Well, first off, I'd like to mention that as a winner in the radio revolution, I started the night off by visiting the will call window and I inquired about my backstage pass. The lady responded by saying she didn't know anything about it, and that I should return at 6:00 to see if she had heard anything. I returned at 6:00 and still no "guest list". She said that a couple of other people were waiting as well, and instructed me to stand with them. Well, it was myself and three others; one of which was a radio revolution winner like myself, the other two winners of some contest held by KUFO, the local rock radio station which I had called many times to earn my pass. Finally, someone shows up. The KUFO guy, how nice. He asked us if we were winners, and we said we were, and he asked if we were KUFO winners. We told him about the revolution and he as well as the two KUFO winners simply laughed and left. At about 6:30, they were letting people inside so I ran back to my friend who held a spot for me in line. The fellow radio revolution winner said he would let me know if he got a pass or not if he saw me inside, as I had a floor ticket and his was reserved seating. That in mind, I HAD to make it back in line before my friend was let inside.

Upon entering the arena, I had a decent spot on the floor, front and center. This lasted only during Monster Magnet's set, as idiotic people whom I would dub "mechanical animals" started pushing up to the front in-between the Monster Magnet performance and Hole's performances. No music and these jerks were literally crushing people up front. These people weren't young, they were "mature" adults that got a kick out of ruining other people's times.

That out of the way, I'd like to start commenting on the actual performances, not the lame-brains in their twenties who should know better than smashing fourteen year old girls up against the front, causing much tension. (Yeah, it's a concert, but shit, this was ridiculous).

Monster Magnet performed an adequate set, short but sweet. My only complaint is that they didn't play "Crop Circle", my favorite cut on their latest album, but the rest of the set list I can't remember for shit, as I was anticipating Manson.

Hole, this was a joke. I don't care what anyone thinks, I like the new Hole record. But this performance was pure crap. Not that it was important, but I can't remember the set list, other than "Awful", "Use Once and Destroy", "Reasons to be Beautiful", "Doll Parts", "Dying", and 2 versions of "Malibu". Courtney Love was pissing and moaning the whole time, whining about how Portland is her hometown, not Seattle or San Francisco, and that we should show her more appreciation. Fuck that, if she wants Portland's respect then she should start talking about Portland in her interviews, not Seattle, not San Francisco. I do also remember she had to tell everyone to light their lighters during "Dying", and that she said "Use Once and Destroy" was about having sex in Portland. Oh, and no "Celebrity Skin". She got pissed off during her set and she said something like, "ok, we're done, let's go".

Now on to Manson. Awesome performance. Absolutely amazing. Tracklisting as follows:

Introduction "This Isn't Me, I'm Not Mechanical"
The Reflecting God
Great Big White World
Get Your Gunn
Mechanical Animals
Sweet Dreams (are made of this)
Speed of Pain
Rock Is Dead
The Dope Show
Lunchbox
I Don't Like The Drugs (But The Drugs Like Me)
Irresponsible Hate Anthem
(encore)
Antichrist Superstar
The Beautiful People

Rather disappointed that they omitted Rock N Roll Nigger, Coma White, and I Want to Disappear. Nothing different from the other shows except that Manson did get daring on the stilts, hold the two arm-pole things up to form a large "X". I did happen to get a piece of the bible, complete with what seems to be Manson's blood, as a security guard gave my friend and I each pieces of the bible that were still onstage after the show.

I never did get backstage, as everyone I asked about a guest list laughed at me or told me to fuck off, and I must say the Rose Garden staff (with exception to the guy who gave us the bible rippings) are fucking pieces of shit. Rude as hell with a real shitty attitude.

After the show, however, I managed to see the fellow radio revolution winner I had talked to earlier, and he showed me his backstage pass, but told me that all the radio revolution winners were kicked out within minutes by arena staff, but the KUFO winners could go meet Manson. All I have to say was that I was EXTREMELY disappointed, and I don't blame Manson, but these dumbfucks that were at the arena. My advice: if you have a backstage pass, don't bother, nobody at the arena gives a fuck about it. At least the Rose Garden anyways. I do appreciate the idea of the passes, so to those that worked hard to get us this revolution going, all we need to do now is get Manson to meet those that got the passes. I'm somewhat relieved, as I didn't have to wait til 1:30 like the other winners did to find out that Manson won't show. I just have really mixed feelings about all of this.

- MCKwiz@aol.com