FAMILY VALUES TOUR 2001

Enable frames

FAMILY VALUES TOUR 2001

By Ed McArdle

Robert Deleo of Stone Temple Pilots..Photo by Kay McEntee

Trendy or not it was pure power when the hottest tour of the Fall season, the traditional Family Values Show, roared into the Palace of Auburn Hills on October 15, 2001. Featuring the best music of an alternative hard rock nature including heavyweights Stone Temple Pilots, Staind and Linkin Park, the show played to a predominately teenage crowd that nearly packed the
house. And with tickets priced at $45.00 plus Ticketmaster surcharges that says something for the drawing power of this bill.

Attempting to give the best value for that kind of money, the fourth show

of the tour even went past the traditional Palace curfew, running until

11:30pm and affording all the platinum-level bands gathered ample time to

showcase their material.  Set changes were rushed and the houselights never

even went on, which was a welcome change, making the entire night flow

together as one big rock show.

Keeping with the newfound patriotic spirit, the stage was flanked by two

very large American Flags, symbolic of our recent nationwide unity.

Stone Temple Pilots had been sitting idle waiting for this tour to begin since the June release of Shangri-La Dee Da. It was their first headlining tour since vocalist Scott Weiland rejoined the band in 1999. A wealth of
material encompassing all five albums was featured in their 75 minute set, heavily weighted toward the legacy of '90s material that built their reputation.

Detroit's hotshot Kid Rock made an appearance early in their set as he jammed on the classic "Dead & Bloated", bringing the crowd noise level up a decibel or two in the process. Radio staple after staple was aired by a rejuvenated STP- "Vaseline," "Sour Girl." "Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart," "Art School Girl," "Interstate Love Song," and 1993 debut smashes
"Plush" and "Sex Type Thing."

The slower songs gained new life when the stage was transformed into a living room atmosphere to set the tone, and according to Weiland, "focus on love."

Trivia Question #1 - Does Weiland achieve this scary look because he's still on drugs, or because he is off of them?...Photo by Kay McEntee

The unleashed Weiland was a ball of spastic energy as his body writhed all

over the stage, moving constantly to the pounding rhythm provided by

guitarist Dean DeLeo, bassist Robert DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz.  The

results were a riveting set by a still vibrant and viable band going strong

and overcoming adversity to survive in this ever-changing musical climate.

Staind provided a very powerful example of the nu-metal currently ruling

the charts.  Propelled by the captivating power of frontman Aaron Lewis ,

the band was emotionally grabbing and embraced by the appreciative crowd.

Airing a bulk of material from their triple platinum second album the top

ten "Break The Cycle" Staind proved themselves a force to be reckoned with

for years to come.  No here today, gone tomorrow for this crew.  Their

breakthrough hit "Mudshovel" from the 1999 debut "Dysfunction" set the tone

early on.

Aaron Lewis of Staind...photo by Kay McEntee

The intensity really kicked in when they transformed to mellow, as Lewis grabbed his acoustic guitar and stool and the hits "Outside" and "It's Been A While" were played. The lighters held aloft as a transfixed crowd sang every word to these great songs well known to any radio listener.

Not a follower but certainly a leader in this new scene, Staind has reached a higher level and achieved the upper echelon of rock in the year 2001. A band that must be seen and heard to be believed.

Hot nu-metal newcomers Linkin Park were the other featured platinum level

act.  Celebrating a year on the road this very week supporting their 3

million selling debut "Hybrid Theory" that rested at #7 on the Billboard

charts, Linkin Park had a devoted following in attendance. The $32.00

T-shirts flying off the merchandise rack were certainly evidence to this

fact.

Primed and ready to impress following their constant touring (including a

Summer OzzFest slot) the six members, forsaking a bassist and including a

mixmaster, was definitely a hybrid of a band that left their mark. The hip

hop flavor of the moment came through as rapper Mike Shinoda held the crowd

in the palm of his hand, alternating vocals with frontman Chester

Bennington on favorites "One Step Closer," "Crawling," and "In The End."  A

case stated and conversion of the uninitiated complete.

Though Family Values cannot be stressed highly enough in this day and age,

the latest version of this trend-setting tour followed the course set forth

in years prior by headliners Limp Bizkit and Korn.  With total album sales

of the gathered 2001 participants approaching 14 million, a case could be

made for this being the finest package yet.

Quality songs speak volumes and Stone Temple Pilots, Staind and Linkin Park

have enough to leave many satisfied customers.

Enable frames