Eggs and Kegs – Metal at the Gothic

J.A. Campbell

Writerjacampbell.com

Raven’s Eggs and Kegs Halloween bash at the Gothic in Denver was a head-banging, kick-ass time. Kill Zone opened the night with some high-energy intensity that really got the growing crowd moving. Up and coming band Dissonance In Design followed, ripping up the stage with some seriously awesome music, and Centimani didn’t disappoint with their performance. Speedwolf followed with a great show, and Iconocaust was next, pumping up the crowd for the headline band, Havok. Havok is a local band that has gone national, even international as they have a European tour scheduled. They really put on a show for their hometown that night. Eggs and Kegs is put together every year by Raven. I had a chance to talk with him during the show.

LMC: How’d you decide to do a Metal concert for Halloween?

Raven: Well, basically what happened was, four years ago my radio show used to be extreme metal, black metal, and death metal. Halloween was really fitting for the show, but over the years I’ve kind of changed my image, so the image is now metal, but it’s metal across the board; local metal, worldwide metal.

LMC: How’d you choose the bands for this show and how did you meet them?

Raven: Basically the bands for the show I hand picked this time. I used to have bands message me but this year I hand picked everyone, and I think that was a better move. I met each band through mutual contacts.

LMC: Are you originally from Denver?

Raven: I’m originally from Chicago, moved out here in 2005. This is my fourth Halloween show.

LMC: Did your radio show get you into promoting shows live?

Raven: I started off doing internet radio in 2005 with an hour-long show that was just for interviewing people; businesses, politicians, bands, or anyone who needed exposure. It was called Raven Interviews. Then more people started submitting music and it turned into a radio show. I took the show live in 2007 and changed the name to Raven Eggs and Kegs show – Breakfast and Beer, I used to be on in the morning when I first started.

LMC: How do you do your promotion?

Raven: Grassroots. I believe in old-fashioned promotion, not spending thousands of dollars to have someone do work that I could do myself. If you want something done right, do it yourself, so I do it old school. Based on the turn out, I think it was a great strategy.

LMC: Was this your biggest turn out so far?

Raven: Yes.

LMC: Do you do the Halloween costume contest every year?

Raven: Yes. Oscar the Grouch won [this year], that was pretty amazing. [Some dude showed up essentially wearing a trashcan with an Oscar costume on and a Bruno puppet in the back. It was really intense.]

LMC: Anything else you would like to share?

Raven: If you want to follow me on FB find me at: facebook.com/Eakradioshow and I’m on Twitter @eakradio.

The Halloween Eggs and Kegs show was really well put together. It went off without a hitch and the musicians poured out the metal to a great crowd. There was something for every metal lover, from great music to an active mosh pit and some one-on-one interaction with the musicians. The venue couldn’t have been better, and the Gothic certainly added some history to the show. The theater had its first heyday in the roaring twenties entertaining crowds with the classic movies of the era and has the distinction of being the first theater in the city to show talking movies. How cool is that? It survived over the years and was recently remodeled with a state-of-the-art sound system, but it still retains its classic art-deco design. I completely enjoyed every aspect of the show from the venue to the friendly staff, the excellent organization, and the great music. This was a show I’ll remember for a long time.

Along with talking to Raven, I had the pleasure of speaking with David, singer and guitarist for thrash-metal band, Havok. Havok is a local band that, after self-releasing two albums, caught the attention of England’s Candlelight Records and is now on tour with Goatwhore. You can find out dates at their website www.havokband.com.

LMC: How long have you guys been together?

David: In February we will have been together for 8 years.

LMC: How did you guys meet?

David: I started the band with a kid I met in high school. We started jamming to Metallica songs, then we added some band members and played a lot of Metallica.

LMC: Was Metalllica your influence?

David: Yeah, definitely – Black was the first album I ever got, then I started listening to the older stuff.

LMC: What’s been your favorite venue to play so far?

David: This place in Quebec called the Imperial something. That place was so awesome. They had four different showers, they fed us, it was so clean and a huge stage with great sound. Everything was perfect.

LMC: What is your dream place to play?

David: Redrocks.

LMC: Your new video for Covering Fire was shot out in a field, with lots of fire. How many prairie dogs were harmed in the making of that video?

David: All of them that we could find.

LMC: Who produced that video?

David: Brian Jaymes from Texas. [They shot the video in Texas]

LMC: You’re off to Europe after you finish your American tour. Why do you think Europeans embrace metal more than America does?

David: I think Europeans have always had a better ear for music. All the classical music comes from Europe and metal is real music.

LMC: What do you think Mozart would think if he came to one of your shows?

David: He’d probably dig it.

If you like metal, you’ll want to check this band out. Even if you don’t like metal you should give them a listen. David said he’s had more than one person come up to him and say that even though they don’t like metal they loved Havok. Their technical music skills combine with in-your-face lyrics, badass guitar riffs, booming bass, and serious drums to really create a superb sound that will keep you head-banging for hours. Their stage presence and excellent crowd interaction makes them shine when you see them live. It’s easy to see why this band is going places.

Dissonance In Design was a last-minute add to the show. Raven called them a few days before the show and asked them if they were coming. They said, “YEAH!” Raven told them, “Great, you’re playing!” Of course the band was ecstatic. They went up second and I was instantly impressed by their presence and their intensity. They clearly have talent and passion for what they are doing. I had the pleasure of speaking with Harrison (guitarist), and Sam (lead singer).

LMC: How long have you guys been together?

Harrison: My brother [the drummer Zac] and I have been together for six years. Sam joined us in July.

LMC: How’d you guys hook up?

Harrison: Sam used to play with Sunday Massacre and we played a lot of shows where we encountered them. It ended up not working out with Sam and Sunday Massacre but we got him. It’s been great.

Sam: Being asked to play with these guys was a big honor for me. First time I saw them play I was blown away by their stage presence and sound.

LMC: What is your favorite song to play?

Harrison: “Dionysiac” – It’s the song that when people hear it they go, ‘Yeah, I know that song.’

LMC: What’s your favorite music from another band?

Harrison: We’re die-hard Veil of Maya fans.

LMC: What’s your favorite venue that you’ve played so far and what’s your dream venue?

Harrison: The Gothic. We’ve played all the bars but this is our first big one. The sound guys are the shit, everything is awesome. Our dream is Redrocks.

Sam: The Gothic. And definitely Redrocks.

LMC: What do your parents think?

Harrison: My parents completely support everything we do. They put us in the studio and we wouldn’t be a band if it wasn’t for them.

Sam: I totally agree, my parents have been totally supportive.

Harrison and his brother Zac started playing metal at the ages of 12 and 14 respectively, and that was only six years ago. They’ve come a long way in such a short time. With the addition of Sam, they’ve evolved their sound into a progressive/technical metal powerhouse. Watch this band. They’re going places at the speed of their raging guitar riffs. Dissonance In Design wants to be remembered for changing people’s lives with music. I have no doubt that they will easily accomplish their goals.

Beyond the amazing music and excellent venue, I was struck by the humbleness of the people I spoke too. Raven, David, Harrison and Sam were all super nice, down to earth, and above all very humble about their accomplishments. I can’t wait to see where they take the music world next.

Category: Noco Music Scene