I showed up way too early. Still daylight. Terrible start. My boots were already chewing into my heels, and I hadn\u2019t even made it through the door yet. Hanging outside Bannerman\u2019s like a ghost with nowhere better to be, scrolling my phone just so I didn\u2019t have to look at anyone. Everyone around me was loud, relaxed, and flammable. I hate that kind of ease. Thought about leaving\u2014more than once. Didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Eventually, I went in and to the same corner as always\u2014the darkest bit near the wall. Got a drink. Strong enough to feel, but not enough to blur. The place started filling fast. Everyone looked like they knew what they were doing. I never do.<\/p>\n
Then Kickin Valentina<\/strong> hit the stage, and the whole room just shifted.<\/p>\n Joe Edwards didn\u2019t so much sing as bark, bite, and drag the mic into a headlock. His voice sounded like it came from somewhere between bourbon and gravel. During \u201cWar Machine,\u201d<\/strong> he kept pointing out into the crowd like he was picking names off a list.<\/p>\n Heber Pampillon shredded so hard it felt like he was cutting wires in your head. The solo in \u201cCrazy<\/strong>\u201d was disgusting in the best way\u2014ugly, beautiful, too much. I couldn\u2019t move for a bit after. I just stared at my boots, letting the noise settle.<\/p>\n Chris and Jimmy\u2014rhythm guys\u2014were tight and mean. Not flashy, just right. The bass hit me square in the gut, like getting sucker-punched in slow motion. Drums like the back of a headache.<\/p>\n At some point, I wasn\u2019t pressed against the wall anymore. I didn\u2019t notice until \u201cEnd of the Road\u201d <\/strong>and I was half-nodding along like some kind of functioning adult. Not dancing. Just\u2026 giving in. The room was soaked by then. Everyone dripping. Heat thick enough to chew.<\/p>\n They dropped \u201cDevil\u2019s Dime\u201d<\/strong> and everything just melted. Bodies everywhere. Arms up. Screaming. I joined in. Off-key. Too loud. Didn\u2019t care. Felt correct.<\/p>\n They ended hard. One last song\u2014no speech, no fuss. Just finished and walked off like they\u2019d torched the place and didn\u2019t need to watch it burn.<\/p>\n I left half-deaf, sore in the legs, ears still ringing. Might never stop.<\/p>\n Would I go again? Already planning it.<\/p>\n Would I recommend it? Only if you\u2019re okay with feeling like you\u2019ve been mugged by joy and noise at the same time.<\/p>\n I need water. And a dark room. And maybe therapy.<\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n