† Song List (in order):

Wings of a Butterfly
Right Here in My Arms
Soul on Fire
Wicked Game
Under the Rose
Join Me
It's All Tears
Killing Loneliness
Razorblade Kiss
Your Sweet Six Six Six
Play Dead
Buried Alive by Love
Behind the Crimson Door
The Funeral of Hearts
Vampire Heart
The Sacrament
Poison Heart (encore)

† When my friends and I arrived at Bogart's (one hour and one Ticket Master foul-up later after we initially left) we all had pretty much one thought in our collective mind: God, let this not be a drunken performance.

Thankfully, it was not only not a drunken performance but a completely astounding one. I saw their first Ohio show in April of 2004, and this time it seemed like the band had really loosened up with this country. It also seemed like they were more eager to play music than to talk, which made me sad, but that's not to say we could've heard him had he talked more. It seems like HIM in the US attracts people who don't know when to shut the hell up. When Ville is making a wisecrack, you can't exactly figure out what the punch line is because people all around are you are screaming things about how they love him. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

† When we arrived promptly at 7:30, we didn't have to wait long to get in. As we entered we could hear Finch sucking ass as most emo bands do, but it was of little importance since we were just going to hit the merchandise booth. The April, 2004 show had a far more crowded merch booth during the show, whereas this one didn't have much crowd until after the show. To be fair, Finch wasn't that bad, but that was pretty much just when they weren't screaming. And they were screaming about 95% of the time. I have to say though, that compared to the reception they got as described by Shane they were pretty well-received. I just think that Ohio has too many emo kids for its own good. Still, they seemed to have an all right time and no one in the audience booed or anything of that nature. Now, Skindred on the other hand...

They came out and immediately got a pretty big reaction from the audience... except for a few floating patches of people who, for the entire fucking half hour the band played, had their middle fingers up. I can't say I condone that, but I can't say I sympathize much with Skindred as it is the nature of the opening act not to be liked. No opening act ever plays to the right crowd. I think it's a plan to get us so pissed off at the bands we don't like that HIM sounds all the better in the end. Still, Skindred wasn't that bad to jump around to and get the crazy out of my system.

† Then HIM came on. My girlfriend, for whom this live HIM experience was the first, was gripping my arm in anticipation and I was smiling widely but secretly I was praying to God that it wouldn't be bad, that Ville wouldn't be drunk. Like I said before, he wasn't drunk, but very charismatic, with that wonderful stage presence he brings so much of the time. He seemed far more willing to throw the mic out to us to sing with him for the first two songs, than he was for the entire rest of the show, but that didn't stop the crowd from singing right along.

Although this wasn't a drunken show, he did stumble--badly--on the words to It's All Tears. He started off with "So my love," from the 2nd verse... then he paused, put his mic back, looked at migé, and started again two lines later. He stopped again to confer with Migé before going to the chorus and starting over. Still, it was funny, and it was just one of his infamous little mistakes, not a drunken mess. That's not to say he didn't drink on the stage like he usually does. He had his 12-pack half-gone, and a beer and Red Bull, each of which he chugged over the course of the concert.

Probably the most exciting part for me was the sign. During the April, 2004 show at the Odeon, Burton seemed to be eyeing my roommate, and so this time around said roommate made a joking sign saying something about how Burton could have him and his manly self... and this was on giant posterboard. It was held up twice; the first time, Burton laughed and pointed. The second time, Ville made a comment (hooray!) about how Burton needs more anal love. Adorable.

† The entire show was pretty amazing (despite the lack of talking) and it was great to be there with a whole lot of live HIM newbies, to enjoy their first show with them. When we went to see them back in 2004 it was just the two of us... this was really a great group activity, and HIM managed to put on a show even the parents of some of the younger concertgoers could enjoy. I feel terribly for the people that had to see the drunken shows, but I feel great for getting to see one of the more elegant, energetic, and overall worthwhile shows. I didn't have much money so I could barely afford one shirt, but damn is it ever cool. Also a closing note: I agree with Jay... Under the Rose is incredible live.

Brian Hoerner
http://yourpainaintlove.net