Dan Lilker's Swan Song

I must admit, I was surprised to see the following post from my old buddy, Dan Lilker. When I think of metal lifers, he's one of the first I picture. And unlike many of his contemporaries, he's somehow maintained his passion for the scene without picking up any of the hardened embitterment so associated with pioneers who never quite hit it big. I'll definitely miss seeing him at various fests, but respect the hell out of him for getting out on his own terms.

It looks like Brutal Truth is a wrap, but Danny's and their legacy will continue.

"A Message From Dan Lilker

I regret to inform Brutal Truth fans that as of October 18th, 2014, I will be retiring from being a full time recording and touring musician. That date is my 50th birthday, so I chose it symbolically as a significant milestone to make such a weighty decision. As a lot of you know, I've been an active member of the metal scene since the early 80s with the thrash metal bands I've been in before the formation of Brutal Truth in 1990, and I'm simply just tired of the rigors of touring mostly. Unlike some of my peers from the 80's who went on to sell millions of records I have always been drawn to extreme underground metal. I don't care about staying in 5 star hotels and having a big cushy tour bus but I am getting tired of squeezing into a van for 8 hours after all these years on the road. I have always played what I believe in and that is been priority #1, but the time has come to have a little bit more stability in my life.

Brutal Truth will still be active on the touring front until mid-October and will aim to do as much as we can in the next 9 months or so. After that, I will still have creative output with my 2 local bands in Rochester NY, Nokturnal Hellstorm and Blurring and do the occasional project tour, but yes, as of mid-October, Brutal Truth will no longer exist. I do realize that will be an extreme disappointment to all the grind freaks out there that have supported this band so rabidly all these years, and your enthusiasm will always have a special place in my heart, but I've made my decision, and I hope everyone can respect that.

Thanks, Dan Lilker"

EHG BBQ

 The title of this post does not refer to the vanity plates on my Chevy Avalanche. The letters, in fact, represent a unique feature that Eyehategod are offering as part of their VIP ticket package.

Yes, you read correctly. Eyehategod are offering a VIP deluxe show experience at select venues on their forthcoming tour with Brutal Truth, Nachtmystium and Black Anvil that includes a BBQ, soundcheck access, a meet & greet and a limited-edition poster.

At only $40, this unique opportunity far surpasses what super groups like KISS, Bon Jovi, or Rush are offering (and at way higher prices)—and you just know that this one will have a lot more band/fan interaction.

While I may be a little miffed that EHG only bestowed 50 VIP tickets for gigs in South Carolina, Maryland and Kentucky, it's certainly fun to imagine what this party will be like. So on this, the eve of Eyehategod's tour commencement, I ponder the finer points of the EHG BBQ experience. Below, my list of inquiries:

1. Who exactly is doing the BBQing? (And are they wearing a hairnet?)

2. Will there be vegetarian options?

3. How many selections will there be for the white drugs course?

4.  Is this a BYOB affair?

5. Will they consider a similar package in NYC that includes a vodka tasting and perogi dinner?

Real talk, though, I'm thrilled as hell to be seeing them at Europa on June 12. And I'll be bringing Ess-a-Bagel for Sharp.


VIP package dates:
6/04/2010 Ground Zero - Spartanburg, SC  ** 50 VIP ticket packages available for $40 each; includes soundcheck access, BBQ, meet & greet with the band + a signed poster.

 6/06/2010  Headliners - Louisville, KY ** 50 VIP ticket packages available for $40 each; includes sound check access, BBQ, meet & greet with the band + a signed poster.

 6/10/2010  Krug’s - Frederick, MD ** 25 VIP ticket packages available for $40 each; includes early entry, soundcheck access, meet & greet with the band + a signed poster.

Blackened Is The End

I'm not going to front and pretend that I've ever listened to Repulsion (unless you count that odd little moment in time when it was Type O Negative's original moniker), but I definitely came of age during the Brutal Truth era.

Still, when I got a press release about the Blackened Music Series performance at Brooklyn's Masonic Temple at the end of July, I got pretty excited. In addition to seeing BT headline a big venue, openers Pig Destroyer will be making a triumphant return to NYC. And Repulsion fans have even more reason to rejoice: apparently, not only is this their first NYC show EVER, but they're also playing their seminal album, Horrified, in its entirety (actually, their only album).

Don't say I didn't warn you.