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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 9, 1992)
Thursday, April 9, 1992 The Battalion Page 9 da y- April 9 r~^U2 delivers rock'n'roll artwork with Zoo TV tour I By Rob Newberry 77?e Battalion AUSTIN - Maybe U2 didn't play all the songs I wanted to hear, but they still put on the best rock 'n' roll show I've ever seen. Before a sold-out crowd at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin Tuesday night, the biggest band to come out of the '80s gave fans a taste of their Zoo TV tour. After a rather bland set by alternative rock great, the Pixies, and some dumb commentary and disc-jockey ing by some guy dressed like a clown, U2 took the stage and proceeded to assault the audi ence with driving rock 'n' roll, lots of sexual antics and a plethora of confusing images. The set kicked off with a string of material from their new album, " Achtung, Baby!" They opened with the album's first song, "Zoo Sta tion," then jammed through a slew of other new material, including "The Fly," "Even Bet ter Than the Real Thing," "Mysterious Ways," ''Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses," i'One" and "Until the End of the World." Granted, these new songs aren't my fa- | vorite U2 tunes. "October" is my favorite al bum, but the band elected to omit anything prior to their fourth album, "The Unforgettable fire." Strangely enough, though, I wasn't dis appointed to have some of my favorite songs left out. In fact, the way U2 put together their erformance made me like some of the new ongs a lot better. U2 has put together much more than a col lection of their new songs for a live perfor- ance. The Zoo TV show is an artistic experi- nce from beginning to end. Using all sorts of rops, and a carefully arranged song order, the and gave the entire experience a message that ker," isbyare® 031116 across a lot better than anything I've ever chunk. B ban a strong t it's included, SE covers and the SC?) er treatment n 10SE sounds The guitarist i't fuck it up, iving the song rom the origi picked up while just listening to some band play their songs live. The tour gets its name from the main props the band uses on stage - about a dozen televi sion sets, displaying various images and films, and five large screens set up behind the band, doing the same thing. During the music, the screens display everything from a‘barrage of words and phrases to overlayed scenes from television shows, supposedly tuned in live via sattelite from several foreign countries. The way U2 utilized the imagery was a big part in conveying their message. During "The Fly," sexual words like "SEX," "WHORE" and "PUSSY" would flash quickly on and off the screen, interrupted at points by seemingly un related phrases like "GUILT IS NOT OF GOD" and "EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS WRONG." Some of the phrases seemed al most profound, like "CONSCIENCE IS A PEST," but others, like "ASSASSINATE GOD," seemed strange for a band that still claims to believe in Christianity. Then again, the message that came across through the whole show, one of loss and disillusion in ev erything, was brought out during the end of the song, when the word "BELIEVE," in white, faded away into "LIE," in blood red. Some of the Zoo TV stuff was sarcastic and funny, instead of so disorienting. As some of the random scenes from various TV shows were parading on the screen, a caption flittered by, reading "Tonight - U2 LIVE - at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin - Home of Dental Floss." The show featured other attractions, in ad dition to the TV screens, like a belly dancer during "Mysterious Ways," and a small silver automobile swinging from the ceiling, hover ing above the crowd and band. The relentless pounding of imagery and sound during the initial set of new material did eventually let up. The band walked out on a smaller stage set up in the middle of the Er win Center's floor for an acoustic rendition of "Angel of Harlem," and kicked off a set of their older material that included "Bad," "Bul let the Blue Sky" and "Running To Stand Still." But while the imagery let up a little, the pow erful emotional sadness continued, and reached a crest during the end of "Running To Stand Still," as Bono stood alone in the middle of the audience, with his face and arms raised, chanting, "Hallelujah...Hallelujah," before dis appearing in a mix of green and red smoke. The show continued with some more old material, including "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and "I Still Haven't Found (What I'm Looking For)." By that time, it was obvious that the emotional experience of the show was affecting the band as well as the audience, as Bono stumbled through his words during his introduction, "We feel very lucky...and...oh, just listen." And as if to answer those fans who have wondered whether Christian beliefs still influence the band, when the band got to the end of the third verse (a description of the crucifixion ending in "You know I believe it"), Bono threw in the phrase, "and still do," be fore going in to the chorus. Before finishing the show, U2 plowed through "Desire," ^Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" and "With or Without You." They con cluded with the haunting "Love is Blindness" from the new album; to add to the song's theme, the band played in complete darkness, and the Erwin Center was lit only with a pale blue glow. After the song, with no lights on, Bono said goodnight and the band left. When the lights came on, the tension of the artistic message and the emotional energy broke. But everyone that left the show took with them the memory of a great concert expe rience and a sad recollection of the emptiness in everything around them. he center olff i. been a mi®! e likely woii Hammer fe : complex, dee ather light, fij sionally sent litedraK'tefe le over the not think the Student devotes time to iow the strenf : children's swim team >e seen as th aiques. Don! Continued from page 7 nted liveasfe .against one another in June. Love has over 40 kids on his team and is expecting more to sign up this summer. His goal is grow as big as Col- E lege Station's team which carries around 90 members. f Rgyjgy, "College Station has had a team for years and has never ™-eally had any tough competition before," said Love. "I ex- ect the teams will become rivals pretty soon," he added. In addition to organizing the children's swim team. Love also organized a swim team for adults who wanted to improve their strokes. The class meets two nights a week at the Southwood pool in College Station. He said that there are a few in the adult program who compete, but most just come out to stay in shape. "Coaching the adults is perfect for me," Love said. "I get to work-out with them and also earn a little cash on the side." Love hopes to continue coaching both teams throughout his college career, but is a little unsure about his plans after then. "I plan on coaching for as long as it doesn't interfere are especial')! with my long term goals," Love said. o some sickenf g ut f or noW/ h e i s most concerned with making sure his cliches. For H i kids are getting all they can out of swimming. ? socks thee'l "j really hope that there will be a few kids who will find Mice saysshe| the rewards I found from swimming, lore attracti'' l | In Advance Moore Hall rocks Quad with Northside show This Saturday, the second North- side Concert on the Quad will be tak ing place from noon to 8:00 P.M. The free concert is being organized by Moore Hall, with a little help and do nations from residents in the other Northside dorms. The show is scheduled to feature five bands, all local acts from the Bryan/ College Station area. Head lining the concert will be Dr. Love and the Erogenous Zones. Also ap pearing will be Crossbone Butterfly, described as a soft of U2/Cult hy brid; classic rock outfit Bayou; blues rockers Mother's Monkey; and local hardcore band Grimace. Don't get the wrong impression. The show is free and nobody will be asking for any donations. The guys from Moore say it's just something they wanted to do for kicks. Actually, it's a great idea. With only one or two places in town that still want to bring music to College Station, it's hard to find something to do on a Saturday afternoon, and even harder for local acts to book gigs. Go out and support this show. Although 200 people showed up for the first one last year, there's no rea son why there shouldn't be twice that many people this year. After all, which would you rather do: stay and study in the dorm or support local music and rock the quad? I director Bri* ke a somecif that's usual!) these kirn Ihort ny :ar in ious, d coni' the 'table M Music Information is provided by the individual nightclubs and is subject to change. Gallery Bar In the College Station Hilton at 801 E. Uni versity Dr. Only ages 21 and older admit ted. Call 693-7500 for more information. Friday, Saturday - Big Apple Trio. Jazz. Starts at 8 p.m. No cover. Kay’s Cabaret At Post Oak Mall. Ages 18 and older ad mitted. Alcohol served. For more informa tion, call 696-9191. Thursday - The Toes. Acoustic country. Starts at 9:30 p.m. No cover. Friday - 3 Beers. Classic rock. Starts at 9:30 p.m. $3 cover. Saturday - Hierophant. Rock. Starts at 9:30 p.m. $3 cover. Texas Hall of Fame On FM 2818 in Bryan. Alcohol served. For more information, call 822-2222. Thursday - Special F/X. Country. Starts at 9 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m. $4 cover ($2 off with TAMU ID). Around Town Friday - Johnny Lion and the Country NuNotes. Country. Starts at 9 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m. $5 cover. Saturday - Jerry Nail and the Armadillo Express. Country. Starts at 9 p.m. doors open at 8. $4 cover ($2 off with TAMU ID). Equinox Located at 329 University Dr. in College Station. Alcohol served. For more infor mation, call 846-2496. Saturday - Ant Hill Mob. Rock. Starts at 9:00 p.m. $3 cover. Two Pesos Located at 303 University Dr. in College Station. Alcohol served. For more infor mation, call 846-4135. Wednesday - Sneaky Pete. Sing-along. Starts at 8 p.m. $2 cover. Saturday - ’N the Rutz. Rock. Starts at 9:30. $3 cover. Stafford Opera House Located at 106 S. Main in Bryan. Alcohol served. For more information, call 775- 4082. Thursday - Ten Hands. Funk. Starts at 8 p.m. $6 in advance, $7 cover at the door. Friday - Susanne Sharp and the Samber Saturday - Chris Duarte. Blues rock, funky blues. Starts at 9 p.m. $5 cover. Wednesday - KANM Benefit with The Road Kings. Rockabilly. Starts at 8 p.m. $5 cover. Comedy Information is subject to change. Garfield’s Located at 1503 S. Texas Ave. Reserva tions recommended. Ages 21 and older admitted. Alcohol served. Call 693-1736 for more information. Thursday - Nicky Shane and Jim Nenopolous. Starts at 10 p.m. Tickets: $4 in advance, $5 at door. Sundance Located at 801 E. Univerisity Dr. in the Hilton. Ages 19 and older admitted. Alco hol served. Call 693-7500 for more infor mation. Thursday - Al D. Freeman. Starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $4 in advance, $5 at door. No reservations. Jaria $ 1— per pound Every Thursday • 5p.m. to 8p.m. 0 N E COLLEGE STATION. TX. • 696-5570 Live Music $2 cover charge Every Thursday $2*50 pitchers from 8-10 Every Night PICKUPS PLUS Complete service and repair on all pickups, vans and 4WD's. Free Estimates 512 W. Carson 775-6708 SERVING AGGIELAND FOR 10 YEARS » ♦ U/ild-- Dt'l Unlimited 'Tun foox -(HI at a JyjaeciaL Jlow JOtice! © 1705 Valley View Dr. 693-2445 Golf (P'1988. All Riqhts Reserved. “Putt-Putt Golf Course" is a U S Reqistered Trademark. BUNGEE JUMP Now Only Located close to campus! 3 1/2 miles west on University Dr. (Hwy. 60) Just past Easterwood Airport The Department of Speech Communications and Theatre Arts The Aggie Players present The Story of the Conquest of the Kingdom of New Mexico by Oscar Giner April 9-11 & 16-18 8 p.m. April 12 & 19 2 p.m. Rudder Forum Texas A&M University General Public $6.00 Students $5.00 Tickets available at Aggie Player Box Office 862-2052 This program made possible in part through a grant from the Arts Council of Brazos Valley anf the Texas Commission on the Arts. j '.fS< r TZTjt “A QUARTERS NIGHT Every Thursday Evening 2 QUARTERS buys you A FROSTED PINT of draft beer (50C) 9-11 PM 326 George Bush 696-DA VE 211 University 268-DA VE 919 Harvey 764-DAVE Carter Creek 846-DAVE