Another Perfect Day

Motörhead / Anvil
Club Nokia, Los Angeles, California
May 14, 2013

One thing led to another and Umlaut found himself back in Los Angeles for work and coincidentally Motörhead were playing while I was there.  Imagine that?   After a typically busy, but ultimately rewarding work day, I pointed the rental car in the direction of Club Nokia.  I had mentally prepared myself for the expected L.A. traffic clusterfuck ... and I was expecting the worst because the S.J. Sharks and L.A. Kings playoff game was across the mall from the venue at the same time.  However, to my surprise, the cluster never happened and the drive was almost enjoyable.  After parking I met up with road tripping Photo Ray and we caught up over libations and appetizers at a nearby establishment.  Then we wandered over to Will Call to see what awaited us.  If only all shows were this easy:

I'll say right now that Club Nokia ranks as possibly my least favorite venue.  It's in a mall.  It's designed more like a dance club than a proper music venue.  The sight lines are terrible.  They have silly rules.  The VIP area is like an episode of Entourage populated by Revolver Magazine Affliction posers.  I lost count of how many times I muttered "Fucking L.A..." to myself as I wandered around.  All of this and Dave Grohl held court in a corner surrounded by people in skinny jeans.

Backstage spelling fail.  For "safety" stay in school, kids.

Anyway, this was a one-off show for Lemmy, Phil, and Mikkey as a warm up for some important shows in Mexico later in the week.  Also, as it stands now, it was also Motörhead's only headline show in North America this year.  The bill was given some extra vintage spice by having Anvil as direct support instead of some lame band.  Thank you, Goldenvoice.

It's been 3 years since the firestorm of adoration for Anvil spiked because of the documentary.  Fast forward to 2013 and the Canadians are back to what they've always been doing: Slogging it out in the trenches.

Photo courtesy of Photo Ray

Lips, Robb, and the new guy on bass steamrolled through a workmanlike 45 minutes that kicked off with 'March Of The Crabs' into '666'.  Nice.  Many people have turned on Anvil and shake their fists and figuratively yell at them to "give it up" in the wake of the movie.  Why would they do that??  The whole spirit of the movie was Lips and Robb doing what they love despite everything.  Anvil quitting would be a profound sell out.  They're the patron saints of all the anonymous bands who still ride in shitty bands to shitty shows for shitty money.  Dog bless Anvil.  That being said, I had a very slight beer buzz going as the set closed with 'Metal On Metal'.

Motörhead in L.A. is basically a hometown show so stage left and right were packed solid with guests.  It's always a blessing to stand next to Lemmy's backline... but after the opening couple of songs I got annoyed by all of the "guests" around me... so I spent the rest of the set making use of the plastic hanging around my neck and watched from different spots around the venue.

Here in the 21st Century, Motörhead could easily be taken for granted because they've always been around.  Given the recent passing of Jeff Hanneman we should NOT take our heroes for granted.  Appreciate them NOW.  Motörhead changed my life as a teenager and Lemmy, Fast Eddie, and Philthy Phil were my ultimate Metal heroes... and while I'm basically a jaded old fart now my Inner Teenage Metalhead still freaks out a little whenever I watch Lemmy go into his bass solo during 'Stay Clean'.

Tonight was a typically workmanlike 75 minute set. I can always nitpick about a Motörhead setlist but I was surprised by the vintage 'Rock It' making an appearance.  'Killed By Death', with Lemmy's son Paul on guest guitar, is always life affirming... and the show ending aural fistfight of 'Overkill' will always remind me how far I've come from my suburban teenage bedroom listening to No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith constantly.

Photo courtesy of Photo Ray

The after show backstage scene tonight was ridiculous with WAY too many people mixed in with Slash, Jimmy Bain, Don Dokken, Dave Grohl again, and members of awful bands like Huntress.  The air was thick with the musk of Affliction so we bailed for some late night food at a nearby 24 hour diner.  

At the diner, before we could even order, a guy wearing a Motörhead shirt approached Photo Ray and asked if he wanted to be in his film.  He was looking for a "Scott Ian-type"... That was either a classic L.A. Moment or a very, very awkward pick up line.  Born to lose.. Live to win!

If you bought one of every Motörhead merch item you would have paid around $250.  Yeah, their merch looked good.  On the way back to the hotel, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. All in all it was a fun school night in the City of Angels with one of my sacred all-time favorite bands, like, ever... "and don't forget the Joker".

Norwegian Wood

Kvelertak
Slim's, San Francisco
May 7, 2013

Prior to the show I met some old friends for dinner on Valencia Street in The Mission.  It was a good time where the meal conversation started with cannibalism and went on from there.   I guess a few people looked at us funny because one of my dinner companions sings those songs they play on Rock radio all the time.  After dinner we few, we happy few, jumped into an SUV and headed to Slim's.  Unfortunately our meal ran late and we missed the opening bands... which was a bit of a bummer because I dig Black Tusk.  Sorry, guys.

Since all Norwegians look and sound the same to me sometimes, I kind of thought of Kverlertak as Turbonegro with better album art.  I now know that I was wrong.   We walked in the back door of Slim's to stand at stage left in the usual "guest" area.   However, in a surreal turn of events we were soon joined by a film crew and at least 3 normal looking press photographers.  We were soon informed that the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess of Norway were attending the show.  I shit you not.   We were told this at least 3 times and I got the drift that we were to keep the aisle clear for their arrival.  Then not long before Kvelertak's onstage time the backstage door opened and in breezed the royal couple from Norway!  WTF..

Kvelertak meets the Norwegian Royal Couple at Slim's

(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

Bizarre... but it must be kind of cool to live in a country with legitimate royalty that can be traced back hundreds of years... and that royalty will come to see your Metal band.   Also, to the royal couple's credit, they stayed for Kvelertak's entire set and watched from the crowd.  Impressive.

(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

Pretty cool royalty if you ask me... but they stole the thunder from the local Metal royalty who were also in the house.. namely the guy who sings 'Master Of Puppets' and that other guy who is also known as The General.

Call me a poser but I haven't gotten the new Kvelertak album yet, but enough material was played off of their debut album so my head was in the game.  Kvelertak seemed to step things up several notches and they put on one of the best sets I've seen in awhile.  I'm a sucker for the band's Punk Metal hybrid and having 3 guitarists is not overkill at all; it allows the band to be more frenetic onstage than a lesser band.   As the band flies around the stage there are 2 guitarists covering the sound if the 3rd axe dude messes up.   Combine that with awesome caveman vocalist Erlend Hjelvik leading the charge and Kvelertak are the type of band that makes me want to follow them around... because with that kind of energy no two shows can be alike.  Such a great live band, man... and another weird part of the night was that the band's temporary drummer on this tour is the son of Max Weinberg (Yes... Bruce Springsteen's drummer).. and the kid is great.  Crazy, man.

Umlaut is laughing with The Prince not at him..

I didn't do a merch audit and the merch line after the show was not moving fast enough so I gave up.  I had tried to beat the crowd and buy merch mid-set... but there was no one working the merch stand!  Oh well... I tried to give the Norwegians some American dollars.  On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag  As great as Scandinavia is for creating Metal bands have you ever had their salty licorice?  It's disgusting...  Anyway, cue this song of course:

Click HERE to read the official news report from Norway Today.

Hanneman

January 30, 1984... Wolfgang's, S.F.. Slayer's first show in San Francisco. Photo taken by Umlaut and his Canon AV-1. 

Rest in Peace, Jeff... Rest in Peace.

Close your eyes
Look deep in your soul
Step outside yourself
And let your mind go

Haze Over Umlaut

Ghost
The Regency, San Francisco
April 25, 2013

Ghost have come a long way since the first time I saw them over a year ago.  It's been great to follow a band from obscurity to popularity again, but with Ghost it's felt more special because they don't fit the mold.  Making Satanism F-U-N via catchy songs is not a standard genre that a major label like Universal Music usually embraces especially here in the 21st Century... but the Rock Godz work in mysterious ways.  Before tonight's ritual I met up with some good friends at Tommy's Joynt where the conversation included way too much chat about KISS and Ace Frehley.  Then we few, we happy few, made our way down Van Ness Avenue to The Regency.

I have a love / hate thing with The Regency.  I hate going there because the parking in the neighborhood sucks.  However, I love The Regency because the lobby at a Metal show is generally a great gathering place to see friends both old and new... and tonight was no exception.  In fact, I decided not to check out Ides Of Gemini because I was having such a good time socializing.  Sorry Ides Of Gemini... but I was to catch up with them 48 hours later.

It's pretty amazing that Ghost went from headlining the small Bottom of the Hill to the somewhat prestigious hall that is The Regency in just over a year.   Some would say it's because of "The Hype" but in Ghost's case I think it's simply a good band finding its audience quickly.  All of you bitter old Metal fans can mumble in disagreement and outrage until you pass out.  I pity you all for missing out on all of the F-U-N... because Ghost are F-U-N.. and what's wrong with that?

The anticipation for Ghost's arrival was thick enough to cut with an imaginary knife as the house lights dimmed.  It became even thicker as the Nameless Ghouls marched onstage to begin tonight's ceremony with the opening tracks of the new album.  The instrumental 'Infestissumam' led into 'Per Aspera Ad Inferi' that heralded the arrival of Papa Emeritus II onto the San Francisco stage... and all Hell broke loose for the next 70 minutes.

Photo courtesy of Photo Ray

Judging from the crowd reaction, I realized that the majority of the 1,000+ in attendance probably had not seen Ghost live before.  Songs from the debut album garnered the biggest response, but the new songs worked even better live.  The new song 'Year Zero' really put into focus how far Ghost have come.  It has that huge epic intro chant that melts into an 80's style electro underbeat that makes it as much of a Dance anthem as a Rock anthem as a Satanic anthem. When unleashed onto a big crowd the song is as infectious as all Hell.

The band and their new staging looked absolutely magnificent on the big stage of The Regency. 'Ritual' is one of those rare songs that instantly became a classic and the response to it was almost 'Freebird'-like.. except it's a song about human sacrifice.  A year ago, after seeing Ghost for the first time, I said in this space that I'll never see any of the band's songs performed in exactly the same way again... because the next times they come around the crowds will be bigger and the shows will be bigger... and that's exactly what has happened.  Hail Satan.

Appropriately, San Francisco was the 6th time I've seen Ghost... so to quote them I say "6.. 6.. 6.. evoke the King of Hell."  On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. Tonight Ghost proved they belong on a big stage, but as I left the show I felt nostalgic about seeing them at least one more time in an intimate setting like on their debut U.S. Tour.  Be careful what you wish for...

Click HERE to see Photo Ray's awesome photos from the evening!

Then 48 hours later it was...

Ghost / Ides Of Gemini
The Showbox, Seattle, Washington
April 27, 2013

One thing led to another and I found myself in the Emerald City again for the first time since my Slaycation awhile back.  It felt good to see a show outside of my Bay Area zone and the Seattle crowd had a similar vibe but perhaps were not as jaded as San Francisco can be.  Sorry hometown, I love you, but sometimes you're a bit too serious. As I entered the venue I was completely surprised how intimate the Showbox feels and the crowd ended up being just over half the size of the S.F. show.  It was going to be a special night.

Umlaut had not watched Ides Of Gemini in San Francisco but I was interested in checking them out since they're on the Neurot Records roster.   I liked them and they fit the foggy surreal feeling that I had been having all day in Jet City.  Yes, I will buy their music.  Yes, I will see them again.

After so many years as a Music Geek, at this point when I've seen a band multiple times I start tripping on the little things during their performances.  Besides the smell of incense that was blowing from the stage, tonight I was tripping on the uncapped water bottles onstage, each with a straw in them.  So THAT'S how Papa and the Ghouls stay hydrated onstage!  Number of times Papa glided back to his water bottles for hydration during the set = 4.  Yes, the Geeks shall inherit the Earth.

[Photo courtesy of Cable Car]

The reason why Ghost are my current favorite band is because they sing about Satan.. and evil.. but they do it in a F-U-N way.   Seeing them live isn't like seeing the standard "Satanic" band and being engulfed by anger, and nihilism, and growling.  Ghost offer Satan in a catchy, retro horror package laced with humor and amazing melodies that make their message even more effective.  People are smiling and laughing during a Ghost show... and what's wrong with that?!  We're laughing with Satan not at Satan... Although I don't really consider Ghost a "Metal" band anymore, when I was a kid I got into Metal bands like Iron Maiden because their songs and lyrics offered an escape from reality.  Ghost have hit that nerve for me here in the 21st Century.  People need to lighten up and stop over thinking what Ghost are supposed to "mean" for "Metal"; the band is simply F-U-N... and if you can't relate to that you can go back to your Hatebreed MP3s.  Y-A-W-N.

[Photo courtesy of Cable Car]

I (and many others) literally laughed out loud when Papa introduced 'Elizabeth' by saying "This one's for the ladies..." and introducing the main set closing 'Ritual' with "How do you say it.. Let's wrap this shit up.." in his spooky old man voice.  F-U-N in the name of S-A-T-A-N.  A kid at the rail in a wheelchair was an inspiration to me.  After 'Ritual' he grabbed onto the rail to raise himself up to flash the horns to the band.  For a second I thought Papa was healing him so he could walk again.

As 'Monstrance Clock' ended Ghoul Guitarist at stage right (White Gibson) flicked his pick into the crowd in my general direction.  Those around me looked for it but it seemed to have disappeared into the ether.  Then I looked down and this was basically on my right foot:

That never happens to me at home.  Hail Satan!

Number of people at the show besides me who had Metallica's 1st demo tape in 1982 = 2 (Hail K.J. and Cable Car!).  If you bought one of every Ghost merch item on this tour you would have paid $325.  Yeah, the merch looked great.  On the way back to the hotel, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag.  The next day was Sunday and on the way back to the Sea-Tac we stopped to pay homage to some dead idols.  First stop was the Jimi Hendrix Memorial and gravesite where people have left lipstick traces on Jimi:

Then it was a profound visit to the final resting place of The Dragon and The Crow:

Visiting the graves of such icons long gone reminded me that life is too short... and it's too short to worry about reasons not to like a band or rationalize why they're "not Metal".  I don't give a shit what the haters think about Ghost; I love 'em.  To quote from the new album "Come together.. together as a one.. Come together.. for Lucifer’s son.."

F-U-N.

Arena Rock

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds / Sharon Van Etten
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
April 9, 2013

Nick Cave playing an ARENA in the Bay Area?!  WTF?!  Granted, Nick has historically played 2 nights in San Francisco on every Bad Seeds tour dating back to, I think, 1998 so the audience is here.  However, entering the 7,000 capacity Civic to see Nick where bands like Tool and Soundgarden usually headline was bizarre.   I was also not looking forward to hearing Cave play in the notorious concrete box that is the Civic; it's usually a place where live sound goes to die.  The thought also entered my mind that this was probably the biggest venue that Nick & the Bad Seeds have ever headlined in America.  

Before the show I had an unexpectedly awesome dinner with some old friends at a nearby eatery where no meat is served.   These are people who I have seen Nick Cave with dating back 20 years.  It was the perfect way to ease into the evening and, to paraphrase a lyric by tonight's headliner, "those sinister dinner deals" are always the most fun.

Sharon Van Etten was a nice surprise as she was really good, with a strong, booming voice that held the attention of the vast space admirably.  I will need to seek out her music and she also gets big bonus points for having a shirt at the merch stand that was a take on the vintage Van Halen logo. 

Awesome, right?

Perhaps in an attempt to make the show "bigger" for the arena, the Bad Seeds were joined tonight by a string section and a local children's choir from Berkeley.  They had not performed with the strings and choir on this current leg of the tour, so it was deja vu back to the special Los Angeles show that I saw in February.  The ensemble comfortably filled the big stage and right away the vibe was different than the intimate L.A. show where the Nick and his cast had looked crowded together.   Tonight the cast had room to roam and breath on the big stage and they certainly did... especially Nick.

The set opened with 4 songs off the latest album and the performances were even better than when I had seen them performed a couple of months ago... which is saying a lot because the show in L.A. had been amazing.  The swagger of the Bad Seeds onstage tonight was even more confident after touring for the past couple of months.  I also think that maybe the Berkeley kids choir tonight was better than the one used in Los Angeles.  Sorry, kids.  Also, the sound mix and clarity was, dare I say it, astonishingly good!  Clear and crisp.  Evidently the local promoter operating the Civic made some sonic upgrades to the old concrete box.  Trivia:  Metallica played the song 'Master Of Puppets' for the first time ever at the Civic on New Year's Eve 1985.

Arena Rock Cave

Despite my fears about the show being in an arena, I should never have doubted Nick.  He really stepped things up to project himself in the huge space, which probably shouldn't have been a surprise since he's played big outdoor festivals in Europe for decades.  I don't think I've seen Nick work a stage so hard and be so animated since maybe 1992.  This included going to far stage left during 'Red Right Hand' and leaning into the crowd like he was Iggy Pop... and then balancing on top of the crowd barrier during 'Stagger Lee' and, with audience members helping him keep balance, walking practically the entire length of it like a tight rope walker.  He did the latter while not missing a beat with the lyrics and all of its required uses of "motherfucker".   Very impressive.

However, my favorite moment of the set was one of the best versions of 'From Her To Eternity' that I've ever seen Nick perform (Umlaut has seen every Nick show in San Francisco since 1990 as well as a couple of shows in London in 1999).  Even Nick agreed as he said "That was good!" after the song blazed to a close. The show lasted two hours and 18 songs; I was so enthralled by the performance that I forgot we were in an arena. I should not have doubted Nick & the Bad Seeds.

Number of Voivod and Iron Maiden tees = 1 each... and neither one of them was mine.  If you bought one of every Nick Cave merch item you would have paid around $350.  Nick's merch has always sucked but I was surprised by how much he had this time.  On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called us fags.  To give some perspective on how important Nick Cave has been to me, according to the Umlaut Archives these are the bands who I have seen in concert the most in my life so far:

• Metallica - 48 times
• Melvins - 36 times (probably more times as some shows were not documented)
• Acid King - 29 times (probably more times as some shows were not documented)
• Slayer - 24 times (probably more times as some shows were not documented)
• Exodus - 23 times (probably more times as some shows were not documented)
• Neurosis - 20 times (probably more times as some shows were not documented)
• Nick Cave - 17 times

As I said earlier, I don't think I've seen Nick as animated as he was tonight since probably 1992.  For the newbies, this is what Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were like back in nineteen hundred & ninety two:


Good times a long time ago... When Nick Cave was my main role model and I drank a lot.

A Lesson In Violence

Metal Alliance Tour
Anthrax / Exodus / High On Fire / Municipal Waste / Holy Grail
The Regency, San Francisco
March 28, 2013

Umlaut attended the debut Metal Alliance tour back in 2011 and it was a fun night out, but this year they really stepped things up. Anthrax headlining was one thing, but having Bay Area heroes High On Fire and Bay Area legends Exodus on the bill was amazing. The feeling of Bay Area pride that I felt in the air as I approached The Regency was thick enough to cut with a fictional knife.  The evening's magic started right away when I ran into old friend and former Exodus guitarist Rick Hunolt... and the secret was out that Exodus had a special hometown moment planned for their set.

Bonded By Caffeine

Rick went to go inside and a kid standing next to me said to his buddy "I heard Rick Hunolt is playing with Exodus tonight!" and I pointed at Rick as he headed up the steps and said "Rick is RIGHT THERE..".. and the kid flipped out and started shouting "HUNOLT!! HUNOLT!" 

The main downside of these package tours is that, even when the lineup is good, the shows usually start at a lame early time.  Case in point:  Tonight doors were at 7:00pm and Holy Grail went on right at 7:00pm.   Why even advertise a door time??  After navigating Will Call I walked in just as Holy Grail were literally saying "Good Night!" and walking off stage.  Bummer because I wanted to see them.

I watched most of the first song of Municipal Waste and realized how thirsty I was... so I went out to the lobby bar to secure a beverage and realized that there were a shitload of old friends and acquaintances around me.  It was almost overwhelming.  Long story short, I didn't watch Municipal Waste but I had quality face time with a lot of friends.  Good times.. Did I miss anything?

High On Fire were the obvious odd band on this Thrash bill and I was curious how the Stoner hometown heroes would go over. I should not have worried. Matt, Jeff, and Des used their 30 minutes to plow through a brilliant salvo of volume.  I think their short set allowed for a whopping 4 songs that included 'Rumors Of War', 'Frost Hammer', and closing with 'Snakes Of The Divine'.  According to the Umlaut Archives, I've seen HOF at least 20x dating back to  Day 1 (circa 2000) and I'm not blowing smoke when I say that, despite the short time,  this was one of my favorite High On Fire sets ever.  The guys were tight, to the point, and gave the night a Motörhead-like addition that was much needed and appreciated.

 

[Photo courtesy of Photo Ray]

It profoundly warmed my heart how many kidz were in the house and how the old 80's Metal look (denim vests, with patches, high top tennis shoes, etc) is in fashion.  A couple of years ago I couldn't process kidz dressing as we did when we were their age.. but now I realize how full circle it is and I tripped on the kid who had a Tokyo Blade patch on his denim.  Does the kid even know who Tokyo Blade were?!  If I could have remembered a Tokyo Blade song I would have quizzed him.

When Exodus plays a hometown Bay Area show it's always special, probably more special than when any other old local band plays here, at least for Umlaut.  For me, Exodus will always be the soul of the original Bay Area Metal scene and that legacy. Being in the middle of the floor as they took the stage to a hometown heroes welcome was pretty awesome.  The pit action was massive for 'A Lesson In Violence' and the local pride was palpable both from the stage and from the crowd.  Latter day songs like 'War Is My Shepard' and 'Blacklist' are great, but it's the Exodus anthems from the Murder In The Front Row days that obviously resonate the deepest for me.  I'm not ashamed to admit that I got a bit teary-eyed during 'Bonded By Blood' and when Rick Hunolt was introduced and Exo launched into 'Strike Of The Beast' the full circle magnitude of it all was profound.  The H-Team of Holt and Hunolt reuniting again, even for 1 song, was historically special.

[Photo courtesy of Photo Ray]

Not to sound too much like a jaded old fart, but I wonder if kidz these days will experience the same level of profound magic 30 years from now when they're seeing the Metal bands of this generation.  I hope so...  Hearing the young Metal kidz around me singing along to the vintage Exodus songs that date from back when I was their age made me feel young again.  Time travel does exist.

Exodus Hometown Pit Action

On this tour Anthrax are playing the Among The Living album in its entirety, which looked cool on paper.  However, I was disappointed to learn before the show that Charlie would not be on the drum riser tonight for Anthrax. The stand-in drummer (I didn't catch his name..) held it down okay.. but he's no Charlie.  Also, the stand-in guitarist (I didn't catch his name..) was a bit too European to pull off the Anthrax vibe.  He should take notes and follow Scott's lead onstage; work the front of the stage and stop the hair windmills.  Hair windmilling annoys me.  That being said, the remaining 3/5 of the original lineup stepped it up like pros and it's awesome that Scott, Frank, and Joey have found renewed life here in the 21st Century.  Because of them Anthrax still proved their relevance onstage in San Francisco tonight.

 

[Photo courtesy of Photo Ray]

The best bonus track of the night occurred as Anthrax launched into 'I Am The Law'.  As the song started onstage I ran into original Bay Area Metal legend The Flauge for the first time since probably 1989!!

Amazing and profoundly full circle... and insanely ironic.  Anyway, later in the set, for their cover of AC/DC's 'TNT', Anthrax brought out our old buddy Kirk Hammett from that other Bay Area Metal band.  Cool, right?  Too bad Kirk didn't play with his old band Exodus as well. 

If you bought one of every Anthrax merch item you would have paid around $400.  As much as I loved how Exodus had the vintage Bonded By Blood and Slay Team shirts, I have to say that Anthrax had the coolest merch... On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called us fags.  What a fun night that had one foot here in the 21st Century and the other firmly back in 1985.  Time travel does exist.

New Blood

Landmine Marathon
DNA Lounge Annex, San Francisco
March 21, 2013

Twenty-eight years ago on this date Iron Maiden played San Francisco on the epic Powerslave Tour:

[From the Umlaut Archives]

The support band was Twisted Sister and the Maiden San Francisco crowd booed them.  True story. 'We Ain't Gonna Take It' was no 'Aces High'.

I've spent more time with Landmine Marathon than any other band over the past 20 years, but things have changed since the last time I saw them 9 months ago.  Unfortunately, after 8 years founding member and vocalist Grace Perry decided to leave the van and return to the real world.  Landmine faced the decision about what to do.  Thankfully, the band has kept their momentum going by bringing on Krysta Martinez (also vocalist for Northwest Grind merchants Transient) and this show was part of a brief 7 show West Coast run to tighten the band up before their first visit to Mexico City at the end of March.  Tonight was only the 4th time the new Landmine had shared a live stage together.

I went into the show feeling very weird about seeing Landmine without the lightning rod that was Grace Perry on the mic.  A couple of Landmine shows that I saw over the past 4 years rank as some of my favorite sets ever.  Could the band come close to recapturing that fury?  That was the thought in the back of my mind as I hung out with the guys and met Krysta for the first time.

The new version of Landmine felt *right* minutes into their set.   No, it's not the same band; the previous lineup had an underlying current of chaos onstage that sometimes ended with blood literally on the stage.  It was that chaos that made the band so great and one of my favorites. The current version of Landmine is not that... but that's not a negative. The band have put their head down and are now tighter than ever and Krysta lets the fury of the lyrics written by her predecessor carry her role in the band.  

[Photo courtesy of Photo Ray]

The setlist was a good cross section of 9 songs and they all worked great.  Opening with 'Shadows Fed To Tyrants' into the oldie 'Bile Towers' the set was tight and direct.  Any pre-show doubt that I had about Landmine were quickly erased.  'Morbidity' will always be a special song since it was played for the first time in Oakland last year.  The fury that Landmine has come to represent is still there.  The band is still just enough like their old selves to be familiar but also different enough with Krysta so I'm confident they won't simply try to mimic something that's gone.  New blood is a good thing.  Having the set close with a great version of 'Red Days' was perfect for me. 

If you bought one of every Landmine merch item you would have paid around $180.  On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag.  According to the Umlaut Archives this was my 16th Landmine show in 8 cities and 5 states.  New blood is in. Life rolls on.

Clive Burr

Last night the great Clive Burr joined Cozy Powell on that great drum riser somewhere. Iron Maiden completely changed my life circa 1981 when I picked up the Killers album from the import bin at the Tower Records in Mountain View, California.   The only reason I picked it up was because of the cover art... and then the live band photos on the back cover hooked my friend Rich and I.  We bought copies on the spot.

I was fortunate to have seen Clive twice with Maiden on The Number of the Beast Tour in 1982, the only times he visited The Bay Area with the band.  I won't pontificate on why Maiden were different with him on the drum riser, because all Maiden fans know what Clive brought to Maiden from 1979-82.  The Maiden records that Clive played on are still sacred to me, which is a small testament to his legacy.

Click HERE to relive July 18, 1982,  which many old Bay Area Metalheads refer to as "the day that changed everything".  Thank you, Clive.  Remember Tomorrow..  Yes, I wore a Number of the Beast t-shirt today.

Clive's pages from The Beast On The Road 1982 Tour Program

[From the Umlaut Archives]

Another aspect of Clive Burr and Maiden that I love is how the band did not abandon him even after he was out of the band.  In 2003, after he was stricken with multiple sclerosis and fell on hard times, his old band set up a trust fund for him.  They posted this update on the Iron Maiden website:

Thanks to your support, funds collected after costs now total £235,000!  The Trust has made considered donations which include: 

Clive Burr, home, health, life quality and the future: Due to his illness, Clive was unable to keep up the payments on his house and was in danger of losing it and becoming homeless. The Trust made a loan of £60,000, which solved Clive's immediate accommodation worries. 

Clive is currently involved in a special treatment programme with a specialised Professor in Belgium and has to travel there for treatment and tests. The Trust donated £9,000 to help cover these expenses, and to sponsor a much-needed short holiday. Clive also received £3,500 towards specialised equipment to improve the quality of his life. This included a special bed, a computer (to help link Clive with the outside world) and a DVD player (to play 'Rock in Rio' and 'Classic Albums - The Making of The Number Of The Beast').

Looking ahead - The Trust is making regular payments to help with Clive's living expenses, and will prioritise the need to help with the cost of medical treatment in the future.

How amazing is that?!  Is this day and age when bands and their former members constantly tear each other apart on the Internets, Maiden's attitude and outright affection for their former band brother is stunning and inspiring.  The official band statements in response to Clive's death are equally great:

Steve Harris said “This is terribly sad news. Clive was a very old friend of all of us. He was a wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days when we were starting out. This is a sad day for everyone in the band and those around him and our thoughts and condolences are with his partner Mimi and family at this time."
 
Bruce Dickinson adds “I first met Clive when he was leaving Samson and joining Iron Maiden. He was a great guy and a man who really lived his life to the full. Even during the darkest days of his M.S., Clive never lost his sense of humour or irreverence. This is a terribly sad day and all our thoughts are with Mimi and the family”

Anyway, this is meant as my small tribute to Clive Burr, a musician who greatly influenced me in my Salad Days.  Rest in Peace.  I will also restate how Iron Maiden are still one of my all-time favorite bands for a myriad of reasons... not the least of which is because they've always been a band who have managed to keep their mystic and credibility intact.


Up The Irons Forever.

The Mouths Of Madness

Orchid / Glitter Wizard / Hell Fire
DNA Lounge, San Francisco
March 8, 2013

It was a cold and very windy night in San Francisco.. which of course was the perfect weather for this show.  Tonight's event was in the newish upstairs annex of the DNA, which I didn't even know about until a week ago.  With a capacity around half of the DNA's downstairs main room, the annex makes for a decent small venue for S.F..  My only complaint is they need a better sound system, but at least there are 2 exits because the space has that Great White Fire Trap feel when it's full of humans... and Umlaut ain't going out like that. 

The room was packed as Umlaut's favorite local Thrash kidz Hell Fire summoned the spirits of Old Metal.  I like these guys because they remind me of how I (we) were back in the original Bay Area Metal Days; they're genuine and not posers.  I admire how the Hell Fire guys live with Metal in their young hearts in that same unabashed way that I did in my Salad Days.  Stay tuned for their debut album as they are worthy torch bearers for the legacy of Murder In The Front Row.

I was dubious about Glitter Wizard given their hipster ironic sounding name and the singer's ironic looking white leather vest sans shirt look.  I was planning to watch a song or two before taking advantage of the in-and-out policy to get fresh air and a beer off site... but then I saw the saxophone Glitter Wizard had onstage and I was gone.  I was not in the mood to watch a band use a fucking saxophone in the name of Metal tonight.  Yes, the Stooges used saxophone during their Funhouse era, but they were the Stooges. Later, a couple of people told me the band wasn't "that bad".. so there you go.

As we made or way to a nearby bar a block away and then back again,  I couldn't help but notice the unusually large amount of vomit on the streets of San Francisco tonight... and it wasn't even that late yet.  Amateur night South of Market??  It was like a goddamn vomitorium; those damn hipsters mixing PBR and food trucks.  Anyway...

It had been 13 months since Orchid's last San Francisco show and it was obvious word has gotten around about them because the show was sold out with a good number turned away at the door.  The guys opened with their stunningly great new song 'Mouths Of Madness' and it was 1 of 4 new songs that Orchid played from their upcoming new album (out in April on Nuclear Blast).   Unfortunately, the subpar sound system of the DNA Annex didn't help Orchid, but their dark volume alchemy still managed to transcend the mortal restrictions they were working under.

[Photo courtesy of Photo Ray]

In the time since they last played on home soil the band has toured Europe twice and honed their craft to a titanic sharpness.  Yes, they still channel Sabbath '71 (what Doom band doesn't on some level?) but they continue to put the Orchid stamp on *that* sound.  The 11 songs of tonight's volume ritual was a nice reintroduction of the band to the local crowd, many of whom I'm sure had not seen them before judging from the strong "OMG!!  They're playing this song!" reaction to older songs like 'Eastern Woman' and 'He Who Walks Alone'.  With the release of their fantastic new album on the horizon (Yes, Umlaut has heard it... and it's spectacular.) and a 24 date European Tour in April and May (including a show supporting King Diamond in Germany) Orchid are primed to be the next big band out of The Bay Area.  Hear me now and believe me later.

[Photo courtesy of Photo Ray]

I have to take a moment and say how great the vibe was inside the venue tonight.  There were ALOT of friends in the crowded space and it really felt like "a scene" with all of that communal energy.  Hopefully this will continue since that kind of energy is a hit and miss commodity here in the fractured 21st Century.  Kudos to the Metal brother in the wheel chair who stayed up front for most of the show before navigating back to the bar during the chaotic Orchid set.

Number of Acid King shirts = 2 (including mine).  If you had bought one of every Orchid merch item you would have paid $250.  On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag.  Before leaving I was able to have an Orchid vinyl moment:

The Vinyl Countdown with Guitar God Mark Thomas Baker

[Photo courtesy of Photo Ray]

Pictured Life

Uli Jon Roth
Vinnie's Bar & Grill, Concord, California
March 1, 2013

After another action packed work week I was really looking forward to this show, but I was not looking forward to going to Concord for it.  No offense to the far East Bay, but that drive can really suck on a Friday.  Thankfully I got a heads up about approximately when Uli would be going on and we left well after rush hour so the drive was not bad at all.  I can't remember the last time I was in downtown Concord, but I was impressed by how gloriously mall-like and polished it is here in the 21st Century.

As Uli later said from the stage, his 2013 Tour celebrates the 40th Anniversary of his time with the Scorpions.  To celebrate he is playing a set of all vintage Scorps songs, a good number of which the band never performed live.  Holy.  Shit.  A lot of old timers came out of the woodwork for this show and Vinnie's was sold out in advance with many turned away at the door.   The Uli-era of the Scorpions were a key part of my salad days and the albums from that time are sacred to me.  I can still recite the between song banter on Tokyo Tapes... "I hope we get a good feeling together.."

When I saw Michael Schenker last year his band bummed me out because, despite his great playing, they came across as very cover band-ish.  I was afraid Uli's latest touring troupe would have that same vibe, especially since the rhythm guitarist is evidently only 16 (SIXTEEN) years old!  However, I could not have been more wrong.  Uli's current band is really great and included original Electric Sun bassist Ule Ritgen, which was a nice surprise. It wasn't Tokyo 1978 but Uli played like it was; he was absolutely flawless.  His vintage solos are seared into my psyche and tonight they were all as fluid and breathtaking as on the original Scorps albums.  To be honest, it was pretty emotional as my Inner Teenage Metalhead witnessed a performance he thought he'd never see.

Thankfully the performance made me forget that I was watching one of the greatest guitarists of all time inside a suburban sports bar.  However, Vinnie's didn't make it easy since they left the half dozen flat screen t.v.'s on during the show!  So, as Uli and his band played a scorching version of 'We'll Burn The Sky' into a fantastic version of 'In Trance', they were accompanied by golf highlights on some screens and UFC highlights on others!  Also, a good bit of the stage lighting came from a large Bud Light neon sign at stage left.  What. The. Fuck.  It was so disrespectful. Anyway, old school Scorps fans, here is the mind blowing setlist:

1. All Night Long
2. Longing for Fire
3. Crying Days
4. They Need a Million
5. Life's Like a River
6. The Sails of Charon
7. Your Light
8. Virgin Killer
9. Evening Wind
10. We'll Burn the Sky
11. In Trance
12. Yellow Raven
13. I've Got To Be Free / Band Jam
14. Fly to the Rainbow
15. Polar Nights
16. Dark Lady
17. Pictured Life
18. Catch Your Train
19. Speedy's Coming
20. Little Wing (Hendrix cover)

Holy shit, right?!  Nineteen vintage Scorpions song  and the obligatory Hendrix cover to close.  Amazing.  My mind is still reeling as I type this days after the show.  It was the set that I had always dreamed of seeing Uli play dating back to my teenage years. Time travel does exist.

There were a noticeable number of drunk middle aged women in the house and during 'Yellow Raven' I moved towards the back to get a break from their sloppy 45-going-on-17 antics down front.  It was funny how the noticeably drunk people were female while the vast majority of the guys were completely geeked out watching Uli.  Right before 'Fly To The Rainbow' started I moved to the bar and the guy next to me asked "Are you Brian?" and it was Tom S., an original S.F. Metalhead from the very, very beginning.  I hadn't seen him in years (decades!) so I spent most of the rest of the set sitting on the bar (yes, ON the bar) with Tom watching Uli and his band work their time machine magic. Surprisingly, the bartenders were cool with us sitting up there.  Thanks, dudes.

That being said, as great as Uli played I couldn't help but feel sad at the same time.   Yes, the show was sold out at its 300 person capacity, but Uli should be playing a real music venue and not a sports bar filled with loud neon and flat screen t.v.'s.  Although I will give kudos to Vinnie's for having a surprisingly good sound system. However, at approximately 1:15am, as Uli and band launched into 'Dark Lady', the bar turned on the houselights to announce last call!  What. The. Fuck.   It was incredibly disrespectful but Uli didn't seem to notice.  He made up for it by slamming my face into a wall of heavy nostalgia by then playing 'Pictured Life' into 'Catch Your Train' into 'Speedy's Coming'.  My head was spinning at this point.  Incredible.  "Speedy's coming.. you live in his heart.."

Now it was almost 2:00am and, as Uli and band started the obligatory Hendrix cover to end the night, we headed back out into the East Bay night for long the drive back.  It had been over 2 hours of vintage Scorpions played by one of my earliest Rock Star heroes. Unbelievable.  Uli über alles!

If you bought one of every Uli merch item you would have paid around $115.  On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called us fags.  It's not often that you have a childhood dream fulfilled, but that's exactly what Uli's set felt like.  When I was in high school I wrote Uli a letter... and amazingly he wrote me a letter in return and sent me some autographed items.  In 1982, Uli was my friend:

"Pictured life from yesterday.."

From Her To Eternity

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
February 21, 2013

When it comes down to it, Nick Cave is my favorite songwriter; I've fanatically seen every U.S. Tour he's done since 1990.  Nick is also the only music hero who I've followed over the years who I've stayed engaged with whatever he's doing.   Tonight was one of only 4 shows worldwide (Berlin, Paris, London, and Los Angeles) with Nick & the Bad Seeds playing the new album Push The Sky Away in its entirety backed by additional musicians.  On paper it looked weird and pretentious, but in person it was special.   Needless to say, tickets to this intimate show (less than 1,500 capacity) sold out in literally a minute online.   

According to the Umlaut Archives tonight was the 16th time I've seen Cave either with the Bad Seeds, solo, or with Grinderman. Prior to Nick and the Bad Seeds taking the stage they showed a 10 minute film about the making of the new album.  It was just the right length so the people casually drinking didn't get bored and then once it was done it was only a short wait until the performance began.  The show was being streamed live over The Internets so there were 2 large cameras next to the soundboard and another on a boom that swung out over the audience.  Because of this the houselights were kept on for much of the set, which was a bit annoying... but only a bit.

The new album had only been released 3 days before this show, but I had an advance (leaked) copy weeks ago. However, I'd only listened to it once and the thing that stuck in my head was how Nick used "Wikipedia" in the lyrics of one of the new songs.  So, this performance would be my *real* introduction to the new album.. which was kind of awesome. As the new album unfolded onstage I noticed that it wasn't Thomas Wydler on drums which was a bummer.  For the newbies, Thomas has now been in the Bad Seeds the longest since Mick Harvey left several years ago... and evidently he is sitting out this tour due to health issues.

Anyway, the performance of the new album and its 9 songs was enrapturing... and having the element of including a string section, a couple of adult back up singers, and the children's choir from the local Silver Lake Youth Conservatory added to the sparkling performance.  There were a couple of miscues and odd moments but that's to be expected during such a complex ensemble show that was only playing this set 4 times.  Unlike most other shows that I find myself these days (Metal..), tonight was overpoweringly about the music and nothing else.

While the performance of the new album was very special, it was the second part of the night that acted like a reset to my burned out head.   Umlaut is a jaded mofo... but when Nick uttered the line "I wanna tell you about a girl..." and they launched into 'From Her To Eternity' the people around me were figuratively splattered by my skull and brains symbolically exploding.  Dude!  It's the song that originally got me into Nick way back in the late-80's and he hasn't performed the song in ages.  Wow. "She lives in Room 29..."

Over the next hour the night was filled with a run through of mostly classic older songs like 'Jack The Ripper', 'Red Right Hand', and the always infectious 'Deanna'.  It made me smile to see Nick working the edge of the stage as he turned up his old timey preacher-like mode to engage the crowd.  The only time my cranky old Nick Cave fan came to the surface was when the kids sang back up on 'The Ship Song'.  I didn't like it.  Sorry, kids.  The night closed with another epic version of 'The Mercy Seat' and then 'Stagger Lee' slammed down the night perfectly.  Name another song that has as many uses of "motherfucker" in it. None.  Hopefully the young children of the Silver Lake Youth Conservatory were well on their way home so their virginal ears weren't assaulted by all of the "mofos" that Nick uttered... although maybe hearing them might have done them some good.

After following Nick for so long it's been disconcerting to me that the Bad Seeds have gone through so many changes in recent years after so many years of being Nick's constant gang.  I still miss the Mick / Keef-like vibe that he and Blixa had onstage together and it's still kind of unnerving not to have Mick Harvey standing at stage right.  However, having original Bad Seed member Barry Adamson on keyboards and percussion was an awesome addition... as was having Ed Kuepper of The Saints on guitar at stage right.. which was a nice nod to Nick's Australian roots.  That was then and this is now.. and it's still great.

If you bought one of every Nick merch item you would have paid ZERO because he didn't have any for sale.  He's a true artist.  On the way back to the hotel, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag.  As I've grown burned out on much of what you would call "Metal" these days, it was awesome to have my constant old musical hero Nick Cave reminding me that I can still care about music.

Nick Cave loved me in 1992..

"I ain't down here for your love or money... I'm down here for your soul."

Off The Wall Crossover

Earlier this week Vans posted a cool video of our buddy James Hetfield meeting skate legend Steve Caballero at Metallica's secret Marin County Rock Star lair.


This caused Umlaut's head to go full circle (again).   Besides being a skate legend, everybody knows that Caballero also led the seminal San Jose skate punk band the Faction.  Flashback to June 16, 1985: Big Wayne and I were at a Faction show near downtown San Jose. The show was at a space called Clover Hall on Bascom Avenue.

Big Wayne had introduced me to Punk bands since the Metal scene was starting to get too big. People who used to belittle me about Metal (aka Jocks) were starting to show up at "our" Metal shows and it was bumming us out. So, Wayne and I drove around listening to Suicidal Tendencies, G.B.H., 7 Seconds, Discharge, the Adolescents, and a local band called the Faction. The Faction had fun songs to sing along to like 'Let's Go Get Cokes' and 'Tongue Like A Battering Ram'.

Anyway, we were at this Faction show and out of the blue Cliff Burton showed up. He was on his way to see a Rising Force (Yngwie Malmsteen) / Talas show not far down the road at the San Jose Civic. I had no interest in seeing Yngwie anymore. It was completely bizarre seeing Cliff at the very suburban Punk show but he hung out with us during the Faction before splitting for the Metal wank fest. Wayne remembers:

It was right after they changed the Coke recipe and they were selling old Coke at the show. I think Pariah opened?  I remember freaking out seeing Cliff because longhairs at Punk shows wasn't as accepted yet.."

Umlaut friend Sylvia and another friend were with Cliff that night. Sylvia remembers:

Someone tried to start a fight with Cliff, then recognized who he was. The kid then brought all his friends around to meet him. Cliff was cool about it. Cliff is forever aces in my book.

Anyway, 2 months later Metallica played the Day On The Green at Oakland Stadium (ironically on a bill with Rising Force / Yngwie) and everything changed completely.

"Let's go get cokes!"

Doom Night Out

Enslaved / Pallbearer / Royal Thunder / Ancient VVisdom 
Slim's, San Francisco
February 9, 2013

Originally I had planned to pull a doubleheader tonight and see Pallbearer and then jet across town to see OFF! / Negative Approach... but then OFF! cancelled their tour.   I decided not to make the effort to see just Negative Approach even though tickets were dropped to only $5.   I probably should have made the effort.. but oh well.

The Slim's Will Call line was unusually long and inexplicably split into 2; one for walk up sales and the other for Will Call pick ups.  However, the Slim's staff and a guy who I assume was Enslaved's tour manager did a nice job of moving things along.  I was very impressed by was how polite and chipper all of the Metal Kidz were while they waited; they were just happy to be at the show.  I believe that children are the future.. Teach them well and let them show the way.. in Metal.  Anyway...

This tour is certainly an odd combination of bands, with Enslaved seemingly the odd band out amongst the up and coming American bands... and the oddness of the bill was reflected in the Slim's dinner menu for the night: 

A couple of the Metal kids in the Will Call line were upset they were missing the start of Ancient VVisdom's set and I was about to let them cut in front of me so they could get in sooner.. but then the line started moving.  I saw Ancient VVisdom twice a year ago when they supported Ghost on their debut U.S. Tour.  They didn't leave a big impression on me and I swear they sound different now.  Am I crazy... or was I simply not paying attention last year?  Anyway, I liked them more this time around and will give the Texans more respect moving forward.  However, the best part was after their set and I was chatting with a couple of friends about the merch for sale and one of them said "I should buy the new Ancient VVisdom CD" just as their singer Nathan walked past us.  He stopped just long enough to chime in "Yes you should!"   Cue laughter.  Who said Metal doesn't have a sense of humor?  During the changeover the Metal Kidz down front sang along to 'Mother' by Danzig as it played over the PA.  Adorable.

Several people hyped Royal Thunder to me before the show so I was interested in checking them out.  The band are another product of the Southern Metal scene and are led by Mlny Parsonz on vocals / bass.  People throw out the Janis Joplin comparison about Mlny but I think it's only because it's easy to compare any female Rock vocalist who sings in a soulful way to that drug addict Hippie icon.  Royal Thunder were good but not an epiphany as others led me to believe they would be... Also, the guitarist bobs and bounces around while he plays way too much for a "Metal" band... That kind of stage presence is better suited for the Kings Of Leon.  Seriously, dude.

Oh yeah, Jello Biafra was in the house tonight. I had to put my hand on his shoulder to gently but firmly move him out of my way because he was blocking the walkway in front of the merch table.  Rock Stars... 

Tonight was Pallbearer's first show ever in San Francisco. I felt honored to be there since I'm sure it was a big moment for these boys from Arkansas.  Their much championed and hyped Sorrow And Extinction album has been in heavy, heavy rotation for me recently.  I hadn't been this anxious to see a new band since Ghost.  Yes, Ghost are still my favorite current band... and if that hurts my cred with you then there are, like, a hundred other blogs you could be reading right now.

I'm hard pressed to remember the last time I've been in an audience that spontaneously started to headbang in an almost emotional way to a band.  Pallbearer definitely locked into the heads of many of those in the room, mine included.  It reminded me of the early Sleep shows when they finally locked into their thing and people started to *get* them.  Appropriately, Brett Campbell was wearing an OM shirt.  The best live Doom bands are the ones who simply get down to business, get into a groove, and then see how deep they can dig that groove in their allotted set time.   Pallbearer did just that and it was as damn close to a spiritual experience that I've witnessed from a band in recent times.  The dynamics they have going with Brett's vocals and some searingly good duel guitars and crushingly great tone makes them special.  All of the previous sets paled into dust in comparison. 

[Photo courtesy of Photo Ray]

The sound was not quite dialed in as Pallbearer started their set and it was obvious during the changeover that they probably hadn't gotten a soundcheck.  Brett's ethereal and haunted vocals didn't have quite the same impact in tonight's mix that it should have... but the best live bands rise above... or in Pallbearer's case they dug their groove deeper.  'Devoid Of Redemption' in all of its 10 minutes of brutal crushing glory completely blew my mind and is my favorite musical moment of 2013 so far... but it was the astounding 'Given To The Grave' with its progressive jam at the end that completely slammed the lid down on top of San Francisco.  For without darkness there cannot be light.

[Photo courtesy of Photo Ray]

Pallbearer are the real fuckin' deal, man. 

Poor Enslaved. The room had been packed for Pallbearer but a good 1/4 of the crowd left right after they played and it continued to thin out as the Norwegians were onstage. Their mechanical Progressive Black Metal didn't hold up well for me against the earthy Southern Doom still ringing in my brain.  Even the perennially shirtless Arve on guitar at stage left couldn't compensate.  Sorry ladies... Compared to Pallbearer's thick volume hammer the Norwegians came off as coldly dated to my ears.  After 3 1/2 songs the thought of a late night bowl of cereal back at Casa de Umlaut won and I headed back out into the chilly San Francisco night and headed h-o-m-e.

If you bought one of every Pallbearer merch item you would have paid around $90... and they had the Sorrow And Extinction vinyl for only $20... which has been sold out online for awhile with people selling it for twice that.  Seeing bands live has many advantages, people.   On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag.  The next morning Pallbearer posted this:

 

Amen.