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Insane Clown Posse – Riddle Box Tour (review)

Anthony Bernardi

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Insane Clown Posse Riddle Box Tour (review)

by Anthony Bernardi

 

Tickets $38.00.

Gas and hotel $120.00.

Driving 700 miles round trip to see ICP perform my favorite album in it’s entirety, priceless…

ICP-02As I was driving east towards Milwaukee on Interstate 90, I felt a stirring that has not been there in many years. There was excitement, happiness, dread, and nervousness building up inside me. I felt as if my whole body was in a vice and being squeezed tighter and tighter. Just as I couldn’t take it anymore the pressure subsided, replacing the pressure and anxiety was a giant grin across my face. It was rush of pure adrenaline and I was gigging like a school girl.

In just a few short hours Insane Clown Posse would be performing the Riddle Box album in it’s entirety in celebration of the album’s 20 year anniversary. This was the first album I have heard from ICP and it was, needless to say, a life altering event. I have seen the dynamic clown duo of Jay and Shaggy perform over 25 times in the past 20 years. I’ve seen them play in front of a few hundred Juggalos at club shows to over 20,000 fans at the Gathering of the Juggalos year after year, but for some reason I was nervous, overly excited, and incredibly anxious to see them preform what I was sure would be a monumental show.

ICP-05As I arrived at Turner Hall in Milwaukee WI and made my way through the door of the venue, I heard the crowd chanting “WICKED WISCO” as in wicked Wisconsin. That brought a huge smile to my face. It was only a matter of moments before the good ‘ole “FAMILY!… FAMILY!…” chants began, reminding me of how much of a close-knit this community this truly is. The atmosphere brought back memories of the time I saw ICP at this very venue nearly 15 years ago. That show was the precursor to the 2001 Gathering that held so many extraordinary memories for myself and two good buddies of mine. That was the second best show I have ever attended, which only added to the anticipation for this evening and had me fully prepared to get my wig peeled back.

ICP-07One of the coolest parts of this evening was the local talent they had opening the show. The first group to take the stage was Higher Power, their set was good despite some technical issues. They battled through and the crowd cheered them on.

The second performance was by Bloody Rukkus. All I can say is Wow… I wasn’t expecting such a stellar performance. His stage presence and the way he had the crowd in his hand shows that this cat deserves a good record deal.

The third and final local performance was Damien Quinn. Again I wasn’t expecting his performance to be so amazing. He left me utterly speechless.

Finally the lyrical genius and Psychopathic Records own Young Wicked hit the stage. I have to be honest, previous to this night I had not heard anything by Young Wicked, but dayum! That was a hell of a performance. He had that crowd eating out of his hand and made sure everyone in the the room was ready for the Wicked Clowns!

ICP-04For those of you that have listened to the Riddle Box album on CD or like some of us old school Juggalos had it on cassette tape you know how diverse, entertaining, and iconic the album is. I honestly had no idea what I was in for and wondered if they could they pull it off live? Don’t get me wrong, I know they never fail to please and entertain, but holy shit! I spent over an hour being drenched in Faygo that actually put me in a state of euphoria. As strange as this sounds this is one of the most exhilarating experience one can have while surrounded with hundreds of perfect strangers and family alike. It was this high that wouldn’t fade. Hundreds and hundreds of gallons of Faygo thrown, a packed house of Juggalos and Juggalettes soaked to the bone and chanting “ICP… ICP…”. They ripped through all sixteen tracks from Riddle Box with ease and perfection, ending the night with the appropriately titled closing track “I’m Coming Home”.

ICP-01I made my way back to my motel looking like a refugee or a sopping wet hobo. I began to reflect on the evening, and I came to this ultimate conclusion. Over the past 20 years I have traveled all over United States to see my favorite band perform. I’ve been everywhere from Portland to Pittsburgh and have never been let down by their energy, performance or excitement. However I must say that June 8th 2016 I saw my last ICP show.

This show was the golden ring, my crown, or my unicorn as they say. I would have given significant parts of my anatomy to see this go down at Saint Andrews Hall in October of 1995 when it first came out. But here in 2016 I’m quietly packing up the face paint and hanging up my Faygo bottles. This doesn’t mean I do not support them as “I will be down with the clowns till I’m dead in the ground”. I have just come to the crest of that great mountain. This is my Shangrila. Much like a NFL quarterback retiring after winning the Super Bowl, I want to go out on top and let this euphoric feeling last for the rest of my days.

I will have to admit that I would like to attend one more Gathering of the Juggalos. I was thinking the 20th annual will be the perfect time and place for me to paint my face one more time.

Well guys thanks for your time and remember

I’ll catch you on the flip side!!

Anthony

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Collective Soul “7EVEN YEAR ITCH” Greatest Hits 1994-2001 Vinyl 

Ron

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I’ve always been a big fan of Collective Soul and have been lucky to have seen them a few times. This band has always been in my music mixes since the 1990s.

The vinyl release is exactly what you would want for a greatest-hits album. All the best songs that collective soul had from 1994–2001 If you were a teenager or an adult in the 90s, you can’t tell me that you didn’t jam out to songs like “Shine,” “Gel,” and “December.”

With other great songs like “Heavy,” “Run,” “The World I Know,” and “Forgiveness,” This greatest hit album sounds amazing on vinyl as well. Craft Recordings has done a really great job of keeping the magic and sound of these amazing songs.

The sleeve cover has some cool photos of the band throughout the years. This vinyl just came out in Collective Soul fashion in December, and is ready to be part of your vinyl collection, and just brings you back to a great time in life. 

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Otep – Hydra 10th Anniversary Vinyl

Ron

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I received a copy of the album, and when I first opened it, the artwork struck me first. Otep has always been a great visual artist, with her amazing drawings and characters. I even have one of them tattooed on myself. When you see the artwork on this vinyl release, you will really be drawn in and appreciate the artistry.

The sound of this vinyl is amazing. It’s been years since I’ve listened to anything on vinyl and forgot how much I loved the sound of the medium compared to CDs and digital releases. I love the songs on this album because, as with all Otep albums, it has such raw power and emotions, mixed with the anger and beauty of Otep’s poetry. Otep is one of the greats.

The album starts off with the track “Rising,” and this initial song sets the tone for what you’re about to hear from the balance of the album. The standout tracks on this album have to be “Necromantic,” “Apex Predator,” “Voyeur,” and “Feral Game.” Over all, the album as a complete piece of art is amazing. I would encourage you, if you’re a fan of Otep or a collector of vinyl, to add this vinyl to your collection.

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WEDNESDAY 13: Performs Muderdolls Lititz PA Show Review

Ron

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Wednesday 13 came into Lititz, PA, on November 18th, bringing the music, or The MurderDolls, with him. Continuing the legacy of Joey Jordison and Ben Graves.

Wednesday 13 is on a tour now; that’s all MurderDolls. 21 years have passed since Beyond the Valley of the MurderDolls came out, and 13 years have passed since Women and Children Last was released. Wednesday and his bandmates are sharing the stage with Infected Rain and Gemini Syndrome on this tour.

The show was amazing; this was our first time covering a show at Mickey’s Black Box. The venue, the staff, and our media contact were so hospitable. The venue was amazing, with a cool balcony on the second floor to watch the show as well.

We got to hear a full set of 20 MurderDolls songs, which was pretty much every song on both albums. There were some songs I haven’t gotten to hear in a long time, like “Grave Robbing USA”, “Drug Me To Hell”, and “Summertime Suicide”. Of course, it wouldn’t be a MurderDolls show if they didn’t play “I Love to Say Fuck” and finish the night with “Dead in Hollywood.”

It’s always a blast to see Wednesday 13 in concert, and I was so excited for the band that a lot of these shows were sold out. It was also a special night because it was my GF’s “50th” birthday and my buddy’s GF’s birthday the next day. We got the MC of the show, Don Jamieson, to give them a little birthday shout-out.

Although it’s sad that Joey and Ben are no longer with us, I’m sure Joey is loving that Murderdolls is still kicking ass after all those years, and I know that Wednesday 13 is so appreciative of what MurderDolls has done for his career.

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