(insert title here) - Volume 1 Issue 1 - Big Wu Rings in New Year by Charlie Kuller

In the last six months, The Big Wu have undergone a grand expansion as they gear up to tour the coasts more extensively. So 2001: A State Odessy was a welcomed event, awaited and attended by many fans who poured into the State Theater in Downtown Minneapolis. The Theater is one of Minneapolis' most famous landmarks for entertainment, and was most likely the largest crowd the Wu has ever played to. It was what the band had been working to give us for the last few years as they worked their asses off and played their music to tiny crowds in obscure bars and county fairs. It was no doubt the largest musical happening in the city.

After the opening act was thankfully removed from stage, there was an unmistakable hint of great anticipation in the crowd. The break ended with lights falling and the appearance of spacemen in the bourgeois boxes at both stages right and left. Their flashlights sprayed the crowd and the entire family could only imagine what was to follow. The curtain raised and the band was there, poised. The spacemen did robotic movements for some time, giving us extended banter about space, which segued into the music starting, a super fog of sound that extended for some time, the crowd screaming for the moon. The fog started to take some shape, eventually merging perfectly into their mainstay "Red Sky". From the beginning it was obvious that they had taken a new turn in their approach to playing, with a completely new setup (new guitars, drums, and keys) which let them be rock stars. This opener was the most rocked out I had ever heard them play at any time. The crowd gave the intensity back as the 20-minute opener was completed. The first set continued with a few more old favorites and some new tunes to boot, all with a decidedly rock based groove. The light show was also vastly improved, with the man in charge taking hints from Chris Kuroda on more than a few occasions. The set ended with the familiar chorus of "Minnesota Moon", not letting anyone forget that the land of 10,000 lakes is their home and always will be.

The second set was highlighted by an appearance by the father of lead guitarist Chris Causation led the next song "When I Die". The band absolutely loved having him on stage and I firmly believe that this man's life is complete, his dream fulfilled. The fans loved every second and I wished that that it would never end. But instead it built to new years as more spacemen come through the crowd towards the stage and did the robot, standing guard as the band left the stage. Suddenly the floodlights pointed towards the rear as father time walked down and addressed us at this momentous occasion. After the ball dropped the band dropped into the deep funk of Also Sprauch Zarathrustra. It more than made up for the lack of funk thus far, and most likely the reason for that phenomenon.

Now as it had become 2001, it was time for the boys to show us what they are really made of and as the first notes of "Save Our Ship" rang from the guitar I knew they would not disappoint. The song rang as beautiful music to my ears and led directly into "Jazz 88", another showstopper. The show had been delivered, two long showpieces played superbly to end the show.

It was a happening, the only place you should be on a night like December 31st. It gave everyone there an escape, a time when the world meant nothing; it was only us and the music all night. It is the life that so many of us drive hours and hours to be a part have with little thought of consequence; the good life.

Set List - 2001: A State Odessy
Set I: Red Sky House of Wu Julie Be True > Texas Fireball Boxing Day > Two Person Chair Shoot the Moon Minnesota Moon	Set II: Tom Sawyer Break of Day Big Love When I Die Also Sprach Zarathrustra> Sissy Strut> Also Sprach Zarathrustra Midnight Rudy Save Our Ship Jazz 88> Ass Jam> Jazz 88 E: Let's Go Crazy