Lloth73's blog: "Bands at The Mainzer Theater"

What an interesting evening, I arrived at felony 1 Studio not knowing what to expect. Located in the downtown region of Hollister Ca. a generous sized venue with the capabilities of hosting a large crowd of all ages and good sound quality. There was already an eager crowd of about 20 or so waiting for the nights show to start as we arrived, and about 40 or more to show before the night was over. I was told this was a slow night so a much larger crowd can normally be expected. I met a lot of the staff running the event and was treated with kindness and courtesy I am unused to at such events. I was very glad I made it to this show though one band (Half Past Sik) had to cancel the others were well worth it. Now on with the bands.

First up was Retribution with an old school sound to guitars they brought me back to the old days of music when metal and mayhem ruled the planet. They have a very high energy and confident stage performance. Clean and Clear vocals only enhanced their sound and I found my attention was brought to their song “Join Us to Die” very intense lyrics, heavy bass lines, and speedy drums I must say I favor this song. Though I do not know much about this band as of yet I do plan attending future shows at the felony 1 studio and getting to know them better.

Second up was Ideal Machine another high energy band with screamo style vocals heavy guitar riffs and speedy drums. I found there volume a bit over powering but after listening to them outside this band has great potential. Gypsy Tour was the second song played and this song drew my attention the most, I loved the lyrics and the guitar lines were well fitting along with clean clear bass and drum rhythms. They did a good job covering “Seek and Destroy” off the “Kill em All” album by Metallica. I will enjoy following the progress of this band.

Once again this unique sounding group had brought passion and aggression to the stage. Yes that’s right Stigmurder tore it up. Though they had a recent change in line up with Berto the percussionist leaving the band their sound was even more astounding than before. Their outrageous stage performance had the crowd in awe and joining in on the occasional chorus. Not lacking in energy either I enjoyed watching the sweat drip off and they ground out guitar solos and heavy bass lines and clear precise drum beats. Playing their new release chrome I was astounded at the tenacity in the vocals and rhythms as their music is becoming more aggressive than some of their previous yet well liked tunes such as “Reflections“ also one of my favorites. I am so glad I have had the opportunity to follow the progress of this band as they have came a long way since the beginning.

I was sorry to see this evening come to a close as all the bands were very pleasing to listen to. I think the crowd had the same sentiments as I noticed quite a few hung around afterwards to mingle and ask questions from the bands such as “When is your next show?” “I cannot wait to see you play again.” Scott the owner and his crew worked well together to keep the peace and nothing uneventful happened. Though next time I would like to see a much larger mosh pit. I will be very pleased to attend upcoming events at this particular venue.

This was a really bad week for me and I so truly needed to vent. The day was gray and gloom and I did not think things were going to get any better. There was quite the group of us going tonight my brother Edge, his family, a friend of mine and my daughter were all packing up to go. We were all running late, some of us had come from Colusa, Ca. to attend this evening’s event and holiday traffic was already clogging the roads. We arrived to find the first band in the process of setting up, doors opened at 7pm and show started at 8pm. The crowd was already growing as we made our way through to the back. There were actually a few kids hanging out upstairs something I have not seen in a while since most of the crowds have been rather small compared to tonight. I also noticed several booths set up; Power Slave was by the entrance to the main hall I got to stop in and chat with them for a few then Metal Brain Records was also there over by the wall past the bar helping to sell band merchandise and more. These are all some very cool people and I will look forward to meeting up with them in the future. Power Slave being the sponsors did a great job of setting up and promoting for tonight’s show. My blood was pumping and I waited in anticipation for the first band to begin.

First up was Forktung, what a way to begin the evening. I had first heard of this band by a friend (Benji Womack) and after hearing this utter metal assault on my ears I was very pleased. I had listened to them on the computer but it did not compare to the pure level of their live performance. Assertive screaming vocals, grinding guitars, thrumming bass lines, and hammering drum beats blaster our ears. They served a dose of complete energy to get the crowd prepared for what was to come this evening., yet I don’t think any of them were prepared for what they were about to hear from this diabolical menace as I heard several comments of amazement from various crowd members who were in awe. The head banging had already begun to commence as usually it does not begin until about the second set. I will be looking forward to the next appearance from Forktung.

  The Venting Machine was next up bringing an outlet in which to vent. I have seen this outstanding band on several occasions and am never ceased to be stunned. The crowd gathered close to the stage to be drenched in sweat being slung from the red faced exerting band mates. Their faces expressed their power during the second song “Pica” playing with and entrancing pace not side stepping a beat, the tempo made the blood of the crowd boil more. I stepped outside for a brief breath of air and was followed by a few fans coming out to cool off for a few before going back in to once again become head banging partitioners. Yes these guys can be labeled as nothing less than a ball of electricity letting out a high pitched shriek as it is thrown at the crowd.       

 Next up was Thr3fold once again lighting up the stage with hostile progression. Starting off with more fast paced speed metal the crowd in a no moshing venue became a little rowdy so by the third song they slowed it down a bit by playing “Respect” a song with very melodic guitar lines, intricate bass rhythms and pulsating drums. My second time viewing them with their new drummer Tristen since Los Banos at Jan’s Pub and Grub he seems to have lost some of the nervous tension and was extremely in sync with the band tonight. These guys really set the roof on fire as they kept the crowd coming for more.  Fourth up was Sickle can you say TENACIOUS? The floors were slippery with perspiration as it poured off the crowd. Youths screamed with sheer pleasure, metal horns were in the air and the band encouraged them to get louder. There was no lack in stage presence as they broke into one mind raping song after the next. My ears were numb with the extreme dominance produced from the stage. Seething hot guitar riffs, ear splitting vocals, drum beats hit with extreme ferocity, and very intense bass lines. These guys tore it up tonight; each time they come from Turlock to play I think they gain a few more fans as they are becoming quite popular in our area.                    

  They might have been last but they were not least as Stigmurder took the stage. The Freakiest of the freaks to come out of Merced County they took our minds and filled them with corruption. I have had the pleasure of following them from the beginning and these guys have progressed each time I have had the pleasure of viewing them. Vocals were louder and clearer , intricate guitar lines were very distinctive, the tribal bass adding to the melody, the speedy hard hitting drums did not miss a beat and Berto their ex percussionist even came out to make an appearance playing through the songs “History“ “Krome“ and “Earth Falls“. I was quite surprised at the size of the crowd that stuck around to see the last act as it was late and usually most have already begun to leave during the third act. Getting the pleasure of hearing “Reflections” still my favorite song by Stigmurder, live is so much better than CD or computer. These guys were definitely a good close to the eve.

                 

Some kids were being carried out or staggering from exhaustion others were talking of how sore their necks were as they made their departures. I was sad to have to leave myself as I enjoyed meeting up with so many friends and making new ones, I would say this for sure was a good way to vent off the troubles of the week. Though they have not been pulling as large of crowds as we are used to seeing in the past at the Mainzer tonight surely seemed a good sign that they are making a good come back. I did hear there was another big show going on in Modesto with Social Distortion, Tiger Army, and The Explosion. I am sure if that were not the case there would have been a much larger crowd. Promoting in public also comes into play here, though I do see a lot of promotion on the internet not everyone has a computer. I was informed there was a billboard near the freeway which was a very good move, but there are other places such as the college in Merced I did not see any flyers while I was there earlier this week. There is a billboard on Main St. which I did not get a chance to check there may have been a flyer there, another good place to put flyers is the local music stores, Hot Topic, Coffee Shops, head shops, going to shows even if you are not playing, and as long as you do not flood them the High Schools and Jr. Highs do not mind if you hang a few there. I mention these things because often I am asked by bands what more can they do to promote themselves. The town you are holding the show in is usually the best place to put the majority of your flyers as that is where the largest amount of the crowd is going to come from. Some bands have street teams to help them in this they should mention some of these types of locations for leaving a flyer in the window and maybe a stack of smaller flyers to go out to the patrons. There is a good line up coming for New Years, a big party at the Mainzer I would recommend to all they will not be disappointed, and to all those friends of mine I will be there so come out and enjoy it with me! So until next time I hope you enjoyed the show as much as I have M/.