It sold out in under a minute online, which is not surprising for a superband "secret" midnight show at Metro in Chicago, two blocks north of famed Wrigley Field. And to ratchet things up another notch, it took place on the last night of Lollapalooza where 80,000+ per day rocked and rolled til they could sweat no more. "Them Crooked Vultures" have plenty of firepower, and while this one was intended to be low on the radar, the buzz was noticeable nonetheless. Although we'll leave the reviews for another night (at the band's request), SPIN Earth witnessed the show, and we heard plenty of people sharing their own reactions, some with reflection, some with just plain awe at the names on the stage.

Hear are a few of the comments overheard through the thunderous drumbeat of Dave Grohl (of the Foo Fighters, Nirvana), the sometimes sweet keyboard melodies and otherwise notorious guitar of John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), and the relentless guitar and vocals of Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age)...

-"They are like the modern-day Cream"
-"Grohl is sometimes a blur, just a whirl of hair, arms and drumsticks."
-"We came to play Chicago first, we had to start here, this was our choice."
-"They were amazingly tight for a band in formation, but then these guys wouldn't have it anything less from the get-go, once it's out there, it's out there."
-"This one's called 'Caligula', oh yes we did."
-"I wish they brought up JPJ more, I wanted to hear him better, he looked like he was having a hell of time."
-"At one point they went so deep into the jam session i really didn't think they would come out, that was the best moment in a long long time."
-"I had to be here, it was history being made!"
-"I got tickets because before i die, i HAD to witness Dave Grohl play drums!"
-"These guys are obviously proven ten times over, they don't exactly need to practice as individuals, but as a new group, any band needs to come together. I'm not sold on them yet, but now I will definitely buy the album when it comes out, that's how impressed I am with what I saw tonight, granted it was from a bunch of legends."
-"It seemed like they all really liked playing together, you could see the others in the band really appreciating John Paul Jones, they all smiled and applauded his keyboard solos."
-"We had to choose between closing night of Lollapalooza and getting in line at Metro; we made the only choice possible. We came to see a little history, we had to be here!"
-"The first album should be out sometime in October."
-"They had that southern blues thing in there, with the driving jam session underneath it all night long, in and out of the let-ups for air."
-"It's so hot in here I'm going to pass out, but then I couldn't play more!"
-"This is the first public show ever for this band, and it happened at Metro. This place knows quality, and they know how to book shows!"
-"I saw the drummers from Tool and The Killers, Eric Avery from Jane's, and several others coming to see what all the talk was about."
-"It was full of surprises, no one knew what was going to happen next. And they kept mixing it up, I was on edge all night!"
"The front of the house was on full lock-down tonight, it was as tight as it gets at the door!"
-"It was hard and driving, but with a purpose, instead of the noise-making kind."
-"The jury's out, but everyone wants to find out what's going to happen."
-"John Paul Jones looks amazing, he's looks the same age as everyone else!"
-"There's no way I wasn't coming tonight, I saw Led Zeppelin and Dave Grohl!"
-"What are these guys called again?!"
-"No photos inside, everyone be good for me now, please!"
-"There must've been just under 1,000 in here tonight. I am gonna keep my wristband for a long long time."

Take the comments for what they're worth, a few off-the-cuff offerings from some people at the show. But if you're curious (and you are), then keep your ear to the ground for more on Them Crooked Vultures, and do a review for yourself!

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