System of a Down Concert

Wow - what an awesome experience. Most people my age don't really know anything about them but it seemed like more than 10,000 20 year olds sure do. When I say experience, this was different than your regular rock show in my books. I was very apprehensive about seeing this band on the floor. They are a very heavy band and I knew the crowd would be young. I knew this would going to be step up than what I am used to.

I didn't go alone for a change - I went with my buddy Costas (who was born when I was in high school) and he got us floor tickets. We met for a couple of beers outside and then a couple inside and watched the opening band Mars Volta. This band was all over the place - Thrash metal and trippy jams from 2 guys (and their band) who's combined weight was probably 200lbs with massive afros. They had electric guitars and a sax and flute with one of the guys dancing better than Prince or MJ. It was odd seeing a guy dance like that doing metal but with these guys it just seemed to work. I'd like to see them again but in a smaller venue - sound didn't do them justice. The bass would travel right through every nerve of your body - it was a bit much.

It was off to the floor for Costas and I and we didn't have a lot to drink so for a change I'm almost sober. We squeeze up near the centre front a couple fo people back and wait for the show. We let in a couple of girls in front because they said they were being manhandled by the guys behind us.

The show started and the crowd went psycho on the floor like most shows with lots of positioning to be closest to the front. They kicked butt right from the get go and the pit went more insane as each song got passed. By the end of the third song, I had finally met my match in the pit - I couldn't take the lack of space and oxygen. I couldn't believe that I was leaving Costas and wimping out after all my previous shows and pits. Maybe not enough booze or this was just too hardcore too fast. It was brutal trying to go backwards in the pit when everyone is pushing but I finally got air and got to recover for a few songs in the back and then Costas came out just soaked and banged up as well. After a short break we went for it again and I was re-energized and pumped. We kicked butt getting up close again and this time I just went with the moshing instead of trying to fight it. It was way better than being jammed at the very front.

Surrounded by a bunch of hardcore 20 year olds who just wanted to get violent (not in a fighting way, in a way like - "I'll push you really hard and then you push me really hard and then we do it again - yeah !!! and then we'll push that guy in front to get closer - yeah !!!" , I got totally into it with them and the show just got better and better. We got bounced around a ton but it was a blast. Their music comes in waves, some cool mellow moments and then 10 seconds later, sheer pandemonium. The whole coliseum were on their feet jumping for almost the whole show which you don't normally see. The lighting was perfect and the sound was one of the best I've heard in the coliseum. They totally blew me away.

These young folks are on to something digging this band-I'm so glad I got out and saw a band that wasn't around 20 years ago :)

Booked Vegas Woohoo !!
going to Vegas with my folks in a couple of weeks for 2 nights - should be lots o' fun. Linda is being real about me going away without her and the kids.

Concert Megadeth:
Poetry By Me

My ears are still ringing
But I’ve left the show and there is no more singing
Last week was the commodore for the Garbage show
Shirley Manson was great and I’m glad I had a chance to go
They did “Only happy when it rains” and their new one “Bleed Like Me”
It was a civilized crowd which was nice to see

This week was the Coliseum where there was no piano or Sax
For this was Gigantour with Megadeth and Anthrax
It was a Friday afternoon and the feeling was right
It was time to go for beers to begin the hard rockin’ night
Thoughts of a few places to go but nixed the pub
Instead we went where the waitresses are fine at Cactus Club

After a few beers left the guys and went on my own
For these types of shows aren’t for everyone so I went alone
Bought a scalped floor ticket for less than full price
I now had more money for beers which is always nice

Seven metals bands were playing throughout the day
I’m getting old and only watched the last 2 play
Anthrax was up and they played their hits loud
Was fun to see and rock with the crowd














Got more beers and they had cold Imported MGD
I was rocking and as happy as one could be
Dave from Megadeth took the stage
The sold out floor metal heads went into a rage

I was up front as that’s the place I like to be
There was pushing and shoving going all around me
Moshing and Surfing went on over head
A knee here, a foot there, their limp bodies seemed dead

It felt like with surfing a crowd that anything goes
Until one landed on me and I got a bleeding nose
The blood gushed but no one seemed to see
So I wiped myself on the back of the guy in front of me

The guy in front needed a break
Security asked me to help him over the fence for goodness sake
Down by his butt trying to lift him over the fence
This guy didn’t want me there from what I could sense

He turned to me with fire in his eyes
And I let him pound on my head due to his size
When he finally decided the beating would stop
I then cursed out that rental cop

They played their hits from ‘Sweating bullets’ to ‘kick the chair’
And all around the rockers headbanged their long hair
The show was good but didn’t go too long
‘Holy Wars’ was their last final song

Tired and bruised and soaking wet
I laughed at myself as I continued to sweat
Blood on my face and hair like Don King
Wishing I was a rock and roller who could sing

Next week should be fun once again
Going to another show at the coliseum
Saturday night will be fun to be in town
As I rock again for ‘System of a Down’

Birthdays - Carter + Sierra

Carter turned 6 and Sierra turned 12 - Carter celebrated by having a small group of his friends to his gymnastics class and my folks had a small get together at their place for great food and games.