The Lips are most definitely about fun. Passion, too, hard work and passion. But after putting on shows and putting out albums for better than 12 years, it's all come down to the joy of it. As they have done every time I've seen them, they did their own setup and sound check. The "stars" were out, crawling around on stage, plugging things in, dragging cable hither and yon, testing mics, the whole drill. Patient and thorough. They had some helpers, some of them the regular sound staff at Slim's, but the Lips themselves do most of the work. They started the set with the twinkly lights off. Steven on the keyboard doing that wonderful riff from "The Abandoned Hospital Ship." It's the notes E, B, D#, and E, played over and over, with a rapid F# as punctuation between rounds. (I play guitar, so excuse me for getting too technical, if I am.) I LOVE that riff. Steven just kept playing it, over and over, slowly, gracefully, hypnotically. And the audience -- at first restless and excited, not sure whether the set was starting -- began to quiet down, just stand there rocking slowly with the notes. Dah... de-de-de Dah... de-de-de Dah... The keyboard began to sound like big bells, ringing slowly, then like a great pipe organ, changing voice, hypnotic, spellbinding, and after what seemed like a long time, the bass came in, and Ronald's guitar, and Wayne stepped up to the mike and sang, "Well, it took some time...." And the Xmas lights came ON! Curtains from ceiling to floor that wrapped around the sides, almost encircling the band. And of course the goofy spinning bull's-eyes, too. It was beautiful! Pure magic. A trip to Disneyland. The audience was amazingly YOUNG. Mostly too young to drink, and definitely into the music. Laughing, smiling, mouthing the lyrics, appreciating the long, intricate jams. The band kept doing this thing where as they approached the end of a song, they'd get quieter and quieter, making barely audible ringing sounds with guitars, bass, keyboard. And the crowd got quieter, too. Holding our breaths, waiting for the resolution. Almost orgasmic. I LOVE this band. My 5 desert island CDs would all be Flaming Lips. I had a great time. All mine. Thank you, Wayne. I wish you could've been there. They are so wonderful. Joy and integrity. What a combo. Wayne blew the lyrics on one song. ("Put the Waterbug in the Policeman's Ear") Started, got to where he couldn't go on. Commented mildly that he'd screwed up. Started again. Blew it again. Chuckled. Paused. Steven -- the MOST amazing drummer I've seen -- turned around, they chatted for about 30 seconds, the crowd was basically smiling, enjoying the oddity of it all. Then Wayne started for the third time and got it right. What's my point? Well, no ego. No tantrums. No panic. A pinch of sheepishness, some humor. They're NOT just yokels from OKC, either. They're NOT drugged out shells. They're beautiful. When they're on stage, they're lined up, four guys across. Nobody's in the back row. That's how it is. They're equal partners. I LOVE this group. I think they're getting better, too. I saw them twice last year, on the "Satellite Heart" tour, before they cut "Clouds Taste Metallic," and I think they're mellower and cockier and better. I know having Steven on keyboards adds something wonderful to the sound and the flexibility. Ronald's eccentric guitar seems surer, more fluid, more insane. Michael's bass is clean and strong, played with a cool economy, and I love his harmony singing, too. And of course Wayne is the group's heart, great guitar work and that odd singing style, choosing to put his songs into a range that's almost more than his voice can handle. They amaze me. It was really nice to enjoy music without having to fend off a bunch of boring drunks, too. What a refreshing idea -- an audience that goes to hear music because they love music, not just as an excuse to get plastered. Revolutionary! Scottie Zimmerman.

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