Strapping Young Lad

[nessman]

Saw them tonight in Rochester at the Penny Arcade. Guess metal has yet to see it's resurgence. About 200 people there, most with big black X's on their hands to denote their under-21ness, most there to see the last opening act - Misery Signals, after which the place pretty much cleared out leaving around 75 people or so for the headliner Strapping Young Lad. Kinda strange - once upon a time, the club would slowly get crowded and sell-out as the headlining act drew near.

I guess Misery Signals has some hardcore following - the kids there to see them caused the most headaches for the bouncers. After SLY came on, the bouncers were all outside hanging out. Real metal fans know how to behave and respect one another.

Anyhoo... Strapping Young Lad is a bit of an acquired taste, but always entertaining to see live. The singer / guitarist, Devin Townsend, has been around the music industry for some time - always working a side project here and there (some of which is vastly different from the crazy sonic assault that is SYL). Lots of double-bass drums and all that good stuff. SYL rocks - their last self-titled album and their concert DVD - "For Those Aboot to Rock" are must-haves. Some of Devin's earlier side-projects are worthy of owning too.

The kids there to see Misery Signals and the other horrid opening bands are a strange bunch. Kinda militant, big holes in their earlobes, and they do this weird mosh now... part break-dancing, part "windmilling", part kick-boxing. I don't get it.

My friend spots some dude who was a big listener of the metal show I did at my college's radio station - around our age (mid 30's) and talks with us for awhile. Whatever. Total heavy metal loser looking dude - looked kinda like Jay from Kevin Smith movie fame. As we're walking back to our cars after the show, he pulls up next to us in his shiny new Chrysler minivan shouting various heavy metal slogans at us and takes off. Heavy metal loser family man now. Strange.

Anyway... to sum it up... we endured two awful local opening bands (lesson learned - never show up less than 2 hours after doors open). Reflux was pretty cool - kinda jazzy/bluesy influenced harcore metal... some talent there but not my cup of tea. The Agony Scene - sucked. Misery Signals - see above.

SYL - rocked in spite of a lousy PA mix and sound system. Kinda hard to keep up the energy with only 75 people there, you can tell they wanted to get the hell out of there - but they forged on regardless. Overall there was zero vibe in the place. Even after 6 Coronas I didn't care and was waiting for the night to come to an end in spite of a much anticipated show for me.

Metal peaked in the early 90's and has been on a slow death spiral since then. Can't even find a decent guitar solo in today's metal anymore. Too bad most of the bands today don't realize they're already dead. What you have these days sounds like all the rest. No rythm, groove or vibe. Some bands have made noteworthy re-appearances after a lenghty hiatus, but the rest... just old and tired (just like me).

The only picture taken with my cell phone camera that came out halfway decent... had no problem walking up to the stage to take it either...

[Vitriola]

5/12/05 Kreator/Vader/Death Angel @ Penny Arcade.

Be there, bitch.

Ever think shows are disappointing for you because you're still hoping the same bands that were good 10 years ago are good today? That kids today have heard of your has-beens? I don't think anyone has ever accused me of olddom and misery, and *I* wouldn't go see SYL. They haven't played a good live show since the Century Media anniversary party in 2001, and everybody knows it.

This is a bit of an old-school bill, too, but Kreator just fucking rocks live.

Live shows you would have liked alot more than the shitty one you chose to go to that has been touring this past year:

Deicide
Lamb of God
Killswitch Engage
In Flames
Moonspell
Misery Index
Suffocation
Children of Bodom
Dark Tranquillity
etc.
etc.

So, Judas Priest this summer?

[bruce]

The kids there to see Misery Signals and the other horrid opening bands are a strange bunch. Kinda militant, big holes in their earlobes, and they do this weird mosh now... part break-dancing, part "windmilling", part kick-boxing. I don't get it.

That's 'cause you're <i>old</i>.

And queer.

Bruce

[nessman]

That's 'cause you're <i>old</i>. And queer.

So what's your excuse.

[nessman]

5/12/05 Kreator/Vader/Death Angel @ Penny Arcade.

Be there, bitch.

So far that's the plan. However I'm double booked for that night as it is... "birthing" classes with the wife and working court since my regular and my relief officer are both tied up that night. Hopefully I can get out by 10:00 and catch Kreator.

Ever think shows are disappointing for you because you're still hoping the same bands that were good 10 years ago are good today? That kids today have heard of your has-beens? I don't think anyone has ever accused me of olddom and misery, and *I* wouldn't go see SYL. They haven't played a good live show since the Century Media anniversary party in 2001, and everybody knows it.

Hmmm... I must have missed that show. But you make good points. Most "old school" metalheads don't go to shows anymore. They gave it up a long time ago. I guess it's just one facet of my youth I'm still hanging onto.

This is a bit of an old-school bill, too, but Kreator just fucking rocks live.

Yup.

Deicide - I never was much into the Death Metal scene... once interviewed Trey something from Morbid Angel back in my college radio days... show was boring, we spent it most of it up in the dressing room eating the band's food.
Lamb of God - eh...
Killswitch Engage - OK, not bad
In Flames - would like to see
Moonspell - would like to see
Misery Index - ???
Suffocation - re: death metal
Children of Bodom - ???
Dark Tranquillity - ???
etc.
etc.

So, Judas Priest this summer?

If I can make it - most definitely.

[bruce]

That's 'cause you're <i>old</i>. And queer.

So what's your excuse.

I've been an old man since I was fourteen. Old age is like a hat that I'm finally growing into.

Apologies to Tom Waits.

Bruce