You moron, you should have gone
. . .
I’m an idiot.
(Or “fucking retarded”, as one commenter said regarding my waffling over seeing Opeth play. I’ve decided to go, by the way.)
I’m also averse to driving, slightly agoraphobic, and antisocial at times. Those things, combined with living in cities that get lots of shows, mean that I miss lots of shows. Such is the “plight” of first world living.
Of course, missing shows often leads to remorse. I am kicking myself for recently missing Jucifer — even though the show was free. I am kicking myself for missing Arch Enemy — even though I was on the guest list. Yes, I’m an idiot. Here is proof five times over.
. . .
Uphill Battle, Cattle Decapitation, Murder Construct, Destroyed in Seconds
The Blvd, Los Angeles / March 27, 2010
Uphill Battle was a great grindcore band on Relapse that broke up in 2005. Recently they reformed to play a few local shows. One was at The Blvd, one of my favorite venues in LA. The show would have been worth it just to see Danny Walker, an amazing drummer who currently plays for Intronaut. But the rest of the bill was also grind-tastic: Cattle Decapitation, Murder Construct (an all-star band featuring Walker, Travis Ryan of Cattle Decapitation, and Leon del Muerte (ex-Intronaut, ex-Phobia)), and Destroyed in Seconds (featuring del Muerte and Bruce Reeves (ex-Phobia, proprietor of Warlord Clothing)). But that night I decided to “take it easy”. Lame!
Immortal, Lightning Swords of Death
Avalon, Hollywood / April 2, 2010
I had a legitimate excuse for missing this: a friend’s birthday. But while I made small talk at a “wacky hat”-themed party, Immortal were “Storming through Red Clouds and Holocaust Winds” three miles away. My buddy Dave was at the show and sent me text messages about the great time he was having. Agony! Granted, my party probably had more pretty ladies, but Immortal were on a two-date American tour (what was that all about?). At this rate, I’ll never get to see them. Lame!
Nile, Kreator, Vader, Amon Amarth, Goatwhore
The Pound, San Francisco / October 10, 2003
That lineup was ridiculous! The Pound was a small, intimate club. Nile, Kreator, and Amon Amarth do not play small, intimate clubs anymore. I was at Amoeba Records that day, and a clerk asked me if I was going. “Nile’s playing!” he said. His facial expression was so bright. When I said no – I was just getting back into metal at that point, and didn’t know better – his facial expression was so dark. Lame!
Pentagram, The Devil’s Blood
Webster Hall, New York City / March 6, 2009
First NYC show for Pentagram in 25 years. First time Bobby Liebling ever performed sober. First ever US show for The Devil’s Blood. Reports afterwards were stellar. The show was filmed for the upcoming Pentagram documentary. I was busy forgetting the event I had marked on my calendar. Lame!
Celtic Frost, Kreator, Watain
Columbia Club, Berlin / March 29, 2007
I was living in Berlin at the time. I was an idiot. I’m still an idiot. Lame!
What have been your most epic concert fails?
