this one

What a horrible, drama-filled month. Well, at least the first part of it was. Work has been a freakin’ nightmare, to the point where I had to go to the Doctor to get checked out for stress/anxiety (no joke, it was baaaad. I've never experienced this level of stress before. I had to have my chest shaved to get a heart test!), but, most importantly, I have finally stood up to what has been going on there at work for so long.

I sent a letter to the ‘top’ management/owners, and it was a doozy, I’m telling you. I let it all hang out in the hopes that people can someday be treated equally there. I love my newfound family there and they are absolutely worth fighting for! It was an unpleasant, stress-laden task that I took no pleasure in doing, but it had to be done. I really think that only I had any chance of changing things there, so it was something I simply had to do. It was one of those things that had to happen. I could not sit there and let people get away with this crap over and over and over again. It had to stop one way or another, even at the cost of my job, if need be. And I am glad I did what I did. I have no regrets. There is a full-scale investigation going on right now, and I gave them tons of info and witnesses who will no doubt speak up about this injustice. They have given me my money back and approved a much-needed request of mine, so that is a good start to resolving things. I just hope they do the right thing in the end, for there is no better ally in that company than me, and the work I have done there during my tenure. I will keep you informed about what happens. Wish us low-man-on-the-totem-pole workers luck!

I had to also do something else I didn’t want to have to do several weeks back as well, that made me very sad, and hurt me to the core, but it was necessary to live a peaceful, drama-free life. Sadly, sometimes people in your life cannot or simply will not change for the better no matter what, so you just gotta move on with your life. So I’ve just been chillin’ at home mostly, trying to rest up and get over this work anxiety/stress or whatever the hell it is.

I did go to a few shows, Motley 2 (The Motley Crue Tribute, OMG, you gotta read my review), Nightrain (The Guns N' Roses Tribute) and I went to LA GUNS and I had a old-school, Eighties-show blast. I haven’t seen that much hair in a long time. I saw tons of friends, and I got some decent pics, too. With all the stress from work recently I really really needed a drink. And I rarely drink! So I got a few tequilas in me and I was feeling rather jolly for the first time in a good while. Seeing so many good friends, and being loved/respected like that was just what the doctor ordered. Boy, I needed that!

Good stuff.

We have a lot of great shows coming up, Bourbon And Beyond, Louder Than Life, Iron Maiden, Tesla, King Diamond (I'm freakin' stoked!), Mac Sabbath, Vince Neil, Sebastian Bach, Motley Crue and SLAYER is coming to the Yum Center in November! Crazy. I never thought I'd see that. I'm not complaining, though, I'm happy as hell. Great shows all! So don't be a fuddy duddy, get those tickets and try to get to these shows people! I'll try to get you peeps some Free Slayer tickets to Win!

My band Krosjoint played our first show back on July 6th, and it was good! We kicked butt. The new venue 21rst Amendment Tavern is a pretty cool place with really good food. Our set got cut a little short because of improper show running, so we didn't get to play our two best songs, but it's okay, we still killed. It felt so good to be playing the heavy stuff again! They don't call me Eddy Metal for nothing, after all.

Be on the lookout for Krosjoint, for we have a very powerful lineup of longtime veteran Louisville musicians who can really play! We head to Southern Kentucky for a Festival on August 3^rd! I can't wait.

OMG. I did have an unusual time at Deam Lake recently. I almost got kicked out of Deam Lake!!

So funny! I was swimming near the deep end ropes and I see people swimming on other side in deep water, so I think, hell maybe its ok! Sweet!!

So I go out past ropes where other peeps went and swim in water over my head (I love that)! About that time a park ranger drives up gets out and starts yelling at me on the bullhorn very loudly in front of hundreds of people! She yells on the bullhorn - come here right now! So everybody on the whole freakin’ beach is looking at me, as I slowly make my way to the shore (half naked, drenched and wearing uncomfortably small swimming apparel I might add. Yes, I lost a bunch of weight, but I was apparently still not ready for those type of skimpy swimming drawers just yet. Ha!), and the ranger was mad as hell and yelling at me on the bullhorn, so as I slowly waded to shore half naked with everyone and their mothers watching, I stick my arms out with hands together as if to get handcuffed!!

Everyone laughed loudly as I said “Aye, aye, ayeeeee!” Some very nice Mexican folk next to us were rolling! OMG. That pissed her off waaay worse! Then she says LEAVE!!

I complained that other people were doing it and that's why I did it. Turns out she was a very sweet old lady so I apologized for the handcuff gesture and the blatant “Aye aye ayeeeing”, and the matter was resolved peacefully. But that was freakin’ HILARIOUS!!

Never a dull moment with me!

I did get my leave of absence approved at work, so I have 30 days of rest and peace ahead of me. I’ve got some plans! I will be spending some time in Nashville (with someone I've had a crush on for years, who is now single. She is beautiful), and hangin' with friends in Florida and Alabama. Life has been very good to me in some ways. Maybe I'll finally be lucky enough to find my very own cool-as-hell rocker GF.

So when I return, hopefully I will be destressed, 100% happy once again, and ready to freakin' rock!

Life is too short to be angry, stressed, depressed, jealous, unhappy. You have to try to live your life happy, wipe the negative bullshit away as best you can, and make the most of every day you have in this short life we are granted. And don't take no BULLSHIT!

For tomorrow is never promised.

I love you ALL..

Peace...

The Metal Grapevine

Louder Than Life 2019-Friday September 27 through Sunday September 29:

Friday - Slipknot, Staind, A Day To Remember, Chevelle, I PrevaI, Architects, Motionless In White, Philip Anselmo and The Illegals, GWAR, The Crystal Method, Graveyard, Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes, New Years Day, All Them Witches, Crown Lands, Joyous Wolf, Dead Posey, Santa Cruz and more.

Saturday - Guns N' Roses, Godsmack, Ice Cube, Halestorm, Dropkick Murphys, Stone Temple Pilots, Suicidal Tendencies, Melvins, Andrew WK, Badflower, Knocked Loose, Anti Flag, Redd Kross, Parlor Mob, Like A Storm, Jelly Roll, Dirty Honey, Ded, Junkbunny and more.

Sunday - Disturbed, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Breaking Benjamin, Die Antwood, Three Days Grace, Sum 41, Deadland Ritual, White Reaper, Demon Hunter, H09909, Angel Dust, Sick Puppies, Amigo The Devil, Fire From The Gods, Broken Hands, Anemic Royalty and more.

Slayer coming to Yum Center on November 11:

Yup, it's true! Slayer, Primus, Ministry and Phil Anselmo and The Illegals. I'll try to get you folks some FREE tickets to WIN. Who's yer buddy? Anyways, let's show the Yum Center that we metalheads can behave and that we truly appreciate them having bands like this in our fair city. Props to the Yum Center for making this happen. You have made a bunch of people happy! I just wanted you to know that.

King Diamond coming to Louisville palace on November 16:

OMG! One of my favorite obscure bands is coming to Louisville Palace? How on earth did I get so lucky? I missed my chance to see them three years ago at Red Rocks in Colorado and I have kicked myself in the ass ever since. I met and interviewed King back in the late Nineties but that was ages ago, and I am looking forward to seeing him in action once again. At 62, his voice sounds freaking amazing! I will be there for sure! Do not miss this!

LA GUNS review(Pics by me):

Wow, what a night. I had such a good time. I was sad and super-stressed. But my friends and peeps that love me came to my rescue and made me feel loved. These awesome people even drove me home when the night was over. Thank you Nikki and Angela! I love LA Guns. Always have! I saw those cats open for AC/DC in like 1985 or something, I don't remember. Those days were a haze. And I had the pleasure of opening for them almost two years ago at Mercury Ballroom. Great guys! So I simply had to get out and support these fellas. They tore shit up, too! It was awesome. Phil sounded better than when he was at the Merc. And what can you say about Tracii Guns? He kills! He is a modern day Jimi Hendrix. Yeah, it was a knock-down, drag-out, helluva rock n' roll evening. Girls were checking my goofy decked-out Eighties ass left and right, but I was just chillin' with friends and having fun. I love the Bourbon Hall. The band backing Tracii and Phil were damn good! Too bad the old lineup couldn't have been made possible. But it was still great! The sound was decent, and there was a nice crowd of really good people in attendance. Some of the new LA Guns stuff is pretty darn good. I actually almost bought the brand new CD last night, but I need my cash for the beach and Nashville! They tore thru anthemic classics like “Sex Action,” which is one of my faves, “Electric Gypsy,” “Kiss My Love Goodbye,” “Never Enough,” “The Ballad Of Jayne,” “One More Reason,” and “Rip And Tear.” I made a fatal mistake that night, though. I drank tequilla. I have drunk tequilla maybe five times ever, and one of those times I drank too much tequilla in California and pooped myself. Aye, aye, ayeeee! No good. So yeah, for the first time in a long long time, I was drunk. I couldn't tell you the last time I was that buzzed. I was stressed and bummed. I needed it. I literally could not open my door when I got home! I fumbled with keys for probably ten minutes before banging on door to get my roommate to let me in. Sorry Nate! But thanks to the Bourbon Hall for such a lovely time. Locals Wyld Ryde opened the show with a kickin' set of originals, after a shaky start with technical issues with the PA system. Things got sorted out fast and they went on to rip it up! Well done.

Nightrain (The Guns N Roses Tribute) review:

Not bad at all! The singer did a decent job. Axl Rose isn't the easiest person to sound like, after all. I saw these guys several years back and they were good then. My drummer Chuck Skibo (who played drums in a GN'R Tribute back in the day) was there and he wasn't too impressed with the drummer though. They had the look down pat, and the tunes weren't too far off, either. The singer was a good singer. Axl is just pretty hard to recreate. Kinda like a Vince Neil. It's one difficult search to find the perfectly matched singer for these tributes. The Slash was pretty good too, but no slash, of course. The Duff had the same bass as Duff, too! They did all the GN'R classics. And it was a good time. I'd go see them again. I just wish my ex GF hadn’t been there. That was a drag. I ended up leaving early. I'm not into drama these days, of any kind. I'd rather go home and flog the dolphin.

Motley Poo, er, I mean Motley 2 review(pics by me!):

Aye, aye, ayeeee! What a disappointment. I was stoked to see this band, and told everyone about the show and gave out tons of tickets to my friends and readers. They had the gimmicks, look, gear, outfits, and at first they seemed on it! But the hype was unjustified. The band was okay mind you, not horrible, just okay, but that singer was atrocious! OMG. It was as if they picked some random clown off the street and gave him a leather outfit and said “sing MF!” Um, the legendary vocals of Motley Crue are a fickle and uncompromising thing, whereas the singer HAS to get really high-pitched to recreate the whiney, squeally 'nuts in a vice,' high-pitched vocals of Vince Neil. To Vince Neil' credit, those vocals are not easy to recreate! Trust me, I used to sing, so I know! Hell, Vince Neil can't even do his own vocals anymore! But this tribute guy? Aye, aye, ayeeee! Ha. He didn't even try to hit those high notes whatsoever. At times, he talked the lyrics. At times, he sounded like Froggy off of the Little Rascals. He did say he was sick, but I highly doubt it woulda been much better. I haven't sung professionally since 1999 and I coulda hit those high notes waaay better than dude. Luckily the band's decent backup vocals and loud crowd participation in singing saved the day! I took some video but it's pretty painful to watch. Fuck it, I'll post it anyway! I posted it on Facebook and people ripped them to absolute shreds. One guy said “Nikki looked like a midget, and Mick was 7 foot tall, the Vince was pudgy, and the drummer didn't even twirl his sticks!” I feel bad for the band, who wasn't too bad at all. Not great, but they coulda pulled it off with a decent singer. Note Of Interest - if you are going to have a MC Tribute, you HAVE to have a singer who can at least hit 75% of the high notes required! Otherwise there is no waaay I would even attempt such a feat. The band waded through such hits as “Looks That Kill,” “Shout At The Devil,” “Dr Feelgood,” “Girls Girls Girls,” “Kickstart My Heart,” and of course “Home Sweet Home.” It was still a fun night. I had a blast! Great company too!

Livenation always hits home runs with these tributes, but in this one lone case, they made a mistake. No one is perfect, though! And I gotta say, those guys have a great track record! You live and you learn. I'm looking forward to seeing Def Leggend this Friday at the Mercury! I watched some videos and they sound good! Pikeville rockers Downtrend kicked butt opening up the show. Good job guys! I have relatives in Pikeville! See Downtrend's performance that night in LMN Live below!

Mac Sabbath insanity returns on August 4 at Zanzabar:

“I Am Frying Pan!!” Dudes dressed as McDonalds characters playing Black Sabbath music? Sure, count me in. I reviewed them at Headliners a few years back and it was cool. I'd totally see them again! You might wanna check this out if you havent yet! Both Mac Sabbath and nerd metal band Okilly Dokilly the supporting band are good!

Kyles A Dick Fest Cancelled:

This event I was so looking forward to playing has been cancelled due to the city of Madison rejecting the permit to have the festival. I was very disappointed, and Kyle was even more distraught. But he is not giving up and next year he has vowed to make it happen! Thanks for trying your damnedest, Kyle! And keep me in mind for playing next year, too!

Vince Neil/Kix coming to the Kentucky State Fair on August 24:

That promises to be a fun Eighties reunion show. If I'm in town I will probably go. I will fix up my hair, get all gussied up, rocker style and go out for some fair food and a few whiskeys I reckon. Sounds like a plan. So be ready to buy me drinks!

Black Stone Cherry at Kentucky State Fair on Sat August 17:

Show the love for our homegrown Kentucky boys. Be there!!!

Sebastian Bach's Skid Row LP 30th Anniversary Tour stops in Lexington September 22:

I saw Bas at Trixies last year and it was badass! This should be good, because his band kills! I wish it wasn't a Sunday, but I might try to make this one anyways. It's at Manchester Music Hall in Lexington.

Zakk Sabbath coming to The Merc on August 18:

I'm not a fan of Zakk Wyldes vocals, but he does Sabbath pretty darn good I must say. I really enjoyed seeing them at Louder Than Life. So you might wanna see this! It rocks!

Bourbon And Beyond 2019:

This sounds like a fun time, too. Can my poor body endure two weeks of this is the question? I hope so.

Friday, September 20 is The The Foo Fighters, John Fogerty, The Flaming Lips, Joan Jett, Blackberry Smoke, Live & more.

Saturday September 21 is Robert Plant, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Alison Krauss, Squeeze and more.

Sunday, September 22 is ZZ Top, Zac Brown Band and more.

Gotcha - Lexington Metal Rocks:

Check out this debut video!

Iron Maiden to play Riverbend on August 15, 2019:

This sounds too good to be true. I'll definitely go to this one. It's on! I always loved seeing shows there ,too. Never a bad time! Get those tickets, this will sell out!

Demi Demaree's Ipcus Pinecone:

I went to Billiards one night, and Demi Demaree's (The Villebillies) new project Ipcus Pinecone was playing. Demi has gotten sooo good at what he does. How is this guy not a millionaire? Now I've never been a big rap fan, anyone can tell you that, but there is no denying dude's skill. Demi is now on another level. Here is some Ipcus Pinecone for ya.

Tesla Coming to The Palace September 6:

I saw these guys last time they were here, and it was killer! Be sure to see this if you like the band. Great musicians and real cool guys! I did a phone interview with them and they were very humble folks.

Korn and Alice In Chains at Riverbend on August 18:

This sounds fun! I may not be in town though. You mofos can be there though! Do it! Underoath and Fever 333 will be opening.

Breaking Benjamin coming to Riverbend August 7:

Fellas, this should be a babe-fest!!

You might wanna attend if single. Aye aye ayeeee.

Dane Cook and Kevin James coming to Louisville Palace on September 20 and 28:

I like both these guys. Dane will be there on September 20, and Kevin will be there on September 28! Have fun! I might have to check these out!

Cannastock 2019 Coming!

Cannastock is back and it'll be camping, music, and weed, for those who love that kinda stuff! Cannastock is a music and cannabis awareness festival held in Central to Eastern Kentucky every year. I played two of them. One was great, but the other was kind of a mess because of the location. I hope this year they got things worked out again, because my band is playing again.

This Month’s Musician Of The Month is bassist Marlon T. Griffin of Eulogy In Blood:

Be sure to read this amazing bassist's feature in this months Edition! This cat is sick!

Metalfest 8 - the Jeremy Wade Noe Cancer fighting Weekend coming on August 23-24:

It's at the same place. Catfish Haven Pay Lake on 7208 Whipple Road in Louisville 40272. Tons of live metal music, booze, pretty scenery, and lots of friends. Bands playing are Incursion, Two Pump Chump, Of Clarity, Sounds Like a Lawsuit, StormToker, Gravel and Spiders, Creature Of Exile, Eulogy Of Blood, Lurker In The Threshold, Granshaw, A Forgotten Fury. All weekend!

The Debut of the new Hannan E.P:

Here is a sample of the new stuff. Check it out! Sounds good!

Louisville Music News Live

Yeah, I've made this up to feature you mofos in all your onstage glory! So let's see some videos from you musicians, old or new! If it's good, it might be featured! Send to Eddymetal1@aol.com. But it must be on youtube!

LMN Live - Blast From The Past, Mannekin:

Only you oldschoolers will know this one from the Toy Tiger days! Enjoy!

LMN Live - Thunderstruck Louisville's AC/DC Tribute:

LMN Live - American Bombshell:

LMN Live - Stagecoach Inferno:

LMN Live - Downtrend from Pikeville:

LMN Live - Krosjoint:

LMN Live - Kiss Kiss Bang:

LMN Live - Era Of Machines:

LMN Live - Boombox Poets:

LMN Live - Day Of Ruin:

LMN Live - A Tribute to Doug Florio:

R.I.P dude.

LMN Live - Blast From The Past, Hellfire Militia:

I miss seeing Todd and Jeff play! Cmon guys, get it together!

Upcoming Shows

21rst Amendment Tavern

Saturday, August 3 — Lethean w/ Guerilla Red and Dustin Swaggert.

The Brick Alley (Frankfort)

Saturday, August 24 — Gravel Switch and Zeroking.

Diamonds (St Matthews)

Saturday, August 24 — Ipcus Pinecone, Elephant Room and Freddy And The Cruegers.

Diamond Pub Concert Hall

Tuesday, August 6 — Issues, Verses, A Rumor Of war and Artica.

Harley Davidson (on Arthur St)

Saturday, August 31 — Tangled Earth.

Headliners Music Hall

Saturday, September 7 — The return of the Glasspack.

Highlands Tap Room

Sunday, August 25 — Punk night! Featuring Walk Among Us.

The Levee

September 6 — Smells Like The 90's Tribute

Louisville Palace

Saturday, August 10 — Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience.

Magbar

Thursday, August 15 Inferi, Vale Of Pnath, Cryptic Hymn, Godking and Volcandra.

Mercury Ballroom

Friday, August 2 — Def Leggend - The Def Leppard Tribute.

Sunday, August 18 — Zakk Sabbath.

Saturday, October 5 — The Four Horsemen (Metallica Tribute)

Nirvana

Friday, August 2 — Mooseknuckle

Friday, September 6 — Secret Circle Society.

Spectators Sports Bar

Saturday, August 10 — Exit 8 Band.

Trixies Tiger Room

Saturday, August 3 — Flaw w/ Boombox Poets, Flip The Switch, Prey For Maria and Nothing Wrong.

Saturday, August 17 — SWP/Overload duel E.P Release with Mothrog, Manic Methed, Push Start and day, Of Ruin.

Friday, September 6 — Evergrey and Shattered Sun.

Friday, September 13 — The Last Ten Seconds Of Life w/ Kaonashi and Hive.

Zanzabar

Saturday, August 3 — September Mourning, w/ Mass Asylum, Call Me Monster,

Sunday, August 4 — Mac Sabbath and Okilly Dokilly.

Saturday, August 31 — Mothrog, Mass Asylum, Untold Rellik, Kanipshun, Flip the Switch and Stormtoker.