Live at Hollywood Alley, Mesa, AZ, February 6, 1997 Concert review by Martin Mathis Photo courtesy of Mariana Rogers If it hadn't been for a crew from Yorkshire Television in the UK, this first show of 1997 wouldn't have taken place. The TV crew had arranged via this Web page and e-mail to shoot The Foot live for an episode on retirement communities as part of their "3D" documentary series and this gig was set up. The band came on at 8pm sharp, the TV crew was a tad late but caught most of what was to follow. What followed was a two-hour set, interrupted by a short interview break, that blew both the audience and the band away. The house was packed and rocking and it all turned into one huge party. I can't recall the last time there was such a local turn-out. The fans were yelling, screaming, applauding and laughing. Bras, water, limes and plastic rings flew from and to the stage and the band excelled in musicianship, stage antics, freshness, humor and impromptu conversation. Even when they had to spontaneously change the set list to accommodate the TV crew, they were not thrown off and one couldn't tell if the brief confusion on stage was act or real. One Foot In The Grave went through the usual songs from their two albums (I never remember the set list without taking notes) and several unrecorded cover tunes. The TV crew was eager to get a take of "Sun City Rocks" and the song was performed twice while JoDina was throwing plastic rings into the audience, being disappointed that they weren't thrown back at her. At one point she noted that all three One Foot In The Grave fans were present tonight, referring to the officially numbered fans 1 to 3, the Foot Army if you will, special devotees... While fan number 1 remained in the background, fan number 2 - this writer - got spat on with water by JoDina who yelled for another glass of water from the bartender - not this writer. He returned the favor by launching a few limes from an empty jar. Fan number 3, a punk lady and photographer in JoDina-garments, was invited to sing along and fall down on stage with JoDina for "I've Fallen And I Can't Get Up". A yet unnumbered female fan of many years also joined the stage mob for another song and later handed me a mega-cup bra to throw at studly Lowell (I can only assume she didn't trust her throwing skills). Luckily I was able to divert his attention back to her. Lowell soon forgot about the bra when the next stage-bound victim turned out not to really wear one... However, he was called back to duty when drummer Dave Cook fell asleep during a drum solo and a few power chords were needed to resurrect him. After JoDina had praised the joys of oral sex, she met her match (pun intended) during the "Hard Body" routine. "Favors" were returned carrying her through the venue during "Stagedive"... Encores included "Pinhead" - Lowell refers to it as "Shithead" - and the Mojo Nixon tune "Elvis Is Everywhere" with its brilliantly humorous lyrics during which JoDina took an Elvis mascot on a kiss-the-king tour around the audience. Back on stage, she put the E-doll next to bass player Gavan's head who suddenly burst out in a "what the fuck do you want!" but quickly bowed to the powers of the "Big E" and apologized. The band then hung around to sign autographs, talk to people - many of which had heard of them for the first time - and to sell a few T-shirts and CDs (I mention this because it's unusual for local Arizona gigs). Then they settled at a table with the TV crew and a few close friends. Thanks go to Steve Walsh and his British TV crew for making this happen and local guitar virtuoso Joe Meyers who let the band play into his time slot. The TV show is supposed to be aired in Britain between now and June 1997. On a personal note, I sincerely hope that this gig encourages the band to pursue their local career intensively again and that it encourages the local media and fans to support the effort! Last update 10-Mar-2002. © One Foot In The Grave. Contact us or sign the Guest Book.