Time to finally update regarding the past few concerts. I'll start with the Exodus/Megadeth gig. Got to the Roseland Ballroom in NYC, stood outside for about an hour before getting in, and waited for another hour for Exodus to hit the stage. Once they did, boy were they awesome! All of the members were top-notch, even Steev Esquivel (Skinlab), the touring vocalist. His style isn't all there, but at least he finally knows almost all the lyrics! Opened with The Scar-Spangled Banner, and also did War Is My Sheppard, Blacklist, and Tempo Of The Damned off the new record. Did all the classics like The Toxic Waltz, Braindead, Piranha, Bonded By Blood, Exodus, Strike Of The Beast, And Then There Were None, and maybe one or two more that slip my mind at the moment (all in no particular order). Got Gary Holt's guitar pick again (did so at their gig in April), great to see them play again. The crowd was a bit rowdy, but not very bad at all, got to enjoy the whole set with minimal problems, minus the drunk dude who kept starting shit with myself and the guy next to me...poking our eyes, grabbing our hair, pretty much trying to get up front...the security guard ended up chasing him out of the venue. Oh, btw, we were on the guardrail in between Gary and Steev (looking at the stage, on the right-hand side). Second time, definitely won't be the last.
Megadeth hit the stage about an hour later. I've been a fan of them since '93 and have had about two or three prior opportunities to see them, but something always came up, so this was my first Megadeth experience. Same location as above for Megadeth's set. They came out to Set The World Afire, and did (in no particular order) Skin 'O My Teeth, Trust, Holy Wars...The Punishment Due, Hangar 18, Peace Sells...But Who's Buying!, Wake Up Dead, In My Darkest Hour, Tornado Of Souls, Sweating Bullets, Symphony Of Destruction, Reckoning Day, Of Mice And Men, Back In The Day (Exodus joined them on stage for this one, quite awesome to see two Thrash legends on stage together), Die Dead Enough, Kick The Chair, The Scorpion, and I'm sure some more that I forgot. The crowd was pretty crazy, tons of crowdsurfers, and at times couldn't breathe due to being squished against the guardrail, but totally worth it for Megadeth. Got Glen Drover's guitar pick, and also got a free re-issued t-shirt of "Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!" Some dude threw it up on Dave's microphone stand, and the roadies pulled it down, so after the gig, I asked for it. Took it back and washed it in hot water and it was good as new. Kinda faded, bunch of holes, but I really don't care, because it's better than spending $30 for the same shirt. Met up with my friend Virginia after the gig, and she was kind enough to give us a ride back to Penn Station. I see her more than I see my girlfriend! I saw her once every 12 days from October 29th until November 22nd (at concerts, hehe).
Last Monday, I went to the Metal Church show in Clifton, NJ at Dingbatz. The night started off a bit sour, not being sure if we could get in or not. My friend Mitch and I arrived at the venue around quarter to 8 (called them a few times to find out what time the doors were, no returned calls), and they told us it opened at 9. Chatted with one of the openers a bit and they knew just as much as we did! Mitch and I decided to walk to a Pizza Hut about 10 minutes away, due to not having anything better to do, and it killed time. Got back, and saw signs stating "If you can't get into Dingo's (their bar located across the street), you can't get in here!" We saw kids coming out of there, so we figured we'd have no problem. Found out they were checking ID's, and due to both of us being 20, it was kind of a bummer. They ended up letting in the underagers as long as they didn't drink. Met up with Virginia again right before we got inside, and they checked our ID's and let us in with the "of age" stamp, even though my birthday is in July and Mitch's is in May. Probably helped some that Virg is 35 and we were hanging with her. Went inside, bought a shirt, bought a beer for Virg (for driving myself and a friend back to Penn Station twice) and myself, and waited for the chaos to start. Also ran into some people that I have been seeing a lot at concerts; nice to see regulars again; ever since L'amour's in Brooklyn closed down, they are few and far between. First band was alright, more of a Hard Rock act. Second band was called "Three Inches Of Blood," straight from Canada. This band was very awesome, all the best elements of the 80's Metal scene blended together. If anyone ever hears of them coming nearby, I suggest checking them out; it will be worth your while. Metal Church hits the stage, and we hang up by the right side of the stage (again, haha). They seemed kind of uncertain due to it being a semi-small crowd, and majority of the people being over 35. Virg and I headbanged relentlessly the whole night, and everyone else was getting into it and singing along to every song. After the first two songs, they were definitely certain that the gig would have a great response. They played Badlands, Metal Church, Beyond The Black, and like 14 others that I can't think of offhand (Virg snagged the setlist; will post it once I have a copy). The sound of the venue was great, even though the place/stage was fairly small...it was still very cool. I love shows in which I can just headbang and not have to worry about some douchebags in the pit coming out and slamming into everyone (sorry pit people). Kirk Arrington gave me his drumstick, and I got it signed by him after the gig. Got my "Blessing In Disguise" cassette insert signed by the whole band (some of them were poking fun at me still using cassettes, lol). They were all very cool and very down to earth, took the time to speak with everyone who stayed behind. I can't wait to see them play here again; it's been at least 10 years.
Other than concerts, things have been going fairly well. Unfortunately, I've had a wee cold here and there for about two weeks or so (I should really not smoke when I'm feeling under the weather). Oh well...Thanksgiving was nice, did the family thing...not much to say about that, it's consistent from year to year, hehe. Only 16 more days until the semester is over! I can't wait to go home and work; I'm so fucking poor, haha. So how has everyone been lately? Hope the chillier weather and the holiday season finds everyone well.
Megadeth hit the stage about an hour later. I've been a fan of them since '93 and have had about two or three prior opportunities to see them, but something always came up, so this was my first Megadeth experience. Same location as above for Megadeth's set. They came out to Set The World Afire, and did (in no particular order) Skin 'O My Teeth, Trust, Holy Wars...The Punishment Due, Hangar 18, Peace Sells...But Who's Buying!, Wake Up Dead, In My Darkest Hour, Tornado Of Souls, Sweating Bullets, Symphony Of Destruction, Reckoning Day, Of Mice And Men, Back In The Day (Exodus joined them on stage for this one, quite awesome to see two Thrash legends on stage together), Die Dead Enough, Kick The Chair, The Scorpion, and I'm sure some more that I forgot. The crowd was pretty crazy, tons of crowdsurfers, and at times couldn't breathe due to being squished against the guardrail, but totally worth it for Megadeth. Got Glen Drover's guitar pick, and also got a free re-issued t-shirt of "Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!" Some dude threw it up on Dave's microphone stand, and the roadies pulled it down, so after the gig, I asked for it. Took it back and washed it in hot water and it was good as new. Kinda faded, bunch of holes, but I really don't care, because it's better than spending $30 for the same shirt. Met up with my friend Virginia after the gig, and she was kind enough to give us a ride back to Penn Station. I see her more than I see my girlfriend! I saw her once every 12 days from October 29th until November 22nd (at concerts, hehe).
Last Monday, I went to the Metal Church show in Clifton, NJ at Dingbatz. The night started off a bit sour, not being sure if we could get in or not. My friend Mitch and I arrived at the venue around quarter to 8 (called them a few times to find out what time the doors were, no returned calls), and they told us it opened at 9. Chatted with one of the openers a bit and they knew just as much as we did! Mitch and I decided to walk to a Pizza Hut about 10 minutes away, due to not having anything better to do, and it killed time. Got back, and saw signs stating "If you can't get into Dingo's (their bar located across the street), you can't get in here!" We saw kids coming out of there, so we figured we'd have no problem. Found out they were checking ID's, and due to both of us being 20, it was kind of a bummer. They ended up letting in the underagers as long as they didn't drink. Met up with Virginia again right before we got inside, and they checked our ID's and let us in with the "of age" stamp, even though my birthday is in July and Mitch's is in May. Probably helped some that Virg is 35 and we were hanging with her. Went inside, bought a shirt, bought a beer for Virg (for driving myself and a friend back to Penn Station twice) and myself, and waited for the chaos to start. Also ran into some people that I have been seeing a lot at concerts; nice to see regulars again; ever since L'amour's in Brooklyn closed down, they are few and far between. First band was alright, more of a Hard Rock act. Second band was called "Three Inches Of Blood," straight from Canada. This band was very awesome, all the best elements of the 80's Metal scene blended together. If anyone ever hears of them coming nearby, I suggest checking them out; it will be worth your while. Metal Church hits the stage, and we hang up by the right side of the stage (again, haha). They seemed kind of uncertain due to it being a semi-small crowd, and majority of the people being over 35. Virg and I headbanged relentlessly the whole night, and everyone else was getting into it and singing along to every song. After the first two songs, they were definitely certain that the gig would have a great response. They played Badlands, Metal Church, Beyond The Black, and like 14 others that I can't think of offhand (Virg snagged the setlist; will post it once I have a copy). The sound of the venue was great, even though the place/stage was fairly small...it was still very cool. I love shows in which I can just headbang and not have to worry about some douchebags in the pit coming out and slamming into everyone (sorry pit people). Kirk Arrington gave me his drumstick, and I got it signed by him after the gig. Got my "Blessing In Disguise" cassette insert signed by the whole band (some of them were poking fun at me still using cassettes, lol). They were all very cool and very down to earth, took the time to speak with everyone who stayed behind. I can't wait to see them play here again; it's been at least 10 years.
Other than concerts, things have been going fairly well. Unfortunately, I've had a wee cold here and there for about two weeks or so (I should really not smoke when I'm feeling under the weather). Oh well...Thanksgiving was nice, did the family thing...not much to say about that, it's consistent from year to year, hehe. Only 16 more days until the semester is over! I can't wait to go home and work; I'm so fucking poor, haha. So how has everyone been lately? Hope the chillier weather and the holiday season finds everyone well.
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GWAR slaves for life, I hear that.