Tuesday night I had tickets to see one of my favorite bands, Drowning Pool. I had seen them twice before at Ozzfest two different years but that was with Dave Williams (RIP). I hadn’t seen them since. I didn’t really care much for their first album after Dave. It was mostly Jason Jones, vocals, that I just couldn’t get into. Nobody will ever be Dave but he just didn’t have what I wanted in Drowning Pool and came to expect. After finding out Ryan (former vocals for SOiL, another great band live) joined the band and hearing the new album I just had to see the new lineup live.
It was great to find out that they were going to play The Iron Horse Pub here in Wichita Falls, TX. The Iron Horse is not a very big place but after touring so long doing major cities, Drowning Pool is on a small-venue tour which I’m sure is amazing. The feeling you get at a small venue is great. I ended up directly in front of the stage and as time went on found myself to the right of the stage in front of the speakers. I normally go to shows in bigger venues like Kay Yeager and Superpages.com Center so it was a change to be right in front of the stage and the band and able to feel their energy.
I’ve seen so many bands live (check out the about me page) from 4 years of Ozzfest and other shows including Metallica, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Godsmack, Korn, Godsmack, Sevendust, Saliva, and plenty more and this is by far the best show I have ever been to. They had a great mix of old school Drowning Pool (Ryan pays plenty of respect to Dave) and new stuff off their latest album. Overall it was an amazing show and without a doubt a band I plan to see again very soon. Next week I’m going to Dallas to the Superpages.com Center for Mayhem Fest headlined by Disturbed and Slipknot, as I love getting lawn tickets, I think I will leave missing something that I found at the DP show. Being able to feel the energy from the band.
Last month I saw Sevendust and Saliva in concert and really wanted to go to a bigger show this summer. After Ozzfest was announced as being in Dallas, TX only and the line-up was posted I had that in my sights. I hadn’t been to Ozzfest for a few years after going 4 years straight. Granted I have seen most of the bands at Ozzfest a few I really wanted to see again including Drowning Pool (saw them back in the Dave Williams days, RIP). I ended up waiting a little too long to purchase OzzFest tickets as they only had some crappy seats available, with a notice during checkout that your view of the stage may be obstructed. I really didn’t want to pay $100 for a seat that I may or may not be able to view the stage. So, I looked at the Rockstar Mayhem Fest instead. I have seen Disturbed and Slipknot several times before but would love to see them again with new music. I also wouldn’t mind seeing Five Finger Death Punch, DragonForce and Walls of Jericho. Today I finally purchased my ticket for the July 25 Dallas, TX date. Anybody else going to either Ozzfest or the Mayhem Fest?
The Sevendust and Saliva show last night was amazing. All four bands kicked ass including the two local ones from Dallas, TX; Neverset and Overscene. You can find pictures on my flickr here; http://flickr.com/photos/twofivethreetwo/sets/72157604790835222/ (pics aren’t great but a few good ones as crappy camera + fog machine/strobes = blurry). I also took a few quick videos of songs from Saliva and Sevendust which you can find here; http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=9E8B85193A11B197 . Also did a quick Me Today as I was leaving the Kay Yeager.
For those who don’t know I used to do some managing of bands. Handle the bands website, booking of gigs, travel, money, press kits, merch, etc. I had built up a ton of contacts from labels in states surrounding Oklahoma, venues across the country, studios around my area, etc. It was kinda easy and I was good at it. However, due to several changes in my life at the time I stopped being involved in music. The bands I worked with were moving on/breaking up and I didn’t have the time or resources to do it anymore. I continued instead in websites, hosting, and web development as it was not only better money but steady income (not 100% steady due to freelancing, but not bad). I haven’t really missed being involved in music but have thought about it a few times. I did take an interest in a local band Southern Aggression though. I started doing their website and graphics and offered to do some manager duties for booking gigs, etc. They weren’t ready yet as they were still working on getting the band flowing and a demo out and have since added a new member. I was today however offered the opportunity to take over as band manager for the band. I’m excited to be offered this as I have thought about getting back involved with music since my freelance webdesign/developer business is going real good. I’m not 100% sure if I want to do it yet. Continue reading »
It looks like I will be starting back working at The Railhead Saloon (a metal bar here in Lawton). I started helping run lights/sound for live bands there back in June of last year and a few months ago had stopped doing it. However, starting tonight I will be back out there every weekend from 9pm to 2am running lights and sound. So, for those of you who have nothing else better to do on Friday and Saturday nights then come on out to The Railhead and listen to some live music. I’ll be in the sound booth so stop by.
