April 2011

Sat, April 30, Destruction

Eddie April 28, 2011 No Comments

The Boardwalk, 8 p.m., $15-$18

The Boardwalk9426 Greenback Ln.
Orangevale, CA 95662

(916) 988-9247

It’s no secret Germany was once a veritable hotbed for quality thrash metal. Sure, the Bay Area gets all the credit for bringing Testament, Possessed and Exodus to the forefront. But exports were just as important. Since the release of Destruction’s Sentence of Death in 1984, guitarist Mike Sifringer and company have been touring and releasing thrash metal like no other. Although sometimes lumped alongside its German brethren, Sodom and Kreator, it would seem the band’s distanced itself sonically with each successive release. Head down to The Boardwalk for a head-banging experience. 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale, www.destruction.de.
(SN&R)

Sat, April 23, Amon Amarth

Eddie April 21, 2011 No Comments

Ace of Spades, 7 p.m., $20

Ace of Spades1417 R St.
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 448-3300

aceofspadesca@gmail.com

If you’re a metalhead and you haven’t heard of Sweden’s greatest export, Amon Amarth, perhaps it may be time to revisit your collection. Since 1992, singer/growler Johan Hegg and company have been churning out death metal with a slight melodic twist. Their latest, Surtur Rising, was released this year to the delight of die-hards across the globe and, as luck would have it, they’ve decided to tour the states sans any shitty support acts. If you’ve been waiting to hear the band stretch out, this is the chance. Play some songs off 1999’s The Avenger for me, please. 1417 R Street, www.amonamarth.com.
(SN&R)

Sat, April 16, BulletBoys

Eddie April 14, 2011 No Comments

The Boardwalk, 8 p.m., $12-$14

The Boardwalk9426 Greenback Ln.
Orangevale, CA 95662

(916) 988-9247

Upon their debut release, BulletBoys were destined to be superstars. Not only did they channel the sound of vintage Van Halen with reckless aplomb, singer Marq Torien and his cavalcade of dirty white boys somehow managed to create their own identity. Aided by the able hands of producer Ted Templeman (who not-so-coincidentally produced Van Halen’s first record), the band’s self-titled release had just the right amount of vitriol and spunk to turn even the most discerning heads. Fast forward to 2011 and Torien, along with original bassist, Lonnie Vencent, are doing it, and doing it well. 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale, www.myspace.com/officialbulletboys.

Sat, April 9, Greg Ginn and the Royal We

Eddie April 7, 2011 No Comments

Naked Lounge, 8:30 p.m., $6

Naked Lounge Downtown1111 H St.
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 443-1927

Anyone who has run a record label knows that attracting real talent is a much harder task than simply releasing a flurry of releases. Greg Ginn founded the now-boutique SST Records and delivered a catalog that would put others to shame: From Sonic Youth to Dinosaur Jr., the Minutemen to Firehose, Hüsker Dü to Bad Brains, there was a little something for everyone. Although his records have gone in and out of print more times than he’d care to admit, his output is unrivaled. He’ll turn 57 this year and is touring yet again with his own band. 1111 H Street, www.gregginn.com.

(SN&R)