Metal comes to Raleigh

First off, sorry for posting that extra blurry photo of Colossus, but that particular guitar player really does make the funniest moves on stage, and that was the best of the ones I captured. The photos I got of Man Will Destroy Himself at Slim's are even blurrier. At least Caltrop and Black Skies turned out OK. Anyway, downtown was strangely quiet on Wednesday night. I was under the impression that Colossus, Caltrop and Black Skies at the Pour House was going to be THE show of the month. Everyone I knew was going, and everyone they knew was going (though, since "everyone" in Raleigh all mainly know each other we're really talking about a fairly contained group of people). Eventually the Pour House did fill up, but there was a significant number of people who missed Black Skies's bone crushing set. Luckily I captured their first song, "Chain of Command" for you: Caltrop was second on the bill, and probably the most highly anticipated since they rarely play Raleigh. They also put on a great show, and I captured a new, un-named song. But honestly, the best part of their set was the hilarity that ensued during the soundcheck. Soundman extraordinare Jac Cain kept trying to get the confused band members, who were really just interested in turning up and playing, to turn down a bit and tell him what they wanted in the monitors. It turned out just fine. Here's the video. Colossus ended the show and sounded perfect. I've said it before: These guys have a tendency to be either really sloppy or really amazing. Wednesday was a good night for them. Here's "A Year Later There's Still Meat in the Skull." After the show, we made our way over to Slim's for the last bit of Man Will Destroy Himself. Here's "Fuse."

Sunday night videos

Sunday was the type of evening typical in Raleigh rock. Either there's nothing going on, or there are at least two great shows happening at once. Luckily Sunday's shows were staggered, which allowed me to catch Dirty Little Heaters at Slim's, Man Will Destroy Himself at White Collar Crime, and Suburban Sweethearts back at Slim's. The video of Dirty Little Heaters really doesn't do them justice, so I'll leave that off. Here's video of Man Will Destroy Himself (which is really dark) and, below that, Suburban Sweethearts.

Tonight in Raleigh: Two things for you to do

First off, there's the Dirty Little Heaters and Suburban Sweethearts at Slim's. This is a benefit for Cy, and is also an EARLY show. So don't stroll in at 11:30 and get mad because you've missed most of the show. You've been warned. From Suburban Sweethearts: I know it's a Sunday night and all, but that's all the more reason to squeeze one more rockin' evening into your weekend...

Tonight we'll be playing with the fantastic Dirty Little Heaters, and we'll also have donations for Cy Rawls and selling "I Heart Cy" shirts. All of this money goes directly to Cy and his family....

This is an EARLY show!! The Dirty Little Heaters will be starting at 9:30 sharp!

C'mon out, childrens!! Let's have some good times and show some love for Cy...

 The second thing is Man Will Destroy Himself and Richard Bacchus at White Collar Crime. Somehow, the idea of MWDH playing White Collar Crime really tickles me. This show is FREE and starts at 10 p.m.! I suggest you do the downtown stumble and walk back and forth between shows. From MWDH: 21+ only, but yep, it's free. you can't beat that.

Man Will Destroy Himself -- video from last night

Check out the footage from last night's show at Slim's by Man Will Destroy Himself.

New tracks by Man Will Destroy Himself

Thanks to Earthworm from Man Will Destroy Himself for forwarding some tracks from the band's new CD, Nation of Ashes, on Earthworm's own Poverty is Violence label. Four of the songs are on the band's myspace, but I decided to upload this one because of the great Charlton Heston quote at the beginning. I'm not sure what this band's obsession with Planet of the Apes is all about, but I think it's cool.