Bucky's Wisconsin Adventures

For only getting three hours of sleep (at most) last night, I've gotten a lot done today!

Got home in the wee hours of the morning last night from day 2 of the outdoor Northern Invasion rock festival in Somerset, WI very tired and somewhat sore, but happy for the experiences. This was just one of two rock excursions to my neighboring state this weekend.

The weekend started for me Friday afternoon, as I took off of work a little early to meet a couple of friends at a hotel in the Twin Cities where we would meet and pick up another friend to help her celebrate her birthday a little early, with a show featuring Motograter and MN natives American Head Charge at Hipps Pub in Eau Claire, WI. The four of us got to the show just as painted metalers Motograter was getting into the thick of their set. I knew from their show at the Totally Fukn Awesome Fest at the Skyway Theater in downtown Minneapolis last June to expect a fun show with a lot of audience participation, and I was not wrong!

Before long, American Head Charge took to the stage playing songs from their new album Tango Umbrella along with some fan favorites. I ran into drummer Chris Emery the weekend before at another show in the Cities, and I could tell the guys were anxious to get out touring for the album. They put their hearts into a spirited performance, and I was able to chat with a few of them afterwards.

As the designated driver, I drove our friend back to her place and we got back to our comfy hotel in the early hours of Saturday morning. I woke up in time for a hearty breakfast and good conversations with one of my best friends before we made our seperate ways to get ready for our own individual Sunday plans.

I got to the Somerset Ampitheater yesterday about 11 am. My favorite band, Sevendust, was playing in a few hours and I was bound and determined to be in the front of the pit for my first time seeing the guys in six months. I ran into a few friends who had been around since day one (this year the event expanded from one day to two days), and established my spot on the front right-side rail.

Soon enough, Sevendust took to the main stage launching into the single "Thank You." Although they only played for a half hour, it was great getting caught up into the energy of one of their shows again. I smiled when I saw their enthusiasm and playfulness onstage as they launched into some of their classics. After their closing number "Face to Face," I managed to snag another guitar pick of rhythm guitarist John Connolly and met a friend from out of state.

The two of us wandered over to a nearby trailer where we got to briefly meet and get autographs from three members of Sixx A.M. We eventually found our way to the new second stage just as Red Sun Rising was wrapping up their set. Since Saint Asonia was playing on this stage later, we decided to make our camp in the front of the pit there for the next several hours.

Trivium followed Red Sun Rising, and although I enjoyed seeing them again, I was more focused on preventing a couple of rude concertgoers trying to push and shove their way in front on my friend and I (I put an end to that quickly and ignored their sass) and watching out for crowd surfers over our heads.

The wait was worth it, as Saint Asonia put on a great show. Playing hits from their debut self-titled album and classics from guitarist Mike Mushok's band Staind and frontman (and current Minnesota resident) Adam Gontier's former band Three Days Grace, they also pulled a surprise by bringing bassist Corey Lowery's brother Clint from Sevendust on stage to play guitar during their closing song. That brought a smile to my eyes, as I hadn't seen the brothers play together since a Sevendust/Eye Empire show at the Myth in Maplewood, MN several years back.

We stuck around to see Hellyeah. I finally got to see Pantera legend Vinny Paul behind the drumkit for the first time, although their set was cut short by a couple of technical glitches. Ghost was the final band on the second stage, but after the Grammys controversy, there was no way we were sticking around to see them play!

Instead, we wandered over to the main stage to listen to Bring Me the Horizon for a while, and then went to the third stage (last year's second stage) to hear the screamo female-fronted band Butcher Babies close out the evening's entertainment on that stage.

Before long, it was time for Korn to crank up their hit "Blind" on the main stage. This was my first time seeing Korn, although I've been listening to their music for the better part of two decades. There were more crowd surfers here, including someone in a bunny suit and a guy in a wheelchair. Guess you never really know what you're going to see at one of their shows.

Metal favorites Disturbed closed out the night, and there were far more than 10,000 fists in the air for their opening song. This was also my first time hearing Disturbed play live, although they've been a rock radio staple for years. I was impressed by the live version of the Simon and Garfunkel classic "Sounds of Silence" and the pyrotechnics and technical prowess of the quartet. Everyone was thoroughly "stupified" by the time the festival drew to a close.

My friend and I slowly made our way to my car, waiting for the traffic procession before I dropped my friend off at her vehicle. I made my way home last night feeling like a sack of potatoes from all the mosh pit jostling and tired from standing for hours on end, but I was happy that I went. I got to see some friends for the first time in a while, and also got to watch performances by Sixx A.M. and Seether on the monitors at the second stage while we waited in between bands. My only disappointments were the rude pushy behavior by a few inebriated attendees and that I never saw some of my friends that were there too-the crowds were impressive!

Well, that's all for now-next report will be about some fun out of state (and not Wisconsin this time)-stay tuned!