Whiskey River on 11/6/08
On November 6th, 2008 I got off work and headed straight to Whiskey River with my sister, Krystle. Tonight was the night that we've been waiting for. Jet Black Stare, Tantric, Drowning Pool, and Saliva would be performing in the small venue of Waco, TX. This concert was even better than the one with Aranda, Red, Saving Abel, and Puddle of Mudd. Though, that concert still rocked. It was a different experience for me at this one. Not only was I front row, but I also got to meet with some of the bands and take pictures with them afterward.
My sister and I had arrived surprisingly early and they let us in earlier than they had at the previous concert. Jet Black Stare was just completing a sound check when we came in. Seeing as there weren't many people there, my sister and I decided to take advantage of this situation. We moved right up to the guard rails and stood off to the right. This would give us an up close and personal view of the performers. As a few more moments passed, soon it would be time for the first group to perform.
Up first, was Jet Black Stare. A rock band from Vancouver, Canada. Now, this is a band that I hadn't really heard anything about. Also, surprisingly, I hadn't recognized hearing them on the radio, though they've had their album out since July. However, once I heard them, especially live, I was hooked instantly! When this band took the stage they rocked the place like they owned it. With awesome songs like: "I'm Breathing", "Ready to Roll", "Poster Princess" and "It's Over". Even though Rod, the lead singer, had experienced some technical difficulties with his mic cutting in and out during one of the songs. He continued on without missing a beat and didn't let that technical difficulty throw him off from giving us an amazing performance. After their set I went to their booth and bought their CD, 'In This Life'. Then I got to have my picture taken with two of the hottest members of Jet Black Stare. Flip, one of the guitarists and Rod, the lead singer. Rod even complimented me, my saying that I was beautiful. The compliment made me melt. After struggling with the wrapper of the CD, I was finally able to get it open so that they could sign the booklet for me. When I came up to Rod to have him sign it he said: "Oh, I see how you work. First you take a picture with me, then come again to sign." I encountered him two more times throughout the evening.
When I returned to my place in the crowd, next up was Tantric. I have their first self-titled album when it came out back in 2001. I remember I first heard them on Yahoo!'s Music Player while in college and fell in love with their single "Breakdown". The lead singer, Hugo Ferreira, really knows how to show the crowd his love as he spent most of his time against the guard rails singing to us. And even at one point went crowd surfing. They played all their hits like: "Breakdown", "Astounded", "Down and Out", and even more. I don't care for violins really. However, Marcus Ratzenboeck had quickly changed my mind when he rocked out on his electric violin. Once their set was finished, I had the opportunity to go over and get my album cover signed and take a picture with a few members of the band. Though, I learned recently that the only original member of Tantric is the lead singer, Hugo. I feel kinda silly now to have had them sign an album cover that none of the other band mates were apart of. As I returned to the crowd once I was finished taking my picture with Tantric and getting my CD cover signed, I bumped into Rod from Jet Black Stare for the second time. We hugged and exchanged pleasantries, but I was so tongue tied that I didn't know what else to say to him. Letting him return to the bar while I went back to meet up with my sister. She was feeling a little jealous that I was taking pictures with the bands and not bringing her to get pics with them too. So, we quickly went over to Tantric yet again. And since the line had died down we got a quick pic of her with them before returning to the stage for the next performer.
The next band to play was Drowning Pool. A group I had admired since their first ablum release, 'Sinner' in 2001. However, since the original lead singer's (Dave Williams) passing, it's been hard to keep track of what's been going on with them. I bought their second album, 'Desensitized', and their third album, 'Full Circle'. However, it didn't occur to me until later, that Ryan McCombs, the former lead singer of SOiL, was now the front man for Drowning Pool. I love SOiL. And I'm sorry to see them lose such a great vocalist like, Ryan. However, Drowning Pool gained a new one instead. Ryan performed songs from all of the albums with such energy and passion. Including the songs: "Soldiers", "Pity", "Enemy", "Bodies", and "Step Up", to name a few. He even had us all sing a song for the late Dave Williams. It was the most moving of crowd participation I've ever been apart of. At the end of their set, they tossed out a few souveniors from their performance. I lucked out and got one of C.J. Peirce's guitar picks! My sister got bumped and nearly ran over, however, by some crazy fan trying to catch one of the souveniors.
The final band of the night was, of course, Saliva. I own almost every CD by them since the release of their album, 'Every Six Seconds', back in 2001. Including, 'Back Into Your System' and 'Survival of the Sickest'. Though, I had lost track of them for a little while after their single, "Rest in Pieces". Which is why I haven't bought 'Blood Stained Love Story' yet. As it turns out, one of the guitarists, Chris D'abaldo had left the group. He was replaced with a new guitarist, Jonathan Montoya. When they hit the stage it was with such gusto, giving us their all. Even though we were a small venue, they didn't dare give us a half-ass performance. Each of the members were enthusiastic, especially Jonathan as he'd spit water into the crowd numerous times. I suppose, you could expect things like that at a rock concert. I definetely got some of that shower, haha. They played a bunch of their old stuff and even some from their yet to be released album, 'Cinco Diablo' in December. Playing songs like: "Dope Ride", "Click, Click, Boom", "Always", and "Rest in Pieces". Really brought back the days of when I was in college. Then other songs like: "Ladies and Gentleman", "Family Reunion", and "F*** All Ya'll", really got us pumped. Just like in the Drowning Pool performance, you had a few guys trying to mosh and security had to break that up. After a number of songs, they, of course, did just like Puddle of Mudd did in their concert at Whiskey River. Leaving the stage and willed us to beg for more. Though, they weren't quite as abrupt about it. They really seemed to enjoy the energy the crowd was giving them. Of course, they came back and played a few more for us.
After they were finished, my sister and I hung around a bit. Hoping to snap a few more pics with some members of the bands that had performed that night. We came across Ryan McCombs, the front man for Drowning Pool, and Paul Crosby, drummer for Saliva. They were already being hounded by a few girls to snap pictures with them. After a few moments, I finally swooped in and asked Ryan if he minded taking a pic with me. He just looked at me and didn't say a word. It was kind of a blank look, quite expressionless. I didn't know what to make of it really. Maybe he was resting his voice after the performance he had given that night. Or maybe, he's just not a conversational kind of person. Either way, I did get my picture taken with both of the guys and so did my sister. Paul told Ryan: "This one's mine." And Ryan put his hands in the air to show he wouldn't contest to it.
Once we got our pictures, we let them be. I noticed some of the members of Jet Black Stare were still around and asked if Krystle wanted to take some pics with them. We got to have her picture taken with Flip and Dave. Apparently, Dave thought my sister was cute and even told her so. They had a friendly interaction with each other and then we waited a moment. Hoping to see Rod again. And, of course we did. Seeing him off in the distance we hurried over to him. I got another friendly exchange of hugs and greetings. Then we snapped a picture with him. Though, the intention was just to be him and my sister. It seemed that he anticipated it to be all of us. With his arms around us and metal horns in the air we snapped the pic. Though, of course, you can't see the metal horns, because the pic was taken at arm's length. Haha. After the pic was taken he then went off to rejoin the group. I kinda wish that I could've had a longer interaction with him. But, I just didn't know what I'd say to him. Besides, considering the numerous faces he'll see in the days to come. There's no way in hell I could expect him to remember someone like me even if we did have a nice conversation. Regardless, it was an experience I'll never forget.
Again, my thanks goes out to 102.5, The Bear, for being able to make a dream happen. Bringing such names to this small venue. And my thanks go out to the bands for taking the time to come visit us here in Waco, TX. You rocked this town like I've never experienced before. Giving us a more intimate experience than anyone could ever have in a large venue. Thank you again, so very much!
(Want to see my pics? Click here and go to my Concert at Whiskey River ~ 11/6/08 album.)