Slaves in the Street

These are the tales from the road; snapshots of a band as seen through the eyes of a few strongly devoted fans. Here's the fan's eye view of the Audioslave Online Street Team/Cornell Fan Forum members as they follow the band on the last portion of their debut tour for the final five shows

Meet "The Team": 10 hard-core fans connected through their love of music. Most are members of the Audioslave Online Street Team; some were also on the original Street Team, and most participate on the Cornell forum at www.chriscornell.com.

Christa R. - From Oregon, Age 22, Online Street Team Member." I was often on the Rage Board back in the late 90s, was on the Rage Street Team, SG fan club (Knights of the Soundtable), currently I participate on the Cornell fan forum, and I am on the AS online team. Maybe I was truly in the minority, but I thought this was one of the best musical alliances of talent in my lifetime. I was extremely excited!

Chrys B. - From Washington, Age 22. "At first, I didn't know what to expect or how the bands would gel together. I was really hoping it wouldn't turn out like Chris just filling in for Zack de la Rocha, but I really doubted that would happen. I remember really hoping that they would form a completely new band that wasn't rage, wasn't Soundgarden, wasn't Chris solo, but was something entirely of its own."

Chuck O. - From So. California, Age 25, Online Street Team Member. "This lineup is perfect for one another in my opinion. They mesh better than Rage and so far I like them a little better than Soundgarden."

Jeff A. - From Florida, Age 20, Street Team Member and also has a fan site devoted to Cornell www. chriscornell.cc. "I started the site mainly because all of the sites in the now defunct Soundgarden Webring had stopped being updated. The site's been up since August of 1999. I'm a huge fan of Soundgarden of course and I've got the tattoo to prove it"

Jesse G. - Nevada, Age 20's. "Seeing Cornell for the first time and hearing him sing was the best thing for me. Cornell's music really fills a void within me."

Jon F. - From Nevada, Age 22, Online Street Team Member. "I've listened to Rage Against the Machine since I was 13, and they helped open my eyes to what was going on in the world which was great for a kid like me. I've been on the Audioslave Street Team since its inception. When I heard that Chris Cornell was getting together with the remaining member's of RATM I was like 'man they are gonna rock!' "

Laurie R. - From No. California, Age 33, Member of Online and original Street Teams ranked #15 on original team." I'm a huge Rage fan! In a totally different way, they meant as much to me as Soundgarden. I think it had to do with their live power...a Rage show was always so PUMPED! The whole place would be on its feet...you couldn't deny their force. When I heard about Audioslave I loved the idea from the get-go. I mean, when two of your favorite bands break up, and then the players of one and THE singer of the other join forces, what's not to be happy about? I've seen Soundgarden - 7 times, Cornell, solo - 4, Rage - 5 times and now Audioslave 5 times."

Steve O. - From New Jersey, Age 23, member of Online and original Street Team ranked #1 on original team. "I heard rumors on the radio and on various websites. Later I said to my friend, 'The greatest singer on the planet is gonna hook up with the best guitarist and rhythm section. This is gonna kick ass!!! But please Chris, don't rap!!'"

Tosh L. - From No. California, Age 43, Online Street Team Member. "I've been on a couple SG clubs via Yahoo Groups, the AS online Street Team, Chris Cornell fan forum, the Audioslaved.com fan forum. The very first time seeing Chris for me was the Vegas show. Something within him resonates.............inside as well as out. He GIVES of himself, to us who love him and his music. I'm sorry the tour is over.

Vanessa P. - From No. California, Age 20, Member of Online and original Street Teams. "When I heard about the rumors of CC and the Ex-RATM members jamming, of course I was excited."

Saturday, March 15^th, in Los Vegas, Nevada the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Hours before the show the casino is alive with fans. Between the metallic pings of change flying in and out of the slot machines you can hear the soundtrack for the evening. Audioslave songs play throughout the day, setting the tone for the evening.

Jon F. - "I got to meet Tim Commerford in the hotel before the show. That was a cool moment for any fan of Rage or Audioslave because Tim rules on the bass!

By 1pm the fans are already taking their places in line. A few fans stood there since morning to secure their right to a place at the general admission venue. During the hours of waiting in line, fans bonded with other fans in mutual appreciation of the band that brought them there. The "Teamers" were within the first 20 people in line, and once inside they could pick the best spots in the club to view the concert. Most went up front and center, against the railing where they could get the best, most unobstructed view of the band.

The support band Burning Brides, a power trio who spawns some catchy amalgamation of Sonic Youth on an evil metallic drunken bender. The "Teamers" responded well to the opening act; heads bobbing in general approval to the new sounds

When Audioslave took the stage, mass hysteria swept the room. The entire floor constricted as bodies moved collectively in one unified thrust towards the stage. The venue was alive with energy both on the stage and off. The band went into the first song "Set It Off" as arms stretched skywards to seek the attention of their Rock Gods, while thousands of screams mixed into a united roar.

Laurie R. - "A scream that rose up out of me (it seemed to start at my feet and work it's way up until it left me like some kind of war cry) when Cornell joined the band on stage. It was great being so close...able to see the whole show without having any obstructions"

Chuck O. - " The opener was explosive when they hit the stage and the crowd went nuts."

Laurie R. - "If you were lucky enough to be up front, sometimes you'd catch smiles and intense stares as he sang stomping around in his shorts and boots like in the days of old!"

Jesse G. - " I was amazed at the intensity of their stage presence, Tom and Chris were really exciting to see, while, Tim was pretty laid back."

Jon F. - "At the end of the Vegas show we were all in a group hug, singing along… being with some of the greatest fans ever was totally cool."

Jesse G. - "I put up my sign in Vegas (Play "Bring 'Em Back Alive"). Cornell read it then looked at me. No expression on his face, he was just staring like he could see inside of me. He came off stage and took it from me, that image will always stay with me." (Some form of this sign would make an appearance at the shows to follow.)

Steve O. - "I got about 5 times what I was expecting. The band was amazing!! I totally developed new appreciation for Tim and Brad. They truly are the best rhythm section around. And Tom Morello is just the God of Guitar. There's no one around who tops him. And this is coming from a lifelong Zeppelin fan.

Chris took my Fopp shirt and was just staring at it, smiling on stage. Then he showed it to Brad who got a big smile out of it too"

Monday, March 17^th, in Los Angeles, at the Hollywood Palladium.

Show two out of five, the "Teamers' head out at a nice early hour to get their space at the front of the line. Even standing for half the day in harsh crisp winds couldn't suppress their adrenaline once the band hit the stage. For these fans it was all worth the wait.

Laurie R. - "I held up a new sign that read (Play "Bring 'Em Back Alive", Please.) It was taken away from me by Chris, and shown to the band...later in the evening when asking a roadie for a set list, he gave me my sign back instead. Later I got the whole band to sign it."

Steve O. - "Chris sounded like a force of nature. Power and elegance all rolled into one. He's otherworldly on stage. I can't describe it."

Tosh L. - "They sounded FANTASTIC! As close to perfect as you could hope for."

Beyond these streets sprits are dampened by pouring rain and the political climate of the world, but for another day this group revels in the times before them and the company that they share on this trip.

On the first day of the war with Iraq, the streets of Downtown San Francisco are alive with protesters who passed by as the "Teamers" waited in line. Two members of the band go to join in and have their voices known. Tim Commerford and Tom Morello passed by with the signs in tow first used on the stage at the LA show. ["How many Iraqis per gallon," and "Somewhere in Texas, a village is missing its idiot."] Some of the group waiting in the line went off to march, as the protest headed down Market Street.

Cornell was more vocal about world events at this show than he had been previously, making a lewd comment about what and where he'd like to "give" to our "leader," GWB, if not for the fact that "Dubya" might actually enjoy it.

Vanessa P. - "Chris Cornell was feeding off of the crowd. They sounded even better than the album. Chris’ vocals were kind of low, but I didn't care. I was singing and shouting like a fool the whole time."

Christa R. - "They sounded tight and well-rehearsed. Chris’ vocals were right on. You could just tell he was having an excellent time. I definitely could see that Chris was more relaxed this go around (versus his Euphoria Morning tour)."

Laurie R. - "I had yet another sign. This one read 'Bring 'Em Back Alive...Is It Ready Yet?' (in response to what CC said to me in L.A. - "we're working on it") Chris saw it and shook his head at me and pointed at Tom...like, "I want to, but Tom won't let me!"

More protest, and better weather find our crew in line for the second Warfield show. The venue even let the line in early out of concern for what might go down on the streets during the day's war protest.

Christa R. - "I really like the statements made by Tom and Chris regarding the current state of affairs. The San Francisco gigs were very special, not just because of the concerts themselves, but because of all the turmoil that was occurring in our world. I was thankful that I was able to spend those fleeting moments with four musicians that I have had the utmost respect for many years. They showed that they really cared about their fans and what the fans thought when they played the extra long set on 3/20. "

Laurie R. - "We were honored by the band, and more specifically Tom 'for living in a wonderful city where people can speak their mind.' The band played it's longest set to date, per Tom.(They added Bring 'Em Back Alive" and "Get Away car" to the set.) I was right there up front with all my loved ones from the Team/forum holding hands during Getaway Car.

Jeff A. - "It was all very impressive. Especially during the solo "Peace, Love, and Understanding" performance."

Steve O. - "Chris sang to the group of us all night. He shook my hand twice that night. It blew my expectations away."

Show #5 of 5. The last day of waiting in line, last day of bonding with friends gained through the music. Another city, and still some protest. One last member of the troop joined in for the Seattle show. No ticket in hand but was able to secure her place at the show by chance. One final night of a remarkable show by a remarkable new band making memories that will last forever.

Laurie R. - "There IS a god, and his musical name is Chris Cornel!!! Tis time my sign said "Audioslave - Thank You" CC read it and spoke to me in the mike. He thanked me and then smiled like a kid! Then he asked me if I was ok, because I was up front and being majorly squished. I said I was ok, and he laughed and said "you look a little squished in there" and I said...that's ok...there's no place else I'd rather be, which earned me yet another smile!!!! l"

Chrys B. - I had to run, carrying a protest sign through the streets of Seattle (for a radio station contest) to get my tickets to the show, that was so right on. It was just totally special to me that I was able to go at all. It was awesome that things fell into place and that I could see a show in a small venue setting like that.

Steve O. - "It was really emotional and special that I got to experience the greatest week of my life with people I hadn't met until I got there. And that's the beauty of Chris Cornell. He's united a group of people who would never have met otherwise. Because of him, we have memories and friendship that will never fade."

Tosh L. - "If this awesome foursome plans on producing more music for us..........I plan on buying every CD they put out, attending every concert within reason and telling EVERYONE I know, (that hasn't already heard it) that this band is very worth their time and money.."

Chuck O. - "I look forward to more of Audioslave in the years to come. I believe they are already one of the most powerful bands in rock and the future looks good with them. Can't wait till Lollapalooza."

Christa R.- " I loved being with a huge groups of compadres for those gigs. That made the shows even more special. Just knowing that so many friends enjoyed Audioslave on the same level as I."

Jeff A. - "As if seeing the band from up close, or even the balcony, wasn't surreal enough, meeting people from the Chris Cornell forum seemed like meeting the voices in my head. It was a very pleasant experience all around."

Jon F. - "The lineup is great, these guys can make music forever and I'll always buy the albums because they make great music together, stuff that you can feel."