Clutch is one of my two favorite live bands, yet this was the first time I debated whether waiting in line for maybe 30 minutes to buy merchandise was worthwhile. I’ve gone to hundreds of different shows by now, spent money superfluously at merch booths at first with the noble intentions of “supporting the bands,” then “supporting my favorites,” now, just buying what I absolutely want. What I don’t have I can just buy online, right?
“I hope you do something nice for yourself. Other than reading, writing, or rowing.[1]” “I was thinking of drinking an unhealthy amount of energy drinks. Otherwise, I had thought of doing things in Seattle or elsewhere, but nothing was appealing. [2]” I had been anticipating my birthday for a few weeks. I wanted to prepare myself to do whatever I wanted when I woke up. Explore the city on a nice summer day? Or do nothing?
I can’t recall the last piece of merchandise I bought at a show. While I have hunches on the band and items, I just haven’t found any black concert shirts that I needed to add to my collection lately, and I guess that’s the root cause of my clutter: I acquired basically anything I fancied, but rare is the item I truly wanted. If it doesn’t remind you of an incredible experience, is it clutter?
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“I drove eight hours to get here!” Tool is a progressive metal band that, years after their contemporaries faded from popularity, easily sell out amphitheatres or 27,500 tickets in minutes. Their aggressive intelligence, both musically with complex time signatures rarely seen within rock music and philosophically with lyrics that encourage self-awareness, might be why so many were willing to embark on the odyssey. Was it worth the 7-hour drive compared to watching a live video?
Rating: ★★★★☆ [4/5]
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I was nearly kicked out of a Glenn Danzig concert years ago for taking a photograph. Just as he has a right to a “no photography policy,” I have a right to push the limit. The show hadn’t started, so I got off with a stern warning, unlike others that were dragged out later on. During yesterday’s Testament concert, I had time to think about concert etiquette, so let’s start with the most controversial one!
Despite seeming like GWAR knock-offs or KISS wannabes, and not drawing in the possibly sold out crowds that Powerman 5000 or Аркона [Arkona] both recently were able to bring to Studio Seven, Lordi have a certain umph that is clear especially after wading through a number of their terrible to good random local opening acts.
Powerman 5000 were briefly popular close to twenty years ago. They’re probably only remembered for “When Worlds Collide,” and quickly fell out of favor to new flavors, which is a shame because each of the now four times I’ve seen them live have been exciting and perhaps even inspirational. Rather than headlining their usual stop at the venerable El Corazón, they opened for their contemporary Orgy at the dodgy Studio Seven. Was that downgrade enough to ruin the fun?
I didn’t see as many concerts in 2016 as I did in previous years. Maybe career development, working on this site, and an oversaturation of lukewarm concerts in 2015 dissuaded me? I did see some memorable performances in 2016, intend to attend new venues, and especially want to get outside my concert comfort zone in 2017.
Shouldn’t seeing the same band twice in two years at the same venue yield similar results? I was really impressed last year with the energy and composition that Аркона (Arkona) brought while touring with fellow folk metal band Heidevolk, so it was safe to assume that another year of development now supporting symphonic metal band Epica could be even better, right?
