The big story and big noise tonight, for my money, anyway, was the second band, Blind Melon. The Axl/Hoon connection doesn't mean doodley. Shannon Hoon can outwail the tempestuous one anyday, while the only musical connection between the two bands is that drums, bass and twin guitars are, coincidentally, played by both.
Blind Melon draw on a much broader range of influences than Guns - a little early Humble Pie on "Change," some Zep from the third album, a healthy dose of respect for Southern Rock Circa 1973, Beatles, Traffic, James Brown (seriously!). It all somehow comes together with a very solid, tremendously heavy 90s wallop that packs some of the meanest, crustiest, nastiest, guitar riffs going.
In the center of it all was Hoon, a bearded gnome full of explosive, intense energy with a soulful bluesy rasp of a noise. Obviously not used to the smaller confines of the Pony stage, he thrashed about frenetically in one spot as the band blazed behind him.
Blaze they did. Songs such as "Change," (Hoon on acoustic), "Deserted," "Holyman," the incredible "Seed to a Tree," "Soak the Sin," and "Tones of Home" from the band's Capitol debut album were given new life live.
Guitarists Chris Thorn and Rogers Stevens spewed violently raunchy riffs at each other, bassist Brad Smith filled the Pony with a monster humming throb, drummer Glen Graham grew two extra arms, and Shannon, much like Morrison or some hairy shaman in corduroy, had the crowd mesmerized as he crouched on stage, wailing the words, "I was born on the banks of a hot muddy river. The child of one stupid steamy night." I believe him.
