Fall 1999....

I've been a fan of the Cult for quite a while - I first picked up "Electric" in '87 and rushed to find everything prior to that. Developed quite a crush on Ian too, him being such a sweetie and gorgeous to boot - plus looking at him absolutely inspired me to have waist length black hair for about a decade as well! I'd seen them many times over the years including their huge bash at Wembley Arena in London on the Sonic Temple tour the night the "Sweet Soul Sister" was filmed and needless to say was quite depressed when they broke up.

When I heard they had reformed this year I was ecstatic. My friends and I attended the show at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC on August 4th and they completely blew me away - I could not believe that not only had they reformed but they were better than ever!

After that show we were ready to go straight to the next one in Myrtle Beach until we realized we didn't have enough $, especially to get a hotel at the beach in the height of tourist's season. So we cried and brooded and wished we were there & we could see them again.

Our wish came true shortly after as more dates were added to the tour and our hearts soared when we saw Norfolk and Raleigh added for a weekend. Off we went!

They were well worth the drive - the Norfolk show at the Boathouse was good but the Raleigh show at the Ritz was UNBELIEVEABLE and easily the best show of theirs I've ever. They all seemed to be really enjoying it and there was soooo much energy in the air and played most of their best material! Afterwards we hung out near the bus and waited for them to come out - Matt Sorum came out and hung out with everybody and he is super friendly & such a doll. He signed autographs for everybody (had him sign my Sonic Temple tour program) and was extremely funny and entertaining. There was one VERY drunken woman hanging on the stairs that lead down from backstage to the tour bus who kept bellowing "BILL-LEE" even tho it was soon evident she had no idea which one was Billy (poor Martyn!). Matt had fun teasing her in a good natured way and gave her a drum head which he signed "Matt - Friend of Billy's".... I have no doubt that poor Billy has heard Matt imitating her most of the way to Florida for the next gig!

After a while Ian came out and I finally got to meet him after all these years - he is super sweet and seemed a bit shy and reserved but was really nice to everybody - not only did he sign my old program and some 12"s of mine but he gave me a hug and left me floating on cloud 9!

It is wonderful to finally get to meet some of your heroes and find they are wonderful, down to earth people who truly appreciate their fans as I've seen a lot of bands that just blow them off! Huge thanks to Matt and Ian!! Likewise as up until now I'd only seen them playing in arenas in with great to see them in smallish clubs up close and personal!

I never did see Billy come out - every time he peered out the door & the woman started bellowing he ducked back in so hopefully he was able to slip out the back!

What a night!