"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the best fucking band this town's ever seen: CHEAP TRICK!"
That was the introduction as Cheap Trick hit the stage at Myth in Maplewood on Friday night with the familiar opening song, "Hello There." As far as Cheap Trick's live show goes, it's hard not to argue that they are one of the best bands this town, or any town for that matter.
After playing in the Twin Cities so frequently in the late '90's that you almost thought they were from here, it has been a few years since Cheap Trick has passed through town. This was to be a headlining show on a night off from their current tour with Aerosmith. However, after several show cancellations over the past couple of weeks, the remainder of the tour was finally cancelled due to Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler's throat problems. As Rick Nielson explained it, "The sissy wimps cancelled the tour to go back to Boston to wipe their noses." As the bands have been friends for years, this was said tongue in cheek, but I'm sure it must be frustrating dealing with all of the show cancellations, some which happened at the last minute after Cheap Trick had already sound checked.
As anyone who has seen a Cheap Trick show knows, Rick Nielson is the band's MC, while lead singer Robin Zander rarely, if ever, says anything to the crowd. That's not to say Zander doesn't have a good time or interact with the audience. Nielson always introduces him as "the best lead singer in the world," another statement that's hard to argue with.
During the show, Nielson made it a point to acknowledge audience members that the band knew. He said there are a lot of great musicians in the Twin Cities and was glad that many of them were out of work tonight so they could be at the show. He thanked Willie's American Guitars, but also mentioned that they used to be second on his list, with Pete's Guitar being first. But sadly, Pete passed away several years ago.
"Big Eyes", "If You Want My Love" and "Voices" were a few highlights for me, but I can honestly say I loved every song. "The Flame" was a pleasant surprise and gave Zander's voice a chance to shine. Drummer, Bun E. Carlos, was rock solid as ever, while making it all seem effortless. And "the inventor of the 12 string bass guitar," Tom Petersson, showed his lead vocal skills on "I Know What I Want".
After ending with "Surrender," which included the mandatory tossing of the album with guitar picks into the audience ("...got my KISS records out"), the band came back for three more songs, including the classic, "Dream Police", and, of course, the fitting closer, "Goodnight".
Set List
Hello There
Big Eyes
Taxman, Mr. Thief
He's A Whore
If You Want My Love
Southern Girls
Best Friend
I Want You To Want Me
I Know What I Want
Voices
Never Had A Lot To Lose
The Flame
That 70's Song (In The Street)
Surrender
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the best fucking band this town's ever seen: CHEAP TRICK!"
