Aerosmith takes classics on tour
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA
November 24, 2005
Aerosmith's 2004 tour backing its "Honkin' on Bobo" CD wasn't the typical concert experience hardcore fans expect from one of the world's longest-running rock bands.
"We would do the so-called obligatory songs," says drummer Joey Kramer. "We were into the blues thing and it was different than what we usually do. It was a little bit mellower."
And mellow is not exactly a word usually associated with Aerosmith. So, after a year off, the quintet returns Saturday to the Mellon Arena with a retooled show featuring what Kramer calls "amazing" lights and video screens.
The biggest change, however, comes by way of song selection. Aerosmith is going back into its catalog and dusting off gems including "Same Old Song and Dance" and "Walk This Way."
When asked if this makes for a more typical Aerosmith experience, Kramer quickly replies, "That is correct."
Much of tone for this tour was set during the recording of "Rockin' the Joint," the band's new CD recorded live at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.
Kramer says: "I, along in agreement with my partners, wanted to put some songs on here that were never any live recordings ... released: 'Beyond Beautiful," "No More No More," "Seasons of Wither."
The response, especially to "No More No More" and "Seasons of Wither," overwhelmed the band, causing those songs to be included in the current tour's setlist along with other songs from that Aerosmith era such as "Train Kept A-Rollin'" and "Dream On."
Listening to Kramer talk about this material, it sounds like he would love to just a show featuring vintage Aerosmith material from the 1970s.
But he's also a realist.
"You have to consider it's different for us," Kramer says. "That kids that are out in the audience, a big part of them, aren't conscious or aware of us as a band until our later years, until 1990. Even though that's 15 years ago, that's the second half of our career. Those songs have to be played, too."
Another difference on this tour is the inclusion of an opening act that rivals Aerosmith in star power. Having Lenny Kravitz on stage every night amps up the stakes immeasurably.
"You don't even know," Kramer says. "Lenny is unbelievable. We have to be on our game every night."
It would be easy to think that might be harder and harder, given that the members of Aerosmith are all in their 50s. But Kramer says touring is actually easier and more enjoyable. Long gone are the days of bacchanalian partying, days when Kramer admits he was stoned the night before a concert or sometimes on stage. That's part of the reason why he refuses to even contemplate the end of the road.
"When you start thinking about it, that's an indication of the time is approaching." he says. "And I don't think any of us think about that realistically, because, it's not a realistic thing for us at this point in time."
Especially when the band seems to be playing better than ever.
"We're only seven or eight shows in and we're already beginning to hit our stride," Kramer says. "Everybody is really having fun."
November 24, 2005
Aerosmith's 2004 tour backing its "Honkin' on Bobo" CD wasn't the typical concert experience hardcore fans expect from one of the world's longest-running rock bands.
"We would do the so-called obligatory songs," says drummer Joey Kramer. "We were into the blues thing and it was different than what we usually do. It was a little bit mellower."
And mellow is not exactly a word usually associated with Aerosmith. So, after a year off, the quintet returns Saturday to the Mellon Arena with a retooled show featuring what Kramer calls "amazing" lights and video screens.
The biggest change, however, comes by way of song selection. Aerosmith is going back into its catalog and dusting off gems including "Same Old Song and Dance" and "Walk This Way."
When asked if this makes for a more typical Aerosmith experience, Kramer quickly replies, "That is correct."
Much of tone for this tour was set during the recording of "Rockin' the Joint," the band's new CD recorded live at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.
Kramer says: "I, along in agreement with my partners, wanted to put some songs on here that were never any live recordings ... released: 'Beyond Beautiful," "No More No More," "Seasons of Wither."
The response, especially to "No More No More" and "Seasons of Wither," overwhelmed the band, causing those songs to be included in the current tour's setlist along with other songs from that Aerosmith era such as "Train Kept A-Rollin'" and "Dream On."
Listening to Kramer talk about this material, it sounds like he would love to just a show featuring vintage Aerosmith material from the 1970s.
But he's also a realist.
"You have to consider it's different for us," Kramer says. "That kids that are out in the audience, a big part of them, aren't conscious or aware of us as a band until our later years, until 1990. Even though that's 15 years ago, that's the second half of our career. Those songs have to be played, too."
Another difference on this tour is the inclusion of an opening act that rivals Aerosmith in star power. Having Lenny Kravitz on stage every night amps up the stakes immeasurably.
"You don't even know," Kramer says. "Lenny is unbelievable. We have to be on our game every night."
It would be easy to think that might be harder and harder, given that the members of Aerosmith are all in their 50s. But Kramer says touring is actually easier and more enjoyable. Long gone are the days of bacchanalian partying, days when Kramer admits he was stoned the night before a concert or sometimes on stage. That's part of the reason why he refuses to even contemplate the end of the road.
"When you start thinking about it, that's an indication of the time is approaching." he says. "And I don't think any of us think about that realistically, because, it's not a realistic thing for us at this point in time."
Especially when the band seems to be playing better than ever.
"We're only seven or eight shows in and we're already beginning to hit our stride," Kramer says. "Everybody is really having fun."
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