fIREHOSE: Best of the Shows 1989

No matter what has been said about any of the shows that have been in Salt Lake or anything that will be said about future shows, fIREHOSE is by far one of the best shows I have ever seen. Friday, October 27th, Speedway Cafe delivered the goods. The thing that impressed me about the show was the entire night came off as a totally underground show, but it wasn’t necessarily a punk show. I am not the one however to classify punk rock.

The line-up for the evening was just right. Skin ‘N’ Bones opened up the night with a great set, of course. I don’t think people have quite caught on to them yet but there were a lot of people there who really were into them. Boxcar Kids came up next and did a really cool set. They didn’t play all their hits. Not that I don’t like their hits, they just played a whole new set from what you would expect at a time like that. The music was fresh and they did a brilliant job getting the crowd warmed up for fIREHOSE.

From the minute I walked into the place I was impressed with the guys in fIREHOSE. They are three of the easiest going guys who are strictly playing and touring for the good of the crowds who come to see them.

Their set was amazing! I almost didn’t stay due to a gnarly headache swelling in the back of my head but after two songs, wild horses couldn’t have dragged me out there. Mike Watt, the bassist who played, is the most unique and impressive musician I have ever seen perform. Ed Crawford (vocals and guitar) and George Hurley (drums) are equally as good.

After a very energetic hour set, the band still did five encores to the crowd’s delight. I have never seen a crowd react the way they did at any other concert, nor have I seen a band so conscious of what a crowd wanted. The live performance was as good as the albums, all three of them. If you missed this show you should be bummin’ and if you don’t have all their albums you better get your asses down to Raunch and pick them up. I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed. 

Check out some more concert reviews from 1989:
Figures on a Beach
Bad Brains and Leeway