Doug Van Pelt

GMA on the fly

Today is my third day to be at GMA, but my first chance to get on the internet and do anything. Although I haven't been a lot of ground like I usually do (I guess I'm an event monster that usually tries to spread myself over as much musical ground as possible at a thing like this), I have still experienced a lot in two+ days.

Saturday promised to be amazing, with a Mute Math show on the agenda. But since I was without vehicle on this trip, I took a shuttle bus over to the Nashville Convention Center and looked for a way over there. My friends, who were at the event (a giant Record Store Day party at Grimey's on 8th Ave), went out to get something to eat and were going to pick me up to take me to the show. Their insider contacts at the event informed them, however, that the small building was packed beyond capacity and there was over 200 people outside wanting to get in. People were being turned away. We all agreed that it would be futile to try to get in. So we passed on that and instead sat around and laughed ... a lot. Good friends getting together really works the old diaphram and stomach muscles, because good times, memories and jokes are shared in a free-form fun time that is super enjoyable. I've learned over the years by experience that these are the memories that stay with you much more so and longer than business meetings and most of the shows. There are memorable performances, for sure, and that is the combination that makes coming to something like this so enjoyable.


Sunday evening saw some really big events. One was the PB&J party on the rooftop (which was transferred into a gym at a church across the street from the Convention Center). This thing was packed with people, lots of free Rock Star Energy drinks, people walking around with trays of PB&J sandwiches (for real) and small cups of milk. There was some funny videos on the wall played between some bands. One of them had an edited interview with Will Farrell, which must've been blue-screened so that Will was in a room with Syntax Records logos on the wall and they answered questions about the artist that was coming on next. Lots of cool lights and a great sound system made this the best event I'd seen so far.


Later on I went over to the Renaissance Hotel for a Stryper listening party. There was a small suite filled with people, a tiny stereo, and Michael Sweet and his band's manager. Michael would explain a little bit about each song and then play it. We heard a good half dozen songs off the record and ... I think ... I'm going to like it ... a lot. I still need to hear it on a good loud sound system (like my car), but I'm thrilled at the inclusion of so many good guitar leads. Michael described the goal of this album to kind of get back to their roots, so he said there was a lot of double harmony guitar leads and harmony vocals. I enjoyed hearing that again, but mostly because it sounded fresh, energetic, tight and on. I love the little squeals and guitar string-bending notes I heard all over the place. It has that big metal sound, but of course, the tunes are very melodic. A friend or two heard it and prepared me for not liking it, but I don't agree with their assessment at this time. What I heard sounded very promising. It was great to see Michael and give him a big hug. Lots of folks in the room brought memorabilia to have signed, and Michael stayed around to chat and sign it all. One little guy showed me his Oz lego figure that he painted that he was hoping to give to Oz, who was a no-show due to a late flight from the West Coast. Both Mike and Oz will be performing at BB King's on Tuesday night as part of the always good Dog & Pony Show.


Tonight's Dog & Pony Show features a headline performance by Tonex. I don't want to miss that.


I was able to see a couple metal bands I didn't know, as well as the White Collar Side Show. I had seen their DVD that featured a live show in a giant empty theater and knew I was in for a mind-bending, raw audio and visual treat. It was something else to be there and see it live. They're really good ... and original. Two of the guys play drums and various percussive instruments (including a giant saw and a 50 gallon barrell). A female bass player jams in a cage on stage right with a "faceless" mask on. Lots of fast-paced video with antique and campy footage runs on a screen, and there's lots of rhythmic sound bytes and voices that play loud over the system.


This Fires Embrace put on a really heavy, but short set of pummeling songs. Blissed rocked the house out late into the night, with David Pierce's vocals living up to his last name.