This thing is too long to proofread so deal with the typos etc... LOL :P

Well it took me a while but I'm finally blogging about the amazing time I had 1 week ago. Where do I start! Well how about the beginning. I was born in... no wait not that far back...

How about last Wednesday :)
That was the day my homie Michael aka "The Michael" arrived from the Chicago area. I left early from work to pick him up at SFO. Being from the flat lands that are the midwest his first impression was wow what a landscape. He was taking pictures out the window as we drove down the 280 heading towards San Jose... After dropping his stuff of at my house we headed to downtown San Jose via the Light Rail... Because drinking was going to be involved LMAO!! The Sharks were playing game four of their series that night and we Bar hopped around downtown San Jose, Started off at Gordon Bierch for dinner and few beverages than over to the Britannia Arms to hang out with all the people going over to the Tank for the game. Once they cleared out we watched the first period there over a couple of pitchers of barley pop! From there we popped into O'Flaherty's for a quick one, then onto The Tide House. By this time we had the drunken muchies and ate some ungodly fried food fiasco... a combo appetizer plate. This was huge, but we had it downed in know time... not long after that it back on the Lightrail or we'd really be gettin' into some trouble! Haha!!

Thursday!
Slept in a bit...DUH!! Then got up and snagged some breakfast at the local diner in Milpitas...EGGS AND BACON!! did the trick... Then we headed up to the City and decided to stay up there because I had to help escort Crimson Glory at the Airport on Friday, Pick up my baby coming in from Michigan and there was going to some fun and games going on in San Francisco this night! Well Michael and I got up to the city and parked it over near Ghiradelli Square and proceeded to walk down to pier 39. Of course we stopped off at Jack's for a couple of brewski's (one beer each comped by the excellent bloke behind the bar.... Free beers rule!! everyone support Jack's, great little bar with 85 beers on tap!) Showed Michael the whole Pier 39 thing complete with the sea lions and everything. We had lunch out there it was excellent! After that we checked in to the Cathedral Hill Hotel and got our shit together and headed out to meet the BARfest gang at Bocci's in North Beach. We get there and Bear and Christen are there as are the guys From Mob Rules. Then Dave Hatchell and the guys from Balance of Power and D.C. Cooper show up with his "Thats Metal" Mickey Mouse Tshirt haha!!. Food is ordered and all you heard for the rest of the evening was Dave telling the waiter "10 MORE!!!" (Stella Artois) "Ten More" at one pint the waiter was a little slow with the next ten And we added one more catch phrase for the evening "YOU'RE FIRED!!!" ala Donald Trump... At some point the Aussies from Eyefear show up and completely add more life to this party. After a short while a few of us head over to the Grant and Green for a few more. THey had a decent cover band playing in there, and when they finished their set D.C. tried to talk them into letting him and the Eyefear guys use their instruments.. They totally pussed out..."we gotta go home" That would of RULED!! oportunity lost.... After hangin and talkin and being chastized by the owner for taking our beers outside (in the drizzling rain) we had enough. But the catch phrase "THAT'S METAL!!, TEN MORE!!!, YOU'RE FIRED!!!! was born... and repeated all weekend. Snagged a taxi in 30 seconds! Perfect!! Got back and Crashed hard.... Woke hearing Michael trying to barf!!! Dudes a pure alcholic Bulimic!! Haha!!

Friday!!! Oh shit we've got some work to do!! And hey I feel pretty good! Michael ...not so good but my Brotha's got game!! We're up and out by about 10:45 or so and we head down to SFO. When we first got there we had to eat... I had a tuna sandwich, Michale had Sushi - Breakfast of champions :/ LOL... I guessed it worked... Then on to greet Crimson Glory and get them on their Shuttles.. Piece of cake right? Wrong!! hehe! I took off to get some info about the shuttle company and where we are to meet them and I saw a couple of long hairs heading down towards baggage claim, Michael takes off for them while get the required info.... I really didn't know what most of the CG guys look like now except for their new singer Wade Black. I didn't see him at first but Michael round them all up. Long story short the Shuttle company sent one shuttle instead of two and we had to stick around to get the last of the group and their instruments on the shuttles, and I swear they were heading to two different hotels but Wade told me later that they all got to where they needed to be....

Still FRIDAY!!!
Jax is arriving!!! We can't leave the airport yet, we had to walk a country fricken mile to the other side of the world to find Jax's gate area... LMAO! after about 20-30 minutes of waiting Blam There She Is!!!

I never wanted to slap a huge hug on any body as much as I did right then! I think I heard Michael tapping his foot after about a minute.... LOL Some may know some may not, but Jax and I have a history going back many years, first online, then we used to live together, we went our separate ways but through it all we just never lost contact and again we found that we were each others biggest fans. She was the one I called when I was happy, she's the one I called when things sucked, and visa versa.... It took an incredible journey for us but we are now on one page and we recently became engaged to be married!! She is the yin to my yang, the cream in my coffee!! The bubbles in my beer! LOL OK enough of that shit.... She just means everything to me! Soooooo we head to our digs for the weekend, The Miyako Hotel in Japan Town... We get to our room, great corner sweet with a view from the balcony that has to be seen to be believed...

Jax had brought goodies for me, lots of goodies, and amongst my surprises was the coolest ring with celtic knotwork designs on it... totally slick!

I also slipped her engagement ring on her finger! Very emotional moment for the both of us! Back together after everything... Feels perfect!

We eventually we got our shit together and met up with The Michael and headed out for some killer sushi! I mean what else do you eat in Japantown!! I guess Michael was officially on the Sushi diet... LOL We bought all kinds of killer rolls, at least 4 large ones, and Jax got a Beef Teriyaki Bento box. We just picked and narfed on all the good stuff and sucked down a couple of sapporo's. The funniest moment of night happened next... Michael was eating some ginger with his chopsticks when he says... You can always tell what something tastes like by the way it smells. Then he says Ginger smells like sanitary napkins... so I go reeeeallllyyyyy... He goes yeah you know when you wipe them on your face they smell like ginger!!! Then I go DUDE!! I THINK YOU MEAN WETNAPS!!! at this point I look over at Jax and she's in tears... And I'm rolling with laughter!!! He's embarrassed, well kind of ... I really don't think he gives a damn... LOL Ah The Michael, our endless source of comedy!! You RULE MICHAEL!! even when you don't know you are! LOL
Thats Metal!, Ten More!, You're Fired!!
On to the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A quick cab ride and were there!!! Beer Me!

Timeline took the stage!!!

They sounded better that night then I've ever heard them. Their set was short 2 songs (one 24 minute epic song and a 5 minute song) the epic was awesome!! What a way to get the BARfest 2007 rolling. Eric You Rule Dude!! After Timeline Dave got up on stage and personally introduced Mob Rules From Germany!!


They laid into there set and KICKED ASS!!! They played Black Rain, Hallowed Be Thy Name and the whole of the Ethnolution A.D. When they played Fuel To The Fire and The Last Farewell I was (and the crowd) were in metal heaven. I was happy to see that so many in the crowd knew the lyrics to some of their songs. Great energetic set, I hope these guys play Progpower soon. They were my favorite band of the whole festival. Oh and thanks to Jax's quick foot, I got Markus' bass pick when he chucked it into the crowd and she stepped on it after my feeble attempt to snag it out of the air! Thanks Baby!!
Next Up? Balance of Power from Britain!

They laid into a heavy set! Their sound was excellent and their new singer Corey Brown was a monster. He handled the different eras of BOP's catalog with ease. When Corey was hitting the high notes on Heathen Machine the place was quaking! A couple of my other favorites from the set were Daybreaker and Chemical Imbalance.
Enchant was next…

Wow! What a sound, perfect in every way. Their sound is so perfectly balanced and so perfectly executed. Enjoyed their set immensely. Seeing Ed rip on that bass is incredible. They come across much heavier live than they do on their albums so it really drew me into the overall vibe. But in the end I like some of their mid-tempo songs like "What To Say". Ted delivers with some amazingly controlled vocals on these. These guys are true professionals.
After Enchant it was time to soak up some the beer in my stomach so off to Stelladoro's Pizza!! No Michael they don't make a Melon Pizza!

We got this behemoth all meat grease monster of a pie that was soooo Good!!!! The people making the Za for us thought we were nuts LOL but that thing hit the spot! Then we fumbled back for some Spock's Beard.

Didn't get to hear the whole set but I enjoyed two songs off the new album they played. The Slow Crash Landing Man and Skeleton's at The Feast. The Slow Crash Landing Man is such a beautiful song and Nick's vocals were fantastic. Skeleton's is a monster heavy instrumental that definitely rocked the house… Again had a cab in seconds and we were out of there!!

Finally SATURDAY!!!
Woke up several times in the morning to the sound Evil Woman playing at high volume! That's Jax's cell phone ring tone lol…. I spent the morning guzzling H2O and sleeping off the night's madness. Got a call from The Michael he was roaming the streets of Japantown even though he was hungover big time… "I can't Sleep!" Poor bastard haha!! If I couldn't sleep til noon I'd be screwed after a night like Friday LOL. At around noon we ordered up some huge Club Sandwiches from an outside food delivery company, but the lettuce was cooked on it when we got it. Can you say Ewww! Removed the produce and it did the job! At around 2PM I got a call from my friend Stan saying he was on his way down from Santa Rosa! When he got there Michael also show up and found a use for the Samurai helmet decoration in the room!!


Bwahaha!!! So after F'n around for about a half hour were off for some more grub and the SHOW!!!
We had Stan drive us down to the venue quickly found a parking spot and we decided to eat at the Fly Bar. Jax and I both had the Tuna Melt! It was awesome. Michael however order up a southwestern pizza which he hated. I ate a couple of pieces and it was good! Calicorn Za Rules!! (I don't think Michael thought so when he got a kernal stuck in his nose when he was puking in the head at the show!! LMAO~!!!!) Keith Sharward stopped in and we all talked over a couple of beers and then we were set! Night Two!!
Opening act…Odin's Court from Maryland.

I've known Rick for a couple of years now and I've always wanted to see them play. And man they put on a great albeit short set. I was really impressed. Great songs! They did a great job. My friend Stan was really impressed with them…

Next The Mighty EYEFEAR!!!


Holy shit these guys were great! Eyefear were another one of my favorite bands of BARfest 2007. Danny Cecati's Voice was amazing! That guy can belt it out larger than life! They played several songs off their upcoming album A World Full of Grey! And I can't wait to get it! These were the songs that really gripped me, and it shows that these guys are progressing and that the future is indeed bright for these awesome Aussies. Got to talk to Danny, their keyboardist the awesome Sammy G and they rest of the guys after their set and they are were the coolest bunch of guys. I wish them all the best in the future and I hope they get back here to the States soon because they kicked ass. Oh and of course lets not for get the musical highlight of the entire weekend. D.C. Cooper got up on stage and sang tandem with Danny!!!
They did this as a surprise for Promoter Dave Hatchell and from what people told me Dave had a shiteating grin ear to ear!! What an amazing song, with two major vocal powerhouses belting it out in harmony! Very Cool!!!
Next the amazing Zero Hour!!



Jasun, Troy, Mikey and Chris!! Another amazing set from 4 of the most amazing musicians alive. I've seen them perform maybe 5 times this year and it never gets old. They were absolutely amazing. And Chris pulled off his vocal madness even though he had a cold. After Zero's set Dave Hatchell got up and announced Jax and my engagement from the stage! Something we will never forget! We got a round of applause that I will be able to recall from my memories forever. Dave also announced Jasun and Christina's wedding in Vegas two days before and he and the BARfest crew gave them a weekend in Capatola as a wedding gift. They were both very surprised!

Another cool moment! Best wishes for a great life Jasun and Christina! You guys RULE!!
It's not over yet!! Next Up Crimsom Glory!

These guys were mad awesome! Jon Drenning is an amazing guitarist and with the addition of Wade Black on vocals and Double percussion onslaught these guys were powerful. Jax took most of these cool pictures in this blog but I took her camera for one shot of my own...Check out this cool shot of Wade Black I took… HELL YEAH!

You can really tell that Crimson Glory have been around for some time their set was amazing! Last but not least The Mountain King!!! Jon Oliva!! And Jon Oliva's Pain.

The big man was amazing, he really had a great time up there! They played the entire Streets album! Jax was hungry so we missed the finally with Ronnie Monrow helping out on the Hall Of The Mountain King! That must have been awesome..But Jax and I were happily gobbling down some eggs at the LUCKY PENNY!!

Dennys From Hell!!! Place ruled… Jax then took me back to the Miyako and attacked me! LOL What a great weekend!!!!!
Woke up on Sunday and got Jax and Michael onto their planes and drove home to the southbay for well needed rest…

This picture pretty much sums up my weekend...

What happy lucky dude I am!!!

This was one of the best times of my life! Long Live BARFEST!!!!
SEE YOU ALL AT BARFEST II in 2008!!
Put your cynicism away and Support the Scene!! And it will pay you back in some of the best times anyone can have!!
Thanks to all the great bands, all my old friends, all my new friends… And especially to my wife to be, Jax...You all Rule!!
Brett

Two Weeks Until BARfest! It is going to be such a great couple of nights! I know several people coming from across the USA to be there. It going to be a great party and a great two nights of fantastic music!! I hope to see all my friends there!!! Jax and I are staying at the Miyako Hotel in Japantown! Beers served at 4:00PM LOL Then off to the show!! See y'all at the show!!

Hey South Bay Peoples, and everyone else for that matter!! This show is coming up fast, don't miss your chance to see Enchant with the all star openers Redemption, Zero Hour and Timeline! It gonna Rule! Hope to see you all there!

You probably missed it in the rush of news last week, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American.

So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day to let everyone know what an American is . So they would know when they found one. (Good one, mate!!!!)

"An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan.

An American may also be a Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.

An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim.

In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.

An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.

An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world.
The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.

An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return.

When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country!

As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan. Americans welcome the best of everything...the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best services. But they also welcome the least.

The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America.

Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. It's been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 different countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.

So you can try to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

Please keep this going!
Pass this around the World
then pass it around again.
It says it all, for all of us

(P.S. If you kill us ..we will kill you right back)

Inspired by Jax's Blog... :) All this from 3 questions...

Your Personality Is

Rational (NT) You are both logical and creative. You are full of ideas. You are so rational that you analyze everything. This drives people a little crazy! Intelligence is important to you. You always like to be around smart people. In fact, you're often a little short with people who don't impress you mentally. You seem distant to some - but it's usually because you're deep in thought. Those who understand you best are fellow Rationals. In love, you tend to approach things with logic. You seek a compatible mate - who is also very intelligent. At work, you tend to gravitate toward idea building careers - like programming, medicine, or academia. With others, you are very honest and direct. People often can't take your criticism well. As far as your looks go, you're coasting on what you were born with. You think fashion is silly. On weekends, you spend most of your time thinking, experimenting with new ideas, or learning new things.

Well What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas huh?
Well I beg to differ! I was having a cool time thennnnn....those schmucks at Treasure Island fed me a tainted cheese burger that got me sick sick sick! I had the thing late Tuesday night, and here it is Friday evening and I'm still not right! Spent Wednesday in my hotel room and flying home yesterday was fun, and now I'm just trying to gain my strength and get it together after eating an ounce more than zip for 2 days! What a fricken pisser!

Well At least I'm eating again. I hope I'm whole by tomorrow because I need to be... *sigh*

Kickin it in Vegas... And what happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas!!

Woo Hoo!!! :)

I am such a sexy beast!

Ok This is pretty funny... GIVE IT TO ME ROUGH BABY!!! HAHAHA!!!!!

You prefer Rough sex! You like it ROUGH. Hard, great, wonderful slamming sex is your type of sex. More the product of lust than love - and utterly horny - rough sex is what satisfies you.

'What is the best type of sex for you?' at QuizUniverse.com

Chidren of Bodom Owned tonight at Slims in San Francisco!!!!!

My friends rule!

The bastards that were buying rounds in the balcony were cool!

And COB Slayed!!

And that girly that called me when I was in line holds a piece of my heart,

Do yourself a favor! See Children of Bodom!!

 

WAOHhhhhh!!!!