• Weezer
• Ash

The very first thing that I think of when I remember this show is 'Cold'. I remember the day being cold, the night being much colder. Just all around freezing. Another big thing I recall were the events of the day of the show. First off, I was sick. That may explain my sensitivity to the coldness. Yeah, just sick. I had gone to a forensics competition that day. Forensics is when the theater kids get together and perform monologues, tell stories and compete against each other. It's quite fun, and you really get to see a lot of talent. So that happened throughout the day. I don't recall actually competing myself that day, but I do remember being there. That very cold December day.

The Bijou Theatre is just a great venue. It's not really huge like the Tennessee Theater, but it's a good size. A great venue for these two bands, indeed.

Ash was the opening act. A rock trio from Ireland. At the time they had a real great tune out, 'Girl From Mars'. It's still a good song, and it would probably flood a ton of memories into my brain if I listened to it now. These guys were real good and loud and we were super into that, but being the venue that it was, everyone remained seated. I guess it ticked off the singer/guitarist of Ash, because, later on in the set, he went offstage and grabbed a chair. He remarked that if we were gonna sit the whole show then he would, too. I would like to imagine that he did, though I don't remember. It was still good. Again, I was sick, so it could have also been dogshit.

This will mark my second Weezer show. And what a great show to see, the Pinkerton Tour! Man, I loved that record from the push of play. I still remember going to Foothills Mall in Maryville and going into the Disc Jockey. In the back of the store, on it's own display, was Pinkerton. I don't know if it was the day it was released, but damn near it, if it wasn't. And wore the ever-living hell outta that fuckin' thing. Totally not the Blue Album, but damn if it didn't have a lot great stuff on there.

So imagine that nerds, Blue Album and Pinkerton! That's all that's out in ol' Weezerton.  And that's all the tunes they play. So great to see them way back, they've always put on such amazing shows. This set was just, what would be considered now, greatest hits. Back then they were just hits and pre-hits.

One of the best parts was when Rivers came out at the encore by himself and played, 'Butterfly'. That was just really special. Despite my illness all night, I still managed to have a great time. That was my first time in a venue like the Bijou, so that just added to the overall experience of the night. Did I mention it was cold?

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/ash/1996/bijou-theatre-knoxville-tn-23dc2407.html

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/weezer/1996/bijou-theatre-knoxville-tn-33dc2415.html

only in dreams

josh