So I never know what to write at this time of year. I'm not the type of person to say "This year was good" or "This year really blew". Without trying to sound like a total cheeseball, my life is pretty damn good, and I have found that if you learn to roll with the punches, and take the good with the bad, you will find yourself standing tall at the end of the year.
And to be here today with my wonderful wife by my side is more than I could ever ask for. So rather than get all sentimental and shit, and give everyone a play by play account of my 2006, I'm going to repost something that I posted last year, my recollection of NYE, 1985. Maybe tomorrow I will copy Steve, and review my top ten shows of 2006. Looking forward to 2007!
Damn... New Years Eve 1985. It seems so long ago, but I remember finding out about this show like it was yesterday. I had just been to the Record Vault, the LEGENDARY San Francisco record store, where I picked up the latest issue of Metal Mania. I saw this ad on the back page, and could not fucking believe it! {This was pre-internet days, when ads in zines or flyers on telephone poles and bus stops in San Francisco / Berkeley was how one found out about shows like this.} Metallica, Exodus, Metal Church {whom I had met earlier in the year at the OTHER legendary bay area record store, The Record Exchange} {Walnut Creek} and Anthrax! These were four of my favorite bands at the time! I later learned that Megadeth was now taking the place of Anthrax. Even better. {Anyone with any knowledge of the Bay Area metal scene knows why it was such a big deal for Metallica and Megadeth to be on the same bill}. I was so there. Fast forward to the night of the show, and to be honest, I don't remember much. My dad dropped me off at the Civic Center. {little did I know that 21 years later I would own a loft only 1 block down the street} I met a few guys while standing in line, and had a couple of wine coolers with them.{After all, it WAS New Years Eve} I don't remember any of Megadeth. {Next to KMFDM and Motorhead, I have seen them more than any other band, 9 times I think, and not always by choice.} I remember being not so impressed by Metal Church, and deciding that they were much better sounding on record then they were live. {Their cover of Deep Purple's "Highway Star" kicks ass.} Exodus however, were great. I had missed the boat on them up until this point, and remember being blown away by how fast and LOUD they were, and I always loved Paul Baloff, and his shtick before they tore into "Piranha". {A few years later, Scott and I hung out with Baloff's replacement, Steve "Zetro" Sousa in the basement of his grandparents home, interviewing him for a fanzine I use to write for, and he gave us alot of inside "dirt" on all these bands.} As far as Metallica, I remember being in total awe, and not much more. I remember a shredding version of "Creeping Death" a few new songs off the soon to be released Master Of Puppets, and the balloon drop at midnight. I also remember thinking how cool it would be for Dave Mustaine to join them on stage, but of course, it didn't happen. That's about it. A once in a lifetime show during a once in a lifetime era. Considering it was 21 years ago, and I've been to over 500 shows since then, I'm surprised I remembered as much as I do!
How are you ringing in the New Year tonight?
Tonight Lilia and I are going to Anon Salon. We have been before, and it's a pretty cool party. Looking forward to it. Happy New Year everbody!
Show us something from the 80's.
Show us something from the 80's.
ShowusSome punk-rock from the 80's.
Audio: Share one of your favorite songs from 2006.
.
