(Preface: I saw Throwing Muses for the first time in 1988, or maybe late 1987. I was literally, a kid. I have seen Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses, 50FOOTWAVE, and her solo) more than any other artist in my life, and this has been going on for more than half of it. I can't say that any other artist has had a more profound effect on me. I really can't. Music is non-monogamous, and I certainly love many bands and artists deeply. Throwing Muses, when I was 13 or 14, made me the music fan I am today. There is no question about this. I gave Radiohead a serious listen because while leafing through an NME in the early 90's they said they were influenced by them. I saw Pixies at the Rathskeller in Boston because I had heard through a Newbury Comics employee that Pixies were friends with Throwing Muses. If you are on 4-AD, you're in… I'm going to see The National for six nights in a row this December (after seeing them three times this year already). See? I can keep going, but… It all becomes referential bullshit. Six degrees of nine degrees of eighteen degrees of twenty-seven degrees of Throwing Muses. And I want to talk about this show.)

First thing last. Despite any rumor you may have heard, I am so glad I had the balls to talk to Kristin for a few minutes after the show… Throwing Muses is NOT done. I repeat. THROWING MUSES IS ALIVE AND WELL. Yes the album is coming, and more tours are in the future. She told me this. I don't like bothering Kristin. I myself don't like to bothered, and I project that onto the world. I feel it stronger with her than I do with other friendly artists. Why Kristin over others? Well, there's a few reasons.

I've interacted with her a whole bunch over the years (Muses used to play at the club that I worked at back in "the day", forcing the issue some).

I'm shy, and always say goofball shit under pressure.

And this… this weird reason that makes me a borderline (but incredibly harmless, I swear) psychofan. Anyone who googles her will find out all sorts of stuff about her head injury and (subsequent?) issues with mental illness. At this point, after reading her book ("Rat Girl" in the USA, "Paradoxical Undressing" for the rest of the world who is obviously way more smart) and seeing her on her book tour earlier this year, she deals with it really well. But there were years where I felt like she was outed. I don't think the world has always been kind and accepting to her about this. Whether she sells five albums or five million albums, this information is out there. I remember the U.K. music press being particularly cruel at times about this, especially in the days of Tanya Donnely leaving the band, etc.. Sort of branding her a "crazy lady" and whatnot. I have this in common with Kristin, with a difference. When my neurological ordeal became "public", I was outed to my friends. A group of totally Joe Average people. I could barely face them, and still struggle with it today. I wasn't outed to THE WORLD and I still am picking up the pieces and dropping them. There was no NME article about my brain. Just gossip at coffee shops. Kristin gets up on stage and sings the words that helps me get through my life. She is tough, beautiful, smart, funny, and brave. That is enough. I don't need to be pestering her. But I have in the past and I did Sunday night. She gave me a hug. 

Talked to Bernie too about it too (with no emotional problems). The guy hasn't aged a day. He remembered all the Portland shows and he was sad to hear the state of affairs going on there right now. He asked me a lot of Portland questions. He says hi to you all who were there when Forest Avenue was a thriving block of madness. He reassured me that it was actually "more appropriate" to ask him to sign my ticket and ask about what's up since we have a "past" involving this. And I poured the guy many beers. So 2/3 of Throwing Muses told me to my face that they are not done after this record. Group hug. 

So, saying the show was great is a given. If you have found yourself here, you know that the musicianship of this band is one of the finest in history. If you find yourself here NOT knowing that, why don't you pick up the new anthology and get with the program? Here, I'll make it easy for you: http://www.kristinhersh.com/shop/ (For less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day for a month, you can be enlightened to what amazing musicianship is, and support artists who would love to have you enjoy them.)

I've been reviewing a lot of shows lately. I knew this one would be daunting because of my extreme love of this band. And knowing there's a couple of serious Muses nerds who participate in this here Wreckaclub, I'm just going to do the setlist with commentary, post my pictures, and get the hell up on out of here.

Kristin opened for herself. Is there anything classier?  I think not.

KRISTIN SOLO:

"Your Dirty Answer" 

(I always appreciate the uptempo way she plays this alone. I was so happy to see her and scream along the chorus. Perfect opening for yourself opening song.)

"Fish" 

(You knew who the young folks were in the crowd, that's for sure!)

"Mississippi Kite" 

(Whenever my boyfriend sees them/her with me, this is the song where he inevitably taps me on the shoulder and says something along the lines of "How does she do that?" I. DON'T. KNOW.)

"Gazebo Tree" 

(Quintessential "crazy lady on the bus" song. One of my top 10 favorites of her solo work. She could have forgotten the lyrics and stopped half way through and I would still be yelling "Brilliant!". Of course that is not what happened.) 

"Hook In Her Head" 

(Nicely arranged in a "one person playing" way, totally saw Bernie and Dave getting ready to come out so I was getting pretty worked up. The picture from the album of them in the ocean with Tanya and Fred Abong was in my head as well.)

THROWING MUSES:

"Garoux Des Larmes"

(What the fuck?! You're opening with this?!? Could I love you any more?! Holy crap. Holy crap!! They're OPENING with "Garoux Des Larmes"!!! Can I get a brick from a stranger? No? Do I have the only remaining copy of "The Fat Skier"? Maybe? Goddamnit! I stood there like a mouth breathing moron watching Dave do… that. And being totally self-righteously impressed they were opening with this. Nanner. Nanner.)

"Shimmer" 

(Okay, now people know what the hell is going on. Dance party.)

"Start" 

(They could have just toured a "University" reissue and I would have been thrilled.)

"Soul Soldier" 

(I've heard them do this song a lot. The "goddamn you" part towards the end was most definitely the finest performance of this song I've seen. I hadn't listened to the stdio version of this song in a while. I did after the show. It was like they were too young to have written it. Fine wine, sharp cheddar, insert cliché here.)

"Hazing" 

(All Bernie. All. Hail. Bernie.)

"Furious" 

("Red Heaven" was the "scariest" release for me as the albums unfolded over the years. Being worried about it in the months before it's release was stupid. It could have been released yesterday… or next month actually. It's from the future. I love this song.)

"Devil's Roof" 

(The red-haired Kristin in a silly hat (it's okay, I wore them too) on "120 minutes" that one time is long gone. I miss her sometimes. She was kind of hanging around somewhere during this. Memories of a bunch of bobbing silly hats at Babyhead or somewhere. I would say this song won the "nostalgia" award of the evening.)

"Tar Kissers" 

(I always thought this song was wicked sexy, dude. Still do. Glad they played a sex jam.)

"Bright Yellow Gun"

(Dave! Dave! Dave! Dave!)

"Mexican Women"

(Was totally wondering if "House Tornado" was going to get the snub. Happy to report it did not. I can't tell you the last time I saw Muses play a song from "House Tornado". It's been a while. I think Kristin played "Juno" at the Bell House last year solo… I need to consult my sources and CD's.)

"Speed And Sleep"

(This was my absolute favorite song of the evening. Period.)

"Shark"

(Whenever I meet someone, or realize someone I know has never listened to them, I usually start them with this song. It rocks, there's imagery of booze, and if you hang out you get that "White Bikini Sand" song after a long pause. I may not be the only person who does this. The inevitable group of "my friend loves this band and I'm here to be supportive and hang out with them and catch a show" people seemed to know this song. More than "Bright Yellow Gun" or "Tar Kissers", which surprised me. I need to get on some data research right away. Throwing Muses fans: What song to you play for your not-yet Throwing Muses fan friends and/or acquaintances first? Thanks in advance for your answer.)

"Limbo"

(I could listen to the guitar in this song for the rest of my life and never get bored. How her voice was still so fierce at this point was amazing.)

"Vicky's Box" 

(Again with the "OMG YOU'RE PLAYING THIS!!!" and then it was over. I need to focus.)

"Bea"

(Maybe I was hallucinating at this point, but it seems that they arranged this in a way that spectacularized it. Not that it needed it, but, damn. Oh no. Oh no. It ends with "thankyouverymuch" and they're gone. They did spectacularize it! Damn you, ending your show with a surprise song just like you started. You tricked me.)

ENCORE:

"Pearl" 

(I love when this song goes psycho. Total justice was done.)

"Mania" 

(HOW ARE THEY STILL PLAYING LIKE THIS?! HOW?! I think there was a mini mosh pit behind me. No joke. Buncha 36-45 year olds in a mini mosh. I was screaming my head off and pulling my hat like I do when I need to feel like I wanna mosh. I no longer mosh. I was never good at it. That's why I loved Throwing Muses shows and dreaded seeing Sam Black Church come through the club. I'm a wimp… NO I'M NOT. There's nothing more punk rock on the planet than Throwing Muses. Go ahead. Fight me.)

I feel close to this band. In a non-creepy way. I told Kristin she was my best friend in high school (she was). I'm shy and I always say goofball shit under pressure. I look forward to growing old(er) with them. This aging thing is fantastic. 

Music saves, and it saves me. Throwing Muses threw me my first life preserver. 

This was really hard to write about.

Before I go, please read this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-garry/post_2547_b_1018077.html it's a new sort interview, takes less time to read than what you just spent on this masterpiece (LULZ), and it's totally worth your time.

Here's those pictures I know you wanna see.