I put this video on Facebook, but figured you can see it here without signing up.

Posted via email from okorioth’s posterous

As I write this, my ears still ring, the brain hurts and the body is sore and exhausted. Why would I do this to myself? I’m not sure, but it was worth every minute! I’ll recap through the groggyness caused by much consumption of alcohol.

We all thought last Junes NIN show was the final nail in the coffin for Chicago, everyone said it was so. But nooo, they decided to throw in some last minute gigs at the Aragon Ballroom and of course this is an extremely impossible ticket to get. Lucky for me my old friend and college buddy Scott came up with the goods. We’re in baby, book that flight to Chicago!

I’ll summarize the experience in a couple of words… Sweaty mayhem.

In a few more words.. Met up with Douglass around 3PM in the city, where it was in fact Miller time so we had a few and something to eat to celebrate Scotts triumphant return to the Windy City. Well, ok fine we didn’t have an excuse. Then, took the Red Line to the venue, my first time ever using the CTA and hey it works quite well! We arrived at The Aragon and much to our dismay there was a huge line snaking around the building, the block, and into the parking lot of a strip mall. It was the literal March Of The Pigs! So, we got in line like the sheep we are and then find out we’re at the wrong door. No problem, we go back outside and in the right door, no waiting! We’re in baby.

A few drinks later, Mew comes on and plays for a bit. Doesn’t sound that great live I have to admit, although I do like their music from what I’ve heard online. A couple of more drinks while we await the main event. Actually, it started quite quickly. We secured a great spot in front of the soundboard so we can take photos and videos of the show. But, when it did start the crowd surged forward and I wasn’t paying attention and Scott got lost in the crowd. No problem, I’ll find him later and enjoy the show. My mistake! Why do mosh pits always form right where I stand? Fine, this time I figured I would join in a little, although some of these guys were built like tanks. Hey at 36 I can still hold my own somewhat! As the night went on, we became a huge mass of sweating and screaming animals, it was almost tribal. But still really cool, everyone had nothing but good vibes. Nobody got hurt, I’ve seen the worst at other shows. After a while though my luck did run out and I got slammed when I wasn’t ready and it jarred my arm where I have an old injury. Dammit!

It was a blistering set, including an appearance by Peter Murphy, who must have been really whacked out of his mind because he screwed up the lyrics to Reptile and started improvising on some other songs. Whatever. This was probably one of the best concert experiences I’ve ever had. Thanks Scott for bringing me along, and thanks Trent for kicking my ass.

Update: Today it was pointed out I have a black eye! Whoops! No idea how that happened, did not notice getting jabbed in the face. Still worth it!

Here is the night’s setlist:

Home
The Beginning Of The End
Survivalism
Heresy
March Of The Pigs
Piggy
Metal
Ruiner
I’m Afraid Of Americans
Burn
Gave Up
La Mer
The Frail
I Do Not Want This
Gone, Still
Right Where It Belongs v2.0
The Way Out Is Through
Wish
Mr Self Destruct
Suck
Echoplex
The Good Soldier
Dead Souls
Reptile (with Peter Murphy)
Strange Kind Of Love / Bela Lugosi’s Dead – Bauhaus covers with Peter Murphy
Final Solution – Pere Ubu cover with Peter Murphy
The Hand That Feeds
Head Like A Hole
Hurt

Behold the newest internet sensation brought to you by Joss Whedon and NPH, now available via Hulu! Uhm, yes its a musical, but a its on the internet so it must be a cool musical.

A Fistful of Yen

HAHAHA! One of the greatest short film comedies of all time. From Kentucky Fried Movie, the first film from the Zucker/Abrahms comedy team.

Purple & Brown

I love these two guys.

Wii Dishwashing Champion

Wow! This game looks like too much fun! Even better than Mario Kart. Does it have a friend code to go head to head?

Mobile Desktop?

Ah, something funny to post. This is hilarious! Laptop? Who needs one of those, lets just haul my trusty Pentium 90 to Starbucks instead. The geek in me thinks this is hilarious.