WKNC 88.1 FM - North Carolina State University Student Radio
The Saw and Jeffrey discuss how he self-taught himself to play the drums and the guitar, how he became a vocalist, and his fight against cancer as well as how Infirma’s new release will be about the emotions Jeffrey went through during those years of his life.
I have been in the metal scene pretty much my entire life. My parents are metalheads, my brothers and cousins were in metal bands growing up, and when I turned 16, I started going to shows with my friends. Metal music is something that will always be there for me and I will always love going to shows. I am often asked if, as a female, I have had negative experiences at shows. There have been some instances that are frustrating. These unpleasant interactions do not happen at every show, but I do think it is something that I should share with all of you.
When I attend shows, I am there to jam. I want to sing along to my favorite songs, mosh, dance and headbang. I do not want to be questioned about what I am wearing, who I am there with, and I am especially not at a show to be interrogated by some concert-goers to see if I fit their standards of a “true” metalhead.
Here are a few of the encounters I have been a part of, which puzzle and perplex:
“Are you here with your boyfriend?”
Here are the only two conclusions I can draw based on this statement: Either, this is the best line that he can come up with, or he really thinks that I wouldn’t be here to enjoy the music and the bands on my own.
A club owner talking to a promoter about me, “Are you going to tap that?”
Oh, where to begin?! First, why would you think that this is an acceptable question while I am standing right there?! Is this some form of passive aggression? Was he projecting? Secondly, it’s not professional. It’s rude, ignorant, and it’s chauvinistic. And finally, the promoter’s response was just as obnoxious, “Not yet.” For me, while there may be people who are impressed with these titles and positions, I am not. Where I come from, this calls for an ass whoopin’!
“Ladies, don’t wear shorts to a metal show.”
I went to a death metal show, and my friend was the only girl to crowd surf. After the song, the singer of the band commented on what she was wearing. The guitarists concurred with “Thanks for the show.” One: You will not tell me (or anyone) what we can and cannot wear. Period. Two: I am here to watch you perform, shut up and play. For these particular individuals, when I turn the crank, you dance, monkey!
“What do I get out of this?”
This is called “Quid Pro Quo,” and it’s Latin for something for something. I wanted to interview a band, and this was their band manager/merch guy’s response.
Groping
Do I really need to say something about this? This is like a crime of opportunity. Because I’m there, you think it’s okay? Why the objectivity? Is there some kind of sick pleasure? At a show one time, a girl tried to get in front of me (because I was at the barricade). When she couldn’t move me, she enlisted her boyfriend to make me uncomfortable. So, I headbutted him. Why is it okay for your boyfriend to treat a woman like this?
“Are you a groupie?”
This is an (over) generalization. I go to shows to enjoy the music, the performance, and the community, etc. While there are groupies, it doesn’t necessarily follow that all women at shows are groupies (or someone’s girlfriend).
Metal Trivia
What I mean is, some think that I should have to answer basic questions to prove that I like metal (and not just wearing the merch as some kind of fashion statement). Because someone doesn’t share your opinion on a band, song, or singer, etc., it doesn’t make that one any less of a metalhead. The real question being asked is, “Why are you here?”
Again, more often than not, I have a great time at shows. I love seeing/meeting the bands, making new friends, hanging with old friends, and just having a good time. Although there have been some undesirable moments, it does not reflect on the metal experience for me. I will continue to go to shows and jam.
Stay Metal,
THE SAW
The Saw interviews Courtney Breen, a new type of guest in the station – a photographer! Listen to learn what it’s like to be a photographer at a metal show and how she got her start.
The Saw interviews Courtney Breen, a new type of guest in the station – a photographer! Listen to learn what it’s like to be a photographer at a metal show and how she got her start.
Join us for the premiere edition of WKNC’s newest podcast: The Saw’s Electric Chair! It’s a casual interview/discussion about music with Raine Rumple from Nuclear Desolation. Raine is in multiple heavy metal bands throughout N.C. and The Saw will be talking all things metal. We will also be talking about other genres of music because he enjoys (and sees) all types of music live.
Raine Rumple is in multiple heavy metal bands throughout N.C. and The Saw will be talking all things metal. We will also be talking about other genres of music because he enjoys (and sees) all types of music live.
What’s up Butcher Crew?! Happy New Year!!! I hope 2019 treats you right! I have a feeling that 2019 is going to be a great year. I learned a lot this past year about myself, the metal community as a whole, and what I want to accomplish in the future. Some of my new year resolutions are putting up more content on The Saw’s Butcher Shop website, better balance academics and my social life, and just have fun and roll with whatever comes my way. What are your new year resolutions?
Speaking of the new year, there are some albums that are dropping this year that I want to hear, and shows coming through that I want to see! Here are some of the shows and albums to which I am looking forward.
Albums:
*In no order regarding favorites
Shows:
*In chronological order
What are some shows that you are excited to see in 2019? And what albums are you excited to hear in 2019?
Hope you all have a heavy new year!!!
Stay Metal,
THE SAW
The voice is familiar; powerful, and as strong as it’s ever been. But the music is not that of Twisted Sister. It is Dee Snider’s solo band, with its new release [July 2018], For the Love of Metal (Napalm Records). In the 90’s, Snider had a band, Widow Maker, which released two solid records. This solo work is heavier! And why not?! It’s produced by none other than Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed)! This record is not of the Hardcore genre, but it is a banger, nonetheless. And there are many folks stopping by to make a contribution – Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage), Mark Morton (Lamb of God), Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Joel Grind and Nick Bellmore (Toxic Holocaust), and Charlie Bellmore (Kingdom of Sorrow).
True to the hallmark of Twisted Sister, this album is very anthemic. The hook of a catchy chorus you’ll find in Tomorrow’s No Concern, Become the Storm, and (the title track) For the Love of Metal; but is especially found in the track, American Made. The political shot over the proverbial bow is found in the opener, Lies are a Business. Also true to form are the highly motivating, overcomer-type bops – I Am the Hurricane, Roll Over You, Mask, Become the Storm, and The Hardest Way. There are a few songs that deserve a special mention: I’m Ready is a more personal track concerning the death of Dee’s mother during the making of this record. Running Mazes is an incredible song, which actually delves into the Metalcore genre. And Dead Hearts (Love Thy Enemy) is a surprise, where, Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), with “clean vocals,” performs nothing short of a duet with Snider. If this track is a ballad, then it’s a [modern] power ballad.
I don’t want to overlook the musicianship of the rest of the band (and musical guests). The rhythm section, here, is bold; lots of double kicks and crushing riffs. The lead guitar is ripping fast, and its scorch is matched only by Dee’s soring, and often gravelly, vocals. This line-up has combined Dee Snider’s time honored traditions and trademarks with modern power metal, and mixed masterfully for optimal sound.
Overall: 8/10
Favorite Songs: I Am the Hurricane, Running Mazes, and Dead Hearts (Love Thy Enemy)
Stay Metal,
THE SAW
VALLEYS takes over The Saw’s Butcher Shop!
I know, this is not a metal show. BUT I brought metal to the Post Malone show. My best friend loves Post Malone and so her and I had a girl’s night out and went to the show! This tour was supporting Post Malone’s new album, Beerbongs & Bentleys, which is really good. It is one of my favorite non-metal albums of the year. He brought 21 Savage with him to open up for him because their song, Rockstar, is really popular (trust me, you have heard it at one point or another).
For those of you who are not as familiar with Post Malone, he is a 22 year old singer/rapper from Texas. He hit the spotlight with his song White Iverson and he then went on tour to open up for Justin Bieber. He then dropped his first record, Stoney, in 2016 and realeased his second album, Beerbongs & Bentleys, in April of 2018. Some of his most popular songs are: Déjà vu, I Fall Apart, Congratulations, Better Now, Rockstar, and Psycho.
Post Malone is also a metalhead!!! He used to be in a metalcore band when he was in high school, and there are videos of him with some metal bands! There is a video of Post Malone with Knocked Loose singer, Bryan Garris jamming out on a tour bus. He also has big fans within the metal community such as: Levi Benton from Miss May I, Chris Fronzak from Attila, Myke Terry from Volumes, and Seth Blake from Wage War (Seth is such a big fan, he dressed up as Post Malone for Halloween).
I enjoy Post Malone’s music, and I support fellow metalheads, so I was super excited to hang out with my best friend and see Posty! But we all know that I will bring The Saw’s Butcher Shop to any show that I go to. You see, your Master Butcher has different types of aprons that I wear to shows. I have one specifically for rap shows. But the story about my different aprons is for another time. With that being said, I looked the part as a heavy metal kid. No, I didn’t wear an extremely offensive band shirt or corpse paint (even though that would’ve been really funny), I wore the attire that is in every metalhead’s closet (besides band shirts), leather. And let me tell you, I stuck out like a sore thumb.
My best friend and I
Literally every girl there looked the same. All of them wore high waisted shorts, a tank top, and black converses (you can see two pairs of black converses in the picture above). So, it’s easy to say that I was really easy to spot.
And oh my god, there were so many teenagers there!!! Like they all looked like they were sophomores/juniors in high school and they were all in huge groups of people. I swear, I would turn around and there would be a group of like 15 girls screaming and jumping on each other when they would see one another. C’mon now… I know y’all saw each other literally 3 hours ago at school. I could easily spot the older people (and by older, I mean people in their twenty’s and in college) because there would be a group of two or three people glaring at the group of 15 girls (me and my friend are included in this older group).
A DJ came on first and got the crowd hyped up! He kinda made me mad because he wouldn’t play full songs and would cut the song off RIGHT WHEN THE GOOD PART WAS ABOUT TO COME ON! It’s like he was personally trolling us. During the DJ, some guy threw a full beer can in the air and homeboy beside me caught it, drank it, and then threw the empty can in the air. We all started hollering, “WOOOOO!!!!!” and hyping him up during this. It is safe to say that nothing beats crazy rednecks no matter what the setting is.
21 Savage was next and of course, it started pouring down rain. But that didn’t stop us from jamming out!! We were all dancing in the rain, getting soaked but it just made the night more fun! My friend and I made some friends and we were dancing with them and rapping along with 21. He commented on how many people were in the lawn (aka us) and said we were crazy. For this show, I didn’t try to get close seats to the stage (because those are $$$$) and lawn is wayyyy more fun! There is no point in getting close while in lawn so, we were just having a blast singing and dancing in the back! 21 Savage played some of his most well-known songs such as Bank Account, Mad High, Dip Dip, and Bartier Cardi.
21 Savage
And now, what we have all been waiting for: POST MALONE!!! While we were waiting for Posty, people were literally crowd surfing in the lawn. I would see all these people going up and since this isn’t a show that would usually have crowd surfers (like a metal show), the majority of the people were dropped. I have no idea where the crowd surfers thought they were going because you literally can’t go anywhere in the lawn section, but hey, A+ for effort! This one girl was in a lawn chair, and crowd surfed while sitting in the lawn chair. That girl is my spirit animal.
Post Malone opened up with Too Young and everyone was vibing with the music, jumping around, and singing every word. On his records, Post Malone’s songs are really chill, but live, they still had the chill aspect but were more hyped so people could sing and dance. He also played some of my favorite songs such as Better Now, Candy Paint, No Option, Stay, and Go Flex. When he sang I Fall Apart, everyone was singing along with him way louder than any other song. He dedicated that song to “the bitch that broke his heart” and we all started chanting “F*** that bitch.” He ended the show by playing one of his most well-known songs: Congratulations. I swear no one was still during this show. Post Malone also commented on how many people were in the lawn and said we were some crazy mother*******.
Post Malone
The Post Malone show was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed myself! It was way different than a metal show, but it was a great experience! If you are thinking about listening to Post Malone, DO IT!! He has some really great music! I hate that someone broke his heart, but damn, some great music came out of it. I would also suggest watching videos of him, he is a real funny guy.
Overall, the show was a success and I wouldn’t mind seeing Post Malone again!
Stay Metal,
THE SAW