates, as they were also his brothers. I felt very honored to be there, and knew I was witnessing something truly special. I play guitar, and you inspired me to be more dedicated to the things that really matter. Thanks Peter. I'm definitely going to get in touch with my bro. Finally, what can be said about the rhythm section. It just doesn't get any more solid than that. Shepherd and Danny were completely in the pocket. This was definitely not the Danny Carey band. This was the PIGMY LOVE CIRCUS. He just happens to be the best possible backbone in the world. I also happened to snatch a DC, snare tortured drum stick and both John and Peter's guitar picks. SWEET! Well, after finally hearing you guys perform, I just couldn't wait to send you guys an email to say....WHOA!!!! My friends and I were completely blown away. This was the best show I've seen in a while. You guys rock hard. Its going to be awhile beforeThe Power Of Beef makes it back in the jewel case. Thanks. I can't wait until your next gig, CD or news release. Any chance of a DVD in the future? I'd be first in line..... PS. How do I get previous Pigmy releases? New Pigmy Love Circus fan,
PANDEMONIUM
COURT OF THE PIGMY KING "The only way we can top that" exclaimed Robert to Danny; is to go on stage and explode"! The 'Robert' is Fripp and the occasion is his first witnessing of a Pigmy Love Circus set. The Crimson company and PLC may sound like an odd pairing but in the end it was a thing of beauty. The audience's were slightly taken aback at the Pigmy onslaught but by the time PLC played their thunderous version of 21st Century Schizoid Man, everybody in the venue was on the same page---though the pages may be a bit frayed at the edges from sheer volume. The mini tour started with a burrito from El Fredo's in Rancho Cucamonga and a drive to Phoenix through the desert where the boys witnessed the aftermath of a horrendous car wreck somewhere near Sore Finger Road. Shepherd noted that the many cows they saw ate sand. The Orpheus Theatre is one of those dreaded 'sit down' venues with little old ladies dressed in usher's uniforms politely imparting to patrons to sit up straight and eat all their veggies. The Pigs only eat beef---sorry ladies. M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E. That's right, that fuckin' little mouse welcomed the Piggies to the "happiest place on earth" in Anaheim at the House of Blues. What a relief, crowds ready to rock and not a chair in sight. Mr. Fripp could scarcely contain his enthusiasm as he gave what would turn out to be his nightly standing ovation throughout the tour for the PLC. The man knows his stuff and he even joined the Pigmies in raising the muse with their ritualistic hand ceremony they perform before every show. The House of Blues show in Las Vegas was cancelled due to the fire scorching So Cal and the closing of I-15. Peter's theory is that God hates Southern California and wants it all to burn---could he be right? Naw. The show in the Circus's home stomping ground of LA makes our heroes giddy with excitement and if anybody can pump up the jaded audiences of Los Angeles it's the Pigmy Love Circus. A strange anomaly is happening at Pig gigs---fans are crying. The weird thing is that the weepers are grown men. Go figure. The final show with King Crimson was at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. The boys have a long history with that bayside city and were more than glad to be there again. The show was extraordinary even by Pigmy standards and anyone attending will have a memory to be envied by ordinary people. Sadly the stint with King Crimson was a short one but the legends will live in infamy. Many thanks to the Crimson crew and, of course, Robert, Adrian, Tray and Pat. Let there be beef on earth---and let it begin with meat. -------Forrest Groat
Well, it's been awhile since the last entry as Canada has been a whirlwind for our Pigmy people and there just hasn't been a lot of opportunity for Forrest to relay his foggy observations to the masses so here goes: Canada has black squirrels and you can smoke pot right there in the street and the cops won't bat an eye. It is a little hard to find a decent liquor store but the boys look at it as a challenge to find a good beer in a foreign land. The Pigs' played to sit down crowds in Vancouver and Edmonton and it seems a little weird because the crowds want to go nuts but they're stifled by their environment. As usual Savage and the boys win over the crowd no matter what physical restraints are placed upon them. Calgary was a different story altogether and the fans got a close up, in your face Pigmy experience. One of the treats the Canadian fans have held witness to is Danny and Peter joining A Perfect Circle on the ode de jour: Thomas. Peter still has scabs on his knees from doing the T-Rex knee-drop-skid in front of Jeordie. The next town was a groove because the theatre was named after the lead singer for the Guess Who---Burton Cummings. Rock star names sound cooler than the big corporate monikers places have nowadays. Winnipeg was more like Winner-peg 'cause the Pig's just whipped their heinies and that prompted a mighty nifty write-up in the Winnipeg free press. The drive two London takes about three days by tour bus but the Pigmy's driver, Jack, punched it out in two. The only stop was to chase down a Moose for a mid-day snack and watch a river run the wrong way. Oh Canada. Ottawa was a special occasion as Pig-friend, Carlton (a.k.a. Blade), ate his first Gyro and he thought it was mighty fine. The Pigmy's dressing room inside the giant Congress Center was so huge that the lads found enough space to scrimmage with a Canadian pro football team. PLC would like to apologize to any those pros that got hurt and carried away. Shepherd made good use of his ability to converse in the French language while in graffiti riddled Montreal and geographically confused Quebec City. Savage also got his opportunity to use his French word: merci'---he is French, you know. After two kick-kick-kick-ass nights in Toronto, the Love Circus once again bid adieu to Canada and also to their many friends in A Perfect Circle's troupe. Joe Paul, Graham, Kathleen, Hot Toddy, Mary Jo, Andy, Andy Jr., Dave Beers, Joe Dirt, Mike Mule, Chris, Matt, Stewart and of course Billy, Josh, Jeordie, James, and the Pigmy's personal Lord and Souvenir---Maynard James Keenan. -------Forrest Groat
ARE WE NOT CREATURES OF VOLUME?????---Michael Savage The Pigs are on the eighth day of nine in a row and their edge is sharper than the blades of Savage's many knives. Unfortunately this has made it tough for your roving reporter to turn in his news flashes. Pittsburgh embraced the boys like a baby to its first chocolate covered bon bon and Ben and the folks at Nick's Fat City were too kind. Mike from Casey's Bar will also be held dear in the Pigmy heart forever. Saint Andrews in Detroit has no air conditioning so the temperature was about 120 degrees but that didn't stop the Pigs from turning up the heat. Danny wants everyone to know that he is not now and has never been Dave "Mason" so any weird stalker types ranting about being a 'poor widow's son' can kindly stay home or face the wrath of Hot Toddy. Cleveland rocked but there was no sight of Drew Carey (no relation). However, John, Pete and Danny did witness the local natives doing the most unusual cruising in front of the venue at three in the morning---the drivers and occupants open the car doors to reveal their multitude of speakers while the passengers recline on the hoods and trunks of the cars as they zigzag down the boulevard. Then the cops roll in the opposing direction up the one way street at breakneck speed and chase 'em all off like flies. Then it all got very quiet and creepy so the boys decided they had better git while gittin was good. Chicago was one the most amazing Pigmy shows to date---frenzy hardly describes the interaction with the crowd and although moshing is strictly verboten on the APC tour, there were several spontaneous, simultaneous pits erupting throughout. Minneapolis was the last gig with APC for this leg of the tour and two bands bid their adieu for the time being but will be rejoining later this month to tour Canada. Last night in Lawrence, KS, a fan gave Savage a Harley Davidson hatchet with a knife in the handle. "It's all fun and games" Danny parentally warned "until someone loses a left nut". Let's all hope the big man takes heed. Tonight our heroes are in Independence, Mo. playing for many of Danny's lifelong friends and family. The boys are being treated like kings---Midwest style which means at this point the tour is one big rock 'n' roll barbecue. After the show tonight the Circus heads back to Denver for an evening at the Ogden with Type-O-Negative. The Pigs would like to thank Maynard and the band and crew of APC for bringing us on deck with them---it's really been a gas. No---it's been historic. ------Forrest Groat
A Tale of Three Cities The distinguished Pigmy Love Circus performed a recital at the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston. Ushers guided the students and patrons to their assigned seats (apparently the School offers several courses in the art of ushering) and quietly awaited the musicians entrance. The repertoire included several magnificent etudes such as Livin' Like Shit, Friday Night Fights and Drug Run to Fontana. Time constraints prohibited the lads from performing their delightful cantata: Go Suck Dick You Fucking Bitch. Perhaps on a return performance they can relate this romantic sentiment to the well-behaved pupils of that fine institution. Then on to New York where the crowd wasn't so refined and they really loved the Pigs' raucous and redneck delivery. One of the security staff at the venue ripped off a few fans by taking their money, promising entry and simply disappearing inside the venue. What a naughty boy---Gotta love New York. Philly is the Pigmy's kind of town---lots of beer and plenty of red meat being sold on every corner. The Power of Beef continues to sell at an accelerated rate, so if you haven't got this limited first edition sans barcode CD you better get it while it's hot. Peter would like the fans to know that plans to re-release prior Pigmy CDs are in the works but it will take awhile What does Shepherd have to say about the tour so far? "This is the life---a ministry of men" Amen, Brother
Let it be known throughout the land (or at least Independence, Missouri) that Shepherd and Danny can kick anyone's ass at Foosball. Anyone's ASS ASS ASS! The Piggies partied with the Mo. Folkers then went back to Denver and scared the mascara off the Goth people attending the Typo-O-Negative show at the Ogden. Those Type-O boys have more hair than ol' Forrest has ever encountered---I hear they keep cases of Draino onboard their bus to keep the plumbing pipes clear at all times. Imagine what they spend shampoo and conditioner. Frightening. The following week found the fellows' back in LA for some much needed R & R but they were on a plane to Portland, Oregon early, early the following Monday morn for a show at Berbotti's Pan that night and Studio 7 in Seattle on Tuesday. Wednesday will find the Circus back with A Perfect Circle in Vancouver for the kickoff of the Canadian leg of the coolest tour of the millennium. So, lets all lift a Molson Ale, eh, and wish the travelers' beauty times an' stuff, eh. Your humble narrator will try his darned-est to keep you folks up to date. ... Forrest Groat
The Power of Beef compels you. The Pigmies left LA for Denver after selling out the Key Club and leaving a huge line of fans outside who could only hope for a glimpse of the big men as they headed off for the coolest tour of the decade with A Perfect Circle. In Denver, with lightning cracking and a dark rain outside, the Pigs slammed their set out to an adoring throng with obviously high musicality. From the get-go, Savage and the Pigs knew this was their night as he and guitar guy Peter Fletcher are both Colorado natives and bassman Shepherd Stevenson lived half his life there. They didn't get too much of a chance to bask in the glory as they were set to leave almost immediately for a long drive to Dallas. ------Forrest Groat
7/31/03 By God, those Pig fellows tore Dallas a few new assholes---and a couple of those assholes were arrested and more than a couple passed out from the heat. The Pigs were signing autographs on CDs, tee shirts, ticket stubs, twenty dollar bills, welfare checks and little wads of toilet paper---boy, that Maynard just can't get enough Pigmy autographs. The good times were short lived, as the Circus jumped off the APC tour for a quick gig at Newby's in Memphis before rejoining them in Atlanta. Pigmy Love Circus doesn't go for off days---they don't go in for sightseeing (there are too many folks starving for the Beefy Boys to hit their town). Memphis is much more evolved than say Los Angeles---they allow dogs in their restaurants and bars and you can smoke anywhere you like. If you want to walk your lady down the street with a couple of beers in your hand well then suck 'em down boys. Newby's is rustic to say least---the boys felt right at home and southern hospitality is no myth. Danny dazzled the crowd with his percussive gymnastics on their new song Train to Hell and was overheard telling the rest of the band that he'd like to do it again right then and there but was convinced that they should finish the rest of the set. He didn't even break a sweat. After pressing the flesh and tippin' a few with the local Memphians, the Circus once again reluctantly left town. But that's where they like to be---down the road. -----Forrest Groat
The Fear and Loathing of Rock--- "Any guy who has a shaved head and wants to fight, loves us, observes Shepherd. "Anyone who's done state time---loves us. Atlanta didn't quite know how to react to Michael Savage's menacing performance but the amount of people leaving the venue with a newly purchased CD and tee shirt belied any misgivings the Pigs had about their rather subdued reception. "We were afraid he was really going to kill somebody" one young fan told Danny over the internet but just about every CD the Pigs had went out door. (Don't worry America---they have a secret stash and there will be plenty for when they come to your town). The Power of Beef is now serenading Georgia parents through locked bedroom doors and no amount of pounding and screaming to turn it down will stifle these vested rhythms. The folks in Norfolk, Virginia, however, just flat out went nuts. The audience was 'la-la-a-ing' to Madhouse Clown at the top of their lungs and all arms were raised in triumphant glory. The same can be said for last night in Washington DC. (Word has it that Abraham Lincoln's head fell off his monument and rattled on down the street during Drug Run to Fontana). The fellows are currently on the New Jersey turnpike in a traffic jam on their way to Boston. The Pigs are a close knit group and spend their traveling time huddled together like a den of caged lions planning and scheming the next conquest---the Pigmy Love Circus will not be denied their place in rock superstardom and there ain't a soul on the planet that can say otherwise. The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame better start building a new wing because the PLC is making history.
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