LIVE-GYM 2012 Kicks Off in San Francisco
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B’z has kicked off their seven stop tour LIVE-GYM 2012 -Into Free- last night at the Warfield in San Francisco. During the show, they premiered songs found on their first English album「B’z」. In addition to that, the band performed a lot of classics from their catalog. One could say, that the set list has a certain PLEASURE Tour touch to it.
The audience was mainly comprised of Asian fans. If you’re looking to catch one of Tak’s guitar picks, we suggest you queue up early enough to get a spot close to the stage. Japanese fans tend to be at the venue very early. Also, if you’re looking to buy merchandise, prepare to pay in cash just in case. Merchandise at the Warfield was cash-only.
Their next stop of the tour is tomorrow, September 19, at the Showbox SODO in Seattle. Followed by shows on September 20 in Vancouver, September 26 in Toronto, September 28 in Silver Spring, September 30 in New York with a final show on October 6 in Los Angeles at the Gibson Amphitheatre.
4 responses to “LIVE-GYM 2012 Kicks Off in San Francisco”
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Hello everyone. This is Dave from B’z Fanatics. I figured I would take the time to write a little about the concert here in Seattle last night.
As you may, or may not know, B’z first visited Seattle in 2003. At that time, there were quite a few in the B’z Fan community that made the trek across the country to come to the shows on the West Coast. I had the pleasure of playing host to some new friends at the time from Omaha and Toronto. The show was incredible, and if any of you own a copy of the documentary, there is a shot of me and my friend being the first to run into the venue (me in the blue jacket and slowly receding hair line). For this show, 9 years later, and somewhat not the rabid fan I was in my 20’s, but no less excited, the show was incredible. It is really amazing to think I saw these guys when I was 25. It’s been such a LONG time.
Some highlights:
Tak and Masuda-san trading guitar and keyboards back and forth, ala Deep Purple.
Kohshi taking the time to try to remember just HOW LONG it has been since they were here. Even he was kind of shocked to realize it had been 9 years.
Tak breaking into what could only be described as his best Joe Satriani impression…he played scales at one point I didn’t think he knew!
Hearing Tak making those bends ring…wow…I have missed that so much.
I was asked to come and do an after concert interview, and so I composed myself, and gave about a 2 minute interview. The gentleman asking the questions was shocked to see that a gaijin was a fan of the group for 15 years(!), but it was good. The interview should be in their documentary of the special, and I do know that when they ask you to say something to those two, they do actually see the footage. I hope I was able to be a good ambassador for Seattle on behalf of the city I love so much.
On a slightly different turn, I would like to comment on the closure of B’z Net Party.
Keenie-chan was my first good friend in the B’z Community that kept in touch with me on a regular basis between 2000 and 2004. With her being in Melbourne, and me being in Seattle, we did a lot of back and forth over the email, and I took great pride in helping with reviews from time to time. When B’z Fanatics went to the wayside (Tom was a film school student, and just didn’t have the time to keep it updated, and I have no knowledge of HTML or website design), Keenie made an amazing website that coalesced into a cohesive community. It became my “home” on the Internet for a long time. When she and Q got together (and married!), it just got better. Those two are perfect for each other.
Even though time has passed, I remember those days with fondness. As I am listening to the SURVIVE album in full for the first time in probably 7 years, I remember the good times, before I let life and it’s various distractions pull me away from what mattered the most to me for a very long time (Shower is still an amazing song, and I wish they would play this in concert). I will be around, and you will see me post from time to time. For all of my B’z Brothers and Sisters…remember…we’ll be alright!
B’z Fanatics is still up!
http://bzfanatics.tripod.com/bzmain.html
Who would have thought it would still be there after 14 years?
Thank you for the detailed review! Unfortunately I had to remove two lines from your comment as they were spoiling the set list. (Where you mentioned two particular songs)
No problem. I didn’t you didn’t want to spoil the playlist. All in all, it was a fantastic show.