Really cool and insightful interview. I think he gave up more information than Geddy or Neil would appreciate. I can see now why Neal Hated touring.. It sounds like he and Geddy just kind of removed the crowd - and band experience from their monitoring. Its funny how they had such different mixes, and the two of them just treated it like a job. They actually built the wall that Roger Waters only dreamed of. If I just heard myself and almost nothing else in my mix, playing live would be such an indifferent experience. Like the audience isn't there. I cant imagine that would be an enjoyable thing, Like Alex says... " How can you stand to listen to that?" At least Alex seems like he was aware of the live audience he was in the room with. I have heard Neil talk about looking out at the audience and recognizing certain people, but they must have looked like Imbiciles to him. He couldn't hear them, and saw them acting like nuts. I am surprised he even looked at them. Keeping Geddy and Alex out of his mix kind of fly's in the face of him talking about how they would play off of one another and strive for perfection when one would have a bad night... It sounds like he didn't really pay attention to anyone else. What an odd world that would be. Kind of the same thing goes for Geddy..
I don't mean to criticize how they chose to perform on stage, They were an Awesome live band, but it sure sounds like the reality of the live music experience for them was kind of hum-drum (pun intended). Kind of makes me sad that all that energy I expended at their concerts was not that appreciated. It is all about me, I know...
Of course, maybe I am reading too much into this. I know wearing those in ear monitors really does save your hearing, but also really removes the crowd from your consciousness. Of course now most people shut out the world with ear buds. This is kind oft he same thing. Insightful. But who would miss touring if that was the experience you were having night after night?
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