08.28.'03 - Jason Rocks at the Last US Show of Ozzfest '03

ARTICLE ONE: You should have seen Jason's look when a security guy told the fans they have to leave without being able to get any more autographs, in the middle of the Voivod autograph section. If looks could have any physical effect, the guy would've been blasted into 648 pieces on that very spot. Jason looked so upset to see the guy telling the kids to go. If someone would've looked at me that way I would've tried to find the nearest escape door. Just had to get that out of the way.

Alrightaaah! So this year's Ozzfest seems to be over, and I've got some fresh facts from the last show of the tour, in West Palm Beach, FL. Leaving aside the generalized mud fights, the heavy rain that soaked everyone who couldn't get tickets in front (yours truly included) and the couple of ass-heads throwing empty bottles at the stage, it was a great show!

Snake, Away, Piggy and Jasonic got on the second stage around 3 P.M., and played a 45 minute set, that included "Voivod", "Blame Us", "Gasmask Revival", "Facing Up", Tribal Convictions", "Rebel Robot" and "Astronomy Domine". During the last song, Snake took a disposable camera out of his pocket and started taking pictures of the crowd, the band, and himself with the crowd in the background, looking pretty happy.

Jason rocked hard as usual, with his bass soaked in sweat, which made me think of the story according to which he tests his basses by submerging them in a tub full of water. Now I know why.

The crowd enjoyed the set, a lot of people were probably clueless about Voivod, but seemed to dig it. To my surprise, there were a few teenagers and people in their early twenties that sang the lyrics to each one of the songs. That must be a good sign. Of course, here you get your regular concert dicks, who throw plastic bottles, to show the girl they're trying to hook up with how manly they are, but after Jason talked to the crowd for a few seconds, the bottles stopped flying.

After the show, Voivod got to the autograph tent at 4:45. I've heard Jason's been sick lately, so I wasn't surprised to see him looking pretty tired after the intense performance that ended a little while before, but he greeted every fan with a smile and talked to each one of them. I got my autographs and a picture with Jason pointing at my limited edition (of one) hat with the logo of our little club. He looked pretty happy to see the hat. He took it and showed it to Away, then he stuffed it on my head again. That felt cool!

I stuck around and got more shots of Jason, but I didn't get to see the end of it, because the security guy I mentioned above popped up and started arguing with one of the Chophouse dudes, telling him we all had to split. Jason looked furious.

Anyway, the show goes on, Disturbed, Marylin Manson (at his cutest) and Korn do their sets and finally Jason goes on stage again, this time with Ozzy.

If you looked at Ozzy's sometimes off-key singing, his shivering voice or his now feeble stage antics, then YOU MISSED THE POINT! At 54, Ozzy puts on an incredible metal show and he gets the crowd going like none of the "nu" bands do. Ozzy started the set hiding behind the amps, playing with the crowd, then went on to perform a great set of classics. "Mr Crowley", "Suicide Solution", "Crazy Train", "I Don't Know", "Goodbye to Romance", "Mama, I'm Coming Home", "Iron Man", "Road to Nowhere", "Paranoid" were all there.

Ozzy's performance unveils the essence of real metal, gives you a sensation of joy, shows you what Rock n' Roll is really about. It was good, man, really good!

Needless to say, when Ozzy introduced Jason, everyone went nuts, the crowd fired up, and I'd say, with good reason.

Ozzy ended the show asking people to go home safe and not drive under the influence.

There are many explanations on why Ozzfest is such a good ticket seller. But I'd say that there's one single main reason: it's worth the price.

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