AC/DC

Ever notice when bands announce they are going for a more "rocking straight forward sound ...like AC/DC" ,that album usually sucks! Don't insult the masters! Just tell people the truth: you ran out of ideas and you can't play as fast anymore.

Man vs. Shark

Being a child during the 'Jaws' craze I was installed with a healthy fear of sharks. Although man is at the top of the food chain there are certain species that we care not to do battle with because we will undoubtedly lose. Sharks are killers and they're best left to their own domain.

But not anymore! Over the last few years I have been reading more accounts of people fighting sharks and winning! I don't mean a draw or a respectable tie; I mean winning! A few years back I read the story of a man who wrestled a shark to retrieve the severed arm of his nephew. Apparently this particular shark thought it was business as usual just before a flurry of punches and a chokehold forced the arm back out of their mouth! The guy actually wrestled the shark and pulled the boy's arm out of the shark. and then it was re-attached!!!!

I still feel that a seven dollar bill needs to be minted and the man's face should adorn it! He's an American hero! But since then there have been other stories of mankind taking dominance over the sea. I'll continue to post articles documenting what will soon be an Olympic sport: shark fighting!

This woman also showed the shark who is boss!

Even little girls are beating up sharks! I mean ,c'mon !!!!

Look at me, I made the papers

I'm on the cover of the NY Times! And I didn't even swim this time.

"Pittsburgh...we brought the Frost back for you"

So I read that DREAM DEATH were re-uniting for a one-off show in Pittsburgh, opening for CELTIC FROST. DREAM DEATH was one of the first demos I ever received in the mail and it is still counted in prized collection of tapes. They combined a great style of thrash and doom that was was ahead of their time (you know, for 1987). For me, this was a show I could not miss. So I flew out to the Iron City with my cousin to witness this event, only to discover that DREAM DEATH were bumped off the bill! But we decided to continue with the trip anyhow.

The Rex Theatre was a cool place to watch bands. We missed the first band because we decided to absorb whatever nightlife Carson Street had to offer. 20 minutes later we realized the show was the biggest thing going on that night. When we arrived, 1349 was about to start. It was the first 'corpse paint' band I ever witnessed live. Much like visiting a store-sponsored Santa when I was a kid, it wasn't all that scary when you see it up close! The band was awesome despite their technical problems.

Then there was Tom G. Warrior's grand declaration as they began playing: "Pittsburgh we brought back the Frost for you". I was humbled but embarrassed since I was not resident of the town. But goddamn were they great! They cranked out the classics as well as a few newer tunes. The crowd was definitely into it. And I was definitely part of the crowd that night.

And that's where the story winds up: I remind myself constantly that there's always something that will come along for me to say "well, now I've seen everything". The crowd was fist pumping and head banging, devil horns were in full effect for as far as the eye could see (oh yeah, there is no smoking ban in Pitts so you couldn't see far). Basically it was like every metal show I have ever attended, except for this one guy. Dressed in a denim vest and black t shirt, he seemed to rise to the top of the bell curve of metal apparel. But there was one difference. He was fist-pumping with a toothbrush in his hand?!!! I am not kidding! The guy was signing along and totally into the show, but he had his right hand in the air with a toothbrush throughout the whole set. I assume it was his because if he brought someone else's to the show that would be really creepy, right?

No one seemed to notice or care that this guy was waving his toothbrush in the air. Maybe Pittsburgh prides itself on heavy music and good hygiene but he looked happy and proud to be displaying his toiletries!!!! So Pittsburgh I salute you. Keep smiling!!