Faith No More, Live, The Olympia
Posted on 29th Aug 09 by Paul Groome | 
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It’s so frickin’ hot! And he’s jumping around in that crazy, nitted red hat/gimp-mask thing! That bass player from Adebisi Shank must be a lizard or some shit. I’m in a t-shirt, dressed for warmer weather than this dude is expecting and I can still feel my kidneys simmering to boiling point. Even the guitarist [...]
It’s so frickin’ hot! And he’s jumping around in that crazy, nitted red hat/gimp-mask thing! That bass player from Adebisi Shank must be a lizard or some shit. I’m in a t-shirt, dressed for warmer weather than this dude is expecting and I can still feel my kidneys simmering to boiling point. Even the guitarist looks like he’s ready to pass out. But it doesn’t stop either Vin or Lar from flinging themselves around the stage, choking their own brand of catchy rock/indie/avantgarde lunacy from their instruments. All the while drummer, Mick, keeps everyone in check with his tight playing and snappy time changes. All I’ve heard from Adebisi Shank, up to this point, is a handful of songs that I had listened to on reliable counsel from several Drop-d contributors.
Mike Patton
Their live show however, is a completely different can of genetically mutated ninja worms. The most vicious kind. And from the reaction of the crowd, they were doing a good job of spreading their gospel. Even Mike Patton is hooked, but more about that later. Adebisi Shank exited to the trademark whine of feedback and cheers from a very pleased crowd.
The patrons of the Olympia Theatre are slowly ambling in and out of the bar, as a steady stream of newcomers enter the dimly lit venue. Our posse is six strong, including Colm of Drop-D fame and our youngest Faith No More convert, Jason. We decide to position ourselves in a vantage point that will reduce the amount of times we’ll need to rabbit punch someone in the back of the head for blocking our view. Apart from the gentleman with the wonky haircut and nits, we had no incidents. Simular to everyone else in the crowd, we feel like the smuggest, luckiest bastards on the planet. Faith No More. In The Olympia. Sure, the place needs a lick of paint, but we’re not here to inspect the decor.
Faith No More
The lights dim. Familiar figures in suave suits move quickly into place, and the instantly recognisable opening notes of Midnight Cowboy from Angel Dust ring through the Olympia. Mike Patton, head tilted low in concentration, stands at the front of the stage playing his melodica as the rest of the band chime in. Any of the attendees keeping on eye on the setlists of previous shows would be aware that Midnight Cowboy replaced the regular opener, Peaches and Herb tune, Reunited.
But this is way better. Without any introduction, The Real Thing paves the way for what ends up being a killer setlist. Land Of Sunshine brings the main lights over the stage on, throwing the venue into…eh.. sunshine. And everyone can see that each of the members of Faith No More share the same gleeful look as the audience. Everyone is on form, Patton in particular, taunting members of the audience who are clearly lapping up the attention. I’m looking at you, Axl Rose look-a-like. You’re taking that shit WAY too seriously to palm it off as “being ironic”.
All of the tunes played this evening, reflect a broad selection from each of their albums. The obvious favorites stand out though. Caffeine, Surprise! You’re Dead and The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies, get the entire audience singing, chanting and shouting along. Both Mike Patton and Roddy Bottum seem to have been quite taken by Adebisi Shank’s earlier performance however. Inquiring with the audience about the correct pronunciation of the bands name, they’re definitely converted fans. Ipecac might have some interest perhaps? Malpractice snaps everyone back into place and an unexpected rendition of the Eastenders theme leads into Easy.
Having had a few shows to fine tune their performance, Mike Patton has brought some of his own updated touches to some of these songs. King For A Day brings the audience along its meandering path, culminating in a Patton inspired, effects laden crescendo. The dim red lighting and background curtains reflect an eerie mood not unlike Twin Peaks, as the band eases into the final notes of the song, Patton crouched on the floor, whispering, ‘don’t let me die, with this silly look in my eyes‘.
Encores, unfortunately, were to the point. Stripsearch and As The Worm Turns closed the gig out, which weren’t surprises, but are great songs all the same. If there was one tune that was missing throughout the entire set, is was From Out Of Nowhere. And as quick as it began, it finished. A 1300 strong mob of grinning people exited The Olympia.
This is the best party I’ve been to.
Tags: Angel Dust, bill gould, epic, faith no more, from out of nowhere, King for a day, mike bordin, mike patton, roddy bottum
sounds awesome.. i’m jealous..
Ohhhh, what a belter! Even if they come back it’ll never be as magic as that again. Sounds like the night of a lifetime! Thrilled for you guys
(Yes that is magnanimity but s’ok, I’ll live!)
Hi Paul and the gang, sounds like it was an awesome concert, sorry I had to split Dublin early and miss it.
Out of all the gigs I’ve been to (I dunno, maybe 47) that one was definitely Faith No More live at the Olympia. And it was awesome.
Seems to me the only people who comment on this site are fellow contributors or friends of contributors. Says alot.
We do indeed all comment on each other’s work and encourage our friends to share their thoughts. We’re a small voluntary website always looking to expand our readership. Is that what you meant?
they played Cuckoo for Cacka Sat night in Paris (according to a mate who reads this site and would do a write up but he has trouble with English as he’s from Nenagh)
To Naw: No I actually meant what does it say about the readership of such a site if only contributors/mates of contributors/girlfriends/friends & family are dropping comments, it doesn’t really indicate that others are reading what’s goin on here, just an impartial observation is all.
Well what we gonna do? Give up? No way, Jose.
It was some great gig though. Did anyone see the girl who got her lip busted? That guy was a right eejit.
Judging by the quality of some of the “work” here (by your so-called Editor for example) I think you’d be wise to give up or find another website to write for
Also, can we spread the word that anyone who wants to crowd surf should not wear fuking biker boots.
This thread relates to this review and I think Paul provided a fine summary of a very important concert; music, pathos, atmosphere, it’s all here. So what exactly do you have a problem with?
biker boots ! :O) (sorry)
Hey Dermot L. we do have quite a few people checking out the site. Not all of them will necessarily comment on the articles though. Your feedback is fair enough, but we’re trying to get as much attention as we can to the site. None of us are ready to quit just yet.
I don’t know anyone on this site, I’ve been visiting for a while, but have’t posted before.
Fucking brilliant gig. I kind of thought they might finish with “from out of Nowhere”, I thought the end would be bigger. I think they were having technical problems beforehand, possible that 1 or 2 songs were cut from their set. They did play 2 encores in Edinburgh, just 2 days beforehand. But it was absolutely excellent regardless
When the mankini hit the stage, Patton said to the band, “You keep playing, I’ll put it on”, and Roddy Bottum went “tick tock”. Patton went “shit” and got into the next song. Implies they were on some timeframe. Is there a curfew for the Olympia now? Class gig though. As good as the Top Hat years ago. Just they were on time this time!
Loved Prong!
And for Mr.Lysaght, you’re link is the Irish Times blogs. Do you write for them or you#re just a commentator ? Is it that there’s less people making comments on a site that isn’t a national paper? This site doesn’t seem to be on the same level of the illustrious Times, but they call a spade a spade. I like it, and no, I don’t know anyone on it. There may be an article here and there I don’t agree with/like, but they’re doing their own thing. Give them a break.If the Times was to start out now, people would not like it. At a guess, when the Times started in 1859, alot of people didn’t like it. They didn’t have the facility to complain (within 6 months, anyway). Let them have a shot, and see how it goes. As long as they don’t go Smash SHits, I’m willing to give them a chance. Why can’t you?
Dermot, we write for ourselves. Just our thoughts. That’s all.
And I <3 Smash Hits!
So let me get this straight, you have no aspirations for other people to start coming here regularly and for this to be on a par with other Irish music sites then?
to Ross- yeah, forgot about the tick tock thing, I assume there is a fine for going overtime aswel. Why do we do this to ourselves in Ireland (or at least in the cities where laws are adhered to! :O)
Unreal gig! So glad Patton spotted the AXL wannabe upstairs (he kept standing up posing before both bands) and pulled the piss out of him (to Bottum; “is he on tour?”) Shame encore was so brief but what an incredible night
dont know anyone here but have to agree, best gig ive ever been to!…by a mile!!
Incidently, they were meant to come on for one final encore (we care a lot) but the garda had told olympia they had to stop at a certain time, which sucks ass but what a show and what a setlist…we were spoiled really!
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