The Big Bang Baby Boys: Babbling at the Lower Box

March 9th, 2011. The Stone Temple Pilots came to town. And so did one-half of your Imaginary Friends, whose mission is to set their eyes and ears and hearts to the time portal that stands before them. Well, it’s actually just the massive, vector-designed, phosphorescent flower on the stage, plus the steady pounding from Eric Kretz, gut-wrenching basslines of Robert DeLeo, heart-crushing layered guitars and mind-blowing solo blasts from Dean DeLeo, and that glorious, guttural groans of Scott Weiland. Ahmad Tanji and Eric Po celebrated together what to them were an occasion so momentous, their birthdays, parties, and college graduation all paled in comparison.Peek in as these two fans chat it out, shaking off what obviously was a hard and heavy hang-up from the concert that made these boys Big Bang Baby Boys.

eric po:

My ears are still ringing. I can’t believe they played Trippin’ On A Hole. Sabi mo, they don’t usually play it live.

ahmad tanji:

yeah.really unexpected. i thought they’ll go like Oasis hating their 3rd album since they didn’t play Big bang Baby or any from Tiny Music.but damn, a pleasant surprise.

eric po:

I’m still singing in my mind

ahmad tanji:

the funny thing is all the songs they played had this formula.hard riffing intros and stanzas then almost psychedelic sing along- choruses and classic rock guitar solos and yet it works. one of my fave part is when they played Big Empty. felt my skin tingling. that bluesy slide intro knows how to raise them hairs

eric po:
a minute and half more of that lengthy intro and I’m sure Brandon Lee is coming back to life. STP sure brought out the kid in me. I remembered the long journey home when I was still in 1st year high school, I pop in Core everytime. that was after all that Nirvana and Pearl Jam’s versus. Core is singable, even maybe more singable than In Utero

ahmad tanji:

was that your fave STP album?

eric po:
I guess so. Not that I disliked the others, but Core hit me hard without having to bleed

ahmad tanji:

Core and Purple are singable gems. but for some reasons i feel a closer affinity with Tiny Music. I think this was the time when they found their sound. grungy guitars alright, but you hear them looking for their Zepellin soul and maybe some Jane’s Addiction too

eric po:

When Tiny Music came out I was already experimenting with Brit rock. that’s why I only have recollection of its singles. Purple is my 2nd favorite. you can tell maybe from my raspy yelping at the concert. I try to feign knowing the lyrics by blurting out Neanderthal phonetic sounds that closely resemble the song primordial, but at least, I did get a few nods from the lady fans that night.

ahmad tanji:

haha there were chicks at our right side who knows all the words. now that’s something. that should be like a criteria when looking for a potential mate at some dating site : wanted : hot chick with insatiable taste for good music.

eric po:
oooh that’s dangerous.insatiable taste for good music doesnt sound… right. how about: insatiable taste for good music while MOMOL

ahmad tanji:

lol now that could be another topic

eric po:

Yeah. I still am pissed with Wendy’s overpricing 300 pesos shelled out for a burger meal? I’d rather wipe Kretz’s cymbals for free

ahmad tanji:

o well, commercialism at its best. btw, i love the new single! Between the lines is a back- to- basic early STP sound. the bridge sounded like a Nirvana song

eric po:

it did ring a few “Nevermind” bells. sing: Stay Away

ahmad tanji:

and it’s hummable. that’s my LSS before the concert. and it’s still in there. they also did a cover of Led Zep’s dancing days

eric po:

Yes!

ahmad tanji:

it was ok but give me ‘Break on Through’ anytime or even ‘Revolution. they did a rocking cover on the Lennon tribute at New York City back at 01

eric po:
Back in 2001? Was that also the time when Weiland covered How Do You Sleep with his project band?

ahmad tanji:

yeah, after the 7/11 incident. i think so too.they called their group The Magnificent Bastards. though it was a short lived outfit. didn’t hear anything from them after that

eric po:
that’s because STP cant live without each other. WTF was that Velvet Revolver about anyways? 3 letters to Scott Weiland: STP

ahmad tanji:

Velvet Revolver sounded like an unpolished GNR or an overly glammed up STP without the pop hooks. for some reason, it just can’t work without the DeLeo brothers. it’s like true love, mate. they were there just waiting to embrace Weiland with open arms

eric po:
Of course! What were they thinking setting up side projects?

ahmad tanji:

boredom i guess, and the itch to write and write. I mean, c’mon, would you stop playing music if Your Imaginary Friends hit the fan?

eric po:
No, but I’m not sure what to make out of it. I’d like to be a producer; that’s what Eric Kretz did

ahmad tanji:

really? wow.and i thought he was gardening or something during the hiatus.haha!

you know what, I think chemistry is the key. Modest Mouse and The Cribs are great bands but Johnny Marr was at his best when The Smiths was letting Morrissey whine. that’s why Velvet revolver or Talkshow or even Army of Anyone didn’t paved well or stayed longer.

eric po:

I know, they are a tight unit. They shoud keep each other. I noticed that Eric Kretz kept missing his clicks. But the DeLeos won’t budge. They are so sure of what they do.

 

ahmad tanji:

I heard that too! but it didn’t get in the way of us having a good time. 17 songs, almost 2 hours of great freakin classics.

eric po:

aaaahhhh this night sure was something for the books. best seats in the house. all props to Lany, Nina and Des and to your mother for giving birth to you on March 16th!

ahmad tanji:

happy birthday to me then.

eric po:

and happy birthday to me, too.