Bucky's Most Memorable Moments of 2017

Happy Friday, folks!

Haven't blogged in a while, been busy with other priorities in life. 2017 was a challenging year for a lot of us. For me, I had to deal with a stressful job, the loss of a couple of favorite aunties, and some family health issues, among other things. There were also a lot of great times, too. I know I'm probably forgetting some, but here are some of my favorite moments of this year.

I didn't get to many shows early in the year, but one great show was the Cold Kingdom EP release show in March at the Fine Line Music Cafe in downtown Minneapolis. I got to see locals Eris and Omaha, Nebraska natives Arson City play live for the first time, and  I got to catch up for the first time this year with some great friends.

It was nice to attend a Flipp reunion show in Uptown Minneapolis with a good friend. Despite a lack of close parking and a ton of traffic, I still had a good time rockin' out to Flipp classics and a few covers. The highlight of an otherwise disappointing week in late April.

The following weekend, I attended the Saving Abel show at the Cabooze in Minneapolis, my first of several VIP experiences for the year. I got to meet the band and have a few items signed, and was treated to a private acoustic performance of their hit song "Addicted" on their tour bus before the show. A great way to wrap up a busy month!

It would be more than a month before I'd attend another show: life was busy giving me other priorities. I was saddened by the news of my Aunt Maryann's passing in late May, but her memorial service the following week was a fantastic celebration of life, and a great chance to catch up with relatives on Mom's side of the family for the first time in years.

A few weeks later, I flew out of the Minneapolis airport en route to Phoenix and then Salt Lake City, from where I drove three hours north on Father's Day weekend to my hotel for my godparents' 50th wedding anniversary celebration.

It was great seeing my godparents in  person for the first time in over a decade! They had a very nice celebration at their assisted living complex. They also own their home in town, which is where I went with several of my cousins and their families afterwards. It was cool reminiscing and catching up, watching my cousins' kids play in the same backyard that we played in during my family's first visit to Idaho some 40 summers ago.

Most of us rejoined the next afternoon for a brunch with my godparents and spending a little more quality time together before saying our goodbyes. My godmother had Alzheimer's, but I know she was definitely glad to see everyone. Sadly, she passed away three months later. If I had known that would happen, I would have made more efforts to visit them, but I'm glad I had the chance to reconnect with everyone.

The following weekend, I went to my only Sevendust concert of 2017, flying out to Boston en route to the band's 20th anniversary show in Worcester, MA the next day. Soon after I got to my hotel, I went out to dinner and a nice night out in nearby Newport, RI with a couple of my Sevendust friends..

On the day of the concert, I got to the Palladium a little early. I browsed a local record store, and when I left the store and headed to the venue, I saw my friends and Sevendust rhythm guitarist John Connolly chatting! We said our hellos, and my group and I decided to have lunch at a cool little Mexican restaurant just down the hill. We sat outside on a beautiful June day, and as we were chatting, we noticed Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose enter the restaurant with some of the road crew. He nodded to us, and came out to talk with all of us a few minutes later, a very nice gesture on his part.

After lunch, most of our group went to the pre-show meet and greet and sound check. We said our hellos, got some photos, and went back in line, where I got another pic with Sevendust lead guitarist Clint Lowery.

We finally were able to enter the venue for the show soon afterwards. The Palladium was being renovated, so we were without the luxury of air conditioning. Despite that, I stood tough with my Sevendust family throughout one of the best and most intense shows I'd ever experienced.

I was so happy to have had a great night with friends from across the country! After hearing Sevendust's entire debut album and a few other favorites played live, some of us hung out with the band on their tour bus. I got my band photo that I wanted, and also spent close to half an hour talking baseball and music with Morgan. My 21st Sevendust show was a rousing success!

I flew back home the next morning with another friend, one of two friends in our group who attended all five Sevendust East Coast 20th anniversary shows in 5 days. I was supposed to see the band play again at Rockfest in Cadott, WI on my birthday in July. Unfortunately, the band had to cancel their appearance, but I still had a great weekend, nonetheless. I got to hang out with my friends in Seasons After, hear new music from the Rachel Lorin band, Scarlet Canary, He-Nis-Ra, Chicago rockers Veilside and witness great performances by Drowning Pool, Failure Anthem, Korn, Stone Sour, Emergent, Megadeth, Gemini Syndrome and Mushroomhead, among others. I also was able to meet Hardrive radio host Lou Brutus and the members of Hellyeah on my birthday, so I consider that a great weekend!

A few weeks later, I did the VIP experience with rock radio favorites Seether for the first time. Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery was on tour with the band for several runs this year, so it was nice to catch up with him again and score some cool autographed items.

On the the last Thursday in August, I went to the Minnesota State Fair for the first time in years to attend the Daughtry/Nickelback show in the grandstand with a good friend. I wasn't a huge fan of either artist, but I enjoyed their performances and I'm really glad we had a great time on a beautiful fall night in Minnesota. The next night we went to support our friends in local band Fixated at the Red Carpet Nightclub in downtown St. Cloud. While it was a good show, I felt bad that it was sparsely attended. We still had a great weekend enjoying live music!

On Labor Day weekend, I found myself driving four-plus hours to Madison, Wisconsin for the annual free Taste of Madison two-day music festival. The first night was headlined by Nonpoint, a band that a buddy of mine was drum teching for. I don't think I'd ever seen as many crowd surfers during one set before, but it was a great performance that was recorded on audio and video. I had a great time catching up with some of my Sevendust friends afterwards, along with brief chats with the lead singers of supporting acts Shallow Side and Stitched Up Heart.

The second day was headlined by Powerman 5000, and it was great seeing them live for the first time in a couple of years. They happened to play their new song "Sid Vicious in a Dress" just as a wedding was taking place on the steps of the state capitol behind us.

A month later, I fulfilled a bucket list goal by getting to meet Monty Python and Fawlty Towers co-creator John Cleese after a screening and Q&A session at Northrop Auditorium on the University of Minnesota's campus. I've been a fan since junior high, so it was an honor to meet a comedy legend!

This was my first event since my Mom's leukemia diagnosis, and I needed a fun night full of laughs in the worst way. She is now in remission, but it's something that really put things in focus for my family and I. I had to cancel some weekend plans later this fall to help my folks and take Mom to some of her appointments, but I didn't mind that at all, because family always comes first. I was able to attend a few more shows before the holidays, like the Skywind 20th anniversary show at the Doghouse in Maplewood in October, the Cold Kingdom free show at Route 47 Pub & Grub (formerly Pickle Park) in Fridley, MN in November, and the Fire Fight CD release show at the Coliseum in Hastings earlier this month. I didn't get many pictures with friends, but getting to spend quality time with friends enjoying live music and supporting the local music scene was enough for me to be happy.

I don't know where 2018 will take me, but I will be starting the new year with a new, less stressful job and will be looking forward to a new Sevendust album and tour to follow. Until my first show of 2018, Happy New Year, everyone!

An Evening with John Cleese and the Holy Grail

Some thirty-odd years ago, my eighth grade English teacher opened my eyes to adult entertainment of sorts: fiction writers like Stephen King and British comedy. He would tape episodes of Fawlty Towers off of the local PBS station and play them in class at times. I loved the absurdity of the humor! From there, I discovered Monty Python, the original version of The Office, the IT Crowd, Little Britain, and other classics. When I heard a few months back that John Cleese was going to be at Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota, I had to go. It was my chance to meet a comedy legend that I'd been a fan of for three decades and counting.

I made my way to a parking garage at the U of M campus last night in time to run into a couple of other Python fans who were unfamiliar with the building layout. We ended up asking a student where the auditorium was, which was just a few blocks away. We talked for a while and submitted audience questions for Cleese while waiting for the auditorium doors to open.

The evening began promptly at 7:30 p.m. with a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It's been a couple of years since I've seen the film, but the funniest moments come right back to you. The mostly packed house was laughing right along with me.

Right after the movie, local radio announcer Brian Oake introduced Cleese, and a healthy discussion began. John answered questions about Python and the movie, as well as topics like lemurs, cats, Donald Trump and Cleveland, among other things. Everyone in the audience was applauding and cracking up at different times, and it was a great stress reliever for a frantic week.

While most of the audience left, I stuck around for the post-show meet and greet and photo opportunity with Cleese. I went up front to shake his hand before we got in line, and he was very nice to everyone. I got to chat with him briefly while our photos were being taken, and I even got to teach him a new swear word!

I got home on a rainy night with my smile etched on my face. I finally got to meet a member of Monty Python and the co-creator of the brilliant Fawlty Towers series! Another item to check off of my bucket list!

Well, that's all for now. Got a few more concert experiences coming up, so stay tuned. Until then, enjoy your weekend, everyone!

A Taste of Madison 2017

Sorry for not blogging earlier, been dealing with some stuff this week. About time to catch you up on my most recent concert excursion: my first journey to the free Taste of Madison event over Labor Day weekend in my neighboring state of Wisconsin. I hadn't been to the WI state capitol in about three years, and I had a great time!

I got to the grounds last Saturday afternoon in time for the first opener, 90's rock cover band the Foo Foo Dolls. I also spied my buddy who was drum teching for Nonpoint later that day, and it was good to catch up with him for a bit.

The second act was Alabama natives Shallow Side. This was my third  time seeing the group in about a year, and they put on a good show. I was happy to chat with their singer for a bit after the show.

Next up were Vegas natives Otherwise. This was my first time seeing their revamped lineup, but they put though the same constant energy that I'd come to expect. It was kinda cool having frontman Adrian Patrick right in our faces during the set.

The final opener for Saturday was Stitched Up Heart. I enjoyed their set, and I didn't expect to see their singer Mixi Denner literally ride around the crowd in an inflated float for a while during their show. I took the time to chat with her after the set too.

Shortly after 6:45 pm, the evening's headliners Nonpoint took to the stage. This was their last show for the year, and it was going to be recorded on audio and video, so that's why I decided to make the 5 1/2 hour drive from my home. It was an intense set, with a ton of crowd surfers. I was in the second row, and my new concert mates and I were doing our best to protect the kids that were in front of us during the all-ages show.

After the set, I caught up with my buddy and a couple other friends who I hadn't seen in a while. I didn't have time to buy any souvenirs, but I made a note to buy Nonpoint's flash drive online later, which would give me a link to the evening's set.

After an overnight at a nearby hotel, I got back to the capitol grounds on Sunday and had a quick lunch just before I heard the evening's headliners Powerman 5000 soundchecking with their single "Nobody's Real." I made it to the front of the stage, where I stayed for several hours.

When I thought of the name Revolution X, I first thought of a halfway-decent Playstation game featuring Aerosmith from the mid-90's. This was also the name of a great Janesville, WI band that started the day's entertainment on the rock stage. I was impressed by their original songs, and snagged a guitar pick after their set.

Next up were Never Say Die (formerly Deadset), featuring 2 members of the former band My Darkest Days. It was good to hear their new songs, and they of course closed their set with the hit "Porn Star Dancing."

The third band of the day were Vista, CA natives Hell or Highwater. It was interesting to see their singer walk around the crowd during one of their songs, and to hear a rock band perform a cover of the Outkast hit "Miss Jackson."

Despite some problems with the guitar sound levels, September Mourning put on another good set as the final opener for the day. Lead singer Emily Lazar walked atop the crowd for a bit, and they kept the growing crowd's attention throughout their show.

This was my first time seeing a full Powerman 5000 set (I saw the band at Pov's in Spring Lake Park, MN a few years ago on a weeknight, but left early because I had to work the next day), and they did a great job. There were crowds surfers of course, but maybe a third of what I had encountered during Nonpoint's set the night before. At one point, frontman Spider noticed a wedding at the capitol building behind us, a perfect segue in to the band's new song "Sid Vicious in a Dress."

I got back to my hotel early enough to grab a bite to eat and relax in the pool and hot tub for a while before making the drive back home on Labor Day. My last big concert roadtrip of the summer was a success!

Well, that's all for now - until my next adventure, have a great week, everyone!

Bucky's August Adventures

Good morning, everyone!

Just getting back into the swing of things after having a houseguest this weekend. I opened my home to a good friend from out of state, and we went to a few shows together. Always good to go new places and see and try new things.

I had this past Thursday and Friday off so that I could take my friend to see her favorite band Nickelback on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair. I'm not a big fair fan because of the sheer amount of people, but I bought our tickets back in December so that we could go to the show together. I found a parking spot within walking distance of the fairgrounds, and we spent a while exploring the booths before finding our grandstand seats.

Opener Daughtry took to the stage promptly at 7:30 pm, and entertained the large audience for about 45 minutes. This was my first time seeing the American Idol alum live in concert, and I thought he and his band put on a good opening set. Even their keyboard and vocal version of the Metallica hit "Nothing Else Matters" was well done.

An hour later, Nickelback's sound and light show started their set with the new song "Feed the Machine." I hadn't seen the band in 16 years (before they made it big), but they have an entertaining stage show. They ran through 15 songs, wrapping up their encore with the radio single "Burn It To The Ground" just before the nightly fireworks. I didn't know frontman Chad Kroeger was going to bring a couple of fans from the audience onstage to sing "Rockstar" with them, but I guess it's something they do on a regular basis.

Friday my friend and I went to a local BBQ restaurant for a late lunch and then went to the Red Carpet Nightclub in downtown St. Cloud for a free rock show on a rainy night. Live music was on the main stage from Furnace, Blurcurve and Fixated. While it was a good show, I was disappointed by the low turnout (maybe 25 people tops, including Red Carpet staff) and the fact that the show didn't start until 10:30 pm. By the time our friends in Fixated took to their headlining set at 1 am, they could only play for about 45 minutes because of the 2 pm bar close.

My friend was off to another show in southern MN yesterday before heading home, while I trekked to northwestern MN on a drizzly Saturday. It was good to see my friend again, and I hope she has a safe journey home.

Next live music experience for me is the Taste of Madison over Labor Day weekend. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Moorhead Music

A couple weekends ago, I made my first trek to Moorhead, MN in 3 years for a free show at Jerry's Original Music Club featuring four great Upper Midwest bands. My only regret was that more people weren't there to have a great time at a rock show!

The first band was the only band I was unfamiliar with, North Dakota natives Shotgun Facelift. Despite the off-putting band name, they did a great job of entertaining the small crowd. I made a point to check out their music later and snagged a couple of their guitar picks during their performance.

Next up were my friends in Cold Kingdom. I was glad to chat with my friends in the band who were hanging out in the parking lot as I arrived, and it was great seeing them live in person for the first time since their CD release show in Minneapolis months ago. They brought the largest audience of the night to their set, and I don't think anyone was disappointed.

The third group were my friends in Screaming for Silence, promoting the release of their new ep House of Glass. It was great to finally hear the new songs alongside some familiar classics. I bought a copy of the new disc and rocked it all the way home later that evening.

The final act were Iowa natives Dead Horse Trauma. I picked up a couple of their CDs at the show to familiarize myself with their music more, but I thought they put on a good show despite the dwindling audience.

I stuck around long enough to chat with my friends for a while and catch up with my S4S buddies before making the 2 1/2 hour drive back home.

Going to the MN State Fair today with a friend for the Daughtry/Nickelback show, I'll blog about it later. Still some more fun shows coming up soon! Have a great week, everyone!

Seether and Friends at the Myth

My ears are still ringing (the one thing I forgot at home were my earplugs) from Friday night's Seether show at the Myth in Maplewood, MN. That and my sore calves are the only "battle scars" from the show, another fantastic night of music and good friends.

My email from the VIP coordinator told me I had to be at the venue by 4 pm for the pre-show meet & greet, so I left work a little early in time to meet other fellow Seether fans. Shortly before 5 pm, the coordinator rounded us up to head upstairs to the 2nd floor of the Myth for our meet and greet. I got to shake each band member's hand twice and I got to chat with Sevendust lead guitarist Clint Lowery again for the first time since their 20th anniversary show in Worcester MA this June.

After the photo op, we headed downstairs to pick up our hand-signed posters and set lists inside Seether merch bags and our Poison the Parish T-shirts before going back outside to wait in line for the show to start. Those of us with VIP passes got into the venue a little earlier, and I found my spot along the front rail with my friends in line.

Right at 7 pm, local favorites Sleep Signals took to the stage. I enjoyed their set, but wished they had been given more than 12 minutes to perform. I guess that was because the 2nd opener, Dallas natives Big Story took to the stage right at 7:30 pm.

The final opener, Lettters from the Fire, was a band I'd last seen open for Nonpoint at the Fine Line Music Cafe in downtown Minneapolis a few years ago. They've had some lineup changes since, including a new singer, and have a totally different sound. That's a good thing, and I loved their energy. They really kept the crowd involved in their set. I made a point to buy a CD after the show, and also bought a T-shirt and talked with singer Alexa Kabazie after the show.

Shortly after 9 pm, Seether took to the stage, kicking off their 15-song set with the new single "Stoke the Fire." I really felt the crowd push against me from behind, but I stood my ground as always. I didn't like how some of my friends to my left eventually had to give up their spots, as the pressure from the crowd behind them was too much.

Patience has its rewards. Midway through Seether's set, I was fortunate enought to get one of bass guitarist Dale Stewart's guitar picks that a friend picked up, and I exchanged nods and smiles with Clint during their set. By the time the band closed their set with the hit "Remedy" (and their drum tech taking Scott Humphrey's place behind the drum kit), I was ready to move around a bit after standing in the same spot for 5 hours. I also took the time to catch up with some of my Twin Cities friends and wander the merch tables before calling it a night.

It was good to hear some of my Seether favorites like "Fine Again," "Save Today" and "Rise Above This" (which frontman Shaun Morgan wrote in memory of his brother) and also catch up with one of my new friends from the front row in the pit in the parking lot after the show. I came home with some cool souvenirs, but more importantly made some great new memories and friendships.

Already looking forward to more shows in the coming months - you'll just have to wait and see after I blog about them. Until next time, have a great week, everyone!

Rockfest Observations 2017

Just catching up on blogging after a busy month of July. I attended Rockfest in Cadott, WI my birthday weekend last month, and thought I'd share a few observations:

1. VIP is worth the money. I splurged on the bronze package this year for the first time, and it was worth being able to go in for food whenever I wanted to or just needed a rest from the hot summer sun. I could have parked in the VIP lot each day, but I only chose to on the last day, which was my birthday and the hottest of all four days.

2. The pre-show bash is worth checking out. I had a great time Wednesday night with my friends in Seasons After and got to meet singer Rachel Lorin after her band's set and enjoy listening to Jack Russell's Great White and my buddies in the GoodBars.

3. People in the VIP area don't really pay attention to seat assignments. I saw this most days, people just kind of milled around and seating isn't enforced. My seat and row assignments were written on my wristband, but on the last day I plunged my right hand into an icy water bucket to grab a cold bottle of water, and when I removed my hand, I saw that the writing had worn off.

4. Pit passes are OK. I bought pit passes for Failure Anthem, Sevendust (who had to cancel, but Adam Gontier of Saint Asonia pinch-hit with an intimate acoustic performance) and Stone Sour and enjoyed each set.

5. Learn where and when meet and greet are. I learned to sit by the meet and greet on top of the hill the last day, and waited patiently while listening to Vimic's set to meet Lou Brutus, host of the syndicated radio show Harddrive and Hellyeah. I got to shake Vinny Paul's hand on my birthday, so that was another item to check off of my bucket list!

6. Mosh pits are the same wherever you go. I stood in the mosh pit on the What's On Top stage for Sin7, Gemini Syndrome and Mushroomhead. The Mushroomhead pit was intense, and I felt bad for the people who were getting crushed by people pushing from behind. I was firmly entrenched in my spot, and I didn't leave until after Mushroomhead's set had ended, because I needed a breather.

7. There are a lot of great regional bands out there! From my buddies in Seasons After to Chicago rockers Veilside, the Rachel Lorin band, Denver metalers Scarlet Canary and my friends in Twin Cities acts VIA, Sin7, Emergent and others. Happy I got to see their sets and/or buy merch/music from them for the trip home.

Next post coming up soon about Friday's Seether show at the Myth- stay tuned!

Bucky's Family Reunions 2017

Hello everyone,
Just getting back to blogging after another busy month. June is almost over, and it was one I'll never forget, full of highs and lows. The best parts for me were the quality times I spent with family - my blood relatives on both sides of the family and part of my rock and roll family.

May ended on a sour note, with the news of a beloved aunt's passing. Her memorial service was on June 1st in St. Paul. I attended the service with my parents and brother, and it was really more of a celebration of life than a somber gathering. It was great seeing my aunts, uncles and cousins that I hadn't seen in person in years. Several memory boards were set up inside the church, and it was great to see all the amazing pictures and to be able to reflect back on so many great times. My aunt was one of my first inspirations, and her children were close to me in age, so we spent a lot of quality time in my youth both in St. Paul and on the lake in Cold Spring. Toward the end of the service, a singing group led us in song to celebrate the good things we liked about my aunt. It was a wonderfully positive note to end the service on. I know everyone who attended left the church with a smile on their face.

I spent Father's Day weekend travelling west, en route to my godparents' 50th wedding anniversary in Idaho Falls, Idaho. I flew from Minneapolis to Phoenix and then to Salt Lake City, Utah. From there, I rented a car and drove three hours north to my hotel, arriving at my hotel on a rainy evening. The next afternoon, I drove around Idaho Falls for a while before meeting my family at my godparents' senior living apartment complex. I smiled widely as I greeted my cousins who I hadn't seen in person in over a decade. My aunt has Alzheimer's, but I know she enjoyed seeing me. Her husband is also doing quite well for his age (he's still driving his Corvette), and it was a nice service with plenty of time for photo opportunities.

Later that evening, I joined my cousins at my godparents' house in town. Sitting out on the patio sharing stories and catching up, I noticed my cousin's kids swinging on the same swing set that we played on when my family and I made our first trip to Idaho almost 40 years ago. I was glad to get some quality time with my relatives and catch up before calling it a night.

I returned to the senior apartments the next afternoon for brunch, sitting next to my uncle and his eldest daughter and their family, catching up with them and letting them know about my next trip the following weekend. I made the 3-hour drive back to Salt Lake City that afternoon to catch my connecting flight to Phoenix and then back to Minneapolis on another gorgeous day.

I got home early Monday morning, and had time after work to admire the hundreds of family photos that one of my cousins had scanned onto a flash drive for me. The next day, I started preparing for my next trip: attending one of Sevendust's 20th anniversary concerts at the Palladium in Worcester, MA.

I worked the late shift on Friday and didn't get a lot of sleep, as I caught my shuttle bus from St. Cloud at 3 a.m. on Saturday. My flight to Boston was leaving in a few hours, and I made sure I was there in plenty of time. I got into Logan International Airport on a rainy afternoon and after a wait at the car rental booth, I was soon driving past Fenway Park and the Boston Bruins home, Warrior Ice Arena, on my way to my less than quality hotel reservation in Worcester. I didn't complain, though, because I wasn't going to be staying in the hotel very long.

My friends from Rhode Island picked me up at the hotel and we sat down to a nice dinner, full of good food and a lot of laughs as we spent time finally getting to know each other in person. My friends then drove me to Newport, Rhode Island, a nice town right on the Atlantic Ocean. We navigated our way down the crowded streets, and stopped into a small tavern to enjoy live music for a little while before calling it a night.

I slept as much as I could, but I was too eager for the concert to get much rest. I drove 10 minutes from my hotel to the Palladium, to get there in enough time to meet my friends before the pre-show soundcheck and meet and greet with Sevendust. I stopped at a nearby record store to window shop, and when I headed back to the Palladium to meet my friends, one of the first people I met was my friend, Sevendust rhythm guitarist John Connolly. Close behind him were my Sevendust friends.

We decided to head down the hill to a Mexican restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating. Looking out for passing showers, we placed our lunch orders and as we were talking, we noticed Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose and some of the road crew headed our way. They greeted us before they entered the restaurant, and Morgan soon stopped by to talk to all of us. We were stunned by the kind gesture, but it just goes to show how cool all of the guys in the band are.

After lunch, those of us partaking in the pre-show meet & greets got in line for the experience. I made my way to the front of the stage, making sure I gave lead singer Lajon Witherspoon the Star Wars T-shirt I had brought him from Minnesota. We hung out to hear the soundcheck jams "Shine" and "Too Close to Hate" before getting in lines for our photo ops with the band and then chatting with them a bit to get our posters signed.

Afterwards, we had time to get back to our cars and stop by another restaurant for a bit before the show, looking for a few more of our friends to arrive. We didn't have long to wait, though, because early entry was at 6:30. We got back in line just as lead guitarist Clint Lowery was walking by to get something to eat. He stopped to talk to us and pose for a few photos.

My Sevendust friends and I made our way to the front of the barricades, and I entrenched myself in my spot. People started crowd surfing from the first song by the first opening band, local rockers Fantom Farewell. I liked their energy, and made a mental note to check their music out online later.

I wasn't impressed by the next opener, Never My Zero, but they had the crowd rocking steady throughout their set. I liked the energy and rhythms of the next act, He Is Legend. They played about ten originals and teased a Soundgarden cover before ending their set. They had a kind of Rob Zombie feel to them with some good melodic tracks.

As soon as the first note to Sevendust's hit song "Black" started playing at 10 pm, the crowd went nuts! The energy from the band and their fans continued throughout their set and never really let up until the end of their encore. I was proud of our group for keeping everyone safe, making sure everyone was ok, they were hydrated, were able to take breaks when needed, and allowed space for our friends who arrived a little later.

It was great hearing the first album classics "Black," "Bitch," "Terminator" and "Too Close to Hate" and geting to hear deeper tracks "Wired," "Speak," "Face" and the very first pre-Sevendust song "My Ruin" live for the first time. Sevendust never lost their energy or composure, and seeing Lajon kneel and pray during the song "Prayer" was one of those moments that will forever remain stuck in my mind.

After the final encore song "Thank You," my friends and I finally had time to regroup, smile at each other, pose for a few photos and reflect on what we had just experienced. There was no air conditioning in the venue, and the packed house made for a hot, sweaty night for all of us. The security staff at the Palladium did a great job of keeping people safe and hydrated. I was even able to get one of them to give me one of Clint's guitar picks that I saw in front of me on the other side of the barricade. It was fun to see a few of them rockin' out to Sevendust's set, too.

Shortly after the show, I bought my customary concert T-shirt and spent more time with my friends before the post-show bus hang. This wasn't my first Sevendust bus hang but it was the first time I got to see the entire inside of their tour bus. We went to the back of the bus to chat for a bit, before I ended up talking major league baseball again with Morgan and posing for a photo.

Before long, I headed to the back for more chats with Morgan, Lajon, John, Clint and bass guitarist Vinny "The Boss" Hornsby before posing for a photo and making my way back to join my friends. One of my friends wasn't feeling well, and some friends took her in to the emergency room, so we said our goodbyes with smiles on our faces. It really was an amazing, unforgettable experience with a lot of incredible people.

I didn't get much sleep that night, still feeding off the energy and the excitement of the evening. Before long, I had to shower, change, grab a quick breakfast before checking out of the hotel and drive back to Boston for my flight home. I caught the connecting flight to O'Hare Airport in Chicago with one of my friends and we reflected a little more about the week (he and another friend attended all 5 Sevendust anniversary shows) before I had to head back to Minneapolis.

I'm still on cloud 9 from that show. The last 2 weekends were wonderful! It was great spending quality time with so many great family members and friends who are always going to be family to me. Can't wait to see them again at another show!

Well, folks, that's all for now. My next show will be getting to see Sevendust for the 22nd time at Rockfest in Cadott, WI along with many other great local and national rock bands my birthday weekend. Until then, have a very happy and safe holiday weekend!

Bucky's April concerts

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since I've had time to write, so I thought I'd catch up with the shows I've seen this month.

My first show of April was at the Myth in Maplewood, MN. A buddy and I were looking forward to hanging out with our friends in Gemini Syndrome before the show for a pre-show VIP session, but that unfortunately was cancelled due to venue restrictions. We did get there in time to see them rattle off a quick six songs during their opening set.

I hadn't seen the next opener, Motionless in White, since 2015's Northern Invasion festival in Somerset, WI, and I appreciated their heavier new songs. I wasn't a fan of the next opener Avatar at first, but I liked how they drew the crowd's attention and energy.

This was also my first time seeing headliners In This Moment since the first Northern Invasion, and I'm always surprised how big of a draw they are at every show. They did a great job of keeping the packed house enthralled with their hits.

My buddy and I did get to catch up with Gemini Syndrome at their merch booth after the show, and I got a few pictures with singer Aaron Nordstrom and drummer Brian Steele Medina, great dudes that I've met a few times before.

The following Friday, I joined a good friend for another Flipp reunion show, this time at a VFW hall in uptown Minneapolis. It took a while to find a spot to park, but eventually I made it before the first opening band started. It was the 20th anniversary show for Flipp's debut album, so I made sure to buy a copy not long before my friend made it to the show. We had a good time catching up, and while we weren't exactly excited about the opening bands, we had fun rockin' out to Flipp classics and a few new recordings. A great way to end a busy week!

My last April show was last night at the Cabooze in Minneapolis to see my friends in Saving Abel for the first time since last fall. I got to the venue just in time to join the rest of the VIP crowd. I purchased my VIP package online months ago, and apparently there was a different VIP package available at the venue, where the people ahead of me got a quick meet & greet and photo op with a signed poster in the green room.

I figured they saved the best for last! When it was my turn, I got to chat with the guys in the green room for a bit, before they decided to play an acoustic version of their hit "Addicted" in their tour bus, so I followed them onto the bus for a private performance, a brief chat and a photo op. Very quick but fun VIP experience!

By the time I got back from my VIP experience and with my signed poster, I got to the stage area just as the first opener Trigger Armada was ending and the next opener 32 Headshots was about to take their turn onstage. Saving Abel's VIP coordinator also made sure I got another signed poster and signed lyric sheet for the song "Addicted" in a matter of minutes.

The third band, Names to Faces, was more of a pop-oriented group than the other two rock-driven acts before them, but I enjoyed their songs by the time I made my way to the front left-hand corner of the stage. The singer announced they had free CDs available at the merch table, so I made a point to pick one up before heading home.

The final opener, local favorites Strange Daze, had the ample crowd rockin' steadily throughout their set. The only disappointment was that there weren't more people out to enjoy live music on a nice Friday night, but I know there were also several shows going on at the same time.

Finally at 10:30, it was time for my buddies in Saving Abel (with special guest Scott Wilson from Tantric filling in on bass guitar) to take the stage. They kicked off their set with the hit "Contagious." I figured it must be hard for current frontman Scotty Austin to sing a lot of their hits that were made before he joined the band, but he seems to take everything in stride, and really does a great job of interacting with the audience.

I got fist-bumps from Austin and Wilson during the set, and I loved how they kept the fans grooving to their dozen songs from start to finish. I was lucky enough to receive one of their set lists from a member of their road crew, and snagged a red guitar pick from Strange Daze and a couple of Saving Abel picks for my collection before catching up with a few friends and calling it a night.

I don't have any concerts planned in May, but I am looking forward to some fun shows this summer-more info on that later. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Cold Kingdom EP Release show at the Fine Line

Drove home last night in the rain after a great show of all Midwest metal at the Fine Line Music Cafe in downtown Minneapolis. The show was headlined by my friends in the band Cold Kingdom, who were celebrating the release of their new self-titled EP and their upcoming tour dates with national rock artists Shinedown. It's been about four years since I first saw Cold Kingdom open for Nonpoint at the same venue, and I'm proud of the progress they've achieved in that time.

I got downtown a little early following a meeting for one of my volunteer groups, and I had time to have a bite to eat at the Loon Cafe and watch some of the local college and high school playoff games before sauntering over to the arena. I got in line in time to catch up with some friends, and I was glad to meet a few friends that I hadn't seen since last year.

Shortly after 8 pm,  the first opener, Eris, took the stage. I didn't know much about the band, but I enjoyed their songs and stage presence. I also enjoyed catching up with their drummer after the show, making sure I thanked him for the experience.

The second band, Omaha-based Arson City, was one I'd heard a lot of good things about on social media from friends, but had missed their first MN tour date a while back. They kept the crowd going with their onstage antics and driving beats throughout their set. I made a mental note to check out more of their music online later.

The final openers, local favorites Throw the Fight, were a band I hadn't seen since their headlining date at  the now-closed Park in Fridley last fall. They ran through a quick dozen songs of orginal and cover music, and by the time they stepped off stage, every one was eagerly awaiting Cold Kingdom.

When I walked into the Fine Line, I bought a handful of copies for myself and a few other friends who couldn't make it to the show. Their shows are not to be missed, chock-full of energy, electricity and great music!

I happened to be second row front and center by the time Throw the Fight took the stage, and by the time Cold Kingdom kicked off their set with one of their hits, I was happy to see more familiar friendly faces of friends surrounding me in the audience. The new songs are tight, produced by Eric Bass of Shinedown. I highly recommend seeing them with Shinedown if their tour is in a city near you! Get there early, you won't be disappointed!

Well, that's probably my last show in March-weekday shows are kinda hard for me to attend since I'm working full-time again. Until the next show, have a great week, everyone!

Bucky's March Madness

To me, March Madness isn't about the college basketball tournament or any of the high school state tournaments. March is usually a pretty hectic month for me with work, volunteer commitments and of course, great music!

Last weekend, I went to my first rock show in a couple of months featuring my friends in Matrekis at Lee's Liquor Lounge in downtown Minneapolis. I didn't get to stick around long enough to hear headliners Maiden Minneapolis, but it was great seeing some old friends and meeting my friend Tamaris from Indianapolis for the first time in person.

On Friday night, I decided to avoid the busy St. Patrick's Day evening crowds and go to a show closer to home, an Ace Frehley tribute show headlined by my buddy Izzy, who flew in from Los Angeles for the show. This was my first time catching his show, and I was impressed! Great long set of songs, and a few surprise guests from the audience thrown in for good measure.

It was great to hear some popular and deeper cuts from Ace and Kiss' catalog, and a few popular covers thrown in from Izzy and his band and the opening Ronnie James Dio tribute band. It was also great to catch up with Izzy after the show.

Last night, I decided to attend my friends in Blue Felix's first-ever acoustic show. The evening began with a few acoustic originals and covers from Blayne Soyvia with a little help from his former Fifth Hour bandmate Mike on a couple of songs.

Soon after, it was time for Blue Felix to take to the stage for a historic all-ages show. It was great hearing some classics reworked acoustically and a few popular cover songs.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to the merch table afterwards, but I'm glad I got to congratulate a few of the band members on a successful show, and get a few autographs from the show poster I nabbed from one of the walls at Niesen's in Savage to add to my rock & roll wall of fame. 

It was great to see so many familiar faces out on a nice Saturday night to support live music in Minnesota, and spend time catching up with old friends.

Sorry this post is more focused on photos than words, but to me, spending time with quality friends is what enjoying live music is really all about.

Got a few more great shows lined up for the first full month of spring. Until then, have a great week, everyone!

Communication

Sorry to disappoint you gang, but I didn't go to a show this weekend.

I've been taking some time the last few months to make some changes in my life, and I've been noticing how important one thing really is: communication. Here's some tips I've learned for effective communication:

1. Say what you need to say. This can be difficult at times, especially if the conversation is about something unpleasant, but I'd rather be honest and speak the truth then feel like I have to lie or hold things in. I've found that can only make things worse. People respect honesty, and words that come from the heart. Don't let anyone intimidate you, either: I figure, if I can talk to rockstars, I can talk to anyone! After all, we're all human beings made of the same genetic material occupying the same planet. No one is any better or any worse than anyone else.

2. Follow up. This has beneficial to me when I've been looking for new jobs, and it has gotten me a few interviews. It keeps you in the interviewers' minds and lets them know that you take them seriously. Make sure to say "thank you" as well, especially after an interview, meeting or when someone has done something nice for you. People need to know that their efforts are appreciated.

3. Make time, not excuses. I know life is busy, but making a brief phone call or sending a text, even if it's just to say hello, takes just a few seconds. No matter if it's once an hour, once a week, once a month or once a year, taking a little time to say "hello" to a family member or friend might just be the highlight of their day!

4. Keep the communication lines open. This can be difficult when life is pulling you in more directions than a Stretch Armstrong toy, or when you're trying to talk to people who don't always respond or might not feel like talking at the time. Communication is so important in any relationship: romantic, family, friendships, classmates, coworkers, group affiliations, etc. All of these relationships require regular two-way communication to be successful.

5. Listen. This is a key component of any conversation. Picking up on a person's tone, inflection, the words they say and even the pauses between sentences can be very important. Devote the time that you're not speaking in a conversation to actively listening to what the other person says and how they say it, so that you can respond appropriately. Empathize and apologize when you need to.

Well, that's all I have for now - thank you for listening. Be back bloggin' at ya in February! Until then, have a great week, everyone!

You Know You're at a Flipp Show when...

1. You see four guys on stage dressed in crazy clothes.
2. These same guys are bouncing around on stage as soon as the music starts.
3. You find yourself fancying a lightning bolt-shaped guitar.
4. You see some familiar faces in a tiny bar.
5. You look down on the floor to find it covered in cereal.

I had all of these experiences and more last Saturday night at the Red Carpet Nightclub in downtown St. Cloud for the fourth Flipp reunion show. I ran into some old friends and spent some quality time with new friends who like a lot of the same bands that I do. Never a dull moment at a Flipp show! I was surprised when the band came out for the encore dressed in pajamas, but I've been to enough of their concerts to expect the unexpected, and to always have a great time.

Next show for me will be at O'Gara's in St. Paul to close out January. Until then, keep on rockin', folks!

Winter Metal Meltdown

This past Saturday, I attended my first rock show of 2017: an all-local heavy metal fest at the Amsterdam Bar in downtown St. Paul, MN. Even though there weren't a lot of people there on a frigid January evening, I still had a fun time with old and new friends.

After stopping by a local watering hole for a bite to eat, I parked a couple of blocks from the venue, and braved the sub-zero wind chill to find the corner bar. I got there in time to see the masked metalers Rooin play live for the first time in almost a year. The Slipknot and Mushroomhead influences were evident in both their songs and their stage outfits.

After a quick set change, it was time for me to see the Kings of Tyrus live for the first time. A little more melodic metal, I enjoyed their set and chatting with a few band members afterwards.

Soon, it was time for the return of local favorites Karma Sutra. Their thundering songs and stage antics kept the crowd huddled together near the front of the stage (although that could have also been for warmth on this cold night, too). I made a point to grab a set list afterwards and check out more of their music online later.

Finally, it was time for headliners Mithya to take the stage. It was good to see the St. Paul natives rock a stage in their home state for the first time in a while. I had fun enjoying their set from the front row, while avoiding the craziness of the mosh pit behind me and keeping a watchful eye on my friends. Everyone was safe and had fun, and I ended up buying a Mithya T-shirt after the show.

I didn't get to see all of the opening acts, but it was still good to get out in familiar surroundings with good people again - cabin fever was starting to set in with the chilly temperatures.

Next rock show will be my first time seeing glam rockers Flipp play at their old stomping grounds at the Red Carpet Nightclub in downtown St. Cloud, MN in almost 15 years. Until then, have a great week, everyone! Don't forget to get out and support your favorite local bands!