Turtle Lake Trek

Friday I made the journey after work to Turtle Lake, WI to see my friends in the Midwest bands Antistar and Ashes From Stone open for national recording artists Hoobastank at the casino. It was kind of a last-minute trip considering there were so many great concerts going on that night, but I'm really glad I was able to make the trip. It turned out to be a great night of music with some really great people!

I got to my hotel 10 minutes away from the casino in time to unpack and unwind for a little bit, grabbing a little shuteye before it was time to have a bite to eat and make my way to the show. I met a couple of very good friends at the casino entrance and we caught up a bit at the merch booth before the show.

Shortly after 8 p.m. the first band, Antistar, took the stage. I'd heard a few of their songs online, but it was glad to finally see them live in concert. My friends and I enjoyed their unique yet powerful songs. I was also glad that I got to catch up with most of the band members after the show.

Less than an hour later,. my friends and I were rocking out to the songs from our friends in Ashes from Stone. It was the drummer's last performance with the band, so that made the evening a very special event. It was great hearing songs from their debut album Riddles and Riots along with their popular cover of a Paula Abdul song that was a big hit back in my high school days.

Before long, I finally got to experience Hoobastank live in concert for the first time. I was supposed to see them open for Staind at the casino in Walker, MN years ago, but unfortunately the band had to back out of that tour. Although I didn't know a lot of the songs that they played, I still thought they put on a good show. I was also happy that lead singer Doug Robb called up our drummer friend in Ashes from Stone to the front of the crowd, acknowledging his last performance publicly. That was a very classy thing to do!

After the show, I hung out with my friends, carrying the signed Ashes from Stone cymbal that a good friend had bought me as an early birthday gift, at a local bar before we called it a night. I made my way home yesterday afternoon tired but still grinning with the memories of the great memories and conversations from the night before still cluttering my mind.

Next show for me tonight is a solo acoustic performance by Slipknot/Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor at the Turf Club in St. Paul. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!