I've seen SP so many times that I really can't remember all of them. When they called it quits in a way so did I with my unhealthy SP fandom. Still, I was excited when Zeitgeist came out and even more excited to see them again (even in this lineup). The time between album release and Austin's show kind of lessened my excitement. So as I battled the rush hour traffic from Austin to the Backyard I was cautiously optimistic. I wondered if I could really lose myself in their music as I had done so many times before. I wondered that "the more I changed, the less I..." felt. Well, I'm glad to know that's not the case. the nostalgia returned...the hope returned at the first note of United States. The setlist will be posted soon I'm sure but for the first hour or so it just seemed like perfection. To hear Drown, Starla and Hummer so close together with perfect sound and an enthusiatic and appreciative crowd was just insane. I can't believe how talented BC and JC are...and well, Jeff and Ginger held their own too.

It was a great night.

Capped by a surprise appearance at the end by the Frogs lead singer (sorry I forgot his name). Gone was his big hair. He sported a bald head like BC. But they improvised for 10 minutes or so. Great stuff. I felt lucky to be there. Show ended on an SP note however with a beautiful rendention of Disarm. Pretty much a solo effort on that one by Corgan.

All in all it was more than I expected and once again SP got me.

Hopefully I'll catch you guys again. Thanks for coming to Austin.