One day in Dallas

I never believed my crazy road trip days were over. I guess I just needed a reason to do something completely irrational like that. So, lets put the pieces of the puzzle together. I love music. I love live music. I love live music in Austin. I love Austin bands...of all types. My wife is from Dallas. We will make any excuse to go to Dallas to see her family, BUT the best excuses are MUSIC. My wife loves  The Roosevelts   (http://www.wearetheroosevelts.com/welcome-1). The Roosevelts are the product of a fine Austin band which has blossomed into something amazing.


Ok! So we find out The Roosevelts would be playing in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and then Austin. For the hell of it I told my wife "We were gonna road trip it to Dallas and surprise the band." Threw the bags up in the car and hit the road. Got to Dallas in the evening and had the opportunity to hang out with her family, BBQ, and drink beer. HELL Yes! The next morning my wife decides she wants to explore a little before the bands performance the next day. Deep Ellum is the spot she chose. This is a bar/club district that is still expanding, and very nice to hang out at for a few hours.

















As we are getting ready to go see a part of Dallas my beautiful wife has never had the opportunity to explore as an adult, I get a text. The band is reminding me they have a show in Austin the next day and would love for us to go so when can catch up. My response is super simple 'Sorry guys, we are out of town and probably wont be back in Austin until late on the day of their show.' Good enough. The stage is set.


Off we go to Deep Ellum. We walk around, listen to the sounds, see some of the sights, and stop into a few places. It was some o the most damn fun I have had just hanging out with my wife since Vegas.

After a few hours of walking, drinking, and making new friends. We go back to the house we to change and head to the performance. Here is where I get serious folks.


The venue is called The Rustic (http://therustic.com/). This place is located right on the corner of Hwy 75 and Lemmon Ave. Super easy to get to, plenty of parking - Oh wait...we didn't drive, never mind. The restaurant/venue is gorgeous. The indoor area is huge, with tons of tables and seating, both in the bar area and kitchen area. It is split level. As you walk in the door you cannot help but to notice the large "U" shaped bar to your left and to the right, in the back corner, is the stage. As you travel through The Rustic you end up in their back yard. Here you see the rest of the stage. A huge outdoor side view of the tiny stage you saw from inside. Listen folks, when The Rustic says a show is rain or shine, there is now joking about that here. The back yard area wraps around to the back of the restaurant. Out here there is plenty of casual seating, table service, and an outdoor bar connected to the large bar from inside the restaurant.

Although we did not get a chance to eat, the prices seemed reasonable, and the menu was perfect for a night out with a date, with the office, or with some friends.

As we walked outside we passed by the front of the stage as The Roosevelts were preparing to sound check. Making it quite obvious he was surprised and shocked, the lead singer and acoustic guitarist James Mason greeted us with a smile. He then let his partner and lead guitarist Jason Kloess we had surprised them by showing up in Dallas. After a quick hello and an acknowledgment that the earlier message for being out of town was an awesome decoy, we found spot to enjoy the one of a kind performance that is The Roosevelts.

Although we have seen them many times. Their performances are never stale. It is never quite the same. The stable may be the same, but there is always an new thoroughbred ready to run every time The Roosevelts perform. The harmonies are amazing and the story telling through the song writing is epic and heartfelt. The two front men are always genuinely thrilled and excited to be doing their thing for the crowd and fans. This evening at The Rustic there seemed to be more fans then crowd. It didn't matter though, their were Two very happy fans that were thrilled to drive 3 hours into 'The Belly of the beast' for some 'Peaches'!

And the Texas peaches are mighty fine!



Laters

Up the road a little ways

So a little 45 minute/1hr drive north of Austin, Texas, located on IH 35 is Salado, Texas. I can not tell you what the town is known for...sorry folks of Salado. I can tell you there is a wicked, bad ass BBQ joint just located off the highway a few hundred yards or so, Johnny's Steaks and BBQ (http://johnnyssteaksandbbq.com/). Not only is the brisket mighty fine, but OF COURSE they have a stage out back!

I am not a food critic, but I like BBQ. Not that stuff smothered in sauces to hide the flavor of the meat and wood, but BAR-B-QUE DAMMIT!!! This brisket was great! It had flavor, it was moist, and it was just damn good. Oh yeah, we didn't have to wait in a line for more than an hour, we just had to drive the hour.

Out in the back is a rather large stage and a huge event area. I would say they could easily hold 1500. A covered VIP area with tables, a small grassy knoll for those who bring their own chairs, and a whole lot of dirt! A couple of beer tents in the very back make it easy to get your adult on and keep it that way.











What brought me way the hell up here for a performance is my wife's love for Pat Green (http://patgreen.com/). Also my love and pride in a local Austin musician on stage with Pat, my friend and bass player extraordinaire, Matt Slagle. While I managed to secure the photo opportunity from Matt for this show, it was my wife who I enjoyed watching, along with the other thousand or so folks.

But my cool surprise was the opening band.

The Warhorses (http://thewarhorsesmusic.com/) came onto the stage while the sun was still out and as the crowd was still filtering in. The Warhorses were a great progressive country band. Partially with that Americana feel, not scared to get their rock on, but definitely country. The Warhorses entertained the crowd and had folks moving up to the stage. I must say, with this large group of guys on stage and the excitement and love they showed to the crowd for what they were doing...this is a dangerous opening band. No doubt they could easily steal the show if the headliner is not on their A game.

I'll put it to you this way, I had enough enjoyment in The Warhorses performance that I worked with a buddy at a venue in Austin to get them booked closer to home. Look them up around your neck of the woods or take a trip.

So...Pat Green. What can I say and what do I need to say. He doesn't need my words, but I will share them anyway. Maybe there is one person out there who isn't sure. Pat Green really does have a great time on stage and with the crowd. Of course he has a hell of a backing band, but you can tell it's his charisma on the mic and in front of the crowd that helps make the show. This is what has brought me back for multiple shows. My wife loves his music ('Carry On' ALWAYS make her get out of her seat! A L W A Y S !!!!!) and Pat Greens ability to entertain.

Pat does a great job of bringing the crowd into his songs with his stories. Not VH1 Storytellers long, but quick little side notes. It's as if he is talking to you his friend as he reminisces about old times. It just makes you feel good and you can tell it in the crowd. Of course the crowd is going to have a good time, they bought the tickets! But you see, it is the interaction with the music that makes it fun and memorable. It makes it worthwhile and, well...that's the Green Effect!




















Laters

 

Pat Green

Just off of 'The Square' in down town San Marcos, Texas, located on the edge of Texas State University campus is a little record store called Superflys Lonestar Music Emporium (http://www.lonestarmusic.com/). It is located in a small shopping strip within walking distance of lots to do and see. The home to a fairly decent collection and selection of music, including vinyl. The staff is very nice and attentive. Although I wasn't there to shop for music, it is nice knowing this place is available and the smiles are free. It is a nice little gem and I am so happy to see and know that the "record store" is still real and collecting music hasn't faded to Internet downloads only. Here is proof of what I have said and believe, people still want something tangible in their hands.

Speaking of tangible and in their hands, I was here with my beautiful wife to see one of her Texas favorites perform an acoustic set, Pat Green (http://www.patgreen.com/). All in attendance were treated to a very intimate, short, acoustic set by Pat and two of his fellow band mates. This performance was in support of Pat Greens new CD "Home". It has a great collection of songs and he treated us to a few of them this late afternoon. Opening with one of his hits, and a crowd an fan favorite "Carry On" it seemed like the whole crowd just lit up and knew they were in for a treat. pat continued to play for about 30+ minutes and reveling us with some of his personal stories behind the new songs. Proving that he is a gracious performer and appreciative of his fans he called out two young ladies in the front. Apparently they were trying to take a selfie with each other down in front with Pat behind them. He stopped them and told them to do it again, this time he posed behind them for the shot - a self study in creative photo bombing. After performing several songs from the new album, Pat Green closed out his set with his best (and apparently well loved) hit "Wave on Wave." The crowd loved it and everyone sang the whole song, much to the enjoyment of Pat his self.

Closing out the evening there was a raffle for two lucky fans and a +1 to join Pat for dinner. My wife was not picked. So we stood in line, he signed her 'Pat Green' shirt she was wearing and we left to have a beer. OH! Lucky for us! Wouldn't you know it. The little pub that is on the square in Sand Marcos is were Pat took his lucky fans. Well, I can't say that we had dinner with Pat Green, but I will always brag to everyone that my wife and I had beers with Pat Green.








Laters

So it is written

I am really concerned as I write this. Was this really the last Mayhem Festival? Did I just experience a small piece of U.S. rock history? Was Dallas, Texas really where it all ended? I was there, happy I was, and here I will bring you the main stage in all it's glory.

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival (http://rockstarmayhemfest.com/) 2015 came to a close in Dallas, Texas. With little fanfare or hurrah it did. But OH MY! The 4 main stage acts were stellar. If this was the last breath, at least it was with all of the fire and metal it deserved and we, the fans, deserved! And poetic at that with main stage headliners King Diamond and HELLYEAH reigning from Dallas, Texas. How apropos.

The Festival as a whole was condensed down somewhat, to a single side stage (the Victory Records (https://www.victoryrecords.com/) stage) and the main stage. There also seemed plenty to do and look at in the atrium of the GEXA pavilion. I sadly picked up a Mayhem 2015 shirt and happily picked up a King Diamond hat - been waiting almost 20 years for that!.

Check out the photos and reviews of the bands from the Victory Stage here (http://livemusicintexas.blogspot.com/2015/08/until-end.html).

The Devil Wears Prada (http://www.tdwpband.com/) was the first band up on the main stage. I have actually seen them previously in Austin, Tx (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2010/02/dark-tranquilitydevil-wears_26.html). Then it was an amazing performance. Every one in the band was hitting hit. they were all in sync and the dual lead vocals were just amazing. Tonight...not so much. The music was good, but there didn't seem to be that much excitement within the band and it translated into a mediocre performance. There were definitely some folks in the crowd that were enjoying the performance, but the crowd as a whole just seemed to acknowledge that there was another band on stage. I would say it wasn't worthy of being main stage. Would I go see them again in Austin...Hell yes! I would like to blame the heat of the day and the long tour on their lackluster performance, but the next band came out and proved The Devil Wears Prada was in the opening slot for a reason.

HELLYEAH! (http://hellyeahband.com/) came out next. Oh, my did they! Playing before a home town crowd on the final date of their tour, they were PUMPED! With some slight, but powerful changes to the lineup, HELLYEAH! was unleashed on Dallas at Mayhem. No question the energy of the home town crowd excited the band. With hometown hero Vinnie Paul show boating as good as you can from behind the drum kit, it felt like a party. It even seemed like a party with things being thrown around, apparently to the disagreement of their guitar player. After throwing a microphone stand out towards the crowd and telling some rowdy fans "FUCK YOU!", it just got crazier. In the 100 degree shade of the GEXA amphitheatre, the mosh pit was churning, blood was spewing from the lead singer, and it was simply the perfect moment in a metal performance to say 'HELLYEAH!"

King Diamond (http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/) arose somewhere from the pits of hell. Appearing on the stage at the top of the interior of Amon, it was glorious! From the opening notes, to the complete theatrics, I understand now why he is King. I have been a fan of King Diamond since about 1986. Never having seen a performance, I was excited like it was Christmas 1777. Grandma was there and Abigail too!

For over an hour the crowd was transported through the mind and world of what is King Diamond music. Even being joined on stage by another king, Kerry King of Slayer to provide us with the metal flashback that was the greatest black metal of all, Mercyful Fate! King Diamonds voice did not disappoint. He could have performed any or all of the Epic stories he has created, and hours later I don't think the crowd would have disagreed. It was very short performance for what King Diamond can do, but it was majestic. As you can tell, I was thrilled and elated that I had become part of the Puppet Masters world.

Slayer (http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/site/). The final act on the final stage in what seems to be the final Mayhem Festival. Slayer KILLED THEM ALL! The epitome of what heavy metal is, what speed metal is, and what hell could be. With all of the fire and glory, Tom Araya and the band did try to wake the devil in Dallas this night. With our musical souls bared, we stared into the eyes of metal mayhem at it's purest and best, and we all loved it. The crowd was utterly non stop. Only for the few moments when Tom would walk up to the microphone after a song, stand in silence in a single pin spot, smile at us all, thank us, and then proceed to brutalize us again with the music.

I did see Slayer just a few short months ago in Austin  (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-return-of-hell.html). I thought that performance was great. It was, but it was with flashy lights and upside down neon crosses. A Vegas show compared to what all in attendance experienced in Dallas. With fire, and flames forming upside down crosses, and horrific videos and visions, This was absolutely the finest way for Mayhem festival to end...in flames!


























                                     Laters


 

Until the end?

The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival 2015 (http://rockstarmayhemfest.com) has completed it's summer run. In my personal opinion, ending in Dallas, Tx was a kick ass move. With MainStage performances by King Diamond (who at one point in time resided in Dallas) and HELLYEAH (from Dallas as well)!, it seemed to be the perfect spot to end it...all!?

Scorching hot weather and scorching hot metal make for a perfect combination in Texas. I mean really!? Who the hell else would not only hang outside for 10 hrs in the Texas summer heat AND enjoy it. Metalhead's, that's who.

This year, interestingly enough, only brought one side stage and then the MainStage. The Victory stage proudly pounded out act after act starting promptly at 1:20 and cruising all the way until about 7. With the opening act (the Coldcock Whiskey Band winner) hailing from Dallas proving it would be a memorable day and event.

Although I don't have the name of said local band (someone please educate me), it wasn't so much about the music as it was a helluva performance. With uniforms, a giant one eye monster, a robot, and  an epic battle to the death, the opening of Mayhem 2015 in Dallas kicked ass.

Shattered Sun (https://www.facebook.com/ShatteredSunBand/timeline) hails from Alice (Corpus Christi), Texas. Even though they were the first band up that was billed on the tour, they came to steal the show. I will say that I had some favorites to watch for, but DAMN, these guys killed it. The performance was guttural, metal, and in your face. Like literally, off the stage, on the rail, and in the crowds face. By the end of the evening - barring the main stage performances of HELLYEAH, King Diamond, and Slayer - My compadre that joined me for Mayhem told me that Shattered Sun was the one band he will take away as being the best band he saw all day. Lucky me they are local Texas boys. Hopefully I will get the chance to see them again before they kick off on some other national tour.

Sworn In hit the Victory Stage next. I hate to talk shit about any band. I always try to pull something from their performance to tell you about, give you a reason to see them. Can't do that here. It was kind of a lame ass performance. Just BLAH! Musically and stage wise they were their performing, live, but it wasn't entertaining. The whole set kind of felt like they were just done and ready to go home.

Sister Sin (http://www.sistersin.com) on the other hand! WHOA! they came out to kick ass. They WERE exciting! The music was  just as bad ass as they were entertaining to watch. With a few songs down, they wasted no time jumping into the "Fight song". That whipped the hot crowd into a frenzy and had everybody yelling "Fuck you!" This is what I wanted to see, this is what the crowd wanted to feel and Sister Sin delivered.

Jungle Rot (http://www.jungle-rot.com/) was up next. Where as Sister Sin was kind of that sing along, theme song metal, Jungle Rot was just that kick you in your face metal. I did see an interview from Jungle Rot on DaveTeeVee (http://t.co/ua0TZ7UJMr) and they were very excited to be on the tour. With only one stage, they felt it was more exposure and better for merch. I 100,000% agree. That sentiment was proven in their knock your balls off performance. There was not a lot of bullshit chit chat coming off the stage here, just in your face metal.

Thy Art Is Murder (http://www.indiemerch.com/thyartismurder/) was another great band with a killer performance. No fancy shit. I believe these are the guys that gratefully unloaded about 250 water balloons on the crowd. Theses are the antics I would expect from any band on the last day of a tour. Musically and performance wise it was what you would expect and want from metal on a hot Texas day at an event called the Mayhem Festival! Their art is more metal than murder, but this is a go to band if they come to your area! ESPECIALLY if it is an indoor show. Anyway, still just another great band to be able to say "Oh Yeah! I saw those hardcore mutherfuckers in Dallas!"

Whitechapel (http://www.whitechapelband.com) was up next and was my surprise of the day. My daughter has spoken highly of them and I believe she saw them in Austin a couple of years earlier. They lived up to the hype and expectation. Super clean with their sound and style. This was definitely some metal that excited me. As happy as I was to see Sister Sin. As awesome as Shattered Sun stop out. Whitechapel performed like they were MainStage veterans. And the packed area in front of the Victory stage reflected the crowds thrill of seeing Whitechapel and their thrillingly razor sharp performance.

Kissing Candice (http://www.kissingcandice.com) was the last band I was able to check out before being absorbed into the thrill of the MainStage performers. Unfortunately for them their amazing and entertaining (and possibly frightening) set was missed by the masses. By the time Kissing Candice hit the stage, the majority of the crowds had moved onto the MainStage area. The crowds loss. If you go to see a band and expect them to play the music and want to be entertained, Kissing Candice would undoubtedly fit the bill. Hell, their performance creeped me out pretty damn bad. It was some disturbing shit! BUT, these guys were not flash, there was serious substance to the music with their grinding rhythms and sound.

In all...the Mayhem Festival 2015, with only one stage, was a bit of a let down. However, there is definitely no question the entertainment value we received on Mayhem 2015 was every bit, worth it for the Victory Stage.

Photos and review of the MainStage performances to be posted separately...because there is simply to much bad ass shit to talk about...That's why!