Metal industry updates during quarantine, by a true metalhead

It’s hard to believe MEGACRUISE was just 7 months ago — where we were all on a boat for five days together! We were singing together, moshing together, sweating together and here we are hanging out in our own homes, anxiously awaiting to swap mosh pit sweat again, someday. Let’s focus on the cool shit […]

Megadeth’s MEGACRUISE 2019: Day Five

I have dragged out this final day as long as possible. I just want to relive it over and over. Where does Day Four MEGACRUISE end and Day Five begin? Somewhere around 5am, closing down the Bliss once again. I had to get a few hours sleep. I managed to get up in time for […]

Queensrÿche brings the metal to San Diego’s Music Box

The vibe at the Music Box is always great, especially at a metal show! Opening the night was Eve to Adam, a New York-based band formed in 1997 with five albums. I’m not sure how I missed them before, but definitely will check them out moving forward! I love their sound; it fit great in […]

Annual Dimebash All-Star jam rocks Observatory OC

Dimebash, an annual tribute to the late Dimebag Darrell (guitarist of Pantera), rocked The Observatory Theater in Santa Ana on January 16th, 2020. Dimebash is where metalheads come together to remember Dimebag Darrell and his brother Vinnie Paul, all in the name of charity. The tickets were only $33 for four straight hours of all […]

Aboard MEGACRUISE 2019: Day Four

Bueños dias — Ensenada, Mexico! I actually never even left the boat. I debated going ashore, but there was so much going onboard that I wasn’t about to miss it. Day Four on Megadeth’s MEGACRUISE had a photo experience with Testament, Lamb of God (we all missed the LOG photo experience, we’ll get to that later), […]

HELLYEAH rocks House of Blues, San Diego

It was a packed house at San Diego’s House of Blues, smack dab in the middle of downtown’s Gaslamp District on the night of December 17th. Deepfall opened up for Nonpoint and HELLYEAH, and I expected a little bit heavier sound. Deepfall has a Three Doors Down sound, founded in 2015 by keyboardist Tim King. […]

Beartooth & Motionless in White at SOMA San Diego

Beartooth and Motionless in White kicked off the New Year on January 8th at SOMA San Diego as part of their Diseased and Disguised co-headlining tour, named after their most recent album releases. As I rolled up to SOMA, the line waiting for doors to open was wrapped around the building! All ages — from […]

Megadeth’s MEGACRUISE 2019: Day Three

There was lots happening Day Three aboard Megadeth’s metal MEGACRUISE, starting with ‘Among the Brewing’ with Charlie Benante of Anthrax… yes — Charlie has coffee, too! ‘Sip and Paint’ with comedian Don Jamieson and Megadeth’s Dirk Verbeuren was also going on, as well as ‘Mega Clinic’ with Megadeth member Kiko Loureiro, Q & A’s, ‘Vic’s Garage’ […]

Megadeth’s MEGACRUISE 2019: Day Two

We woke up on a boat in San Diego… my home sweet home. The second day aboard Megadeth’s metal MEGACRUISE started out with Dave Ellefson’s Breakfast Club. He did a little Q & A, told some stories. One of the stories that fascinated me was him talking about doing his ‘Basstory’; there was a show in Fullerton, […]

Day One aboard Megadeth’s metal MEGACRUISE

One year ago, I saw a post that said MEGACRUISE with photo of Testament. Megadeth is hosting a five-day cruise with thrash metal bands!! As months went by, more bands were revealed: Anthrax, Queensryche, Armored Saint, Death Angel, Metal Church, Suicidal Tendencies… I was not about to miss this boat! October 13th couldn’t get here […]

Candlebox at Ramona Mainstage

For Candlebox fans, the candle still burns bright. There may have been a lot of warm bodies packed into the Mainstage in Ramona, California, but Candlebox fans remained chill. They even let you squeeze in for a minute to get your hand in there for a high five from Kevin Martin. Grab a cold 32-ounce beer […]

The Fixx at San Diego’s Music Box

Generation X packed The Music Box for an evening of flashback memories the night of August 18th, 2019. Steve West from San Diego alt radio station 94.9 was up onstage spinning 80s faves; not the usual ones we hear on the radio, but the awesome ones that only 80s kids remember. Reminisce the 80s: the […]

Billy Bio at Brick By Brick San Diego

Billy Graziadei, founder of Biohazard and Powerflo, set out on his own in 2018 as Billy Bio. Billy came out the night of August 2nd at San Diego’s Brick By Brick venue with a headset mic. Wait, what? A little Bierber-ish for punk rock? Nah, It’s brilliant! Billy Bio was free to move about the venue […]

L.A. Guns at Ramona Mainstage

L.A. Guns with special guest Taz Taylor rocked Ramona Mainstage on August 10th, 2019. It was a night to remember what rock is supposed to sound like. Taz Taylor is a San Diego favorite who has been special guest for The Last in Line, John 5, Uli Jon Roth, UFO, Ace Frehley, Lynch Mob and […]

Blink-182 & Lil Wayne in San Diego

Blink-182, Lil Wayne and Neck Deep hit San Diego’s North Island Credit Union Amphitheater on August 7th, 2019. Neck Deep, a Welsh punk rock band, kicked off the night with “Motion Sickness”, “She’s A God” and ended with “Where Do We Go When We Go”, warming up the crowd for Lil Wayne. DJ T. Lewis […]