So, there I was, standing outside the 9:30, watching David Yow smoke & talk about finding a soul food restaurant (in DC) that has the best collard greens. While it may be a treat for Yow to get good veggies on the road, it really was a treat to see JL play again; however I don’t know that “treat” is the right word. The show was lean, and straight to the point. Starting off with "Puss" from 1992's Liar, JL tore right into the crowd, literally. The lights came up, and it was ON. Yow's stage diving was rampant, although seemingly more thoughtful & controlled. The precision of the original lineup was laser sharp. Original percussionist, nay, DRUMMER, Mac McNeilly's thundering pulse did not go unnoticed, as the completely unexpected drum solo went on seamlessly after the first set .

So, the reunion tour thing. It had to happen. The JL was probably more influential to many bands, but the crowd was definitely older here. When I first encountered the group, I was buying albums because of the band name/cover art, and JL was a match made in heaven, as far as my criteria was concerned. Usually, the artistic aesthetic of an album cover is an indication of the musical expression within, unless you're Def Leppard. I was floored, and a subtle introduction to (what's been deemed) "Pigfuck" began. It's a genre that is strictly not for the masses, as the lyrics and subject matter are often not light-hearted. The show was, however, a little light. There were some fervent moments of hysteria, but overall, the mood was somber, perhaps reflective. The band has been touring for what is perhaps a final jaunt as the JL, and we're all glad they did the tour. It must be said that their performance was straight out of the book, effortlessly bringing their music back to life from a decade ago. JL is still solid, and that's all we can ask for. "Boilmaker" and "Gladiator" made an appearance, and I was happy.