I flew out to Newark, New Jersey on Wednesday. After landing, I got a bite to eat at a little cafe in the airport when I checked my email and found a message from Sevendust's manager/Architekt Studios co-owner George Roskos with details about the next day's studio hang. Turns out I'd also be getting a hand-signed copy of the new album in the mail too!
Excited by the news, I finished my lunch and made my way to ground parking and checked out my rental car. I got to my hotel less than an hour later. When I checked in at the front desk, one of the hotel staff members noticed my Sevendust T-shirt and informed me that most of the band members were also staying at the hotel! Sure enough, I recognized their tour bus when I stepped out later for a quick supper. Feeling a little tired after getting up early to catch the airport shuttle, I called it an early night, eagerly anticipating the next day.
I woke up bright-eyed and hungry on Thursday morning. After reading some encouraging messages from my friends on social media, I made my way to the breakfast bar on the first floor of the hotel. As I was making my selections, I heard a voice behind me call my name. I turned around to see George Roskos!
No sooner had we sat down and talked for awhile, when I recognized more friends from social media, and another very familiar face: my friend Vinny "The Boss" Hornsby, Sevendust's bass guitarist!
It was the start of a day that kept getting better and better. I drove around Butler for a while after breakfast, taking some time to admire the scenery and find where the studio was located. Soon I was hungry again, so I made my way back to Haskell, NJ for lunch. Feeling a little tired, I retired to my hotel. I unpacked and decided to get some ice from the ice machine on the 2nd floor for a soda. I rode the elevator down to the second floor and no sooner did the elevator door open when Sevendust's drummer Morgan Rose stepped in! He was on the phone, but smiled, gave me a quick hug and told me he'd talk to me later that night.
A few hours later, I joined my friend outside the studio to wait in line. We found good spots to park, although the nearby intersection made traffic a little challenging, to say the least. We ended up chatting with other Sevendust friends from nearby locales.
Shortly after 6 pm, George and his Architekt staffers let us in the building. We had to surrender our cell phones and cameras for the album listening portion of the evening, but we were rewarded with cold beverages and gourmet food from Chef Eric Levine as we entered the performance area. I also ran into a couple of my New Jersey friends who were lucky enough to be invited to the studio hang last-minute.
At 7 pm, the house lights went down, and George took the stage to introduce the new album Kill The Flaw. The leadoff track was the first single "Thank You," a melodic yet heavy track in the proud Sevendust tradition. I was impressed by the heaviness and rhythms of every song, knowing this was going to be a CD that would not leave my car changer for a long time when my signed copy would arrive in the mail.
Shortly afterwards, the guys in the band took to the stage for a quick four-song live set! They played some deep tracks that haven't made their regular sets in a while, closing with "Thank You." I loved seeing the smiles and laughter by the guys in the band, as you could tell they were really looking forward to going back on tour. I also liked how George gave the audience a great compliment - this studio hang was the first one announced, and it sold out within hours/ Due to the demand, a second hang was announced, which was held Wednesday night. George paid homage to us in the audience as the diehards, because we sold this event out!
After the set, guitarist John Connolly put one of his guitar picks in my hand! I smiled as I caught up with my friends. We decided to catch up and get some fresh air for a bit before waiting in line for the meet and greet with the band. We finally got in line after a few chats and photos, and our quartet was ushered into the side room where the guys in Sevendust all greeted us with handshakes, hugs and warm smiles. We posed for a group photo, and George gave each of us a bottle of Chef Eric's signature Sevendust rub, making sure to chat with all of us before we left for the evening.
We were all too happy to not smile as we left that evening, it was one of those wonderful days that just kept getting better and better as the day went on.
Friday morning the tour bus was gone, as the guys were on their way to Scranton, PA to open for Breaking Benjamin at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain that night. I wasn't sure if I was going to that show at first, but thought I could at least make guitarist Clint Lowery's meet and greet at a guitar store in Scranton that afternoon.
I made my way to the Northeast Music Center on top of a hill in Scranton, just in time to see Clint and George enter the building for the event. It was a very informal gathering, as Clint talked with people, took one of the PRS guitars down from a rack and started jamming. At one point, he asked if anyone wanted to join him. One of the store employees took him up on his offer, and they had a cool impromptu jam session. Clint was very nice to him, giving him advice and encouragement.
Afterwards, Clint took the time to talk to everyone, sign autographs and pose for photos. I got him to sign a poster, make a personal greeting video for a friend back home, and pose for a photo before saying goodbye.
I decided at that event that I was going to the concert that night-I just had to grab a bite to eat and get a ticket first! I made my way up the winding path to the concert venue in time to park and chat with a few other Sevendust fans who were at the studio hang the night before. We talked for a while, and struck up a friendship. I was about to buy a ticket to the show, when one of them offered to give me one of their tickets! All they asked was that I pay the favor forward, a nice sentiment that I intend to follow up on soon.
A few hours later, the pavilion doors opened, and I got to admire the vast outdoor ampitheater. I bought my customary concert T-shirt, and got back in time to see my friends in Sevendust kick off their set with a heavy rendition of their first-ever single "Black." The crowd fed off the energy, and I loved hearing the classics as I edged my way closer to a better viewing point. The band also added new songs "Not Today," and "Thank You" to their set before calling it a night.
I hadn't seen Breaking Benjamin play live before, but the local natives kicked off a two-hour set with the classic "So Cold." They really put their all into their set. I was impressed by how the band took a five-year hiatus and came back strong with a Number One album. It was great to hear new songs, mixed in with classics, and even a few unexpected covers like a metal version of the Star Wars Imperial March! Frontman Ben Burnley and his crew closed with the favorite "Diary of Jane" leaving the packed house all smiles.
I took the two-hour drive back to Haskell, NJ a little weary but happy that night. On Saturday morning, I slept in a bit before chatting with my friends who I'd be joining at the first-ever Food Truck and Rock Carnival in Clark later that afternoon. I made my way to the venue, and made it through the parking logjam just in time to hear the familiar sounds of Vegas rockers Otherwise! I quickly spotted my friends, and we enjoyed their set.
After the set, we found the main stage and beverage area and caught up for a while, before going back to the second main stage to see New Jersey natives Skid Row. I thought they were OK, but the band really hasn't been the same without original singer Sebastian Bach. Besides, we were too busy jockeying for good viewing spots to see Sevendust play next!
On the other stage, Puddle of Mudd was just wrapping up. Those fans were invited to our stage to catch Sevendust, who kicked off another energetic set with "Black." I loved rocking out to their set with my friends, and even saw one young fan perched on his father's shoulders, singing along to every word. In front of me, I noticed a friend hanging out with Dug Pinnick of King's X. Dug was mentioned by Lajon before one song, and I later found myself featured in an online video of the crowd behind him that Dug had taken!
Feeding off the emotional performance, my friends and I happily wandered the rest of the festival grounds, noshing on cheesesteaks, pastries and ice cream as we talked, laughed and generally had fun. Before too long, the night came to a close, and we said our goodbyes. I walked back to my rental car, and ran into George Roskos again! I took the time to ask him to thank the guys for a great time, and would see him the following week in Minnesota While waiting to exit the festival grounds, I went through the photos I took over the last few days as Slash and his band rocked the main stage to close out the first day of the two-day event.
I got back to the hotel safe and sound, sleeping a bit before having to wake up, check out and drive my rental car back to the airport for the ride home. I tried to sleep during the plane ride back to Minnesota but I was too pumped up from all the fun I'd had (and the caffeinated soda I'd drank) to get much rest. In fact, I'm still coming down from Cloud 9 days later. It was a great opportunity to go into the recording studio to see my favorite band and hear their new album, finally meet good friends in person, and make new friends who are also proud members of the Sevendust family.
I can't wait to share the experiences I had and make new memories with my Twin Cities Sevendust friends at Pickle Park in Fridley, MN this Saturday! It's going to be great!!!
Until then, have a great week, everyone!
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