Christmas wishes from Mike Portnoy!

Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Adrenaline Mob, Avenged Sevenfold., etc...) posted this amazingly adorable Christmas photo, and I feel the need to post it- especially after my earlier post about wonderful Christmas sweaters.

NY Area Concert Listings

****Updated at night to include: Long Island shows.   This includes an AWESOME show on December 16th featuring Twisted Sister doing one of their kickass/hilarious Christmas sets, and will be hosted by Andrew WK (love him).  Also, the opener is Adrenaline Mob.  If they don't sound familiar to you, then let me fill you in - MIKE PORTNOY is a member.  Oh and did I mention Yankee Bernie Williams will be there?   KICK ASS!

Otherwise, I would say the best added show would be Soulfly on March 14th. (And I am not gonna lie, that Kix show in April makes me pretty excited).

DECEMBER

-12/1 - The Birthday Massacre w/ William Control and Aesthetic Perfection @ The Gramercy (Manhattan)
-12/1 - High On Fire w/ Goatwhore, Primate and Lo-Pan @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
-12/3 - Neil Young & Crazy Horse @ The Barclays Center (Brooklyn)
-12/5 - The Who @ Madison Square Garden (Manhattan)
-12/5 - The Faint (performing Dance Macabre in full) @ Terminal 5 (Manhattan)
-12/6 - The Who @ The Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)
-12/6 - Sonata Artica @ The Gramercy (Manhattan)
-12/7 - D.R.I. w/ Mucky Pup, No Redeeming Social Value, Undivided and Blackout Shoppers @  The Studio at Webster Hall (Manhattan)
-12/7 Warrior Soul and Spread Eagle @ St. Vitus (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
-12/11 - VON (part of the Blackened Music Series) @ St. Vitus (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
-12/12/12 - "Concert For Sandy Relief" w/ Bon Jovi, Eddie Vedder, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl, Roger Waters, The Who and more @ Madison Square Garden (Manhattan)
-12/12 - The Rolling Stones @ The Prudential Theater (Newerk, NJ)
-12/14 - The Killers @ Madison Square Garden (Manhattan)
-12/14 - Aaron Lewish (yea, that guy from Staind) @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-12/14 - Monster Magnet @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
-12/14 - Dethklok w/ All That Remains, Machine Head, and Black Dahlia Murder (orignally 11/3- got rescheduled) @ Roseland Ballroom (Manhattan)
-12/14 - (early show) Star Killer w/ Jenn City, Emily Powers of Eva and Her Virgins (Acoustic Set) @ The Mercury Lounge (Manhattan)
-12/14 - (late show) Star Killer w/ Panzie @ The Mercury Lounge (Manhattan)
-12/15 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra (NOTE: 2 shows- one at 3:00pm, the second at 8:00pm) @ Nassau Coliseum (Long Island)
-12/15 - Motionless In White w/ along Chelsea Grin, Stick To Your Guns, Crown the Empire, and Upon This Dawning @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-12/15 - Rolling Stones @ @ The Prudential Theater (Newerk, NJ)
-12/16 Twisted Sister (Christmas set!) w/ Adrenaline Mob.  Hosted by Andrew WK w/ appearance by Bernie Williams @ The Emporium (Patchougue, Long Island)
-12/16 - The Mifits w/ Attack, Japanther & Heart of the Matter @ Highland Ballroom (Manhattan)
-12/16 - Killswitch Engage w/ Shadows Fall and Acaro @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
-12/16 - Into Another @ Bowery Ballroom (Manhattan, NYC)
-12/16 - This Is Hell w/ Thy Will Be Done, 1776, My Kingdom, and I Dreamt The Sea @ Ollies Point (Amityville, Long Island)
-12/20 - Eluveitie and Wintersun w/ Varg @ The Gramercy (Manhattan)
-12/20 - The Slackers w/ The Hard Times, The Ready Henchmen, The Pandemic and Survey Says @ Ollies Point (Amityville, Long Island)
-12/21 - Black Anvil, EVOKEN, Teloch Vovin, Penetration, Leech @ St. Vitus (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
-12/22 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra (NOTE: 2 shows- one at 3:00pm, the second at 8:00pm) @ The Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)
-12/07 - He Is Lengend w/ The Offer, Call Them Liars, Shepards, Nobody Takes Vegas, and Wargrave @ Ollies Point (Amityville, Long Island)
-12/29 - Jane's Addiction @ Terminal 5 (Manhattan)
-12/29 - Halestorm @ The Wellmont Theater (Montclair, NJ)
-12/30 - Cro-Mags w/ Sheer Terror, Rude Awakening, Brain Slug and Born Annoying @ Highland Ballroom (Manhattan)
-12/30 - Andrew WK w/ Big D and the Kids Table, Exes Of Evil, The Convictions, Three Legged Fox, The Blazing Beaverducks, Gangway, and Listen Close (Christmas show!) @ Ollies Point (Amityville, Long Island)
-12/31 - Paul Di'Anno w/Panzie, Fear The Dawn, and Terror Garden @ Ollies Point (Amityville, Long Island)
-12/30 - Dark Star Orchestra @ The Paramount (Huntington, Long Island)
-12/31 - Dark Star Orchestra @ The Paramount (Huntington, Long Island)
-12/31 - Voltaire (NYE Party show with open bar, champaigne toast, and free buffet)  (the inner Hot Topic-wearing goth in me wants to go!) @ Club Revolution (Amityville, Long Island)

- Welcome to 2013 -

JANUARY

-1/2 - Mondo Generator w/ Saviours, and Wino @ St. Vitus (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
-1/4 - The Dirty Pearls w/ Brothers NYC, The Nuclears, and DJ Ian El Dorado @ The Bowery Ballroom (Manhattan)
-1/5 - Dysrhythmia w/ Wreck and Reference, Soren, and Planning For Burial @ St. Vitus (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
-1/6 - Paul Di'Anno w/ Saviour and What The Hell @ BB Kings (Manhattan)
-1/8 - Johnny Winter w/ Jamie McLean Band @ BB Kings (Manhattan)
-1/11 - Morrissey @ Brooklyn Academy Of Music (Brooklyn)
-1/13 - The David Johansen Band w/ The Last Bison, Los Texmaniacs, and Eliana Burki @ Highland Ballroom (Manhattan)
-1/15 - Lynard Skynard @ The Beacon Theatre (Manhattan)
-1/15 - Johnny Winter w/ Jamie McLean Band @ BB Kings (Manhattan)
-1/15 - Underoath w/ mewithoutYou, As Cities Burn, and Letlive @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-1/17 - Underoath w/ mewithoutYou, As Cities Burn, and Letlive @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-1/18 -Air Sex World Champions (Yes, its exactly what it sounds like) @ BB Kings (Manhattan)
-1/18 - Hollywood Undead @ The Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)
-1/19 - The Smithereens @ BB Kings (Manhattan)
-1/22 - Johnny Winter w/ Jamie McLean Band @ BB Kings (Manhattan)
-1/22 - Soundgarden @ Hammerstein Ballroom (Manhattan)
-1/23 - Soundgarden @ Hammerstein Ballroom (Manhattan)
-1/25 - NONE MORE FUNNY show - Jim Breur Live Taping @ The Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)
-1/25 - Black Veil Brides w/ William Control @ Best Buy Theater (Manhattan)
-1/28 - Johnny Winter w/ Jamie McLean Band @ BB Kings (Manhattan)
-1/30 - The Used w/ We Came As Romans, Crown The Empire, and Mindflow @ Best Buy Theater (Manhattan)
-1/31 - For Today w/ Memphis May Fire @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-1/31 - Gin Blossoms (why am I posting this?) @ BB Kings (Manhattan)
-1/31 - Eye Empire @ Ollies Point (Amityville, Long Island)

FEBUARY

-2/2 - Kansas @ The Paramount (Huntington, Long Island)
-2/4 - Dora w/ Sister Sin @ BB Kings (Manhattan)
-2/6 -Turisas w/ Firewind and Stolen Babies @ The Gramercy (Manhattan)
-2/6 - Uli Jon Roth @ Stage 48 (Manhattan)
-2/7 - Blackberry Smoke w/ Drake White @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-2/8 - Gojira w/ Devin Townsend , The Atlas Moth , Devin Townsend Project @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-2/11 - Emmure and Whitechapel w/ Unearth, Obey The Brave, and The Plot In You @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-2/12 - Dead Kennedys @ The Gramercy (Manhattan)
-2/14 - Testament (this is a wonderful Valentines Day gift to me *hint hint*) w/ Flotsam & Jetsam, and 4Arm @ Best Buy Theater (Manhattan)
-2/15 - Testament and Overkill w/ Flotsam & Jetsam, and 4arm @ The Paramount (Huntington, Long Island)
-2/17 - Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, Dying Fetus, and the Contortionist @ Ollies Point (Amityville, Long Island)
-2/22 - Emilie Autumn @ The Gramercy (Manhattan)
-2/22 - Dope w/ The May 4th Massacre, Starke, Kore Rozzik, and Xombiew @ The Studio at Webster Hall (Manhattan)
-2/22 - Enslaved w/ Pallbearer, and Ancient VVisdom @ The Bowery Ballroom (Manhattan)
-2/23 - Lil Monsters Heavy Metal Disco w. Lady Starlight & The Dirty Pearls @ The Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)

MARCH

-3/14 - Soulfly w/ Incite and Lady Kong @ The Gramercy Theater (Manhattan)
-3/10 - Nile @ BB Kings (Manhattan)
-3/10 - Queensryche w/ Magus Beast and What The Hell @ The Emporium (Patchougue, Long Island)
-3/15 - Soilwork w/ Blackguard , Jeff Loomis , The Browning , Wretched @ The Gramercy (Manhattan)
-3/16 - Coheed & Cambria @ Radio City Music Hall (Manhattan)
-3/21 - KMFDM @ Irving Plaza (Manhattan)
-3/23 - Y&T @ Stage 48 (Manhattan)

APRIL

-4/5 - Kix @ Ollies Point (Amityville, Long Island)
-4/6 - Yes @ The Beacon Theater (Manhattan)
-4/9 - Volbeat w/ Danko James @ Best Buy Theater (Manhattan)

In case you don't understand my obsession with Mike Portnoy...

Here is some badass video off of the "drum cam" that was set up on Avenged Sevenfold's most recent USA tour.  This particular video is from the September 22nd show in Sacramento.  Watch as Mike Portnoy kills it behind the kit for "Nightmare".
<WARNING: Cheesiness about to come.>  Here Portnoy is bringing out the PortJOY!!

Iron Maiden and Dream Theater at PNC (Holmdel, NJ) on Sunday, July 11th

PNC Arts Bank Area isn't exactly my favorite venue in the world for the following:
-It's not in NYC.  [Which is almost unacceptable for a Manhattanite].
-The booze is pricey.
-Its outdoors (aka, sound quality is never outstanding).
-This particuliar evening was hot and humid.
Despite all this- if Iron Maiden join forces with Dream Theater, then that is a show I need to be at.  Need.  This would be no different, so I took the shitty commute there and gave it a shot.

Sadly, the 20-minute-plus walk from the parking lot to the venue caused me to miss the beginning of Dream Theater's set.  We ran in while 'Home' was on, and immediately scouted out our seats and Mike Portnoy's monstrous drum kit.  Portnoy- I could watch forever, but similiar to any other time when I've seen DT the moments with James Labrie singing tend to lose me and it takes an instrumental bit to pull me back in.  The set flew by and seemed especially short since I am used to them playing such long shows.

Man of the hour Portnoy- shows us his skins.

Keytars are always cool.

The crowd during the well lit Dream Theater set.

Up next were the money-makers of the night, Iron Maiden.  There has been so much hype around this tour that I can't say there were many surprises in the set.  Since the tours' inception reviews have been popping up on the Internet about the set list and its obvious theme around the last 3 Maiden albums.  Take that for what you will.  Brave New World was a great album, and it was awesome to hear a solid 4, 5 songs live.  I can see where people would complain over the set list though- there was little variety and I think Maiden could have thrown a few more older staples into the mix and still came off as a relatively current tour given the 'modern' vibe they were going for.  

It was nice to see a little more respect paid to Dio.  Not only was there a huge banner in the nosebleed seats that simply said "DIO", but Bruce also dedicated 'Blood Brothers' to him and asked the crowd to give the metal horns in his honor.  When he did this and the house lights came on with all those horns in the air it really showed me just how influential and respected Dio was AND how fucking jam packed the venue was! 

Some highlights of the show were 'Brave New World', which sounded great, and of course the encore of 'Number Of The Beast' and 'Fear Of The Dark'.   The stage was decorated like some sort of Stars-Wars-metal-playing-ground, and per usual Bruce literally jumped, ran and skipped from one level to the next as he wailed out.  Is it just me or does his voice seem even more over-the-top lately?  He seems to be doing some weirdo voice flip thing that makes it sound like he is pushing out the top notes in a yelp.  I would love if someone would chime in on this because I noticed him doing it on the last few albums as well.  It's a sudden key change that results in a scream.... an awkward scream.

Some lowlights include Janick Gers in general, although he was less like a dancing cartoon character at this show than the last tour.  The friend I was at the show with also agreed that he was the least lovable Iron Maiden member, so it's not just me.  Others include the new Eddie, which moved swiftly, but played guitar?!  This seriously bothered me.  Eddie is supposed to be KILLING MAIDEN, not playing with them.  Also the re-design of his image doesn't sit well with me.  So there.

Sound quality was lacking due to the outdoor venue, but seemed to be pretty good if your seats are decent enough. (AKA - rich enough, tickets were PRICEY).

Bruce pimped out the new cd...  He had the crowd chant the release date and the fact that we "Want Final Frontier to go number 1 on the charts" multiple times.  It was cheesy, but somewhat endearing.   Less obnoxious than Paul Stanley at a KISS concert, for sure.  I especially liked the bit about how he was here to play new music and if you "Want to see the same old shit every night, go watch the Eagles."   Fuck yes, Brucie!

In all a good time, IF you knew what you were getting in for.  The mostly-older crowd was not bitching on their way out, so it seemed like a good time was had.  I mean, it's Iron Maiden.  They do no wrong.

Epic set design

Maiden rocking out!

THE IRON MAIDEN

Eddie comes in peace.

It was an awesome finale, I give ya that.

Another RIP

Sad to announce another loss to the metal community, and this one effects arguably the most popular of today's group of modern metal bands- Slipknot.  Just confirmed was the death of their 38 year old bassist, Paul Grey (also known as #2 or 'The Pig'), who was found dead in his hotel room.  Paul just joined the supergroup Hail replacing Dave Ellefson on bass, and featuring Mike Portnoy and Ripper Owens.  Paul had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, so all fingers point to that as cause of death.  I remember eating BBQ food with Slipknot after Mayhem Fest last summer and he was WASTED, but also all smiles with everyone.  This is sad news to all involved.  Paul was expecting a baby soon..... RIP

Mike Portnoy to drum on the new Avenged Sevenfold album.

Wow, I love this combination.  Avenged Sevenfold are solid but unfortunately when their drummer recently passed, it looked like the band might be at a stand still.  However, it seems like Mike Portnoy came to the rescue and will fill in on drums.  The Rev (Jimmy) was an awesome drummer but Mike Portnoy is a legend behind the kit.  This makes me excited to hear the new music... a lot.  I wonder what drummer will tour with them.  There is no way Mike could juggle this full time.  ...I can imagine he might step out with them if they come in the NYC area.  
This is the official statement from the A7X website:

I want our fans to know that with Jimmy in our hearts, our journey to record has officially began. Jimmy helped leave this world an amazing gift and now it's our job to make sure to deliver that gift to our fans. We asked Jimmy's all time favorite drummer Mike Portnoy to record on behalf of him. Mike said it would be an honor and without question that's what Jim would have wanted. It's comforting to us that someone like Mike, who is undoubtedly revered as one of the best drummers in the world, held such respect and adoration for the Rev's abilities. Even though it will never be the same without our brother by our side, his essence lives in our hearts and through the music he helped create. He was a legend before any of the success or any of that bullshit and we are fucking excited to lay this down for our fans, and especially for Jimmy.

Love Avenged Sevenfold? There is some KICKASS Merch from Avenged and Dream Theater - which ever you are a fan of, HERE.   AND ITS CHEAP!  Apparel and gear from Rock.com!

Band Of The Week - Hail!

It's pretty rare that I would name a supergroup, or a cover band as my Band Of The Week, but Hail are both of those and whatdayaknow, they're today's pick.  Hail consists of Ripper Owens on vocals (Priest, Malmsteen, Beyond Fear), David Ellefson on bass (Megedeth), Andreas Kisser on guitar (Sepultura), and my personal favorite, Mike Portnoy on drums (Dream Theater).   Not too shabby if I say so myself.  They're all talentedmusicians, but even more importantly in forming this group is that they are all massive metal fans.  They just love to play/sing the music.  The group was David's brainchild, and there have been several drummers thrown into the mix since its inception (Paul Bostaph was with them for a bit) but Mike seems to be the main guy behind the skins at this point.
They are also playing a show in NYC tomorrow (Tuesday night) at BB Kings, and I suggest everyone who can go, does go.  It should be pretty unreal to see this lineup in such a small setting.  Expect to hear Maiden, Testament, Accept, UFO, and even some Sepultura songs.  Ripper can honestly sing just about anything, so most anything is fair game.
Oh, and if you do get to BB Kings, I can pretty much guarantee Chris Caffery will make a guest appearance on stage.

Here's a video from the Bostaph era:

Mike Portnoy releases his eclectic top albums of 2009

The more I get to know Mike Portnoy the more I love him.  For a while now he's been releasing a "Top albums of the Year" list and this years is a damn good one.  Mike is such a massive music fan that it's hard not to get excited alongside him. Also, I am really surprised Cynic didnt make the list.... He definitely preaches for them. Maybe it's just because of their drummer.

Best Of 2009

1. BIGELF - Cheat The Gallows (AGREED!  Great great band.  Mike had them open up for Dream Theater this last tour and I feel like it brought them a ton of exposure.)
2. MASTODON - Crack The Skye (Not my favorite Mastodon album, but yep- still one of the best of the year)
3. ALICE IN CHAINS - Black Gives Way To Blue 
4. THE FLAMING LIPS - Embryonic
5. BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - The Great Misdirect
6. THEM CROOKED VULTURES - Them Crooked Vultures (overrated?)
7. MEGADETH - Endgame (Easily this will be in my top 10 of the year)
8. THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT - Ki/Addicted (Underrated!)
9. HEART OF CYGNUS - Over Mountain Under Hill
10. ANIMALS AS LEADERS - Animals As Leaders

Honorable Mentions:

LAZARUS A.D. - The Onslaught
MUSE - The Resistance
PORCUPINE TREE - The Incident
BARONESS - Blue Record (It's nice to see this album getting a lot of credit it deserves)
RIVERSIDE - Anno Domini High Definition (This is what you would expect a favorite band of Mike Portnoy to sound like)

And, of course:

DREAM THEATER - Black Clouds & Silver Linings
TRANSATLANTIC - The Whirlwind

Best Of Decade-End Wrap-Up

1. MUSE - Absolution (Yep!)
2. BIGELF - Cheat The Gallows
3. OPETH - Blackwater Park 
4. SPOCK'S BEARD - Snow
5. THE FLAMING LIPS - At War With The Mystics (Never really got into them, but this is a great album)
6. ENDOCHINE - Day Two
7. BEARDFISH - Sleeping In Traffic Pts 1&2 (Mike also brought these guys on tour)
8. METALLICA - Death Magnetic
9. LAMB OF GOD - Ashes Of The Wake (hell yea!)
10. PETER GABRIEL - Up
11. BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - Colors
12. MACHINE HEAD - The Blackening (Solid metal album, but I wouldnt say its particularly special)
13. WILCO - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
14. SLIPKNOT - Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses
15. PAIN OF SALVATION - Remedy Lane
16. COLDPLAY - A Rush Of Blood To The Head (uuuuuh, I have to disagree here.  Production was good though)
17. KING CRIMSON - The Power To Believe
18. WEEZER - Green Album
19. PORCUPINE TREE - Fear Of A Blank Planet
20. MASTODON - Crack The Skye (Interesting choice, I would go with Leviathan)

Drum dorks unite

Guitar Center announced today that Tommy Lee will finally stop DJing and Street Drum Corp. will present a 'commissioned program' called “Bezerk” as hype for the upcoming Drum-Off Grand Finals, which are set to take place January 8, 2010 (Elvis's birthday!) at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The drummers scheduled to play in “Bezerk” include Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Matt Sorum (Guns ‘N Roses, Velvet Revolver), José Pasillas (Incubus), DJ Aero, Sully Erna (Godsmack), Jay Weinberg, BANG! and others to be announced as the date gets sooner.  The event wll be hosted by Stephen Perkins  of Jane’s Addiction and will also include a tribute to John Bonham by his very own son, Jason Bonham, along with an exclusive collaborative performance by Danny Carey (Tool) and Brann Dailor (Mastodon).  My guess is that Tommy Lee will join them at some point since he is one of the most entertaining drummers to watch, but ya can't complain about seein' Carey, Dailor and Smith all in one day.  Throw in Mike Portnoy and Neil Peart and I would be in hog heaven!

The actual main event of the night is the performances by five undiscovered drummers who will compete infront of a panel of celebrity judges (including T-Bone, I am sure) to see who will win a prize package worth more than $40,000 and the title of “Guitar Center Drum-Off Champion”.   This seems like a pretty sweet event for any drum dork.  Too bad its in LA.

Dont miss the opener at tonights Dream Theater gig

I am super excited to see my boyfriend Mike Portnoy tonight at the Dream Theater gig. Opening up the show is my former Band Of the Week, Bigelf, and Zappa Plays Zappa (YAWN).

Anywho, in prepartion for tonights show, I just want to show this amazing drum solo from Port-joy in Japan.  Towards the end when he pulls that cute little Jap-uber-fan from the back row I wanted to die from a cute overload!  It's so nice when bands are so cool to their fans like this.