The Metal Files

I will go on record to say that most of the music from this genre of hard rock/metal didn’t do it for me in the 80s.  I found the hairspray and makeup quite silly and still do.  There were a few bands that did stand out and I took a liking to, but BulletBoys were not one of them.  Smooth up in ya?  Puhleaze!  That over the top, bombastic pretty boy type stuff just made me want to puke.  I had even seen them a few years ago when from pal in Arsis was in town on tour and freaked out knowing that BB was playing next door, so I subjected myself to it and didn’t pay any attention to the show at all.  “Another shot please!?”

Fast forward to 2014.  My friend, Shawn Duncan, who plays drums for DC4 and Odin (yes, that Odin), let me know that he was touring with BB this year and that they were coming to Austin and Houston.  Shawn’s one of the nicest dudes out there and I was stoked to be able to hang out with him again.  We didn’t get to hang out on my last couple of trips to LA so I was happy to get to see him here in Austin.  He let me know that for the Austin and Houston shows, Odin bassist, Aaron Samson, was also playing.

I work near a Guitar Center and the band’s manager had asked me to pick up some sticks and strings for the band if I was near one.  Luckily I work right around the corner from one so I grabbed their stuff and went right downtown after work to catch them at sound check and to try and grab dinner with them.  There were several issues related to the promoter in getting an actual backline, hotel, food etc and the band decided to just go back to their hotel until showtime.  Fine by me, I needed a nap anyhow!

After getting some rest, I catch my ride back downtown and get ready to see the band.  Again, I am not a BB fan and was only there to hang out with Shawn and Aaron.

But I got surprised big time.  I thoroughly enjoyed the set besides Smooth Up In Ya and For the Love of Money.  Those still give me an MTv hangover.  But the band was as solid as they could be.  Marq Torien’s voice was strong and he handles most of the guitar solos these days.  Homeboy can play and he’s a really good front man.  I love watching Shawn play drums.  I always get a Cozy Powell vibe.

There were about 50 or so people there, with a lot of them being fans of the band singing every song.  That was good to see and I could tell that the band was having a good time.  I had a great time as well and would definitely go see them again, even if my friends aren’t in the band.  I’m still tired as that was night #1 of 3 straight shows.

Aaron Samsom

Marq Torien

Marq and Nick Rozz

Marq mugging for the camera

Shawn Duncan, always smiling.