Justice Tour::Seattle WA

Featuring Tom Morello, Tadgarden, Steve Earle, Wayne Kramer, Mark Arm, Boots Riley and Blue Scholars

The Crocodile - Seattle, WA -- March 24, 2009

The legendary Crocodile Cafe opened in 1991 and served as an essential venue in Seattle's then exploding grunge scene. After the owners experienced financial trouble the club abruptly closed in early 2008, leaving a hole in the Seattle music scene over the last year. After a new group of investors was assembled, the Crocodile was renovated and as of Saturday March 21, was open for business.

The Justice Tour on Tuesday the 24^th, however, was the first show that could truly be described as a “homecoming” or “welcome back” show for obvious reasons.

First off Wayne Kramer from the MC5 warmed up the crowd with a few acoustic numbers. Not many people seemed to know who he was at first. As quickly as he took the stage he was gone, but not for the night.

Fresh off an appearance at SXSW, Blue Scholars took the stage with an energetic, light show intensive three song set to ramp up the audience energy, for who else but the host of the night, Tom Morello. He promised a night of great music and some stuff so exciting it was beyond words.

Morello, as The Nightwatchman, took the stage with the Freedom Fighter Band to crank out high octane, deeply passionate performances of “Whatever It Takes” and “The Lights are On In Spidertown.”

Morello gave way to anti-establishment legend, singer-songwriter Steve Earle. Earle performed an up-tempo “Copperhead Road,” the call-to-arms “The Revolution Starts Now,” and a cut from his new Townes Van Zandt cover album “Townes.”

Earle stayed on stage as to join Morello in a heavy rendition of “The Ghost of Tom Joad.” One of the first great surprises of the night.

Boots Riley then joined Morello on stage to perform as their new group, The Street Sweepers. Their sound is what could best be described as Rage Against the Machine lite. They are touring with Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction this summer.

Of course, with Tom Morello and Wayne Kramer in the building it's a given the audience is in for some kind of incarnation of “Kick Out the Jams,” the seminal MC5 song that Rage Against the Machine was enamored with. For lead vocals they brought out Mark Arm, lead singer of Mudhoney while Morello and Kramer faced off in a guitar duel front and center stage.

Shortly after this an additional guitarist showed up quietly, playing at the side of the stage. Although it's been over a decade since Soundgarden broke up and his signature beard is now gray, there's no mistaking Kim Thayil!

When Thayil was playing I could see Matt Cameron peeking around the backstage curtain. That's when it was obvious something was up because Cameron wasn't announced on the bill. After the song they were playing at the time ended, whatever it was, Tom Morello had the announcement those at the Croc had been waiting for.

“I haven't been this f**king excited about something in a long time,” Morello exclaimed, almost bubbling over with joy, “It's like I won some type of contest or something.” Then came the introduction: Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd, Matt Cameron and Tad Doyle as Tadgarden!!

The Soundgarden band mates, playing for the first time together since the band broke up in 1997, didn't take long to hit a groove. Tad Doyle, a veteran of the Seattle scene with a voice as rough as he looks and the size of about two Matt Camerons, screamed at the top of his lungs while bounding around the stage with reckless abandon. Their way too short three song set rocked nonetheless. They tore through “Nothing to Say,” and Morello joined them on “Spoonman.” Kim Thayil displayed his signature guitar licks as if no time had passed. They finished with an energetic version of “Hunted Down.” Then they were gone. Hopefully not for another 12 years.

The night ended with Morello inviting everybody back on stage to participate in a sing along “This Land Is Your Land.” This night was definitely one for Seattle music history and legendary performances the audience will remember forever.