The Who @ Verizon Center 3/24/2016

I went to see The Who at the Verizon Center ($40). Groupon made this show a bit less expensive, but still pricey based on the rock pedigree. I met up with Ariel, and Neil and Michelle there- out of all the thousands of people there, it was quite the happenstance to come across Neil and Michelle in the beer line!

John 5 @ State Theater 3/15/2016

Guitar godling John 5

I went to see guitarist John 5 and the Creatures ($26) at the State Theater in Falls Church, VA.  I wasn't up to anything in particular and a chance to see a guitar very night was not a bad option at all. It did seem a bit pricey for just him, no openers. If you're wondering who the hell John 5 is, you may remember him from stints with David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, and of course Rob Zombie. I did see Kris, Ariel, Di, and Lacy there.

Coheed and Cambria / Glassjaw @ Echostage 3/2/2016

I went to see Coheed and Cambria at Echostage ($49.50) in the middle of nowhere in DC. I last saw them in 2014, but never at this venue. Echostage is apparently some converted warehouse near Northeast Washinton. The venue usually hosts electronic music events, apparently. The area seems not a great place for a venue, or anything really, and it could benefit from some more public transportation an a parking area. Or some lights. Regardless, there were a ton of people there, and it was crowded, but not uncomfortably so. I was wondering how all these white people got there!  This was supporting their newest album, The Colour Before the Sun, which I thought was a bit of a drop in quality since their Afterman set of albums.

Led Zeppelin2 @ Fillmore, Silver Spring 2/26/2016

I went to see Led Zeppelin 2 (Led Zeppelin cover band) at the Fillmore with my friends Andrew and Glenda. I believe we had comp tickets, so why not?

SOTO / Martyr's Asylum / Ghost of War @ Baltimore Soundstage 2/16/2016

I went to see Jeff Scott Soto's band SOTO ($16) up in Baltimore Soundstage. I saw Ariel, Juan, James, Lisa, Renea, Raul + su mujer, Ronnie, Zac, Gary, Dickey, and Bobbie. I was pretty excited to see Jeff Scott Soto, as I had not seen him live before- I was not sure what mix of material he would be playing, as I know he's got his solo, his band, and a variety of other bands he's been in (ex: Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, W.E.T., Solo, Journey, Talisman, etc.).

Fleshgod Apocalypse / Carach Angren/ Abigail Williams @ Metro Gallery 2/11/2016

I went to see Italy's Fleshgod Apocalypse ($22.50) at the Metro Gallery in godforsakenBaltimore.  I saw Ariel, Maery, Dorothy, Scott, Sean D, Jason, Renee, Renae, Zach, Joel, Antonio, Dylan, Danielle, and Daniel G there. The one-two punch of the black metal Carach Angren and then the pummeling symphonic death metal of Fleshgod Apocalypse was a big draw for me. I got my ticket in advance for what would be a pretty packed show.

Fleshgod Apocalypse from Italia!

Lamb of God / Anthrax / Deafheaven @ Fillmore Silver Spring 1/17/2016

I went to see Lamb of God with Anthrax and Deafheaven at the Fillmore, Silver Spring ($45). This was a close to if not sold out show- tons of people were there. The rogue's gallery included Kris, Ariel, Ielm, Kris, Jen, Bridget, Dale, Sean, Annie,Scott, Victoria, James, Dwayne, Tom, and Gary!

Wild Child (Doors tribute) @ Fillmore Silver Spring 1/9/2016

I went to see Wild Child, a Doors Tribute/cover band as the first show of 2016 (free tickets). I am not a huge Doors fan, but I knew a few people going. For a free show that ended kind of early, why not? I recall hanging out with Andrew and Ariel and his daughter.

There were a lot of people there, way more than I thought there would be- I don't think as much as the Led Zeppelin tributes I've seen, but close. The top of the Fillmore was not open, so the red curtains were down. I don't know how many people paid for their tickets, but it always strikes me odd that some of these tribute bands have a bigger draw than some original ones...

Wild Child did have a nice long set (with a break in between actually), which was much appreciated. There wasn't too much with the show, but they certainly looked the part as well.

Overall, it sounded pretty good, sounded like the Doors to me. I am only really familiar with the 'greatest hits,' so I thought the setlist was pretty solid- songs I knew, mostly. The band was pretty on point, with the organist/keyboardist/whatever being the highlight. The Terrance Stamp looking guitarist was better than expected as well. People were into the show but as they were a mostly... seasoned ... crowd, the energy was subdued.

I can't say that I had an amazing time, but I think it was a good show to ease into 2016.

Next show: Lamb of God

Photos

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Setlists

Wild Child (9:20- 11:08)

• Alabama Song
• Hello, I Love You
• Love Me Two Times
• ?
• People are Strange
• Strange Days
• When the Music's Over
• -
• Love Her Madly
• Riders on the Storm
• ?Not to Touch the Earth
• ? road
• ?
• Light My Fire
• -
• L.A. Woman
• ?
• Roadhouse Blues
• ?
• The End

Tesseract / The Contortionist @ Baltimore Soundstage 12/6/2015

I went to see Tesseract ($13) at Baltimore Soundstage for the last show of 2015. Last time it was sold out at Empire, so I made sure I got a ticket before hand. Also, there was some promotion for cheaper tickets as well! I think Jason, Erin, and Scott were there. Tesseract just released their latest album Polaris, so this tour would be promoting that.

Kamelot / Dragonforce @ Fillmore Silver Spring 11/18/2015

I went to see Kamelot at Silver Spring (~$29) as another part of their North American Tour (leg 2).  They were supposed to come to 4/27 to Baltimore Soundstage, but that was cancelled due to a state of emergency in Baltimore (!) and riots, etc. I was there for the VIP experience, but a little before Dragonforce was set to start, they turned on the house lights and announced all the insanity. They did play an early show a couple days later (due to the curfew(!)) but I was not able to make that show :( Unfortunately my notes were lost regarding timing and who all I saw at this show (not as many due to another conflicting show, and um... not everyone loving Kamelot)- but I think at least a couple people I knew were there.

Moshing' like the Fahrenheit...not at all

Kataklysm / Belphegor @ Baltimore Soundstage 11/8/2015

I went to see Canadian Death Metal band Kataklysm with Austrian black metal (finally!) Belphegor ($20). I saw Scott, Daniel G, Renae and due, Sean, Jason, Erin, and Zach, there.

Blind Guardian / Grave Digger @ Baltimore Soundstage 10/27/2015

I went to see German power and true metal legends Blind Guardian w/ Grave Digger ($30) at the Baltimore Soundstage. Blind Guardian's last US tour had been years before (I'd never seen them) and Grave Digger hadn't been to the US on a full tour at all. I saw Bobbie and Armon, Dan and Bonnie, Dan, Daniel G, Ti, Dorothy, Marie,and Renee there.

BLIND GUARDIAN

Pat Travers @ Jammin' Java 10/18/2015

I went to see bluesy guitar legend Pat Travers ($22) at Jammin' Java. Ever since I saw him open for George Lynch at Jaxx (never heard of him before that day), I was a fan- that old guy plays a mean guitar! Jammin' Java is also a nice place for a show- food and drafts, as well as a nice sound system, and a really relaxed atmosphere.

Overkill / Symphony X / Ghost of War @ Fillmore Silver Spring 10/16/2015

I went to see Overkill ($28.75) with Symphony X and Ghost of War at the Fillmore, Silver Spring. I saw Annie, Dan, Dave and Kevin, Erin and Ti, Ariel and Ilem, James, Dwayne, Kyler, Lisa, Dorothy, Lindsey and Blake, Kris, Gonzalo, Marie,Navid, Marc and Marysol, Allie an Nathan, Sean, Jason, and Sara.