October 18, 1991 was the date for one of the more interesting shows I have ever been to. Anthrax and Public Enemy were out there touring for Anthrax’s Attack Of The Killer B’s compilation record that included a collaboration of the two groups, “Bring The Noise”. Primus was along for the ride as well as a group that called themselves Young Black Teenagers. This all took place at the Wilson Theater in Fresno, CA, a venue of just under 2,000 seats.
THE SHOW
YBT was a hip-hop group of all-white members and their set is something I barely remember, other than I really didn’t care for rap or hip hop AT ALL at the time. I’ve softened a bit, but not to the point that I can listen to much. I just wanted this part of the show to be over.
Primus came out next, touring for their Sailing The Seas Of Cheese record which includes “Jerry Was a Racecar Driver”, a huge song on MTV in those days. According to Setlist.FM, they played seven songs and it was an energetic, crowd-pleasing performance from Les Claypool and his mates. Knowing that Public Enemy was next, I could have gone for some more Primus but the deal was that this was a co-headlining tour, so the support acts had shorter sets to accommodate the top of the bill.
Primus Concert Setlist at Wilson Theater, Fresno on October 18, 1991 | setlist.fm
Public Enemy came out next and played a bunch of songs.
Finally, it was time for Anthrax, in the last dying days of the first Joey Belladona administration. “N.F.L.” got it started and the place was on fire. They played “Got The Time” from their most recent studio album, Persistence Of Time, early on and that was something I really wanted to hear. For the classics, they played “Caught In A Mosh”, “Indians” and “Antisocial”. Ok, maybe “Antisocial” is only a classic to me and five other people, but I loved State Of Euphoria and didn’t know until years later that the band didn’t love it.
They rounded out the night with I”‘m The Man” and a Public Enemy song, and the final song of the night, “Bring The Noise”. Public Enemy was out there for the end of the show, definitely on “Bring The Noise”, but I don’t remember if they came out for “I’m The Man” and stayed the rest of the way.
It was great to see Anthrax, even with the other stuff on the bill I didn’t care for. Primus was amazing as well.
Anthrax Concert Setlist at Wilson Theater, Fresno on October 18, 1991 | setlist.fm
AFTER
When the whole thing was over I ran outside and waited on the sidewalk between the stage door and the Anthrax bus that was parked across the street. I got all five guys to sign my ticket and they were all super cool to the good-sized crowd of fans. While crossing the street, they took pictures with whomever asked and I remember one guy handing Scott Ian a cassette tape and asking if he would listen to his band. Scott said, “Sure, man, thanks.”
Joey stayed outside the bus long after the other guys had gone inside and talked to fans for at least 30 minutes, at which point I bailed.
A glorious Friday evening it was. On my third time seeing Anthrax, I finally got to see them headline (the first two were opening for Ozzy on Among The Living). With the mashup of the Public Enemy co-headlining tour, it was quite different than the other two, but they still delivered what you expect from Anthrax. I had no idea that was going to be it for Joey, of course, and that was another major lineup change that bummed me out. John Bush ultimately did great, but I couldn’t imagine Anthrax without Joey after all the great stuff they put out since he took over for Neil Turbin.
One of the many reasons I don’t skip these things when they come to my town. You never know what’s coming down the line.