From The Vault - D.R.I.

This is a short post here, but tonight's appearance of D.R.I. in Minneapolis had me thinking about the one time I saw the band on February 22, 1996 at The Daily Grind in Kansas City. Opening the show was the mighty Acid Bath shortly before they released the awesome Paegan Terrorism Tactics album, which unfortunately proved to be their last due to the death of bassist Audie Pitre in January 1997. Guitarist Sammy Duet went on to found Goatwhore. D.R.I.'s set was short, probably only 30 minutes, since vocalist Kurt Brecht didn't sing due to illness. The band intended to play a short instrumental set, but someone in the crowd jumped up on stage, grabbed a microphone, and sang most of the songs. Certainly not a representative show for the band, but they at least made it enjoyable. This also was on the tour to support what is still D.R.I.'s last album, 1995's Full Speed Ahead.

Watch the video for "Syringes In The Sandbox" from the last D.R.I. album, Full Speed Ahead.

There's still plenty of time to get down to Mill City Nights in Minneapolis to see D.R.I. support Suicidal Tendencies with Waking The Dead tonight - doors open at 8:00 and the show starts at 8:30.

Tonight - SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and DRI in Minneapolis

Long-running crossover thrash legends Suicidal Tendencies return for a show at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis atop a strong bill with support from DRI and Waking The Dead, essentially a new version of No Mercy from former Suicidal guitarist Mike Clark. Tickets for this 18+ show are $25 at the door, and the show starts at 8:30. Before the show, local hardcore band In Defence will be playing a free show (with your Suicidal ticket) downstairs in The Nether Bar. Doors for The Nether Bar open at 7:00.

Suicidal Tendencies playing The Bottleneck in Lawrence, Kansas on November 9, 1998. Click on the pictures to see more photos from this show (11).

Suicidal Tendencies just released a great new album, 13, which I reviewed here (8/10). Also check out the From The Vault feature will some live photos from 1998.

Watch the video for "You Can't Bring Me Down" from 1990's Lights...Camera...Revolution.

From The Vault - SUICIDAL TENDENCIES

UPDATE: Scan of the ticket stub and Mike Muir autograph from their show with Queensrÿche on May 14, 1991 was added.

Suicidal Tendencies is playing in Minneapolis tonight - they always put on an entertaining show so get out and see them. Here's a few things I pulled out of my archives of stuff. The new album, 13, is a good one - check out my review here.

The Welcome To Venice compilation from 1985.

First up are pictures of my copy of the rare vinyl LP Welcome To Venice, a compilation released by Suicidal Records in 1985 that features Suicidal, Beowülf, Los Cycos, No Mercy, and Excel. This was only released on LP and cassette and has never been reissued in any format, so copies sell on eBay in the $50–100 range. I bought this in the mid-80s from one of my cousins, who sold me a stack of punk/hardcore albums including the first Suicidal albums as well as ones from C.O.C., Circle Jerks, Excel, and Descendants.

The first chance I had to see Suicidal was on the tour for Lights...Camera...Revolution opening for Queensrÿche on the Empire tour on May 14, 1991 at the Five Seasons Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. An odd billing, to be sure, but Suicidal went over surprisingly well with their short set. They mainly played songs from Lights...Camera...Revolution, including "You Can't Bring Me Down", "Lovely", "Alone", and "Send Me Your Money". I think "Pledge Your Allegiance" and "How Can I Laugh Tomorrow" rounded out the set, but I was shocked that nothing from the first two albums was played - they were definitely trying to appeal to a metal crowd. Before Queenrÿche started I spotted Suicidal vocalist Mike Muir on the edge of the arena floor by a dressing room door and was able to get his autograph (above).

Suicidal Tendencies performing in 1998 at The Bottleneck in Lawrence, Kansas. Click on the live pictures to see more photos from this show (11).

Their set list changed dramatically the next time I saw them on November 9, 1998 at The Bottleneck in Lawrence, Kansas. This was a co-headlining show with Infectious Grooves right before Suicidal released the Six The Hard Way EP. I wasn't a fan of Infectious Grooves, but their live show was impressive. Now Suicidal ignored all their radio and video hits from the last four metal albums and focused on the first two. It was awesome to hear all those songs, and the show definitely signaled a change in the band back towards their punk roots. All of the live pictures here are from this show, and were the best I could get with a crappy old camera in a packed club.

The last time I caught Suicidal was in early 2000 at Cane's in San Diego while promoting the weak Freedumb album. Surprisingly, this is the show I remember the least about. What I do recall were some songs from Freedumb alongside ones from the first two albums. It still was an excellent show, just not a memorable one for some reason. I had an off night with my camera for I just have a roll of film that's entirely out of focus - too bad, because these could have been some great pictures.

Promotional picture from 1999 to promote Freedumb.

Suicidal Tendencies performs tonight, Tuesday, April 16 at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis with support from DRI and Waking The Dead. In Defence plays a free (with ticket) pre-concert show downstairs in The Nether Bar.

Album Review - SUICIDAL TENDENCIES

Suicidal Tendencies - 13

Suicidal, 2013

8/10

New material from this groundbreaking crossover metal band was long overdue with various reports from the band themselves that they had been recording songs for over ten years. Suicidal Tendencies was probably the most unlikely of bands to achieve major label success and radio airplay in in the late 80s and early 90s. Despite their evolution from a punk band to thrash and more mainstream metal they’ve never been under fire for selling out, probably due to the characteristic lyrical themes and vocal delivery of band leader Mike Muir that made their stylistic changes over the years seem sincere and natural. On 13 Suicidal continues the return to their punk and thrash roots that began back on 1999’s Freedumb album, but the crushing heaviness has largely been dropped and 13 sounds much better for it. The opening riff of “Slam City” is as heavy as it gets. Otherwise, 13 has the much more open feel of their debut album from 1983 but with the intensity of Join The Army. The production and sound just fits the style of the songs really well. The fast songs like “Cyco Style” and “Smash It!” sound like crossover thrash rather than lame metal songs, and the slower ones such as “God Only Knows…Who I Am” and “ Till My Last Breath” are given a chance to build up. Long-standing funk and and metal elements are still in place, so the album has a lot to keep the listener interested. This certainly isn’t the best record from Suicidal, but it’s highly enjoyable and a worthy addition to the catalog. Clever songwriting has always set the band apart from other hardcore and thrash bands, and 13 proves there is still life left in Suicidal after an amazing 30 years.

Suicidal Tendencies performs Tuesday, April 16 at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis with support from DRI and Waking The Dead. Local hardcore band In Defence plays a free pre-concert show in The Nether Bar at Mill City Nights starting around 7:00.

This Week In Concert - April 12, 2013

We get somewhat of a breather in metal shows during the upcoming week – the Concert Calendar here had 33 metal and hard rock shows in the last 21 days!

There’s two shows happening tonight, Friday, April 12. First, folk metal fans should get over to Station 4 in St. Paul for Paganfest featuring an international lineup of bands – Ensiferum (Finland), Tyr (Farce Islands), Heidevolk (Denmark), Trollfest (Norway), and Helsott (US). This is a 16+ show with an early start of 6:00 – tickets are $30 at the door.

The one and only Otep also performs tonight with support from One-Eyed Doll and Picture Me Broken at Pov’s 65 in Spring Lake Park. This is show is 18+, the doors are at 7:00, and tickets are $10.

It’s a night of local metal on Saturday, April 13 at Station 4 in St. Paul with Aeous, Ashes From Stone, Fifth Hour, and I, Corvinus. It’s an 18+ show that starts at 8:30, and it’s $5 in advance or $8 at the door.

Legendary thrash punk band Suicidal Tendencies takes over Mill City Nights on Tuesday, April 16 with DRI and Wake The Dead for an 18+ show. Tickets are $23 in advance or $25 at the door, and show time is 8:30.

Lastly, Wednesday, April 17 you can catch local sludge/doom band Witchden with Architects Death Spiral and Earthrise at Cause Spirits & Soundbar in Minneapolis. This is a free 21+ show that starts at 9:00.

Concert Announcements - March 1, 2013

The concert calendar is starting fill out more as shows for the summer season start to filter in. First up with the new announcements are concerts for which tickets go on sale today, Friday, March 1 at 10:00 am:

Suicidal Tendencies, DRI, and Wake The Dead will play an 18+ show at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis on Tuesday, April 16.

Kvelertak returns to the area for an 18+ headlining show with support from Cancer Bats on Saturday, April 27 at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis (tickets on sale for this one at 12:00 noon).

Papa Roach comes to the Mayo Civic Center Auditorium in Rochester for an all ages show with Escape The Fate and Otherwise on Tuesday, May 21. Tickets purchased today are only $14.99 - advance go up to $23 thereafter and $25 at the door.

The ever-bizarre Primus will play an all ages show at Myth in St. Paul on Saturday, June 1.

As mentioned in the presale announcement a couple days ago, the legendary Alice Cooper will play an all ages show at the State Theatre in Minneapolis on Sunday, July 14.

There's plenty of other recent metal concert news:

Heathenfest 4 featuring Einherjer, Sig:Ar:Tyr, Vanir, Ashaena, Trelleborg, Hammer Horde, Vesperia, Minos, Battlesoul, and Winterhymn on Saturday, March 9 at Station 4 in St. Paul has been CANCELLED. A FREE 16+ show is being lined up in its place with Minos and other bands to be announced. A February 13 post on the Einherjer Facebook page blames the cancellation on the promoter: "Ok, it seems we need to clear up any misunderstandings regarding the cancellation of our performance at Heathen Crusade. We are not able to perform because we didn't get any money from the promoter. No money for flights, no money for visas. We've tried our best to find a solution, but the deadline for the working visa application left us no choice but to cancel. We're really sorry it came to this....and we are just as pissed off as you are!!!" There's always two sides to any dispute like this (every band I've talked to loves working with SwordLord), but my guess is that it all comes down to weak advance ticket sales.

(hed)pe returns to St. Paul on Sunday, March 31 at Station 4 for an all ages show with Nuisance, Strate-Jak-It, and Angry Room.

Long-running death metal band Suffocation brings Exhumed, Jungle Rot, Rings Of Saturn, and Adimiron to Station 4 in St. Paul on Monday, April 8 for a 16+ show.

Within The Ruins and The Contortionist co-headline an all ages show with support from I Declare War, Reflections, and City In The Sea on Tuesday, April 9 at Station 4 in St. Paul.

Punk band The Casualties will be playing at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on Saturday, April 20.

Swedish death metal band Hypocrisy comes backs to Station 4 in St. Paul on Tuesday, May 7 with Krisiun, Aborted, Arsis, and Starkill.

Des Moines-based death metal band Amass The Grave plays Station 4 in St. Paul on Sunday, May 26 with The Curse Of Hail and Climactic for a 21+ show.

Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno will hit Neisen's in Savage on Wednesday, June 5.

Bang Tango plays the Hi 5 Bar in Burnsville on Thursday, June 6 with support from Metal Witch and Black Rainbow.

Former Guns 'N' Roses drummer Steven Adler brings his new band simply called Adler to Buster's in Mankato on Sunday, June 30.

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES Fall Tour, Minneapolis November 18

Thrash/crossover pioneers Suicidal Tendencies will embark on a US tour this October and November to promote their new No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family album that will be released tomorrow, September 7, through the band's Suicidal Records. The new album features re-recorded tracks from Suicidal Tendencies' second album, Join The Army, alongside songs intended for the second No Mercy album. Suicidal Tendencies play in Minneapolis at The Cabooze on Thursday, November 18; the full tour itinerary is:

October 15 - Reno, NV, Knitting Factory

October 16 - Portland, OR, Roseland

October 17 - Seattle, WA, Showbox

October 20 - San Francisco, CA, Fillmore

October 22 - Las Vegas, NV, House Of Blues

October 26 - Colorado Springs, CO, Black Sheep

October 29 - Detroit, MI, Harpo's

October 30 - Milwaukee, WI, Eagles Ballroom

October 31 - Cleveland, OH, Peabody's

November 2 - St. Louis, MO, Pops

November 4 - Houston, TX, Meridien

November 6 - Dallas, TX, Palladium Showroom

November 7 - Austin, TX, Fun Fun Fun Fest

November 9 - Tampa, FL, State Theatre

November 10 - Orlando, FL, Firestone

November 12 - Washington, DC, 9:30 Club

November 13 - Worcester, MA, Palladium

November 17 - Chicago, IL, Metro

November 18 - Minneapolis, MN, The Cabooze

November 20 - Denver, CO, Summit

November 21 - Albuquerque, NM, Sunshine Theatre

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