A PERFECT CIRCLE: THIRTEENTH STEP 2003-2004
TOKYO, JAPAN [ZEPP]
3.2.04
By Chika Tsuchiya
I took a day off from my work just to see today's show. For me, today's APC is more important than work!! So I was able to get into venue pretty fast but it took a little time to get my lockers and so on. My position for today was nearly in front of Jeordie...but it seemed difficult to get his attention. Few minutes later, I bumped into my friends who went to last year's show (in Oct.) like me, and talked about APC until the show start.
On 7:00 PM short, the show had begun with intro of "Vanishing". When music started the audiences around me were making noises, pushing and shoving each other. Especially tall male audiences were interrupting my sight. While I was struggling with it, the member had appeared on stage! Jeordie and James were wearing suits, just like in European tour. Josh was in sleeveless top and knee trousers (I think). Billy was wearing black long-sleeve shirt, same as I saw last year. He's so thin and handsome! And Maynard, I couldn't figure it out because he was singing and playing percussion behind the curtain, only shadows of him moving. Anyway I was happy just because I'd be able to see them again! (For me especially Jeordie) "Vanishing" isn't hard number so bands seemed saving energy for next. But audiences were pushing towards the stage and getting into the groove of music.
Next song was "Pet". The sounds became much heavier and emotional. It was overwhelming me completely by the third song "The Hollow". After the song Maynard said hi to audiences and introduced band members. He introduced Jeordie first, He just said hi, too, but I'm so glad because he's still attractive just like I saw him last year!!
On second MC, Maynard said he's gonna do some magic trick by bouncing his water bottle. He failed at first but second was succeed...Wait a minute, is it success? What kind of magic trick?? I can't understand it! (Sorry, Maynard!) For me it's little hard to see without much light.
There were solo times for Jeordie (& James also). This time Jeordie's gonna sing!! I was so so excited!! Then he sang "Fred's Got Slacks". At this moment I couldn't understand meanings, but somehow understood that it's a funny song...His voice is so sexy but "slacks"? After that Maynard said "Next song...you'd feel better if you take your pants off" and "Thinking Of You" were the song. Well this is my favorite one but I'M NOT GONNA TAKE MY PANTS OFF, OF COURSE. I really love Jeordie singing chorus (part of "sweet revelations, sweet surrendering") of this song. Plus I found out that James' playing aggressive guitar solo in the end of the song. I didn't pay pretty much attention on his guitar before but his play seemed to have became more important in APC (I thought Billy's mostly playing soft guitar solo and James' opposite, how do you think?).
Today's Jeordie were quiet compared to I saw last year. He often went to get drinks or turned around and smiled at James. Each time he did them I screamed in my heart, "NOOOO!! Look at me, pleeease!! Not James only!!!". I'm a totally stupid, jealous girl. Good grief.
Some of the songs' arrangement was different from CD's. For example "The Nurse Who Loved Me" started with beautiful guitar arpeggio of James but ended up with heavy and wild improvisation-like play. The other songs, too, were arranged like adding new intro or general pause, etc. APC's songs are pretty flexible, I thought. Plus I could feel more vivid emotions from each song, especially in live shows today.
Before the last song Maynard referred to next 4 shows after Tokyo and said, "Please bring your friends to rest of the show, promise", and concluded with "See you in next 4 days". The shows ended up with "Judith". No encores this time.
The band seemed saving energy. Maybe because it's the first days in Japan and there are 4 more shows to go. More than anything, I was so glad to see APC again here in Japan and feel their musical vibrations. I was worrying because Japan tour's schedules are really tough for bands. But I hope there will be much better shows after this, because I have one more show to go (at Hiroshima)!!
SETLIST (but not right order and more songs...sorry!)
Vanishing
Pet
The Hollow
Magdalena
Weak and Powerless
Orestes
Thinking Of You
The Package
Blue
3 Libras
The Nurse Who Loved Me
The Outsider
The Noose
Judith