FINALLY!!! I pee’d a little when i found out that trial of dead was coming to OKC – to the conservatory no less! For a band so near (they are from Austin, TX) and dear (Source tags and Code is in my top 10 all time albums) I’ve never had the chance to see them play live.

Hysterical laughter? CHECK!

On more than one religious/alcohol-infused furor Liz and I have made a blood pact that if trail of dead comes anywhere near, we are going to see them no matter what! I’m not going to sit here and pretend …and you will know us by the trail of dead was not good live… they were GODDAMN AMAZING!

I have never seen a band with so much live energy. The Austin bunch took the stage by storm and from start to finish assaulted my heart and eardrums with a beautiful mix of old and new tunes. Being, of course, in the front row I had the pleasure of seeing the guys up close. This came with a price, i have a knot on my forehead from a mic stand, guitar… or pumpkin. Mid-set, out of nowhere, Jason brings a jack-o-lantern onto stage and after wearing it on his head, hurls it into the crowd. Smashed pumpkin bits traveled back and fourth for the remainder of the show.

As an added bonus, …and you will know us by the trail of dead’s merch table was wicked as well! $5 trail of dead shirts? YEP! I also got an original print by Conrad Keely. Aside from being the frontman for trail of the dead, Conrad is also an insane draftsman. His artwork is amazing and he works in blue ballpoint pen! Fanboy, I know…

Conrad Keely

The opening act was a nice surprise too. Future of the Left reminded me of old school English punk rock, but instead of being sloppy, their punchy, heavy and downright catchy riffs had everyone’s heads nodding. The lead vocalist delivered with Rollins(Black Flag) like intensity. I went to buy their two albums the next day, but someone beat me to the punch! I’ve got them on order though.

What a night! Its was most definitely one of the best nights of music-going in my life.