Iron Maiden - graspop metal meeting 2005. It was their 'early years' tour. All the hits were played, two hours of pure magnificence. The only thing missing imo was Paul Di'Anno. Of the 3 times I've seen them live, this one absolutely ruled!

Stray Cats - Vorst Nationaal 2004. The first and only time I saw these guys. Never saw such a 'clean' rock performance. It was just about the music.

Obituary - Graspop Metal Meeting - no clue what year. They just released their "back from the dead"-album. It starts raining like hell during the first notes of 'Threatening Skies'. That's all I remember, and the fact it was excellent. Woke up afterwards in hospital with no sugar left in my blood (due to too much weed), a much too low body temperature, alcohol-intoxication. These kind of gigs are my favorite!


Dee Dee Bridgewater - Blue Note, New York - 2001. Just because it was in the Blue Note.

System of a down, Sepultura, Slayer - Brabanthallen, Leuven - november 97 (I think...). Almost 4 powerfull hours of pure ear-pollution. Ended up in the hospital with an elbow-fracture, a ripped up lip and alcohol intoxication.

Never got a chance.


He tears up Prince's, "A Love Bizarre."

I also really enjoy Manring's solo stuff. Especially his contribution on

McGill Manring Stevens - Addition By Subtraction

from some of his more recent work.

You know that was the single most impressive display of guitar playing, I've ever seen. And, I'm not just talkin' 'bout chops, which he has mountains of, but the SOUL! A very charasmatic player.

I couldn't get anyone of my friends to go to that. It was on a week night. At the last minute I decided to go anyway. Walked in 5 mins. before show and got an 8th row, center seat.

Sevendust.
Anberlin.
Ill Nino.

I haven't actually been to many concerts at all since I just recently turned 18, But I'm going to one in February (Armin Van Buuren/Markus Schulz And other awesome DJs), And Ill Nino in March.

Right now, go to as many as you can afford.

Then later, it'll be as many as you have time for.

I'd been meaning to check out some of that work, actually...might be time to do it

I bought my copy of "Addition By Subtraction" from Scott McGill. A very cool guitar playin' guy.

You can also check Manring's "Book of Flame."

#1 311 Free Concert at Memorial Park; Omaha. This was the most outrageous night in my 17 years on this planet. There were beer bongs being passed...and everything else you could imagine. Some dude set up a "shot stand" He was sellin shots of vodka for a buck. This was just during the opening act, once 311 came on I never moshed so hard or probably ever will at any other show. They played awesome, along with everyone of my favorite songs. Complete and utter bliss.

#2 KISS and Aerosmith at the Qwest Center; Omaha. It was a unique show and I was only like 15 and it was a bonding experience with me and my pops. Steven Tyler got on the flying trapeze which boggled my mind, thought he would turn to dust on stage. Kiss was ok, they had their moments, I was more into the stage FX then the music. The highlight of that night was meeting Ron Jeremy with my pops.

#3 Uncle Cracker and Everclear; Iowa State Fair. I really never liked Uncle Cracker to begin with but Everclear made the whole show. When they got on stage they brang this crazy energy and got even middle aged men in the mosh. They don't play moshin music but they demanded everyone break past security and get in the pit. The orders were followed and the show was great.

Got no time finish later....

I attended only 2 concerts that are worth mentioning: Yes and Steve Vai. Anyway ... they were excellent ...

Yeah, the whole show was nuts. First up was Manson. This was back when he was "somewhat" normal. "Portrait of an American Family" was his only album at the time so that was all he played. He comes on stage wearing leather pants with some sort of attachment to his groin and proceeds to flagellate himself for the entire show.

In between Manson's and NIN's set was the Jim Rose Sideshow Circus. That was completely crazy. He was throwing darts into someone else's back. Chicks were using samurai swords to slice watermelons resting on people's stomachs. Guys were holding up cement blocks with chains attached to nipple rings. Very weird, but it beat standing around while they set up for NIN.

I should mention that the capacity of Carver-Hawkeye arena is about 17,000 and I'm pretty sure it was sold out. They also allotted probably 400 tickets for the floor (where I was). The lights started to dim and "Pinion" started up. I'd say about a third of the people in the arena bumrushed the security guards who were trying to keep people off the floor. You could see the looks in their eyes saying "I'm not getting paid that much" as they got out of the way of crowds. The floor was jammed packed for NIN's entire show. Trent was his usual self trashing the stage and his equipment. There was a cool dropcloth that came down at certain points and they would project images onto it. Definitely the best concert experience I've had.