Chapel Hill, NC -- September 11, 2000

      I arrived on time (8:30) for the Lookout Freakout Tour. I asked the guy at the door what the possiblity was of getting my CD signed by Frank. As I moved on, there was Frank behind the merchandise table, chatting with some girl. I recognized his voice and stuck my CD and black felt pen out. He signed it, "I was young and inexperienced...Dr. Frank." I was honored. He manned the table for as long as he could, talking with his fans, and selling the hell out of some MTX merchandise. Not a lot of bands hang with the crowd beforehand the way he did. He appreciates his fans.
      The first band was the Eyeliners. Three chicks who played speed metal. They played for about 30 minutes and they sucked.
      The next band was American Steel. Five guys dressed in black who played speed metal. They played for 30 minutes and they sucked.
      Then Frank and the guys took the stage and assumed control. They seemed almost like high school kids as they talked to the crowd from behind their mikes, but when they played, it was with authority. Frank wore a red and black soccer jersey with "Opel" on the front, black jeans, black Chucks. They hammered out their set, including:

I wrote a book about rock & roll
Naomi
Alcatraz
Danny Bonaduce (my favorite)
And I will be with you
My looks & your brains
Weather is here, wish you were beautiful
Some acoustic song about a girl who bailed on a date
Lots of others
      "This is a song about a girl." This is how at least four of their songs started, and they were. But not like you'd think. Frank's band started as punkers, and they continue this with rare style even in a world choked with odious love songs.
      I didn't catch the new bass player's name but he seemed well-versed. Jym wailed energetically on the drums and even came out from behind the set to draw a name from a big box to see who won an MP3 player.
      A mosh pit even broke out, which I avoided because I paid for the music, not to get my ass kicked around.
      Want to see a fun, unpretentious band who loves their public and aims to please? Go see MTX. But skip the first two acts of the Lookout Freakout Tour.