Sonic Pulse: Exclusive Tour Journal #3 with guitarist Dave R Maze

July 25, 2012 – Hammerheads – Fort Wayne, IN w/ Argonaut, Testimony, Lich King: Driving up to Hammerhead Hall was a brutally long, and corn field–filled excursion through the flat, expansive plains of the rural mid west. Passing through, I spent a lot of time thinking to myself “holy shit this place is AMERICA (yes, I thought that in caps lock) as the stereotypical red barns, tractors, and mill silos lazily drifted by on a green sea of corn stalks. Suddenly, our GPS indicated that we were a minute away from the venue, and the pristine country scenery had not changed at all. Consternation overtook me as I exclaimed: “What the fuck kind of venue would be a minute away from THIS place?” The LK guys gave a smirk and shrug as the seconds-remaining on the GPS dwindled down to zero as we pulled up to a huge, ominous building reminiscent of an old – timey movie theater, abandoned.

We parked around back, and as the bus lurched into place, security came out to usher us and our gear to the proper place. I walked into the back door, guitar in hand and the vastness of the hall finally revealed its self to me: It was fucking huge. The stage was larger than most that I’ve ever played on, like the area of two Olympic swimming pools, and there were light racks, walls of monitors on either side, or even a gate at the front of the stage to prevent ravenous fans from clawing at myself and the rest of my band. I was given a tour of the rest of the facilities, and saw the bar, and was quite happy to see that there was a green room (that was in a former projectionists booth because the hall was once a movie theater) overlooking the stage complete with creature comforts like a tv, and shower.

I spent so much time talking about the venue itself because it was my favorite part of the night. We had a couple of die-hard fans come to see the bands, but it was mostly a show we played for other bands. I’m not resentful, because I talked to management there, and it was revealed to me that they have only been open under new ownership for 3 weeks. I’ll take this opportunity to say that if you’re in a band heading through the mid west, definitely talk to the guys at hammerhead hall! Their place has a shitload of potential, and it will provide you with a fun stage to play on with awesome sound and a place to rest your head and clean off your tour filth. The food there is also outstanding.

When you go through, check out Valhalla (insane epic metal band complete with shred guitar mania and a KEYTAR) and old school thrash troupe, Testimony, who tore up the stage and our hearts with their beautiful man singer backed by a cacophonous assault of metal mayhem.

Tour Dates:

07/21 – Lindo Lounge – Jersey City, NJ w/ Lich King
07/22 – St. Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY w/Faith or Fear, Hellcannon, Cain, Crypter, Lich King
07/23 – O’Reilly’s Pub – Philadelphia, PA w/ Lich King
07/24 – TBA
07/25 – Hammerheads – Fort Wayne, IN w/ Argonaut, Testimony, Lich King
07/27 – Reggie’s – Chicago, IL w/Diamond Plate, Smashed Potater, Lich King
07/28 – The Hilltop Fortress – West Lafayette, IN w/ Lich King, Partiac Arrest
07/29 – Toledo (RamaLama) – Cleveland, OH w/ Lich King
07/30 – TBA – Buffalo, NY w/ Lich King

Check out the song: “Eye of the Beerholder”