Metalhead
19 Oct
Well, I did it. I went to a Metallica show on Saturday.
Let me cut to the chase: I enjoyed the hell out of it. I know, I know, not my usual fare, but my husband has been into them forever (you’d be amazed at how popular they are in India– or I was, anyhow), and my best friend married a dude who might be called an Extreme Metallica Fan– he’s seen them 7 times now and is a member of the official fan club.
Which is how we got 4th row tickets and I ended up like 10-20 feet from James Hetfield. My husband was meant to come, obviously, but he had to bail because he’s working on his MBA and spends a lot of weekends down in Durham. This happened, by bad luck, to be one of the few long weekends in the program. So he missed out and was very sulky about it, but we had a good time anyhow. They put on a hell of a show, and I think almost anyone’s been exposed to enough of their music to be able to sing along here and there, right?
I always enjoy loud shows– I think Rob Zombie still stands as one of my all time favorite stage acts. But this time was added awesome because I’m working on a project just now (Audio File) in which one of the major players is a sort of a pop-metal pseudo-goth rock star. Metallica runs from one side of the stage to the other (they set up in the middle of the arena and play to a 360 audience, which is cool) and engages so directly with the pit and the people in the seats, it was a hell of a lesson in the psychological gymnastics that go into being a true rock star. That, and there was lots of cool fire.
So not all research involves the library and books about early 19th century American watchmaking, apparently. Sweet. Also, according to this picture Tara took of me int he back seat afterward, in my new metal-head hat, listening to Metallica makes you into a devil-worshipper. I wanted to make this my new author pic, but it’s too dark, unfortunately :/
The new album is okay, It’s just that it’s a bit Stravinsky, and makes me feel like I’m losing my mind. Was not into Lamb of God, though they get points for being from Virginia. The oddly cheerful opening-opening band, a French act with the awesome name Gojira, were quite decent.
And now, back to Franz Schubert, apparently. Hm, I was almost cool for a second there.
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Now playing: Franz Schubert – Fantasy in C “Wanderer Fantasie”, Op.15, D 760 IV. Allegro
via FoxyTunes
I haven’t been to a concert since, oh man…college. Fingers crossed for Kishidan coming to the states!
That photo is so charming! Love it.
Glad you had a good time, even if it wasn’t exactly your thing. A proper performance can make up for SO much.
I’ll totally keep my fingers crossed for you on that, Nat. After a few months without a show I start to get a bit twitchy. But this month should keep me for a while.
Cory, charming is just the word. Wow. And yeah, even if I hated their music– which I totally don’t, because they’re good– I could’ve loved the performance.
I keep forgetting how young you are – or at least how young you look in your photos. This is a good thing (yes/no?)
Glad you enjoyed the noise, I couldn’t do it – I’m too old in both photo and reality ;c)
I vote for a change in your avatar to a photo of you so I don’t forget what you look like in future! And yes, I have a head like a sieve and will continue to have a need to visit your ‘about me’ page to remind myself.
You need to activate that thing where commenters get emailed updates.
Sounds like it was a great show. The best show along those lines I’ve seen was AC/DC. If I went now, the youngsters would probably kick my walker out from under me!
And I just reread what I wrote and realise I need to activate a spell checker :c(
RAR! Metallica!
I’ve only seen them once, way back in ’94. Amazing stage presence. (Oh, to have seen Cliff Burton on bass. Luv ya, Cliff…)
Anyway, Metallica was my oxygen in high school. I had the old version Kill ‘em All album (with “Am I Evil?” and “Blitzkrieg”…later removed from future pressings only to be re-released on the Garage Days Re-re-re-re-visited album…sorry) God, how we’d cruise with that music cranked. I’m such a goon.
BT, I didn’t notice any mistakes– guess I should start using one too. Anyhow, I do look a lot younger than I am! I remember being a kid and my mom getting carded (she was like mid-thirties) and being all proud. Now I’m almost thirty myself and kind of grin when they ask for my ID. Ha!
Perhaps I should have an avatar that actually looks like me, though. To remind people that the ones who look 5 years old are always the bad ones… or something to that effect. Not a bad idea!
(ETA: I’ll ask Becca the Awesome Web girl about the comments thing, actually. I poked around but can’t find it in the UI. Bah!)
Alan, you are NEVER too old for rock n roll, right? Well, unless you’re Keith Richards. I’m going to suggest he might be. Not due to age, but sheer wear and tear, really.
Aaron– Oh, to have seen Cliff Burton on bass.
We talked about that half the way down to Charlottesville, actually. There’s a sad rock story if ever I’ve heard one. And Metallica is one of the few bands you can listen to cranked and not sound completely stupid. I mean, Manic Street Preachers, Kasabian… I love ‘em, but not so much. Fabulous.
To remind people that the ones who look 5 years old are always the bad ones… or something to that effect.
Guess it can’t hurt to have a partner in crime
While I would actually put Metallica in my Top 10 Hated Bands, I do acknowledge that they are geniuses when it comes to a live show.
And good idea…going to a concert for research. Now I just need to construct a plot that would require me to go see the Deftones for the 6th time.
I don’t think I know any Metallica songs… I’m hoping I do and that I just can’t attach a particular song to them. Feeling really non-metal head.
And I’m so jealous, you look about 14 in that twitpic photo.
Oh, and even my avatar on your blog looks ancient.
I saw ‘em when Godsmack was opening for them. Opening was great, but then I figure Metallica should have been opening for Godsmack.
I just far prefer Sully to Hetfield.
Cory, yes. Company is always good. Let’s shock people by going into bars and drinking them under the table! Er…
Barry, I don’t even think I have 10 bands I can honestly say I hate; my Musical Scale goes from “annoying” to “tolerable” to “enjoyable” to “OMFGFANGIRL”. But I still get you, and yeah, even if someone was there who hated them, I’m sure they had to give it up– they know what they’re doing, at least!
But I definitely recommend thinking up a story that twists your arm into going to see the Deftones once more. Gee golly, the things we’re willing to do for research.
Cate, you totally do. Most people know Enter Sandman– has a really recognizable riff.
Anyhow I only look 14 because my face is completely round. It’s quite embarassing to look like a Cabbage Patch Kid sometimes, you know. But you did get the frumpy monster avatar– if you go to gravatar.com you can pick your own!
Jodi, I would tend to agree with you there. I think Matt and Tara (the friends) saw them on that same tour– or maybe it was just Matt who mentioned seeing Godsmack with them. Anyhow, that’d be a rad show.