Unexpected Fun

Taking some time to reflect this morning, hard to believe it's already Friday! This week has just flown right by! I was anticipating a quiet week, but my plans changed on Monday when I heard that a friend from out of state was coming to visit. She asked if I was interested in attending a show in my neighboring state of Wisconsin on Wednesday and I said I did. We ended up having a lot of fun and it was a great chance for us to get to know each other better.

The first show was headlined by the masked metal band Mushroomhead at Opinion Brewing in Newport, MN on a rainy Tuesday. My friend got to my house in the afternoon, and I drove us to the show. We got there in time to see the last couple of songs from a local band and a new band called Raven Black from Los Angeles. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I grew to enjoy their songs during their set. I bought their debut EP "Seven Sins" at the merch table afterwards and had some nice chats with them.

The next band was the Cleveland natives UnSaid Fate. I hadn't seen them since their show with Mushroomhead at Pov's in Spring Lake Park, MN last fall. Even though their bassist was absent (he was "detained" by the authorities), they still put on a great show. I also got to catch up with their singer Jackie LaPonza after the set. She was just as nice as ever, very friendly and we exchanged laughs, stories, and a couple of hugs.

Next up were national act Sunflower Dead. I'd heard their songs plenty of times before, but this was my first time seeing them live. They put on a great set, and I made sure to congratulate them after the show. The guys in the band were very humble, and insisted on posing for a photo with us too!

My friend and I had purchased the Mushroomhead package before their set, and were lined up to meet the band in the dressing room. We got individual and group pictures before their performance. It was a very cool experience, and our picture was also featured on their social media sites.

Mushroomhead's headlining set was impressive as always: I said that it's just not the same unless you're splashed with water from their drums that sit on the corners of the stage. I first heard of the band with their song "Sun Doesn't Rise" from the Freddy vs. Jason movie soundtrack and it was great to hear that song live again with a few classics and newer hits. Jackie LaPonza also joined the group onstage for a few songs.

My friend and I chatted with a few friends before calling it a night and heading back to my house. We were in for a long travel day to Stevens Point, WI the next day to see Another Lost Year and Saving Abel at Live on Main.

I found us a good deal on a hotel room and downloaded driving directions on Wednesday morning, and we were soon off on another rainy day. The hotel was better than expected, complete with a pool and hot tub that were perfect for relaxing in the next morning. We got to Live on Main in time to see several songs from Another Lost Year. This was my first time seeing them live, and I have to say they did a good job of keeping the crowd involved.

After a very quick set change, Saving Abel took to the stage. This was my first time seeing them with new frontman Scotty Austin, and he really had a great stage presence. He had good rapport with the audience and the crowd appreciated his enthusiasm and the band's support of the military.

Following the show, my friend and I were able to chat with both bands. All the musicians I talked to were very friendly. I've been Facebook friends with Saving Abel's lead guitarist Scott Bartlett and finally had a chance to talk with him in person. Very cool dude, but then their entire band is amazing! Very down to earth and appreciative people.

I drove my friend and I home last night after a good night's sleep and a good lunch. I wasn't expecting to go to any shows at all this week, but I'm sure glad I did. I had a lot of fun, heard some great music, made some new friends and got to know some current friends better.

Well, that's all for now-staying quiet until a few shows next week. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Live Music Therapy with VIA and Breaking Benjamin

I gotta admit, last week was rather challenging! It wasn't dealing with frustrations, but the week got better as it went on. A great stress reliever for me is music, and I went to my first concert of the month on Saturday night at the Myth in Maplewood, MN to see local favorites Via and Breaking Benjamin.

I got to Maplewood early enough to browse the nearest Half Price Books store for a few vintage CDs, grab a bite to eat and wander the Maplewood Mall. I decided to park there, knowing the line at the Myth would be rather large. I never stand in the line, however. Instead, I walked as close to the front doors as possible before the show.

Shortly before 7 pm, the doors opened and I found my spot along the front rail. This was my fifth  Breaking Benjamin show in a little over a year, and my first time seeing them front and center. About an hour later, my friends in Via kicked off the show with a half-dozen originals, including the song "Red Room," that they had just released a lyric video for. I've seen them plenty of times before, and they always put on a good set.

Just before 9 p.m. Breaking Benjamin took to the stage with their classic song "So Cold." Their set hasn't changed much during any of their shows that I've seen, but they have a great stage presence, and it's nice to see guitarist Keith Wallen and bassist Aaron Bruch take turns on lead vocals sometimes.

I was a little disappointed to see one of the pit security guards hand a Breaking Benjamin guitar pick to a skinny, annoying blonde who had pushed her way to my left in the front row before the set, but I would later be rewarded. After the song "Give Me a Sign," another security guard who I'd been chatting with before the show started gave me my first Breaking Ben guitar pick! Sometimes it pays to be nice, I guess!

Breaking Ben played for about 80 minutes, playing most of their hits and closing with the encore song "The Diary of Jane." Afterwards, I hung out with some friends (because I knew with a full house there was no way I was leaving anytime soon), and got to chat with the guys in Via and bought a CD for them to sign. I could have done a meet & greet with Breaking Benjamin, but I'd already met frontman Ben Burnley at Rockfest in Cadott, WI on my birthday this summer, and I had my BB guitar pick, so I was satisfied.

Next on the concert calendar: Mushroomhead and friends at Opinion Brewing in Newport, MN. Until then, have a great week, everyone!

Worst. Twins Team. Ever!

Well, thankfully, the Minnesota Twins' 2016 campaign has come to an end. The team limped to a 53-109 won-lost record, one game worse than the 1982 team and the worst franchise record since the team moved to Minnesota in 1961.

While the team's offense was potent featuring 200 home runs, the obvious downfall was the pitching, spotlighted by the starting staff's 37-71 record and earned run average of 5.40, worst in the majors. This is a need that the front office will clearly need to address in the offseason.

There were some flashes of promise, highlighted by second baseman Brian Dozier's career year (.260 average, with career highs of 42 HRs and 99 runs batted in), and the late season emergence at the plate of young stars Miguel Sano (.236, 25 HR, 66 RBI), Byron Buxton (.225, 10 HR, 38 RBI) and Max Kepler (.235, 17 HR, 63 RBI).

However, the struggles of the pitching staff and some veterans like third baseman Trevor Plouffe (.260 average, 12 HR and 47 RBI in 84 games) and first baseman Joe Mauer (.261, 11 HR and 49 RBI for the former AL batting champion) and a lack of steady defense were just some of the reasons for diehard fans to stay away this season.

I haven't been to a Twins game in a couple of years, but I've followed the team for about 30 years, and this year's team was one of the most difficult to watch. The potential is there, but there are pieces of the puzzle that need to be filled. It'd also be nice to see some veteran leadership in the dugout to help teach and support the core of young players. Hopefully the team can make positive improvements in 2017.

Well, that's all for now until the Breaking Benjamin show at the Myth in Maplewood in a few weeks. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!