Megadeth, Testament, & Exodus March 11 2010

  I can't tell you how excited I was for this show! Normally the headliner is the main reason I go see a show. You're lucky if the opening band is a good one. But to have three legendary bands on one bill that's not a festival! There was no way I was missing this show! My main concert going friend was indisposed at the time, so I went with some of our mutual friends. 

  One of them being Jason. Jason was wanting to make a pre show trip on the other side of Indy from where the show was to see an old friend. I thought it wouldn't hurt so we stopped. We sat there at his friends bar for what seemed like forever waiting to see his friend. He never showed up. So off we went to the show. A little later than I had hoped for. We got there a little late. Our other friend that was with us was having trouble getting in. Apparently security thought he was trying to sneak something in. He didn't cooperate with them so they sent him out. So I was trying to figure out what was going on with him while Jason and I had already made it in. I was checking with security trying to get him in. Meanwhile he had made his way to a different entrance and got in with no problem. He could have come found me, but no. He found a seat and just sat there. All while Exodus was taking the stage. As we made our way to our seats, Jason noticed some guy in the lobby. It was tattoo artist Bob Tyrrell. Jason, being a tattoo artist himself had to stop and talk to him. I can hear Exodus starting their set! Bob was there with Exodus. Jason said hi and got a picture with him and off we went. We FINALLY made it to our seats. We missed the first two songs! We missed Bonded By Blood!!! Oh well. No use crying over spilt milk. Our seats were under the balcony, and it was hot as hell! But that didn't matter. Gary Fuckin Holt was shredding up the stage! Life was good. Rob Dukes was the singer at this time. And he was not impressed at all that there were chairs down front instead of a pit area. Which I get. It is lame. But I wasn't down front so I really didn't care. If my seat was any further back I don't think I would have been able to make out the individual people on stage. But none of that mattered. The sound was great! Here's the setlist.

  Bonded By Blood (MISSED!)

  The Last Act Of Defiance (MISSED 90%)

  Fabulous Disaster

  Piranha

  Brain Dead (from my favorite album)

  A Lesson In Violence

  War Is My Sheppard

  The Toxic Waltz

  Strike Of The Beast (I love this song!)

  I have not been able to see Exodus since this show. So they are at the top of my list of bands I want to see, especially since Zetro is back! My camera sucks and we were really far back but here is a pic. And Jason with Bob!

      Up next, Testament! Testament were playing their first album "The Legacy" in it's entirety. It's cool to be apart of a show like that, but there are so many songs from the rest of there career I would love to have heard. Oh well. This is special. We can hear the others at a different time.Alex Skolnick  was absent from this show due to touring conflicts with his band The Alex Skolnick Trio. Glen Drover, formerly of Megadeth and brother to current Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover, was filling in for him. That kind of sucked. Not Glen's playing. Glen Drover is a phenomenal guitar player. It's just that Alex Skolnick is one of my all time favorite guitar players and it was just disappointing that he was not there. One thing that did happen was I gained a new found respect for Eric Petterson. That man has got to be the most under rated guitar player ever. I would put him up against anyone! I'm kind of glad, in the long run that I was able to see him more in the spotlight! And don't forget CHUCK BILLY!! That dude has one of the greatest metal voices of all time! And probably the greatest air guitarist ever! Here's the setlist and pic.

  Over The Wall

  The Haunting

  Burnt Offerings

  Raging Waters

  C.O.T.L.O.D.

  First Strike Is Deadly

  Do Or Die

  Alone In The Dark

  Apocalyptic City

And now, after waiting for almost 20 years! MEGADETH! This was the "Rust In Peace 20th Anniversary Tour."Playing the album "Rust In Peace" in it's entirety. The Album they would have been supporting the first time I was supposed to see them! What can you say about Dave Mustaine that hasn't already been said. He is one of the key people in the history of American thrash metal music!And One of my favorite guitar players ever! David Ellefson was back in the band after an absence of about 8 years. The rest of the band was solid too. Not much to report surrounding this part of the night. Just an absolute epic metal show! Along with "Rust In Peace" They played some other greats from there catalog. Here's the setlist.

  Set The World Afire

  Wake Up Dead

  In My Darkest Hour

  Holy Wars...The Punishment Due

  Hanger 18

  Take No Prisoners

  Five Magics

  Poison Was The Cure

  Lucretia

  Tornado Of Souls

  Dawn Patrol

  Rust In Peace...Polaris

  Headcrusher

  Trust

  Symphony Of Destruction

  Peace Sells...But Who's Buying

  Holy Wars (Reprise)

Although I would have killed to see them 20 years earlier, they made the wait worth while! I bought a t shirt even though they didn't have any my size. I have never worn it and probably never will be able to. I'm not sure who recorded all 3 sets. I think it was a guy that goes buy the name "The Govner", but I could be wrong. Who ever it was, they are awesome! I'm able to enjoy these shows forever! Here are some pics and ticket stub.

  

Here Come The Mummies February 19 2010

  Now this was not a show that I would normally go see. It's funny though because this band will be the one band I have seen live the most. My friend Craig that I worked with had really started to get into the Mummies. Listening to them a lot on the Bob & Tom Show. And when this show was announced, he really wanted to go. So Craig, Vince, Chad, and myself decided to all go. Somewhere along the line, someone decided that getting a hotel room would be a good idea so we could party a little harder and wouldn't have to drive home afterwards. Even though at this time in his life, Vince was not drinking and would still have to drive us back to the hotel.They only booked a double. Vince and Craig have known each other forever and were ok with sharing a bed. I had not known Chad as long and I don't think the length of time would matter anyway. I slept in a chair. But oh well. It was party time.
  We started off at the hotel bar slamming Jagerbombs. We got to the show and the only thing that changed was the price.We somehow made it really close to the stage. I wish I would have brought my camera! I really don't remember much of this show. The opener (Dot Dot Dot) were real poppy sounding. Not something I listen to. But they did play an Eddie Money cover that I didn't even know that I knew. Apparently I knew the words. As I sit here writing this, I can't even tell you the title of the song! But In my drunken condition I guess I could recall something I had heard on the radio 20 years prior! I can't explain it. And to this day, my "friends" don't let me forget it.
  Here Come The Mummies! No really here they come. This show was at the Vogue in Broad Ripple IN. It's a small theater with a bar in the middle of the floor. And tonight's show was crowded. The Mummies make their entrance right through the middle of the crowd. They made their way to the stage and the funkyness pursued. I can't remember what songs they played or really anything. I do remember at one point one of the trumpet players just appeared standing on the bar back in the middle of the room and there were two chics making out pretty heavily right in front of the stage. The band noticed and were watching! Other than that, I just remember having a real fun time! No pics, but here's my ticket stub.

UPDATE! I found some pics on Craig's facebook. These are his pics.

Metallica September 17 2009

  This is THE show! For me personally at least. This was the show that spoiled me. Being a part of the old Metclub, I got in on the presale and was able to get floor tickets. This was the first time I had spent this much money on a concert. And it was worth every penny. I now try to get the best tickets for every show. Most of my friends wouldn't spend this much money for a show so I didn't know who was going to go with me. Especially since the ones I wanted to go with me had just lost their jobs! So I had decided that they were going even if I had to pay for it. Now that I think about it, the first time I had seen Metallica, the friend that went with me had just lost his job. I paid for that one too. I hope this doesn't become tradition! Oh well, nobody wants to go to a concert alone. So I surprised them with the tickets, and they decided to spring for a hotel room within walking distance to the venue so we could party and not have to worry about driving home. That's cool, but I don't really drink when going to a show. I want to be completely immersed into the show without distraction. But it made them feel better to contribute to the experience and I was ok with that.
  I wanted to get to the show early so we could possibly get on the rail. I did not get us there soon enough. Oh well. We still ended up in a pretty good spot. I bought a T shirt with the event date, even though they didn't have my size. I have never been able to wear it. As we were waiting for the opening band to start, we ran into "That One Guy"! You know "That One Guy". The guy who has been listening to the band since before they got big. He was telling us how he saw Metallica in Chicago back in 82 when Dave Mustaine was still in the band. I smell bullshit! Now I won't say that I was there in the beginning. I found them around 88 when I was 15. But I do my homework. When I find something new that just grabs me by the throat, I want to know everything I can about it. I have an addictive personality. And I know that his whole statement was bullshit! I didn't say anything. I just shook my head and said "Oh wow". Not to mention that he didn't look any older than us and that would have made him about 10 years old or younger at the time. If we had not been at the concert, say we were just sitting around talking, I would have called him out and showed him proof! Oh well, on with the show.
  The opening act was Gojira. I love the name. They seemed heavy, but their sound guy should have been fired! They just sounded like a wall of noise. I couldn't even make out a riff. I wouldn't mind seeing them again if they have a better sound. I found the set list online.
1. Oroborus
2. The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe
3. Backbone
4. Flying Whales
5. Toxic Garbage Island
6. Vacuity
  Second band on the bill was Lamb Of God. Now I had heard of them, but had not heard anything from them. I was hoping it would be something I would really like. But just like Gojira, The sound just absolutely sucked. It was slightly better than Gojira, but not by much. So I just stood there bouncing to the beat. I found their set list online too.
1. In Your Words
2. Set To Fail
3. Walk With Me In Hell
4. Now You've Got Something To Die For
5. Ruin
6. Dead Seeds
7. Laid To Rest
8. Redneck
9. Black Label
  And Now The Main Event! This is the "World Magnetic Tour" in support of the album "Death Magnetic" And I love that album. I know they like to change up their sound from time to time, but I would be happy if the rest of their albums would have this energy. I will break down my excitement for each song.
1. That Was Just Your Life
   Great opening song. The heartbeat on the tape was almost beating as loud as mine!
2. End Of The Line
   Another great song. This along with the first song had a cool laser light show.
3. Ride The Lightning
   Classic!
4. Wherever I May Roam
   Probably my most favorite song from the black album.
5. One
   The pyro show and explosions were epic! Just like the song!
6. Broken, Beat, & Scarred
7. Cyanide
   Two songs from the new album. Not my favorites but not bad songs by any means.
8. Sad But True
   Do you want HEAVY?!?!?! I took video of this song
9. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
   One of my all time favorites!
10. All Nightmare Long
   THE song I wanted to hear from the new album! And It did not disappoint!
11. The Day That Never Comes
   Another one of my favs from Death Magnetic.
12 Master Of Puppets
   A show since 86 without Master Of Puppets is not a Metallica show!
13. Damage, Inc.
   I think I need to change my shorts after this one! Love this song!!
14. Nothing Else Matters
   I know this is a popular song. And James's solo is unforgettable. But it is such a low point of the show. Maybe they need it to catch their breath, but I think I've heard this song enough. It's a great song. I'm just personally tired of it.
15. Enter Sandman
   "The song that keeps the pool heated" Great song.
16. Last Caress
   The song that introduced me to the Misfits! Another one of my favs!
17. Motorbreath
   A little surprised to hear this one. It's definitely one of my favorites from Kill Em' All
18. Seek And Destroy
   Another classic! During this song, they dropped a bunch of black beach balls from the rafters. I didn't get one, but fortunately my friend Tim did! One of the big ones! Unfortunately he had to pop it just to hold onto it. He ended up giving it to me. I had to dive on the floor for a bass pick, but I got it!
  This one ranks up there as my favorite concert I've seen so far. The set list was perfect and I was close enough to the stage I could get spit on by the band. Thankfully that didn't happen though.
Here's my ticket stub, the bass pick, and a few pictures I took.I took over 200 but not all of them were that good. And a link to my video of Sad But True.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arP1cfrmQAI 
  

X Fest September 13 2008

  X Fest was a festival put on by the radio station out of Indianapolis X103. My friend Vince asked if I wanted to go. He was taking his son, Wade. I thought it would be cool to bring my daughter Kristeen. They were both around the same age. I think they knew of each other, if only from social media (lol MySpace!). But then Dad mode kicked in! I wanted to make sure Vince conveyed to Wade that this was not a "hook up"! I was not setting up my daughter with any boy! Because when you are a father of a teenage daughter, boys are THE DEVIL!! All that being said, I am writing this 11 years later, and Wade grew into a fine man. Good morals and a good job. It would not have been the worst thing to have happened. It just wasn't meant to be. And I absolutely love how my daughter's life has turned out and who she married.
  One thing that I had forgot was how awkward it was to be a teenager. When we got in the car, I think they said hi to each other. And that was it! An hour of awkward silence followed. I had nothing to worry about.  When we got to the parking lot however, it got awkward for me! Trying to lead two kids through the drunken debauchery was not fun. I literally covered her eyes when we walked past a girl standing on top of the roof of a car, topless, swinging her shirt in the air!
  We had lawn tickets, and Vince had no interest in upgrading. So we stayed in the lawn. You have to keep your head on a swivel when on the lawn. Some people like to tear up chunks of sod and throw them into the air. Luckily we witnessed that, but did not have to duck for cover.
  The first two bands were Hinder and Trapt. I had heard their hits on the radio, but that was about it. The only thing that stood out was that they both sounded the same, and that sound kind of reminded me of L.A. Guns. Apocalyptica was up next. Now this was cool! Definitely different. They really impressed me with their cover of Sepultura's Inquisition Symphony. And of course the Metallica covers. Next up, Bullet For My Valentine. This is the band Wade really wanted to hear. They were probably the heaviest band on the bill. I didn't know any of the songs, but I really enjoyed their set. At one point, a small mosh pit broke out. I had no urge to do that. And some dude had to be carried out with his leg turned a direction that it shouldn't be turned!
  The whole concert, I was trying to get Kristeen to let loose a little. Have a little fun. But she just stood there. Arms crossed. I was really trying to make a connection with her when it comes to music. But I was failing. I found out later that there was a boy there, a few feet from us on the lawn, that she knew from school. This boy would eventually become her boyfriend. And a headache for me for about 4 years! Never the less, on with the show.
  Up next, Candlebox. Again, I had no clue who they were and they pretty much sounded like the first two bands. After them it was Puddle Of Mud. I knew a few of their songs. They have some good sing-a-long songs. But the thing that stands out the most from their set was that the lead singer was completely drunk. He screwed  up a few times, but he was definitely entertaining. Funny and sad at the same time.
  And then there was one. The headliner of this festival was Buck Cherry. Now they had one huge hit in "Crazy Bitch". Which is ok, but not really what I normally listen to. Most of the bands were not what I normally listen to. A few songs in, a mass exodus started heading to the gate. After coming to the conclusion that they pretty much sounded like the other bands on the bill with nothing really to impressive, I had decided that leaving early was not a bad Idea. But I didn't want to ruin anyone else's show. So I asked everyone first if they were ok with leaving early. If anyone would have said no, I would have stayed. I hadn't heard anyone say that they were there to see Buck Cherry. Everyone agreed. So off we went. After we got to the car, Kristeen admitted to wanting to see Buck Cherry. She said she wasn't going to be the only one to say no to leaving early. Dad FAIL!
  All in all, I had fun. I hope Kristeen did too. She never really said so. I don't have any pictures, and I can't even find any event posters or set lists online. But I do have my ticket stub.

Ozzy Osbourne & Megadeth June 6 2019

POSTPONED! Ozzy is rehabbing from a fall (He is 70 something). So I went to cancel my hotel I had booked and It was going to cost me 90% of the total. So we (Tim and his wife along with my wife Maria) went any way. We went to Coney Island Amusement park, Belterra Casino, And the Cincinnati Zoo. Had fun, but was disappointed I couldn't see the show. To be continued...
   Here's a picture of a gorilla.

UPDATE

This show was rescheduled to June 4th 2020 with Marilyn Manson instead of Megadeth. And as we all know, everything got cancelled for 2020. And since then Ozzy has pretty much retired from touring. In preparation of this show, I had bought this bootleg T shirt from Ebay. And that's all I have. Oh well, It's my own fault for waiting to long. Thanks for all the Music Ozzy. Enjoy retirement!

Mayhem Festival August 13 2008

  This was my first festival show. I went in not really knowing any of the bands playing. It was myself, my friend Tim, and another friend of ours, Josh. We showed up late and missed most of the opening bands. And I couldn't tell you who I was watching on the smaller stages anyway. There was a stunt bike show... Missed that too. Josh really wanted to see Five Finger Death Punch...Missed them too. We were walking around the main stage and I think Machine Head were on. Wish we could have stopped and watched, but the other two wanted to look around a little longer. We ended up standing next to an autograph table. Not in line, but next to it. And then a band walked up and sat down. It was Mastodon. Cool. Wish I could have seen them play. At this time we had discovered that for only $10, we could upgrade our lawn tickets to get actual seats. A trick we would use in the future as well.
   So we finally get to our seats as Dragon Force was finishing their set. They had a song on the recent Guitar Hero video game. That's the only way I recognized them. Disturbed was up next. I had heard of them, but could only recognize one song. They were good, but not really anything exciting in my opinion. Up next, Slipknot. They were headlining this show. And they were the ones my friends wanted to see. I was just kind of along for the ride. But, I was pleasantly surprised. Slipknot puts on a hell of a show! One of the things that standout was Sid Wilson. The DJ for Slipknot. He had broke both of his heels from jumping off of an elevated part of the stage at the first show of the tour. They brought him out in a wheelchair and he did his thing. They have a very energetic stage show and the music is heavy! So all in all, it was a good show.
Here's a list of the bands that were there (most of whom we missed)
   Slipknot
   Disturbed
   Dragon Force
   Mastodon
   Machine Head
   Airbourne
   Five Finger Death Punch
   Walls Of Jericho
   Under Oath
   Black Tide
   Suicide Silence
   36 Crazy Fists
   The Red Chord
   Dead Broke

Here's the setlist from Slipknot
   Surfacing
   The Blister Exists
   Get This
   Before I Forget
   Disasterpiece
   Psychosocial
   The Heretic Anthem
   Prosthetics
   Duality
   People = Shit
   (sic)


  No pics. but here's the ticket stub

   .

Dr. Chud's X-Ward October 31 2007

  One week later. It's Halloween! I had been preparing for this one for a while. When I found out the Halloween show was going to be close enough to go to, I started getting my costume together.I had decided to do Chud's costume from the first time I had seen him. The Army Of The Dead! Now mine was not exactly like his. I went to the local army surplus store looking for clothes. The only problem is that most people that serve this fine country are fit and a lot smaller than me. I did the best I could, but everything was a little tight! Chud sold patches that I (or my wife to be more accurate) could sew onto my uniform. Along with a Misfits patch and a little freehand work with a sharpie, It didn't look half bad.I found a plastic helmet and made it look like a medic's helmet. I was going to go authentic with the helmet, but those things are heavy as hell! Much respect to those who have to wear those to protect themselves.After having my wife help me with my facepaint, I was good to go!

  The same six that had gone to last weeks show loaded up into the Jeep again and away we went. All of us were wearing costumes , but not everyone was ready. We stopped at a McDonald's to use there bathroom mirror so the two could do their makeup. The rest of us waited out in the parking lot trying to avoid the homeless people (that smelled like piss!) trying to bum cigarettes and money from us. They finished up (those poor people at the McDonald's that had to clean that mess up) and off we went. 

  We get to the bar and we see some of the guys in the band hanging out already in costume. We took some pics together. Talked to the new bass player(who I think was very high!) and just kind of relaxed before the show. The drummer (Al X)  asked me if I could use his video camera and tape his performance. He said there was only enough battery life left to do about half the show, but he wanted all I could get him. How could I say no? I don't really remember any of the opening bands. Except one. Dr. Satan! He was just one dude. playing guitar along with a tape as his backing band. Now you might laugh at this, but I think it takes courage to stand up in front of a bunch of people and do that. There was a costume contest before Chud came on. I lost. But one of my friends won. He dressed as Dr. Chud. He looked good, but I think it was rigged! 

  On with the main event! It was another great show by Chud and the guys. The energy they bring is at a very high level! A few songs in, a friend that came with me offered to do some of the taping so I could just enjoy the show. But he kept turning the camera sideways for some reason.I asked him why and he said he "was a film editor and could fix it later." That bugged me, my OCD kicked in and I took the camera back! Then I got the nod to come up on stage to film Al up close. That was cool! It was definitely a different view than the crowd. And just like expected, about half way threw a song, the camera died. So I just stayed up there until the song was over jamming out. When the song ended, I jumped back down in the front row and continued to rage. At some point, my zipper on my tight camo pants that I got from the army surplus store broke! My shirt kind of concealed the broken zipper, but I had to be a little careful not to raise my hands up to far! Chud's Army Of The Dead costume came with a mask that he glued to his face. At some point, the glue had failed and his jawline was starting to flap. It must have gotten annoying to him because mid song he just ripped it off his face without missing a beat! During the song "Goodbye", Chud plays guitar. He threw a pic out into the crowed that I snatched out of the air! The Setlist was the same as the previous two shows, but that doesn't matter. We had a blast!

   After the show was over, the party continued. We stood around talking, drinking, and taking pics. Chud signed everything he was asked to. Including my plastic helmet! The bar put The Misfits cd "American Psycho" on the house pa. There was a group sing along when "Dig Up Her Bones" came on. And then everything turned to shit! One of my friend's wife, who had a little too much to drink, started getting to friendly with the MC of the evening. And when my friend saw this he became enraged! And who could blame him. "That's my wife!!" was the last thing I heard before he charged the guy. I don't know if he landed any punches, but I did my best to pull him off the guy. "I didn't know!!! I didn't know!!! She kissed me!!!" screamed the MC. I had my friend secured holding on to him, trying to calm him down (and was succeeding in my efforts), when out of the side of my eye I noticed a photographer from a local magazine that was there, raise a beer bottle ready to nail my friend that I was holding on to! Holding my friend with my left arm, reaching up trying to stop the beer bottle with my right arm. I couldn't hold my friend any longer. He tackled the photographer and started wailing. Somehow during the scuffle, my friend's very drunk wife got knocked to the ground. We pulled everyone apart. The cops showed up and the party was over. Nobody pressed any charges, and nobody went to jail. Although the rat ass photographer was lying through his teeth about the whole situation. I wanted to blast him in the face standing right in front of the cops! The cops called an ambulance to check out my friends wife. They decided she needed to go to the hospital for further tests. The only thing wrong with her was that she was extremely drunk! So she got hauled off in the ambulance, we all said goodbye to Chud, and then we were off to the hospital. It was about three in the morning when the hospital told us she couldn't be released because of the level of her intoxication. I had to be at work at six! And there was still an hour drive home in front of us. So I left my friend with a half a pack of Camels and twenty bucks to stay with his wife. I didn't want to but I had no choice. I got home with enough time to shower and down a pot of coffee. It was a long day at work!

   With all that happened after the show, it still doesn't take away from the hell of a show That Chud put on! I had a blast! Here are some pics and the event poster. Again, the fog machine reeked havoc on the pictures, but oh well.