Gene: Live at Nita's Hideaway, Tempe, Arizona 07/09/02 Brian Mason (bmason85206@yahoo.com) Just got back from the Gene show in Tempe at Nita's. I was quite suprised how well the band reacted to such a small place. The crowd was small (maybe 150 people), but very vocal and all the band seemed to enjoy themselves. We were treated to a great concert in a very intimate setting (the stage only rose 1.5 feet off the floor). Set List: 1. Haunted by you 2. Be my light 3. Georgia to Osaka 4. We could be kings 5. Yours for the taking 6. Speak to me someone 7. Let me move on 8. British Disease 9. Walking in the shallows 10. Never walk again 11. Olympian 12. Good as it gets Encore: 1. Where are they now? 2. For the dead ********Is it over, London can you wait?, Fighting Fit Luis Gonzalez (l_r_gonzalez@yahoo.com) Greetings from America- This is a review from the very small (venue and turnout), last minute show in Tempe, Arizona on Saturday 7 Sept. The show was not promoted beyond a few fliers in a 3 independent record shops around town. The show was a last minute addition to the U.S. calandar - it was so last minute that the Tempe show was not even listed on the U.S. tour T-Shirts. I could send a photo of the shirt, but it is very basic as it simply reads Libertine over the left breast in red lettering. The rear reads Gene 2002 with the U.S. cities in a circle around the Gene 2002 type. On to the show. 3 bands opened for Gene: Captives, Fine China and Run Run Run. The bands themselves were O.K. The Captives being the best of the three in my opinion. In my conversation with a fellow concert goer, Gene added Tempe to their schedule to support the Captives. I cannot verify this. We rolled in at exactly 8pm, and saw Gene waiting in a giant extended Van (auto) with California license plates leading me to believe that they made the 5 hour drive across the desert from the Greater Los Angeles area to Tempe, Arizona. By the way, this is not the first time Gene has played in Arizona, but it will most likely be the smallest gig they play on their U.S. tour as the Phoenix area does not have a large audience for British bands. Strangely there were more Morrissey T-Shirts worn than Gene shirts, but this is most likely due to the Mozzer having just visited a few weeks earlier. The wait for Gene was an agonizing 3.5 hours from 8 pm. Gene took to the stage at about 11:45 pm. The reception was fantastic for so few people (maybe 100 bodies). The band appeared prior to Martin. Steve was wearing gray flat front slacks, a white button up shirt and red shoes/belt. Kevin was wearing gray or black flat front slacks, a Fred Perry polo shirt and suede shoes. Matt had a sleeveless black shirt, and skull cap -looking very L.A. I might add. Martin appeared wearing sneakers, faded blue jeans, a green Tshirt that read 'Co-Op- and a blue dress jacket (which those of us in Arizona knew he would lose as it is very warm here in the summer time). Gene had a woman key board player - Martin introduced her, though I cannot recall her name. The band began playing Haunted by You without any tuning, etc. The crowd went wild and this reviewers voice left me within 30 seconds. I did not bring a camera, though a few in the audience did. For one lucky fellow, Martin took his small disposable camera and took a picture of the crowd from the stage. I have managed to include the set list which was taped to the amp of the mystery keyboardist. The tape is covering text that reads: GENE.....Tempe...... it is written on the back of a local Hotel's stationary. The highlight of the show for me, was either 'We could be kings' or the encore with' Where are they now?' In summation, the show was brilliant. The sound was exactly like what we are used to after listening to Rising for Sunset. the only upset (if there was one, was the second encore was not played. it would have been great to hear London, can you wait and Fighting fit. I'm unsure how It is over? would sound live...). Signing off from America. Best, Luis Gonzalez Tempe, Arizona. www.lewisslade.com/genemusic