Boston’s Kimberly Dahme Photo: Andy Laudano

Sluggfest 13 - The Ridglea Theater, 6/14/08
Sluggfest 13 had heavy metal, thrash, black - and even had smelly metal! From dusk ‘til dawn and even later, people were busy carrying out the event that enabled over 20 bands to play. In addition to metal, other genres are now popping up in Sluggfest’s repertoire. Groovy hard rock like Chemical Tree and Wofat were nicely woven into the line-up. Orthodox Fuzz and Error of Free Will had cool melodic bluesy over-tones within their sets. The hardcore peeps stuck around until 1 AM to see headliner Staggercrawl. A few other performing bands to watch out for are Vaste Burai, Dreadful Hours, Dead Rising, Southern Assault and Blood Stained Carpet. Thank you to Lord Slugg for bringing this event together that makes for a kick ass festival twice a year. (Misty Johnson)

Chicago, Doobie Brothers - Superpages.com, 6/15/08
The Doobie Brothers and Chicago entertained an enthusiastic crowd on this night. After each performed a set that memories were made of, both bands came together for an unbelievable encore, playing songs from each of their lists of hits. The sight alone of so many musicians on stage at one time was amazing, but the music was even more impressive. They brought everyone in the crowd to their feet with “Listen To The Music (Dobbie Brothers)” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” and “25 or 6 to 4” (Chicago) (Jill Jackson)

The Peppermint Creeps/Suicide Angels/Revengeance - RockStar Sports Bar, 6/12/08
Kicking off this show was Revengeance, whose metal stylings broke the ice for the restless crowd. Up next were glam metal rockers, the Suicide Angels (who pulled off great covers from Poison, Motley Crue and a few other hair metal icons).
Finally, the Peppermint Creeps got to electrify the stage. This was their first show in the D/FW metroplex, and they were nothing short of incredible. The set kicked off with “Let Your Voice Be Heard” and (with high energy Ramones styled fury), they flew through such originals as “Lesbian,” “Stupid,” “1-900” and “Cokewhore.” They also mixed in a few recognizable covers like “Turning Japanese” (the Vapors), “Bastard” (Motley Crue). Finishing the set with a heartfelt tribute to Dimebag, they played a spectacular version of Pantera’s “Walk.” This was the loudest and most visually stimulating show to hit D/FW in quite a while. (Gene Reichert)

Justin of The Valentine Failures Photo: Scotty Mankoff

Soldiers of Scrape - The Door, 6/5/08
Hailing from Michigan, Soldiers of Scrape brought their back-to-basics approach to metal to an appreciative Dallas audience. Made up of Face (guitar), Mick (vocals), Crouton (bass) and Andy (drums), they brought an old school metal assault that had the audience going berserk. With songs like “Kerry F**king King Rules” and “Cold Beer,” it’s brutally obvious these madmen are out to have fun and melt a few faces on the way. The guitar work and vocals are reminiscent of Pantera without being a rip-off. The drums were heavy and fast and, when coupled with the rumbling bass, created an aural avalanche that was menacing and unstoppable. Most metal bands have forgotten how to have fun but, when Crouton donned a headpiece in the shape of a giant zig zag pack, you knew these guys remembered. This was just good old fashioned thrash metal with no pretense and no irony. (Jesse Wilson)

Firewind - The Door, 6/5/08
Firewind is “the baby” of Greek guitar prodigy Gus G. (Arch Enemy, Dream Evil). After numerous lineup changes, Firewind seems to have found a stable roster with Apollo Papathanasio (vocals), Petros Christo (bass), Bob Katsionis (keyboards/guitar) and Mark Cross (drums). Although the band played last year’s ProgPower USA festival in Atlanta and a few other U.S. dates, this was Apollo’s first American tour. This was also Firewind’s first time in Texas and their fans were ready, chanting the band’s name before they even got onstage. You could tell Gus was blown away by the crowd’s enthusiasm. Apollo is a fantastic frontman and, despite various technical problems, the fans ate up every lick Gus played. Their all-too-short set included “Insanity,” “Into the Fire,” “Head Up High,” “Mercenary Man” and “Til the End of Time.” This is a band you need to watch out for! (Andy Laudano)

Wild Child - House of Blues, 6/28/08
This was an opportunity to step back in time, to the days and sounds of Jim Morrison and the Doors. Wild Child, a Doors tribute band from LA, opened that door, giving fans the chance to experience what the band might have been like. The music was realistically performed to a T. Vocalist Dave Bock has spent the last 20 years perfecting Morrison’s music, mannerisms and wardrobe. The band hauntingly takes you back long ago to the strange, mystical and wild days of the Doors, starting with songs from Strange Days. Highlights were “Break On Through,” “Light My Fire” and “The End.” If you ever get the opportunity to see this band, don’t pass it up! (Jill Jackson)

Dagger - Skillman Street Pub, 5/31/08
Dagger, who’s new to the Dallas/Ft. Worth music scene, knows what people like and they give it to them with energy and power. Dagger features Bandit (vocals), Ben and Jerry (guitars), Jon (bass) and Jody (drums). Performing such songs as “Tie Your Mother Down” (Queen), “Sex Type Thing” (Stone Temple Pilots) and “Jail Break” (Thin Lizzy), they play something to satisfy almost anyone’s taste in rock n roll. Dagger is a pure delight to see. Expect to hear more from them in the future. (Kim “Kimber” Polen)

Industry 6 - Curtain Club, 6/6/08
Local alternative metal stalwarts Industry 6 played a breathtaking show at Curtain Club. Singer Michael Angel (ex-Faint the Fiction) conveyed scenes of soul-searching and self-realization with heart-wrenching sincerity. Drummer Chris Adair and bassist Filup Bagby blended seamlessly in a syncopated groove that drove this powerful outfit. James Smylie (guitar, ex-Red Tape Poetry) flawlessly delivered mind-bending solos and melodic complements to the rhythm guitar skillfully woven by Randy Forester. Tiffany Adair’s haunting keyboards filled the music warmly and tantalized you in slower sections of songs. The tempo of most songs was upbeat, and it felt like they pulled the emotion directly from your chest and reflected it back at you. Highlights were the eerie “Drizzle” and “Revel” combination, the feeling-drenched “Insignificant Other” and powerhouse “Benevolent.” When you see this radio-ready yet sincere dynamo, be sure to take the next few days off to ponder what they’ve shown you about yourself. (Jesse Wilson)

Six Point Hollow - O’Riley’s, 6/06/08
Six Point Hollow helped celebrate the birthday of O’Riley’s bartender Steve. The best way to describe this band is that they are unique and march to their own drummer. Members are Ray Clay (vocals), Gary Winkle (guitar), Terry Clay (guitar), Mike Rogger (bass) and Lance Red Elk (drums). Performing originals like “Fly Queen,” “Last Call” and “A Better Way,” their mixture of rock and blues is a breath of fresh air in the Dallas/Ft. Worth music scene. It’s well worth checking them out and seeing how good they really are. (Kim “Kimber” Polen)

Iron Bone - O’Riley’s, 6/14/08
Iron Bone was part of the “Nikki Sixx “Running into the Night Benefit.” Though a new band, its members are veterans of the local music scene. Iron Bone is Pino Garcia (vocals), Mark Howe (lead/rhythm guitar), Patrick Ward (drums), Dory Blackhawk (lead/rhythm guitar) and Angus Blackhawk (bass). Opening with Judas Priest’s “Electric Eye,” they then performed songs from Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Dio - with the crowd up at the stage rocking out to each and every one. Iron Bone shows their talent on each and every song. See them at a nearby club. (Kim “Kimber” Polen)

STP’s Scott Weiland Photo: Randy Bookout

Hell Within Photo: Gene Reichert

Little Green Men - Rob’s Billiards, 6/13/08
What a night! LGM played to a nearly packed house of beer-guzzling fans as they blazed thru their new release, Totality, in its entirety with master precision. Crowd pleaser, “Chewin’ On Tin Foil,” was ear candy for the masses - featuring an instrumental axe war between bassist Motown and guitarist Andrew Williams! My personal favorite was “Tell Me Of The Night,” a dark and lusty tune that reminds you of your first date at the cemetery.
The nostalgic second set featured the Ozzy cover “I Don’t Know,” which got club owner Rob Bryan into head bangin’ mode. Pantera’s “Cowboys from Hell” also raised a few fists as Sin Serum vocalist Sinbadd joined LGM on stage. The band mixed killer renditions of tunes like Iron Maiden’s “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” Metallica’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls” and a medley of Ozzy’s “Suicide Solution” and “Metal Health” with some of their own like “Witch’s Brew” and “Godforsaken” to round out an unforgettable set. As always, LGM gave the crowd a performance, a party and a reason to get off their collective arses!
LGM’s CD is available at their shows, iTunes, myspace.com/littlegreenmen and soon at CD Warehouses, Hastings and many more. (Marissa Bruce)

Hell Within - Vampire Lounge 6/27/08
Lifeforce recording artists Hell Within graced the stage in support of their new album Shadows of Vanity. They brutalized the crowd on “Asylum” and “Lay Down Your Arms.” That was thanks to incredible bassist Froggy’s chest pounding rhythms and JJ Long’s gut wrenching growls. (Don’t let the growling fool you - this guy can actually sing and sing well). This hardcore metal band stands high above the sometimes sea of mediocrity of some “Hard Core” bands. If you missed this show, do yourself a favor and check them out the next time HardKnOx Entertainment brings them to town. (Gene Reichert)

Rocklahoma... in Oklahoma

On July 9-13, over 100 bands will play the second annual Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, OK. Triumph, UFO, Queensryche, Tesla, Ace Frehley, Dokken, Lita Ford, Nightranger, Bret Michaels, Sebastian Bach and more are scheduled to play on the main stage. This is a rare opportunity to see some great bands, some which never (or seldom) tour the U.S. including Kingdom Come, House of Lords, KIX, Black and Blue, Steelheart and XYZ. Also, Ron Keel, Metal Church’s Ronnie Munroe, Big Cock, Houston’s Krucible, Canada’s Warmachine and others perform on two side stages.