There Is Nothing Left To Prove
Dave Grohl Gets a Chance to Enjoy the Moment

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>> Dave Grohl and his Lucite guitar. >>

>> Universal City, CA >> April 18, 2003 >> It was a memorable moment.  After the Foo Fighters took the stage Friday night and proceeded to rip through three Foos classics in succession, the lights went low, Dave Grohl took a quick drink of water and stepped back into the spotlight, a smile across his face.  As he looked out over the crowd, he seemed prepared to say something, but it wasn't the time.  The Universal Amphitheater had erupted as fans screamed their adoration for one of today's rock gods.

The adulation was well deserved, and Grohl seemed to genuinely appreciate the love.  He spent a moment commenting on a sign a fan had brought and had brief interludes with the crowd throughout the evening, but never let his one-liners overshadow the music.  His sense of humor only served to round things out and provide the occasional segue.

>> Dave appreciates the love. >>

For the entire set, which lasted the better part of two hours on this, the second night of back-to-back sold-out shows, Grohl's abilities as an engaging, charismatic front man we undeniable.  With a fair amount of scruff, a simple black t-shirt and the perfect guitar stance, Grohl is every bit the rock star.

One of the highlights of the show was the very extended "Stacked Actors," during which Grohl ran off and went up the stairs on the right side of the stage to the walkway that separates the two sections of seats in the lower part of the theater.  He then ran to the middle of the arena, stood up on some chairs facing the stage and played back and forth for a few minutes with guitarist Chris Shiffett, bassist Nate Mendel and drummer Taylor Hawkins.  As Shifflett, Mendel and Hawkins continued to vamp on stage, Grohl alternately walked over seats and was passed by fans down to the pit area.  Once there, the fans then passed him along to the stage.   It was the sort of audience participation that kept everyone engaged and won't soon be forgotten.

>> Grohl delivered the hits. >>

Mixing selections from their latest, One By One, with classics from their prior releases, the songs took on an edge in the live performance that simply can't be delivered on CD.  The grippingly poignant "Tired Of You," which Grohl delivered with passion, was an unforgettable portion of the evening, as was "All My Life," with Grohl's intensity filling up the room.

While Grohl did his job as the perfect bandleader and played off of the very animated Hawkins, who resembles the Muppets' Animal, Shiflett and Mendel maintain a reserved confidence and seem to enjoy their roles out of the direct spotlight.

>> Bassist Nate Mendel is feeling it. >>

The evening was rounded out with a guest appearance by Liam Lynch, who performed his radio hit “The United States of Whatever,” with Grohl taking a familiar place behind the drums.  Afterwards, Grohl quipped, “Now we’ll play some our multi-platinum hits.”  Unlike many of today’s rock shows, no one went home from this one feeling like they’d been cheated.  It was plainly obvious this might be one of the best rock shows they would ever see.

Opening for the Foos this evening was all-star punk band The Transplants.  Though The Transplants have the benefit of a radio hit and a lineup that features blink-182's Travis Barker on drums, they simply couldn't hold the crowd and seemed vastly out of their element.  It may be that this was a crowd looking for highly polished, hard radio rock, which they got, and not hardcore punk.