Tales from the Dark Side: Bowie and Nin
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TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE: BOWIE AND NIN DAVID BOWIE and NINE INCH NAILS Trent Reznor is a true wraith on stage: crawling stood through the entire NIN set), but regardless, Walnut Creek and writhing about, and one point even grabbing they still did not leave. Raleigh, Oct 7 Chris Vrenna's face while he played. And of Tliis is not to say that Bowie did not by Talena Chavis course, the lights were awesome. Tlie colors of have flaws. For one, he played songs mostly from As I maneuvered my way over many a grassy NIN ranged from black to gold to deep azure and his new album. Outside, which most audience slope to reach the front main entrance of the purple. On stage Trent Reznor's in^netrable members, including myself, are unfamiliar with. Creek, I thought about the last time I had been presence seemed very fitting in the month of Hal However, it is an accepted rule at every concert here; it had been about three years ago at the sec loween. that you may not know all of the songs performed. ond Lollapalooza. We had all camped out on the After NIN "finished" they cleared out Also, in Bowie's defense, I who am only ac lawn, getting a good sunburn, while we listened and a white backdrop came down on the stage. quainted with his album "Let’s Dance", and the to the bands play. Having also attended the first Images were projected on the screen: first water. soundtrack to Labyrinth was still able to distin Lollapalooza, I was about guish three songs out of his to see Nine Inch Nails for set The first was "Hearts a the first time in three years. Filthy Mess" which ap As I scanned the crowd I pears on the soundtrack to decided that wearing my Se7en (this is the only al black chiffon blouse, blue bum to my knowledge that jeans, and suede boots had has a compilation of both been a good decision since NIN and Bowie.) The sec more than half of the pa ond was "Man Who Sold tiently waiting throng was the World." You may have clad in some form of black. heard the cover that Kurt Once inside I bought a T- Cobain did of the song, shirt and hurried to find my which wasn't half bad. The seat Ihe band on stage was third song was an all-time completely unknown to classic, "Under Pressure." me, but after a few sepul People stood up for this chral lyrics I realized why they were here. They then bugs, bees, worms, maggots, white squid. one. Bowie was assisted vocally by a black were as dark and cynical as NIN or Bowie. I found Yep, pretty trippy. This was a set up for the ap woman who resembled Me'Shell Ndegeocello out later that the band was Prick. I liked Prick, pearance of David Bowie who came on stage to so much that I had to do a double take. However, and found their fury almost a match for the Naib, sing a duet with Reznor. The duo sang NIN lat it wasn't Me'Shell, but another gifted singer whose making even the most innocent of phrases, like est "Hurt" with Reznor singing one stanza, then name I was not able to hold onto. "I'd like to get to know you better," sound threat Bowie, then both joining the chorus. Bowie Despite mine, and perhaps the audi ening and repulsive. was wearing a white tank top, a white jacket white ences' inability to catch the songs, Bowie's show I missed the band that played before Prick, but wide-legged pants, and another white shirt tied was still enjoyable. He gives quite a lightshow I was told that they sucked, so ^parently I didn't around his waist The two foiled each other well himself. At one point he danced under a light miss much. in vocals as well as wardrobe, Bowie's ethereal that flickered every time he moved, so at points Finally the stage flooded with lots of smoke and voice serving as a perfect con^liment to Reznor's he'd stand still and then cavort around like an imp Trent Reznor and the rest of the Nails flooded the anguished wails. After "Hurt", Reznor and the under a strobe light. Also, Bowie had props. He stage. Reznor was wearing tight, black pants, a other Nails stuck around for a bit as Bowie played had two music sheets come down at the begin black T-shirt, and a black leather finger-less one of his own, a song having something to do ning of his set that read "Strange Hand Noise" gloves. Conventional Trent Reznor. He started with-.."monsters in my bedroom.." which seemed and "Listen to the Body." I don't get it but it prob off with a lot of old stuff, from Pretty Hate Ma terribly fitting. After that song the Nails beat it. ably has some deep meaning connected to his new chine, like "Come Inside," and "Up Above It" Trent Reznor gave a final farewell wave leaving album. He also had what looked like a bunch of NIN also did "Bum," most commonly associated Bowie to his own devices. Fve read or heard dismembered mannequins inside a metal ring dis with the soundtrack to A/atura/fiomATtUerr. NIN about the poor reviews Bowie got and the "fact" played for one song. Go figure. The only other soon started into favorite tracks from Downward that a lot of people sat down and/or left before he complaint I can have for Bowie is that he ended SpiralUke "Piggy Piggy." And of course, Reznor finished his set I think part of this is a bunch of his set about a half an hour earlier than he had did "Goser," though the version he performed was baloney. From where I was sitting I saw a hand to, finishing up at about 10:30 P.M. But not the one most are familiar with; it seemed closer ful of people leave, not the supposed astronomi complaints aside, the old man can stiH jam. Would to the version that appears on the soundtrack of cal number the review in the Raleigh Ntyns &. I pay 30 bucks to see him again? Yes, especially Se7en. How to describe NIN live? Unearthly. Observer reported having left Yes, people did if NIN happens to tag along again. sit down (they were probably tired after having.