R.I.P. Pete Steele

"Well I’ve got no more reason to live
And I’ve got no more love to give
Tonight’s the night
I’ll paint the town red
I’ll put another whole through my head

Unjustifiable existence
Unjustifiable
Unjustifiable existence

Now I feel the weight of a world on my back
I’ve seen the future
The future looks black
It’s what I must do
I have no reservations
Ain’t talk ’bout self preservation

Unjustifiable existence
Unjustifiable
Unjustifiable existence
Unjustifiable existence

Gravity
Crushing me
Gravity
Crushing me
Crushing me
Crushing me

B. acceleration (due to gravity) - 980cm^-2 sec

Yeah I feel something pulling me down
Forcing me between myself and the ground
Of all the nightmares that ever came true
I think that gravity (gravity-gravity) is you

Unjustifiable existence
Unjustifiable
Unjustifiable existence
Unjustifiable existence

Gravity
Crushing me
Gravity
Crushing me
Crushing me
Crushing me

C. antimatter: electromechanical psychedelicosis

D. requiem for a soulless man

I’ve got a problem
A problem with hate
I can’t go on dragging this weight
A cold steel hand that won’t let go
Acid-filled thoughts out of control

I built myself a nice little cage
With bars of anger and a lock of rage
I can’t help asking who’s got the key?
When I know damned well it’s me

No I ain’t hinting for sympathy
I’m used to dealing with apathy
The scars on my wrists may seem like a crime
Just wish me better luck next time

So what if I died a thousand deaths
You think I’m insane but I have no regrets
One more time won’t matter no question
Suicide is self expression."

Weedeater's Nine Toe Tour Comes To Town

Saturday night's Weedeater show at the Studio @ Webster Hall was one of those oddly exalted affairs that was as surreal as it was vaulting, filled with rousing sounds and even better vibes.

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of visiting Webster Hall, it's essentially one of NYC's oldest—and most run-down—multi-leveled dance clubs. So while we dirtbags were reveling in the fuzzed-out glory of a lineup that also included Struck by Lightning, The Gates of Slumber and Black Tusk, the main hall upstairs was filled with Twilight moms taking in Blue October's performance.

Odder still, there was also an '80s prom-themed dance party underway in yet another room. Needless to say, this made for some interesting people-watching while waiting on line for the bathroom.

 

Back in our dungeon-like surroundings, Ohio's Struck by Lightning kicked things off with a concise set of terse, arty metal. Up next were the doomy Gates of Slumber, who had the crowd head nodding en masse in response to their sludgy, churning riffs. But it was really Savannah's Black Tusk [pictured above] who impressed that night, bringing a ton of energy and possessing the same kind of appealing uptempo, groove-laden style Kylesa is known for. Definitely check out their forthcoming Relapse debut, Taste the Sin, when it's released on May 25.

Finally, it was Weedeater's time to unleash their patented brand of "weed metal," and needless to say, they did not disappoint. Maniacal leader Dixie Dave took liberal sips of 'Tussin from a bottle that was taped to a wall adjacent to the stage in between churning out hits like "Good Luck and God Speed" and "Wizard Fight" before the packed room. Even party goers from the other events became transfixed by the hypnotic primal sounds coming from the stage. Wonder what they'd all think if they knew the significance of the "Nine Toe" tour's name.

Fueled by healthy helpings of Southern sludge and cheap PBRs, the Brooklyn Vegan affair was one to remember and probably one my favorite shows (so far) of 2010.



Thanks to Liz Ciaverella-Brenner and Earsplit PR for the photo of Dixie Dave.

It's Been A While..

Where did March go? It dawned on me that it's been almost a month since I posted on here. Coincidentally, it's almost been as long since my last gym visit, but Lost is on soon, so I figured this was the way to go.

Work's been busy with all sorts of fun stuff, but somehow I found the time to interview Ratt's Stephen Pearcy for Metal Sucks and got a preview of their stellar forthcoming album, Infestation. I got to tell Pearcy all about Ratturday, averted a "Way Cool Jr." pun, and please believe I melted a little in my seat when the elder statesman of thigh bruisers referred to me as "girlie." Look for that write-up shortly.

Besides swooning over a 50-yr-old man, I managed to avoid lots of other aging rockers by not attending South by Southwest this year. While it would have been awesome to hang out in a beer- and BBQ sauce-basted city surrounded by 95 percent of my favorite people on Earf, the lineup seemed way more like a '90s revival than a new music festival (Stone Temple Pilots and Hole were leading headliners). I could have done without it all except for the Sword/ Year Long Disaster/ Motorhead show at Stubb's. THAT would have been cool to see. Did anyone out there besides Henry Owings witness the alleged Shellac gig?

I'm actually quite excited about a bunch of shows going on around NYC in May, including Karma to Burn with Year Long Disaster at Knitting Factory, the Yuppicide reunion at the Black N Blue Ball, plus two nights of HIM (don't judge me) at Irving Plaza.

Cannot wait to sink my teeth into the forthcoming Deftones record, Daughters' latest, and someone needs to tell me if the new Black Rebel Motorcycle Club album is any good. As for stuff I've been listening to: Dax Riggs. Lots and lots of Dax Riggs. Also, the four-disc deluxe edition of Iggy & The Stooges' Raw Power is pretty effin dope, its greatest revelation being Georgia Peaches - Live at Richard's Atlanta, 1973. Last good show was Black Dahlia Murder at a packed Santos Party House.

Until next time... play them out, Dax:

Mastodon Lager

Are you a metal fan? How about a beer enthusiast? Well, here's proof that Mastodon Lager exists (outside of Brent's imagination, that is). The private-stock German brew may actually find its way to the States.

Get ready to drink up, Atlanta!

 

*Photo lifted from Darren Sanders' Facebook page.

Happy Valentine's Day

 I call this one "Two Postmen in Love."

Just 'Cause: Katy & Rihanna Flip The Bird

Photo lifted from @KatyPerry's Twitter feed.

False Metal Monday: Yeasayer

Metal must really be reaching ubiquity because even world beat/avant-garde/indie/folk hipster darlings Yeasayer are mining the brütal font mines for their forthcoming album, Odd Blood.*

Am I the only one who thinks it's a little too close to Tyr's Rune-inspired logo?

* Also, "Blood" in title = Metal