Shadows Fall and Static-X

[hippietim]

My 12-year old son is a drummer and is becoming quite the metal fan. So as a treat I left work early on Friday, picked him up and took the 3+ hour drive to Myrtle Beach to see Shadows Fall and Static-X at the House of Blues. As we're turning right (with a green light) into the plaza where HoB is, some fool hit me that was turning left. Dee dee dee. My son was pretty freaked out - he'd never been in an accident.

The show started at 7pm so we missed the first band (forgot the name). Heh, I forgot the second band's name but it was something obviously metal - they were Canadian and were pretty cool. They got the mosh pit going - my son had never seen one of those live

My son was mostly there for Shadows Fall - when they came out third they absolutely kicked ass. That singer is a great frontman - the dude has some *seriously* fucking long dreads - when he started spinning his head it was like a bunch of long whips thrashing about. The one guitarist sang quite a bit - he was spot on - it's nice to see guys that can actually perform their songs live. The other guitarist did most of the lead work and he was really good. I've only got a couple of their CDs but even the stuff I didn't recognize was kick ass to listen to. My son was thrilled to see the drummer - that guy was really good.

After a long changeover Static-X came out. Aside from the drummer they looked like they should be in some surreal Asian techno band. I've not heard any of their stuff before. At first they sounded kind of cool. But after 2 songs and never playing a chord other than E or muted chugs, it got old. The vocals were like ultra gay - the dude had some sort of Mr. Roboto poseur effect on his voice. The "lead" guitarist just did that annoying "I can't play very good but watch me use my distortion pedal and whammy bar" thing. We left about 2/3 through their set.

I would have stayed through to the end of Static-X but my son wanted to leave before all the drunks did (I'm sure the accident before the show didn't help any). I couldn't argue with that - the last thing I'm going to do is argue with my pre-teenage son that wants to leave a bar early to avoid encountering drunks. Of course we all know this doesn't avoid the *rest* of the drunks on the road but it means he's thinking about these things.

We topped the night off with a trip to Krispy Kreme and watched "Live Free or Die Hard" at the hotel (if you like action, could care less about plot, and love seeing shit that blows up, this is a great movie).

Very cool father/son road trip.

[Megadeth79]

Seems to be a nice trip that you had concerning shadows fall , i like their music. Donais the lead player is talented, one of the most talented ones of the new bands, (thank god nu-metal seems to be over) but I don't like the parts with cookie monster vocals. their style is what metalcore ??? I do not follow the names of different genres bla bla bla-core, metal etc.. regarding static x I hate them. I have one of their CDs, really boring stuff imho

[drockilles]

This show was just here last Thursday. Divine Heresy was the first band you missed, although I wouldn't really say you missed much. It's Dino Cazares' new band (old Fear Factory guitarist) with a dude that drummed for Nile and some other bands. The second band was 3 Inches of Blood.
I'm kinda pissed i missed the show. Would've liked to hear Shadows Fall play their new material live. (Was Jon Donais playing his new ESP? Yet another guy that jumped ship).

[guitarsjb]

Cool Tim. I really like Shadows Fall, been smacked by those dreads too (ouch!) Static X gets on my nerves. Sucks about the accident, but overall sounds like you had a great time.

[jwoods986]

Great story, sounds like some good bonding time with your son.

Why would Shadows Fall be opening for Static X? To me, I would think it's the other way around. Kinda like AIC opening for Velvet Revolver......

[Spivonious]

Ugh yeah those dreads are disgusting-looking. Static X is still around? Good to see that 3 Inches of Blood are on a fairly big name bill. I always thought they were a lot of fun.

I guess there wasn't too much damage to the car but I'm glad you're okay. JCFers going to the hospital is never good.

[excon]

You're really lucky to have a son who likes good music, not to mention playing music. It seems like most kids like rap these days. If you turn on MTV and the other ten music video channels you can see why. The only one I can watch is VH1 Classics and Headbangers Ball. Anyway, it's good to hear about a father and son enjoying music together.

[horns666]

Wow Tim..only if we lived closer. Our kids would prolly love to jam, he like Shadows Fall too. We jam all the time..what about you guys?

I hang out with SF when their 2nd cd was out. We went to my friend's bar. So, it was just us and friends. He really liked them at that time and had their cd in his juke box..they were pretty happy about that. We drank all night , 'till the sun came up and the rythm dude puked on my shoe..I didn't move quick enough..

They were super nice kids back then..prolly still are. The singer didn't have dreds at that time..not that I can rememer..

Vinny wants to go to Cradle Of Filth at the HOB on Oct 27th ..that' his 13th birthday. I'd take him, but GWAR is playing with them..no way that'll be an all ages show..not at the HOB.

BTW..That guy in Staic X was using Ubers at one time. I think he's using those Marshall Mode fours now..ewww. Did he sound good. I tried one when it just came out and it took me 5 minutes to know I hated it. John 5 uses 'em , so they can't be as bad as I thought..

[hippietim]

We jam when we can. When he plays by himself he experiments with all sorts of interesting beats and stuff - I enjoy just seeing him evolve. He's working on his blast beats now. I haven't really played metal in years - I've got to get my picking hand in shape if I'm going to keep up.

Bill - if there are any really kick ass metal shows coming that way I'd do the road trip - not many bands come this way too often. I'd really like to catch Nevermore, Pagan's Mind, Symphony X or similar caliber bands.

Avenged Sevenfold is coming next month to HoB - I'm pretty sure we're going to try and catch that. Coheed and Cambria are coming soon too - they're not really metal but they are an excellent band.

The dude in Static X sounded like he was using a POD. The guitar tones were just a sea of mush with a noise gate to get the stops.

[Dan]

That wouldve been a cool show. Dino is a Great Gutarist(Not much on leads,but leads/covers doesnt make you a Great guitarist,the riffs do),Shadows Fall is VERY good,Very Talented People there,and Static X,Their First CD was awesome,but then,they changed.