This is an expanded photo gallery of the KISS Nation appearance at Tribeca Rock Club that was documented HERE.
Continue reading KISS Nation: Live Photos @ Tribeca Rock Club (7/26/2003)
KISS Nation @ Tribeca Rock Club (7/26/2003)
Artist: KISSNation
Venue: Tribeca Rock Club (New York, NY)
Date: 7/26/2003
Label: Independent Tribute Artist
Although this particular concert had taken place a few months before I would become one of those online scribes that inform the world about music happenings on this side of the world, I wanted to share it with people because it was a pretty solid warm up to the whole idea when it came down to it. To those friends in the real world, my love for all things KISS is not something new and given the many interesting tributes to their musical body of work I decided to check out one of the more prominent ones to see what they were all about with some friends. The band was called KISSNation and I had met a few of their number at a book signing that Gene Simmons was doing not too long ago. They were walking around and dressed to the nines in character. The faux Gene stalked the avenue and flashed the occasional tongue while the drummer was decked out in his Eric Carr best. I liked that since it was much more different than those bands that only feature Peter. Their gig this evening would be at the Tribeca Rock Club, and while I thought I had seen some local friends perform at the space, I was not 100% certain.
Continue reading KISS Nation @ Tribeca Rock Club (7/26/2003)
Slipknot @ Continental Airlines Arena (3/5/2005)
Artist: Slipknot
Venue: Continental Airlines Arena, NJ
Opener: Gizmachi, Shadows Fall, Lamb Of God
Date: 3-6-2005
The Slipknot show at Continental Airlines Arena would prove to start with both an interesting as well as annnoying twist. Of the four bands performing, Gizmachi was set to kick it off and the tickets showed a start of 7:00 pm. On walking in at exactly that time we were told by ushers that Gizmachi had played three songs about 30 minutes ago. It is not fair to the audience who pays for the ticket or the band who expects a decent crowd to be there for a show such as this. Instead people were probably wondering why Gizmachi shirts were on sale since they had missed them and were unaware they even played. This band in particular is a discovery of the “Clown” member of Slipknot, so you would think the venue would allot some accommodation. I imagine it beneficial to generate a buzz in a new CD that is coming out. This cant help it at all.
It was also interesting to look around the venue and find it not overly crowded. Given Slipknots overall appeal to the metal fans, and then combine that with the chance to see Shadows Fall and Lamb Of God on the same bill this was odd. Looking inside the venue to the top section, one could see a black curtain draped around the entire structure. This means that not one seat was sold for the entire area. Now that’s a lot of empty seats and it would have seemed bad had it not be covered up. Also random scatters of empty sections which did not fill even at Slipknots time were very visible. I am not sure how or why this is the case, but we made the best of it and still rocked hard. Further investigation had me finding this was considered a scaled-down event, but I still felt Slipknot has the notoriety to fill this venue.
Continue reading Slipknot @ Continental Airlines Arena (3/5/2005)
Marillion @ Irving Plaza (10/6/2004)
Artist: Marillion
Venue: Irving Plaza (New York, NY)
Date: 10-06-2004
Opener: unknown
Label: Racket Records
Genre: Progressive Rock
I have to be quite honest with you in admitting that I attended this show both expecting to be disappointed and for it not to be all that good. I must also say that I was completely wrong on both counts. You might wonder what made me come to such a drastic conclusion so early. Well, Marillion has been a tad difficult to follow here in the United States as it is very hard to get their CD’s which are all imports and hence on the expensive side. The last few albums they released also simply did not do it for me beyond one or two songs. When you add to the fact that they seldom tour the United States you get the picture. All of this was to change tonight. I stopped at a local pub first and ran into some visiting Brits who had actually followed the group from the UK to the USA. That was impressive and after several pints and these enthusiastic Brits I found myself inside a jam-packed Irving Plaza. The Venue is a nice place to see a group as it offers a decent sized floor area and some room on a balcony. Over 1,000 dedicated Marillion fans were in attendance and it was interesting to find out that the trip was fan club supported. This would be the bands first return in about seven years.
Continue reading Marillion @ Irving Plaza (10/6/2004)
Listening To Soilwork’s “Stabbing The Drama” In NYC (2/11/2005)
Artist: Soilwork
Event: “Stabbing The Drama” CD Listening Party
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Date: 2-11-2005
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Swedish metal veterans Soilwork held a listening party for their forthcoming release on Nuclear Blast records. The CD, entitled “Stabbing The Drama” was blasted on the speakers of the CBGB’s Lounge this evening and a good metal time was had by all in attendance. From the band, we had guitarist Peter Wichers and several representatives from the Nuclear Blast record label. In addition to the listening and enjoyment of the CD as well as any beers, there was the chance to discuss the bands plans for this release and give them a chance to mingle with many of their media connections. Peter was an interesting and fun dude to kick back with. He has a great sense of humor and is very excited about the coming tour.
Continue reading Listening To Soilwork’s “Stabbing The Drama” In NYC (2/11/2005)