[quote name='Chairman_LMAO']Me and my friends got to the venue really early, to see if we could pick up our tickets. We couldn't, but we got to see Dino do their soundcheck through a window. It was pretty rad.
Lou + the Missingmen went up first, and they were worth the price of admission alone. They mostly stuck to Lou's new record, but they played a new version of Home off his last record. It was more uptempo, and more, I don't know, rockin'? Home is one of my all-time favorite songs, and this version was even better.
I was surprised Lou didn't play bass much during his set. He and Tom Watson played guitar, while the bass was handled by a synth he played with his feet.
There was a brief lul in between sets while they set up Dinosaur's equipment, and I got to talk to Tom about his amp (Fender Vibrolux, first amp he ever owned), and how Mike Watt is in person ("very loud").
Dinosaur came out, and proceeded to rip everyone's heads off. I'm really glad I had my earplugs in. They opened with Thumb, and J was on fire. He was really playing at his peak. Murph was having some problems with his drums during the first few songs, but once that was ironed out, he was on fire too. I can't really recall the setlist right now, but I can remember they played Raisans next, then Been There All The Time, then Imagination Blind. After that, it becomes an euphoric blur.
They ended the regular setlist with Freak Scene and an epic 10+ minute version of I Don't Wanna Go There, which was captivating. I got there early enough to grab a spot right in front of J, and watching him solo is just a thing of beauty.
They went off the stage, and of course came right back for the encore. Lou took requests, and J shot nearly all of them down. They ended up playing Little Furry Things and Just Like Heaven, and then it was over.
Merch-wise, they had tons of Dinosaur t-shirts, the new album, etc. Lou's booth (oddly separate from the Dinosaur booth) had his new album, CDs, pins, shirts, etc. I bought the J and Friends Sing + Chant For AMMA vinyl, Lou's Sentridoh tour-only CD, and a Lou + Missingmen button. Raul from the Missingmen offered to sign my button in very small print.
Sorry this write-up is kind of all over the place, but I'm tired and not really in "writer's mode" right now. The show was incredible, and I'm going to see them again in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on Nov. 22nd, and possibly in Toronto next January.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8H715Q5Eik
Feel The Pain, the opposite side of the stage from me. Sound quality isn't great.[/QUOTE]
All of this praise is completely warranted. Lou Barlow & The Missingmen were

ing incredible. I didn't want them to leave the stage, even though I knew Dinosaur Jr. would be coming up next.
I also bought the J and Friends Sing & Chant for AMMA vinyl... and I totally haven't listened to it yet. I should get on that as soon as possible, I'm thinking.
Oh, and you are absolutely right about the earplugs. I had an "OH THANK GOD" moment when I got to the venue and realized that I indeed remembered to put my Etymotic attenuators in my pocket before I left my house. I don't see how anyone could make it through a Dino Jr. concert without earplugs -- your eardrums would burst and your liquefied brains would pour out of your ear holes. That is a fact.