Metallica, Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies @ Bank of America Stadium

It's so Dad Rock Central here, I thought I had gone to a Tool concert.  I love it.  Plenty of people my age here, and a lot of them have bought there kids.  It's awesome!

A couple of firsts in this show.  The first time I've seen a show in a stadium.  I've done festivals with a bunch of people there, but this is huge.  Bank of America Stadium holds 70,000 for the football.  Add how many people will be on the floor and this may be the biggest show I've ever seen.  Also this is my first Metallica show.  I remember them playing once in Vegas when I lived there, but they just have never been anywhere nearby for me to see.  I also went through a long phase where I was pissed that Jason Newstead wasn't in the band and all the Napster shit.  But here I am.  And this was the 2nd show I'd been to where I'd seen a sniper patrolling the venue (the other time was Punk Rock Bowling 19 - a year after Fat Mike said something stupid about the Route 91 Harvest shootings).  The sniper and spotter sat on top of the scoreboard at the Mint Street end of the stadium.

I'm deliberately there early to see Suicidal Tendencies.  It had been 26 years since I saw them at a Warped Tour back in Sydney.  That day Mike Muir came into the crowd and ended up next to me watching Pennywise.  He then dragged me into Pennywise's requested giant circle pit.  A great concert moment I'll never forget.  Though the venue was not half full, it didn't stop Suicidal playing like it was their show.  I watched the drummer come out early and greet all the fans close to the stage before doing all his stretches, and they got their deserved dues as they hit the stage.  Muir skipped his way around the arena, both on and off the stage, for the full 40 minutes.  The band also acknowledged the small mosh pit not far from where I was seated.  Yes, this old man sat in the stands (at the back of the lower level).  Great view of stage and crowd.  Institutionalized and Subliminal were highlights

Suicidal Tendencies Setlist

31 years was how long since I'd seen Pantera.  And that still remains one of the top 20 concerts I've seen.  I wasn't quite sure if it really was Pantera without Dime and Vinnie, but that stupid notion was put to rest even before a note was played.  Charlie Benante with his kick drums covered in portraits of the 2 Abbott brothers, and Zakk Wylde in his CFH leather vest that also paid tribute showed a respect that I thought was admirable.  Last time I saw them They didn't play Mouth for War or I'm Broken, so to get both in the first half of the set was amazing.  Again the stage, a huge circle in the middle of the field, was well used by the band, with Benante paying 1/2 the set far from me, and the 2nd half on another kit closer to us, and the other 3 stalking the stage, playing to everyone.  After a recorded version of Cemetery Gates, that showed a video tribute to the Abbott brothers, Pantera just killed an awesome 4 song streak, 5 Minutes Alone, This Love, Fucking Hostile and Walk was just amazing.  I just pity the folks that weren't there early enough to see it.  Not sure I have another 31 years to wait to see Pantera again.  I hope they come through Charlotte again soon.

Pantera, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Pantera Setlist

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

I had an hour between Pantera and Metallica, so I raced to the restroom, and as quick as I was, I then had no chance of getting either food or merchandise before Metallica started.  That said, I was hoping to pick up some vinyl but there were only tshirts for sale, and I opted not to add to my black tshirt collection.

With the sun finally set, and the stadium about 95% full (all the seats taken, but a fair bit of space left on the floor), Metallica walked around the stage greeting fans before getting up there to the sounds of AC/DCs A Long Way To The Top.  This began a great set, with the added bonus of the art of distraction.  Being so far back, there was plenty to see, but there wasn't even a drum kit on stage when the band walked out.  But all of a sudden there was a smaller than expected kit ready to go as the rest of the band got there other instruments.  Metallica then put on a well curated set.  Starting off with 3 classics: Creeping Death, For Whom The Bell Tolls and Ride the Lightning would have made a lot of old school fans happy (and there were a lot here).  A few songs I didn't know, including 2 off the new 72 seasons album, and just under half way in Kirk and Rob did an instrumental duo at our end of the stage.  It wasn't till the full band came back on that I finally saw the drums rising out of the stage in a different quadrant.  It still doesn't explain how the drums were rotated on the spot - which I never saw happen.  Fuel saw the flames introduced into the set, and Orion was dedicated to Cliff Burton, before the stadium filled with iPhone lights for Nothing Else Matters - which also saw rain fall for a couple of minutes (who's happy to be back under shelter now).  Fireworks and flames acted as the war field as One began.  This is what I was here for.  To me this is Metallica's best song.  And it did not disappoint!  Hair on the back of my neck and arms stood up as Hetfield angrily belted out "Darkness....imprisoning me...all that I see....absolute horror....".  Seek and Destroy showed how much the band liked performing, with Hetfield telling the crowd how he has the best job in the world.  He, and the rest of the band, certainly looked like it.  Master of Puppets was amazing and hard to believe that it could be topped.  But it was.  Easily!  Metallica's most successful song, I find, is the divider between old school Metallica fans (the ones that loved the thrashier stuff) and the more modern heavy rock fan.  But tonight, swelled by the good mix of both styles during the night, saw everyone go absolutely apeshit to the first notes of Enter Sandman.  Everyone knew every word and it was being belted out at maximum volume.  

Metallica, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Metallica Setlist

What a performance!  Makes me a little sad that I'd never seen Metallica before, and I likely would not have gone with out he openers being Suicidals and Pantera.  But even as the 2nd most expensive concert I've been too, it was well worth the price of admission.

Side note: Played the boys some Pantera and Metallica in the car the next day.  I got the "hmm...that's good dad...can we listed to anything else?"

The Crap Facts
This is my 520th concert.
Bank of America Stadium is the 141st venue I've seen a concert at.
This is my 118th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 141st concert in North Carolina.
This is my 320th concert in the USA.
This is my 3rd Suicidal Tendencies concert.

This is my 2nd Pantera concert.

Metallica are the 604th band I've seen.

Metallica are the 200th time I've seen a band in Charlotte.

Marylin Manson @ The Fillmore

Love him or hate him...there is no denying Marylin Manson is a showman.  And at his age (he's marginally older than me), he's still got it.

I rolled in 10 minutes before kick off in a packed and extremely hot Fillmore.  Got my spot, stage left, out of everyone's way, before being sardined in as security cleared a path behind me.  

Lights behind a curtain let us see the shadows as the band walked on stage, and from the get go (Nod If You Understand) Manson was into it, as were the band.  High energy and 5 people really into performing.  It wasn't until Tourniquet that I knew a song, but still, I was so taken by the performance, it didn't matter.  Manson's shout outs to Charlotte between songs always got a rise out of the crowd, and a chance for the band to take a moment's breath.  Mobscene was great, as was The Dope Show.  Before which, Manson confessed to lying.  "Turns out I did like the drugs, and the drugs liked me."  When the first wahhing chords of Sweet Dreams rang out, the crowd went nuts, and then he finished the set with a raucous Beautiful People (my favorite Manson song).  Hot and sweaty, band and crowd needed a moment's break to catch there breath.  I moved to side stage right for the encore (old man needs to bail before the crowd).  2 slower songs calmed the crowd, but the heat was so thick, it looked like it was raining inside.

It wasn't Iggy Pop level energy (because nothing is), but Manson and band were into it.  And the crowd reflected the band.  This is my first time seeing him in a club (the other 2 times were festivals), but hey are performers who can adapt to the venue size and put on a great show regardless.

Marylin Manson setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 519th concert.
This is my 31st concert at The Fillmore.
This is my 117th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 140th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 319th concert in the USA.
This is my 3rd Marylin Manson concert.

Sturgill Simpson @ Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater

So this is a first for me.  I'm seeing this show at work.  Does that count?  I asked Erik (old Vegas concert mate) and he said yes.  So it must be true.  I've been working in the box office part time at the Fillmore & Underground for a few years, but this is the first summer where we haven't taken a major trip, so I signed on to work the Skyla Amphitheater.  And here I am, ushering people to their seats, perfect view of the stage from 27 rows away.  I was actually here last night as well, but I was working the pit, and while I heard the whole show, I couldn't see the band, so that doesn't count.

I know nothing of Sturgill Simpson, except that he is one of those bands that carry a distinct following in the south.  Like Widespread, Jason Isbell, Dave Matthews - none like the other but they can pull a crowd in the south.

It was an experience to be in the venue as doors opened.  Watching excited people, dedicated fans, race to their spots, whether that be the pit, in the front of the lawn or to the merch stand to guarantee a poster of the night.  The feeling was infectious.  Anyway, in the hour and a half after doors opened, a near full house excitedly greeted Simpson, and they got a 3 hour show that all and sundry seemed to enjoy.

So like I said I don't know any Sturgill Simpson music but what I observed was last night had a rocking bluesy sound.  Tonight was a slower country/blues/twang feel to the music.  He did do a cover of Prince's Purple Rain, which was amazing, but I preferred what I heard last night.  However, his crowd loved it!  And if any fan had come both nights, they got 60 songs over 6 hours, and very few repeats.  And with that, I was impressed by the great vibe around the amphitheater.  People were really positive and having a good time.

While Sturgill Simpson is probably not someone I'd listen to, it was great to hear him, and see a great group of fans really enjoy themselves.

Sturgill Simpson Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 518th concert.
This is my 14th concert at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater.
This is my 116th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 139th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 318th concert in the USA.
Sturgill Simpson is the 603rd band I've seen.

Napalm Death, Melvins & Weedeater @ The Underground

Of course I'm going to see the Melvins if they come to town.  What I don't understand is why doesn't everybody.

Eric and I got to the Underground just in time to catch the last few songs of Weedeater.  The Underground is already crowded, as we're assaulted by the heavy, sludgy sounds of Weedeater.  I'm not sure if the audience reaction had been bad before we arrived, or if sarcasm was ruling, but the lead singer basically told everyone to fuck off before plowing into their last song.

Weedeater Setlist

Not since before the boys were born (actually it was the night before I found out we were having twins) have I seen the Melvins play with 2 drummers, but Cody is back with the band again, and the Melvins are ready to play.  Buzz looked like he was in a good move (I've never seen him use all of the stage so much).  Steve McDonald was his usual effervescent self, making it hard to determine where you should be watching - who was having the best time on stage?  The double drum opening of Billy Fish was spectacular.  It's a shame Dale and Cody weren't on risers because, even at 6"2, I was having trouble seeing them.  That mirrored rhythm is a sight to be seen....and heard.  Honeybucket was the best, as always.  It's a favorite all time song of mine, and I'd have happily come along just to hear that song.  So Fast.  So offbeat.  So Nonsensical.  So Good.  This is my 11th time seeing the Melvins, and while I don't know song names (or keep up with their extended catalogue of work) every show is a good one.  Dare I say this is one of the best I've seen.

Melvins Setlist

I've confessed to being there for the Melvins and was still in an amazement daze when Napalm Death hit the stage.  Their extremely heavy style is not one I've really been into, ever, but am always happy to give a band a listen to.  What I didn't realize was that they are English, and Barney Greenway's Birmingham accented talking voice just doesn't come close to to the sound of his singing voice.  He was into it from the start, lapping around the stage, singing like a man possessed.  Napalm Death aren't for me, and we (2 old guys with kids that need to get up for school in the morning) left after about 5 songs.  Everybody else in there were just getting warmed up, and I feel those die hard fans weren't about to be disappointed.

Napalm Death Setlist

Writing this review happens at the same time the Melvins announce another tour, this time playing with Redd Kross (again) up in Asheville in October.  I feel a road trip coming on.

The Crap Facts

This is my 517th concert.
This is my 12th concert at The Underground.
This is my 115th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 138th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 317th concert in the USA.
Weedeater are the 601st band I've seen.

This is my 11th Melvins concert.

Napalm Death are the 602nd band I've seen.