News From the Pit

By Eddy Metal

Hello all. Man, oh, man do I hate winter! Forty-eight more days of this doo-doo till spring. Aye, aye, ayeeee! I have been vegetating in my house for weeks and I really need to get out soon! I've been thinking about a trip up north to Chicago for some fun, but its so damn cold up there! I was there twelve years ago in February and it was brutally cold down by the lake! That was the coldest I've ever been! Maybe my lazy ass will get out to see some bands this weekend. I just gotta GTFO. I can't imagine how mofos waaay up north deal with this depressing shite. I'm ready to go insane and I live in Kentucky! Oh well, I guess it could be worse. It really hasn't been that cold for real this winter, I reckon.

Shows shows shows!

Coming up, we have some dandies! In This Moment, Geoff Tate, Black Label Society and Obituary, Machinehead, just to name a few. Thank god! These Kentucky winters just keep getting worse and worse as I get older and now I think I'm getting sick again. I woke up feeling like crap this morning. Oh well, at least it's not the Coronavirus! What's up with that? Crazy. This month will be short as I'm sick and there's not much to write about at this time.

I do want you to read what I wrote about Black Frank and LRS below. Some unfairness has been going on that I want you people to be aware of. I don't like seeing good people shit upon, and you MF'ers know me, when I see good people wronged, I'm gonna run my piehole about it till the cows come home!

So sit back, and soak in this bullshit and let it marinate awhile.

The Metal Grapevine

Black Label Society and Obituary are coming to a new venue on Monday, March 6: Live at the Old Foresters Paristown Hall. This should be a good one at a sweet new venue!

LRS Lets Go Of / Disrespects Louisville Legend Black Frank:

It has come to my attention that streaming rock radio station LRS has let go of Black Frank and his new metal show there. Frank is an old friend of mine, and a former boss at 100.5 the Fox, and he is the guy who let me get local music radio segments started in this city. Yup, he let me have a place on his popular radio show in the mid Nineties and I started a local music radio movement that numerous people copied from us, and ran with. We were the first for sure! Before local radio DJ's Mudd, Louie, Hippyhead, Keith Olone, there was us. Frank said a guy there at LRS named Scrubbins called him a "has-been piece of shit", and that he was let go unjustly. This infuriates me. This is the same guy I got into it with online many years ago, when I called him out in my column on making LRS his base from which to promote his band pretty much nonstop. I got tired of hearing dude's band name every fucking chance he could throw it in there. They were a decent band, but certainly not that good, enough to garner that much attention and self promotion. It was abuse of a power position if there ever was! You might as well have changed the station's name from LRS to dude's band name!

I had to say something. It was ridiculous! Things got a little nasty. Dawg got butthurt. And now he just shit on a Louisville legend like Frank? Fuck that! Now it makes 100% sense why my band was rejected two years in a row for LRSFEST on the Waterfront the last two years, even though my experience factor is through the roof. I even played LRSFEST to 8000 people in 2004 (you would think that would make me an alumni) , when LRS was a real station, when LRSfest was a much better event. I 'EARNED' MY SPOT AT LRSFEST THAT YEAR. Band battles! That's when there was fairness in determining who plays the big event! Competeing! The way they chose in 2019 was the most ridiculous shit I've ever heard. I've not said anything till now (It's been hard, but I've held it in) , but I cannot let them do Frank this way, and shit on me and my experienced bandmates as well. Bad move. People love Frank! The people will know what Scrubbins said, and about his unfair treatment of Frank, and the ridiculous new protocol in determining the bands who play LRSfest. The way they determined the 2019 lineup for LRSFEST was, they put together a last minute show at Highlands Tap Bar, on a late freaking Wednesday night, and asked bands to come play it for a chance to be on the event. Turned out, whoever played was able to play the big event. I'm sorry, but me and my guys work and get up very early (4:30 AM) and could not do a last minute gig on a Wednesday. Why a Wednesday? The band battles to see who plays LRSfest were on weekends back in the day. So basically, any band that can rummage up a gig at the last minute gets the opportunity to play a major local show? WTF!!! Who is the clown who thought of this shit? Back in the day we competed for that honor! It was fair. The top local musical acts got the opportunity by battling it out onstage. No disrepect to the bands who played the last two years, some deserved it, some did not. In my opinion, both the lineups were weak though. But now it's crystal clear, and we know that certain elements at LRS still hold petty grudges, and exclude fairness and honor, in the way the conduct themselves now. It's really a shame, because I like some of those LRS guys and have helped people know about their return. I wanted to work with them again. And I really wanted LRS to make a glorious comeback, as we need rock radio in this town badly. So, yeah, it was a major slap in the face.

But this is what we got instead. Our metal godfather Black Frank, a man who single-handedly brought metal radio to Louisville, donated his time to charities (he always helped with my Rock For Kosair Shows that netted over 86 grand in toys to help Louisville's poor children) and made it possible for local metal bands to be heard on radio for the first time on a radio channel so strong, that it reached as far as Cincinatti and Lexington, disrespected by this shitty person who actually said "you are a has-been piece of shit, Frank."

How dare you! Everyone ages! I reckon I'm a 'has-been' too! Ha. That's cool. Frank and I wouldn't have it any other way! The fact is — you aren't loved like Frank is. Not even close! You haven't done shit compared to what Frank has done. People don't look at you the same way they look at Frank either. You are gum on the bottom of Frank's shoe to the people of this city. You may still be in radio, but are you really? Everyone agrees. It's not the same. Streaming radio is not real radio. No one listens. I literally don't know one person that listens. Crescent Hill Radio had more listeners.

Therefore, I am sincerely hoping LRS wises up and gets people in there who have morals and respect for those who put in decades of time and work. For we do not deserve to be treated this way by your representative. Petty grudges and insults? Not cool. I'm a forgiving man, so I will gladly help LRS as much as I can in the future, as I have since they resurfaced, provided they revert back to the old ways of fairness, and doing things right, and hopefully showing a little respect for those who have sweated blood and tears for this community. People like Frank and myself. Peace!

Steve Harris' British Lion in Lexington, Sat., February 1:

Here is your chance to see legendary Iron Maiden bassist play his solo music with another band! Live at the Manchester Music Hall in Lexington. Louisville rockers Wyld Ryde will be opening, so be sure to get out there early! Congrats to those guys for doing so well recently. Those guys try really hard and work their asses off to get their music out there. Hard work pays off.

Ozzy's music days may be over:

I kinda had a feeling last year when his showdates were canceled, and rescheduled for summer 2020, that that would be the end for my vocal idol's music playing days. And it's looking like I may have been right, unfortunately. Ozzy has just been diagnosed with a form of Parkinsons' Disease. In a very recent interview, Ozzy stated that he felt he doesn't have much longer in this world, and plans on not dwelling upon it, as everyone dies, and he plans on trying to have as pleasant time as possible with what remains. Hopefully, he will be able to do some more shows, but I have my doubts. So if this is the end? All I can say is — Thank you so much Mr Osbourne, for all the happiness you have brought me and my friends and family. My memories of you go back so far I can barely remember how far! I remember sitting at my best friends house at age 12, playing your records. Ozzy may have made some mistakes in life, but don't we all? His legacy however, will live on forever. May your final days be pleasant ones.

New Band Alert — The Last Sabbath (A Black Sabbath/Dio Tribute):

Louisville has a new tribute band in the making and it's gonna be good. This band will be playing classic Black Sabbath tunes and some with Ronnie James Dio as well. On vocals is Michael Duncan from Wicked Sinsation, Pownd, Gotcha and Shatter Messiah. On guitar, Jon Huffman from The Big Rock Show, Fire Dept, 99 MPH and Sweet FA/on bass is Rueben Sandoval from Crazy Train. On the drums is Phil Osbourne of Gotcha, Twist, Cains Rage and Freddie and The Kruegers. They will be debuting on February 29 at Louisville Billiards. If you are a fan of oldschool metal, then do not miss this! And supposedly they have a real good production and stage show that will set them apart from other tribute bands. We will see!

New Music Video from Wolf Island Kosmonauts:

Check out the new jams from southern KY!

Shinedown coming to Louisville Palace on April 28:

This will sell out, so get those tickets ASAP!

In This Moment Returns to Louisville Palace on April 13:

One of the hottest chicks in metal returns on Monday, April 13 at Louisville Palace with In This Moment. This band rocks! I'll prob be there. Opening is Black Veil Brides, DED and Raven Black.

Soul Asylum Coming to the Merc on Wednesday February 26:

Here is a name you probably haven't heard in a while. While I didn't care for most Nineties music, especially Nirvana, this band had a few good catchy songs. See them while you can! The singer has a great voice.

Aaron Lewis coming to Louisville Palace on June 26:

You don't want to miss this guy! He stole the show at Louder than Life last year, and made other singers look foolish. He was amazing live! Very, very good! This will prob sell out, too, so get those tickets if you really wanna go.

Louisville Billiards Steps UP, Needs Local Music History Memorabilia:

Louisville original music, and those guys are now currently trying to renovate the venue with historic oldschool memorabilia when our scene was outstanding! So they need old posters, gear, an old backdrop, signs, banners, mirrors, instruments, etc, etc — to put up on display at the club. You will get your stuff back after an allotted period of time, no doubt. They are trying to revamp it into a Hard Rock Cafe type venue, all about the local music scene throughout the years! So if you have some cool stuff you can donate, let Mark know at 502-387-7665. I would like to thank those guys for making Louisville Billiards a place for everyone now. Cover bands and original bands all coming together to make music and have a good time. Many venues used to only do cover bands, but good things happen to those with an open mind! I remember when the Phoenix Hill did nothing but covers, until I talked them into letting me have an original music showcase in January of 2000. Then it skyrocketed and became the longest-running, most popular original music showcase in Louisville history. It's a fact! Every month was packed! So hopefully, more and more original bands will get the opportunity to play Billiards in the future. Both of my original bands have played there and we had fun each time, especially this last time, with my old friends Crazy Train. So thanks, Louisville Billiards and Marc Masden, for keeping the scene alive. We need it!

Cinderella's Tom Kiefer is coming to The Merc:

Wednesday, February 19, Tom Kiefer makes a stop in Louisville. Check him out! I saw him a few years back in Lexington and it was very good! Wyld Ryde is opening, so be early!

Machinehead Returns to The Merc:

Be sure to check out this metal show on Wednesday, February 12. These guys kill.

Geoff Tate to Debut at the Merc:

Former Queensryche singer Geoff Tate returns to Louisville at a new venue on March 11. I got to open for them the last time he was here at Headliners. What a great band!

The Iron Maidens Return:

Those badass Maiden chicks are coming back on Saturday February 1 at the Merc, so don't miss their return performance. They ripped it up last time. Opening will be Mad Alice. Here they are ripping it up at Bogarts several months back.

Dweezil Zappa is Coming in March:

On March 5 at The Kentucky Center For The Performing Arts, guitarist Dweezil Zappa will be appearing! Dude is a monster guitarist, so you might not want to miss this. Dude is sooo weird, you don't know what he will have up his sleeve.

Dark Side Of The Wall returns to the Brown Theater on Sat Feb 22:

Don't miss these amazing musicians perform the best of Pink Floyd!

Kentucky Ugly's New Music:

Here you go! Enjoy this new music from Central Kentucky!

This Month's Musician Of The Month:

This month's feature is guitarist Dale Donaldson of the E-Town metal band Lethean. Dude has skills! Check out his feature in this month's edition!

Louisville Native Eric Sparks gets love in Lexington:

Way to go brother!

Overthrone seeking Bassist and Drummer:

My buddy Ryan Preston is looking for some badass musicians to complete his lineup. This guy rocks, so don't miss your chance if you are available. Hit him up on Facebook, or on the Overthrone FB page.

Louisville Music News Live

Yeah, I've made this up to feature you mofo's 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 – Factor IX:

LMN Live — Wyld Ryde:

LMN Live — Boozer:

LMN Live — Shinerunners:

LMN Live — Dark Side Of The Wall:

LMN Live — The Hell You Say:

LMN Live — Created To Kill:

LMN Live — 99 MPH:

LMN Live — The Whiskey Riders:

LMN Live — Blast From The Past — Pownd:

LMN Live — Zeroking:

LMN Live — Dia and The Tunesmiths:

Upcoming Shows

21rst Amendment Tavern

Saturday, February 1 Hillbilly Revival.

Saturday, February 8 — Kissing Aphrodite, Aquainted Strangers and Down One.

The Barn (2953 Conner Station Rd, Simpsonville)

Sunday, February 16 — Open Jam! 1 P.M.

Bluegrass Tavern

Saturday, February 22 — Shovelhead

Brown Theater

Saturday, February 22 — The Dark Side Of The Wall presents "Pink Floyd;Epics"

Cosmic Charlies

Thursday, March 5 — Mr Lugo's, Graveyard Romeos, The Oblivion Archetype, Trauma Echo.

Deadbird Studios (2200 Crittenden Dr.)

Friday, March 6 — The Glasspack recording party w/ The Get Down. 8 P.M.

Diamond Pub Concert Hall

Saturday, February 29 — Neil Zaza w/ Arbitrary, Banshee child, Ivy Rye and Histronics.

Saturday, May 16 — Psychosoul, Scary Uncle and Year Of The Gun.

Hitching Post Inn

Saturday, February 15 — Full Metal Jacket.

Louisville Billiards

Saturday, February 29 — All Or Nothing w/ The Last Sabbath.

Magbar

Friday, February 7 — 777777 Left To the wolves, Succumb to demise, Ire and Uprise and M.V.

Saturday, February 29 — Rifle, Overload and Creeps Inc.

Saturday, March 21 — The Ghost And The Human Hoax, Artwork For The Blind, Malignant Vision and Nekrowinter.

Mercury Ballroom

Saturday, February 1 — The Iron Maidens w/ Mad Alice.

Wednesday, February 12 — Machine Head.

Wednesday, February 19 — Cinderella's Tom Kiefer.

Wednesday, February 26 — Soul Asylum.

Saturday, March 7 — The Prince Experience.

Wednesday, March 11 — Geoff Tate.

New Directions

Saturday, February 1 — Enemy Of None.

Nirvana

Saturday, February 1 — Rock Brigade.

Prohibition

Saturday, March 14 — Gravel Switch, SxWxP, Lethean, Klinch, Below 7, Poetry Of The Dead and Dustin Swaggert. 7 P.M.

TK's

Saturday, February 1 — The WB — Loud And Proud.

Saturday, February 29 Soundtrip.