October 20, 2000 18:06

EMINEM'S SEE-SAW EVENING

The troubled rapper kicks off the [b]'Anger Management'[/b] tour in his usual low-key manner...

Photo Gallery: Eminem

Eminem appeared onstage in EAST RUTHERFORD NEW JERSEY last night (October 19) brandishing a chainsaw.

However, it was the only controversial chord the underfire rapper struck, preferring to remain rather more understated than usual. Referring wryly to his ongoing legal problems, Eminem told the capacity crowd in the Continental Airlines Arena that he couldn't say anything because it always ended up getting him into trouble.

On the opening night of his previous US trek, June's hip hop rolling revue - the'Up In Smoke' tour, Eminem vented his frustration at his marital problems by carrying a blow-up doll onstage which he named Kim after his estranged wife, and proceeded to kick and beat it about the stage.

Last night's show was the first night of the 'Anger Management Tour', a month long jaunt around the US and Canada alongside Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach and Xzibit.

The majority of crowd were present to see Limp Bizkit, like Eminem on their second major US tour of the latter part of the year following their Napster-sponsored free tour in the summer.

The band were in celebratory mood as early indications from the US suggest that new album 'Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water', released in the States on Tuesday (October 17) could top sales of 1.3 million in its first week.
The remaining dates on the 'Anger Management Tour' are:
East Rutherford, NJ, Continental Airlines Arena (October 20)
[b]Buffalo, NY, HSBC Arena (21)
Worcester, MA, Centrum Center (23)
Albany, NY, Pepsi Arena (24)
Toronto, ON, Skytent (26)
Montreal, QC, Molson Centre (27)
[b]Auburn Hills, MI, Palace of Auburn Hills (29)
Chicago, IL, Allstate Arena (30)
Milwaukee, WI, Bradley Centre (31)
Champaign, IL, Assembly Hall (November 2)
Indianapolis, IN, Conseco (3)
Moline, IL, Mark of the Quad Cities (5)
St. Louis, MO, Kiel Centre (6)
Minneapolis, MN, Target Centre (8)
Denver, CO, Pepsi Centre (11)
Tacoma, WA, Tacoma Dome (13)
Portland, OR, Rose Garden (14)
Vancouver, BC, General Motors (15)