Date: Wed, 13 Sep 95 13:35:09 JST
To: roses-list@blob.best.net
From: rowhoop@nies.go.jp (Rowan Hooper)
Subject: Roses in Tokyo, 12.9.95

Roses, Nippon Budokan. 12.9.95.

The Roses fail to fill the massive SEATED venue, usually the setting for karate and kendo championships. The size and style of the venue is the biggest problem with the gig, despite excellent sound. I mean there were practically as many security as fans, preventing people from rushing to the front; even POLICE inside...how can any band get an atmosphere going with seated punters and cops to play to?

Set list: Adored/She bangs/Waterfall/10 storey/Daybreak medley to../Breaking into Heaven 4 song Acoustic set...Your star will shine/Tightrope/Elizabeth my dear/Tears/ Resurrection/Good Times/Love Spreads/Driving S/Made of Stone

Gig weird, up and down, atmosphere swelling and dwindling. Pearl Jam played over the PA (why oh why?) until lights down and intro to 'Breaking...' comes on and lights go mental. 

Couldn't help but feel shivery when the bass line to 'Adored' started up and then Squire whacked out a massive blast of guitar...the start of a night of epic, massive guitar attacks.

Acoustic set: very strange. Almost embarrassing, Ian doing the songs unbacked then gentle guitar comes in...voice naked. By doing this Brown is saying "I know everyone thinks my voice is crap, I don't give a fuck and am gonna sing these acoustic tracks"...I could only laugh...people argue like fuck about his voice, but it's always been dodgy: that's his appeal isn't it? Ian Brown's voice: is he singing well? No, but when did he ever sing really well? He ain't Marti Pellow, thank Christ. Elizabeth My Dear: why did they do this?

Some classic other bits: 'Resurrection', vocals came through brilliantly, and the change from acoustic to electric half way through 'Tears' (linked by keyboards from that new geezer). They crucified 'Love Spreads' and 'Made of Stone': really fucked them up, but both still too epic to provoke anything other than euphoria, even in this venue.

Said nothing to audience of course, apart from when someone shouted for "Something's Burning" and Ian says "Yeah you're right. Something is burning". Good Times good. Squire really gave it some, amazing, sometimes awesome stuff. Ian Brown hardly moved all night, shuffled up and down the stage a few times...but still somehow manages to be charismatic. Drummer seems okay.

Overall feeling was one of poignancy. They were nearly the best band in the world, and they lost it. But they are still nearly there! Nearly nearly, and I don't know who's better than them. Something's gone since the old days...but what ? Big venue doesn't help, but maybe they were just too successful/important and too much hope was put on them. Lets face it, they dipped after Fool's Gold... What can you do after a genre changing single like that?

If you can, go and see 'em. Even on a duff day, at a duff venue, they show their class...this gives me hope that they can come back to the top again.