8/15 @ The Oak Grove Tavern - Apophis Theory, Cryptic Shade

[Ray]

[Ray]

Interesting show that was. The crowd was small, but very enthusiastic. I much prefer that over large crowds that only show up "to be seen".

Talk about a good start to a night. There is a Rock 'N' Roll based nickel slot machine at Oak Grove Tavern. For shits and giggles, I tossed just a dollar in there. I got fifteen dollars on my first spin. After going back and forth for about a half hour, I decided to cash out at ten dollars.

Cryptic Shade went on first. All I can say is class was in session during their set. There were some problems with the mics at first, but they overcame that quickly. They played some brilliant prog metal originals during their set. They also suckerpunched the audience with a fantastic version of Dream Theater's "Pull Me Under." That is not an easy song to do.

The good news is Cryptic Shade won't have to deal with a lineup change after all. Which means there won't be a long wait until their next show. This is one band you don't want to miss.

Apophis Theory went on next. So far, this show was the tightest we played as a group since I joined. I think we may have been a little too amped up, because we played "No Discretion" at Slayer speed. I also broke a string during that song. A special thanks to Dave Rapp, from Cryptic Shade, for loaning me his guitar to use for the rest of the Apophis Theory set. After our proper set was done, the soundman convinced us to do an encore. The song turned out to be a cover of "Chicken Huntin'". Just like the last time they played it, Deakon took over the lead vocals. Unlike the last time they played it, this was the first time I ever played the song, literally. I guess I lucked out, because the song went over well.

Bayonet Hell came on next. They kind of had a Machine Head vibe to them, but with more death metal style vocals. They had a fan there that had to of least been seven feet tall. He even dwarved Deakon! I think his mullet might of been a wig though. While he was headbanging, his entire hair turned sideways. The infamous "two man mosh pit" happened around this time as well. They did a pretty good cover of Alice In Chains' "Would?". Their set seemed a bit short though.

After everything was done, I took off down to River Roadhouse. I managed to catch the tail end of the set of Steve's (Bassin) band, Return Flight. I didn't count, but I think there were something like eight to ten people in that band. There was a killer brass section up there. They reminded me of Chicago a little bit, so that would make Steve Peter Cetera! For a band of that size on that stage, they played very well. The songs I heard were some of the traditional covers. Steve did tell me they do some very un-traditional covers as well. From what I was told, I really wish I would have went down there on Friday. Cucumber + tinfoil = comic gold!
_________________
*Ray*

http://www.myspace.com/raycassidy

[John]

[Ray]

[Deakon_Grage]

YEAH BOY...I GOT MY MONITOR WORKING AGAIN...YAYAYYYYYYYYY...Anyhow...yeah this was a fun show...too bad found out too late that Wermacht was playing the same night...lol...

Cryptic Shade is awesome...love those guys...

Ray is right we were tight...and yeah...John gets pretty pumped during some stuff but...we held it together at Mach 4...even with the broken string.

Bayonet Hell...well...not too overly impressed with them...they kicked off their set with a cookie monster version of a A.I.C. song...did no justice to A.I.C. at all...Layne probibly was rolling in his grave...they were pretty much your typical cookie monster vocal band...not too original even on their originals...

My .02
_________________
Deakon

http://www.myspace.com/apophistheoryrocks

http://www.myspace.com/deakongrage

[Dissolution]