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Serj Tankian Reviews - Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
KnaveMurdok - Oct 29, 2007 - 04:31 PM
Post subject: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
I just came back from it last night, and I must say, in all seriousness, it was a spiritual experience for me.
The show itself was awesome, even though the security was retarded, I WAS going to try and record this show, but I did not want to risk getting thrown out, I envy all you people who saw Serj under more lax conditions, but the security at this little club/bar was like frikkin' airport.
There were these huge signs hung over the entrances that said "no moshing, no crowd surfing or you will be removed, thank you."
So, barring all the schoolyard like roughhousing rules, the show was spectacular, of course Fair to Midland showed to to start things off, i literally walked in seconds before they started their set. Halfway thought their show, the singer's mic went out, and he had to scramble for a new one, which was kinda embarrassing but he got through it gracefully.
After their set was over, the audience waited "patiently" through what seemed like an hour long sound check before Serj finally made his way on stage.
The whole while, while waiting for the crew to go through every piece of equipment on stage, they played the entirety of the Buckethead and Friends CD, and a little bit of Axis of Justice, so it was a little bit of a wait.
Serj opened up with his standard Intro, and addressed the crowd briefly before erupting into a medley of The Unthinking Majority and Empty Walls.
He paused for a few minutes to introduce the crowd to his new band, there was an older lady standing in front of me who said she was the mother of one of Serj's guitarists, i tried to ask her which one but it was so loud in the club that I could not make out what she said 
The band then geared up for Feed Us, which went ito Lie, Lie, Lie and Saving Us.
There was another brief pause where Serj went to tell us about his favourite member of congress, Nancy Palosi and which point a lot of the crowd boo'd (must not have been a lot of democrats in the audience??) then make some remark about how much he loves S.F. and went right into Baby and Sky is Over.
It was at this point Serj requested that the crowd kindly Praise the lord, and while we were at it, if could could pass him the ammunition.
I screamed out at this point "God wants you to go to war" and Serj went YEAH! and bumped right into the song, I am hoping that he heard me ^^
He then teased the crowd with a song that WASN'T on the record, and blasted into his rock version of Charades, which I must say is a total transformation from it's humble beginnings on the Axis of Justice CD.
This was then followed by Honking Antelope, which was followed by a moment of anticipation as Serj shouted out "This one goes out to Jello Biafra!" and went rocking into his now famous rendition of Holiday in Cambodia, which was... just perfect, if you ask me 
He closed the concert with Beethoven's Cunt and Elect the Dead, at which point I realized that if I wanted to beat the traffic going home, I'd have to leave now.
I don't think he did an encore, since Elect the Dead is pretty much a closing song, but if I did miss anything, someone else who was there can tell me all about it.
All in all, I can only say that this concert was like a spiritual experience for me, there were times in which I just closed my eyes ans swayed with the beat, others where I was shouting each lyric so loud that I tried to compete with the rest of the crowd, and others where I just stood watching the stage intently with a huge retarded fanboyish smile slapped across my face.
It was truly a night to remember 
sugar_buzz - Oct 29, 2007 - 04:34 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
^^AWESOME!!! I'm sooooo glad you had a great time!
Serj has that "fanboy/girl" effect on a lot of us, it seems 
I'm totally jealous you got to see FTM, too! Argh! I love Tom, but damn...I'd really like to see FTM.
Thanks so much for the review!
AwE - Oct 29, 2007 - 05:10 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
Yeah man, glad you had a great time!
And.. 'no moshing'? WHAT THE FUCK is wrong with them? Why would someone go to a show and not mosh lol.. Anyway, glad you had a great time!
AK - Oct 29, 2007 - 06:24 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
oo great review! yah, it wouldve been amazing to see FTM!
it seems as though serj is a lot more comfortable now...i got the impression that he didnt address the crowd as much during the Toronto show than the SF show. nevertheless, its good to see! props to the nancy pelosi shoutout!
and you SF ppl are lucky (imo) that you didnt have crowsurfers/moshing...i think my experience wouldve been much better if i was being squished and beaten half the time! i wouldve had the chance to pay more attention to the show, rather than try to defend myself!
thanks again!
Rainbow_Chile - Oct 29, 2007 - 06:38 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
Good to hear you had a good time! Here in Holland there's a general 'no crowdsurfing' restriction going since around 2000 and personally I'm with AK on that, it does save you from getting booted in the head!
So FTM kicked ass too? I'm really looking forward to seeing them open in Amsterdam as well.
Kaidofkings - Oct 30, 2007 - 05:16 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
Ah, a shame to hear you couldn't get any photos. I sent you a pm on mansonusa about it, but this seems a more appropriate place to discuss.
Even though security was tight, I've never been happier with a no-moshing rule. It was my friend's first time in the pit, and at 5' and 90lbs, she would have been absolutely smashed if people had been doing more than a vicious sway during Holiday in Cambodia. The 'tame' audience made it a much, much better experience for us.
But damn, bitches were loud (including myself. Tried to scream 'Encore!' after he walked off and I sounded like a little boy who just hit puberty). Where I was standing (right in front of Serj's little keyboard) you almost couldn't hear what he was saying over the yowls of the crowd.
Sean, our driver and rabid SOAD fan, got the setlist and nearly passed out from sheer joy. Sabra got a pick from Mario and Diana got one of the water bottles they tossed.
I still can't believe how quiet everyone became during Elect the Dead. And the irate yells of 'shut up!' whenever someone barked out a shout were priceless.
I'm still pissed about the no camera rule, but now I know phones fly. Can't wait until he comes back around!
Silent_tearzz09 - Oct 30, 2007 - 07:25 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
the no camera rule was probably at every venue because i was taking pictures and they told me to put my camera away. but it sounds like you had a blast which is great! as for the no moshing and crowd surfing i can see how that would be lame if you really wanted to do that stuff but i kind of wish they had that rule for the ny show because security kept standing in front of me to pull down crowd surfers and all i wanted to do was pay attention to the show.
sugar_buzz - Oct 30, 2007 - 08:14 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
There was not a "no camera" rule in Chicago that I recall. Brian and Nik were taking pics all night right in front of security and they were never asked to stop.
SOAGolfeR21 - Oct 30, 2007 - 09:21 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
Awesome! Sounds like you had a great time.
AK - Oct 30, 2007 - 09:40 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
On the website of my venue, it said no camera's, but when I called them, they said cameras were allowed. and so i brought one with me without a problem.
rokky - Nov 01, 2007 - 10:57 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
The SF show was incredible! I loved the cover of holiday in Cambodia. Is system over? Or does anyone know?
Trevor123 - Nov 01, 2007 - 11:04 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
This show was awesome, I'll post my review later!
Rainbow_Chile - Nov 01, 2007 - 11:04 PM
Post subject: RE: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
Nope rokky, it's called 'indefinate hiatus', check this thread: http://www.soadfans.com/PNphpBB2-viewto ... hiatus.htm
Trevor123 - Nov 03, 2007 - 12:07 AM
Post subject: My San Francisco 10/28 Review
Right when we got to slims, I got as much merchandice I can (shirt, hoddie, beanie, butoon pack and posters).
I didn't know really any Fair To Midland songs except for "Walls Of Jerico", but I thought they put on a pretty good performance.
It seemed like it took like a lot of time for the FCC's stuff to ger set up, but it was well worth the wait!
The intro started and the whole band came out in all black suits and top hats. Serj was the last to came out dressed in an all white suit and top hat. They started off with a boom playing "The Unthinking Majority" really great performance from the whole band. Oh and Greg Watterman came out also.
After the song was over Serj yelled " I'm Serj and these are 'The Flying Cunts Of Chaos!!' the electronic beeps came on and they went staright into the first single that everyone should know by now: "Empty Walls". Serj did his crazy stare and was waving his hands during the verses.
Next is one of my my favorite songs off the cd "Feed Us". The drummer sounded really good in the bridge of this song. and of course Serj did a great job.
My favorite song off the cd "Lie Lie Lie" started, Dan and Mario provided some pretty good backing vocals for this performance. Mario did the high pitched sheirks almost exactly the same as the ones on the album. Once
Agiand great performance by the band.
Serj gets his red acoustic guitar and starts playing the intro to Saving Us, this song isn't my favorite, but it was still really good live.
Without any introduction Serj starts playin the opening to "Baby" this was a pretty awesome live song, everyone was rockin out to the bridge.
"Sky Is Over" started and I thought it sounded good but it didn't get the crowd involved as much as the other songs. I thought that was odd because it was kickass live.
Serj told us that we were a "Bomb" crowd, a couple of seconds later he yelled "Praise The Lord!!" twice, after the second one he calmly said " And Pass The Ammunition while you're at it" and then that crazy ass song started. Although it sounded kind of normal because not all the layers of the album versions were included, it still sounded great live.
We were all done praising the lord and Serj introduced the next song, "Charades". This was one of my favorite songs of the night, the piano version is good in all, but I liked the rock version better the drums and guitar went really well with the piano.
Serj sat down at the piano, and started playing "Honking Antelope", this song imo was veary good live. Agian some good backing vocals by Dan and Mario.
Serj got up off the piano seat and walked back to the front of the stage. He said " This song is dedicated to Jello Biafr" me and a couple of other people knew what was coming. It was a great cover, Serj and The FCC did a good job on this one.
An unknown guitar riff started playing and Serj in his high pitched voice sang " When I look in to your beautifull eyes, When I look in to your beautifull ass, It reminds me of Beetohven's Little CUNT!" and then the raw and heavy intro of the song started and everyone was going nus, for like 20 secs and then the rest of the song was played. This performance I think was the best for everyone all night.
The band lest the stage for a minute or two, and Serj told us " We wanna play you a song by a little band called, The Beatles". This was another really well done cover, and to my suprise this was the only song he did his signature yell on.
Then came the quiet closer "Elect The Dead", this one was only Serj and piano, veary beautiful song. It was pretty funny when a couple of people would yell "Shut The Fuck Up!" when the smallest noise was made.
1.) The Unthinking Majority
2.) Empty Walls
3.) Feed Us
4.) Lie, Lie, Lie
5.) Saving Us
6.) Baby
7.) Sky Is Over
8.) Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition
9.) Charades (Rock Version)
10.) Holiday in Cambodia (Dead Kennedys Cover)
11.) Honking Antelope
12.) Beethoven's Cunt
itsmeMRJACK - Nov 03, 2007 - 12:12 AM
Post subject: RE: My SF Review
That sounds amazing! I wish i could go to a concert. 
Rainbow_Chile - Nov 03, 2007 - 12:17 AM
Post subject: RE: My SF Review
Good review but it looks like you forgot to put in the words for the first two songs. And which gig/date is this?
Berjisär - Nov 03, 2007 - 12:19 AM
Post subject: RE: My SF Review
Hey, there were people at the show who have the same opinion than me, cool^^
I was always thinking "Hey Serj, how will you sing two different lines in one time?" when I listened to EtD, yeah, just let them away. Funny^^
Trevor123 - Nov 03, 2007 - 12:24 AM
Post subject: RE: My SF Review
*Fixed*
Rainbow_Chile - Nov 03, 2007 - 01:17 AM
Post subject: RE: My SF Review
Okay thanks for fix, I now merged it with an existing San Fran thread, trying to keep things slightly organised in here.. =)
Berjisär - Nov 03, 2007 - 01:20 AM
Post subject: RE: My SF Review
We need more moderators. I would offer myself, but hell yeah, I'm the last person you folks want to be moderator^^
Please tidy up the whole Serj Tankian Forum^^
Trevor123 - Nov 03, 2007 - 01:31 AM
Post subject: RE: My SF Review
alright cool
Skit - Nov 04, 2007 - 10:53 PM
Post subject: Re: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
KnaveMurdok wrote:
I screamed out at this point "God wants you to go to war"
You loon
I cant wait to see Serj (Only a few weeks away!), I'll be getting tons of pics/videos and writing a review as I do every major gig I goto.
I'll try get a setlist off the stage, Im normally quite lucky in that respect depending on how tight the venue is (some kick you out the second the show ends and refuse to let you talk to the onstage crew for picks/setlists etc)
I'm gonna try meet Serj after aswell, those who have met Serj after the show how long did you have to wait?
Im thinking about 20mins?
sugar_buzz - Nov 04, 2007 - 10:57 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
^^In Chicago, we waited about an hour, I think.
coolguyb52 - Nov 04, 2007 - 11:12 PM
Post subject: Re: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
Skit wrote:
I'm gonna try meet Serj after aswell, those who have met Serj after the show how long did you have to wait?
Im thinking about 20mins?
In Dallas we waited for about an hour or so. It was cold that night too! 
AK - Nov 04, 2007 - 11:41 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
yeah..it was much longer than 20 mins in toronto---i think it was around an hour, an hour and 15 mins even..but this was because he had guests that he was meeting with backstage..so you may or may not have to wait as long.
Skit - Nov 05, 2007 - 07:50 AM
Post subject: RE: Re: Serj and the F.C.C. in San Fransisco
Cheers
Serj take his time doesnt he?
Most other bands I've been to see show up within half and hour
I'll still be waiting
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