Goodbye CMJ

I only went to two CMJ events this year. I can't do it, it's too crazy out here, five shows a night, five bands each. It makes me shiver to even imagine what South by Southwest must be like. So much awesome, so little time, I totally shut down at the thought of it. Is that bad? The same thing happens to me during fashion week, I never have been to a show in the tents, the only events I attend are the ones involving my friends. I just don't deal.

However, I did drag myself out to a Vice party starting at midnight at the Studio @ Webster Hall. Definitely an unlikely destination for me. The crowd was primarily there for the free Sparks I believe. As I waited in line with Aaron and Lauren a super fan took up residence behind us. Lauren showed my her ear plugs and super fan interjected with a suggestion of the brand we should purchase. Politely we engaged him briefly until his attentions were caught elsewhere by a group of people showing up behind him in the line.

"What show are you here for?" He demanded.
"Umm...is this the where the party is?"
"There is a show here tonight. Vried from Norway and Krallice. Are you here for that?"
"Umm...is this where the Vice thing is with the free Sparks."
"Yes indeed, you are in the right place."

He then proceeded to school this crew of collegiate looking chaps all wearing different brightly colored sweatshirts as to the glory of King Diamond and gave them a primer on black metal. He reminded me of the kids who used to hang out in the back of the coffee house in my home town, long-haired and slight wearing a button-down, tie, and a leather jacket.

Turns out superfan and my company made up the minority of the crowd. Most everyone else was there for the free Sparks. Ahh, the power of a Vice party. I thought it was long-gone but nope, it still persists.





Essentially we watched Krallice alienate the majority of the crowd with ten-minute long bursts of brutality. I loved watching them play as always and there was even a brief, albeit disfunctional mosh pit that erupted. I wish the moshing was geniune but I think it was a confused reaction from the NYU kids who didn't know exactly what was going on. At least they responded in some manner rather than just leaving.


Maybe I am just a weirdo, but I am endlessly entertained by the directions Colin's hair goes when he headbangs. The Anselmo circa '91 mane really makes for some impressive thrashing.


Majestic, isn't it?



And moving on from Colin's hair...






Once Krallice finished Vried was up. They came all the way from Norway to play for about twelve people. Honestly I wasn't that into them. I stayed because Zach told me he'd been waiting four years to see them. I was entertained and even slightly headbanged, but ultimately I wasn't captivated.

But this from their website broke my heart just a little bit:

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin.Leonard Cohen was onto something, but Vreid take the opposite route. Vreid will participate at the CMJ Music & Film Marathon Festival in New York in the end of October. This is one of the most prestigious American music events. Vreid will present their brand new album Milorg, and will do 2 concerts. The concerts will take place at 22 of October at 88 Palace, this is a Vice Magazine showcase. They will also play at the Knitting Factory on October 25th, this is a part of the official CMJ program. More info on these shows will follow.

They sound so excited to take over.

Oh yes...there were armbands.

This guitarist was one of the most expressive dudes I've ever seen. He kept making eye-contact with Jayson and myself. Everytime he'd lock eyes with me he'd stick out his tongue. I was starting to feel special when I noticed him doing it to others in the crowd...oh well. Regardless I was completely captivated.

Semi-topically...

Sorry, cant' resist, this photo cracks me up. Anselmo shaved sides...sweet

Also on a vaguely related note, this is the most-viewed photo on my Flickr account. Strange, no? A lot of people google "Pantera tattoo" apparently.