this one

Well, we are still alive, thank god! This war shit has had me worried to death. I ain't gonna lie. I hope all of you have been doing well, and are trying your best to make the best of the sad situation our country is in right now. I'm disgusted with every aspect of things now. I never thought I'd live to see this day. The economy. Our leadership. The division in our country? God help us. Me? I have just been doing my music thing, reviewing a few shows here and there (see Reviews Below), writing some killer new music (we have a great new song!), got a room over at Caesars (for the first time ever) and it was fun even though we almost flooded the rooms Jacuzzi area with too much bubble soap, but mostly I've just been working a lot, and trying to adjust to this new job I'm doing at work. I'm freakin' exhausted. But bills are paid and I got a roof over my head, food, new badass guitars, and I don't have to depend on anybody or put up with anyones bullshit, so I guess I have it a lot better than some do.

I am very grateful for that.

The single life is a peaceful one, for sure. I'm really starting to embellish it, and the strength and peace that comes with it. The girl that I recently dated for a month or so, ended up going back to her ex-boyfriend. Yup, I was pretty much dumped (if you can even call it that, since we had no commitment and only hung out less than 10 times.)

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I am not gonna lie, it stung a tiny bit, as I enjoyed her company and beautiful smile, but honestly I wasnt ready for anything serious with someone who lived even farther than the last girl I dated. I am thankful she was honest and told me the truth though. I sooo respect that. To me, that means everything! In matters of love; I would much rather be told the truth and be heartbroken, than to be ‘lied to' and betrayed, and find out another way. So I wish her the best. It's been a long hard road, but with strength, pride, and with a powerful renewed confidence attained these last few months, I definitely see light at the end of the tunnel, and I'll be damned if I give up now! I have changed so much that I actually reached out to an ex girlfriend (one of the very few decent ones), not to get back with her at all I swear, but to tell her that I care about her and I hope she is doing well. I meant it, every word. The point is that the old me never would've done that shit! I love the new me! I have gone out with seven different really nice girls since becoming single, and even though they were nice n' all, its become apparent that its not easy finding someone that you can really connect with these days, especially in these troubled times. People in general are just all kinds of fucked up! Including me! I've had some pretty good times mind you, and I've been asked out several times recently, but I'm starting to feel like lil' buddy in the movie ‘good luck chuck.' I'm just hoping that my story ends the same as the movie, and that ‘the Hex' is finally lifted after lessons are finally learned. One thing is for certain, it will be an epic adventure!

Speaking of adventures, I tried to make a California trip happen on short notice, but my travel partner couldn't get off work just yet, so I'll hafta wait a little bit to go. I got the money and time off, and I really need a week of southern California beach time. I'm burnt out! All work and no play makes jack a dull boy! It's things like this that make me happy for real. Set goals! You will be surprised how things to look forward to, can affect your overall happiness. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

The important thing is that I am healthy, I have worked hard and it's paying off, I have remained positive and true to my goals/ethics, and I have successfully managed to keep the post-Covid weight off. I feel fabulous! Oh, and I'm playing again on May 7 at Louisville Billiards Derby Bash, so come see me rock out with my, um, sock out! Life is good. I feel like the world is truly my oyster.

I love you bastages, and if you need anything, be sure to hit me up. I'm always open to suggestion/an invite to come review a show. It's always a good time when I get out to chill with you good folks! You make me feel ‘special.' Maybe I can pay back your kindness by getting you folks some free Louder Than Life and Tesla Tickets to win! Eddymetal1@aol.com

I'll see what I can do!

Peace.

P.S I'm going to start doing the local live videos feature again real soon! So get me those live youtube videos of your bands music in action! I haven't done it recently because my old-ass PC is dying a slow agonizing death, and I just bought my first laptop, and my editor is gonna show me how to use the mofo in the next week or two, when I finally get some free time! So YES! Live videos will be back soon! I pinky promise.

The Metal Grapevine

Louder Than Life Lineup 2022:

It's out and everyone has been talking about this year's lineup. Here's the scoop! Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing Tenacious D, Lamb Of God, Mastodon, Meshuggah, Jinjer, In Flames, Bodycount, El Nino, Alice In Chains, Evanescence and Dirty Honey. Get your tickets asap, and let's all have a great time!

Thursday September 22:

Nine Inch Nails, Evanescence, Bring Me The Horizon, Halestorm, Tenacious D, Yungblud, Highly Suspect, Ministry, Nothing More, Baroness, Spiritbox, Apocalyptica, Dorothy, Don Broco, New Years Day, Lilith Czar, Plush, Maggie Lindemann, Taipei Houston, Oxymorons, The Dead Birds, Mothica, Superbloom and Eva Under Fire.

Friday September 23:

Shinedown, Lamb Of God, Slipknot, Mastodon, In This Moment, Meshuggah, Clutch, Jinjer, Gwar, In Flames, Helmet, Crown The Empire, Poorstacy, Amigo The Devil, Ded, All Good Things, Vended, Mikes Dead, If I Die First, Orbit Culture, The Luna State, Ego Kill Talent,The Native Howl and Archetypes Collide.

Saturday September 24:

Rob Zombie, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Chevelle, Ghostmane, Jerry Cantrell, Dance Gavin Dance, Body Count, Theory Of A Deadman, Sevendust, Mammoth WVH, We Came As Romans, Airbourne, Cherry Bombs, El Nino, Tetrarch, Nita Strauss, Against The Current, Wargasm, Trash Boat, Shamans Harvest, Solence, Dropout Kings and Bloodywood.

Sunday September 25:

Alice In Chains, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Roach, Architects, The Pretty reckless, Bad Religion, Action Bronson, Jelly Roll, The Struts, Dirty honey, Anti Flag, Joy formidable, Bayside, Royal and The Serpent, Carolesdaughter, The Warning, Crown Lands, Radkey, The Mysterines, Aeir, The Alive and As You Were.

Review- Hairbangers Ball at New Direction Bar and Grill:

Well, I finally got around to checking out the new venue New Direction Bar and Grill, when Hairbangers Ball rolled into town a few weeks ago. That band always draws tons of people, and lots of cute girls! So I fluffed up my fro, donned the black eyeliner, put on my badass grey leather trench coat (that I can finally wear again! Yay!) and I headed out to the East End for a night of 80s rock n' roll. It was fucking packed! I got lucky and they let me in to review the show, while they were turning away others. Fuckers were waiting in line to get in, only if someone were to leave! I had a chick friend coming up that couldn't get in. She left bummed out. Standing room only in that place. It's a nice place, decent sized, decent stage, but I felt sorry for the bartenders because they were totally swamped! Getting a drink was a nightmare. I gave up. Not that I drink much, anyways. This Chicago cover band always puts on a good show with the looks, sounds, and feel of the Eighties' hair rock thingamabob. But I noticed lots of people were complaining about the venues sound system, and I have to agree with those people, it was horrendous. If you were up too close, you couldn't hear shit, and if too far back you couldn't hear, and when you did hear it was just bad. I felt sorry for the band Forreal. They were not happy! The owner and people working there were nice, but if they want to be a major player in this town they have got to remedy that sound system/soundguy issue ASAP! I have better sound in my basement! The soundguy that night was a clown! He shoulda been rode outta town on a rail, tarred and feathered. Hideous feedback, too much gain, volume inconsistencies, aye aye aye! I'm going to point the owner of the venue in the right direction, so this is not repeated. Hopefully they will listen. I like to think I know my shit.

The band played fine, the vocals were solid, and the newer guitarist did pretty good, but I think they sounded better the other two times I saw them before, at Mercury Ballroom and Baxter's. It was probably just the sound this night though. They rolled through some Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Scorpions, Pat Benatar, Lita Ford, Ratt, Quiet Riot, Cinderella, Skid Row, Kiss, Metallica, Dio, Guns N Roses, Def Leppard, Poison, Queensryche and Joan Jett. A little light on the song choices for my taste, but its to be expected.

style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in">Not everyone likes the heavier stuff. It was a fun night. Girls were hitting on me, but I didn't see anyone I liked. The story of my life! I'm kinda a picky bastage. It's all good though, I had a blast, and look forward to seeing more shows out there again. It's a cool place. Something different. If you haven't been, go check it out!

Tesla coming to The Palace again:

I love these guys! Great band. Great guys. I'll never forget the time I interviewed them. They were super nice. They always put on a good show, too! I might hafta go to this one on Tuesday, June 21. Hopefully the covid test thing at The Palace will be done by then!

Fleetwood Mac's guitarist Lindsey Buckingham coming to The Kentucky Center For The Performing Arts on April 30:

This guy is badass on guitar. So much soul! As a guitarist myself, I've always wanted to cover his song "The Chain." It's soooo good! I've never been to this place, so maybe I'll accept this show review offer, and go cover this living guitar legend! Maybe I'll get all gussied up and take me a classy date! If you love great guitar, get tickets to see Lindsey and co! I bet the musicians he has with him are unreal!

The Hu coming to The Merc!

Mongolian metal is coming to The Merc! Traditional Chinese instruments mixed with metal, and Mongolian throat singing! Crazy stuff. And cool! I saw them at Louder Than Life and it was badass! I already knew what Throat Singing was, though. I used to piss off my ex singing it, just to annoy her! I'm pretty good at it forreal! It's on Wednesday, May 11 at Mercury Ballroom. Get your tickets and witness The Hu!

Obituary coming to Headliners:

On Friday, April 8, Florida death metal demons Obituary are coming! This sounds just like what the Doctor ordered. I might need to go to this and pummel somebody. Just kidding! Let out some steam in the pit fo sho though. I haven't been to a brutal concert in a while. It's time to show these young thrasher kids whats up!

Exit Diamond Pub, Enter The Fox Den:

Diamond Pub in Saint Matthews is being taken over by Jared Fox Matthews, and it's now called The Fox Den. This is great news because dude knows his shit! Rest easy that this will become a good thing. I hope he brings food from Street Grubs N' Hops to The Fox Den! That shit was fire!

Cold coming to Manchester Music Hall on May 6:

This should be another fun night! Don't laugh, but I like that song "Stupid Girl."

Skipping Stone's New EP Debut:

Here are two songs off their new EP! Enjoy!

Kid Rock and Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience is coming to The KFC Yum Center:

Friday, May 20! I met Kid Rock before he was famous, and he was one very nice guy! I may have to review this show! God knows there will be plenty of cute women at this show, thats for sure! I'll try to get you people some FREE tickets to Win! Wish me luck!

Seize The Day Returns:

Louisville music scene veterans return! Oldschool like a MFer. Erin Flaherty and Kevin Hart on guitar, Tony Lee on bass, and Robbie Hall on drums, and Pat Michaels on vocals, Seize The Day does everything from 70's, Eighties to 90's rock, from Kansas, to Queensryche, to Soundgarden, they don't mess around! I was at their first show back, at Louisville Billiards on Saturday March 19. It was freakin' packed too! Lots of my friends were there, and it was another real good time! I had a ball hanging with all you mofos. The band sounded good for not having played in maybe 8 or 9 years! I bet they would sound much better the next show or two though, once they get back in the swing of things. They got some in the works I hear! I always loved this band, and the vocals of Pat Michaels. I always wanted to jam with that guy! Lil' buddy can hit some major highs! Impressive. If you can sing Queensryche, you got some pipes! Psycho Soul opened the show, and kicked major ass. It had been so long since I'd seen them I forgot what this Toy Tiger band sounded like. Boy did they kill it! That shit was heavy and the guitar tones were thunderous. It was good seeing my buddy Scott Holston up there ripping it up on guitar once again. The vocals were awesome! That dude can sing like a Mfer! Then you had Frank Campbell on guitar killing it! That dude is sick on guitar. They did a cover of "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" that was real good. They did some Pantera. But the originals were the best! Heavy AF, and left me wanting to see some more! It was kinda weird seeing Frank and Ryan playing brutal shit, because I'm used to them playing the lighter stuff, but they were showing everyone how it is done. The gassed up crowd certainly ate it up. What a great show! Two local bands of very experienced louevil veteran musicians who have rocked this town for decades! We needed some oldschool, and boy did we get it! Boy did the crowd enjoy it, as much as I did. Good times! I want to see both of these bands play out again soon, except this time invite me to play too, ya fuckers! Or else I'mma say y'all sounded like doody!

Local Overload - Be sure to tune in to Harold and Angela Garland's new local music Radio Show!

You people heard me talk about Harold Garland and his wife Angela's love for local music. I don't give props of the month to a non musician very often, but Harold and his wife got that honor not too long ago! Well, Harold and Angela now have a radio show that features local unsigned talent. It's called Local Overload, and its on Crossfire Radio and also Sonos Radio, so look them up and check it out! It's on Thursdays from 6PM to 9PM! You can also listen to it on 365 app, and you can hear the replay on soundcloud and Alexa too. They interview bands, play music and have a good ole time. Harold and Angela are damn good people, so show them some love for helping us unsigned bands out. Good job you two!

Native Sons Video/Single Release Show:

April 2 at Headliners will feature Native Sons video/single release bash w/ guests Anemic Royalty and Hardrada. Native Sons sure work hard, let me tell you. Those guys deserve good things for putting so much into what they do. So be sure to support those guys on their big night at Headliners! Should be a fun time! It's 7pm to Midnight, so be early!

Musician Of The Month for February is drummer Jose Luis Gonzalez:

Be sure to read this talented drummers feature in this month's Louisville Music News.

Maxwell's House Of Music to have more shows:

The Maxwell brothers have stepped up since venues have all but mostly disappeared. Their music store in Jeffersonville is now having shows! There are three nationals booked there right now, with locals opening the shows! Well done! I like that!

See show info below in Showdates! Support these shows and who knows what could come next! And behave yourselves there! We need this venue! I saw George Lynch do a guitar seminar there! It was sweet.

MG's Primetime Cafe??? Where You At?

So, for awhile there I was hearing about all the dough and effort that was being put into MG's Primetime Cafe. I was glad! We need all the help we can get with this scene nowadays. But, what happened? I haven't heard hardly anything about the place in months!?! We need you to step up MG's! Maybe you need someone else in charge of booking up there. After all, poor choices can make or break you! And it seems after spending all that cash to upgrade, you need to recoup some of that lettuce ASAP! Holler at me if interested in a sitdown. Eddymetal1@aol.com

Devil Be My Judge cover "Planets Collide":

Hear louevil metal band DBMJ cover Crowbar!

New Band Alert- Fontainium:

Check out this new bands tuneage! Good soulful stuff from Elizabethtown KY. Nice!

Upcoming Shows

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21rst Amendment Tavern

Thursday, April 7 – Left To Suffer, Autumn Lies Buried, Until The Dead Walk, My Own Will and Serotonin.

Friday, April 15 Wyndell Williams.

Sunday, May 8 – Hollow Valley CD Release, Pharohound and Hopewell Fault.

Saturday, May 14 – Phoenix Phire w/ The Hoodlums and TBA.

Saturday, June 18 – Wake Up In Tsunami w/ friends.

The Art Sanctuary

Saturday, April 30 – Lorna Shore, Signs Of The Swarm and Distant.

Thursday, May 26 – Hellzapoppin Sideshow Review

The Barrel House (Maysville, KY)

Saturday March 5 – Thunderstruck and Graveyard Romeos.

Beaver Dam Amphitheater

Saturday, May 14 The Crashers.

Capitol Arts Center (Bowling Green)

Sunday, May 8 – Cold w/ University Drive and Black Satellite.

Saturday, May 28 – Hellzapoppin Sideshow Review.

Carls Tavern (New Haven IN)

Saturday, April 9 – AftB, Bastard Sons Of A Judas Goat and Skipping Stone.

Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23 Carnevil 2022

Friday: Pain Was Left For Me, Seventh Crown, Burdens Within, Misery Lane, Fearless, Led By demons, Eyes Of Anguish, Konstricted and Persevere.

Saturday: Hudson hill, Devil Be My Judge, Voice Of Sylas, Rattle Snake Myth, Echoes Of Oblivion, Eulogy In Blood and 3DR.

Central Park

Friday, May 13 – The Crashers. 8 P.M.

Enchanted Forest

Friday, April 16 – The Tunesmiths, Planetary Overdrive, Scrooge Mandella, Tyler Lance Walker Gill, Bandshee, Tsunami Samurai, Nowhere fast and The Mighty Ohio. 2 P.M.

The Fox Den

Saturday, April 30 – Some Kind Of Saint.

Headliners

Saturday, April 2 – Native Sons, Anemic Royalty and Hardrata.

Friday, April 8 – Obituary w/ Gruesome and 200 Stab Wounds.

Wednesday, April 13 – Henry Rollins.

Wednesday November 2 – Eskimo Callboy and Attack Attack.

Highlands Tap Room

Monday, April 4 – Dead Reckoning and Haymaker.

Hoopsters Sports Grill

Thursday, April 14 – The Mad Taxpayers.

Iroquois Amphitheater

Friday, June 24 – My Morning Jacket.

Joe's Older Than Dirt

Saturday, April 9 – Soundstation Alpha.

Khalil's

Friday, April 22 – Empty Arms Band.

Louisville Billiards

Saturday, April 9 – Sunset Blonde.

Friday, April 15 – Two Pump Chump and Slokill.

Saturday, April 16 Struggle Jennings, Caitlynne Curtis, A Killers confession, Brianna Harness and The Empty Arms band.

Saturday, April 23 – Supernova w/ special guests.

Saturday, April 30 – Alice Blue Gown.

Saturday, May 7 – Zeroking, Hidden foundation and Year Of The Gun.

Wednesday, May 11 – The Quireboys.

Saturday, May 14 – Kool Sensation Band.

Friday, May 27 – Burning Witches.

Friday, June 3 – Leaving Knox.

Magbar

Friday, April 15 – Autumn Reverie w/ Skipping Stone and Taylor Road.

Tuesday, April 19 – Fate Destroyed, Stormtoker, Living Dead Girl and Devil Be My Judge.

Manchester Music Hall

Friday, May 6 – Cold w/ University Drive and Black Satellite.

Friday, May 27 – Hellzapoppin Sideshow Review.

Maxwell's House Of Music

Sunday, April 3 – Koo Koo Kanga Roo.

Tuesday, May 3 – Smile Empty Soul w/ Autumn Academy, The Stone Eye and Skipping Stone.

Wednesday, May 4 – The Veer Union w/ Late Night Savior, Heartsick and Sleep Aura.

Mercury Ballroom

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Friday, April 29 – Sixteen Candles- The UltimateEighties Tribute.

Wednesday, May 11 – The Hu.

Saturday, June 11 – The Prince Experience.

MG's Primetime Cafe

Friday, April 15 – Empty Arms Band.

Mountains Of Metal:

This is a festival that sounds fun. (London, Ky, 420 Urban Rd.)

Friday, May 20 – Last Of The Dodo, Artwork For The Blind, The Human Tragedy, Joe Grudge, Black Star Rising, Nekrowinter, Endring and Hangtooth.

Saturday May 21 – Stormtoker, Ohlm, Overload, Granshaw, Eulogy In Blood, Muisi, E-Flat, Wolfstar, All Saints Fade, Bud, Kanashii and Dreaded Dale.

Old Foresters Paristown Hall

Tuesday, May 3 – Beartooth w/ Silverstein.

OLPH Brewery

Saturday, April 9 – Thunderstruck.

Saturday, May 14 – The Mad Taxpayers.

The Shop

Saturday, April 16 – Wicked Sensation.

Spectators Sports Bar

Friday, April 15 – The Redstone Band.

Stevie Rays

Saturday, April 2 – Travelin' Mojos w/ Bleu Phonque.

TK's

Saturday, April 2 – Wicked Sensation.

The Wright Place

Friday, June 3 – The Empty Arms Band.

Zanzabar

Sunday, April 10 – September Mourning w/ The Lonely Ones, Devil Be My Judge and Guerrilla Red.

Friday May 13 – The chats, Mean Jeans and Thick.

Saturday, May 21 – The Red Clay Strays.

Saturday, June 18 – Suffocation w/ Athiest, Soreption and Contrarian.