Filthy Breakdowns and Loyal Scenes: A Night with Titan Rage

It's 1:03 AM and I'm still buzzing, so this is going up while it's fresh. This is the first blog post I've ever put my name on. Decades ago in Buffalo, I ran a fanzine, a free magazine, sponsored, delivered to record stores and bars around the city. I used to cut pictures out with an X-Acto knife and glue them onto a template, staying up late at the Kinko's on Elmwood to get it printed. Ask anyone under thirty what half of that sentence means. Back then I was also picking up international fanzines with black and white photos of Black Sabbath and Ozzy, having no idea what was actually happening out here in the Bay Area, I was still in Buffalo and didn't know the first thing about this scene. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if some of those same pages had Harold's photos in them before either of us ever knew the other existed. Same instinct though, just with better tools and forty years of scenes behind it.

Before the show, DETHBED 925 was originally supposed to be on this ticket. That didn't happen, and I take full responsibility.

Earlier that day, the Buffalo Bills played their first preseason game in the new stadium and looked dominant doing it. History in the making back home, and out here in the Bay Area, a full lineup: 24 Gore, Black, KAOS, Jesus Crisis, and Titan Rage headlining. One of the guys in Black is friends with Curran, our bass player. I'd already bought a Jesus Crisis shirt last time I saw them, and tonight I picked up a sticker too, not realizing until later the guy handing it to me was their drummer, Joe.

Black was finishing up their set as I walked in. I was impressed right away with how much imagery their vocalist carried, delivering each song with real intent. If I had to place it, the vibe leaned somewhat Mastodon-ish to my ear.

Jesus Crisis

Jesus Crisis played second, and this was my second time catching them. Honestly, the main reason I go see them is Harold, that's how thankful I am for what he's done for this Bay Area metal scene. I spent most of their set trying to place their sound, Alice In Chains and Southern rock were locked in, and I was hunting for a third element. My first guess was punk rock. After the show, I ran the Southern rock comparison by Joe, which didn't land, and he countered with Zeppelin, which I could hear once he said it. The guitar tonality reminded me more of Larry LaLonde than Jimmy Page, which is my preference.

Harald Oimoen runs their side of things, and documented this Bay Area scene as it happened. His photography landed on Metallica's Ride the Lightning and Exodus's Bonded by Blood, and he co-authored Murder in the Front Row with Brian Lew, the definitive visual history of Bay Area thrash. I watched the documentary within the last few years, but the Bay Area Headbangers scene itself inspired me back as a teenager, long before I ever saw the film. I was in awe of it then and I still am. Harold also played bass in D.R.I.

Somebody has to be in the room believing a scene is worth documenting before the world agrees. Harold was that guy here in the early '80s, right as thrash was becoming one of the biggest things to happen in music. That work rarely gets seen from the crowd, but it's a real reason the scene became what it did.

One funny moment stuck with me. Jesus Crisis's last song is called "Fist Fight in the Parking Lot," and Harold introduced it from the side of the stage. For half a second I had a paranoid flash that he was calling me out. I looked at him and thought, telepathically, you think you can kick my ass? I could take him. Then I caught myself. Getting into it with a guy who's given this much to the scene would be the dumbest way to spend a Saturday night. Everybody's mind wanders somewhere ridiculous at a show. That was mine.

KAOS

KAOS was strong as usual, no surprise there. I bought one of their shirts a few years back and my 19-year-old has been wearing it ever since. Already after midnight when they took the stage, they only played about four songs before giving way to Titan Rage on purpose, so the headliner wouldn't go on even later. Politeness in this scene most people never notice.

Right before Titan Rage went on, I ran into Joe again. He liked my Acid Bath hoodie. He told me Jesus Crisis has a black light Acid Bath poster in their rehearsal room.

Titan Rage

Titan Rage headlined and did what they always do. By the time they went on, Saturday the 15th had already rolled into Sunday the 16th. Filthy breakdowns dropped into hidden, unusual entranceways, and once they get there, you know you're there. I always tell myself I'm too old for the pit these days. Then that first heavy breakdown hits, and somehow I'm back in there anyway, no idea how I got there. I only made it two revolutions before I was gasping for air like I just ran a mile, which tells you everything about where my cardio actually stands. Turns out cardiovascular exercise is one of the fringe benefits of watching Titan Rage live. When these guys break it down, it really is engulfing, the power of the music genuinely compels. I even tried to record it, but the button cut off two seconds in, right around when I bumped into somebody mid-spin. So what I actually walked away with is a few short clips from when I'd retreated to safer ground, and some good photos. Fitting, honestly, that the only proof I have is from the moments I remembered my age.

That's the whole point, right? Music that pumps through your blood until you lose control.

And I have to give special mention to Chamber Greystone, vocalist and bassist of KAOS, who put this whole weekend of metal together. I've found him to be one of the hardest working guys around, rounding up bands and getting the word out so people know these shows are happening.

This Bay Area scene has been supporting each other like this for decades, and it's genuinely an honor to be part of it.

I paid my $15 to get in tonight. I know enough people in this scene I could've gotten on the guest list free, used to work that angle constantly when I was younger, and I was proud of it too, like scamming five bucks off a band that was barely breaking even was some kind of hustle. Embarrassing, looking back. Now I get how hard these guys work for ten or fifteen bucks a head, less than one beer costs most places. I don't go to save five bucks. I go to support my friends and invest in their dreams.

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Special bulletin: DETHBED is looking for a lead guitar player to work with us writing, recording, and playing live. We rehearse Tuesday nights in Dublin.

More soon.

Angst