Porno For Pyros / Love & Rockets: Memorable Concerts Part 1

I have a book that contains all of my concert ticket stubs from over the years - not every show is accounted for because a lot of them were a pay-at-the-door event.  Flipping through the pages, I thought it would be cool to start a series on Life On This Planet of memorable concerts.  Let's kick things off with:

Porno For Pyros / Love & Rockets
Saturday, August 31, 1996 at Club Rio in Tempe, AZ

In 2010, Club Rio is a dirt lot.  I drive by it every now and then, reflecting on all of the memories that took place on that piece of land.  In the 1980s it was called The Devil House and I remember going there in my early years, watching my older brother hit on girls while I danced to The Cult and The Beastie Boys on teen night.  1996 brought Love and Rockets to Club Rio twice, the first as headliners with The Dandy Warhols, and the second time as openers for Perry Farrell's post Jane's Addiction band, Porno For Pyros.  I was and still am a huge Jane's Addiction fan, and this was the second time seeing Porno For Pyros.

Love and Rockets played a bit more of a subdued set this time around, focusing on more of the obscure tracks from their catalog. I remember them not appearing as much into it as they were a few months before.  A cool moment was when PFP's Stephen Perkins joined them on stage with some added percussion to 'Sweet Lover Hangover'. When Porno For Pyros hit the stage, I remember looking to my right and L&R's Daniel Ash was standing right next to my brother and I.  He was friendly enough and said hello.

At this point, Martyn Lenoble already left the band, so the bass position was taken up by former Minuteman, Mike Watt.  Their second album- which turned out to be their final- Good Gods Urge had just been released.  I wish I remembered the setlist, though I do recall Love & Rockets coming out on stage for 'Porpoise Head.'  PFP also broke out a few Jane's classics, 'Mountain Song' being one of them.  The band was great and it was a magical night.  Shortly after, Porno For Pyros fizzled out and the 1997 version of Jane's Addiction hit the road.

If you were at this Club Rio show, please sure some memories in the comments below.