I have to admit, I was bummed when Aerosmith announced they wouldn’t be touring anymore and wouldn’t get a proper farewell tour. I had the opportunity to see them twice over the years, and both were great shows.
But my count of two should’ve been three because there was a time back in 2001 when I was supposed to see Aerosmith in Providence, Rhode Island. Instead, they had to cancel, and their canceled show somehow led to me meeting The Cult — including Ian Astbury and, embarrassingly, Matt Sorum without initially realizing who the hell he was.
If you’re not familiar with The Cult, you almost certainly know some of their biggest songs, including “She Sells Sanctuary,” “Love Removal Machine” and “Fire Woman.”Aerosmith had to cancel another show, and while this would’ve brought my count to three, it instead led to me meeting The Cult. You may know their big songs She Sells Sanctuary, Love Removal Machine, or Fire Woman.
Aerosmith Cancels in Providence
At the time, I was interning with Rhode Island radio station 94 HJY and they were hosting their own 20th birthday bash on November 7 where Aerosmith would play a show at what was then the Providence Civic Center – later the “Dunkin Donuts Center” – in Providence, RI.
Aerosmith was headlining, and The Cult was to be the opener for that show. It was supposed to be a big night! But something happened with Aerosmith that I don’t recall, and they had to cancel the show. Instead of canceling the big bash, The Cult stepped up and said they’d do a show across the way at Lupos Heartbreak Hotel, a smaller venue, to give fans a night of rock! Aerosmith ticket holders got $5 off the admission – which was only $15 to begin with.
What a time to live!
Meeting Ian Astbury Before The Cult’s Show
As part of the HJY staff, we got into the venue early to put up station banners, lay out some swag, experience the sound check…and apparently meet The Cult too!
We were the club hanging out, and singer Ian Astbury comes over to say hello and shoot the shit. I don’t recall what we talked about, but at some point he asked us if we wanted to take a photo or get anything signed. Hell yeah we did! These were the pre-smartphone days though and I don’t even think I owned a cell phone at this point (not that cell phones took good pics then anyway), so we scrambled to find a disposable camera or whatever. Lucky for us, we had a Polaroid camera with us mixed in with all the stuff from the radio station van.
The Infamous Sam Adams Polaroid
So, we grabbed the camera and snapped a pic. Since Polaroids have that large white border, there was plenty of room for a signature, so he signed it.
There was a small problem though. This camera was a promotional camera that Sam Adams beer had sent us, and as a result, there was a big Sam Adams bottle on the photo.
Ian noticed it immediately.
He made a few comments about it and wrote “shit” across the bottle while we explained that it was literally the only camera we had.
Then another member of The Cult walked over.
He looked at the picture, questioned the ridiculous Sam Adams advertisement, laughed about it and then grabbed the Polaroid and signed it too.
And I remember thinking: What the hell, dude? You’re not even in the picture. Why are you signing it?“
And Then I Realized It Was Matt Sorum
I kick myself to this day, because the “other band member” was drummer Matt Sorum. If you’re unaware, Matt Sorum was also the drummer on the Guns n’ Roses “Use Your Illusion” albums (except Civil War) and the massive touring that followed. I met a Gunner, and totally blew it!!! It took about 10 or 20 seconds after he walked away to realize it. I suck.
The Cult at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
Fast forward to the performance, and the band was awesome! There was a ton of energy, the club was packed, the band was loud, and songs were great! People were digging it. At some point during the show, Ian decides to go on a rant about America (he’s from England I believe). He starts yelling and ranting about America, culture, corporate greed, and how everything is a sponsorship like, “your fucking Sam Adams!” I remember cracking up because it was totally directed at us.
I’d like to believe that his anger fueled his performance that night because I remember the show just kicking ass!
If you were there that night and loved it, this is the photo that I credit with Ian’s energetic performance. You’re welcome!
The Cult and A Perfect Circle in 2026
And now the story has another connection.
The Cult are touring with A Perfect Circle, and I’ve already seen A Perfect Circle live as part of Maynard James Keenan’s incredible Sessanta tour with Primus and Puscifer. Read my A Perfect Circle / Sessanta concert review here.
Read my A Perfect Circle / Sessanta concert review here.]
The upcoming The Cult and A Perfect Circle show is also on the Concert-Guy calendar:
Twenty-five years after accidentally meeting Ian Astbury and Matt Sorum because Aerosmith canceled a concert, I guess The Cult are still finding ways back onto Concert-Guy.
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