Coachella 2012: fIREHOSE, without the spark
Kevin Bronson on
2
Who: fIREHOSE in the Gobi Tent
In 3 or Fewer Words: Old dudes groovin’.
Forgettable Because: All of Mike Watt’s other bands are so memorable. “The Man With The Plan and the Bass In His Hand” is a reliable entertainer, but fIREHOSE singer-guitarist Ed Crawford (the one who isn’t a Minuteman) just seemed ”¦ kind of”¦ there. Crawford and Watt barely interacted during the 50 minutes of solid, free-jazz styled alternative rock; Watt spent most the set playing to drummer George Hurley unless he was needed at the mic for one of those goofy spoken word bits. This was a rare Coachella reunion misfire. Technically astounding, occasionally amusing, but not especially interesting, as all of the bored girlfriends in the tent seemed to attest.
What I’d Tell My Friends Who Were at AWOLNATION: I heard your show was good. Maybe fIREHOSE just needs another capital letter?<
– Ben “Mouse” McShane
fIREHOSE just played Eugene to a sold out crowed, My expectations were nil…no new material…and I just wanted to hear the oldies and let it be. An hour and 1/2 set was solid and well appreciated by everyone I’ve talked with since the gig. True, Watt was pretty tuned in to Hurley but we had him to ourselves when he rolled through with his 3rd opera this time last year.
I know he’ll be back in Oregon with another project at some point…I’m just happy the Hose gave it another go….why not.
Hey young amateur writer who thinks he knows something about music!
How could anyone find you credible when you can’t even get Watt’s tagline correct?