LIVE

by Matthew Regensburger

The rock band Live played to a packed house at Riverport last Tuesday and blew me away. When band members took the stage that night, they took it for keeps. Live didn't play coy, or try to fool everyone in attendance into thinking it's a great band; Live proved it. Touring in support of their latest release, Secret Samadhi, Tuesday was the second stop in St. Louis for members of the group this year. Early in March they played at the American Theater.

They played songs off their three CD's though most of the songs were from Secret Samadhi. The tunes from the hugely successful Throwing Copper were openly accepted by the crowd, especially the hits "Selling the Drama" and "Lightning Crashes." However, the tracts that were not released, such as "Iris" and "Waitress" were greeted just as enthusiastically. The songs from the new album were played hard and furiously, except the slower "Ghost." With "Operation Spirit," the place erupted, especially when Edward Kowalczyk wanted everyone do to "rock-n-roll's favorite pastime" and sing along with him.

At the end of the set, the place went crazy, vowing not to leave until they came back the stage. With the encore, Live played "Mirror Song," "I Alone," the wild

"Heropsychodreamer" and "White Discussion." With everything finished, the band stood there on stage accepting all the cheers and applause. Kowalczyk, who asked throughout the performance, asked again: "How are you feeling?"

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the night was not what songs Live would play or if band members would be the powerful performers they were, it was why Patrick Dahlheimer was wearing a full-length skirt. He even had flowers in his hair when he took the stage. Was it a tribute to the woman-led opening bands Radio Iodine and Luscious Jackson, or was it a symbolic gesture of freedom to do what one want's to do? I am not really sure what the reason was, but it was interesting to say the least.

This show proved once again why Live is one of the top draws in and around music today. The band showcased its talents and its crowd appeal. Live loves to play in front of audience and does it awfully well.