2001.09.13 - Grand Rapids, MI, USA @ Van Andel Arena
2001.09.11: Original Date
Source A: Mini Disc --- Radioshack Lavalier Omni-directional > Sony MZ-R700
Transfer: MD-M > Tascam MD 301 MK-II > UXL24/96 > Goldwave
Taping Position: Left-Seating / 3 rows from floor general admission approx: 30' to left of stacks
Taper: Galen
Gen: collectiveunconscious.org Master Recording
2024 Notes: I remember being at Michigan State University in a geometry class when the TA said something about a plane hitting one of the trade towers in New York City but that we still needed to take a quiz. This was before cell phones as we know them. I was immediately sort of freaked out but made it through the quiz and promptly scooted back to my apartment after I called my girlfriend, now wife, on my Motorola cell. She filled me in on the details. Whence back to my abode, I woke up my buddy, RJB a longtime member of The Collective who was crashed on my couch, and told him what happened as we were supposed to go to the Tool show in Grand Rapids, MI that night. Turned on the TV and we both kind of stood with mouths agape on my shite TV with rabbit ears and then we saw the second plane hit tower #2. RJB was like “well, I guess I’m going back home” so he drove back five hours north only to come back down on September 13 for the rescheduled performance. The post show consists of a few friends talking about the performance, Tool fans, terrorism and drugs.
This source was retransferred and remastered, as it is, but no matter what one could do, this recording is lacking in depth due to the microphones. That said, at the time, I had really only taped a few Tool shows prior and those came out really poor - so poor they are pure sonic messes so this was a heaven send compared to those. There is another version of this source around which is from 2001 which is not as ‘clear’ or ‘clean’ as this source. I use the ‘ ‘ sparingly as no matter how matter how much you can try putting lipstick on a pig, it it is still your mom.
2001 Notes: First originally, this was the show that was scheduled for Sept. 11th, 2001 but was postponed due to close-minded, fundamentalist insanity. Friends of mine traveled 6 hours to the venue only to turn around & go back 6 hours, then come back & do the same thing two days later - all to see Tool this night. This show is real...I don't know...special. In my opinion, given the circumstances of the events in the world just 2 days prior, this was one of, if not the, most intense show Tool has ever performed - at least in 2001. Although I am quite biased, you can hear it, we felt it - whatever it was - that feeling that 'what the fuck was next?' Just being at a Tool show after the eve of World War III, as reported by MJK, is enough to make you really listen & try to understand a little bit more not just Tool's music but also your life... at least, at that time. As for the recording, the sound is a little brick walled & is a little 'muddy' due to the limitations of the microphones used. There is a little layer of crowd talking & after the gig, a long post-show of observations, not all being very intelligent but humorous at least. The sound is not the best, not the worst but is one of the 2 verified recordings of this performance. The whole vibe of this show is one to ponder upon, I find myself, even years later, coming back to this show to listen to over & over again. It is fair to mention that about the first 5 or 6 shows after the Sept. 11th attacks were/are interesting to listen to. MJK had his face painted half-blue for this show, for those that care. I do not recall any other dates, previous in 2001, that Maynard painted his face/body - do you think maybe the world situation changed something?
2024 Time: 2:33:20
2001 CD 1
Time: 79:22
2001 CD 2
Time: 62:18
Tuva
The Grudge
(-) Ions
Stinkfist
(White Lines)
46 & 2
Prison Sex
Schism
Pushit (alt.)
Disposition
Reflection
Intermission
Parabol
Parabola
The Patient
Opiate
Lateralus
(post show, 2024 only)
Source B: DAT --- Core Sound Binaurals > Sony PCM-M1 (Oade Mod II)
DAT: DAT-1 > Digital Clone-2
CD: Unknown Transfer
Taper: Smagmapig
Notes: Originally, this was the show that was scheduled for Sept. 11th, 2001 but was postponed due to close-minded, fundamentalist insanity. In my opinion, given the circumstances of the events in the United States just 2 days prior, this was the most intense show Tool ever performed - of course I am being biased & subjective because I was at this show. However, I think that you can hear it, we felt it. Remember, planes were not even flying at this time & we had no idea if nuclear war or another attack would happen at that time. Still don't though. This recording is definitely the best source for this particular performance to come out. Vocals are clean & crisp while the other instruments are at a steady and tight level of sound. All in all, a very good capture of Tool at a very difficult state-of-mind; the band seemed to not be able to focus completely this night. And with good reason. I was -really, really- hoping to hear AEnima this night. That would have been perfect. There is already a good CD version of this show out there so I will not put this DAT to CD.
CD 1
Time: 58:51
CD 2
Time: 61:18
Source C: DAT --- Most Likely: Sony ECM-909 > Sony TCD-D8
Gen: 2nd from Master
CD: Unknown Transfer
Taper: D.H.
Notes: Ok. Way back in late 2001, I heard about a possible other source for the two known recordings of this show, mine + Smagmapig's, but didn't really think it was legit. Just goes to show how many taper's aren't online nor trade nor inform others that their recording exists. The fell I attained this from received this as an exchange in lieu of the taper purchasing some bootleg material from him. Nice, even exchange. It is now early 2004 & the bootlegger contacted me recently & we set something up. Very pleased to have been able to attain this rather rare recorded version of this, possibly, unique show (energy wise, considering the timing). I have been hoping for a DAT-1 of this show for a couple years to little result. There seems to be identical CDR-rips out in the trade circle as of 2005 so make sure to pay attention as for what you get, from whom & what gen. The source information, however, is not certain & is my best estimation of sound judging by the sound. The microphones sound like a higher end Sony ECM mic. There is a chance that the mics may be OKMIIR as the sound is rather crisp but it is most likely a Sony. This is, for certain, a DAT recording. And, no, this is definitely -not- the CSB>M1 recording of this show.
Maynardism:
"I'm assuming, that everyone here would like to get home safely. So we need the crowd, up in the front here to take two steps back. Two steps back. Two steps back. Now add two more steps, four steps back. One more, five steps back. Two steps, five steps. Good move. We are the Scott-Hill Clown Band, thank you very much for coming" (as an unintelligent individual shouts "what? what? what?")
Maynardism:
"So how many of you would like to take the non-conformists oath? So repeat after me, think for yourself. Question authority. Strive to be different. Strive to be unique. And never repeat things that other people say" (almost everyone in the venue repeated the oath...odd, considering the timing; the crowd is picked up very nicely - you can hear my buddy Ryan repeating MJK's words)
Maynardism:
MJK: "Thank you very much. We're finding it very, uh, understandably, we're finding it very very difficult to concentrate tonight. On the, this, on the eve of the third world war..."
CROWD: "USA USA USA USA USA USA"
MJK: "You all are going to be really bummed out when you find out it was the USA that did it, ok? This is a time to kind of remember why it is you do what you do. Rediscover your intent. And for God's sake, remember that art saves lives"
CD 1
Time: 56:07
CD 2
Time: 71:12