I also bailed on Candlebox and the Lips - just couldn't do it. But I got to catch them at the Bottle earlier that year with Silkworm. Had no idea who Silkworm was at the time, but I do vaguely remember In the West. Show was sold out and my friend printed copies of his ticket on his computer so I could go (sorry eephus - i owe you like $12 or something). A very fine evening of rock music.
I call the phenomenon of being a frontman backed by incredible musicianship the Jourgensen effect. That said, Wayne was integral to the band - particularly through his art and design concepts, coupled with his uniquely strained singing voice. I'd argue it was around The Boombox Experiments where Wayne began to step into a role as a rock frontman. Prior to that they always appeared to be a solid-esque unit with no one personality lording over it.