Best 2010 Local Metal Shows

2010 was an exciting year for local metal bands. There were some amazing shows that these bands got to take part in and I was happy that I got to catch them.

5. St. Patty’s Day Metal Mayhem at Mac’s- This show was the first local metal show I went to in 2010 and I’m glad I did. Endless Aisle played and got the crowd pumped up by interacting with the crowd in the pit. Although one band, XFactor1, was lame and didn’t fit in, Blacktooth Brigade and Sin Theorem made up for it.

4. Death Valley Dragline Oct.9 at Mac’s- I found out about DVD earlier in the year but every time they played I was already going to another show, so I put this one on my calendar. Upset by the fact that they played first, because they deserve more people to hear their stuff, didn’t matter because they rocked out like they were playing the Palace. Suma, a Swedish band, was interesting to watch. Their set was very theatrical, but then Unearthly Trance came on and the place exploded, the pit opened up, and I found another favorite band (at least for a while).

3. Impromptu show Nov.4 at Uli’s Haus of Rock- Blacktooth Brigade and All Ends Black put on a sudden show that Thursday night and it was exactly what I needed. Country Blacktooth went on first and played some old, down to earth country. Then All Ends Black played, reminding me why I like new bands, then BTB wrapped up the night. It was a chill night with everyone just hanging out, less formal than a show and it was nice to just be able to relax and listen to some great music.

2. Halloween Metal on the River Oct. 22 on the Michigan Princess- No better way to celebrate an early Halloween than to rock out with some local metal bands and dress up… and be on a boat. The line-up was awesome and I found one of my new favorite local bands, Chemical Crutch. With bands playing on both levels there wasn’t a time when music wasn’t playing, and seeing drunken people try and maneuver around a moving boat is always a good time.

1. The Girls Gone Wild Party Oct. 2 at Men’s Rea- This was the last stop on Blacktooth Brigade’s City Tour (Oct. 2)and they were the band that made this show the best of 2010. The energy level in the set spread to the crowd and the club exploded with it. The whole feeling in the room changed when they were playing. It went from I’m-at-a-concert to this-band-makes-me-want-to-rage. The other bands were good too, but nothing could top BTB’s set, and seeing them play at least 10 times now, it was one of their best sets performance-wise. Best show of 2010 and probably best show that will be played at the dank place now named Men’s Rea.

And since no list is a Top 6 I'll just make honorable mention of the acoustic show that Blacktooth Brigade played. It was amazing and I was surprised that a metal band could still sound like a metal band without drums and without being electric.

All Ends Black

Last night at Harpos was amazing. One of our very own up and coming metal bands, All Ends Black, got to be on of the opening bands for Straight Line Stitch and Soulfly.

There were four local bands that got to open up for these two headliners, and although none of them got much playing time, 3 songs opening for Soulfly is an opportunity I know I wouldn't have passed up.

All Ends Black went on second and played "Nightmare," "Believe" and "Last Laugh." Although their set was cut short the crowd didn't seem to mind. Hanging around while all the other bands played, and waiting for Soulfly, people kept coming up to the members of All Ends Black and telling them how much they liked them.

One guy who had drove up from Indiana asked the band to sign a snare head and was incredibly excited about getting it- you wouldn't have thought that Soulfly signed it. But people like him are the people who make a difference in the local scene.

And of course, Soulfly played last, as the headliner does. They. Were. Amazing. I had just recently found out about them earlier this year but I have multiple albums and I was so excited to hear they were playing a show in Detroit, and with All Ends Black.

Only downside was they only played about 30 seconds of my favorite song "Jump Da Fuck Up," but it didn't matter. They played stuff from older albums, like Primitive, and really got the crowd going.

The pit was vicious and not one person in Harpos that night was not raging out to Soulfly. The place was in a frenzy and Soulfly knew how to keep it going. As someone who missed most of the good concerts because the bands I really want to see were big when I was about 9, this was a chance to see one of the "older" bands that I love- and see them play with a band that I have covered multiple times, All Ends Black.

As always support your local scene. Get out there, talk to the bands, tell them what you think cause it helps them and they'll thank you for it.

Weird Night at Oades

Even though it was a weird combination of bands playing a Oade's Hidden Camel Saturday night, they were all amazing so it didn't matter.

Billiards Music, as always, played a great set. Including a few new songs. If you know anything about me it's that I like metal, but Billiards Music is just that band that can transcend tastes and everyone enjoys them. "Loaded gun" is a new song and the gorgeous melody just entranced me. I couldn't take my eyes away from the guitar, and the lyrics just made it even better. They had a few problems with some reverberation from one of the drums, but the joke was that every girl just grabbed their crotch in ecstasy- always a fun time with them.


Next was The Violent Sun, and I would like to retract a comment I had made in an article I wrote about them. The singer's voice totally fits and it should not be changed. I don't know if it was just because the article was about their first show, or if the sound was different or what, but last night I just kept thinking how perfectly the singer goes with the melodies. The piano playing is amazing, and all I wanted to do was jump up and start playing because he made me remember how much I loved it and how many different things you can do on a piano.

Blacktooth Brigade closed up the show and thank god they were there last night. As I said in my last post I've been dealing with the loss of a close friend and BTB's "Way of the World" is a song that I love to blast when I'm going through a hard time. And last night was amazing. The band was in a zone, everyone was meshing with each other and smiling... they were on fire. It was one of the best sets I've seen from them, and their music allowed me to let out some of the emotions, that I've had built up inside, out. I was headbanging, singing, well screaming, and just having a great time.

As always support your local scene. Check out the bands I mention and any others that play around Lansing (or wherever you live).

Pick me up

I have had a shitty last week or so. I've been dealing with some drama in my life and on top of that I just found out Saturday that a good friend passed away, and then her birthday was Sunday. Dealing with all this stuff has really dragged me down so of course I turned to music and one of the songs in specific is Blacktooth Brigade's "Way of the World."

This song is that perfect here's-how-the-world-goes-but-that-doesn't-mean-you-have-to-like-it. It starts off slow and somber and explains how it's the way of the world and it will not end well for us. It then starts to dominate and show the anger everyone has when things aren't going well.

It's hard to do this song justice. The 7 minutes of domination, the sweet guitar riffs and solos, the fighter attitude in the lyrics, it all adds together to make one of my favorite songs. The way I feel when I listen to it is hard to put into words, but if it can help me through a time like this then it's definitely worth everyone checking out.

As always, support your local scene. And don't be afraid to have one of your favorite songs be from a band everyone else hasn't heard of.

Thursday Night at Uli's

After going to see the Filipino National Dance company perform I decided that a metal show was just what I needed to make my night normal- at least in my terms. And it never hurts when the show is free either.

Blacktooth Brigade and All Ends Black put on an impromptu show at Uli's Haus of Rock, or Pain according to Uli. Country Blacktooth played first and that was a little weird, mostly because it was actually good. Clint Cox, Daniel Neff, and Ian Smith entertained the crowd with some good ol' country music- not twangy, not poppy, just down home country. The set would have been a little better if they had actually spent time practicing with all of them, but other then the few mess ups with transitions they played well. And it had a great entertainment value nonetheless.

All Ends Black got up and rocked it out. Adam Ray's rap hands make me laugh, but they somehow fit with the scream metal they play. The set was perfect for letting out some rage or just enjoying some good music. Well setting up for their song "Last Laugh" Ray looked over at me and we were both laughing and he went on to say "if you don't know what this song is about go read spartan edge." I had covered the Halloween Metal on the River show, where they played, and in my article spoke of "Last Laugh" and how it was about Ray's old band, Endless Aisle. Some of EA's band mates saw the article and commented about the song, Ray was asking why I had to "sell him out"(but he wasn't actually mad) earlier in the night, so that's why we began laughing when they played it Thursday night.

Blacktooth Brigade closed the night off with a solid performance. I have seen them many times, but their songs still have the same effect on me, and now I know most of the words. Eric Wolfe's and Neff's solos were the icing on the metal cake, and as far as I could tell they didn't mess up. Halfway through the set Cox got a little preoccupied with ordering beers and kept asking if they were on the way, but he didn't let it interrupt the songs- just the time in between haha. Like always BTB put on a good set and the best part of it was that they enjoy playing those songs every time- whether or not they've played three shows in a row, or there are two people at the show, it just doesn't matter to them. They all love what they do which makes it easy for the crowd to love it too.

Metal Girls

Why don't girls who like metal get credit? Why don't we get the same respect in a pit that guys do? And why do guys always think they have to protect us?

As a girl who goes to a lot of metal and has participated in some great pits, I still feel that I'm not given credit. Sure, there are always guys who are like "check that chick out" or girls, if I'm with a friend, but most instantaneously snap into protector mode. I came to the concert, I know the music, I know what happens at shows, and above all, I put myself in this pit- I do not need protection.

A local band, Chemical Crutch, has a song entitled "Catfight" that is all about "the chicks who can mix shit up in the pit," and that was the first time I felt respect. This song gave props to all the girls who do what I do, take the same beatings that I do, and like the same music that I do. This song became an instant favorite of mine, not just because of what it was about, but because of the feeling it evoked from me when I heard it- which is what good music is about.

The other problems I have with the protector mode that guys snap into is that it tends to cross the creepy line fairly quickly, and most of the guys that are there i want nothing to do with. For example, The Slayer pit was amazing but these two guys kept talking about how they needed to protect me and my friend even though we told them multiple times that they did NOT. One of the guys, in particular, was like 45 years old, shirtless, and dripping sweat. My shirt and shorts were completely soaked with this old man's sweat, and he kept putting his hand on my shoulders. Okay, if you're gonna protect me from getting smashed in the pit or something, her it's chivalrous, but if you're gonna try and use it to touch me a bunch and whatnot, than don't bother.

The other problem I have with guys protecting girls in the pit is that it makes us girls seem useless, fragile, and inferior. I get that most guys wouldn't want the girl they're dating to be taking guys down in a pit- it's not the most feminine display- but that doesn't mean we can't do it. Having a guy, that i don't know usually, automatically say that he'll protect me makes me feel inferior. I feel like he doesn't think that I can take care of myself. Probably, that's not true and he's just trying to be nice. But like I said before I put myself in that situation, so trust that I know what I'm doing and can take care of myself.

Then there's the flip-side of the equation. Those girls who go, usually with their boyfriends but they might enjoy it too, and get pissed that people are pushing against them. It's a fucking pit girlie, so if you don't want to be there then get out. If I hear one more girl in a pit complain that everyone keeps pushing them or that it's too hot, or anything else that shows that they don't want to be there, I'm going to punch them. And to make matters worse, they're boyfriends perpetuate the situation. They have the girl completely wrapped up in their arms and throw elbows at anyone who comes close to knocking against her- which I've seen start multiple fights. Couples should just not get into pits unless they can stand to get separated and take care of themselves.

So to all the protector guys out there: Let us be unless we get knocked unconscious or need some other medical help. If we're in the pit, especially by ourselves, assume we want to be there, know what is going to happen, and can take care of ourselves. I'm not saying don't be chivalrous or anything, like if a guy just randomly punches us in the face maybe you can hit him back, but besides that we can handle getting pushed around, and most of us can even throw some damn good elbows.

Give the girls credit, and as always, support your local scene.

The Violent Sun, Billiards Music, and Tree Hut Kings

Sure these bands aren't metal, but even metal heads need a break sometimes. These three bands should definitely get checked out by everyone and are worth mentioning- even on a metal blog.

The Violent Sun is new on the scene. They announced that it was their second show, but they way they played would make you think otherwise. With a keyboardist, stand up bass, and a drum set, this band packs quite a punch with their unique sound. The bass was shaking the floor like thunder and the keys were the crack of lightning on top. the drums provided a nice dimension to the sound- when he was on top of his game at least. The singing is something you have to get used to. It's not bad, but it takes a while for you to get that it does blend with the style and music. The Violent Sun had smooth transitions from slower Decemberists meets James Blunt with some post-punk sound, to the faster groove rock.

They played a slow song, which is how they introduced it, and it was mesmerizing. I felt like I wanted to meditate, to just look back on my life and start judging my decisions and where they got me. With not a lot of singing during this song, you could really tell how talented all these musicians were. Then they played their "dance" song, and it definitely makes you want to move. With a good beat and a sort of Latin sound, but not quite as cheesy as Enrique Inglesias (I spelled this right on my first try and I'm not sure I know how to feel about it).

Next up was Billiards Music, and even though I've seen them multiple times, I still love every show. Personally, it was exactly what I needed after having a really rough week. Their chill stoner sound, Sublime meets Incubus vocals, and overall energy and performance made me forget about everything that has been clogging my mind and stressing me out, and just enjoy. Compared to some of their other shows, and most local shows I attend, there were quite a lot of people there, which allowed the energy escalate throughout the set, with the crowd singing along to almost every song.

Billiards' song "Feelin it' seems to be the crowd's favorite, I know it's mine. With a simple melody and heart felt lyrics, it's the perfect summer song and it's great to jam to any time you're in the car. They seemed to play a pretty long set, which is nice, and they ended it with my other favorite song, "But'er face." This song, well it's not really a full song, is hilarious. Everyone has seen someone that they have deemed a but'er face, but to hear a band turn it into a catchy tune makes it even better. "Someone should say/ you don't look too good," It's perfect.

Tree Hut Kings was up next, and will be playing every third Thursday (I believe) at the Loft. They were amazing. I had never seen them before, but they definitely earn to be a regular somewhere. Cody, conga player from Billiards, joined them for a few songs- and I was kind of upset when I learned that he wasn't part of it, or that they didn't have congas because it sounded really good. The bass player and drummer from Violent Sun were also a part of this jazz meets ska meets chill rock meets... all in all they are very eclectic in their sound and you can find many influences in their songs and lyrics that really blend nicely together.

The singer has this soulful voice and mixed with the old groove rock meets jazz sound, it could be played in so many different places,which would make Santana pleased (one of their influences). During their song "I want you so bad,"(might not be official name but that's how I'll remember it) the keys busted out a trumpet, adding to that ska-ish sound. And throughout the set they had someone playing an electronic clarinet, which is something I've never seen let alone in a band performing. All in all, check this band out because they're quite original and I don't think you'll be disappointed, it doesn't have to turn into your favorite, but it's nice to broaden your interests and influences.

As always, Check out and help support your local scene.