Mike and I had a vacation scheduled to London. It just so happens that there were a couple of things going on while we were there that made our already special trip even more special. Download Festival was going on while we were there, but the bands we were interested in seeing were going to be there the day we arrived. This left us no time to get checked in to our hotel and get to Download in time. Sad face... BUT...
We were able to go to the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards show on Monday night and then see Buckcherry at the Electric Ballrooom the following night up in Camden. Smiley face!
Monday, we did our normal touristy things during the day like the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, seeing some of the government buildings and taking a WWII tour before heading back to the room to freshen up and change before heading over to Indigo at the O2 for the Golden Gods Awards.
We took the tube over to the O2 which conveniently had a stop right there. We made contact with Benji Webbe from Skindred to get our tickets but there was a bit of an issue. Those fine fellows of Slipknot decided they were going to attend the event. That meant that Skindred lost half of their guestlist (we were axed) and then Buckcherry's list got completely axed (we were the only ones on this list.) Both bands were really upset, but it was OK. We were able to get escorted in by one of the label execs and he got Mike his full show photo pass.Thank goodness!!!!!
We made our way right up to the front just before they opened the doors so I was right up on the rail. I'm a chatterbox and I was alone after Mike made his way into the photo pit, so I ended up getting to know both of the gals I was standing between. They were shocked that we had come from Seattle to see the show.
The way the Golden Gods shows work is they have an a Host, an MC, bands and awards. This years host was none other than Alice Cooper. From where I was standing, I was about 10 feet from him. The MC for the night was Andrew O'Neil. A British comic with a metal edge. He was a hoot. Sometimes off color to the point it made me blush, but still funny. They also have a theme to the show and this year's was Zombie. There were several fans all dressed up and ready to groan.
Andrew opened up the show with some comedy and an introduction to the first band - Buckcherry. The band is well known in the states, but still getting it's footing in the UK. Their 3 song set included "Dead", "Lit Up" and the awesomeness of "Crazy Bitch". A great band to get the crowd warmed up.
Buckcherry
The next band up was Sylosis. This is a British death metal band that I was glad only played for 3 songs. I wasn't really in to them. I was a little surprised that the home country crowd seamed to have had a bit more fun with Buckcherry.
It's time for some awards!!! Best New Band went to The Damned Things. Nergal, lead singer of the Polish death metal band Behemoth, was gifted with the Metal As Fuck award for his successful battle with leukemia. The Best Underground Band went to Primordial with the Best Breakthrough Artist award going to Sabaton. Dimebag Darrell Shredder award went to Gus G. And our buds in Skindred received the Best Live Band award. If you have never seen Skindred live - GOOOO!!! They are incredible. Check out the video later in the blog. The Best UK Band was given to Iron Maiden and the final award in this segment went to Twisted Sister for Best Inspirational Band.
More music. This time from a Vancouver B.C. musician - Devin Townsend. I was familiar with Strapping Young Lad, but not Devin's new project. WOW. The man is pretty out there, but out there in a good way for sure. I think his set was my favorite of the night. I love hearing new musicians and finding a gem!
Devin Townsend
Let the Best Live Band take the stage please! This is Skindred and I love them. Benji is one of the best front men that I have ever seen. He can make a crowd as big as Download eat out of his hands. I was lucky enough to get a pic from both Mikey and Dan for my collection. I wish we had gotten to visit with them after the show, but it was a complete mad house. Skindred - Best Live Band
Second half of the awards were ready to be announced. I was able to maintain my spot on the rail and continue to be right there in front of Alice Cooper. Happy times! One of my favorites, Avenged Sevenfold, bring home the Best International Band award. Best Album goes to a long time favorite of Mike's, Killing Joke. The Best Event went to the Big Four and it hadn't even happened yet! Yes, it had happened back home in the states, but not in Europe yet. The Riff Lord award went to 2 people - Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein. Spirit of Hammer went to Diamond Head. The Icons aware to Judas Priest and the Golden God was the last award of the night. This went to Rob Zombie who was on hand to accept it from Alice.
The headline band was ready to take the stage. They had already been on stage earlier in the event accepting their award for Best Inspirational Band. For my first time live, Twisted Sister. One observation - Dee has a very large head. But it was magically painted and wigged as you would expect. They were really entertaining.
Twisted Sister
The Buckcherry guys were disappointed that we didn't get to see a full show so they invited us to their show the next night in Camden at the Electric Ballroom. This was perfect as we were meeting one of our friends there that day and then we'd go to the show. I really liked the venue. Great size and it had a really great crowd for the guys. If it wasn't a sell out, it was close! I really enjoyed the energy of the crowd. Security was the same as it is anywhere - a tad overzealous but not horrible.
Mike was in the photo pit when one of the other photographers approached him and asked if he was 'Iron' Mike. This startled him seeing as we were thousands of miles away from home and across a 'pond'. Ends up that she was once married to one of the Posies and had just been talking to Jerry Cantrell a week about about Mike! Queue the Twilight Zone track!
It still entertains me to think that we were on vacation and all this happened! Here's a closing shot with me at the Golden God's Awards show taken by Stevie D of Buckcherry and up on their website.
Brilliant!!
-Stef
Be sure to check out more of my videos from the shows at my YouTube channel:
And Mike's photos from the shows:
Skindred's PerformanceDevin Townsend's Performance
Buckcherry's Performance
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