“If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun.”~ Katharine Hepburn
My fourth show this year. My sixth show in two years, and overall. I have become VERY fortunate that I have been able to go to yet another great show by SIX MINUTE CENTURY.
I was so pumped from Dr. Froth’s Birthday Extravaganza back in August that the very next day after I returned home, I made hotel reservations to be able to go to this November show.
Unlike the catastrophe in June, I went to another hotel chain. I arrived at the Motel 6. After all, I’m not there to live in it. I am there to have a place to crash.
I’ve tried different hotel chains in the past. This one by far was the least expensive for two nights. I paid with a $100 bill and still got change! Try that once in a while!!
There were a few things that were upsetting about it. They were in the midst of remodeling their second floor. Luckily I was not located there, but there was a lot of in and out and a lot of things just dropped off on the floors where it became an obstacle course inside of the hotel lobby and the hallways leading to the rooms.
The most disturbing thing that I found inside my hotel room was the fact that once I decided to kick back and relax and watch some television, I had pulled back the covers and sheets on the bed and had found several long hairs clinging to the sheets.
So gross.
Then I thought that the television wasn’t working, so I went to the front desk to inform them. It turned out that I was not patient enough for the television to turn on. And then, channels at the bottom of the dial simply did not work. I had to start at channel number 12 to watch anything. Besides, I do not have cable at home. At least I had more than just eight channels to watch.
Most of the employees were Hispanic. And with my ability to actually speak in Spanish, I did so whenever I could to make sure that they understood me. What drove me crazy was whenever I would speak in Spanish, they would always reply appropriately in English! Oh well!!!!
But no matter, I was less than a day at that point to being with awesome and wonderful friends enjoying the best music that Houston has to offer.
Dr. Froth made sure that the all important question was answered. Yes, I was hungry- no, I had not eaten. So he bought me something to eat before dropping me off. So I sat on the hair-infested bed (but on the other side) and just vegged out and texted with best friends until 3:30 in the morning.
The following morning, I woke up pretty late. I enjoyed the fact that since I was up so late that I could sleep in for as long as I wanted.
Then later on in the afternoon, Dr. Froth came by and picked me up and I went into the House of Froth until it was time to go to the show.
As Dr. and Mrs. Froth got ready, I was able to watch even more cable on their television and I played with Merlin, their Alaskan Malamute some more. I had only been there three months ago, and that dog grew over twice the size since I had seen it last. And to find out that it is only five months old, that dog is gonna be huge!!!
I pointed out a poster that was on their wall, that I would really love to find. I looked and found printing on the very lower corner that said PYRAMID POSTERS. So I will attempt a Google search later on to see if I cannot find it. I would love to have one on my own wall.
As it grew time to go to the show, I was introduced to the opening band Fluid Frequency. These guys came from the panhandle of Texas all the way to Houston to play the show. Three awesome guys with awesome personalities. Kind and social.
I had to laugh because as we were out the door I shouted “Let’s Roll” and then there was this brief moment of whether or not I should have said “Let’s Rock” instead.
If anyone knows me and my humor, it is that I say “roll” because that’s what I do to move around….. roll. It is a lesson that I believe YouTube personality LISAFAYECHARDONNAY and others has learned quickly. Instead of telling me “You Rock” she now says “You Roll” and quite honestly, I do. So its still correct.
Fluid Frequency had followed us to the venue. The show was at Acadia Bar & Grill.
For me though, this was even more important to be there as not only SIX MINUTE CENTURY was playing but also ECHO TEMPLE. A band that I first got to see back in August and immediately fell in love with their music. So I had two bands that I give fealty to in one night.
Getting there early, I passed on the cover charge at the door. Awesome! But also getting there early also allowed me to get back into the feel of things inside and be able to establish grounds of which to nest in for the show.
I was struck at the view of one of the bartenders who had these really beautiful and awesome pigtails. But they were not on the sides of her head. They were close together in the middle of the back of her head. Something that I hadn’t seen before. It was really fascinating to look at. I did get an opportunity to tell her that I loved her hair and she acknowledged me.
As Fluid Frequency was setting up on stage, members of ECHO TEMPLE were coming in. Most of them were there before the show even started. They were playing right after Fluid Frequency.
I had just joined their Facebook fan page not that long ago and I have been very actively participating. So it should not have been any surprise that they knew who I was when they spoke to me. And still, I was.
ECHO TEMPLE had their CD and t-shirts for their fans. I was totally honored and blessed that ECHO TEMPLE gave me both as their gift to me, for my support of their band. So I had them all autograph the CD. So AWESOME!!!
In the weeks before, I made sure that they all knew that I wanted to hear their song “Witch” and I got teased by them on Facebook that they were not going to play it, but they turned around and said that they were only joking.
I noticed that there was a DVD being given out of the heavy metal music scene in Houston. They only asked for a kind donation rather than charging for it.
As I huddled around the foosball table, Fluid Frequency offered a friendly match. I was dumb enough to decline. But I watched as they went head to head against one another. 
Fluid Frequency members have such a great sense of humor. It was actually so much fun watching them play and listening to them bash on one another.
After a few minutes of sound check, Fluid Frequency got up there and as the opening band just ripped it wide open!!
This trio of terror played their hearts out and screamed so loud that it made an impression. All three of them were doing vocals and it was so intense.
By the end of the first song, they proved that they were absolutely serious. And definitely by the end of the second song, they solidified their statement.
I was convinced and hooked. I bought anything that they had there to sell!!!!!
For them to come from such a long way to play was so cool. They traveled at least twice as long as I had to get there. And then I would find out that Dr. Froth knew them personally, so even then I knew that they were going to be a force.
They had set the tone for the night and left it wide open for the rest of the bands to carry the torch throughout the rest of the night.
Then ECHO TEMPLE jumped on.
I had been told by drummer Chris Kotlarz that they were going to be playing some new material and he hoped that I would enjoy it. And enjoyed it— I DID!! 
New songs coupled in with a few cover songs and then their original songs that they have played before equaled an amazing performance.
I have always been impressed with the vocal ability of lead singer Tom Calandra.
Tom Calandra
Eventually towards the end of their set Tom would mention my name and say that I had requested their song “Witch” and then they played the heck out of it. I climbed right up against the stage and just soaked it all in. Had I been able to, I probably would’ve jumped on to it.
They finished off so strong and my blood was really pumping at that point.
The t-shirt that they gave to me as a gift, I slipped over my CENTURION t-shirt as they played. When they were done, I slipped it off.
Two bands down and two more to go. And already by that time I felt like that I was lost in Paradise.
I took my place at the front of the stage again. I locked my brakes and there was NOBODY that was going to be pushing me away from that stage. I was there with purpose and a reason.
I noticed that Dr. Froth was trying to find a place to put the set list down. I tried looking through the back of the paper but he pulled it away from my sight, stating that Don LaFon said to keep it to himself. Party pooper!!!
One key note about the set that SIX MINUTE CENTURY played that night was the fact that when Dr. Froth came to the hotel to pick me up, the very first thing that he mentioned was that they were not going to play my #1 most favorite song in the world by them. He stated that the show was going to be more towards the new material that they are putting together for the new album that is soon to come. And I actually understood that. Time constraints prohibited them from performing it and they hadn’t practiced it in the weeks before.
I gave not one complaint. Of course it was a little disappointing but they have so much other great stuff coming up on the new album as well for everyone to enjoy.
SIX MINUTE CENTURY had a special guest in the crowd. Former drummer, Darren Davis, was there at the show. He had left the band because of a move. But he showed up for the night.
He also knew that I loved “Zero Hour” and that’s probably because I will never shut up about it. He came to me as SIX MINUTE CENTURY was doing their sound check, saying that he was going to do a guest spot as drummer and they would play that song.
With being told previously that it was not going to be performed and then being told that it would, it stirred in my brain a little bit. I didn’t know if he was joking or not.
Chuck Williams
Come to find out that what Dr. Froth had told me that afternoon was true. Most of the songs that were played were from the new album with the exception of a few staple songs that had its place in the set list. But even that was changed a bit to make sure that the crowd went away from the show of blood pumping, fist raising metal fury from within their souls.
At one point, I threw the DH into the air right in the face of lead singer Chuck Wiliams. It was such an amazing show at that point that I couldn’t make myself believe that it could get any better. But it did.
When I had my hand in the air, Chuck grabbed it. I didn’t want to let go of him but I knew he had others in the crowd to perform for. Still though, even after the first show that I ever attended and they played “Zero Hour” and dedicated it to me and he reached over to shake my hand…. having him grab it like that with full force and authority, we both made sure that we knew that we were there for one another. Him to perform and I to support.
By the time that they had come to the end of their set, Darren Davis had walked up next to me and stood there with me enjoying the show. They did their last song and actually ran out of time for Darren to join them on stage. There was one more band to play and SIX MINUTE CENTURY had no interest on encroaching on their time to perform.
And then the last band, Sibylline Prophecy did their sound check and they were off to cap what would be a fun and amusing night.
But within milliseconds of the end of the set for SIX MINUTE CENTURY, I felt someone tapping on my shoulder. I turned around and found this woman starting to ask questions about how much of a dedicated fan I was of the band.
An ultra-super-mega cute blonde was wondering if it was true that I ride the bus to come to Houston to see the show. She also wanted to confirm where I was from. And then at least she presented her offer.
She no longer wanted me to ride the bus to Houston. She felt that it was something that I did not have to do. But then how would I get there? Flying is just retarded expensive. And I do not drive. She said that when she heard that I make the time to travel as I do, it really touched her heart that I had that much dedication and support for the band. Apparently she was moved to hear about it.
Well, the offer was that she was going to make the drive up to where I live and pick me up and then drop me off at home. And that would consist of her driving about twelve hours in total for two round trips, and plenty of money used up for gas.
I still have not been able to figure out just how serious she was or is. But I guess there’s only one way to find out.
I gave her my card which had my phone number, e-mail address, and mailing address on it. Then we traded cell phone numbers.
She told me that I could verify that she was legit by asking both Don LaFon and Chuck Williams. And both of them said that she was a very sweet and kind girl and that they believed that it was possible that she would do this. The only difference was that one of them said she was single. So I suppose that I will investigate whether or not she is in fact serious. The only thing that I can think of is that she was serious because when she offered it, she was in my personal space. Close enough to where I could have easily licked her. And I am regretting that I didn’t at least attempt it. I mean….. who gets that close to a stranger??
And throughout the rest of the night, actually from beginning to end there were a flood of bro hugs and hugs from female music fans.
The best way to know that it was a good night was the fact that TWO of the performing bands were buying ME drinks. Not that I was buying drinks for the bands… but the bands were buying them for me. Two out of the four who performed. Are you kidding me?? Hello…!!! Another way of them being able to show how much they appreciate my support.
You can’t really get much better than that.
By the time I had left Acadia, I had one girl offer to come pick me up from home and another girl sitting on my lap outside on the sidewalk. And drinks bought left and right. Merchandise both purchased and presented as a gift.
Then I was able to go out to eat with Dr. and Mrs. Froth, O.J. Morris from the band WELL OF SOULS, and another guest that I had the pleasure of meeting. After inviting Chuck Williams, Darren Davis, and a few others that never showed. Boo on them!
I got to hear the delightful tales of Dr. Froth’s adventures, some talk about the most disgusting films ever made, and the “summer camp of 1943” all were apart of the very unbalanced table conversation. But when you are in the midst of some great and wonderful people, it doesn’t really matter what is being talked about.
The fact that I was out with people that I love in the middle of the night after an evening of fun and I didn’t have to worry about the drama and stress of the things that I had left back home, who cares what was being talked about or who was laughing at stuff that mainstream public would consider inappropriate???
Another late night for me and it was fabulous. However, I could not sleep in as check-out was 11:00 AM. And as I made my reservations with Mrs. Froth in mind, the suggestion was to stay as late as I could and leave in the afternoon. So I had the opportunity to return to the House of Froth and hang out with them some more. The unfortunate thing was that I woke up with a migraine. I took something for it and was able to survive pain free for a few hours but it came back with a vengeance. By the time it was reaching its peak, it was time for me to go back and be dropped off so that I could return home.
I gave Mrs. Froth a big hug. And I did not want to let go. I did not want to leave Houston. Tough moment for me.
The drive up 1960 was not as long as I had anticipated. But rather, Dr. Froth’s timing was very impeccable. As we drove passed Acadia, I attempted to take a photograph of the marquis sign because it was still advertising the show from the night before.
I kept yawning and yawning and yawning. But I knew something was wrong. My head was killing me and Dr. Froth was attempting to engage in conversation, and I was not up to par for it. It was something he noticed. He thought that I was just depressed that I had to leave. But it was more than that.
As I climbed on board the bus and we got on the road, it was getting tons worse. Thirty minutes into the trip back home, the plateau hit. With my luggage bag on my lap, I had no other choice but to unzip it to open it up and vomit three times inside of it. I could not with good morals or intentions do it all over the bus. However, the contents that were on top of the bag were dirty clothes which are going to be washed anyways.
After that, I felt better. The migraine disappeared and I sat there with my eyes closed and listening to the CD that ECHO TEMPLE and Fluid Frequency that I had acquired. When I opened my eyes again and I began to realize where I was, I soon saw that I was more than half way home. The trip went by that quickly for me even with the shaving off of thirty minutes from the total duration.
I was feeling fine by the time I got home. So there was no longer a concern for my health. I felt like everything was great after all of that. But still like every time that I go to see SIX MINUTE CENTURY, I am bummed out and depressed that I have to leave such lovely and fun people and return back to the life that I have here.
Having so much given to me, I am humbled and appreciative! Because of the fact that I only spent $25 the entire trip, I still have cash left over and that gives one great head start for saving for the next SIX MINUTE CENTURY show.
I hope that ECHO TEMPLE teams up with SIX MINUTE CENTURY again… that would be the best show on Earth!!!
And so I wait for the new album to come out by SIX MINUTE CENTURY. I can sit here in hope that maybe ECHO TEMPLE will travel here to play a show. Or find the way to get back down there as soon as possible to see everyone again and take the time that I need for myself to relax, and enjoy.
I love these people. Both as musicians and as friends. And the people within their camps. They are so awesome in my book that its not a wonder why its so damned hard for me to leave.
One could argue that with it being the sixth time of doing so in two years that it would get easier, but it doesn’t. But I keep in mind that there will be another time, another show, and another opportunity for me to be there again. And so I wait for that time to present itself.
Dambreaker 