When the Anger Management Tour rolled into the The Mark on November 5, the rage was evident. The reason behind it was not. Why are these guys so pissed? The show began with Xzibit, who doesn’t even have an album out but is opening for some of the hottest bands on the scene. Papa Roach was back after touring with Korn and PM5K earlier this year, to the delight of many a fan, based on the numbers buying Roach T-shirts. Same basic show. Lots of energy. Little originality.

I thought I was going to suffer patiently through Eminem’s set, but I was hooked the moment he appeared on stage wearing a hockey mask and toting a chainsaw. He and his rapper posse were having a great time and really tried to get the crowd involved. During a set change, the audience was shown an animated short titled “The Slim Shady Show” in which Marshall Mathers, his alter ego Eminem, and friends take on the kids from South Park. Lots of bodily humor to keep the kids entertained. I was disappointed in Eminem’s promotion of the drug ecstasy, but I’m sure the kids tokin’ around me were too stoned to get it.

Then my boys Limp Bizkit performed and exceeded my expectations. There were flames, fireworks, the Limp Bizkitettes, and break-dancer Mr. Wiggles. Fred Durst gave it his all even though his voice was obviously shot. He even performed a couple of songs on the other end of the floor, giving more fans a chance to see him. Wes, and Sam had boundless energy as well, but because of the Transformer set design (yes, those robots from the ’80s), John Otto and DJ Lethal were completely out of many fans’ lines of sight, hidden in an eye socket.

A sold out show, long lines for merchandise, and a positive review beg the question again: What are these guys so angry about?

Support the River Cities' Reader

Get 12 Reader issues mailed monthly for $48/year.

Old School Subscription for Your Support

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Old School Subscribe now.



Help Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93!

 

"We're the River Cities' Reader, and we've kept the Quad Cities' only independently owned newspaper alive and free since 1993.

So please help the Reader keep going with your one-time, monthly, or annual support. With your financial support the Reader can continue providing uncensored, non-scripted, and independent journalism alongside the Quad Cities' area's most comprehensive cultural coverage." - Todd McGreevy, Publisher