eh...i know this a touchy subject, and pretty much at the forefront of all STP topics (sans the new album) but i mean are we being a bit too critical and selfish? don't get me wrong, i'd love seeing a new set every show, every other show, or every few shows, but the fact is, nearly 7 years ago did anyone really believe they'd be together? touring? making a new album?
for those who say STP is their favorite band of all time- just take solace in knowing that your favorite band is still alive and touring for your enjoyment. i saw STP 7 times before the break in '02. i was truly saddened when i realized my favorite band was no more. had you asked me back then if the only way i could see STP ever again live in concert was if they played the same 10 or 12 songs all the time -- i'd say fuck yea!
i really really love this band. their music encapsulates my life growing up all the way to present day. there's nothing more rewarding, thrilling, exciting to me than a live concert from STP.
going back to what i said about seeing them 7 times before '02 - there were 2 songs (among many more) that i always wished i could've seen/heard live. those songs are silvergun superman and army ants. STP hadn't played those songs since the mid-to-late 90's. granted, i got to see some rarities from them such as the only performance of long way home @ rolling rock and i got you @ the norva in NJ.
flash forward to early 2008 and we, STP diehard fans, find out the band is back together and touring. the greatest news in the world! i saw them 3 times in '08. And all 3 shows i saw, i expected that i'd finally get to experience silvergun superman for the first time, as i had read they were playing that song at some shows. but alas, i didn't. at all 3 shows i attended, they didn't play it. but you know what? it's cool i said. i still saw my favorite band 3 times and i never thought that would happen again anyway.
i tried to catch them this past summer but that's a long long story and i didn't see them. i've been kicking myself in the ass since early july cause i missed the 2 songs i dreamed of seeing STP perform live. Dammit! well, thankfully, my favorite band is indeed touring again, and it seems to me that it's pretty much the same setlist from this summer. GREAT! no problem with that at all, if you ask me. i'm gonna see them this Friday in VA and Saturday in PA. I'm hoping they play SS and AA at least at one of the shows. As for the other songs that they always seem to play- well big deal. it's STP and they're my favorite band and i'll rock out to anything they play.
sorry if this seems like a rant or criticism of any of your own thoughts/ideas about the band right now, but my point really is just it seems some of us have to have cake and eat it too. the reviews that are coming in - since the tour in the summer - have been great! i realize some of us don't want to, or financially can't attend every STP show and don't wanna spend the money on something you've already seen. well i have no problem spending 50 to 60 bucks to see my favorite band cause one day i know i won't be able to.
i'm all in favor of mixing the setlist up and hearing rare/unheard songs. but if that's not the case, then i'm not going to complain. the only thing i feel STP fans should complain about is the lack of STP... and i don't think there's any room for that right now. so with that said, just stop bitching about the setlists -- for now.
