Just got home in the wee hours of the morning from seeing newer metal band Gemini Syndrome with special guests Saul, Antistar and 9Electric at the Fine Line Music Cafe in downtown Minneapolis. This was my third consecutive year seeing Gemini Syndrome, in 3 different states (Fargo, ND in 2014 and Eau Claire, WI in 2015). I decided to go to the show after seeing lead singer Aaron Nordstrom's YouRock Foundation video on YouTube, and had a great time! My only regret is that more people weren't there to experience the fun!
I got to the show and made my way to the front row in time to chat with fellow concertgoers and wonder why a telephone was attached to the mike stand. My question was soon answered as it would be used by the bassist/vocalist of Iowa natives Saul, whom I'd last seen on one of the side stages at Locofest in Algona a few weekends earlier. They played a handful of original songs and Pink Floyd and Tool covers before departing. The singer was really cool, he chatted with us in the front row for a bit and handed out guitar picks.
Next up were my friends in Antistar. They put on another great set, full of songs from their debut album. They were excited to be opening for Gemini Syndrome, and their enthusiasm was evident in their performance. I enjoyed the set and chatting with the guys after the show.
The final opener was the only band I was unfamiliar with: Hollywood, CA natives 9Electric. They came out on stage with a kind of 80's swagger and tunes that reminded me a bit of Billy Idol in his heyday and pop-rockers like My Darkest Days. They got the crowd involved, and livestreamed their show. The lead singer even got out in the crowd a few times to keep them active. They finished with 9 originals and a faithful cover of AC/DC's hit "Dirty Deeds." After I snagged a guitar pick from the electric guitarist's pedal board, I made a mental note to check out their music at the merch table after the show.
Shortly before 10 pm, Gemini Syndrome took to the stage. Although it was a little difficult hearing Aaron's voice through the mike, the crowd didn't seem to mind. They put on a powerful set full of songs from their debut album "Lux" and the new release "Memento Mori." It was great to see the current lineup rockin' out! They finished with the new single "Remember We Die" and fan favorite "Stardust."
After the show, I chatted with friends new and old, bought a few discs from 9Electric, and some of the guys in Gemini Syndrome. I got a photo with their friendly drummer Brian Steele Medina before heading outside on a beautiful night.
Just to the left of the doors outside, I saw a few people chatting with Aaron Nordstrom. I took the opportunity to get another photo with him, and chatted with him about a new tattoo a friend of mine had recently done for him. I left the venue with a smile on my face after another great show!
Next show probably won't be until Alter Bridge at the Skyway Theater in Minneapolis next month. Until then, have a great week, everyone!
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Rockin' Roadtrip Weekend!
I finally got to rest my head on my own pillows on my own bed early this morning for the first time in over 36 hours, having endured a rock & roll roadtrip weekend. I drove about 10 hours round trip for a couple of shows, got to see several dozen bands and also support a good cause in the meantime.
Friday morning, I got up and made the 3 1/2 hour drive to Algona, Iowa and checked into my hotel before heading to the nearby Kossuth County Fairgrounds for the first-ever Locofest. I was only there for a few minutes when I ran into my friend who was also staying at the same hotel and our mutual friend from Screaming for Silence, one of the many artists who would be playing that day.
Because this was a first-time festival (and my first trip to Iowa in many years), I didn't really know what to expect. There were three stages for live music, with most of the early sets only lasting about 20 minutes each. Thankfully the weather cooperated, and any rain ended early. I ran into a few more friends, but mainly spent the entire day enjoying the festivities with my friends who were staying at the same hotel.
It was good to hear both MN favorites like Vaudeville and City of the Weak, as well as hear national bands like Scattered Hamlet, Another Lost Year, Elisium, Saul, Shallow Side and Smile Empty Soul live for the first time. When it came time for our friends in Screaming for Silence to hit the main stage, we were there proudly showing our support. Couldn't be happier for them as they fly to the West Coast this week to start work on their next album!
We stayed around for part of headliner Eve 6's set before calling it a night. Even though there could have been more people there, I have to say it worked very well for a debut event.
My friends and I checked out of the hotel yesterday morning with smiles still on our faces from the night before. I decided to go to a benefit event at a friend's house in Cambridge-a benefit concert that was accepting cash and food donations for the local food shelf.
I got there mid-afternoon in time to help out where I could. Although I could count more mosquito bites on me than people who attended, it was another good first-time show, this one for a worthy cause. It was also good to see Midwest bands like Splitdriven, Fixated, Apathy Syndrome and my friend Cory's band Sin7 rockin' out to support the effort.
Friday morning, I got up and made the 3 1/2 hour drive to Algona, Iowa and checked into my hotel before heading to the nearby Kossuth County Fairgrounds for the first-ever Locofest. I was only there for a few minutes when I ran into my friend who was also staying at the same hotel and our mutual friend from Screaming for Silence, one of the many artists who would be playing that day.
Because this was a first-time festival (and my first trip to Iowa in many years), I didn't really know what to expect. There were three stages for live music, with most of the early sets only lasting about 20 minutes each. Thankfully the weather cooperated, and any rain ended early. I ran into a few more friends, but mainly spent the entire day enjoying the festivities with my friends who were staying at the same hotel.
It was good to hear both MN favorites like Vaudeville and City of the Weak, as well as hear national bands like Scattered Hamlet, Another Lost Year, Elisium, Saul, Shallow Side and Smile Empty Soul live for the first time. When it came time for our friends in Screaming for Silence to hit the main stage, we were there proudly showing our support. Couldn't be happier for them as they fly to the West Coast this week to start work on their next album!
We stayed around for part of headliner Eve 6's set before calling it a night. Even though there could have been more people there, I have to say it worked very well for a debut event.
My friends and I checked out of the hotel yesterday morning with smiles still on our faces from the night before. I decided to go to a benefit event at a friend's house in Cambridge-a benefit concert that was accepting cash and food donations for the local food shelf.
I got there mid-afternoon in time to help out where I could. Although I could count more mosquito bites on me than people who attended, it was another good first-time show, this one for a worthy cause. It was also good to see Midwest bands like Splitdriven, Fixated, Apathy Syndrome and my friend Cory's band Sin7 rockin' out to support the effort.
I woke up this morning tired but happy, only distracted by the news that Emperors & Elephants guitarist Jeff Windisch had passed away after an accident at a show in Savage, MN. My friends and I had just seen their band play the main stage at Locofest on Friday, and of course had his family and friends in our thoughts.
Not sure when the next concert is, but I know that enjoying live music with great friends always invigorates me. Until next time, have a great week, everyone!
Thursday, August 11, 2016
A Concert in a Bowling Alley
Last night, I went to my sixth Nonpoint show. I'm not a huge fan of the band, but I've gotten to enjoy their music at some great local shows with some of my fellow music friends. This show was at a new venue: Opinion Brewing in Newport, MN.
The venue used to be a bowling alley, and the stage was set up where the pins would normally be. I got there in time to hear the first opening act, Sin City Escape, and catch up with a few friends. The next act was another local act, power-pop rockers City of the Weak.
I hadn't heard the third opener, Through Fire, live since winter, but it was good to hear their songs from their debut album. After their set, I picked up a copy of their new album, had the guys sign the CD for me, and chat with them for a bit.
I was really looking forward to hearing the final opener Failure Anthem for the first time in concert. I've been enjoying their album, and it was great to finally hear some of their songs live. I also took the opportunity to talk with the band members after the show and get a photo with them.
Finally, it was time for Nonpoint to take the stage. I had a perfect spot, right in front of guitarist BC Kochmit. The band played about a dozen hits and songs from their new album The Poison Red. After they closed with the hits "In the Air Tonight" and "Bullet (With a Name)," I wandered over to their merch table and had them sign the CD booklet for their new disc that I had just purchased a few hours earlier.
I made my way home on a rainy early Thursday morning happy to have enjoyed some great live music with great friends. Next show will be different: my first trip to Iowa in many years for the first annual Locofest. Until then, have a great week, everyone!
The venue used to be a bowling alley, and the stage was set up where the pins would normally be. I got there in time to hear the first opening act, Sin City Escape, and catch up with a few friends. The next act was another local act, power-pop rockers City of the Weak.
I hadn't heard the third opener, Through Fire, live since winter, but it was good to hear their songs from their debut album. After their set, I picked up a copy of their new album, had the guys sign the CD for me, and chat with them for a bit.
I was really looking forward to hearing the final opener Failure Anthem for the first time in concert. I've been enjoying their album, and it was great to finally hear some of their songs live. I also took the opportunity to talk with the band members after the show and get a photo with them.
Finally, it was time for Nonpoint to take the stage. I had a perfect spot, right in front of guitarist BC Kochmit. The band played about a dozen hits and songs from their new album The Poison Red. After they closed with the hits "In the Air Tonight" and "Bullet (With a Name)," I wandered over to their merch table and had them sign the CD booklet for their new disc that I had just purchased a few hours earlier.
I made my way home on a rainy early Thursday morning happy to have enjoyed some great live music with great friends. Next show will be different: my first trip to Iowa in many years for the first annual Locofest. Until then, have a great week, everyone!
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Sevendust show #20!
Still recovering from my 20th Sevendust show last night at Mill City Nights in downtown Minneapolis-was only a few short years ago that I was celebrating my 10th Sevendust show at the Myth! Turned out to be a fantastic night with some amazing people!
According to the email I got, I was supposed to be at the venue by 3:15 pm for access to sound check and the pre-show meet & greet. When I got to Mill City Nights, however, a few early arrivers and I were informed that due to business being held by other companies on the upper floors that no music could start until after 6pm, so we were advised to come back at that time.
I wandered around the downtown Minneapolis neighborhood for a while, before deciding to cool down on a hot summer day with a cold ice water and dinner at one of the local restaurants. When I got back to Mill City at 6pm, I met some more friends there for the VIP festivities.
We were told by the coordinator that it would be closer to 7pm before things were ready. I was the first one in the door then when we got to soundcheck. I got to shake hands with my pals rhythm guitarist John Connolly and frontman Lajon Witherspoon before they played the songs "Thank You" and "Shine" for the sound check.
A few minutes later, the guys in Sevendust took turns signing a lithograph for all of us and posing for pictures. We were then told to go back outside for a few minutes until the venue opened at 7:30. Sure enough, I was the first one in the venue again, and parked myself front row, center!
Shortly after 8 pm, the first opening act, Red Tide Rising, took the stage. I did my homework and listened to a pair of their albums before the show, so I knew to expect some great music. I'm still not sure exactly what bands they sound like, but they did a great job in their half-hour set.
Not long afterwards, funk-rockers Crobot took to the stage. This was my first time seeing the band, and they didn't disappoint with yet another high-energy set! They also have fun during their shows, including lighter moments like when frontman Brandon Yeagley proceeded to hop on top of guitarist Chris Bishop's elbows and continued to sing during one of their hits.
By the time Sevendust arrived, the arena was packed! I'm glad I got to chat with some old friends before their set and meet some new friends and fellow Sevendust fans. Imagine my delight when the band started their set with "Thank You" and "Shine," the two songs I'd just heard at sound check a few hours earlier!
While they didn't play anything from their debut album, it was nice to hear deeper tracks like "Home," "Ugly" and "Pieces" live for the first time. There were also some slower moments like an acoustic rendition of "Denial" and the ever-popular "Angel's Son."
Sevendust wrapped up a powerful 15-song set with the fan favorites "Praise," "Pieces" and the F-U anthem "Face to Face." I was lucky enough to get one of John's guitar picks from a fellow fan, and asked one of the security workers for a setlist-more prizes for my collection!
After another hour or so, our VIP coordinator led us to the back of Mill City, where we were led onto the band's tour bus. I sat down next to drummer Morgan Rose and started talking baseball, and had good conversations with Lajon, Vinny, John and Clint. This was my 13th time hanging out with the band (not to mention my 13th time seeing them in Minnesota), and they always treat the diehard fans like family. One more reason why I love this band!
We were only on the tour bus for a few minutes, but I was glad for the experience. I said my goodbyes to my friends and made my way home with a permanent grin on my face. It was such an amazing time from start to finish! I'm already wondering when my 21st Sevendust show will be?
Well, that's all for now-next show will be Nonpoint at Opinion Brewing in Newport, then some out of state music at Locofest in Iowa. Until then, have a great week, folks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)