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I attended the EELS show in Asheville, North Carolina. I drove about three hours for a show that was barely 30 minutes, but it was well worth it. The venue was good. I've never really attended a concert in an auditorium where someone shows me to my seat. Usually I am thankful if I don't get seriously dehydrated or pushed around at a show. Around 8 o'clock E came out in his blue jeans and jean jacket. He did the thing where he banged on the piano like a madman; chopping and beating it before playing some seemingly random sequence. After that he sat down with his guitar and said "good evening ladies and gentlemen. we are the EELS." Of course it was only E. He then broke into I Like Birds. He played a couple of songs and then made mention of the fact that there are usually more people with him, but it was a long boring story that no one would want to hear. Of course the audience persuaded him to tell it.

Rather than tell us some boring nonsense about record labels and touring he said something to the effect of this: "Many of you may have heard of the history of drug use in the EELS. I won't lie about it. It's true. Well we were all in rehab, at the same time coincidentally. I busted out because someone had to come do these concerts." Of course this was very amusing. E then grumbled "alright, a few more songs then back to rehab." Also throughout the show there were references to crack and smoking crack. I didn't sense that E was distraught or uncomfortable as many have been suggesting. He seemed into the show for the most part. It was well worth the drive.

[review sent in by Maynard]