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Holy Grail & Savage Master Concert Review, Austin, TX, May 31, 2016
Savage Master began their tour with Holy Grail last night here in Austin at Dirty Dog. They had just come off of a European tour that included playing the Keep It True Festival.
Last night’s show was an early show with Savage Master going on at 930PM and headliners, Holy Grail, going on shortly after 1030PM. Perfect.
I saw a couple of songs from each of the two openers. I didn’t hate either of them nor did I really get into them.
Savage Master hit the stage with a revamped lineup due to an abrupt exit by their former drummer. Brandon, formerly their bassist, is handling drum duties for the tour and they have a fill-in bassist. They opened the show with 6 songs from their latest album, With Whips and Chains. I hadn’t heard anything from the album prior to the show beyond the title track. Everything sounded really good. The final 4 songs were from their 2014 debut, Mask of the Devil. Overall they sounded good and it’s always nice to hang out with them. Good people. As with their last show in Austin, I let them stay at my place. I like being able to help my friends when they’re out on the road.
Holy Grail was up next and the crowd got to maybe 50 total…MAYBE. Other than the first time I saw them at SxSW several years back, I’ve not really been able to get into them. They just leave me bored. All competent musicians, just nothing that catches my ear. I left after about 3 or 4 songs.
It’s funny how divisive this band seems to be, though. Most of my friends either love them or hate them. There’s really no middle ground.
Go see Savage Master on this tour. Buy some stuff.
Dictators NYC Concert Review, San Antonio, TX, May 29, 2016
Let’s face facts, I’m not really into much punk rock and I’m not into Manowar beyond their first album, Battle Hymns, but The Dictators have 2 folks that are in The Book that I wanted to have added: Handsome Dick Manitoba (HDM) and Ross the Boss. Add to the fact that my pal, Dean Rispler, plays bass for them, I had to see them.
I had a ticket to their Friday show in Austin and sold it because I had forgotten that Chicago was the same night. That show ended early enough and I ended up at the Dictators show anyhow. To be honest, I just wasn’t feeling it Friday. Not sure why. I was pretty tired and left mid-set to go home.
Dean put me on the guestlist for the Sunday show at The Korova in San Antonio and I got there around 930PM. I saw that a few friends were in the bar next door so I stopped in there for a little bit. As it turned out, Ross the Boss was there and I asked if he’d sign The Book. He laughed at the Manowar photo, signed it, gave me a guitar pick and took a picture with me. Super nice guy. I’m glad he didn’t ask me about Manowar. :)
Jeff from The Offenders and I headed back to Korova as Dallas’ Swingin’ Dicks were setting up. I bought a Dictators shirt then went up front to watch the band. Enjoyable set from this heavyish punk band. The bassist had a gorgeous white ’76 Rickenbacker.
With the backline being shared by the Swingin’ Dicks and The Dictators, it was a quick 20 minute or so break between bands and the on came The Dictators.
The crowd may have gotten up to 100 folks, but just barely. The band was solid, very solid. I classify them more as a garage rock band than punk, but I don’t really know. HDM is a character and the whole band gels together perfectly. Dean’s bassplaying is superb. The band is rounded out with JP “Thunderbolt” Patterson on drums and legendary producer, Daniel Rey, on second guitar.
It was quite an enjoyable show overall minus a few drunk shitheads.
After the show, I got to meet Dick and have him sign The Book. I told him that prior to this week I had never listened to the band, but that after seeing them live this weekend, I was now a fan of the live show and looked forward to seeing them again. “Nothing could make me happier than getting a new fan, man. That means a lot.” He signed The Book, I gave Dean a goodbye hug and headed home.
Chicago Concert Review, Austin, TX, May 27, 2016
Last night was the 4th time I’ve seen Chicago since 1991 and the 3rd time since 2012. I’ve loved this band since I was a kid thanks to their heavy radio play and thanks to my Mom being a big fan.
Last night’s show was “an evening with” type show, meaning no opener which was fine with me. My friend, Kitty, ended up going with me and into the Moody Theater we went.
As soon as they hit the stage, I noticed on huge difference in the band. Jason Scheff, the bassist/vocalist who replaced Peter Cetera, was not there. Instead, Jeff Coffey was handling those duties. Apparently Jason had a family emergency and had to back out of the tour. Coffey auditioned for the band a week or so ago and got the job. Impressive.
The band played the set you’d expect with a song from their latest album thrown in. These “geezers” still deliver and it’s impressive how much energy they have. I’ll say this, though. Jeff Coffey was the highlight for me. For as good as Scheff is, Coffey was nailing Cetera’s vocal and bass parts effortlessly. I was really blown away. I’d be ok if he became a permanent member.
As always, the highlight song for me was Hard to Say I’m Sorry/Get Away. Street Player, Call on Me and Another Rainy Day in New York City were also great to hear again.
Even more impressive is that they played 32 songs. 32!
Striker & Spellcaster Concert Review, San Antonio, TX, May 20, 2015
Striker, Spellcaster and Weresquatch rolled through San Antonio Friday night. I had just seen Spellcaster in Chicago at Ragnarokkr and couldn’t really get into the 2 songs I saw after getting blown away by Old Wolf.
We arrived with about 2 songs left from Weresquatch but I didn’t hear anything from them that made me care.
Spellcaster’s main man, Cory, found me before the show. Great dude. Spellcaster went on shortly after and were just great. Super solid, good stage presence and good players. Unfortunately the sound in the Korova basement leaves a lot to be desired as does the lighting. Overall it didn’t matter. Spellcaster rocked the crowd of 40 or so and I look forward to seeing them again at Frost and Fire II in October. The 3 songs from their new album, Night Hides the World, sounded great, especially the title track.
Striker headlined and I had only listened to some of their stuff a few days prior to the show. Good solid stuff that translated well live. My favorite part of seeing them was their great 3-part vocal harmonies. Much of the crowd had left during their set and admittedly I spent a lot of time talking with my drummer outside. I’d definitely like to catch them again.
Catch the tour if you can.
Voivod Concert Review, Austin, TX, May 21, 2016
The first time I ever saw Voivod live was during SxSW 2010, and there was blood. I was a latecomer to them and really prefer their middle-era of Nothingface, Angel Rat and Outer Limits, Negatron and Phobos over all of their other material. I love seeing them live and last caught them in Denver last year when I was up there for work.
I picked up my ticket yesterday afternoon and they were playing at the newly renovated Barracuda (f. Red 7). What a great job they did inside and out. The place is way more comfortable to see a show.
I missed opening act, Child Bite. King Parrot (King Boring) was up next and while I’m 0.0% a fan of them, their drummer is damned good.
Voivod was on next to a crowd of 100 or so, which was a bit disappointing. Apparently Dying Fetus was packed around the corner. Gross. Voivod was just hanging out with fans prior to their set. No rock stars here, folks. They’re really just laid back dudes and at least every time I have seen them, they’ve made themselves very accessible to their fans.
They opened with Ripping Headaches, Tribal Convictions and Order of the Blackguards. The set included 3 of the 5 songs from their latest EP, Post Society. The songs sounded great, especially We Are Connected. My favorites of the night would have to be The Prow and The Unknown Knows. This tour features new bassist, Dominique LaRoche, who did a great job. The whole band was tight as always and it’s really a pleasure to watch Away’s drumming. He’s a very unconventional.
The only played 13 songs ending the night with Voivod and Pink Floyd’s Astronomy Domine.
Upon exiting the stage, Dan Mongrain came up to me, put his hands on my shoulders and said with a smile, “How’s the head doing?” I said, “Other than a weird occasional twitch, no problems.” We both laughed, I told him it was a great show, he gave me a pick and we moved on. I’m surprised he even remembers that at all.
Can’t wait to see them again!
The Metal Files 
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