Ozzfest 2006
So this is going to be my VERY, VERY long rambling Ozzfest 2006 update. Be warned.
So doors are supposed to be at 11. We were going to leave at 9:15, get there early and be ready for whatever. So at 8:30 when I'm eating my coco puffs, Jim runs up stairs and says, "Schnell, schnell, doors are at 9."
Mmm lovely.
So I finish eating and getting ready and make sure we have everything - including a cooler with drinks even though we told our loving father that no venues ever let you bring in your own water - and I stop at the bank at 9, right when they open, to get money for merch. Because I am a merchwhore and was planning on getting at least two shirts.
Anyway, I got mapquest directions and my mom had looked at them and gave us tips, so we thought we were set. But somehow we missed getting on actual 75, and were stuck on Business 75. Which was fine, they intersected somewhere else. Except that waas two miles north of our exit, but oh well, turn around and exit off south 75. Which turned out to be the Palace exit. At this point I'm pretty sure our directions are wrong, but I keep driving north for like 6 more miles looking for this nonexistant road. So I have Jim call the mother and she mapquests it and tells us that we need to turn around. And turns out mapquest is still giving us directions to the Palace. At this point I've turned around and we're frying in a McDonalds parking lot waiting for someone to come along and save us. So well get the number for DTE Info or something and turns out it's actually like, 8 miles north on 75. So we finally get there at like, 11.
But, we've already missed Between the Buried and Me and All That Remains. Both of which Jim really wanted to see, and we'd spent the whole ride listening to the new All That Remains cd on repeat so I was kind of looking forward to seeing them. So that sucked. After some difficulty we met up with basically all of Jim's band and this girl who has some sort of connection to them, I'm sure. Other random girls kept making appearances through the day.
So... jeez, now I don't even remember the order. We got there when Full Blown Chaos was playing, I don't remember anything about them. But then it was Bad Acid Trip, I think, and they were pretty aptly named. The lead singer was on something, for sure. The band reminded me of a metal/punk SoaD, and the lead guy liked to make wierd noises - like, even wierder than normal metal noises. One of their songs was called Black Metal Kitchen Appliances. So, so, so random. But funny. Um, then it might have been A Life Once Lost. Again, no big deal.
Walls of Jericho was great. Their lead singer is a chick named Candace and is about the only female singer I can stand. She screams like a dude but her yells are obviously female, but not whiney or annoying. I'm jealous. Anyway, I can't understand any of their stuff, but I've heard it before. Plus their from Detroit and somehow one of Jim's friends is connected to them so we went and stood in line for their autograph and got to meet everyone. Unfortunately my ticket is kind of melted from being in my pocket, but they were all really nice and Candace is a doll. Waiting in line, we missed The Red Chord and Strapping Young Lad. But if you want to see a strange hairstyle, check out the lead singer of SYL - he's rocking a scary, scary Skullet.
Norma Jean started as we were coming back from meeting WoJ, so we got to see all their set. We were kind of far back, but I'm not super into NJ so it was ok. But they did play Liarsenic, and Memphis Will Be Laid to Waste, among others, so it was a good set. They all came out dirty (?) and they had a second drummer, so we were trying to figure out why... they were playing the exact same thing, too, so... Since it was so hot, the crowd control guys would toss out water bottles, or just spray us. The lead singer grabbed one and drop kicked it deep into the crowd, which was cool. But even cooler was 3 seconds later, it came flying right back at him. I think this is the set where some dude generously offered me some weed but I kind of didn't realize what was going on and just shook my head. I thought that he thought I had dropped it or something. Not that I would have done it but I didn't really understand the offer until later. Hah.
After Norma Jean ended we forced our way towards the front for Bleeding Through, who were fantastic. I pretty much love everyone in that band, including Marta. I got a picture of Brandan while we was stopped and singing. I'm so bad with song names, but they played For Love and Failing, Kill to Believe, Tragedy Of Empty Streets, Revenge I Seek, Love Lost in a Hail of Gunfire, Confession... I think that's it. An awesome set and the first one that people really started to get into. So a couple pits formed and some crowd surfers - more like a real show! I wanted to meet them, but they were going to be signing about 25 minutes after their set, and Unearth was playing next, so we just stayed and pushed our way further up front. But I definitely need to see them sometime when their headlining, because they are amazing live. Brendan's voice doesn't lose anything and Scott, Ryan and Brian are all amazing. And they're funny, they kind of stalk around the stage and stare out at the crowd. Marta is amazing too, but it's hard to see her sometimes since she's stuck at her keyboard - but I would kill to be her.
Unearth was a real metal show for sure. I can't understand the words on their songs, either, but I can tell them apart by the guitars. About the only one I can fake is Black Hearts Now Reign, which they ended with. And they played the Great Dividers, which is another good song. Most of this band was spent with arms crossed against chest smushed into other people and trying not to die when crowdsurfers came overhead. About crowsurfers - this is not the type of crowdsurfer I am used to. Ok, the concerts I go to do have some, but mostly it's your average teen girl or 'scene' boy, being supported by their own kind. Here, there are 190lb shirtless, sweaty men being heaved onto your neck. Or else basically naked girls slipping out of your grip. Again, water bottles went around, this time being grabbed person to person and taking a drink. People were pretty good about it, Jim grabbed it and got some and eventually grabbed it again for me. Bascially it was a nice crowd - anytime someone went down, like me, people were always grabbing you and pulling you back up. Good stuff.
Which brings me to the mass skankitude I was lucky enough to witness. I mean, this is pretty much a dude's concert. Which lead to a chick sitting on someone's shoulders flashing the crowd after they all yelled 'show us your tits'. And a bunch of chicks got that body paint/airbrush stuff over their boobs and then went around without a shirt. Because paint is so good at concealing things, you know. Of course there were guys who were shirtless, but really, having a warm sweaty shirtless guy pretty much suctioned to you for most of Unearth's set is kind of yucky. Worse if he falls on you from above.
Anyway, we took a break, bought some $3.50 water which they pour into a cup from a water bottle (instead of just giving us the bottle? Why's that?), and watched some of Atreyu from the main gates. All these '2nd Stage' concerts were on a stage set up in the parking lot, so it was really warm in the sun on the concrete. I heard them play Bleeding Mascara and something else I recognized when I was getting water, and then saw them play Ex's and Oh's and Right Side of the Bed. I love it when the drummer sings, it's so different. Of course both Brandon and Alex have good voices, but I think only Alex screams? Either way, nice. And I love the bright green guitar. Of course, none of Jim's friends would be caught dead up front for Atreyu besides the girl, so we caught up with them again after being seperated in the Bleeding Through/Unearth swarms.
Skipped Black Label Society to go to the 'main stage' which is the real stage. We bought the 'cheap' tickets so got to sit on the hill for an hour while we waited for Dragonforce. They played a 30 minute set with 4 songs. Couldn't see a damn thing so I had to watch the monitors on the side of the stage, which makes me feel like I'm at home watching it on youtube again. Pointless, but it was cool to hear them play their epic solos in real life. They're so 80's hair metal, but respectable because their guitarists are insanely talented.
Stayed for Lacuna Coil because one of Jim's friends wanted to see them. Unfortunately. Ugggh I hate female singers. Escpecially when they feel the need to do that wail/vocal exercize before and after every song. She was ok when she was in a lower range, but either their voices weren't working together or the mics were messed up, because sometimes she'd cut right over the guy, and sometimes you could only hear the guy's yelling. It just bugged me. And it was hot and I was getting hungry and really just wanted to see Disturbed. After LC, Jim's friends left, because the girl wanted to see A7X but decided it wasn't worth it.
Unfortunately we didn't really know what order things were going in, and after Lacuna Coil played, Hatebreed started. At this point sets were going to either be half hour, or start getting longer again. So I sat through one or two songs, which were alright, but Jim doesn't know/like Hatebreed or A7X, both of whom were going to be on before Disturbed. So I just gave up and we left during Hatebreed's set. Which I'm ok with, because honestly I couldn't see anything and I might as well be at home listening to their cd. I'll just have to find them on tour another time. As for System of a Down, I don't really know any of their new stuff, so I was fine with not seeing them. Hopefully they get back together or end their 'hiatus' or something, but I'll live if I never see them live.
Came back to the car and decided to try the Gatorade, even though it was warm. Well, it was more than warm, it was grossly hot. So that wasn't the best idea. But we made it home safely and avoided paying $20 for a pizza or something. So it was a good trip, but I need to see All the Remains, Bleeding Through headlining, and Disturbed. Concerts to look forward too!
Oh. And I didn't buy any merch, because it was all black and for dudes. So I'm going to hunt down a chick Bleeding Through shirt and not feel like a poseur!
So doors are supposed to be at 11. We were going to leave at 9:15, get there early and be ready for whatever. So at 8:30 when I'm eating my coco puffs, Jim runs up stairs and says, "Schnell, schnell, doors are at 9."
Mmm lovely.
So I finish eating and getting ready and make sure we have everything - including a cooler with drinks even though we told our loving father that no venues ever let you bring in your own water - and I stop at the bank at 9, right when they open, to get money for merch. Because I am a merchwhore and was planning on getting at least two shirts.
Anyway, I got mapquest directions and my mom had looked at them and gave us tips, so we thought we were set. But somehow we missed getting on actual 75, and were stuck on Business 75. Which was fine, they intersected somewhere else. Except that waas two miles north of our exit, but oh well, turn around and exit off south 75. Which turned out to be the Palace exit. At this point I'm pretty sure our directions are wrong, but I keep driving north for like 6 more miles looking for this nonexistant road. So I have Jim call the mother and she mapquests it and tells us that we need to turn around. And turns out mapquest is still giving us directions to the Palace. At this point I've turned around and we're frying in a McDonalds parking lot waiting for someone to come along and save us. So well get the number for DTE Info or something and turns out it's actually like, 8 miles north on 75. So we finally get there at like, 11.
But, we've already missed Between the Buried and Me and All That Remains. Both of which Jim really wanted to see, and we'd spent the whole ride listening to the new All That Remains cd on repeat so I was kind of looking forward to seeing them. So that sucked. After some difficulty we met up with basically all of Jim's band and this girl who has some sort of connection to them, I'm sure. Other random girls kept making appearances through the day.
So... jeez, now I don't even remember the order. We got there when Full Blown Chaos was playing, I don't remember anything about them. But then it was Bad Acid Trip, I think, and they were pretty aptly named. The lead singer was on something, for sure. The band reminded me of a metal/punk SoaD, and the lead guy liked to make wierd noises - like, even wierder than normal metal noises. One of their songs was called Black Metal Kitchen Appliances. So, so, so random. But funny. Um, then it might have been A Life Once Lost. Again, no big deal.
Walls of Jericho was great. Their lead singer is a chick named Candace and is about the only female singer I can stand. She screams like a dude but her yells are obviously female, but not whiney or annoying. I'm jealous. Anyway, I can't understand any of their stuff, but I've heard it before. Plus their from Detroit and somehow one of Jim's friends is connected to them so we went and stood in line for their autograph and got to meet everyone. Unfortunately my ticket is kind of melted from being in my pocket, but they were all really nice and Candace is a doll. Waiting in line, we missed The Red Chord and Strapping Young Lad. But if you want to see a strange hairstyle, check out the lead singer of SYL - he's rocking a scary, scary Skullet.
Norma Jean started as we were coming back from meeting WoJ, so we got to see all their set. We were kind of far back, but I'm not super into NJ so it was ok. But they did play Liarsenic, and Memphis Will Be Laid to Waste, among others, so it was a good set. They all came out dirty (?) and they had a second drummer, so we were trying to figure out why... they were playing the exact same thing, too, so... Since it was so hot, the crowd control guys would toss out water bottles, or just spray us. The lead singer grabbed one and drop kicked it deep into the crowd, which was cool. But even cooler was 3 seconds later, it came flying right back at him. I think this is the set where some dude generously offered me some weed but I kind of didn't realize what was going on and just shook my head. I thought that he thought I had dropped it or something. Not that I would have done it but I didn't really understand the offer until later. Hah.
After Norma Jean ended we forced our way towards the front for Bleeding Through, who were fantastic. I pretty much love everyone in that band, including Marta. I got a picture of Brandan while we was stopped and singing. I'm so bad with song names, but they played For Love and Failing, Kill to Believe, Tragedy Of Empty Streets, Revenge I Seek, Love Lost in a Hail of Gunfire, Confession... I think that's it. An awesome set and the first one that people really started to get into. So a couple pits formed and some crowd surfers - more like a real show! I wanted to meet them, but they were going to be signing about 25 minutes after their set, and Unearth was playing next, so we just stayed and pushed our way further up front. But I definitely need to see them sometime when their headlining, because they are amazing live. Brendan's voice doesn't lose anything and Scott, Ryan and Brian are all amazing. And they're funny, they kind of stalk around the stage and stare out at the crowd. Marta is amazing too, but it's hard to see her sometimes since she's stuck at her keyboard - but I would kill to be her.
Unearth was a real metal show for sure. I can't understand the words on their songs, either, but I can tell them apart by the guitars. About the only one I can fake is Black Hearts Now Reign, which they ended with. And they played the Great Dividers, which is another good song. Most of this band was spent with arms crossed against chest smushed into other people and trying not to die when crowdsurfers came overhead. About crowsurfers - this is not the type of crowdsurfer I am used to. Ok, the concerts I go to do have some, but mostly it's your average teen girl or 'scene' boy, being supported by their own kind. Here, there are 190lb shirtless, sweaty men being heaved onto your neck. Or else basically naked girls slipping out of your grip. Again, water bottles went around, this time being grabbed person to person and taking a drink. People were pretty good about it, Jim grabbed it and got some and eventually grabbed it again for me. Bascially it was a nice crowd - anytime someone went down, like me, people were always grabbing you and pulling you back up. Good stuff.
Which brings me to the mass skankitude I was lucky enough to witness. I mean, this is pretty much a dude's concert. Which lead to a chick sitting on someone's shoulders flashing the crowd after they all yelled 'show us your tits'. And a bunch of chicks got that body paint/airbrush stuff over their boobs and then went around without a shirt. Because paint is so good at concealing things, you know. Of course there were guys who were shirtless, but really, having a warm sweaty shirtless guy pretty much suctioned to you for most of Unearth's set is kind of yucky. Worse if he falls on you from above.
Anyway, we took a break, bought some $3.50 water which they pour into a cup from a water bottle (instead of just giving us the bottle? Why's that?), and watched some of Atreyu from the main gates. All these '2nd Stage' concerts were on a stage set up in the parking lot, so it was really warm in the sun on the concrete. I heard them play Bleeding Mascara and something else I recognized when I was getting water, and then saw them play Ex's and Oh's and Right Side of the Bed. I love it when the drummer sings, it's so different. Of course both Brandon and Alex have good voices, but I think only Alex screams? Either way, nice. And I love the bright green guitar. Of course, none of Jim's friends would be caught dead up front for Atreyu besides the girl, so we caught up with them again after being seperated in the Bleeding Through/Unearth swarms.
Skipped Black Label Society to go to the 'main stage' which is the real stage. We bought the 'cheap' tickets so got to sit on the hill for an hour while we waited for Dragonforce. They played a 30 minute set with 4 songs. Couldn't see a damn thing so I had to watch the monitors on the side of the stage, which makes me feel like I'm at home watching it on youtube again. Pointless, but it was cool to hear them play their epic solos in real life. They're so 80's hair metal, but respectable because their guitarists are insanely talented.
Stayed for Lacuna Coil because one of Jim's friends wanted to see them. Unfortunately. Ugggh I hate female singers. Escpecially when they feel the need to do that wail/vocal exercize before and after every song. She was ok when she was in a lower range, but either their voices weren't working together or the mics were messed up, because sometimes she'd cut right over the guy, and sometimes you could only hear the guy's yelling. It just bugged me. And it was hot and I was getting hungry and really just wanted to see Disturbed. After LC, Jim's friends left, because the girl wanted to see A7X but decided it wasn't worth it.
Unfortunately we didn't really know what order things were going in, and after Lacuna Coil played, Hatebreed started. At this point sets were going to either be half hour, or start getting longer again. So I sat through one or two songs, which were alright, but Jim doesn't know/like Hatebreed or A7X, both of whom were going to be on before Disturbed. So I just gave up and we left during Hatebreed's set. Which I'm ok with, because honestly I couldn't see anything and I might as well be at home listening to their cd. I'll just have to find them on tour another time. As for System of a Down, I don't really know any of their new stuff, so I was fine with not seeing them. Hopefully they get back together or end their 'hiatus' or something, but I'll live if I never see them live.
Came back to the car and decided to try the Gatorade, even though it was warm. Well, it was more than warm, it was grossly hot. So that wasn't the best idea. But we made it home safely and avoided paying $20 for a pizza or something. So it was a good trip, but I need to see All the Remains, Bleeding Through headlining, and Disturbed. Concerts to look forward too!
Oh. And I didn't buy any merch, because it was all black and for dudes. So I'm going to hunt down a chick Bleeding Through shirt and not feel like a poseur!