Warm Thrash Metal fuzzies.. I listened to the Rust In Peace album after seeing this. True.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Mega Thanksgiving
AWWW! Dave Mustaine gave me a shout out in one of his Thanksgiving tweets:
Warm Thrash Metal fuzzies.. I listened to the Rust In Peace album after seeing this. True.
Warm Thrash Metal fuzzies.. I listened to the Rust In Peace album after seeing this. True.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Space Lords
Nik Turner's Hawkwind
Amoeba Records, San Francisco
November 23, 2013
As crazy as it might sound today, the last time I saw Hawkwind was on February 15, 1994 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco and the support bands that night were... Sleep and... Acid King. Crazy, right? Now fast forward to the 21st Century and I'll be honest and admit I have not really paid attention to the different versions of "Hawkwind" that are going around today. Long story short, "the other" version of Hawkwind recently postponed their U.S. Tour but Nik Turner continued with his trek. However, I didn't feel it was worth paying to see either one of them. So, thank dog for free shows at Amoeba!
The start of the set was pushed back 15 minutes.. but then Nik Turner landed onstage wearing some spacy make up, which was matched by his witchy hippie dancing female keyboardist. The band was rounded out by a drummer, guitarist, and bassist. Jason Black Cobra and I both thought we recognized the bassist from "somewhere" and it turns out Nik's entire band lives in The Bay Area while he resides in Wales. Odd, right? That being said his band were top notch and it really made a difference seeing Nik backed by such pros.
The fact that Nik's band had his back made up for the awkward moments when his voice was out of tune or the songs went a bit too far *out there* with hippie spacy stuff. They acted as his life line back to the mother ship. 'Earth Calling' opened the afternoon's entertainment and for the next hour or so Nik and his troupe of astro-volume dealers took us to infinity and beyond. Nik dedicated the set to Lemmy and appropriately 'Silver Machine' was the highlight of the set. Afterwards, Nik met with his fans and signed autographs... so this contact high happened:
A pretty fun afternoon that didn't cost anything. On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. Then 72 hours later it was...
Monster Magnet / Royal Thunder
The Independent, San Francisco
November 26, 2013
It was ironic that I would be seeing a band who Nik Turner and Hawkwind obviously influenced only 3 days later. It was also really weird that Monster Magnet were playing the same San Francisco venue where I saw them play twice back in 1993. Back then the space was called the Kennel Club.
Amoeba Records, San Francisco
November 23, 2013
As crazy as it might sound today, the last time I saw Hawkwind was on February 15, 1994 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco and the support bands that night were... Sleep and... Acid King. Crazy, right? Now fast forward to the 21st Century and I'll be honest and admit I have not really paid attention to the different versions of "Hawkwind" that are going around today. Long story short, "the other" version of Hawkwind recently postponed their U.S. Tour but Nik Turner continued with his trek. However, I didn't feel it was worth paying to see either one of them. So, thank dog for free shows at Amoeba!
The start of the set was pushed back 15 minutes.. but then Nik Turner landed onstage wearing some spacy make up, which was matched by his witchy hippie dancing female keyboardist. The band was rounded out by a drummer, guitarist, and bassist. Jason Black Cobra and I both thought we recognized the bassist from "somewhere" and it turns out Nik's entire band lives in The Bay Area while he resides in Wales. Odd, right? That being said his band were top notch and it really made a difference seeing Nik backed by such pros.
The fact that Nik's band had his back made up for the awkward moments when his voice was out of tune or the songs went a bit too far *out there* with hippie spacy stuff. They acted as his life line back to the mother ship. 'Earth Calling' opened the afternoon's entertainment and for the next hour or so Nik and his troupe of astro-volume dealers took us to infinity and beyond. Nik dedicated the set to Lemmy and appropriately 'Silver Machine' was the highlight of the set. Afterwards, Nik met with his fans and signed autographs... so this contact high happened:
A pretty fun afternoon that didn't cost anything. On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. Then 72 hours later it was...
Monster Magnet / Royal Thunder
The Independent, San Francisco
November 26, 2013
It was ironic that I would be seeing a band who Nik Turner and Hawkwind obviously influenced only 3 days later. It was also really weird that Monster Magnet were playing the same San Francisco venue where I saw them play twice back in 1993. Back then the space was called the Kennel Club.
[From the Umlaut Archives]
August 25, 1993: The video for 'Face Down' was all over MTV's Headbangers Ball and the show was sold out packed with Raging Slab supporting. October 13, 1993: It was a different story less than 2 months later as the same room was less than 1/2 full with Clutch supporting. Now fast forward 20 years and I entered the same room again to see what Monster Magnet 2013 was like. The band are on their first U.S. Tour in 10 years and to my pleasant surprise the show ended up being pretty old school full.
I've seen Royal Thunder before and while I appreciate what they're doing... and people worship them... I'm still not inspired enough to buy their merch. Yes, MLny Parsonz is a compelling voice and presence who sort of sounds like a mumbling Janis Joplin. I just wish she'd mumble more coherently so I can understand what she's saying. Just saying (pun intended)... That being said, I liked Royal Thunder more than I have in the past as the guitarist has legitimately stepped up his game; his playing was thumbs up for me tonight when in the past I've been dismissive of him.
As the stage was prepared for the return of Monster Magnet to San Francisco I mentally prepared to be disappointed. Old people like me know what that means; seeing old bands can very much be a double edged sword. The songs remain the same in your head, but the current day performances can end up being sad. Old dudes trying to act young can be so awkward and unsexy, right? So as Dave Wyndorf and Monster Magnet 2013 walked onstage I was apprehensive despite the beer I had enjoyed... but then they lurched into 'Nod Scene' from the first album to open the set. 'Nod Scene' is my favorite Monster Magnet song... so all was right with my universe for the next 75 minutes or so. "Screw you if you think I care... Smoke.."
Aside from Wyndorf I have no idea who the guys are in Monster Magnet 2013... but they were damn good. It was a pleasant surprise how on point the band is today. Yes, Wyndorf is older like all of us and he gives off a definite Mickey Rourke vibe now... but he's still got it. The vintage 'Look To Your Orb For The Warning' and 'Powertrip' were pretty damn amazing. Suddenly it was the 90's again and people listened to bands on albums they bought at record stores again and my hair was half way down my back again and I was drinking Red Hook on tap again. Good times again.. at least for one more night.
They did not play their 1993 hit 'Face Down' which probably was a good thing because I think a lot of the middle aged ladies in the crowd would have expected Wyndorf to take his shirt off during it. I don't think anyone needs to see that here in the 21st Century... and I think Wyndorf understands that. He kept things classy onstage with his leather jacket and black t-shirt. Tonight was made even more nostalgically special because I stood with Lori Acid King close to the same spot where we had watched Monster Magnet 20 years ago. Life long friends in Rock! So special... The main set closed with a nice communal version of the band's signature (aka biggest "hit") song 'Space Lord'. "Space Lord motherfucker.."
Sometimes when I go see bands who I was *way* into from 20 or so years ago it's a sad affair. Hope I die before I get old. Trying to act like you're in your 20's or 30's when you're in your 40's or 50's can be a sad thing. So, it was a damn cool thing to see that Wyndorf and Monster Magnet 2013 have recaptured enough of that youthful spacy thing so that it still works. A testament to this was an encore that included an 11 minute (ELEVEN MINUTE) version of a song off the band's new album... and the song did not suck... far from it actually. I need to buy their new album.
If you bought one of every Monster Magnet merch item you would have paid around $230 I think. On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. I'm typing this out around 24 hours after the show and I'm still tripping on how good Monster Magnet 2013 were.. and I forgot that Wyndorf signed my copy of Spine Of God back in The Day:
I've seen Royal Thunder before and while I appreciate what they're doing... and people worship them... I'm still not inspired enough to buy their merch. Yes, MLny Parsonz is a compelling voice and presence who sort of sounds like a mumbling Janis Joplin. I just wish she'd mumble more coherently so I can understand what she's saying. Just saying (pun intended)... That being said, I liked Royal Thunder more than I have in the past as the guitarist has legitimately stepped up his game; his playing was thumbs up for me tonight when in the past I've been dismissive of him.
As the stage was prepared for the return of Monster Magnet to San Francisco I mentally prepared to be disappointed. Old people like me know what that means; seeing old bands can very much be a double edged sword. The songs remain the same in your head, but the current day performances can end up being sad. Old dudes trying to act young can be so awkward and unsexy, right? So as Dave Wyndorf and Monster Magnet 2013 walked onstage I was apprehensive despite the beer I had enjoyed... but then they lurched into 'Nod Scene' from the first album to open the set. 'Nod Scene' is my favorite Monster Magnet song... so all was right with my universe for the next 75 minutes or so. "Screw you if you think I care... Smoke.."
Aside from Wyndorf I have no idea who the guys are in Monster Magnet 2013... but they were damn good. It was a pleasant surprise how on point the band is today. Yes, Wyndorf is older like all of us and he gives off a definite Mickey Rourke vibe now... but he's still got it. The vintage 'Look To Your Orb For The Warning' and 'Powertrip' were pretty damn amazing. Suddenly it was the 90's again and people listened to bands on albums they bought at record stores again and my hair was half way down my back again and I was drinking Red Hook on tap again. Good times again.. at least for one more night.
They did not play their 1993 hit 'Face Down' which probably was a good thing because I think a lot of the middle aged ladies in the crowd would have expected Wyndorf to take his shirt off during it. I don't think anyone needs to see that here in the 21st Century... and I think Wyndorf understands that. He kept things classy onstage with his leather jacket and black t-shirt. Tonight was made even more nostalgically special because I stood with Lori Acid King close to the same spot where we had watched Monster Magnet 20 years ago. Life long friends in Rock! So special... The main set closed with a nice communal version of the band's signature (aka biggest "hit") song 'Space Lord'. "Space Lord motherfucker.."
Sometimes when I go see bands who I was *way* into from 20 or so years ago it's a sad affair. Hope I die before I get old. Trying to act like you're in your 20's or 30's when you're in your 40's or 50's can be a sad thing. So, it was a damn cool thing to see that Wyndorf and Monster Magnet 2013 have recaptured enough of that youthful spacy thing so that it still works. A testament to this was an encore that included an 11 minute (ELEVEN MINUTE) version of a song off the band's new album... and the song did not suck... far from it actually. I need to buy their new album.
If you bought one of every Monster Magnet merch item you would have paid around $230 I think. On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. I'm typing this out around 24 hours after the show and I'm still tripping on how good Monster Magnet 2013 were.. and I forgot that Wyndorf signed my copy of Spine Of God back in The Day:
Sunday, November 24, 2013
It Was 20 Years Ago...
Earlier today the Melvins posted a vintage video clip from 1993 of a moment that Umlaut had completely forgotten about:
Click HERE to see the video (embedding has been disabled). It was posted by sound engineering legend Billy Anderson who says:
This is the un-edited version of the Gene Simmons/Melvins thing at the Palladium in 1993. For better or worse... Also included: Myself and Jason destroying a radio for some reason,
Dale 's kit at check, a giant fist in Detroit, soundcheck at the
Palladium, a little clip of Primus, the Simmons backstage incident (he
accidentally locked his bass backstage and was supposed to be onstage
performing with the Melvins..I was at the soundboard and had no idea
what was happening..) and subsequent entire cover of Goin' Blind, and
finishing with a short clip of Plainfield (feat. Jeffery "Smelly"
Griffin, and Trey) playing in Olympia. For some reason. Sorry for the
frankenclip, i don't know why all these things are jumbled in one clip,
but that's what i got. It is what it is-20 years old and hard to
remember. Enjoy.
Besides all of that Rock Star action, this also happened backstage at The Palladium that night:
From Umlaut - Issue 9
Yes, The God of Thunder himself anointed my original xeroxed Umlaut 'zine with the help of Acid King and the Melvins. Pretty historic, hysterical, and amazing in hindsight... It was in the days when Grunge was all the rage and burned in our hearts. I'm pretty sure Gene Simmons would charge me for use of this other photo from that 1993 night now:
Umlaut - Issue 7 with Gene's bass... Next to King Buzzo's iconic original Les Paul that had the Rock and Roll Over decal on it. Note that "someone" had added God Of Thunder makeup to my cover photo of The Skipper!
"I'm 93... You're 16.."
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Thrashy
Lamb Of God / Killswitch Engage / Testament / Huntress
The Fox Theater, Oakland, California
November 9, 2013
YES I'm behind with this blog thing and NO I haven't really been motivated to write recently for some reason. Anyway, this show was over a week ago and it was pretty chilly that night and I should have worn a heavier jacket. Before the show Photo Ray and I fueled up at Rudy's Can't Fail before diving into the potential drama that can be the guest list at Will Call. Long story short, if only all shows were this easy:
Before entering The Fox I had a long overdue drink and catch up session with my Murder In The Front Row co-author / brother Harald O. at a nearby bar that I'd been to before but had completely forgotten about. Then I found myself inside The Fox watching the last songs of the Huntress set. Oddly, I had not seen Huntress before... although I had seen the singer in a Metal cover band called Chelsea Girls several years ago in Vegas. Huntress were not awful and I appreciate how their music is based on Classic Metal, but I will offer the opinion that a song like 'I Want To Fuck You To Death' sung by a witchy woman in a leotard and cape might cause people to pigeonhole the band into a certain stereotype. Just saying..
During the changeover there was a nice mellow social scene in the VIP area with a few friends as well as 1/2 of Machine Head. I was kind of surprised there weren't more familiar faces in attendance, especially since it was a Saturday night. However, given that we were in downtown Oakland the local vibe was in full effect.. something that Mr. Robb Flynn commented on as well.
Anyway, local heroes and legends Testament were up next and it pains me to see them playing so far down on bills like this. Eight songs and 40 minutes for the longest running and most influential band playing tonight?! Also, I can't remember the last time Testament actually played inside Oakland city limits. Of course, they destroyed their hometown with the newer song 'Native Blood' being my fave of the set. However, given the brief time onstage, it was a classics heavy setlist with 4 songs from The New Order album alone and 'Over The Wall' closing things out. Then it was "Thankyougoodnight!" and Testament disappeared into their hometown night to be with family and friends before leaving for the next city in the morning.
Uhh, the last time I saw Killswitch Engage they had a different singer and that one guitarist wore a cape onstage and told jokes about having sex with underage girls. I think I'm too old to *get* Killswitch so I'll just leave it at that. So while they entertained the kidz I had a nice conversation with my good friends a cold beer, Photo Ray, and Nikki Blakk in the bar during their set. Since The Fox has an in-house video system that's shown on the big screens in the bar, I can at least say I saw Killswitch tonight.
Last but not least, the heirs to the Pantera crown Lamb Of God exploded onstage and I'm sure there was a guy wearing a Pantera shirt in the pit trying to start a fight. LOG's production was not unlike the recent Megadeth staging that was heavy on video projected behind them on screens behind the backline. Honesty is my only excuse: The only song I wanted to hear was 'Walk With Me In Hell' and they blasted that out as the 3rd song of the set. LOG should headline a Beards of Metal Tour; fake beards could be sold at the merch stands so the entire crowd could participate.
If you bought one of every Lamb Of God merch item you would have paid around $260. On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. Then 5 days later it was...
Kreator / Overkill / Warbringer
The Fillmore, San Francisco
November 14, 2013
Honesty is my only excuse: The main reason I was interested in going out tonight was because it was a rare Metal show at The Fillmore. There's so much history in the space and it's my favorite hometown venue... and if only all shows were this easy:
I've seen Warbringer several times and they are good at the retro Thrash thing... but I'd like them more if the singer didn't talk to the crowd in his Metal character voice in between songs. The voice sounds silly... and Baloff didn't have to use a character voice onstage.. but I'm nitpicking because they are one of the better younger bands who dress like we did back in The Day.
The fact this show was at The Fillmore was surprising because the last time Overkill were scheduled to play in San Francisco the show was cancelled due to tepid ticket sales. However, tonight the old school New Jersey veterans made up for it by playing one of the best sets I've seen them play in these parts... but they didn't play 'Wrecking Crew'.. which I thought was odd. There were a lot of kidz in the house tonight and it was cool to see them respond to Overkill like it was 1987 again. I watched the set from the lazy person's spot in the VIP balcony. I noticed a guy in a wheelchair heroically pushing himself around the pit. After one time around a random guy started pushing him and then another guy helped out. They ran into people like a careening car on a busy street going the wrong way but no one cared. I got teary-eyed watching it. A Metal band of brothers! Yes, I was a hypocritical jerk for being up in the balcony while those kidz kept it real... but I salute them.
After Overkill I went to the bar and ran into Tom Hunting of Exodus. Then, after a longish changeover, those veteran German thrashers Kreator returned to a San Francisco stage. At this point Umlaut was a bit punchy from a long work day, but the German's set pretty much went like this the entire time:
Yes, they played 'Pleasure To Kill'. Despite my fear earlier in the evening that the show would not be well attended, the floor of The Fillmore ended up being decently full and action packed. There were enough young kidz in attendance to give the floor action some good energy. It wasn't one of those Old Metal shows where it's just 45-year old men shoving each other and calling it a pit. All in all an unexpectedly great show!
I was lazy and didn't do a merch audit. On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. Although I didn't do a merch audit there was some juicy merch drama tonight: Overkill have a different shirt for every night on this tour specific to each city. Pretty cool, right? Unfortunately, evidently there are certain rules of conduct when using a venue's name on merch (I might or might not know about this...) and, long story short, Overkill were not able to sell the San Francisco event tee.. which was pretty cool:
Since I may or may not know something about this, I'm disappointed that Overkill's merch person didn't sell the tees outside the venue after the band's set. Oh well... Anyway, such is the drama behind the scenes at some of your favorite concerts, kidz.
The Fox Theater, Oakland, California
November 9, 2013
YES I'm behind with this blog thing and NO I haven't really been motivated to write recently for some reason. Anyway, this show was over a week ago and it was pretty chilly that night and I should have worn a heavier jacket. Before the show Photo Ray and I fueled up at Rudy's Can't Fail before diving into the potential drama that can be the guest list at Will Call. Long story short, if only all shows were this easy:
Before entering The Fox I had a long overdue drink and catch up session with my Murder In The Front Row co-author / brother Harald O. at a nearby bar that I'd been to before but had completely forgotten about. Then I found myself inside The Fox watching the last songs of the Huntress set. Oddly, I had not seen Huntress before... although I had seen the singer in a Metal cover band called Chelsea Girls several years ago in Vegas. Huntress were not awful and I appreciate how their music is based on Classic Metal, but I will offer the opinion that a song like 'I Want To Fuck You To Death' sung by a witchy woman in a leotard and cape might cause people to pigeonhole the band into a certain stereotype. Just saying..
During the changeover there was a nice mellow social scene in the VIP area with a few friends as well as 1/2 of Machine Head. I was kind of surprised there weren't more familiar faces in attendance, especially since it was a Saturday night. However, given that we were in downtown Oakland the local vibe was in full effect.. something that Mr. Robb Flynn commented on as well.
Anyway, local heroes and legends Testament were up next and it pains me to see them playing so far down on bills like this. Eight songs and 40 minutes for the longest running and most influential band playing tonight?! Also, I can't remember the last time Testament actually played inside Oakland city limits. Of course, they destroyed their hometown with the newer song 'Native Blood' being my fave of the set. However, given the brief time onstage, it was a classics heavy setlist with 4 songs from The New Order album alone and 'Over The Wall' closing things out. Then it was "Thankyougoodnight!" and Testament disappeared into their hometown night to be with family and friends before leaving for the next city in the morning.
Uhh, the last time I saw Killswitch Engage they had a different singer and that one guitarist wore a cape onstage and told jokes about having sex with underage girls. I think I'm too old to *get* Killswitch so I'll just leave it at that. So while they entertained the kidz I had a nice conversation with my good friends a cold beer, Photo Ray, and Nikki Blakk in the bar during their set. Since The Fox has an in-house video system that's shown on the big screens in the bar, I can at least say I saw Killswitch tonight.
Last but not least, the heirs to the Pantera crown Lamb Of God exploded onstage and I'm sure there was a guy wearing a Pantera shirt in the pit trying to start a fight. LOG's production was not unlike the recent Megadeth staging that was heavy on video projected behind them on screens behind the backline. Honesty is my only excuse: The only song I wanted to hear was 'Walk With Me In Hell' and they blasted that out as the 3rd song of the set. LOG should headline a Beards of Metal Tour; fake beards could be sold at the merch stands so the entire crowd could participate.
If you bought one of every Lamb Of God merch item you would have paid around $260. On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. Then 5 days later it was...
Kreator / Overkill / Warbringer
The Fillmore, San Francisco
November 14, 2013
Honesty is my only excuse: The main reason I was interested in going out tonight was because it was a rare Metal show at The Fillmore. There's so much history in the space and it's my favorite hometown venue... and if only all shows were this easy:
I've seen Warbringer several times and they are good at the retro Thrash thing... but I'd like them more if the singer didn't talk to the crowd in his Metal character voice in between songs. The voice sounds silly... and Baloff didn't have to use a character voice onstage.. but I'm nitpicking because they are one of the better younger bands who dress like we did back in The Day.
The fact this show was at The Fillmore was surprising because the last time Overkill were scheduled to play in San Francisco the show was cancelled due to tepid ticket sales. However, tonight the old school New Jersey veterans made up for it by playing one of the best sets I've seen them play in these parts... but they didn't play 'Wrecking Crew'.. which I thought was odd. There were a lot of kidz in the house tonight and it was cool to see them respond to Overkill like it was 1987 again. I watched the set from the lazy person's spot in the VIP balcony. I noticed a guy in a wheelchair heroically pushing himself around the pit. After one time around a random guy started pushing him and then another guy helped out. They ran into people like a careening car on a busy street going the wrong way but no one cared. I got teary-eyed watching it. A Metal band of brothers! Yes, I was a hypocritical jerk for being up in the balcony while those kidz kept it real... but I salute them.
After Overkill I went to the bar and ran into Tom Hunting of Exodus. Then, after a longish changeover, those veteran German thrashers Kreator returned to a San Francisco stage. At this point Umlaut was a bit punchy from a long work day, but the German's set pretty much went like this the entire time:
Video courtesy of Umlaut's iPhone
Yes, they played 'Pleasure To Kill'. Despite my fear earlier in the evening that the show would not be well attended, the floor of The Fillmore ended up being decently full and action packed. There were enough young kidz in attendance to give the floor action some good energy. It wasn't one of those Old Metal shows where it's just 45-year old men shoving each other and calling it a pit. All in all an unexpectedly great show!
I was lazy and didn't do a merch audit. On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. Although I didn't do a merch audit there was some juicy merch drama tonight: Overkill have a different shirt for every night on this tour specific to each city. Pretty cool, right? Unfortunately, evidently there are certain rules of conduct when using a venue's name on merch (I might or might not know about this...) and, long story short, Overkill were not able to sell the San Francisco event tee.. which was pretty cool:
Tee pics courtesy of Alan Ralph
Since I may or may not know something about this, I'm disappointed that Overkill's merch person didn't sell the tees outside the venue after the band's set. Oh well... Anyway, such is the drama behind the scenes at some of your favorite concerts, kidz.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Day Of The Dead
Altamont / Frehley's Vomet
YES I'm behind with this blog thing and NO I haven't really been motivated to write recently for some reason. Anyway, this show was almost 2 weeks ago now but it was a night filled with friends, fun, and music. It was also the night the annual Dia de los Muertos parade took place in The Mission... so the streets surrounding Bender's were jammed with traffic, pedestrians, and a lot of young drunk non-Brown kidz channeling their inner Hispanic culture. As I had asked a couple of days before on Halloween, when did Dia de los Muertos turn into another excuse for douchbags to get fucked up? However, despite having to drive around the hood for almost 30 minutes, I ended up finding a sweet parking space only a block from the bar.
Since Umlaut doesn't hang out in bars anymore, it had been a long while since the last time I was at Bender's. It's totally the type of bar I would have been hanging out in when I lived in The Mission 20 years ago... so kudos to the staff. Tonight was the record release party for Altamont, but also a celebration of the works of renowned underground artists Alan Forbes and Junko Mizuno; both of them are represented by the awesome Secret Serpents. Past gig posters by them and other Secret Serpents artists were hung around the pool table and offered for sale. It gave the evening a nice art / music vibe, man... just don't put your fucking drink down on top of the prints! Idiot..
Evidently the first band on tonight, whose name I don't remember, were from Australia... Either they were from Australia or 1996 because that's what they reminded me of... I made that observation as I had a nice conversation with a cold beer and friends. Anyway, next up was the live debut of a brazenly hearfelt Ace Frehley tribute band Frehley's Vomet. The band's lineup might include a guy who may or may not be in Acid King... and another guy who may or may not be in Drunk Horse... and another guy who may or may not be English.
Umlaut has been outspoken about how much I usually loath cover bands, but Frehley's Vomet are a rare exception as their set of Ace "classics" flowed off the stage like so much spilled alcohol. Ten songs that included such standard space classics as 'Shock Me', 'Parasite', and 'New York Groove'... but spiced up with deeper space cuts like 'Rip It Out', 'Speedin' Back To My Baby' and 'Snow Blind'. The set was capped off with a blazing rendition of 'Cold Gin' featuring brother Dale Crover on 3rd Gibson. When you’re down in the dumps and you need something to bring you up.. There’s only one thing that’s going to do it the way you want it... What's that?
Vomet is the only thing that keeps us together. I have a feeling that Ace on lead vocals is still wearing his makeup... but he needs to be educated that there is no 42nd Street in San Francisco.
Headlining tonight was a rare appearance by Altamont, aka the side project featuring Dale Crover of the Melvins with his cohorts Toshi Kasai, Joey Osbourne (Acid King), and Dan Southwick (formerly of Acid King). It seems like the Melvins are constantly touring and releasing records, so the band's one-off show tonight was special. Many years ago, Umlaut witnessed the very first Altamont show and according to the Umlaut Archives this would be my 6th time seeing them. It would also be the first time I would be in the same room with Altamont since 1999?! WTF... Crazy how time flies, man.
As I mentioned earlier, tonight was Altamont's record release show for their beautiful new 7" on Valley King / Secret Serpents. It features a new song 'Mrs. Creech' b/w the appropriate and long overdue cover of Blue Öyster Cult's 'Transmaniacon MC' (cue the Altamont reference in the lyrics). The set featured an 11-song cross section from the band's rocking 4 or 5 releases. There were a couple or three Melvins fanboys in the audience, but I was surprised there weren't more of the Melvins Army in the house. I'm not complaining... just an observation... because it was a damn fine set of Classic Rock.
Eerie Trivia: Evidently Jeff Buckley was wearing an Altamont shirt when he drowned in 1997... at least that was the story I heard back in The Day.
I didn't do an Altamont merch audit because I was too busy socializing... but I did score #36 / 50 of the white vinyl version of their new 7" (Thanks Justin!) and the band signed my scarce 2010 Altamont band poster. On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. All in all a fun night out on the town and I actually stayed until last call. Hope I die before I get old.
Bender's Bar & Grill, San Francisco
November 2, 2013
Since Umlaut doesn't hang out in bars anymore, it had been a long while since the last time I was at Bender's. It's totally the type of bar I would have been hanging out in when I lived in The Mission 20 years ago... so kudos to the staff. Tonight was the record release party for Altamont, but also a celebration of the works of renowned underground artists Alan Forbes and Junko Mizuno; both of them are represented by the awesome Secret Serpents. Past gig posters by them and other Secret Serpents artists were hung around the pool table and offered for sale. It gave the evening a nice art / music vibe, man... just don't put your fucking drink down on top of the prints! Idiot..
Evidently the first band on tonight, whose name I don't remember, were from Australia... Either they were from Australia or 1996 because that's what they reminded me of... I made that observation as I had a nice conversation with a cold beer and friends. Anyway, next up was the live debut of a brazenly hearfelt Ace Frehley tribute band Frehley's Vomet. The band's lineup might include a guy who may or may not be in Acid King... and another guy who may or may not be in Drunk Horse... and another guy who may or may not be English.
Aces High
[Photo courtesy of Photo Ray]
Umlaut has been outspoken about how much I usually loath cover bands, but Frehley's Vomet are a rare exception as their set of Ace "classics" flowed off the stage like so much spilled alcohol. Ten songs that included such standard space classics as 'Shock Me', 'Parasite', and 'New York Groove'... but spiced up with deeper space cuts like 'Rip It Out', 'Speedin' Back To My Baby' and 'Snow Blind'. The set was capped off with a blazing rendition of 'Cold Gin' featuring brother Dale Crover on 3rd Gibson. When you’re down in the dumps and you need something to bring you up.. There’s only one thing that’s going to do it the way you want it... What's that?
Dale Crover with Space Aces
[Photo courtesy of Sensory Abuse]
Vomet is the only thing that keeps us together. I have a feeling that Ace on lead vocals is still wearing his makeup... but he needs to be educated that there is no 42nd Street in San Francisco.
Headlining tonight was a rare appearance by Altamont, aka the side project featuring Dale Crover of the Melvins with his cohorts Toshi Kasai, Joey Osbourne (Acid King), and Dan Southwick (formerly of Acid King). It seems like the Melvins are constantly touring and releasing records, so the band's one-off show tonight was special. Many years ago, Umlaut witnessed the very first Altamont show and according to the Umlaut Archives this would be my 6th time seeing them. It would also be the first time I would be in the same room with Altamont since 1999?! WTF... Crazy how time flies, man.
As I mentioned earlier, tonight was Altamont's record release show for their beautiful new 7" on Valley King / Secret Serpents. It features a new song 'Mrs. Creech' b/w the appropriate and long overdue cover of Blue Öyster Cult's 'Transmaniacon MC' (cue the Altamont reference in the lyrics). The set featured an 11-song cross section from the band's rocking 4 or 5 releases. There were a couple or three Melvins fanboys in the audience, but I was surprised there weren't more of the Melvins Army in the house. I'm not complaining... just an observation... because it was a damn fine set of Classic Rock.
[Photo courtesy of Sensory Abuse]
Eerie Trivia: Evidently Jeff Buckley was wearing an Altamont shirt when he drowned in 1997... at least that was the story I heard back in The Day.
I didn't do an Altamont merch audit because I was too busy socializing... but I did score #36 / 50 of the white vinyl version of their new 7" (Thanks Justin!) and the band signed my scarce 2010 Altamont band poster. On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called me a fag. All in all a fun night out on the town and I actually stayed until last call. Hope I die before I get old.
Saturday, November 09, 2013
Born To Lose - Live To Win
The great new Motörhead album Aftershock arrived in my mailbox today.. and this is album #3 by Lemmy, Phil, and Mikkey with this in the liner notes:
If you had told me when I was a teenager this would happen I would have thought you were insane...
"They might try and fence you in.. but you've only gotta Live To Win."
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
At Dawn They Sleep
San Jose State Event Center, San Jose, California
Roctober 30, 2013
This might have been the last show I go to in San Jose on a week night. It took Umlaut 2 1/2 HOURS from driveway to parking space; this drive should only take 45 minutes given the distance. Rush hour traffic through Silicon Valley here in the 21st Century is ridiculous. Anyway... If only all shows were this easy:
Once inside I had to take care of a work related task that basically involved me carrying a 30 pound box across the San Jose State campus... but after that it was Metal. Unfortunately, I missed Gojira because this was happening:
Ruthie's Inn Reunion
[Photo courtesy of Cable Car]
For the newbies that would be 2/5 of the Bonded By Blood-era Exodus lineup (Rick Hunolt, Tom Hunting) and Mr. Tom Araya. Crazy how time flies. It's funny how a Slayer show is like a high school reunion for me now. Double digit old friends are always in the house and the vibe is very tribe-like. Slayer shows are supposed to be angry affairs but I find myself laughing and smiling almost the entire time. Since I was caught up in socializing it didn't hit me right away that this would be my first Slayer show since Jeff Hanneman passed away. Reality check..
Yes, there is much debate about Slayer these days, but I really don't care what anyone else thinks. The bottom line is that Slayer are on fire again. Yes, it's only 1/2 original members now but the other 1/2 are guys who were there in the beginning too. The current version of Slayer is so heavy with history and bonds of blood it gets me all emo. Slayer is now 1/2 L.A. Thrash and 1/2 Bay Area Thrash. It's all a direct line straight back to Ruthie's Inn and San Pablo Avenue circa 1984.. and the band guys know it. Their nod to the Bay Area by playing 'Strike Of The Beast' (EXODUS!) in the middle of the set unannounced and with zero fanfare is proof of that. I was standing next to 2 current members of Exodus as this happened, watching their Exodus brother Gary onstage, and it was special. SLAAAYER!! In fact the entire set was all old school vintage material with nothing post 1988 performed... 19 songs that kicked off with 'Hell Awaits' and they played 'At Dawn They Sleep'!!
[Photo courtesy of Cable Car]
There is a different energy with Slayer onstage now. It's not better or worse than the old days. It's just different. Tom smiles onstage now and I like how it's obvious he is watching the crowd and paying attention to the other side of the barrier. Gary and Kerry bring a special volume storm to things that is unrelenting both sonically and historically; so much history is shared by those 20 fingers now channeling their departed brother. Hanneman is definitely a spirit in black that hovers over it all now and if you don't believe that then you're way too jaded to be reading this blog. Bostaph is the logical drummer now and he really does hold it down great for the most part, but I will say that 'Angel Of Death' is not the same. Some things can't be replicated or summoned again, but that is not Paul's fault. Haters will bitch and rant about why Slayer should call it quits, but why should they? Umlaut is old. My Metal heroes are old. Alot of my old Metal heroes are gone. I'm thankful for who is still here and I'm thankful Slayer can still deliver us to evil. I've been supporting them since literally Day One and I have no reason to stop supporting them now.
Holt Awaits
[Photo courtesy of Cable Car]
[Photo courtesy of Cable Car]
Maybe I should grow a beard. It's funny how the Slayer front line (Kerry, Tom, Gary) is now the Beard Wehrmacht. I dance with the beards in my dream.. Listen to their hallowed screams.. the beards have taken my soul....
Anyway, if you bought one of every Slayer merch item you would have paid around $600. On the way back to the car, some pimply-faced teenagers called us fags. Who knows what the future holds for Slayer.. but for now I say just cherish them because there are a lot of kids out there who think Avenged Sevenfold are, like, the best band ever.
"An unforeseen future nestled somewhere in time.."
Then 24 hours later it was...
Danzig / Butcher Babies / Ghoul / A Pale Horse Named Death
The Warfield, San Francisco
Halloween 2013
Unlike the night before, tonight's trek to the show was much more tolerable and realistic. Twenty minutes from driveway to parking space is more like it... Oh yeah, it was also Halloween. When did Halloween become a 2 week "holiday" and just another reason for douchbags to get fucked up? However, seeing Danzig on Halloween had a nice, nostalgic ring to it... and if only all Danzig shows were this easy:
Yes, liking Glenn Danzig is problematic here in the 21st Century but as soon as I hear any of those old Misfits or Samhain songs or the first pair of Danzig albums I remember how great he used to be. Then I see that video of him getting punched in Arizona and the reality of today returns. Oh Glenn...
Halloween... and tonight was also the last night of the tour. There were a surprising number of Umlaut Nation friends in the house tonight, which was a nice surprise. Evidently the first band, A Pale Horse Named Death, included Danzig's drummer and a former member of Type O Negative... but I didn't pay attention to them. Honesty is my only excuse: I was never a Type O Negative fan. However, also on the bill were local Thrash Horror kings Ghoul!
Maybe I was caught up in Halloween or something, but I assumed that Ghoul's East Bay-centric fanbase wouldn't be at the show in force due to the pricey ticket. Wow, was I wrong! Naively we made our way to the front and as soon as Ghoul hit the stage some nice pit action immediately opened up and the drinks we were holding were knocked out of our hands. Sadly Ghoul were denied from using their usual blood-colored liquids by the headliner so their stage show was neutered... but the hooded locals and their mechanical and diabolical stage friends made up for it with one of the best sets I've seen them play. Their 30 minutes was quintessential Halloween mayhem.
Uh, yeah... Butcher Babies. I will be polite and only say that I had a wonderful conversation with a cold beer during their set. Anyway, there was a very strict "No Photo" policy in effect tonight, which included phone cameras. However, one thing led to another and I ended up watching the headliner from this vantage point:
Twist Of Cain
Long story short, "Danzig" here in the 21st Century does feel like a cover band who are required to dye their hair black to be in the band, but Glenn was better than I expected. It still surprises me how I know the lyrics to almost all of his songs. 'Twist Of Cain'... 'Dirty Black Summer'.. 'Mother'... but it was the Misfits set with Doyle that was the obvious draw tonight. Danzig and Doyle playing 'Halloween' on Halloween was cool.. but not as entertaining as the guy wearing the gorilla mask who randomly attacked a guy in zombie makeup right in front of the soundboard. Security! I will admit without any guilt that 'Skulls', 'London Dungeon' and 'Bullet' made me smile. All in all it was a fun, easy night and I must thank Wedge for sorting me and letting us watch the show from his office. Cheers, brother!
If you bought one of every Danzig merch item you would have paid around $260. On the way back to the car, some-pimply faced teenagers called us fags. Actually, on the way back to the car I saw Ross of Ghoul and he gave me a hug when I told him how our drinks were spilled by the pit mayhem during his set... Then we passed a new Prius on Market Street that was basically surrounded by 8 (EIGHT) SFPD officers wearing riot helmets. Hybrid Horror!
"I remember Halloween.."
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