MERRILLVILLE, IN
CONCERT REVIEW AND PICTURES

 

(POODLE HAT TOUR)
(to skip the review and just get to the pictures, scroll down.)

 

This show was on August 20, 2004. It was my 6th show (well, 7th if you count the time the cop let me in at the Navy Pier Show) I went with my friends Gail and Andy. When we got to Merrillville, we sat over by the buses to see if we could get any of the band members to talk and sign stuff. After about ten minutes, Steve Jay came out and started talking to us. He didn't have enough time to sign autographs, so he just went inside. About 5 minutes later Al came out. We rushed over to Al. We started a conversation and then he asked us if he wanted him to sign anything. I had him sign my Hawaiian shirt, and Andy had him sign his hat. Al told us he'd like to stay longer, but had to go. So we said good bye to Al. I had to go to dinner at the theater (one of those dinner and a show things) so I left. When I came back, Andy told me he got to see Ruben, and he got his signature. Well, it was still to early to go into the venue, so we waited by the bus a little longer. Bermuda came out and signed autographs with us. We talked to him for a little and posed for a picture, then he too, had to go and get ready. We saw Steve again. this time, he was able to sign autographs and pose for pictures. We talked to him a little longer, he's such a nice guy. We then traveled into the venue.

In my opinion, the opening act wasn't the best. He did impressions, and was pretty good at them, but it seemed like it went on forever. After the opening act, "Fun Zone" started up and everyone was clapping. This was a very energetic crowd.

Al came out and did "Angry White Boy Polka." He was full of energy, and the crowd was too. He always does the funny dance moves when he does the finger snap. It's hilarious.

After "Angry White Boy Polka" came "Party At The Leper Colony." But, before he started singing "Party At The Leper Colony," he said "For the remainder of the show, we will be singing songs dedicated to the devastating seriousness effects of leprosy. " Everyone laughed and he started "Party At The Leper Colony."

Al then said, "I guess it's time to introduce the band." He pointed at Jim West and said "This is the guitarist" He pointed at Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz and said "This is the drummer" He looked at Ruben Valtierra and then quickly moved to Steve Jay and said "And that's the bassist." Everyone cracked up. Then the light went on Ruben, and Ruben looked upset because Al forgot him. Then Al looked at him and then turned away and said "Yeah, that's our band." Everyone laughed. Then he sang "Your Horoscope For Today."

Al started talking about the last time he was in Merrillville, IN when a cell phone rings. Al stops and says "That is the loudest ring I have ever heard." it kept ringing. "You can answer it, you know." he said. Then Al said "I don't know if there was an announcement about this or not, but can everyone please turn off your cell phones. Jim West walked over to Al and started tapping him on the shoulder. Al turned to Jim and said "Hold on, now I just want them to turn off there cell phones..." Jim said, "Al!" Al said "What's wrong Jim" Jim said "It's your phone" Al looked in his pocket and said "I'm Sorry, I gotta take this call." Then started "A Complicated Song" There was a big reaction from the crowed.

The stage was dark and then you heard "Me- he-he-he-lanie." Al started to sing "Melanie." At the end of Melanie, Al said "And now, ladies and gentleman, Jim West will do a guitar solo, while I floss my teeth." Jim did his guitar solo and Al was flossing his teeth, and when Al was done, he put the used floss on Jim's head.

Then Al said "You know, we've been doing pretty much the same tour for the past year and a half now, so I think it's time to take a request." Everyone started screaming out songs.  Al said "I can't understand a word anyone's saying so listen, I'm going to pick one person and we will play any song they want to hear." All these hands were up in the air. Steve Jay was jumping up and down screaming "Me! Me! Pick Me!" Al walked around looking into the audience and then looked over at Jim. And then said "Jim!" Jim looked scared. Al said "Jim, what song would you like to hear?" Jim said "I want to hear some Jimi Hendrix" Al said "No, Jim, one of our songs." Jim said "But you said we could play anything I wanted." Al said "I know but..." Al was too late, Jim West started playing "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix. Al looked annoyed and just let the band played. Then Al figured if you can't beat them, join them! So Al started sining "Purple Haze!" It was so funny, because Al still had this annoyed look on his face. About halfway through, Al said "Okay, that's enough of that, lets do "One More Minute." Then the band started playing "One More Minute."

After "One More Minute," Al went back for a costume change. He came back and did "Dog Eat Dog." This song always amazes me. He does it just like Talkingheads, and The Big White Suit is awesome!

Then came "It's All About The Pentiums." This is a fan favorite, I hope he never takes it off the set list. He sounded really cool in this. And who doesn't like the Mighty Silver Suit?

"Wanna B Ur Lovr" was next and it was, as always, the best performance of the night. He's trying to be sexy, but it's Al. So, he has to be goofy. Everyone loves this song. He came down my side and went to a girl a few rows in front of me. And apparently, she has Yugoslovian hands according to Al.   

"Trash Day" got a huge reaction from the crowd! Everyone seemed to love "Trash Day." It was pretty standard, like always. I just think it's cool that Nelly was cool enough to let Al use his clothes.

Then came the Medley. "My Bologna" got a huge reaction from people. It was sort of like "Oh yeah! I remember that song! Always a favorite would be "Free Delivery" When he comes out in that pizza delivery uniform. "Eat It" ended it, and I don't think there was one person not sining to "Eat It"

"Smells Like Nirvana" was next. Always a fan favorite. The cheerleaders weren't that bad. Al actually "Forgot the next verse" when the line came up. He gargled and threw two cups of water into the audience.

After "Smells Like Nirvana" was "Amish Paradise." This song, in my opinion is the best "Weird Al" song. It is so creative. Al insisted that everyone would wave there arms during "Amish Paradise" So, he waved at everyone individually to make sure they were waving there arms.

Then came "Couch Potato." The little boy sitting behind me almost died, he couldn't believe that Al was singing "Couch Potato." I guess it was his favorite song. By this time, you could sort of tell that Al was getting tired. Hey, wouldn't you get tired if you were up on stage running around and singing for two hours?

Then, on the screen the "Fat" video came on. We all knew that meant "Fat" was coming up. In the beginning, the spotlight was on Steve and his bass. Al came out dressed as an 800lb Michael Jackson and did "Fat. When Al jumped, everyone in the audience jumped. He then ended the show by really introducing the band.

We called Al back for an encore.

Al came back and did "The Saga Begins." Everyone seems to love this song. He held the "He's" In "He's a ghost" for 18 seconds!

Then Al did "Yoda" and at the end of "Yoda" he did the infamous Yoda Chant. Then he ran over and rocked out with Steve, took off his accordion and said "Thank you, I love you all, Goodnight!" We watched him spin and the show sadly came to an end. He gave his 10000% smile and walked off the stage.

After the show, we waited outside by the bus to see if we can catch Al and the band members again. Jim and Steve came out. I went up to Jim first since I didn't get his autograph. He signed my shirt and then took a picture. We started talking to Steve again for a while. Then Skip came out and said "Al is really tired and will not be doing a meet and greet tonight. He will come out and say hi, but he is going directly into the bus" Al came out, waved and then went inside.

Well, I guess we were lucky to get Al and the band before the show. This was, as always a great experience. If you haven't seen Al in concert, I highly recommend you go. Al puts on one excellent show! To see the pictures to this show, scroll down.