At Milwaukee, I think Ryen was a little drunk when he came back out to play for the Rentals' set...during moog solos or quite break downs and shit he was balancing his guitar on his head...staring creepily into the crowd or at the floor. Infact I noticed the staring during Ozma's set too, but he did a really good job of course...his guitar work was spot on and his singing was grand. Wierd stage presence though. I think the PBR hit him a little quick.
ever seen ozma before? that's just ryen. my guess is he was just acting how he always acts. if he wasn't sitting down for songs at a time, i'd call that a downright energetic performance from him. I saw them for two dates on this tour and he was doing the guitar balancing thing both nights, and he didn't seem to be drunk at either show (not from my estimation at least. the only thing I saw him drinking in DC was a can of coke. besides, I've heard what Ozma sounds like when they're drunk, and I've got reason to believe their taking this tour pretty seriously in terms of performance.)
anyway. as for the NYC show, I had the most hellish experience while heading into the city on the greyhound. First, the air conditioning broke, leading to an increadibly sweltering ride and some slight delays. It was a bit hot, but it seemed workable. Then a bird hit the windshield. Apparently it's illegal to drive a bus with a horrencously cracked windshield, so we had to wait for two busses to show up on the side of the highway and pick us up. My bus was due into NYC at 6:30, and it was at least 9 by the time I was finally off the bus in NYC. I met a kid on the bus that was also headed to the show and we took a cab from the station. Random stranger: if you read this, thank you for the moral support. NYC scares the shit out of me.
By the way, fuck NYC, it's just a big, ugly, rude and obnoxious version of Boston. Now Boston, there's a city I can get behind.
I only missed the first song of Ozma's set, fortunately. They were in top form, possibly the tightest I've ever seen them perform. I won't say it's the best Ozma show I've ever been to (I'm doubtful that anything ever could top Welsely (however it's spelled) in '02) but the performance quality was supperb. The new song sounded great. I can't wait to hear more. Otherwise the setlist was pretty standard. Good, but it was mostly just the regular staples. Rachel sang on "Wake Up" and later on, Matt and Sarah from The Rentals came out and they played "California" along with Ozma. It was really cool. I was hoping they'd do this again in DC the next night, but they didn't. (the only notable difference between the two shows, setwise, for either band).
The Rentals were great. I had high hopes going into it, and I was not let down.
I wish I would have been able to talk to Jordan more. I'm super bummed that he got turned away like that. I wasn't clear on what he was saying when I passed him outside, and I was in a hurry cause I knew Ozma was already on stage. I was hoping I would catch up with him after the show, but shit happens I guess. At least I shook his hand. Seemed like a real friendly guy, exactly like he does online. Wish I could have chilled with him more.
