Slipknot with Marilyn Manson and Harassment at Lakeview Amphitheater

I was so stoked that Slipknot had a show close to Rochester, at a new and supposedly really good venue.

Slipknot was one of the biggest bands on my bucket list to experience!

Plus, I was also excited that Marilyn Manson was touring with them, since he has a lot of good stuff out there... it would be cool to see him as well!

After hearing some horror stories of how popular shows at Lakeview can be a nightmare to get in and out of, I purchased a Slipknot VIP ticket to get early entry and be positioned right up front in the GA pit area.

Since I was going as a Slipknot VIP, I was like “what the heck -- why not go all out for this one?”....

So I spent about 10-15 minutes before leaving for the concert in front of a mirror drawing one of the Slipknot “S” logos on my forehead:

The timing worked out great when I got there...  Since there were only a relatively few VIPs that were there that early...

So I was able to get right up in front...

... That’s me right in front just to the left of the “Manson” license plate!

Marilyn Manson finally went on after some delay... wondering if he would be able to do the show after rumors of him being sick....

Apparently he had canceled his act in the show prior to this one.

And one of the ladies in line mentioned she was a nurse at a local hospital where she heard that Manson had called asking for a doctor to visit him and check him out.

So after a little wait Marilyn Manson started his set, despite whatever he was going through with his health... even taking oxygen between several of his songs.

One of the first few songs he played was “Disposable Teens”...

During that song he had some personal interaction with me... By placing his hand on my head as he was singing into the crowd.

You can’t necessarily see me in this video, but if you pay special attention to the time between 1:35 - 2:00 that’s when Manson is right in front of me...

(The video below will start at 1:20)

You probably didn’t notice, but right before stepping up to me, Manson swapped his microphone to his left hand and placed his right hand on my head.

I’m like “ok, cool.... Manson can use my head to help support himself as he leans into the crowd to...”

But just as I was finishing that thought....

Manson takes the thumb on his right hand, which is on my head, and rubs my forehead with it...

Effectively wiping off the Slipknot logo that was there....

A was a little disappointed that I had spent 10-15 minutes on it and it didn’t even make it to Slipknot’s set.

But “no harm no foul”  Right?

Then, two or three songs later when he’s performing “Dope Show,” Manson for some reason singles me out again and steps it up a notch...

Pay attention to this next video where Manson is right in front of me roughly between 3:00 - 3:40...

(Even though we’re pretty much centered in the camera - all the way down in the front... you can see a little better by looking at ‘big screen’ in the top-left of the video)

(The video starts at about 3:00)

Did you see or notice what he did?!

At bout 3:20 he turns around and leans over....

And I’m like “Ok, he’s probably going to get down or pander to the cameras that are in front of us...”

But then between 3:30 - 3:35 or so he jerks himself back into me sticking his rear end right into my face... not just once, but a few times...

And I thought I was bummed about the Slipknot logo!

After seeing the video, his movements and the look on his face as he’s doing this, I know for certain that he was 100% doing this on purpose...

It’s like “dude, I’m a fellow human being here...  No decency is there?”

Somehow that night I attracted the wrong part of Manson’s attention...

For some reason he singled me out, despite the 100’s of other people that were there right in the front of him too -- many of which were also noticeable Slipknot fans...

All that, even after the positive RollingStone’s article where things seemed to be pretty good between Marilyn Manson and Slipknot.

At the time I wasn’t going to do anything rash in retaliation to Manson....

Since I hadn’t seen Slipknot before and didn’t want anything to go the wrong way and be kicked out of the concert before Slipknot even went on.

(Plus, when it happened I wasn’t entirely sure that this was an intentional act, even though I got the ‘vibe’ or whatever that he was doing it purposefully - especially given the previous interaction!)

So, despite that I got through Manson’s set...

When Slipknot went on... they did not disappoint!

Saying how they like performing in the area, because every time they do they feel like they’re at home with the reception they get from their fans.

So it’s a good thing that Slipknot was as amazing as they were and worth the experience...

So much so that their performance is able to out-do the harassment of Marilyn Manson!

Click Here To Read The Full Article By Itself.

Thursday's Resuscitation To Common Existence

So as I was perusing my Facebook profile and going through all the bands that I'm fans of and checking up what's new with them... I came across something that was very exciting!

Some really great, long-awaited, news about Thursday's next release!

In exactly a week from when I am making this post, on February 17, 2009 Thursday is releasing their next CD... Common Existance... and as I have said before in a back-and-forth rebuttal with Keith and my own opinions I still remain very optimistic about this next CD release.

However, I am all the more eager for this upcoming CD release of Thursday's new CD Common Existence, because of the tracks that they have available for your listening pleasure on their MySpace page.

Before listening to these tracks, all I had heard of the stuff that they were going to be releasing was played in the background of interviews and touring promo vids... and to be honest, it made me lose a little hope in the direction that Thursday was going.

However, after listening to the released versions (on MySpace), all my hope and anticipation has been restored!

I can't wait for:

Common Existence

According to the discography the tracks that are currently available for listening to on MySpace are tracks #1 Resuscitation Of A Dead Man and #4 Friends In The Armed Forces... apparently Resuscitation Of A Dead Man is their digital single.

I discovered that Amazon MP3 had the song Resuscitation Of A Dead Man available for download free... I'm not sure if it's just a promo offer or anything... but you might be able to get it too!

Get Resuscitation Of A Dead Man FREE:

Resuscitation Of A Dead Man

I thought that was pretty awesome... to find a Thursday's single available for free...

In footage from Kill The House Lights Geoff said how cool he thought it was that back when they were just getting started people at the concerts knew their songs and liked the band... not because they bought their CD(s)... but because they downloaded their music from file-sharing networks.

And even though A City By The Light Divided seemed to turn off a lot of fans from Thursday I think that Common Existance might have the potential to bring many back!

I think I mentioned this before but will again here... that I initially wasn't too keen on A City By The Light Divided, but the more I listen to it the more I like it and see how it really pulls together much of their previous work.

So as it seems still -- at least so far to me, my previous prediction of Thursday not being dead (yet) still stands!

Click Here To Read The Full Article By Itself.

Underoath's Set List (Oct. 28)

For those of you wondering about what Underoath played for the concert in Rochester, I'll include it here!

(This is to the best of mostly Keith's recollection and I think it's fairly accurate!)

1. Breathing In A New Mentality [Lost In The Sound Of Separation | CD/DVD]
2. In Regards To Myself [Define The Great Line]
3. Young and Aspiring [They're Only Chasing Safety]
4. It's Dangerous Business walking out your front door [They're Only Chasing Safety]
5. Emergency Broadcast The End Is Near [Lost In The Sound Of Separation | CD/DVD]
6. I Don't Feel Very Receptive Today [They're Only Chasing Safety]
7. Your Ever So Inviting [Define The Great Line]
8. The Only Survivor Was Miraculously Unharmed [Lost In The Sound Of Separation | CD/DVD]
9. A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White [They're Only Chasing Safety]
10. Desolate Earth The End Is Here [Lost In The Sound Of Separation | CD/DVD]
11. Returning Empty Handed [Define The Great Line]
12. Desperate Times, Desperate Measures [Lost In The Sound Of Separation | CD/DVD]

---

13. Too Bright To See, Too Loud To Hear [Lost In The Sound Of Separation | CD/DVD]
14. Writing on the Walls [Define The Great Line]

This is quite an awesome set that Underoath played!

What totally makes it killer was that they played In Regards To Myself and Desolate Earth :: The End Is Near!

I wasn't sure if they would play Desolate Earth :: The End Is Near, but they did and it was amazing!

Click Here To Read The Full Article By Itself.

Underoath Concert At Rochester's Water St. Music Hall

Underoath

This last Tuesday Keith and I both went to another Underoath concert... It had been about a year since we went to the last Underoath concert in Buffalo. And much like that last Underoath concert that we both considered an insane concert, this concert was likewise totally CRAZY!!!

It was nice that this concert was a whole lot closer to home, and didn't have spend all that time traveling and worry about getting tired.

The Water Street Music Hall was totally packed out - though it's probably more on the smaller size of venues.

It was a really cold wait to get inside, that when inside the heat generated by so many people in such a small space was better than being in the cold...

And it sure didn't take too long until I was sweating enough that all my clothes - even the hoodie I was wearing - were soaked all the way through.

Keith and I were able to squeeze our way to the very front by the time Underoath was playing the first few songs!

The openers for Underoath were person L, The Devil Wears Prada, and Saosin - in that order.

I thought that this was a really good line-up of bands and was a really fun and highly entertaining concert!

person L was pretty decent for a first opener.

The Devil Wears Prada was naturally quite a bit better and more entertaining.

Saosin was pretty awesome! I hadn't heard much, if any, of Saosin's stuff before and could probably get into them! They have a good style.

And finally, of course, Underoath totally killed!

Maybe, it's because their latest CD was amazing and couldn't be any more perfect, or they seemed entirely more cheery and with their game as it seemed to me...

But this is definitely a tour that you don't want to miss Underoath on!

I thought it was really awesome that when a girl who was crowd-surfing made her way to the front - without security noticing to catch her - that Tim McTague (Underoath's lead guitarist), noticed her, stopped playing, jumped down from the stage and caught her!

How cool is that!

Sure security made it there to help just as Tim caught the girl, but that was .... well ... AMAZING he did that!

It was such a great and exciting time, that I nearly passed out twice - probably from dehydration.

The first time was right before Underoath started playing right at the end of Saosin's set... I had to get out of the crowd up in the front and get some water and a breather at the bar.

In fact as I was pushing my way out of the crowd my vision was all fuzzy and stuff, and when I was at the bar I had to forcibly keep myself from throwing-up a few times!

The second time I almost passed out, was at the end of Underoath's set, after the "one more song" chant...

Where in fact Underoath played two songs because it had been so long since they were last around.

Keith had to get security's attention to pull me up and out from behind the crowd-control-barrier right when Underoath was playing their very last song.

I wasn't feeling as terrible as I did the first time, but I didn't want to push myself into something that could've been terrible!

Despite all the drama that I encountered it definitely was well worth it all to see Underoath and these bands play!!

So go and see Underoath when they're near you next time and drink plenty of water before the concert - you'll need it!!

Check Out Underoath's Set List Here!

Click Here To Read The Full Article By Itself.

Brace Yourselves!

Just to give everyone a forewarning and to fend off any of the coming onslaught Keith Karr might have in mind... (that he keeps promising to deliver but hasn't shown anything for yet!)

I'm going to address some of the issues he thinks he might have with my post that I bashed him on his comment about Thursday's most recent DVD/CD release, Kill The House Lights.

Keith really thinks he has a few bones to pick with me in the graveyard that I buried him in! (As well as some other things.)

For some reason Keith is convinced that the first few songs may not be brand-spanking new demos from Thursday but is rather older stuff that Thursday had done... even despite this:

Kill The House Lights

Do you see the line in that promo ad that says "3 brand new songs"?

Yes a lot of the stuff on the CD was older stuff that they threw on there that they thought some of their more devoted fans would be interested in... But The First 3 Songs Are BRAND-SPANKING NEW!

Ok, now that I've got that covered... it's time to blow up at least one of his missiles before he can even launch an attack...

I actually bought my copy of Kill The House Lights from Best Buy, which had 3 Bonus Exclusive Tracks on it...

• Cross Out The Eyes (Live At The Grove)
• Steps Acending (Live At The Grove)
• How Long Is The Night? (Live At The Grove)

When I initially got the CD and told Keith about it I said something like "the extra bonus songs aren't all that great"...

And Keith went off on me for saying that after I wrote up my very positive and optimistic review of Kill The House Lights... and then bashing him on his comment.... calling me stuff similar to a hypocrite and stuff, and unworthy of saying any of the things I did about him.

Well, let's dispose this myth and put it all out in the light!

It is probably still true that I don't think too highly of those extra bonus songs now any much more... and that is for one simple fact...

And that is because Geoff barely sings half of his lines... and I would rather listen to Geoff singing than relying on the crowd to sing the lines in what I'm listening too!

I really like the uniqueness of Geoff's voice and his style of singing, and that can't be matched or beaten by anyone else!

So when it comes down to it I would rather just listen to studio versions than those extra demos... and even more I would rather be at a Thursday concert than listen to any recording!!!

Also another thing I would like to point out that Keith recently told me regarding A City By The Light Divided is that it is wearing on him.

Yes, the more he listens to A City By The Light Divided the more he is liking the album!

And I think that is true anyway, though there were some more songs on there that appealed to me more than him... but it is an album that you have to listen to a little before you can enjoy the subtleness of it.

Though it still isn't by any means one of the stronger albums Thursday did.

One final thing...

A ways back Keith made a comment to me about "A Sketch For Time's Arrow" on the CD in Kill The House Lights. He said it was much an incomplete song and unwanted material like "This Song Is Brought To You By A Falling Bomb" on the album War All The Time... Which I have to flat-out disagree!

Though "This Song Is Brought To You By A Falling Bomb" isn't one of Thursday's strongest songs instrumentally... I think it has some of the most vivid imagery in it that makes it entirely a totally sweet song by itself!

I personally think the first few lines are the most striking:

Do you hear the jet plane yawning miles across the sky,
Hear the garbage truck back down the boulevard
Setting off the car alarms as it passes by?

Now, can't you just see and hear it? The lyrics just come to life in your mind!

... At least they do in mine, and I think that makes it a totally sweet song!

Which makes "This Song Is Brought To You By A Falling Bomb" on the album War All The Time, nowhere near comparable to "A Sketch For Time's Arrow" on the CD in Kill The House Lights, which I agree isn't anywhere near a decent or completed song in and of itself!

So now you are more prepared for Keith's supposed rebuttal to the attack I made on his comment, in which he promises to bash me quite a bit... but for which we have seen absolutely nothing from yet!!

Do your best Keith!

Click Here To Read The Full Article By Itself.

Re: Keith's Pathetic Comment On Thursday!

In the comments section on this post (which was referring to this post and was pretty much my review of Thursday's Kill The House Lights DVD/CD) Keith left the following comment:

Yeah, so my response, which apparently you are waiting for according to your Twitter update.

Kill the House Lights has some great content. The first three songs are awesome and definitely showcase what Thursday is capable of. Other songs seem more like throwaway scraps on a mixing room floor. As Sketch for Time's Arrow is a really weak half-song. The other demo's and live versions are great, especially for fans, but I really don't think the rougher mixed versions of well-produced songs are going to win new fans or win back those disappointed by A City by the Light Divided.

The CD does give one hope that Thursday will be able to recover and continue to thrive as a a group. Returning to Victory is great because the band is freed from the shackles of corporate rock, but Thursday's success is not guaranteed.

I am still waiting until their next CD to determine if Thursday is still alive. Too many bands have a great CD or two, but the rest of their work is lackluster (e. g. Third Eye Blind). Kill the House Lights demonstrates Thursday's potential. Now Geoff and the band has to step up and release another solid album.

Of course Keith is mainly referring to what I said about the songs on Kill The House Lights which to recap was:

1. Ladies And Gentlemen: My Brother, The Failure:    This is probably my favorite of the new songs, and is more like "old" Thursday!

2. Dead Songs:    Another amazing new track... this stuff is great!

3. Voices On A String:    This is another favorite of the new songs and is simply an outstanding display of Thursday's talents

4. Signals Over The Air (Live At Starland Ballroom):    This was on the DVD too, and is probably better than their actual studio recording!

5. How Long Is The Night (Original Intro):    The original intro is pretty cool, and if you're used to them jumping right into the lyrics - like I was - this will fool you a bit!

6. A Sketch For Time's Arrow:    A nice acoustic song, a little different but good nonetheless

7. Panic On The Streets Of Health Care City:    This was the song that Other Side Of The Crash in War All The Time came from

8. The Roar Of Far Off Black Jets:    This is cool... some of the music from the menus in the DVD - really sweet!

9. Paris In Flames (Demo):    It's Paris In Flames... it's a great song, what else needs to be said?

10. Telegraph Avenue Kiss (Rich Cotey Mix):    An interesting version of Telegraph Avenue Kiss from A City By The Light Divided

11. Wind Up (Demo):    Another great demo for another great song!

12. Music From Kill The House Lights (Demo):    Some more of the music from the menus in the DVD - really cool too!

Kill The House Lights

Naturally the first three songs are the featured songs since they are new and unreleased before... however, even though most of the last 8 songs are live or demos or alternative versions of songs from their previous albums (albeit except "A Sketch For Time's Arrow" "The Roar Of Far Off Black Jets" and "Music From 'Kill The House Lights'") shouldn't be a major detractor from the main facts of what an awesome CD this is even by itself!

I must admit that Keith's ideas about "A Sketch For Time's Arrow" are pretty accurate... but that was included as simply a "sketch"... not a full demo... just some lyrics that Geoff had come up with for song they had done a little working on!

Anyone can see how Thursday could definitely work out those lyrics into a song of the same caliber as the first three songs on this CD or the heavier stuff that we all like from Thursday!

Now about the new songs, particularly the first three on this CD, one might try to argue - "Yeah, well those are just demos" - and try to play it off like they don't count for some reason....

Well in my honest opinion they are pretty darn good demos and that whoever says that is just looking for a reason to put down the CD!!!!
(I would have said another word for 'darn' because that's what I really think... but I'm trying to keep it clean)

Kill The House Lights

I really don't think the rougher mixed versions of well-produced songs are going to win new fans or win back those disappointed by A City by the Light Divided.

I'm assuming that Keith here is referring to "Panic On The Streets Of Health Care City" and "Telegraph Avenue Kiss (The Rich Costey Mix)" and perhaps also the original intro version of "How Long Is The Night."

Regarding "Panic On The Streets Of Health Care City" - which was a B-Side of War All The Time (and a couple parts became "Other Side Of The Crash") - I still think it's still a great track that pulls together some of the songs from Full Collapse and War All The Time. It offers an interesting continuity...

Which brings me to a point I want to make about so many people's disappointment in A City By The Light Divided...

... And that would be that A City By The Light Divided was an album they did for themselves as an end-cap of all their prior releases. And as Geoff put it, to them, it seemed like they were doing demos of their demos.

To me A City By The Light Divided definitely wasn't a great CD, but there were still some jewels in there, and perhaps can't entirely discredit it all... even though it was still pretty weak. At least they put something out and were working at it!

As for the Rich Costey Mix of "Telegraph Avenue Kiss" - I think it is a better mix than the one they actually put on A City By The Lights Divided and would rather listen to the Rich Costey Mix than the one on A City By The Lights Divided.

And about the original intro version of "How Long Is The Night" I really don't like the intro... but it's still a great song nonetheless!

Kill The House Lights

I don't even want to hear you say anything about the instrumentals they included as part of (or from) the DVD menus...

Because if I were to listen to an instrumental of any sort "The Roar Of Far Off Black Jets" and "Music From Kill The House Lights" would definitely be on top of my list!

Neither song is too slow, repetitive or brutal to listen to... which so many other bands have a tendency to do when they create instrumentals - and it sure ain't classical music either!

In either case this DVD/CD combo wasn't intended for Thursday to win over any new fans or formerly disappointed fans!

This release was intended for their current fans, even if they were disappointed; because the main feature in this release is their DVD biography of their first ten years.

Why would any new fan want that?

Kill The House Lights

And I believe that the CD is actually a bonus attached to the DVD – perhaps with the first few songs on the CD to perk any disappointed fan's interest back to Thursday!

Ok, so I've heard the argument that "This isn't recent stuff they've done?" particularly regarding the first three new songs on the CD.

Ok... let's say it isn't...

Still, this CD shows that Thursday is aware of what their market wants - and what it's interested in - by including all those demos and versions from so many great songs and albums.

Now, no one can be 100% about anything, but if that's true, then you'd think they would be producing more songs that are more like the great stuff from Full Collapse and War All The Time.

Though, no one will know for certain until they actually release their next CD of what they are really up to!

However, I still remain optimistic about Thursday and look forward to what they are going to put out next, now that A City By The Light Divided is out of their system and they've come to grips more with the happening-ons in their band... and hopefully their market!

"Keith... I chewed you to pieces and spat you out!!"

(You Got Served!)

Click Here To Read The Full Article By Itself.

New Thursday Post

I wrote this post on 12/15/2007 but post dated to 11/09/2007 to keep it with the other post in the archives you can read the full post here.

I'm finally making this post after a long time since I posted my last post about Thursday and their Kill The House Lights DVD/CD they put out.

I must be honest and say that I've made some big mistakes in that post and believed too much about what Keith said regarding Kill The House Lights. And I must say that he was so totally wrong about it!!

I stopped at Best Buy the other week and picked it up just to see what it was all about... and - quite frankly - to support Thursday, because I want them to stick around... (And to follow my own advice in my other post)

....

READ THE FULL POST HERE!!!

Click Here To Read The Full Article By Itself.

Thursday Kills The House Lights!

Written on 12/15/2007 but post dated to 11/09/2007 to keep it with the other post in the archives.

I'm finally making this post after a long time since I posted my last post about Thursday and their Kill The House Lights DVD/CD they put out.

I must be honest and say that I've made some big mistakes in that post and believed too much about what Keith said regarding Kill The House Lights. And I must say that he was so totally wrong about it!!

I stopped at Best Buy the other week and picked it up just to see what it was all about... and - quite frankly - to support Thursday, because I want them to stick around... (And to follow my own advice in my other post)

If you didn't take my advice to get Thursday's Kill The House Lights DVD/CD then you better go and get it right now!

Kill The House Lights

This release highlights all the best of Thursday, and is well deserved of the respect given in the title - Kill The House Lights... and is well worth the twenty bucks or whatever it will cost you!

If the new songs are proper indicators of what Thursday is now up to, then it is great to know that the Thursday we all know from War All The Time and before is back!

That's right Thursday's back! And their new stuff is amazing!!

Since Thursday has a higher regard for their fans than their bottom line:

They are more concerned with what the fan wants and less concerned about the bottom line or the constraints of the modern day music business.

And they're currently working on their next CD:

Once the DVD and CD are complete, we will be starting work on a new album soon after...

Though, having watched the DVD, you kidna gotta feel a little sorry for Thursday being kicked around so much by their labels, abandoning them on touring - pulling their touring support.

And it really stinks for those of you fans who got the raw end of the deal if you were planning on seeing Thursday after they cancelled their dates...

But Thursday isn't quitting anytime soon, they won't stop for anyone!

They'll be back in your town soon enough!

And I hope that I can see them again when they start touring again.

Seriously, if you haven't got Kill The House Lights... You should!

I would've probably spent the money just to get the new CD, it's that good. But you get a whole DVD about their first 10 years... Officially:

Kill The House Lights

The release... consist[s] of a full length feature DVD and a full length Album. The DVD will tell Thursday's 10 year career story from the beginning to the present. It will contain interviews with the band and their team, archived show and behind the scenes footage spanning the band's career to date and hints to the band's future. The DVD will feature enhanced menus, a "Making of the song" and "The Making of Full Collapse" featurettes, the original version of "How Long Is The Night" with visuals, an audio-enhanced photo gallery, laminate gallery and more. The CD will contain three, brand new and unreleased songs along with a collection of live tracks and b-sides.

That's a whole lot of bang for the buck!

And the live songs are simply amazing... maybe even better than their recorded stuff:

Everyone always says we're much better live than on record -- now you can decide.

Here's what I think about everything:

The DVD is a total must have and a must-watch for any hardcore Thursday fan... lots of great stuff to learn about how they formed their band and made it to where they are!

The music and songs... all of it on the CD is awesome - like I said before.

Now here's some thoughts on each song:

1. Ladies And Gentlemen: My Brother, The Failure:    This is probably my favorite of the new songs, and is more like "old" Thursday!

2. Dead Songs:    Another amazing new track... this stuff is great!

3. Voices On A String:    This is another favorite of the new songs and is simply an outstanding display of Thursday's talents

4. Signals Over The Air (Live At Starland Ballroom):    This was on the DVD too, and is probably better than their actual studio recording!

5. How Long Is The Night (Original Intro):    The original intro is pretty cool, and if you're used to them jumping right into the lyrics - like I was - this will fool you a bit!

6. A Sketch For Time's Arrow:    A nice acoustic song, a little different but good nonetheless

7. Panic On The Streets Of Health Care City:    This was the song that Other Side Of The Crash in War All The Time came from

8. The Roar Of Far Off Black Jets:    This is cool... some of the music from the menus in the DVD - really sweet!

9. Paris In Flames (Demo):    It's Paris In Flames... it's a great song, what else needs to be said?

10. Telegraph Avenue Kiss (Rich Cotey Mix):    An interesting version of Telegraph Avenue Kiss from A City By The Light Divided

11. Wind Up (Demo):    Another great demo for another great song!

12. Music From Kill The House Lights (Demo):    Some more of the music from the menus in the DVD - really cool too!

I haven't checked out the demo disk that's included with the Kill The House Lights DVD/CD, but Keith said there were some pretty decent names on there...

I'll have to see for myself soon since Keith totally bombed on what he told me about Kill The House Lights before.

Kill The House Lights

Oh, by the way the quotes were from Thursday's and Victory's press release on Kill The House Lights dated June 29, 2007.

Why not... Here it is in full:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 29, 2007

Victory Announces New Thursday Release

"Words cannot describe how excited I am to have the opportunity to work with Thursday again. Thursday is a band that people believe in. They are innovators. They are the voice of a generation. Some bands simply make songs that people like. Other bands thrive on gimmicks. The true artists create something that changes people's lives. Thursday are true artists. They have a very special and unique magnetism. They are a band that you can believe in at a time when there is not a surplus of bands with any real substance or meaning. 'Full Collapse' is an album that has influenced so many bands as well as spearheading an entire musical movement. Working with the band on that pivotal and significant album was magical. Thursday and Victory have done great things together. I am so happy and honored that tradition will continue. Some people might want to call this a sort of homecoming. I simply see it as a reunion of passionate people that have done great things in the past getting the opportunity to do them again. This is something that people can feel good about. And to me, that is the best karma for any relationship," said Victory Owner Tony Brummel.

The release, as of yet untitled, will consist of a full length feature DVD and a full length Album. The DVD will tell Thursday's 10 year career story from the beginning to the present. It will contain interviews with the band and their team, archived show and behind the scenes footage spanning the band's career to date and hints to the band's future. The DVD will feature enhanced menus, a "Making of the song" and "The Making of Full Collapse" featurettes, the original version of "How Long Is The Night" with visuals, an audio-enhanced photo gallery, laminate gallery and more. The CD will contain three, brand new and unreleased songs along with a collection of live tracks and b-sides.

The band's long time manager Dave "Rev" Ciancio had the following to say, "February 9th, 2001 - A date that changed my life. It was the first time I ever saw Thursday perform live. I had never seen anything like it. Raw, intense, sincere, driven rock music rooted deep in hardcore but with progressive song structures and melodies. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing. I grabbed the band as they walked off stage and begged them to let me and my company, The Syndicate, professionally manage their career. Thankfully, they did take the meeting and I learned what an intelligent, passionate and innovative group of guys were behind the music. It's been six some years since then and a lot of crazy things have happened. And now - three labels, two publishers, several world tours and three records later - the guys are going back to Victory Records. I thought it would never happen but to be honest, Tony and the Victory staff have proven time and time again that they care about music; They are more concerned with what the fan wants and less concerned about the bottom line or the constraints of the modern day music business. I speak for everyone at The Syndicate when I say we are honored to be working with the band and excited about working again with Victory on this DVD/CD."

Most importantly here is the band's message:

Friends!!!

We have some exciting news!!! We know that everyone is wondering what is next for us (New Label? New Record? Touring? Breaking up?). We're proud to announce that we will be releasing a DVD/CD on our former label, Victory Records. Surprise! A lot of the footage from this DVD was taken during the time we spent on Victory and we thought it was appropriate to release it with them. On a more personal note, many of you know that our parting with Victory was bitter on both sides and we're taking this chance to put that behind us. That label really helped us get to where we are and we helped them to establish themselves as well... "coming full circle" and "making amends" are some of the phrases that we could throw around here but we think you get the picture already. Tony's passion for this project and his continued support of the band after all these years has helped to make this an easy decision.

We're really looking forward to this release. The DVD will be a retrospective of our band's career so far(footage from the last nine years) with a ton of live stuff. Everyone always says we're much better live than on record- - now you can decide. The CD will have several new tracks(!) and some alternate versions and demos of older songs.

Once the DVD and CD are complete, we will be starting work on a new album soon after and the home for that has yet to be determined.

- THURSDAY
The DVD/Album package will be in stores October 30, 2007.

Thursday is: Geoff Rickly – Vocals; Tom Keeley – Guitar; Andrew Everding - Keys; Steve Pedulla – Guitar; Tim Payne - Bass; and Tucker Rule – Dr

Kill The House Lights

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Thursday Isn't Dead!! (Yet)

No I'm not talking about the day Thursday, but the kicking sweet band Thursday!

A while back when Keith and I were checking some of the sites for many of the bands we liked to see what was going on we took a look at Thursdays band site and saw that they had cancelled their tour dates for 2007.

By the post left on their site it was unknown exactly what was going on and if Thursday was going to break-up or what was going to happen to their band!

This really sorta stunk because Thursday has a bit of sentimental value to me....

Not to mention I love their music, even though they've gotten a little softer in their last CD A City By The Light Divided... though I like their previous stuff (especially War All The Time) and the harder stuff on A City By The Light Divided.

Other than their music, when Thursday came to Rochester in the beginning of the year, they were the first rock concert I had really been to...

And that concert left such a positive impression on me that I have been to many concerts since then.

It was quite disheartening to wonder what was going to happen to Thursday.

But now it looks like their band is really on the verge of trouble... at least with their record label.

Even though they released a new CD, I was informed that the type of CD they've released is usually used by record companies to test the market's responsiveness to the band!

By the way their new CD is called Kill The House Lights...

Kill The House Lights

It would be a real shame for Thursday to die... so go and buy Kill The House Lights so they keep their label, otherwise it might be the end of Thursday!

Or at the very least it will mean that it will take them quite a while longer to get a new label and put out a new CD!

So if you're like me and don't want Thursday to die yet, be sure you get a copy of Kill The House Lights

If you've got any comments about Thursday or their new CD Kill The House Lights please let me know by making a comment on this post... I'd be interested to hear what others think about it!

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Underoath Concert in Buffalo

Underoath

There's probably only a few words that can be used to describe the Underoath concert that Keith and I went to on Tuesday night... and that is that it was totally INSANE!!!

The place was totally packed out, and it wasn't even a small venue at all.

It got so hot and humid quickly from all the people packed in the place and all the sweat, that my glasses quickly fogged up if there wasn't enough airflow.

Keith and I were at the front and by the time the second opener for Underoath was playing we were already soaked with sweat.... it was like we just went swimming in our clothes!

So let's start with the first opener...

Maylene + the Sons of Disaster [myspace | PureVolume | Amazon] as I had suspected these guys were just OK for the most part... not too original of a sound and were alright live.

Maylene + the Sons of Disaster we're fairly entertaining live, but definitely not I band I really foresee myself really getting into a whole lot. Though were several people that were into them at the concert.

Up next was...

Poison the Well [myspace | PureVolume | Amazon] and I thought they were pretty good. They would definitely be a band that would be interested in looking into further. I probably set some pretty high expectations of these guys when checking them out when I was looking into the opening bands before the concert... and they didn't really let me down!

I actually bought one of their t-shirts... which is actually a limited edition shirt that I happened to think was pretty cool looking.

These guys actually managed to get several crowd surfers up on the crowd... which was really cool too! Pushing them up towards the front to security. (I don't think that Maylene + the Sons of Disaster had any crowd surfers for their set.... and if they did they didn't have a lot!)

The next band in line was then...

Everytime I Die [myspace | PureVolume | Amazon], and man was I a little off on my initial perception of what these guys were like.

Maybe it was because they were live, or the crowd, I dunno. But they played a pretty amazing set and definitely cranked it up at that place!

Though they might not have been the most original band with the most original sound but everyone there seemed to love these guys... but maybe it was because they were playing in their hometown.

There were tons of people that crowd surfed during their set!

Maybe because the lead singer said they wanted them to because there was 'amazing security there' in the front -- which all of the security at the front rolled their eyes... like 'here we go!'

Even though I might not be as into Everytime I Die, they sure did put on a pretty mean live show... and they said that they were trying to put on the best show in their hometown, Buffalo.

It was great to actually see the bass player dive into the crowd... even if he made a couple of the girls at the very front have to be taken out crying!

I left the front in the third to last song because I was becoming a little too hydrated and the pressure from everyone pushing forward wasn't helping... and trying to push at least half a dozen crowd surfers along was tiring me out plus, not to mention, all the crowd surfers that kept hitting my head... it just became a little too much... so I stepped out for a breather!

Which would then bring us back to...

Underoath [myspace | PureVolume | Amazon] who was simply amazing, and surprised me with their set in a couple things...

I loved how they opened with the video on the backdrop playing Salmarnir as they came on stage... that was an amazing entrance! I probably won't ever listen to that song differently...

And then how from there they broke into playing In Regards to Myself... which I was expecting to be the first song they played... but this entrance was probably better!

After those two songs I jumped back into the crowd pushing my way through the moshpit and towards the front on the right side of the stage.

I pretty much stayed up there until towards the end when some punk kid wasn't paying attention to the crowd surfers and fell back bumping the back of his head in to my mouth giving me a sore lip...

Then I pushed my way back the back left where it wasn't as crowded and I could still see Underoath on stage from a decent vantage point.

The back definitely isn't as fun though... not anyone there really knew the songs or moved around nearly as much!

I was probably the only one back there singing along and head-banging to the music!

This concert was probably ten times better than the Nightwish concert that I might otherwise have gone to see...

Though I will still get their new CD Dark Passion Play sometime of which I would like to get their 2 Disk Edition [Discography].

The Underoath concert didn't let me down on its promise to be a good concert... In fact it was so much more fun and awesome than I thought it was going to be!

It definitely was well worth it all to see all of these bands play!!

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Underoath & Nightwish Concert Dilema Resolved

Underoath

vs.

Nightwish

In a previous post I talked about how there were two concerts for a couple of my top bands I like that are playing on the same night...

And I had to figure out which one, between Underoath (ticket info) and Nightwish (ticket info), I was going to go to.

What made things a little difficult to figure it out a few weeks ago was that Keith was potentially going to go to New York City to visit with Justin.... and at that time Keith was also looking for a job.

Since then he had landed a job at the local mall, and won't be able to go to New York City... as well Justin is quite busy with his own studies as well.

Which made for the possibility of Keith wanting to go see the Underoath concert almost given (as long as he wasn't working).

As well, I hadn't been so diligent enough recently to check out many of the new releases some of my favorite bands had just put out, including Nightwish's Dark Passion Play and would probably like to get the 2 Disk Edition [Discography].

Plus, Buffalo is a whole lot closer than Toronto, so I wouldn't have to pay for all that extra gas... and I just barely had enough to buy tickets to the show I am going to...

Which if you haven't figured it out yet, is Underoath! (Of which Keith will be coming along too since he doesn't work.)

Doors are at six and giving a half hour or so leeway I'll have to get Keith and be on our way by 3:30 PM... I'll have to confirm with Keith what he wants to do.

Ok, so the bands that are playing with Underoath [myspace | PureVolume | Amazon] are:

Everytime I Die [myspace | PureVolume | Amazon], a local Buffalo band, they sound ok... Probably nothing to write a whole lot about, and probably won't be as good as Poison the Well. These guys sound too much recipe cookie-cutter stuff.

Poison the Well [myspace | PureVolume | Amazon] well, what can I say about these guys... They are pretty decent, and sound like they could be rather good. Might be quite likeable! They have a somewhat softer sound with enough screaming & singing to make good songs. They seem to go with Underoath's style quite well.

Maylene + the Sons of Disaster [myspace | PureVolume | Amazon] some of their songs have a rather interesting sound, and would be interesting to see what they're like live... they almost seem a little cookie-cutter-ish, though.

It promises to be a good concert... So I will be sure to let you know how it turns out!

Should be well worth the $20 bucks for tickets and the gas to see these bands!!

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What's With It... I Get It

This post is going back on some things that I came across quite some some ago. I was going to post it then, but never found the time... and since I'm catching up on some posts, I thought "Why not just put it in here now?" - so here goes:

In this post we have to go back to like the 3rd week in August (I told you it was long ago)...

It was then that I came across and read this post by this girl.... If you don't want to check it out it is basically the lyrics for Chevelle's song I Get It "because it's stuck in [their] head".

The lyrics that she posted weren't anywhere near all that correct... I've got her version and the actual version of the lyrics side-to-side with the differences highlighted:

Actual Lyrics

So You Say You're Ignored
As It Is
Well Give Us Your Sad, Sad Trip

You're Right, I Get It
It All Makes Sense, You're The Perfect Person
So Right, So Wrong
Let's All Live In Your Imaginary Life

Assumed It's Whether We're Right Or Wrong
We're Doomed
And There's Plenty
For All

How Dare You Catch Me Counting
How Dare You Call At All
How Dare You Call This Suffering
How Dare You Call At All

You're Right, I Get It
It All Makes Sense, You're The Perfect Person
So Right, So Wrong
Let's All Live In Your Imaginary Life

Press On
These Tannins
They Double In Time
The Touch Of Life
Once Failed To Mention So Far

Of Course The Law Is Fountains
Of Face To Face Remorse
A Fast And Restless Blackmail
Like Pent Up Fetish Force
 

You're Right, I Get It
It All Makes Sense, You're The Perfect Person
So Right, So Wrong
Let's All Live In Your Imaginary Life

Do You Want It Enough
Do You Want It At All
Should You Need It All
Takes A Minute To See
Do You Want It Enough
Do You Want It At All
Should You Need It At All
Do You Want It Or Not

You're Right, I Get It
It All Makes Sense, You're The Perfect Person
So Right, So Wrong
Let's All Live In Your Imaginary Life

Life, Life, Life

Her Lyrics

So You Say I Make A Man
As It Is,
Well, Give Us Your Sad, Sad Trip

You're Right, I Get It
It All Makes Sense, You're The Perfect Person
So Right, So Wrong
Let's All Live In Your Imaginary Life

Assumed It's Weather
We're Right, I'm Wrong
We're Doomed, And There's Plenty For All
 

How Dare You Catch Me Counting
How Dare You Call It Off
How Dare You Call It Suffering
How Dare You Call It Off

You're Right, I Get It
It All Makes Sense, You're The Perfect Person
So Right, So Wrong
Let's All Live In Your Imaginary Life

Dress All These Turings
They're Doubled In Time
The Touch Of Life, What's Failed To Mention So Far
 
 

Of Course The Lionous Fountains
Or Face The Face We've Mauled
Of Fast And Restless Blackmail
Like Pent-up Vanished Falls

You're Right, I Get It
It All Makes Sense, You're The Perfect Person
So Right, So Wrong
Let's All Live In Your Imaginary Life

Do You Want Enough?
Do You Want It All?
Should You Need It At All?
Takes A Man To See
Do You Want Enough?
Do You Want It All?
Should You Need It At All?
Do You Want It Or Not?

You're Right, I Get It
It All Makes Sense, You're The Perfect Person
So Right, So Wrong
Let's All Live In Your Imaginary Life

Life, Life, Life.

---

Now, I can't say if she got the lyrics from somewhere else, or just 'made them up,' but seriously let's try to get them right the next time.

That's not what I'm really writing about...

As it turns out that there's this real terrible [female] DJ that works at the Zone at the late-night hours... did I mention she's annoying...

Well at work during breakdown, only a couple days after reading the post above, she said something like "Chevelle has a new single called I Get It and I'm going to play it now because it's stuck in my head, and you know what it's like when you get something stuck in your head..." blah-biddy-blah-blah, Right?

So I've been sorta wondering...

What Is It With Women And This Song?!!

Honestly that's two chicks (in the same geographical area nonetheless) that had it stuck in their head -- I don't recall it being on the radio that much... though I live a totally opposite day than everyone else (nor do I really care to listen to the radio -- especially Rochester's crappy 'rock' stations)!

Is it because this song so deeply resonates with women that live in their own little fairy-tale imaginary lives apart from reality that they get this song stuck in their head.

Or that this song strikes so much at the truth that women have this predisposition to think that they're always right (perhaps even - no matter what) and everyone should acknowledge it in them.

What's With It?

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Chevelle's Set List (Sept. 4)

I forgot to post this in the post about the Chevelle Concert.

So I guess I'll just stick it here, in a new post... the songs that Chevelle played in the concert I went to... in proper order (or so Keith thinks too):

1. Antisaint [Vena Sera]
2. Brainiac [Vena Sera]
3. Vitamin R [This Type Of Thinking]
4. Sleepwalking Elite*
5. Closure [Wonder What's Next]
6. Comfortable Liar [Wonder What's Next]
7. The Red [Wonder What's Next]
8. SMA [Point #1]
9. Saturdays [Vena Sera]
10. Get Some [This Type Of Thinking]
11. Straight Jacket Fashion [Vena Sera]
12. Well Enough Alone [Vena Sera]
13. I Get It [Vena Sera]
14. Clincher [This Type Of Thinking]
15. Send the Pain Below [Wonder What's Next]
16. Forfeit [Wonder What's Next]

* Chevelle actually played Sleepwalking Elite!!

For those of you that haven't heard it, it is an amazing song, I got it as a bonus track on my Vena Sera CD:

Vena Sera

Which actually included two demos, Sleepwalking Elite and Delivery. But Sleepwalking Elite is definitely an amazing demo.

I might be so bold as to predict that this will be one of the songs on their next CD they put out, if not their single -- if I'm bold enough to predict.

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Chevelle Concert (Sept. 4)

So a while back I went to this Chevelle concert.

And when I got back:

• I had no voice....
• I had a constant ringing in my ears!
• And I came back liking Chevelle even more!

I was probably a wreck when I got back! I was so tired that I crashed right away... I barely made it home.

Keith went with me and as he can vouch, he probably wondered if I was going to fall asleep driving back or drive off the road.

(I inadvertently switched lanes several times because I was so tired and could barely keep my eyes open... Thank God for the Doritos I brought, once I started munching on them I was able to stay awake better!)

Now back to the concert -- here are some of my comments and what I thought about it...

Ok, so the first opening band at the concert was 2 Cents [myspace | Amazon] they were a pretty heavy and energetic opening band.

Perhaps they were better live than I had initially perceived they would have been though I really didn't like their profanity.

But I think the fact that makes up for it is that they played their song Victims of Pop Culture that goes "pop music is the enemy..." and bashed a lot of those crappy little bands that really suck. Check out the last question in this interview to discover the meaning!

The second opener for Chevelle then was Fair To Midland [myspace | Amazon] who definitely had an interesting, and very light sound to them - even live.

Fair To Midland was very predictable in their music, like you can tell when they would jam out and then instantly stop and start again. And, beyond just that all their songs sounded pretty much the same!

So much so to the point that you started to ask yourself "didn't they just play this song?" - not that cool.

I'm perhaps surprised that though I thought I would have liked Fair To Midland more than I actually did after seeing them live... and what didn't help them was that the lead singer when 'dancing' would pretty much spaz-out on the stage as if ceasing in an upright position.

So as it turns out I liked 2Cents more than I liked Fair To Midland (minus their profanity).

And now we're up to Chevelle [myspace | Amazon] the headlining band. That have been touring for their new record...

Vena Sera

And their most recent single from the CD I Get It.

There are a lot of great things to say about them this concert.

It seems that everyone in the band just seemed to have more fun at this concert than at the last concert I saw with them, especially Dean:

They played a lot more of their older songs from Wonder What's Next and some from Point #1. And with a lot of the songs it seemed that Dean and even Pete would add a little extra to their playing, adding an extra chord and changing the sound / music a little.

As a whole they interacted a lot more and better with the audience! And they actually smiled and messed around with each other on stage, it was definitely a great concert!!

Even though Magic City Music Hall had a terrible sound and speaker set up that made it sound pretty crappy if you were right in front of the stage -- but it was still a great concert (you can't hold that against Chevelle or the other bands)!!

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