Category Archives: Metal

Austin, Babble Blog, Live Shows, Metal, Music, Personal Entry, Punk, Rock, The Awesome

T-Minus Less Than A Week…

29 October, 2011 Brian Mc Leave a comment

I have been sucking lately when it comes to blogging. The paying gig has consumed a lot of my energy as has school leaving for little time for this site. I know, I suck. Deal.

Anyways…

Next week I am headed back to Austin, TX to check out Fun Fun Fun Fest. This will be my first FFF experience and second trip to one of the best cities in America.

Without going into too much detail, I decided to grab a ticket after I discovered that Danzig was bringing his Danzig Legacy set to the show and would be playing Misfits songs with Doyle Von Frankenstein. It also helped to hear that the Murder City Devils would be playing a show as well. In fact, after I saw those two bands, I made my decision instantly.

Granted there are like 16 versions of the Misfits these days, there is only one version I prefer. After I saw the Misfit(s) in 1996 with Michael Graves taking lead, I told myself that I would never see the Misfits again live unless Danzig himself was behind the mic. Don’t get me wrong, I had a good time, but I can not stand any Misfits material after Earth A.D.

Coincidentally I am not the only one with Danzig on my mind…

Recently my pal D.X. Ferris started writing a 4-part series called Defending Danzig on the pro-metal website called MetalSucks.net. I encourage anyone out there who knows the name Danzig to check it out. Ferris has been making some valid points on a musician who is way more talented than he gets credited for. Sure the below picture is a real picture of Danzig in a Danzig shirt buying kittie litter, but he is a person too and apparently has a cat.

Ferris will wrap up the series on Monday, Halloween to many, and I have to say, I can not wait to see it. So far it has been a great read.

Back to my upcoming adventure. This is my site after all right?

Murder City Devils. I am going to see them live and I am beyond stoked. I have been a fan of them for years and missed many a chance to see them live. I even considered a couple years ago to travel to Chicago to see them play their reunion show but backed out for whatever pathetic reason. This time though it is happening.

Life is too short to think how good something could be without going for it… and I have no problem traveling to see a good show. Thanks in advance to a spacial lady in Austin who is giving her couch up to me for the weekend.

I am also hoping to meet up with Evan Lovett, a very talented tattoo artist who does work out of Austin as well as Beachwood, NJ. Should things work out, I will not only interview him, but also add to my personal tattoo collection.

I’m sure I will be keeping everyone in the loop. Stay tuned and have a great weekend!!!

Acoustic, Akron, DIY, Download This!, Experimental, Folk, Good Times, Metal, Music, Pop, Post-Hardcore, Punk, Rock

Friday Night At The Gurley House

27 August, 2011 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Once again, the Gurley House in Akron, OH, has proved for a great evening of music. There is nothing quite like seeing a show in the basement of a house that just makes it that much more personal.

Tonight I got to see four bands, some of which I have heard of and some who I have been wanting to check out after hearing about them through friends. The result was four performances by different genre bands all of which caught my attention in various ways.

My resident pal Roscoe started off the night with an electric acoustic solo performance. He played some of his material, some of which I really think needs to be recorded. Seriously, it was good shit and even though he hardly plays solo shows anymore, he had no problem jamming out a few tunes.

The Ohioans followed with an acoustic set. The last time I saw them is when they opened for Jeff Rowe in the very same basement a few weeks back. I was really impressed by their initial set and really enjoyed the acoustic session. If you like folky rock you need to check out this up and coming local act. Head on over to their BandCamp page and download their self-titled album for free and see why I dig these guys so. Check out the track “512”, one of my favs off the album.

Michigan’s Protected Left were supposed to be the headliners of the night, but one of the bands was running late due to a previous commitment. The threesome had no problem shifting slots and just rocked out hard to the gathering of music loving people. This band seriously rocked. Mixing punk, metal, and thrash (sweet sweet thrash…), the band got all technical at times when playing reminding me of shit Strung Out likes to pull yet kept a melodic pop-punk feel throughout. I loved this band’s sound and really hope to see them push out a full length one day. Until then, head on over to their BandCamp page and download their 3-song EP titled Songs Of The Doomed for free. Check out “At Least I Didn’t Cut My Ear Off” and tell me it is not catchy and just bad ass to listen to. Not only do they play good tunes, but they are also a bunch of cool peoples to hang out with. Really stoked I had the opportunity to meet them and see them play. Can’t wait thill them come back to Ohio again.

The last band to play the night was a local act I had heard of through friends but had never seen (or heard) before. The band, Cherry Cola Champions, not only has a great name for their two man act, but also pretty much blew me away with their set. Just download the Cherry Cola Champions EP for free and see what I mean (check out “Fievel Goes Midwest”). I honestly did not think I was going to be able to get into them after their first song, but suddenly I was hooked. It was experimental at times and very post-hardcore. I look forward to seeing these guys again.

So that was my Friday night. What did you do? Never mind telling me, I’m too tired now… Just do me a favor and check out the bands I just talked about. They are all free downloads and worth listening to.

Austin, Bragging Rights, Country, Good Times, Live Shows, Metal, Music, Punk, SXSW, TX

The Lone Star In Me

21 March, 2011 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Well, the streets are empty and SXSW is officially done for the year. All I can say about this famous Austin music festival is this: insanity at its finest.

Nothing went to plan for me. I didn’t get to see all the bands I wanted to see, but instead chose to take in bands I had never heard of. The choice worked out to my benefit as I got to see some really kick ass bands.

Friday night’s Screeching Weasel meltdown was the one thing I wish I could have seen. It was the talk of the town. I am going to be posting some more about that later as I have a few eye witnesses who are going to share their stories. It was just too messed to to not talk about.

Saturday was fun as I headed downtown after a gluten free breakfast. (I am seriously going to look into a gluten free diet of sorts) I caught some killer bands including a metal/classical/instrumental act from San Francisco that blew me away.

Bands and beers. It was a good time for sure.

The Lone Star beer was pretty damn delicious too. Way better than my beloved PBR. I opted to chill out as Friday I may or may not have drank myself stupid.

Saturday night though was pretty insane as well and I am sure that gigantic moon in the sky had something to do with it.

I was at the Eastside Drive-In to see The Dead Milkmen at the Mess With Texas party. It was packed as hell and thanks to some fine maneuvering, my friend and I were able to get up to a good spot to see them do their thing. It was awesome and I am happy to say I can finally scratch them off my list of bands I want to see before I die.

Immediately after their set we tried to head out but everyone started bum rushing the grounds. Kids were climbing over fences and porta-potties and there was an instant sea of people. We just wanted to get the hell out.

After pushing through easily a thousand people we finally got to the exit where there was a situation going on and security, who could not control the thousand of other people getting in, would not let us out. Words were exchanged, patience was lost, and we finally said screw it and rushed through them and got out of that cluster eff.

The night was far from over though. I think it was only 9pm by the time we peaced out of that mess and hoofed it to the Scoot Inn (the same venue that Ben Weasel had his incident at the night before).

I ran in to two friends who I had not seen in forever and chilled with them on a log, yes, a log. The place was like a campground atmosphere with picnic tables and a decent sized stage and standing area. It was fenced in and really to me looked mobile.

So the night seemed to be going well and Eyehategod finally took the stage. The were tearing things up when suddenly the moon came out and provided for another mess to the night.

Apparently my friend’s boyfriend was front and center and having a good ol’ time. Not sure what all transpired but the lead singer told the crowd to kick my friend’s boyfriend’s ass. Nothing really happened immediately but the guitar player said he was going to kid the guy in the head and it was just an ugly vibe. Soon some douche tried picking a fight and that was enough, my friend grabbed him and got him out of the area.

Apparently no one can just have a good time.

That was enough. We went home and skipped Pentagram. I really wanted to see them too. Oh well.

Yesterday was chill for me. I saw a few cool bands at Lovejoys and then headed to a place I have been wanting to go to for years now…

Dale Watson was awesome. The place was packed and was just so much fun to be a part of. I wish I would have stayed longer but I was exhausted and starving. At least I can say I finally made it to Ginny’s. I’ll scratch that off my list too.

I missed out on a few acts I really wanted to see thanks to the flight screw-up. I missed Wagons who I really wanted to see as they came all the way from Australia. I’m also a huge fan of them and would loved to have seen them again. Oh well, next time.

Austin is an amazing city and I adore it. The people I have met this round were kick ass folk who welcomed me into their great city. I met at least seven people who used to live in Ohio (I may be one of those people one day…). The Lone Star beer was pretty damn delicious too.

SXSW was a bonus if you ask me.

My adventure in Austin us coming to a close, but I will be back soon. I love it here too much.

Cleveland, Documentary, Film, Good Times, Metal, Music, Punk, Review, Rock, The Awesome

Lemmy: The Movie

31 January, 2011 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Last night was a blast. In case some of you missed it, there was a screening of the new Lemmy documentary called LEMMY: 49% Motherf**ker, 51% Son of a Bitch at the Beachland Ballroom in good ol’ Cleveland, OH. It was a great film and I invite anyone who is a Motorhead fan to check it out when it comes out on DVD in a couple of weeks.

I would like to consider myself the soul reason the movie appeared last night at the Beachland. It was not because I organized the event or got in touch with director Wes Orchoski and asked him to come out and do a Q & A – That was Matt @ Addicted To Vinyl.

The reason was because I provided the Blu-Ray player. Yes friends, if it were not for me last night, none of this would ever have happened…

Ok, it was not my Blu-Ray player. Still, I was the one who brought it in and hit “play” when the lights went out. I had a job to do last night and I did it well…

It really did not go that smoothly though…

I arrived a little early to the Beachland Ballroom after a couple failed attempts at doing some vinyl shopping on Warterloo. I forgot it was Sunday and the shops tend to close earlier. It worked out to my advantage though as the sound and video folk at the Beachland were waiting for my arrival.

We hooked up the Blu-Ray player as the tribute band set up and then just hung out in the soon to be filled ballroom. During the downtime I hung out with Wes who is a really kick-ass guy. He talked about his statewide tour showcasing his project that took him four years to create as well as some of the musicians he interviewed. Needless to say, I was jealous.

By 8 o’clock the place was packed. It was funny because I snuck downstairs for a bit to chill out abot 20 minutes earlier and when I came back upstairs almost all the seats were filled. It was a full house. All the chairs were filled and people were standing, all waiting for the film to start.

I was asked to join WJCU/Auburn Records Owner Bill Peters and Chris Akin on stage to introduce Wes to the stage for a shot opening speech by Wes and then was given the cue to start the movie.

So what do I do? I screw up.

I forgot to take out the screensaver disc and enter the blu-ray into the player. As I stood there confused the crowd was wondering what the hell the kid in the Social Distortion jacket was doing on the side of the state.

It was me vs. the crowd and I did what I do best – ignored them…for a moment at least.

I stood there looking at the screen wondering why the damn movie was not playing and then it hit me… I quickly realized what I forgot to do, exchanged discs, and threw up a fist-pump for the crowd (many who cheered).

I am an idiot.

The movie started and all I can tell you is this: It was a funny, truthful, honest, and real documentary on the hardest working musician on the planet. I loved all the interviews Wes was able to capture including some great stories from Scott Ian (Anthrax), Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters/Pro-Bot), and Henry Rollins (duh).

There was plenty of music throughout and also some history of Lemmy that many probably are not aware of.

Lemmy himself was a blast to listed to talk, when I could understand him – thankfully there were plenty of subtitles throughout.

It was one of the better documentaries I have seen in my time and enjoyed every moment. Wes asked me to go back up stage with him and kill the movie once the credits ended so I made my way up there and turned the Blu-Ray player off. Lots of the crowd wanted more and thankfully Bill Peters introduced Wes one more time for a Q&A. This gave me enough time to get everything packed out and I snuck off the side of the stage.

Everyone who joined in on the Q&A had some good questions for Wes. Well that is not entirely true as one lady asked why Lemmy didn’t come… Anyways, it was a blast to see the crowd interact with Wes.

The tribute band immediately followed and rocked out. All who stayed enjoyed their performance. I stayed for a few songs and made my way to the exit.

I had a blast helping out with the event and make some really awesome new friends. I was 1/16th rockstar that night as I got to stand on stage and miserably fail at starting a simple movie.

The crowd rocked, the documentary was entertaining, and now of course now I want to go out and buy all the Motorhead and Hawkwind vinyl I can get my hands on.

Thanks to Addicted To Vinyl’s Matt for putting on the event, thanks to all who showed up, and special thanks to Bill Peters and Chris Akin for helping out as well.

Interested in checking out the Lemmy movie? CLICK HERE.

70's, Cleveland, Documentary, Film, Metal, Music, Punk, Rock, Watch This

Announcement: Cleveland screening for The Lemmy Movie – 1/30 at The Beachland Ballroom

9 January, 2011 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Not sure what plans you have on January 30th other than trying to stomach watching the NFL Pro Bowl, so let me throw something out for you to do…

On January 30th there will be a screening of the new Lemmy (you know LEMMY! Motorhead/Hawkwind) documentary properly titled Lemmy: 49% Motherf**Ker, 51% Son Of A Bitch at the Beachland Ballroom. Tickets are $8 and include not only a screening of the highly anticipated rockumentary, but also includes a set by Cleveland’s very own Motorhead cover act Motorhead USA immediately after the flick.

The screening event was brought together by Addicted To Vinyl whose words appear below:

For rock and metal fans alike, Lemmy: 49% Motherf**Ker, 51% Son Of A Bitch is one of the most anticipated film releases of 2011. And as it happens, co-director Wes Orshoski (who helped to produce and direct the new film with Greg Olliver) is a Cleveland native.

A mutual friend put us in touch with Wes to help arrange a hometown screening for the flick and with the help of some good friends, we’re pleased to announce a Cleveland date for the Lemmy movie which will screen on Sunday, January 30th at the Beachland Ballroom at 8pm.

Admission is $8 and the evening will feature a special introduction by Orshoski prior to the start of the film and music from Cleveland tribute band Motorhead USA to close out the night!

Here’s some info taken from a press release in regards to the flick as well:

Over four decades, Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has registered an immeasurable impact on music history. Nearly 65, he remains the living embodiment of the rock and roll lifestyle, and this feature-length documentary tells his story, one of a hard-living rock icon who continues to enjoy the life of a man half his age.

Shot on a combination of High Definition and Super 16mm film, “Lemmy” (directed by Greg Olliver and Wes Orshoski) includes interviews with friends, family, bandmates past and present and such admirers/peers as Metallica, Slash, Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters), Ozzy Osbourne, Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order), actor Billy Bob Thornton, wrestling superstar Triple H, Alice Cooper, Mick Jones of The Clash, and many more.

Called “pure gold” by WIRED, “Lemmy” made its world premiere in March 2010 at the South by Southwest Film and Music Festival, and has since collected rave reviews at film festivals around the globe. Variety remarked “‘Lemmy’ rocks,” and The Hollywood Reporter noted, “You don’t have to be a metalhead to love ‘Lemmy.'”

Help spread the word of the event if you can! I will be there that night as I am helping ATV with the event so I hope you see you all there!!!