Hellyeah

HELLYEAH 6/4/16

HellYeah

I went to see Hellyeah two nights in a row? Not so fast. Remember how Bob had to end up bailing on Local H due to a family vacation? Well this concert was also affected and he was the only one slated to go with me. He wanted to see Hellyeah so bad that he bought us tickets and accommodations for the Riverside show since he was scheduled to get back Saturday afternoon. I tried selling the San Diego tickets for basement pricing but got no bites. I felt guilty for letting the tickets go to waste but I had nobody to go with me and am not that huge of a Hellyeah fan.

I had seen Hellyeah on the second stage of the Uproar Festival back in 2010 mostly because I love Pantera and Mudvayne so I had to see what Vinnie Paul and Chad Gray were up to. This was my first concert in Riverside and the venue itself was pretty cool. There were three opening bands but Bob and I decided to drink ourselves into oblivion instead. After a six-pack each of some potent IPA we headed off into what seemed like the downtown area. It was a good turnout, especially after the experience I had earlier in the week. Hellyeah was touring for the new album Unden!able that ironically was released on June 3rd (day of the San Diego show). All I can really say is Hellyeah was much improved over the last time I had seen them. They were tight as a band and seemed to be firing on all cylinders. There were only a handful of songs I recognized as a casual fan but as a fan of heavy metal in general I appreciated their performance.

HELLYEAH Unden!able

Uproar Festival 9/18/10

Uproar Festival 10It had been nearly three and half years to the day since I had last seen Stone Sour at the House of Blues. This time I thought I was going to go by myself too but Bob showed interest and Tom committed. Bob dropped out. Tom brought me some requested pot and picked me up in a borrowed Saleen Mustang. We arrived to the venue with just enough time to drink two beers each in the parking lot. Once inside we made our way to the 2nd Stage where the band Hellyeah was to play. The only thing I knew about this band was that the drummer was none other than Vinnie Paul of Pantera and that it also featured the singer from Mudvayne Chad Gray. The funny part is that the only reason I wanted to go to this all day concert was Stone Sour. I had not been able to stop playing their new album, Audio Secrecy.

Anyways Stone Sour happened to be signing autographs in a Best Buy tent that we walked right by. I’m not about the autographs but thought it might be cool to shake their hand and thank them for rocking. The employee/rule makers had other plans. Employee said, “Where is your wristband?” I replied something to the effect of not being aware of the wristband requirement and inquired as to where or how I could get one. Employee was of no assistance whatsoever.

We proceeded to watch HELLYEAH who proceeded to rock. They are heavy-as-fuck. Maybe a little too heavy for not previously knowing their music. After their set we went into the vendor area of the amphitheater in search of food and a beer. We ended up running into Tom’s friend Matt who heads up the beverages and food department at the facility. He hooked up a Corona tallboy and a Shock Top draft and shot the shit with us until Stone Sour was about to go on.

Stone Sour fucking rocked and did not disappoint. The rocked from the opening notes of “Mission Statement” to the closing notes of “30/30 150.” They rocked so hard that I blew my voice out from screaming so loudly. Very tight as a band, virtuoso guitarist(s) with taste, singer with an amazing voice and song writing capabilities. Oh yeah the rhythm section is pretty badass too. The hardest rocking songs for me were “Reborn,” “Get Inside,” and “30/30 150.”

Somehow Stone Sour were not the headliners. After them came Disturbed which I always enjoy and had not seen for a couple years. Closing the show was Avenged Sevenfold. I don’t know why but I just cannot bring myself to like their music.

Audio Secrecy Stone Sour