I truly don't mind EDM shows. Most have amazing lights, videos, lasers, and overall stage production. Sound Remedy was not one of those. Besides attracting only 350 people, this show had the lowest production value of any EDM show I have ever been to. They used a low-quality projector screen, as opposed to bringing their own video wall. There was no interesting DJ booth, just an 8-foot table as seen at most hip-hop shows. Sound Remedy himself was AWFUL! He spent most of his time onstage acting like he was a conductor, constantly extending his arms as if he had an orchestra to conduct. His "EDM" had too much singing, which of course, was not by him. The opening DJ's were no better, but they were better than Sound Remedy, which doesn't say much about the headliner of his own show.....

In February, John 5 was in the little upstairs room above DNA Lounge, so he was literally right in front of everyone! John 5 has to be one of the most underrated guitar players around. The stuff he plays in Rob Zombie's band is child's play compared to his awesome solo work, which covered everything expected from a heavy metal guitarist, to things not expected, such as acoustic finger-picking bluegrass-style and an amazing cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It". This was 70 minutes well spent!

Due to working a terribly late load-out at the Palace Hotel (in November), I arrived at 11:05p, and got to see a grand total of 25 minutes of John 5 (I missed the opener Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein). Thankfully, he saved his instrumental cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" for these final minutes, because that amazing rendition alone was worth it! Fortunately, I saw the exact same show earlier this year (in February) and saw the entire set then... this time, I also got a chance to meet and speak with the man for a few minutes after the set!

It's hard to believe that its been almost a year already, especially with Machine Head still touring the world with this "An Evening With" show. This was their sold-out hometown show, and the band played for 2.5 hours without an intermission! Some might say that is too much Machine Head for one sitting, but I would have to disagree, as they were on fire for the entire show, and there was never a dull moment. I'm guessing that Robb Flynn might not agree with me, as I heard that he scrapped all of the professionally filmed footage that was taken that night for a DVD release. I can't remember who told me this, but I wonder what he didn't like?

In April 2014, Motörhead played at The Warfield and I thought this was one of the best Motörhead shows I have ever seen. Because it may be the last time (due to Lemmy's recent health issues), the show was sold out in advance and was professionally video recorded (just in case). We are all sad for what actually did happen on December 28, 2015, but I think we honestly knew it might happen sooner than later. This particular Motörhead show was also one of my favorites because I was given the opportunity to be a stagehand and help their amazing crew load-in and load-out, I watched the encore from stage right, and I got an excellent "2015/2016" crew t-shirt that I will proudly wear whenever I can.

Part of the problem with working on the stage/production build of these immense shows at AT&T Park is that I often don't get to see the show because stagehand sign-in for load-out is usually at 10pm, and it is outside of the stadium. This is why I volunteer usher when I am able to, so that I can be inside to see an hour of it! Thankfully, AC/DC's crew chief took some of us behind the stage near the end so we got to hear For Those About to Rock and see the cannons go off. As for the half of the show that I did see from the front side of the stage (as an usher), AC/DC had amazing lights, video, pyro, cannons, and Hell's Bell. The only thing that I wished I would have seen was Angus' solo on the little stage that was built into the crowd just for this segment of the show, but missing it was a small price to pay for having to sign-in outside and then getting VIP the treatment during the encore!

This venue is truly one of the easiest places to simply walk into the backstage. Thanks to a friend working with Slipknot, I was already planning to arrive mid-afternoon. A quick requested stop to Starbucks, 4 tall mocha-whatever-the-hell-they-call -these-things for the crew, and I parked in the closest employee lot, took the shuttle while balancing this tray of drinks, and walked right in like I owned the place! After the doors opened, I did actually leave to go to the box office to pick up my photo pass and ticket. Slipknot's show, lights, and production were awesome, as it always is!

My observations of seeing a big concert like this in Japan...

1. Everyone that I saw in line was calm, including at the front. There was no one yelling "Judas Fucking Pliest!" or anything like that, and no loud cheers when the doors did finally open.

2. Will call was a breeze, even with my name not on the list. The will call person was incredibly helpful, texted someone inside the venue to verify my story (a mutual friend of Glenn's guitar tech had tried to help me get in, so I actually was not sure if my name would be on the list). 5 minutes later, my name was written on the guest list and 2 tickets were procured!

3. Everyone sat in their seat until the moment the lights went down. Even when the tech came out from stage left before the show to talk with me for 10 minutes, not one single person approached him to ask for a pick, if he knows the band, to say how much they like the band, or anything.

4. At the end, Glenn Tipton hopped off stage, walked 1/2 of the front row to hand out picks, and was rushed by NO ONE.

5. There was no barricade. Only a stanchion separated the front row from the stage. Additionally, there was no 'security', only outside staff (with megaphones) to help people find the line, will call, and the only merchandise stand, and ushers inside at the doors and the aisles on the floor to assist with seating.

6. Japanese fans only sing the choruses because they don't know enough Engrish to follow along to the rest.

7. Parking was 500¥, chicken skewers and hot dogs were 250¥ (the chicken was edible and it was good, and the pointy skewer would be viewed as a deadly weapon in the US), candy was 100¥, vending machines with bottled water, juices, and hot drinks started at 160¥... no price gouging here!

8. Alcohol was NOT sold. I did see a few empty cans of Asahi beer in the bathroom so at least one person brought some in! (there was not much of a front door bag search, just a quick look)

9. As far as I could see, there was no one 'sneaking' a cigarette at their seat, there was no pot smoke clouds, and the hallway and actual outdoor smoking section was desolate once the show started.

10. No opening band. The show started 15 minutes late, at 7:30pm, and ended shortly after 9pm. Get in, see Pliest, get out, get on with your life!

Then in November, nearly a year after I last saw them here in San Jose, Judas Priest brought their arena show, production, and Harley Davidson downtown to another intimate theater setting at The Warfield. I remember seeing them for years and years at Shoreline and other big places, and it's great to be able to see a big band in a small venue! The setlist doesn't change much throughout the years; they played three new songs from Redeemer of Souls, and most of the rest was the classic songs that you expect to hear, like Breaking the Law, You've Got Another Thing Comin', Living After Midnight, and my favorite, Painkiller!

Bands playing full albums on tour seems to be the latest trend over the past several years. 20 years ago, in October 1994, Korn released their self‐titled album and it's lead track "Blind". At the time, I managed the loud rock music department at my college radio station, and had been playing that song for months. I'll freely admit that I was a fan of Korn -- managing a music department opened me up to all sorts of new (at the time) music and even broadened my horizons... although now with Korn is a different story, as I couldn't name you one song that they've written in the last 15 years.

Despite all that, seeing them live on this 20th Anniversary tour, doing their debut record from start to finish, was great! To make it even better, it was Halloween Eve so the stage and the bands were dressed appropriately, and I got to watch the entire set from their friends and family zone at stage right, where in between songs, drummer Ray Luzier would enter this area behind everyone and jokingly starts yelling "Man, this band sucks, does anyone want to go get a drink at the bar across the street?" and then says "one time in Australia, someone wanted to take me up on the offer. ")! I should have also dressed appropriately in my Halloween costume, yet for some strange reason, I did not...

Despite the name Drones World Tour, their drones actually did not work for 95% of the show. However, with the amazing lights, lasers, video, and stage production, I suppose we can give them a pass on the no-drone thing...

Last Halloween Eve, King Diamond played his first full show here in a really, really long time (5/7/2005, 10/23/2003). Fast forward almost exactly a year later, and the King was back, to perform Abigail in its entirety! Although he didn't start the show with his trademark cemetery gates, he still had the multi-level riser above the backline with the inverted crosses and the Baphomet Pentagram, along with some theatrical character moments (like cremating his 'Grandma') that complement some of the songs. Exodus opened the show, and nothing more needs to be said about them playing a hometown show! Oh, and then there was the random awesome timing outside as I happened to be walking by as the King left the building after his soundcheck, and I scored an excellent photo with him (sans makeup!).

My first tour... and it was a blast! I took a little heat for always being the first one up early every morning and always sitting in the front of the bus and always taking pictures out of the front window of "Welcome to" state signs, city signs, and all sorts of other random stuff. It was exciting to make a loop around the country and see places that I never have been. We even drove past the place where I grew up, and I barely recognized it 20+ years later. Selling t-shirts was actually a great touring gig to have, because I could count-in and set-up my table in 45 minutes and then disappear for hours to explore whatever city I was in. At nearly every truck stop that we pulled into throughout the country, I would look for postcards and state magnets, which are now proudly displayed on my refrigerator. I see it every time I go in my kitchen and am reminded what an amazing time I had on tour (and why I didn't try harder like 10 years ago to do this!) and hope that I get the opportunity to do it again...

... and that opportunity occurred in December for their 2nd Annual Xmas show!