The Metal Files

Kings Head Inn in Norfolk, VA was legendary for us locals.  So many great bands rolled through there.  Many times we had no idea who was playing, we’d just show up and hang out and deal with the bands that were on bill, whether we liked them or not.  That’s how I first saw Buzzov*en live.  My guess is that it was around 1992/1993 as that was the time I started hanging around Norfolk a bit more.  I guess I saw them 5 or 6 times with the last show being in 95 or 96.  The memory isn’t as great as I would like it to be.

One of the main things I remember is how violent their shows were.  not necessarily because of the crowd, but the band themselves, especially lead-man Kirk Fisher.  I don’t think I ever saw a show of theirs where he didn’t end up bloody.  Were they the greatest band on the planet?  Not by a long shot, but they were highly entertaining.

Flashforward to this past Saturday night, October 2, 2010, and it was a bit of a different Buzzov*en than I was used to seeing back in the olden days.  Other than Dixie Dave Collins from Weedeater on bass, they were pretty subdued.  Dave moved around quite a bit but it really did seem like the younger years of hard living and violent touring may have calmed them down a bit.

Soundwise they were good and right on par to how I remembered them.  Oddly enough I never owned any of their albums and still can’t name one song, but they were still entertaining.

If I could complain about anything it would be the $18 cover and the lack of attendance.  The door price turned several people away and I was almost one of them, but I sucked it up and went in.  I doubt there were more than 120 people there.  Pity.  These guys are pretty legendary as far as sludge metal goes and you’d think that EYEHATEGOD’s fans in Austin would have come out.

It was good to see them again though.  now I just need to catch Weedeater when they roll through again.

There were 3 opening acts:  Mala Suerte, Honky and Dixie Witch.  They all seemed to fit well with the vibe of the evening and all 3 bands sounded great.

Gary Rosas of Mala Suerte

Jeff from Honky

One of the Dixie Witch bass drums. The band is actually too ugly to photograph. (kidding guys!)

Kirk from Buzzov*en

Dixie Dave and Buzzov*en