“One of my favorite traditions is that my sisters and I, we all wear the same pajamas. I’ve even still got some from when I was 6. Also, I’ll always remember cooking together in the kitchen and that no matter how busy our schedules are, we are all together for Christmas.”~ Bailee Madison
I think that I got supremely lucky to have the opportunity to have two out of ten bands in my pocket performing all on the same stage.
But I did have to wait several hours in between the two performances.
Although during my wait I was able to get me some merchandise. The count has already begun. Some free, some paid for. But that’s for another post after this craziness is all over.
The excitement level went through the roof as I was about to see CASKET OF CASSANDRA on stage again. To be able to watch them play and then kind of look over the crowd for their reaction is always fun.
I would find that this was no usual performance from them. Band members were jumping on stage and doing their sound check …. in their pajamas.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over??
Some of them had super hero themes, others did not. But it was all bedtime sleepwear.
The only thing that I could think about was that it was similar to Slipknot with their track suits. But each member of CASKET OF CASSANDRA had their own thing going on. Individuality doth rocketh!!
The thing with CASKET OF CASSANDRA is that there’s this strange, personal attraction to the band’s music that both entertains and scares the shit out of me. And there is no even balance between the two. Either I am totally floored with impression or I wanna run out of the building and go to my happy place.
How they do that, I will probably never know!!
CASKET OF CASSANDRA is constantly evolving, constantly growing, and continues to be impressive.
It is always great to be sitting right up against the stage when they are playing. To be able to hear Amanda Maddera’s vocals as it pours from her mouth even before it reaches the microphone is a cool experience. To be that close to…. well … uncertain death (so to speak) can give quite the thrill. Or scare.
Amanda Maddera
But I am not mocking them in the least. All of them are supremely talented. Its just that the band as whole with their music, lyrics, and stage presence can be quite intimidating.
To this day, Maddera is blowing minds that she has the vocal capability to perform as she does. I heard so many people afterwards totally tripping out about her vocal talents and abilities. I kept thinking to myself “Welcome to the world of the Casket.”
Considering that most of the members came from California and implanted themselves for their career in Texas says a lot about their passion and dedication for their specific craft.
However on this day, it was like watching a brand new band.
The pajamas, the music, the stage presence, the ending… was all new to me.
inches away
At the very end of their set, they played my favorite song, “Solitaria.”
I also love “Bury You” and “The Kraken’s Reign” so I had three options of favorite songs that they could have played. They played my most favorite of theirs.
And I kept thinking as Maddera got closer and closer and closer, coming off the stage and standing on these very unstable bar tables and just inches from me. I knew something was going to happen. I just hoped that she wasn’t going to crash in the process.
I abandoned my digital camera and attempted in vain to stabilize the tables that Maddera was standing upon.
Then it suddenly dawned on me about what she was about to do.
Maddera shouted to the crowd without her monster vocal tone and then went into a crucifixion pose. She stepped to her right and one step away from being directly in front of me. And then she dropped while finishing off the song.
An official (or unofficial, whichever) CASKET OF CASSANDRA stage dive. Something I had never personally experience from them. It was pretty bad ass though.
So I don’t know when I will be seeing them again. I hope its soon. I don’t know if they will abandon the pajamas. But I think it worked with great entertainment value. So kudos to CASKET OF CASSANDRA.
“Music can change the world because it can change people.”~ Bono
As I sit here counting pennies for two upcoming shows in 2015 that I wish to attend, I found myself thinking back on the year about what all I have seen, done, and accomplished as far as the music world is concerned. Both as a fan and the first time ever jumping seriously into its industry. I had become the SUPER UBER FAN of many bands this year.
After years of brutal nagging and moaning from family and other colleagues about how I needed to get out of the house and away from the computer and do something with my life, once I was introduced to the band Casket of Cassandra on the 1st of January and I got to see them perform in February, I started to embark on a musical journey that would both get me out of the house and have me doing something that I liked which ultimately led to having my sorrows and worries slip away if only for a few hours at a time.
More than 30 times this year did I see live music. And that did include a number of new bands that I discovered during 2014 SXSW Music Festival.
And I did make ONE surprise trip to Houston in January to be there at a baby shower for Dr. & Mrs. Froth, in which was a very big success to be a surprise. However I am not counting it as there was no show, no band playing, no concert. I sure surprised the hell out of them though.
After Casket of Cassandra came along Beautiful Disturbance and Wellborn Road in early March. Just days before 2014 SXSW Music Festival began. I would see Beautiful Disturbance again two more times during SXSW, but it would come to pass that Beautiful Disturbance would dissolve and be re-born as “Queen of Kings” and swiftly after that they packed up everything and moved on out to Los Angeles. But because of Beautiful Disturbance and SXSW, I would be introduced to other bands that I ended up liking a whole lot. Such is the cases of Resisting Vegas and very heavy octane and in your freaking face band of Fear Control. Of which I would see Fear Control a grand total of NINE times throughout 2014.
Then Poc Nation would lead to me discovering Nancy Silva Project. I would see Nancy Silva Project three times this year, four if you count the time I went out in the rain and NSP decided not to play but I got to hang out with Nancy Silva for much of the night. You tell me. Does it count as a fourth time???
Poc Nation I would see only once during SXSW. Beautiful Disturbance three times this year before they left for California.
Other bands that I would see only once that caught attention were Black Feratu and Jesus Wears Armani. These bands I saw while waiting for Beautiful Disturbance to hit the stage. These bands would be the band on stage before Beautiful Disturbance. I would also be turned on to a go-go dance troup called Hell Katz as a few of their members were there. I would see Hell Katz dancing in April and then again in October.
So as you can see how this was working. And I have a lot of people/bands to be thankful for, for without them, I wouldn’t know the others.
As the months passed, I started going to the Dirty Dog Bar a lot more frequently. Many of the bands that I got to know at SXSW were playing there in the months after.
Hell Katz led to the fascination of Jitterbug Vipers, particularly their drummer. I would attempt to go see them play again in August, but would be thwarted with buildings that were not wheelchair accessible and without a second option to get me in, resulting in me hanging my head and going back home.
I would also run into Downfall 2012, that I would see twice. March and July. My apartment manager’s current band S.L.U.R.R. I would enjoy twice as well during the same summer.
Resisting Vegas I would catch one more time before the end of the year. But only after the band drama flared up after Maranda Vegas was no longer a part of the band. And the connections I would have would be torn in two until there was nothing at all.
Nancy Silva Project would lead me to One-Eyed Doll and an overnight stay with the band until almost 8:00 AM the following morning when I finally arrived home.
September would be the last time I would see Casket of Cassandra for the year. Seeing them a total of four times.
After the autumn, things began to slow down. And my wallet was seemingly looking like it was on a diet. But I would catch SIX MINUTE CENTURY in October, for the third time this year.
And then the most memorable moment of my outings in 2014 when at last after more than a decade of communicating via the Internet, I met Red Vamp in the flesh while at a CD release party for the band, Iris. It took place in mid-November.
December I saw Wellborn Road for the second time and one last effort to see Fear Control.
Those are the names of bands that I cared about enough to see play live in 2014 as much as possible.
I also participated in the Gathered In Darkness project with Dr. Froth and Robert Lowe. The first time ever I was in a recording studio and I know that some of my parts will be on the record for sure as my lines were of importance to the story. That is IF I am not replaced by someone else. But I don’t think that will happen.
I’ve also ventured into a new territory for the first time in my life… joining a band.
Since Independence Day of this year, I’ve been in and out of so many different cover bands and only two original bands this year. I found out the hard way that its easy to get replaced and fired from these kinds of projects. But currently I am slipping quietly out of one, and still in the other. We’ll see what happens. I’ll keep you informed. And for those surprised by this wondering what I do. I sing. I’m a bass/baritone voice range. It works.
So for those of you who were complaining about how I never get off of the Internet…. you have no idea!! If need be, go back and read everything over again. I invite you to click on everything that is linked. Most of them to my previous blog posts and a few band websites. But if you don’t, that is okay too.
Its been a busy year as we approach Christmas Eve & Day. I am sure that if you look back in December posts of this blog that you will find amusing and informative posts about Christmases past in my life. You’re more than welcome to hunt them down and read them.
If something spectacular arrives during this Christmas holiday period, I’ll be back to inform you.
But for now, that was quite a bit of reflection. I don’t regret a thing from my experiences written in this blog post.
“The last act is bloody, however pleasant all the rest of the play is: a little earth is thrown at last upon our head, and that is the end forever.”~Blaise Pascal
When I heard that CASKET OF CASSANDRA was doing a show, I knew that I wanted to go.
When I heard further that this would be the final show for CASKET OF CASSANDRA for 2014, I knew that I HAD to go.
There was no debate to it. Get there or get gone. Granted that I totally suck and left after they played, but sometimes you just cannot stay out all night and you do what you can. I’m just glad that I went out and SKIPPED band practice.
Again under the threat of rain, I very happily ran outside early in the evening and arrived far too soon. Without any notice, the first band dropped out and so everything was pushed ahead one hour. And that included what time the doors opened.
I went to a place called Casino el Camino to get a bite to eat. I promise you this much for sure. Not even under the threat of death would you EVER get me to go back in there and order food from them again. NEVER.
But I wasn’t out of my dwelling because of food, I was out because of music.
Music that I had not seen in a while. Probably since Independence Day.
If doors were pushed aside one hour to open at 7:00, the people at the Dirty Dog Bar have been doing a piss poor job at time management.
This is the second time that I have gone to the Dirty Dog Bar and the second time to find their doors locked and closed when it posted notices were stating otherwise. They need to wake the hell up. And yes, if you cannot tell already: I am getting pissed off about it.
With the first band dropping out and everything pushed ahead one hour, CASKET OF CASSANDRA would start the early evening off.
I jumped right up front dead center. Its like my second home at the venue. And I never get bothered by anyone. I could speculate why but there’s no time for that right now.
Riles Olacsi (left) and Amanda Maddera (front and right)
I kept hearing from my talks with all of the band members individually that the set was going to be a heavier set list and what not. I kind of assumed that they would not play my favorite song. And to be honest, I would not be surprised if they just stopped playing it because they have this new album out “Day Four” and they’re going to focus on the newer material. (I had learned my lessons about expectation with “Zero Hour” from SIX MINUTE CENTURY.) However, there was to be other tunes performed that I enjoy just as much. So with that information, I was PUMPED UP to see this show!!
I will admit that I spoke to their guitarist, Riley, and told him that “Day Four” was the scariest album I had ever heard.
I don’t know if he read the blog post about it when I first got it, but now he was getting feedback in verbal form. And it was exactly the feedback that he was craving deep down inside. All of that put aside, I was ready to hang on for the wild ride. But I simply would have no clue as to what was truly lying before me.
There simply was no telling at all. The band knew the set list, but nobody knew what the results were going to be. The band wasn’t even sure if the crowds were going to enjoy it.
Sure enough, this set was insane and Amanda Maddera looked as if she had gone insane faster than a tear drop falling off the cheek of the lonely. The contorted facial expressions that Maddera let off were totally intrusive and I sat back thinking “Wow!”
I really began to think (or at least ponder) whether or not Maddera snapped into insanity or if she is just that good of a performer. Riley too, was quite the shocker when he was all over the stage. Stomping, marching, kicking everywhere he went. And it just didn’t seem to stop.
There were times where I, myself was so into the music that I could have cared what the scores of people behind me thought. And I think that is kind something important for me to remember when I go out to venues and clubs and bars. I don’t drink, so I’m not there to do that… but I will go there to listen to music by people that I know and bands that I love. Besides if you spend too much time at a show worried about what people behind you are thinking, you’ll destroy your self confidence to pieces.
I’m getting off subject. Hang on here.
The more and more the set went on, the actual scarier it became. Amanda would often come front and center on stage and be directly standing in front of me while on stage. And of course, I panicked again… not knowing what she would want me to do as far as audience participation. Put a fist in the air? Raise the horns? Scream and shout? I just don’t know. To each their own, they say. And its so true. I just have not figured out what Maddera insists on during their shows.
Suddenly the swarm of chaos came over the entire band. Everyone was doing their own thing, but it was completely in disharmonious harmony. They didn’t all do the same things on stage but it all fit.
And they ALL began to look like they had lost their minds. It was a sight to behold. I couldn’t make my camera’s flash go off quick enough because as I am trying to capture one person’s facial expression, I lost another one by the time I finished with the first one and would have to wait to see something else come up.
Quinton Rivera bass (left) Isaac Holliday guitar(right)
However, CASKET OF CASSANDRA did not disappoint. By the middle of the set, all members looked possessed by the spirits of heavy metal music.
Ladies and gentlemen: This………… is what I enjoy when it comes to metal bands. This “appearance” of fear, domination, and total and complete insanity just puts all kinds of charges through me. And it works that way every damned time.
Patiently I had been waiting for those songs that I had heard prior to them starting the show.
“Day Four” which is also the name of their new album has some nasty-creepy elements to it. Honestly it scares me to pieces. I NEVER listen to that album after dark. NEVER. And they played it LIVE!!!
Finally towards the end, the best had been saved for the last! Well, at least in my opinion.
“The Kraken’s Reign” and “Nail To The Head” rounded up the set.
THE KRAKEN ARISES IT FEEDS ON YOUR SEASICK SORROW AND WITH ITS AWESOME MIGHT YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE 20,000 LEAGUES BELOW
Yeah, you gotta love that. Even if you don’t like heavy metal and it sounds like a lot of syllables that don’t belong. That imagery of fear and looming death is just a killer thought to have go on in your head. Especially once you had been believing that the entire band had gone insane. Including drummer, Chris Campagna who was sweatier than the whole band combined times twenty. He works so damned hard at his job. Its admirable.
Someone remind him (or me) he owes me a broke drum stick from the show. I called dibs.
Then “Nail To The Eye” which I’ve not heard since July. It never gets played live the same way twice. NEVER.
GLASS BONES PAPER SKIN FRAGILE AS FUCK FACED WITH STICKS AND STONES YOU’RE SHIT OUT OF LUCK
Again. Classic lyrics. Would love to know who wrote the words to these last two songs. Just for giggles and common knowledge.
CASKET OF CASSANDRA has never honestly been a band to disappoint. As much as I stay positive when reviewing or discussing other shows that I have been to, I usually stay away from the negatives because who wants to read a bunch of negative crap?
With CASKET OF CASSANDRA, I’ve not once found any negative experiences.
Bands will often talk to me after their set and talk about their errors and mistakes that they made when they were playing. I don’t get that from COC. Honestly, I wished that other bands would stop doing that because hardly anyone notices those mistakes. Unless they are all assholes.
COC though just takes you by the face, scratches it off, and feeds it back to you with every spoonful that is a musical note that they play. Every chord, every note is another spoonful of your own face.
Amanda Maddera however did catch me way off guard to the point where I just sat there helpless. She had crawled down onto the floor of stage and slithered over the monitor with microphone in hand. Her hair was over her face and her brutal monster vocals were screeching everywhere. It was to the point that I honestly could hear the screams even without the microphone dead set in her face.
But her slowly moving over the top of the monitor freaked me right out to the point of literal terror. She looked like the thing from “The Ring” that crawled out of the television set. Only this time there was no television set and she was heading straight for me.
I had no idea what to do. Should I attempt to catch her? Should I grab a hold of her so that she didn’t just fall face first onto the floor? And for the love of all things good and happy — why the hell was she giving off the appearance of horror?
If I had taken a photograph of it, you ALL would know what I am talking about. But I was too much in this state of fear and uncertainty to think straight and clear to know to take a photo.
Again, it has to be great performances by Amanda Maddera. And by the entire band actually. When they finished and said good night… they came off the stage and were all smiles. A bit winded and exhausted, but smiling pretty big. One has to wonder how they could go from excitement to pure evil and back to contentment again.
It is sad to hear that this will be all that they will do on stage for sometime. They will have some other dates that will be out of town. But nothing locally. And yes that stinks but this time of year apparently is difficult to gather everyone together.
I still am looking forward to the next time they will play here locally. One never knows and something might come up where they could believe that they could play. They aren’t going anywhere. And if they never make it locally as they have been thinking, they will come back stronger than ever in 2015.
This my second show in four days. It seemed pretty hollow and empty after being at a One-Eyed Doll show which crammed the entire venue last Saturday. But again I don’t need to be worried about who is there and who is not there. And I will be back again for #3 this coming Saturday for FEAR CONTROL.
This means three shows in seven days. All various bands. And I’m rocking out to each and every one of them!!!! So if you need me, you know where I will be.
“If it’s illegal to rock and roll, throw my ass in jail!”~ Kurt Cobain
Ever run around in the middle of the night in a city of just over million people in the downtown area just to catch a band play a show?
I rolled my happy butt from the Dirty Dog Bar to a venue that I had never been before. A venue which apparently had two stages. Inside and outside.
Now I have seen that before with Acadia Bar & Grill in Houston, Texas. As well as Red Eyed Fly which also has indoor & outdoor. That wasn’t new. But Red 7 was new.
But I had left Downfall 2012 to go see CASKET OF CASSANDRA play once more before they hit the road this summer as they go up and down the Midwest.
It was dark. HOLY CRAP was it dark!!!!!!!!! I am totally surprised that any of my photographs actually came out. Or actually happy that the flash on the camera is so damned bright that its blinding!!
However, CASKET OF CASSANDRA was playing pretty late in the evening. I was amused and surprised to see how many people actually outside walking in the streets.
Nonetheless the band was going to be playing. And I was there in plenty of time.
There was someone there, I think by the name of Alex. He sure did like getting his photograph taken. I am not sure just how drunk he was. But he was having a good time and for once I met a person who had been drinking but was not causing problems or being a danger to anyone. It was refreshing to find that.
Right away, I was thrilled to the core when I heard them open with “Solitaria” ohhhhhhh how I was excited!!!
My own biased opinion is that with each and every show that I see them play, they get better. They sound better. Everything about their set is better.
At least better from the last time that I saw them play. I’m going to have to go back and count how many times I have seen them play. I know I’ve missed a few, especially their CD release party.. and that sucked for me but there wasn’t much I could have done. But I’ve seen them a lot. I guess it helps that they are “a local band.”
With their stage presence, Amanda Maddera came off of the stage and into the crowd and wandered around the bar. She’s done this many times (if not every time) before. And I got one hell of a photograph of her headbanging while doing her thing as she was off of the main stage at Red 7.
To be honest with you all, I have never seen that before. Where a lead singer comes off of the stage and hangs out in the crowd for a moment and then perches themselves somewhere for the duration of the song and then get back on stage by the ending notes.
Its fun. I could see it being a security problem if there were tens of thousands of people, but the band wasn’t performing in front of that many.
I can see how each and every one of the members are improving in their skill and craft. It is pretty awesome to watch this band grow and develop into a face melting, power gripping metal band. I really hope that they get all the success that they are striving for. It really is a unique experience to watch this band play live. Plus, when their new album comes out and I’m too scared to listen to it? You know there’s something going on.
When I told that to guitarist Riles Olacsi, he grinned the most evil of looks… knowing that all the evil and scary was the point.
So later this summer, see if they are coming into your area. If so, I definitely recommend you at least check it out. That’s all I am suggesting.
“Nobody expects a footballer to have any kind of an IQ, which is a bit of an unfair stereotype.”~ Frank Lampard
What a night!
Before we begin, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY WISHES to vocalist, Amanda Maddera of CASKET OF CASSANDRA!
I had been looking forward to this particular night for a while.
Having the opportunity to see both CASKET OF CASSANDRA and Fear Control was appealing to say the least!
And there were so many other bands there, that one never knows what would happen.
It would be a roller coaster of a night for me.
So let’s just get to the highlights and lowlights.
First and foremost, there should never be any lowlights. Ever. I mean, its a metal show. It is entertainment. It is a party. And it is meant to be fun.
Sitting there with my various collections of band t-shirts, knowing that I would switch from one band to the next to the next to the next.
First for the t-shirt waltz was CASKET OF CASSANDRA.
I hadn’t seen them play in a while. I missed their CD release party because I was out of town. And knowing that they had new material, it would be interesting.
However, this was a battle. And there were a ton of other bands involved. I mean, the doors opened at 5:00 PM, so early in the day!!! Everyone got only fifteen minutes.
That’s not a set. That’s a rehearsal. That’s a warm up. But every band got the same time frame for their set. It just seemed like to a lot of people that a band was only getting started and then they were gone.
I find it very fascinating with CASKET OF CASSANDRA that the very moment they are told by the sound technician that they can begin that all bets are off, the flood gates open up, and everyone is switched ON!
I literally witnessed before my own eyes vocalist Amanda Maddera go from “a woman standing on stage” to “total heavy metal demon.”
I have yet to find anyone that can best Maddera with her stage presence, her energy, her vocal style, and her performance.
Every time I see this band play, its a brand new experience. Far different from the last one I had seen. Everything gets destroyed your face and you’re left to just simply deal with it.
It gets your heart pumping. You never know what’s going to happen on stage. Everyone is head banging and going wild from one side to the other. And so you begin to wonder who will jump off that stage and on to you, if at all??
Many times I thought that Maddera was going to march right off the edge of the stage and just levitate in the air, and then keep marching.
I’m not going to put that past her.
So from that, the place had this electricity in the air. Mainly because CASKET OF CASSANDRA is still (in my opinion) high voltage and high energy.
Fear Control would later take on the stage as the night burned away from the rest of the world outside.
As many times as I have picked on Kash Sakaria for allowing me to hold his beautiful guitar both here on this blog and on Facebook– he finally allowed it!! Photographs were promptly taken.
Thank you to Kash Sakaria. That meant the world to me!!
Fear Control took over on stage and was in the driver’s seat. I love the fact that they attempted to play a new song live. Well, they didn’t “attempt” it, they did it. And its going to be awesome when all the rough edges are smoothed out. It is going to be a killer tune!!!
Ironic that he was wearing a CASKET OF CASSANDRA t-shirt? Ehh, probably not!!
What was great was that these two bands were there supporting one another even though they were going head to head.
The swift and quick fifteen minute set was gone in a flash. The band has these new boxes I noticed the past two shows that when they step on it or stand on it, they become illuminated from beneath. I thought that was pretty awesome. I wonder where they got the idea from? It really is a kick ass feature on stage and its something that the BAND controls and not some technician.
And then after that came the lowlights.
After pouring a few back, there’s always the evacuation process. But there were so many frickin’ bands there that towards the back of the venue where the restrooms were was a huge shit pile of drum kits and drum parts. So much that they were blocking my path to get by. I couldn’t reach the restrooms at all.
I tried to push back some of the equipment, but that failed. Then when I finally found the corresponding drummer to the equipment that was blocking my path, I asked the guy to push back his stuff less than a yard…. only about two feet.
Instead of complying and being helpful and assisting, he gave me the middle finger and told me to fuck off.
Wow. Really guy???
This guy (who had X’s marked on his hands … so in other words under 21 years of age) had the testicular fortitude to be that kind of a jerk. Where does he think he comes from???
I don’t care if you have toured the world and have sold millions of records and scored numerous chicks…. my request was not all that complex and difficult and in fact, it would have been beneficial to all mankind. At least the people who were there. And you tell me to fuck off?
After frustration and shock set in, I said something about his mother. Then it was on. But he could not get a lick on me at all.
The defense moves that I have been learning or somewhat trained with came to be very helpful. And suddenly the tables were turned that HE was the one frustrated. So he threatened me to get his posse and then we’ll see what was up.
After that, I knew I would be annihilated and I wasn’t going to take any chances of being arrested and thrown into jail or kicked out of the venue. So I told everyone that I was going to leave, even though it was before 10:00 PM and there were a ton of bands left to play.
I came home wondering what it is inside the minds of people that makes them think that its okay to act like that. And furthermore what makes them think its okay to hit someone in a wheelchair? Battle for Mayhem, indeed.
Perhaps these are questions I’ll never find the answer to. But you know what? I had the brain power to leave before the situation turned ugly. One of these days I fear that something like this is going to happen and I will not walk away from it like I did last night.
But I did walk away. And I live on to see another show.
CASKET OF CASSANDRA & Fear Control did NOT disappoint!!!! I’m proud of them, and proud to say that I know them.
“I’m scared to death of being poor. It’s like a fat girl who loses 500 pounds but is always fat inside. I grew up poor and will always feel poor inside. It’s my pet paranoia.” ~ Cher
I finally went to my mailbox and got my pre-order for the new album by CASKET OF CASSANDRA.
I unfortunately missed their big release party because I was too busy working on the new Dr. Froth project. More about that later.
But this is for CASKET OF CASSANDRA.
I can say with full confidence that I am scared to death.
Some of the things that were recorded on this album were so creepy! And not that kind of creepy that makes the album stink, but more of a creepy that tells you “I should have seen this coming, but how could I have?” kind of punch-in-your-face-this-is-still-heavy-metal.
Everything about “Day Four” just drives me crazy with pleasure and contentment.
After only hearing about them a few short months ago for the first time, I really found myself drowning with interest in their music and I got to know the band personally which was really cool.
My favorites are still “Soltaria” and “Bury You” but now I’m going to add “The Egotist” since I had an interest in it when I heard it live back in March I think it was… the studio recorded version of the song grabbed me by the neck, slammed me into the chair, and wouldn’t let go until the CD was finished.
So not only am I really proud to say that I know these guys, but they really do put out some quality stuff for what they know how to do. This is one incredibly freaking awesome band.
And I must add before I forget, the back cover image of their new album “Day Four” is quite a trip- and still scary as shit.
“Nail To The Eye” is another song that is becoming a favorite of mine, simply for the chant in the middle of the song:
“Glass bones
Paper skin
Fragile as fuck
Faced with sticks and stones
You’re shit out of luck”
Lyrics that I never would have dreamed to have written!! Whomever came up with that line… I bow in respect, because in the world of heavy metal, it doesn’t get any better than that.
“You Shouldn’t Have Done That….” had so many wild turns in it, that I thought that I was experiencing a horror film IN REAL LIFE.. I literally turned it down because I didn’t want anything jumping out at me. I freaked out so bad.
The album as a whole is put together as one awesome unit. The entire thing from beginning to end is unbreakable.
I am going to ask permission by Amanda Maddera and Riles Olacsi if I can do a Q&A session with them, and then post the “online interview” on my blog… if they agree to it, then it will be something exclusive for just this blog. If they say no, then I’ll move on.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have listened to this at night? I don’t know. I just know that I’ve gave it the maiden voyage and now…. life is a little creepy.
But like I said, not horrible creepy. Just scary-what-the-hell-was-that?!?!?!?!?
CASKET OF CASSANDRA could not have done a better job with this album. They are going to really pick this up I hope. Because I think that if they do, they will really make it in the business and do very well for themselves.
Get your own copy of the album. And you’ll agree!!
Well, I’ve started my brand new wardrobe, thanks to the bright idea of going to SXSW Festival this year.
I’m shocked and surprised that even spending well under $100 that I have what I have.
Not to mention the good times and the really freakin’ weird times and there’s no regrets. Only that it ended.
My original plan and intent was to watch five bands. But when you get there too early or when bands are running late, you get that opportunity of hearing other bands that you may find yourself liking.
Such was the case with Jesus Wears Armani, Fear Control, and NANCY SILVA PROJECT.
I’m still on the fence about Eliquate as I don’t normally follow that style and genre of music. And there was nothing that they had in the way of merchandise that I could listen to later at home. All I know is that they are super serious about it all. I saw them at Shiner’s Saloon right before BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE and then I saw them performing at the southwest corner in the street of 6th & Neches. The singer saw me listening and nodding my head to the beat and he just up and popped me a high five. I guess I’ll have to find their music online. They are from Santa Cruz, California.
But I’ve seen musical groups from locally here in town to Seattle, Washington to Lafayette, Louisiana to NYC to Venezuela, Mexico, Austria. And met people from Germany, France, Russia, and Australia.
The local bands however are finding out the long and hard way that its beneficial that I am a fan of their music. I become the loudest mouth piece on the planet and scream their glory. And that’s what bands are really wanting. They want those kinds of fans that will talk to other people and spread their message… whatever that message may be.
And I think that’s also how I come to find myself swimming in mostly free swag and merchandise. I took several photographs of what I have but not all of it because it was starting to become a burden to set up everything that I had for photographs.
Just know that this is probably about 1/5 of all that I have. As far as music and miscellaneous …. that’s what I have, but the t-shirts? Not even close. Some are in the dirty laundry. One I am wearing right now. And others are hanging in the closet that I couldn’t find the first sweep through.
I will always get behind the idea that during a show that you get there early. Even if the band that you want to see is playing later. Because you never know if you are going to like something. And it seems like it is always happening to me that I hear something new and I love it. Then I get into it, and then start screaming and waving their banner.
“I will fucking kill you!” ~ ‘The Egotist’ by CASKET OF CASSANDRA
At long last the ending of SXSW 2014 was upon us.
The barricades disappeared as well as the crowds, trash was everywhere. It looked like a building full of comic books and graphic novels had exploded its contents all over the streets and sidewalks.
But my back and forth travels were not done. Not by a long shot. It was time to finish six consecutive days of travel for last but definitely not least, CASKET OF CASSANDRA.
Operation: Solitaria Redemption.
After chatting with drummer Chris Campagna, as well as vocalist Amanda Maddera, I was given to understand that this coming show would in fact play “Solitaria.” So if I wanted to hear my favorite song from them played live then I had no choice but to strap on a pair through my fatigue and once more head out to the downtown area and back inside the Dirty Dog Bar for their show.
A 2:00 PM show was hardly anyone’s idea of fun. Especially those who went to SXSW at any time during the week especially the last couple of days, let alone six consecutive days.
I soldiered on.
I was warmly greeted by the entire band and was able to hang out just for a moment with them and engage in conversations about their music and how excited I was to be there. Most of them giving me their personal guarantee that “Solitaria” was going to be played that very day.
I was filled to the brim with excellence and excitement.
For those of you who just read the word “excrement” go to your room!!
CASKET OF CASSANDRA was first on the bill to hit the stage. It is always fun to watch Maddera do a microphone check because for those people in the venue who don’t know her or do not know what the band is all about gets a surprise drizzling down their leg when she does the sound check.
I literally heard behind me “… da fuck was that?!?” to someone who was not anticipating her style of vocals. Is it wrong of me to have laughed at that point?
So as they were preparing for the start the show, they gathered in unity as a band for a gimmick of wearing fake mustaches of various bright and florescent colors. That cracked me up.
I turned to Campagna and said “Casket Of Gimmicks!” and he turned to the rest of the band and related that message to them. A good laugh was had.
The show started and I was melting like hot butter on popcorn because CASKET OF CASSANDRA started with “Solitaria.”
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! I just wanted to hug someone. Anyone. Yep. Big ass hug for someone, anyone… right here, right now.
Anyone? No?? Damn. Oh well.
I got into the song and started singing along, doing whatever and again didn’t care what the people behind me thought they saw me do. That is the whole point of getting into the music like I do…. is to reach that escape into pure enjoyment where the bullshit of the world disappears from my mind and I do not have to deal with it.
First song and it was finished. I applauded so hard that my hands were going to break apart. Or so I thought.
Then Amanda Maddera turned her back to the crowd setting up for song number two.
She turned back towards the crowd and screamed: “I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU!” and the band jumped in. I had never been so scared in my entire life. I was sitting there front and center of the stage. I could hear both the air from her vocal chords coming from her throat as well as the sounds from her larynx as well as it being amplified through the microphone.
It was a song that I inquired about later called “The Egotist.” I know that they are working on a new album and I was told that would be one of them. Unless I heard wrong? That song just broke me into pieces and I cannot wait to hear it recorded. I will never doubt Amanda on anything ever again. Good grief that was bad ass!!!
Those of you in the California area who have seen them play live know all too well what I am talking about! This stuff is just mind-blowing and amazing.
Not your Coyote Ugly show!!
Eventually the set would go on and again I would be reminded as to why Amanda Maddera uses a wireless microphone.
She jumped off stage and roamed around the bar for a while. The band came closer together on stage and rocked their own socks off as well as those in front.
Meanwhile, I could hear Amanda singing but where the hell was she? I mean seriously. Did she slip inside of a wall somewhere and stay put?
Nope. She was standing on the one of the corners of the bar.
She had been given a cookie by someone and she had it and her microphone in hand. By the time I turned around and got closer to the bar for photographs, she fed a woman standing there a nibble of her cookie.
“Communion of Cassandra” ?? Nahhhh!!!
Amanda Maddera (vocals) and Quinton Rivera (bass). Quinton in mid-flight of a head bang…Amanda in a vocal scream.
It was incredible to watch. Then she came back to the stage and finished off the song with a hellacious headbang.
That girl knows how to headbang for sure. She slams and she swirls. And the members of the band all have enough hair to look decent with headbanging…. with the exception of Campagna. But he’s the time keeper and doesn’t have time to think about it. But I am sure he’s doing it in his heart as he rattles on his drum kit.
This was a different set than what I had seen from the first time I watched this band. Most of it was made up of their new material. Songs that they are getting ready to release on their new album. They are guessing it will be released later in May of this year.
Amanda Maddera crawls over anything and everything to “Bury You.”
It was all worth the sacrifice. Even though a couple of days ago I was sick. After being around hundreds of strange people, who knows what was floating around out there.
At the end, they performed their brand new song called “Bury You” and I’ve been listening to that online since they released it. It available for purchase and you choose the price! The money goes to help them go on tour later this year. Anything and everything I am sure will be appreciated by them.
Amanda crawled all over the monitors at the front of the stage and it scared the crap out of me……again.
She was so close to me, screaming and singing, that I could have reached out and touched her. I just didn’t want her taking that aggressive nature in her music to her advantage to rip my arm clean off my body.
I’m digging that song to death. So the first and the final song….. I TOTALLY am addicted to!!! I hope that they get to do their tour and blow more minds and bring more into their musical fold.
I am glad that I’ve been in contact with the different members of the band. I’m slowly and surely becoming friends with them and that’s great. Having conversations with different members of the band both before and after the show was really cool.
Since this was a showcase … other bands were soon to follow.
Members of CASKET OF CASSANDRA were not inside of the club at the time the next band got on their microphones to address the crowds at one point… and if ANY of the members of CASKET OF CASSANDRA are reading this, then please know that Echoes In Oblivion said “Thank you to Casket of Cassandra for melting our fuckin’ faces off with their music. They are so good!”
So there you have it. Not only a fan/friend’s point of view. But from the point of view from another band.
“I stare in the eyes of death.” ~ “Solitaria” by Casket of Cassandra
I was too far gone last night to be writing about this in the blog. And you’ll understand more as you read.
But last night in Austin, Texas was the battle to get into the Texas Independence Fest.
With one band in particular that I’ve come to really enjoy in the last month, Casket of Cassandra.
They originally come out of California, but have come to Austin, Texas to be closer to their current record label. This is at least what I am understanding.
So the Dirty Dog Bar was hosting this contest and on a whim, I took off running for it. I wanted to see Casket of Cassandra play live.
I wanted to see what else they had. And I wanted to see what they could do live. And I’ve only known about them about a month. Since they very first day of 2014.
Needless to say, that I am totally addicted to their latest and greatest song, “Solitaria” which if you know me… is no surprise.
Never meeting them in person or anything before. I attempted to get to infamous Sixth Street before it got dark.
That planned failed. The whole show got put on hold until a couple of hours later. I would learn by some of the members of Casket of Cassandra that it was because a ton of bands had bailed on the night.
And I am going to say this right now: I HATE SAN JACINTO BLVD. Who in the hell thought that was a good idea for downtown?
Very frustrating.
But once I finally got to the club, things got better. Tons better. Almost too good.
I was finally able to meet Amanda Maddera, vocalist for Casket of Cassandra. She’s really nice and awfully sweet.
Within time, I would come to say hello to the rest of the band. It was really cool for the majority of them to just talk and hang out and laugh about whatever came up. Mainly we all giggled because I had gone into the men’s room and scribbled the name of the band and their new song on the walls of the bathroom stall and they totally thought that was a trip.
Amanda Maddera, vocalist of Casket of Cassandra
When it was time, they were all serious and by the books. They had a job to do.
I have to say that I did not know exactly what to expect from Casket of Cassandra. But I was totally blown away by their performances on stage. Everyone clicked in with one another.
Amanda has the kind of screaming vocals that will melt the skins and faces off of demons, and make Satan himself shutter while thinking… “Ohhhhhh shit!!!”
Between having a conversation with her and then seeing her on stage is the difference between winter’s night and summer’s day.
Isaac Holliday, guitarist for Casket of Cassandra
Amanda Maddera could give Angela Gossow a good run for her money, vocals wise.
I personally would not be offended if Casket of Cassandra did a cover of “We Will Rise” by Arch Enemy, just to see how well Amanda would hold up with the vocals. I mean, she is one awesome and scary mofo when that microphone is turned on and in her hands.
I was totally astonished and impressed with guitarist Isaac Holliday. It was because of his mother that I got to know the band. So I have a lot to be thankful for with her.
And still Isaac is a complete insane beast when he plays on stage. I have never seen such things more terrifying and awesome both at the same time from any guitarist.
The one thing about Isaac that made me freak out is the fact that he got up on stage barefoot and rocked the entire set until the end. And he didn’t just stay in the standing position either. He drew energy from crowd and was everywhere.
I knew that his mother was proud of him and his accomplishments and his decision to be a part of this band. And now I know WHY she is so proud.
If I started up my old band again, and was to start fresh… I’d do everything I could to get Isaac to say YES to the project. I’m hoping that Isaac will forward the photograph of the band name that was written on the bathroom wall to me soon. I wanna see how that turned out.
So the only way to describe Casket of Cassandra’s performance last night would be:
COMPLETE AND TOTAL HIGH VOLTAGE!!
And then came the end of the eargasm. A musical cockblock by staff members of the Dirty Dog. Amanda had announced that they had one more song, but they were being told to get off the stage and that they were done.
That one song… Solitaria. They intended to rock out with it at the very end, and never got a chance to play it. I was crushed. I was broken down. And of course I was pissed off. I am hoping that VERY SOON that I will catch them playing live again and that they WILL play the song.
I sat there thinking to myself that if I were them, I probably would have just gone ahead and played it, regardless. Because hey, this is heavy metal and so shove it!!!
What’s the worst they could have done? Turned off the microphones? Amanda and Riles (backing vocals and guitarist) would have just sang without the microphones and still killed the crowd. At least that is my biased opinion.
And I remember sitting there, staring at Amanda as she was breaking down the stage. I shouted “I came out into the Texas cold for this, for Solitaria. And I just threw your band’s name on the walls of the stall in the men’s room.”
The Thirsty Goat
Amanda looked at me oddly and grinned. And now, I just don’t blame her for that reaction.
Dambreaker …….. was D-R-U-N-K last night!!!!!!!!!
And it was not funny, at all.
Two of these bad boys and several shots. All of that was BEFORE Casket of Cassandra even got on stage.
For someone who doesn’t drink a lot of alcohol, and has refused all but two drinks of liquor when going to Houston to see SIX MINUTE CENTURY or any other Houston band play, the delectable amber brew was too much. And of course the sting of the Tequila.
My apartment manager loves the idea of me getting out of the house as much as possible. Particularly if it involves doing something that I enjoy– such as music. Each and every time I want to go out and see this band or that band play, he is all for it.
He knew someone who was working at the bar who goes by the name of HOLLYWOOD, and I was to introduce myself. HOLLYWOOD decided to buy shots.
On top of that, I was given some cash to enjoy a drink, courtesy of my manager. His suggestion was the Thirsty Goat.
It is SO DELICIOUS! But it is also the complete and total DEVIL!!
I’m afraid after two of those and all of that Tequila, there was no saving Dambreaker. I am surprised that I even made it home on the bus. Luckily, the men’s room at the Dirty Dog Bar are VERY KIND to the ADA community. And that was such a welcomed relief, pun intended. I think that’s what curbed off some if not most of the inebriation.
So with all of that going on, I don’t fault Amanda for her reaction at all. That was kinda stupid on my behalf. DUH!!!
And that is why there wasn’t a chance of me being able to write about this when I got home last night. Too drunk. For like the first time in …. YEARS.
I dropped the digital camera that was given to me and I’m hoping it comes back to life soon. Cement floors in bars. I hate them. But at least though I look awesome while gliding across them in my wheelchair.
I didn’t get a photograph with the entire band like I would always do. Hopefully that will come at a later time.
And this morning I learned that this entire battle last night, Casket of Cassandra actually WINS!! So that was really awesome. They are set to play a show at Emo’s in April with HUGE artists with HUGE recording labels behind them. Its going to be great for the band!!
So I sit and wait for the next show. Hoping for more. Craving Solitaria!!!
Dambreaker 