Welcome to Neil's Concerts page
This page is in honor of all the concerts I've gone to throughout the years. It will be updated as often as necessary. It will contain all my concert experiences as I can remember them, and the newest ones being the most descriptive, as the concerts at the beginning are now only fading memories. After each band, I've scored them on a scale out of 10 by how I remember their performance, stage presence, and how much I enjoyed seeing them live. If I have a link to the venue's web page, or an artist's web page, there will be a swirl to click on next to the name like this :
1994
The LaCrosse Center
The Melvins
The Melvins opened for NIN (Nine Inch Nails). This was my first exposure to a live band concert/mosh pit experience. They were well worth the time spent watching them. They are a decent band if you know the music. Score 6/10
Jim Rose Circus
The Jim Rose Circus also opened for NIN. They were the second band in the concert, if you can call them a band that is...Just as the name implies, this is a Circus (mainly a freak show). If you like that stuff, I encourage you to go see them! Score 8/10
NIN
Nine Inch Nails, or NIN headed by Trent Reznor is not quite as popular today as they were during this tour. This was the Downward Spiral tour. This was my first crowd surfing experience, to the song Head Like a Hole. It was a magnificent night, and if I could see them live again near here, I would!....A side note, look at the video for Hurt, and you may see an arm of mine or something. Part of this video was filmed at the LaCrosse Center (where the concert was). Score 8/10
1995
WSU
The Bodeans
This concert, in the winter following my graduation from high school may have taken early 1996, but since I created this page now, in 2003, I can't remember exactly when it took place. If I can find the ticket stub (which I'm convinced I saved) then I will know exactly when it happened. The Bodeans are not a band I enjoyed. The only reason I took the time to see them is because they opened for the Goo Goo Dolls. Score 2/10
The Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls were a decent band. This concert was before they became overly popular. Their claim to fame at this time was the song "Name". They still had some of their punk roots then, but after this concert they lamed out. Nonetheless it was a decent concert at the WSU gym. Score 6/10
1996
The LaCrosse Center
New York Loose
New York Loose opened for Marilyn Manson at The LaCrosse Center. I'd heard of them from The Crow Soundtrack, and I liked the sound. They weren't a disappointment, that is for sure. This band had a lot of energy, and dare I say stole the show (for me anyway) from Marilyn Manson. Score 9/10
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn put on a great show. He was all that I expected. All the freaks, and drugs came out of the woodwork. The performance lacked stage presence, and energy, but seeing him make it snow indoors was a site to remember. After this concert was over, It's been rumored that Marilyn is banned from playing in the LaCrosse Center again. Apparently they trashed the dressing room. This may be all rumor though. Rumors seem to be common for the Manson crew. Score 7/10
1996
The Hollywood Theater - LaCrosse
Feeder
Feeder was a kind of boring band to watch. The only song they had that people actually new was a song called "High". If I knew more songs of their before the concert, perhaps I would have enjoyed them more. Although, they were kind of a slower band. Score 4/10
Jimmy's Chicken Shack
This band is worth seeing! They have a lot of energy, a great stage presence, and the lead vocalist has a decent sense of humor. If you have the chance, check them out! Score 8/10
Everclear
This band, which I thought was worth my time was a disappointment in my opinion. They performed OK, but since I can't remember them right now, I'd assume that they didn't make much of an impression, or else I was just blown away by Jimmy's Chicken Shack's performance. I do remember this though : a guitarist from Everclear kept hitting on this one girl in the audience. I think he was trying to get her back stage for some after concert fun (if you know what I mean). A few months later on this same tour, part was canceled because that same guitarist became sick or something... I can only imagine that he probably contracted some VD or something. Score 5/10
1996
The Hollywood Theater - LaCrosse
Showoff
Showoff is a great band. They were my first real taste of the punk rock scene (even though now, I'd consider them more Emo than anything). I can't remember anything too signifigant about their performance, but I had only known 1 song of theirs, and had only known that because of a local station (which didn't start playing the song until they were comming to town) Score 6/10
Goldfinger
This band rocks. They show a lot of energy when they play. I knew a lot of songs of theirs before they played, and I was a huge fan before hand. In the very last song, I went onstage (upon request of the band) with about 20 or more fans. It kicked ass! Score 8/10
1996
WSU
Violent Femmes
This concert was the day after the Goldfinger concert listed above. The only song I knew of theirs was "Blister in the Sun". Comming off of a kick ass concert like Goldfinger, this one was a dissapointment. I now know more songs, and would probably enjoy more. Score 4/10
1996
First Ave.
Pig
KMFDM
1997
The Hollywood
Zeebrahead
Reel Big Fish
1997
Summerfest - Millwaukee
The Wallflowers
The Counting Crows
1998
The Quest
Fanmail
MxPx
1998
The Quest
Nerf Herder
Bloodhound Gang
1999
WSU
Tracy Bonnam
Live
Feb. 2003
The Quest Club - Ascott Room
The Tide
The Stereo
Lucky Boy's Confusion
Apr. 2003
The Target Center - Minneapolis
The Disasters
Less Than Jake
Good Charlotte
New Found Glory
June 24, 2003
Floatrite Amphitheatre - Summerset, WI
Van's Warped Tour
October 18, 2003 5PM
The Quest
Fall Out Boy
This band is great! They have a lot of energy, and really get the audience into the music. Plus they are from the Midwest like me! They are from Chicago. Score 8/10. Photos here.
Mae
This band was a little slow for my taste, but all in all, they are a good band. They have a couple of songs where they rock on, but for the most part, they are kind of slow, and quit. This is a band for all the ladies, I think. Score 5/10. Photos here.
Motion City Soundtrack
This band is cool as cool can be! They have a great sound, and energy to back it up. Go see them if they are with someone else you like! Score 7/10. Photos here.
Rufio
This band can rock if they want, and they can be mellow if they want. They are a versatile band, and I'd recommend seeing them live if you can. They have great energy. Score 8/10. Photos here.
November 20, 2003 5PM
The Quest
Plain White T's
A decent band to see. Emo is their main genre, and they aren't afraid to show it. Their lead singer had a cold, so a guitarist sang instead. He did a great job, and I think he sounded just like the songs I had heard of theirs before. Score 6/10. Photos Here
Lucky Boy's Confusion
A great band. I'd seen them before as you can see from previous concerts. I gotta say, they rocked the house again! My favorite song they did this night was a song they originally did with some Jamaican Reggae guy (Little Tim, or something like that). The song was great, and so was the rest of their performance. The only disappointment was that they didn't do Fred Astaire. Score 10/10. Photos Here
Zebrahead
They were better than the last time I saw them. They showed more personality this time, I think. They played their own songs, and also asked for requests from the audience. Someone requested Eye of the Tiger, and sure enough, they played it flawlessly. They also did a bit from the movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Great band, I'd highly recommend them! Score 10/10. Photos Here