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From: Paul Hilcoff

Great city, strange show. I think Bob had a touch of last-night-of-tour-itis 
(I know I did). The set felt a bit rushed (it only lasted a little more than 
an hour). There was a tight curfew because a second show, separate admission, 
was scheduled for later in the evening. Michael sat in for one song with 
Varnaline, one of the night's more memorable moments. The Vancouver fans 
were the happiest looking of any on the tour; they deserved a longer show. 
Blame it on club economics.

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From: Mike H.

I got in to Vancouver early and was at the venue by about 4:30. Way early - 
but way worth it - I'll explain. I walked around the back of the club in the 
alley and saw Bob. Said hi again - he remembered me from Seattle - and as I 
had a Mocha in my hand from SBC and he wanted espresso, I offered to walk him 
to a coffee shop near by. I actually talked to Bob and a friend of his for 
about a half hour in this little pool hall/snack shop/coffee place on the 
corner of Homer and (get this) Helmcken Streets. My last name is Helmick -- 
talk about karma! Anyways, topics of conversation were how cool Vancouver is, 
the three albums (you heard me right) worth of unreleased tunes from the 
"Hubcap" sessions, how Dave (Barbe) and Malcolm (Travis) are doing, his three
days home before heading east of the pond, and what day his birthday really 
is -- among other things. Insert various compliments, loads of praise and 
another autograph and you have the general idea -- deciding I had bugged him 
enough (for the time being anyhow) -- I left Bob and his friend to finish 
eating and go for a walk. I wandered around for a while and til I decided to 
get in line - talked to listers from Seattle, DC, and Canada. After the show 
I got a Varnaline LP signed by all three members (great band, super nice 
guys -especially John) and visited with Bob again for a couple of minutes. 
Thanked him for the quality time earlier and wished him well. Oh yeah, I also 
said "hi" and introduced myself to Jim. Before the show -inside the venue- 
I had the opportunity to talk to Michael for about 10 minutes. Great guy - 
truly personable.

Yes people, I am indeed one lucky bastard and I may not come down from this 
high anytime soon! Now onto the show -- setlist and comments:

STARFISH ROOM VANCOUVER B.C. 10/17 SETLIST:
------------------------------------------
Moving Trucks
Taking Everything
First Drag Of The Day
I.H.A.R.

Stand Guard
Classifieds
Wanted Was - great version, I hoped for this one 
Art Crisis 

New #1 - very powerful live, killer tune
Skintrade
Eternally Fried - Wow. Incredible "mellow" version - WAY different than 
Seattle show

Lonely Afternoon - I thought Bob & Co. nailed this one
EgOverride - damn what are those lyrics, cool anyway
Reflecting Pool
Deep Karma Canyon
=================

Hanging Tree - again this is the one EVERY night - Bob said he thinks so, 
too.
Approx total time 65 minutes

General Comments - I thought the sound overall was better, especially the 
vocal levels, than at Showbox. Cooler vibe, the place was really small. I 
could see everyone and hear all the instuments better from my post infront of 
Bob at the "Barricade". The big downer was the time constraint thing (as 
another early show Bob had to skip three encore numbers! Disappointed, 
S.A.L.L., and M.O.T.M. according to the setlist on stage floor) Still I 
thought it was a great show and different than Seattle.

Other highlights -- Varnaline was great and Anders broke out the 12-sting 
tonight. Michael guested on "While You Were Sleeping" and man did that make 
a big difference - they nailed this one! Also Bob spitting water all over 
us - followed by that look - you know the one! When someone in the audience 
yelled "Play, A Good Idea!", Bob's response was "start your own f**cking 
band and play it yourself, if you want!" Other than this dipshit, the crowd 
seemed into it.
I thought Bob's leads really ripped all night tonight.

And so with this show Bob says goodbye to electric in North America. But do 
not dispair my friends, as this is not the end - but merely a new beginning. 
I'm ready Bob -- surprise me - I'll be waiting. And if you come back acoustic 
my friend, I'll be there -- guaranteed!

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From: prodgerd

Once again, I'll leave the setlist to someone else, but the Vancouver show is 
over and what an end to his North American electric live career. Bob looked 
relaxed and in charge, but most of all, he looked like he was having fun.

The set was slightly abbreviated because of some Metal/Hardcore Supergroup 
playing afterwards (members of Faith No More, Slayer, the Melvins...), but 
highlights would include New #1,  Hanging Tree, and Wanted Was for myself.

Bob and crew are of course on their way to Europe this week, but Varnaline is 
driving back to NYC, and playing a handful of gigs along the way. They'll be in 
Winnipeg, Minneapolis, Chicago, Cleveland, and I think somewhere in Virginia, so 
keep an eye for them and their full length set this week.

-----------------------------

From: HipPriest

And whaddaya know, but I sure enjoyed the Vancouver show. I really 
think, given when they started, and the show's 10:00 end time, Varnaline 
should have done the honourable thing and cut their shortened set even 
shorter. Although, good ol' Bob wouldn't hear of it, I'm sure.

It's funny, but I didn't dislike Varnaline this time (didn't love 'em, 
either, but it's an improvement). They were really kinda enjoyable. 
Maybe it's because I was now familiar with their songs. Or maybe it's 
because I had two pints of Rickerd's Red sloshing happily in my stomach. 
Who can really say? But I felt guilty for hating them so much the night 
previous. They really do look like nice guys.

The last night of the North American leg of the tour, and we have to 
live with only a "Hanging Tree" encore? What an unfortunate turn of 
events, making me very happy I saw the Seattle show. And I was sorely 
"Disappointed" (har har) not to hear the song of that name. Seems like 
such a natural tune for this tour, it should have been in every encore. 
But I can understand why Bob went with Hanging Tree in Vancouver; it’s a 
scorcher, and it probably leaves a deeper impression than See a Little 
Light.

Well, that's it. The end of an era. I'm looking forward to Bob's 
future projects. What will the next millenium bring us? A country album? 
A children's CD? The soundtrack to a film based on a Dennis Cooper novel?
Aw, even if his efforts are limited to nothing more than an acoustic 
tour where he plays "Celebrated Summer," I'm sure I'll be very satisfied 
indeed.