VEGAS SHAKEDOWN 2000 REPORT by jeff watts Mother fucking Vegas. I
told myself I was going to write this article directly after the show.
It’ didn't happen as I sit here and write this in March 11, 2004.
I have some notes but not much on the bands. Ok so the night before our
flight to Las Vegas we went to the Replay lounge in Lawrence, KS. The
Murder City Devils, Catheters and Yo Yo’s were playing. This ranks
as one of the best live shows I’ve been to, if not the best. The
Catheters were great. The Devils van broke down in Denver so they stuck
their organ in the Catheters van and made it to the Replay, with not much
time to spare. This is the best set I ever saw Murder City Devils play,
it was amazing as they ripped threw songs off the three albums they had
out at the time. Truly a show that leaves you speechless. I have plenty
of photos from the night but would kill for a video copy. I sat out back
for most of the Yo Yo’s set I hate this band a bunch of assholes
and the music is poppy crap. Ok the next day we get up and have our sister
drive us to the KCI airport, I was pretty hung over from the the night
before. Hell it was worth it. So we make it to Vegas my stomach is not
felling great about this time. We check into the Gold Coast hotel and
casino where the Shakedown is being held. I really liked the fact that
the show and our rooms were in the same place. So we could drink as much
as we wanted and stumble back to the room. The Gold Coast is not too far
off the strip or main drag if you like. Basically Vegas is not really
a place I would visit if it wasn’t for the bands playing. I not
big on gambling and don’t like to do I now refer to by brief
notes (too much beer & rock and roll) Way too many people/tourists
from all over the U.S. and world. Flyer jockeys on every street corner
along the strip trying to get you to take adult flyers, they would tap
the flyer on their hand twice then try and hand it to you. This is real
annoying. I noticed a strong foul odor outside Caesars Palace maybe to
get tourist to not linger there. By the end of the trip I was sick of
hearing the sound of slot machines as you walk thru the casinos which
were set up in a maze. With no easy exits you would have to walk past
a ton of slot machines to get any where. Two things this city has going
for it are great architecture and great food. If you like either one of
these then you’ll find a lot to do in this city. It was weird seeing
escalators outside. The city looks a lot better at night with all the
lights on. After all it is in the middle of dessert. The Gold Cost is
a nice hotel and casino with a western theme. Terrible Mike’s a
good hamburger place inside we ate at a couple times. A world class bowling
alley with good snack bar. Also a liquor store in the hotel. A movie theater
that was closed for renovations at the time. |