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SXSW: On the scene at Metallica …
8 p.m.: Your intrepid Metallica reporter here, e-mailing live from the V.I.P. deck at Stubb’s. Joint’s about three quarters full though it’s not clear if any of that is riff-raff left over from the Spin party. Either way, it doesn’t bode well for the legions lined up outside. More to come.
8:04 p.m.: Just asked and got word all the Spin folks got the boot. Which means all the people here are staying. Place is just about packed right now.
As a side note, the V.I.P. deck is barren of big names. It’s early though.
8:12 p.m.: Are Silversun Pickups the luckiest band of SXSW? They get a packed house early in the night and can win over a couple thousand new fans right before their new record drops. They’re making the most of it, too. Noisy rocking goodness.
8:23 p.m.: I’m probably wrong but I think one of the Blues Traveler dudes who’s not John Popper is up here. Unrelated: Silly me, I always thought the gal in Silversun Pickups was the singer, doing a Balinda Butcher thing. Turns out it’s the dude with lots of effects. You learn something every day.
8:30 p.m.: Pickups lead singer just said how lucky the band feels to be here. Maybe so, but they’re earning their keep and the crowd approves. This is what Smashing Pumpkins should have evolved into.
8:35 p.m. … marks first whiff of a certain herb floating up from the crowd. I did not inhale. Pickups’ favorite Metallica songs: tie between “Creeping Death” and “Sanitarium.”
8:47 p.m.: Pickups’ best song, “Lazy Eye,” gets embellished with some nice feedback and shredding and earns them roars from the crowd. Give these cats two hours in an amphitheater and they’d melt skulls.
And now a moment from the M.O. (dba Matthew Odam):
8:48 p.m.: Doesn’t look like any more people are being let into Stubb’s. The top level of neighboring parking lots are lined with fans and the scene on the street is chaotic with serpentine lines filling sidewalks. Metallica to go on around 9:30 p.m. or so. People being polite to Silversun Pickups and other openers, but it is obvious the crowd is here for one reason. Lots of local musicians in attendance, including members of Ghostland Observatory and Lions, among others.
And back to Chad …
8:56 p.m.: Now we wait. Some Guitar Hero prodigies up soon to show off on stage and pass the time.
By my count there are three cabinets holding at least 20 guitars on stage. Absurdly awesome.
(Editor’s note: If you see a guy drinking coffee and reading a New Yorker in the corner, it’s our own Chris Garcia. Total metal-head. No patience for the pre-hype.)
9:05 p.m.: Just a stray thought here while I’m waiting. This showcase is billed as “featuring members of Metallica.” What kind of riot would ensue if it turned out to be just Rob Trujillo and Kurt Hammett playing Guitar Hero with folks for a couple hours? Just sayin’. I do find it odd there have been NO Metallica sightings around town yet. (Garcia adds that rumors are flying that Lars didn’t show up.)
9:29 p.m.: Jason Dick from 101X intros the “band” as “the luckiest bunch of virgins you’re ever going to meet. Give it up for… Whatever they wanna call themselves.” Funny. The No Names just finished an impressive version of “Fuel.” Worth noting: while introducing himself Dick said he’s “71 percent sure I’m not fired.” Times is tough at Emmis Broadcasting. Even after Dick and his cohost Deb O’Keefe took first and ninth place for radio hosts at the Austin Music Awards on Wednesday.
9:44 p.m.: Sound check in progress. Hello Mr. And Mrs. Earplug. Your night’s about to get interesting.
9:55 p.m.: Matthew Odam reports that more badge-holders are being let in. He’s told they will hit capacity with the badge-holders.
9:59 p.m.: Lights down. Instrumental of “Unforgiven” playing.
10 p.m.: First song “Creeping Death.”
10:14 p.m.: After “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” Hetfield says, “Surprise. The best kept secret in rock. We thought we’d join your party. We’re really just a struggling band from Norway.”
Now laying “Harvester of Sorrow.”
10:15 p.m.: Odam says some of the people in the audience are in a kind of shock (the good kind). Several people turning to him, saying, “Can you believe it? I still can’t believe it.”
10:21 p.m.: I’m 20 feet above Metallica while they’re playing “One.” Good lord, how did I get here?
10:25 p.m.: That one got a nice but kinda timid pit going. Step ya game up SXSW.
10:28 p.m.: Time for some new stuff which I’m admittedly not familiar with. Something about what doesn’t kill you makes you more strong. Sounds all right to these ears, though.
10:36 p.m.: Time for “Cyanide.” Worth noting that the back two-thirds of the crowd is close to stock still while the quintessential metal band of a generation is killing it on stage. Lots of folks here just to be here which is a shame.
10:44 p.m.: They’re moving a little more now for “Sad But True.” So that means “Enter Sandman” should blow the roof off the joint. If there was a roof, of course.
10:49 p.m. Hammett doing his thang on “Sanitarium.” We’re still in the brooding opening. The rawk arrives momentarily.
10:54 p.m.: Now we’re off to the races: “Master of Puppets.”
10:57 p.m.: Mega solo time, just as I was wondering when we’d get one. Well, gents. Almost like they’ve done this before. This is still part of “Master,” by the way.
11:07 p.m.: Firmly in old school territory now. “Blackened” ends first set. Hetfield: “We feel good now! Thank you!”
11:10 p.m.: And we’re back. “Breadfan”! Is this real?
11:13 p.m.: Finally a pit worth the band up on stage. Barely.
11:19 p.m.: “Whiplash.” Hetfield asks if they want new stuff or old stuff. Guess which one wins. “Seek and Destroy” time.
11:23 p.m.: Hetfield says they’re done and they make with tossing guitar picks and drum sticks to the crowd. Lars and everyone wave, now and off they go. Outro music now so that really is it. What’s the over/under for how many people stick around for DJ Shadow? I’m guessing he’s lucky to keep 1,000.
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Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment Categories: SXSW 2009
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By moneymike
March 20, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this
I tried to get Lars to sign my burned CD copy of Master of Puppets but he said no.
By ahem
March 20, 2009 10:01 PM | Link to this
Instrumental of The Ecstasy of Gold, not Unforgiven.
By Fabio
March 20, 2009 11:53 PM | Link to this
Glad to see they’re still playing some Budgie.
By dennisl59
March 21, 2009 6:58 AM | Link to this
Metallica? Who? This is some kind of “rock” band? I thought “rock” died about 1986 or so. As for the rest of you…Get a Haircut and Get a Real Job.
By keith
March 21, 2009 7:18 AM | Link to this
Wonder how many people are pissed they weren’t allowed in to see them….after all it was a free show and alot of people drove 5-6 hours to see them…..idiots
By manson
March 21, 2009 8:22 AM | Link to this
It was totally insane!!!!!
By rockout
March 21, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this
I was there and it was a great performance. Kinda brought me back to the days when I used to see them regularly at the Stone and Omni many years ago.
By Erik McCowan
March 21, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this
Your blog was a good read, but stop typing, look up, enjoy the show, and help out the pit that you criticize. Is that why the mix-up of “Unforgiven” for “Ecstasy of Gold?” No rabid metal fan should be holed up in VIP! Get out and band yer head! Oh, and thanks a lot, APD, for running us off the garage roof. Why aren’t you busy saving us from crack-heads and muggers? Seriously? Nothing better to do?
By noe
March 21, 2009 11:20 PM | Link to this
i can’t trust your setlist anymore..
lol 9:59 p.m.: Lights down. Instrumental of “Unforgiven” playing.
that was Ennio Morricone’s “Ecstasy of Gold”
By Varkens
April 4, 2009 7:06 PM | Link to this
Awesome! For more struggling band from Norway.” Check ilike.com Zonderhoof ;)
By steve
June 10, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this
Metallica have had their day this is just a money spinner whats next? funding their pension and squeezing all they can out of the metallica name - there’s plenty better bands out there worthy of your attention