Brad Paisley/ Justin Moore / Mickey G @ Jiffy Lube Live 9/26/2015

I went to see Brad Paisley with Bret ($15 lawn) at Jiffy Lube Live. Yes, the HMC does enjoy some (pop) country from time to time. And a new tour to promote Moonshine in the Trunk, his latest, brought him back around. Unfortunately there was a bit of rain this evening, and I ended the life of a straw hat for this summer.

Ghost @ The Fillmore Silver Spring 9/22/2015

I went to see Ghost (BC) ($29) at the Fillmore, Silver Spring. I saw Marie, Ti and Dr Erin Laser, Spencer, Ray F, Shabba, and Renae there. This was a much hate or much love show depending on who you were. Ghost seems to be very polarizing, for a variety of reasons. So I can only imagine the comments that this will generate.

HIM / Motionless in White @ Fillmore, Silver Spring 12/12/2014

I went to see HIM (a pricey $38) with my buddy Tony at the Fillmore, Silver Spring. I saw Robin and Marie there, but not many other familiar faces. My buddy had seen HIM before, many years ago, but I never managed to see them until tonight. I think that this Finnish goth rock/metal band has consistently put out solid albums, albeit a bit more on the emo/mopey/mushy side of lyrics, and I thought they'd be great live. And at the Fillmore, you know it was going to sound pretty fabulous! Initially it was just HIM on this tour when it was announced, and at some point they added Wounds and Motionless in White, neither of which I was excited for.

The Birthday Massacre / New Year's Day / The Red Paintings @ Empire 11/15/2014

I went to see The Birthday Massacre ($17) at Empire, hopefully to play a full set this time! Last time, Chibi had an accident and her knee got screwed up, forcing a short set.  I met up with miscreants- Mari, Bridget T, and Spencer! I noticed that the parking lot was full and had to hustle in the cold from across the street. It turned out to be a sold out show, apparently. This was one of the rare Empire Sold out shows!

Coheed and Cambria @ the FIllmore, Silver Spring 9/23/2014

I went to see Coheed and Cambria at the Fillmore ($35!) for their Neverender (aka play the full album)  of "In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3." I guess it is the 11 year anniversary of its release. I met up with Scott, Stacey, Timmy, Oksana, and Nate. This as a sold out show a few months before the show, so you know it as gonna be crazy. The last time they came around as on my birthday, and it was an excellent show!

Cousin It Claudio Sanchez

Puya @ the Howard Theater 9/16/2014

I went to see Puerto Rican band Puya ($8.5 goldstar tickets! $25 regular) at the swanky Howard Theater. I met up with Ariel, James, and Raul y su mujer!  There were more than a few boricua there! The Howard Theater intermittently shows heavy concerts, and this was probably the first since 2013's Mago de Oz show. It's so odd what acts they have there, because it is a primarily black music focused, and I think they try to grab the Latin acts as well (which is good because it's a nice place. Nice, but expensive). And then they'll have the random act like Kreator or Ginger Baker.

PUYA!

Grendel / Ludovico Technique / Deathmaschine @ Asylum 13 (Delaware) 8/23/2014

I took a road trip to see aggrotech band Grendel ($24) at Asylum 13 (Mojo 13?) up in Delaware. The trip up took a bit, due to rain, a fuel spill on 95, and general weekend traffic, but coming back wasn't too bad.  I actually saw a couple people I recognized from the DC area gothy scene (Midnight) who also made the trip up!

Queen + Adam Lambert @ Merriweather Post Pavilion 7/21/2014

Andrew and I went to see most of Queen (+ Adam Lambert and some hired guns) ("Almost Queen?" "Mostly Queen?" "1/2 Queen?"- Brian May and Roger Taylor are basically half of Queen) at Merriweather Post Pavilion ($45 lawn, but ours were about $40).  Adam Lambert (no relation to Christopher or Miranda  as far as I know) gained his fame being a singer on American Idol (and the is he or isn't he speculation regarding his sexuality. Fun fact, he likes dudes if you needed to know).

A very clear Roger Taylor

Ritchie Blackmore's Night / Wizard's Consort @ the Birchmere 5/20/2014

Finally I went to see Ritchie Blackmore ($52.85 after fees!!) and Blackmore's Night at the Birchmere.  I met up with Nina and Josh, Neil and Michelle, Tom, and Dorothy.

Disclaimer: I have never seen Ritchie Blackmore live, so this night was a special bucket list night, as I needed to see him live before one of us departs.

Blackmore's Night!

VNV Nation / Whiteqube @ Empire 5/14/2014

Juliya and I went to see VNV Nation (Victory not Vengeance) ($25) at Empire. We met up with Kate, Jason, and DarKNess, and Lori (Chris Crazy-Wolf was also there, but he was hiding!).

Between the Buried and Me / Deafheaven/ Intronaut/ The Kindred at Empire 2/20/2014

I went to see DeafHeaven... with some other bands. Met up with Milla, Dale, Bridget, Victoria A, and Metal Chris. There may have been more people I knew but this apparently was a sold out show and we were stuck in the back!

All That Remains / Asking Alexandria/Devour the Day at Ram's Head Live

Went to see All that Remains at Ram's Head Live ($22) as part of 98 Rock's sold out Not So Silent Night. I met up with Josh and Erin and we hung out. I also saw Mr Rock n Roll Experience there. Everyone else there was as expected, with ball caps, affliction shirts, and maybe some neck tats. Someone in a Bane cosplay (Dark Knight Rises movie version) was there also, for who knows what reason.

Coheed and Cambria @ Rams Head Live, 10/21/2013

We went to see one of my favourite bands on my birthday- Coheed and Cambria! Met up with John, Kate, Timmy, his cousin Nate, and Ms Oksana and we also saw fellow Coheed fan Scott! Now even though I was PUMPED to see Coheed again, they always choose... IMO... less than amazing openers (similar to the Cult, who pulls the same BS). But hey it's their tour, so whatever whatever.

Primitivity @Strathmore Mansion 10/16/2013

We went to see a homegrown version of Apocalyptica/Eklipse/ people playing cellos and the like in a very energetic fashion- Primitivity at the Strathmore Mansion for their CD Release show.

Avenged Sevenfold/ Deftones/ Ghost @ Baltimore Arena 10/8/2013

I wen with my brother and his daughter for her first metal (well close enough) concert! I got there in time to go around the block a couple times, looking for parking, and to see Ghost. I forgot how nervous these big concerts/venues make me. I also saw Dave's buddy Kevin there (Y&T!!!) with his wife. I think there must have been.... one other person I know there... maybe?

Anathema / Alcest/ Mammifer @ Empire 9/13/2013

We went to see Alcest... and a couple other bands at EMPIRE (Empire). We saw surprisingly a large number of people, and several that we knew- Heavy Metal Chris, Ethan, Antonio, Joel, Marie + her dude, Iri, and I think Marysol was there too. And this to me was surprising cause this was not really a heavy show. I'm using a pic of Alcest here, cause I think their pix came out great.

Zac Brown Band @ Merriweather Post Pavilion 6/22/2013

Andrew, Bret, and I went to see Zac Brown and his band at Merriweather Post Pavilion with about 19,000 other people. I always seem to forget how popular these country shows are- white people as far as the eye could see!  (Yes, I do go to some non metal shows)