FOR THE LOVE OF METAL
First thing I thought when I woke up this morning was “Hey, it’s Record Store Day!” No, not Hitler’s Birthday, the Columbine Massacre Anniversary, the day Black Sabbath tickets go on sale (I got mine on Thursday via presale–33rd row floors) or even that day when everybody gathers in a park to smoke pot. Apparently, purchasing vinyl is now more important to me than smoking marijuana. I think I’m becoming a square, maaaaan!
So when U.D.O. first announced his North American solo tour back in January, I knew I had to be there. I’ve had the opportunity to see Accept three times since their 2010 reunion, but I’ve never seen the original voice of Accept. And that’s no knock on Mark Tornillo, who has filled in admirably in both the vocal and the height department…
Common law never sounded so exceptional!
Black Sabbath has yet to announce any North American tour dates, but when Universal Music Canada unwittingly leaked that they’d be playing Toronto, oh, about a month ago, we were alerted to the fact that they’re supposed to be coming to town August 14th. What Universal doesn’t say is when tickets go on sale, although I’ve heard rumours about April 13th either being a pre-sale or official on-sale date…
Man, I dunno if they’ll get a full hour when they open for Clutch on these shores, but this seems like a pretty decent precursor of things to come.
It’s been a little while since I’ve seen Kylesa in concert, 2+ years to be precise, and that was an early show. Suffice to say, I’m stoked to see them hitting The Annex again this summer, but when I saw the full touring lineup, I definitely did a double-take…
For a moment there, I thought I had hit the jackpot. All these attractive young women were adding me on Facebook–and they appeared to be into heavy rock too, what with names like Lilly Rockgrrl and Rocksy Stoner. But then I found out it was all a ruse, perpetrated by the management of an Austrian stoner rock band…
Gruesome Greg tries stand-up tomorrow at Absolute Comedy. Hilarity hopefully ensues. Read on for more info…
Overheard at the bar at the Blood Ceremony gig the other night: “Dude, you know Fu Manchu? Blah blah blah stoner rock blah blah Kyuss … They’re playing Lee’s Palace March 15th, you should check it out.”
In my 7.5 years of living in Toronto, I’ve seen my share of local bands break up, but last night was the first time I saw one pack the Horseshoe Tavern for their farewell gig. The venue couldn’t have been more fitting, as it was there that my relationship with Quest For Fire began five years ago–and almost to the day, at that…