Performed on: Oct 1, 2022

Author: Danny Serrano

Hey, everyone! Welcome back to Live and Loud. Oct 1st was one for the books, filled with a mix of chaos, rocking riffs, and some good ol’ community spirit at Black Flamingo.

I arrived around 6:30 PM, giving me ample time to relax and soak in the atmosphere with a cold beer before the hustle began. The evening kicked off with The Magic Bus Band, echoing the 70s with their Zeppelin-esque vibes—though, to be honest, the usual brewery crowd seemed more into their drinks than the tunes. Surprised?

As the place started buzzing, Jaz and I got down to business setting up the merch booth for Snake Healer. The highlight of the night? Chris, our drummer, decided to bring his pet snake along, turning our merch table into an instant hit!

The family vibe was strong tonight; Jaz’s wife and kids, Scarlett and Max, were all smiles, enjoying the music. Elizabeth, a close friend of Jaz’s, and myself, was also there, her support always brightens the scene.

Now, let’s talk about the unexpected turn of events—Jaz forgot Marlon’s bass at the warehouse! In a mad dash, I zipped back to grab it, returning just in time for the first act, Churches of the Matriarchy. The lead was striking with her clown makeup and haunting iPad-accompanied screams—a solo act that really packed a punch.

Snake Healer hit the stage second. Adapting on the fly, Jaz tweaked the sound mid-performance, challenging Marlon and me to keep the rhythm tight as the monitors nearly blew us away with feedback. Despite the technical hitches, the crowd seemed to groove to what almost turned into an impromptu instrumental set.

Post-set, as we quickly cleared the stage, I checked with Jaz about leaving gear for the other bands. No need, so we packed up fast. True to the night’s spontaneous spirit, I returned to find Jaz handing me a beer from Black Flamingo Brewing—perfect timing as Voodoo Monk started their set. Their instrumental was a mind-bender, with wicked riffs and those double Marshall stacks bringing down the house. Seriously, double full stacks in a brewery? I supposed that was neat.

Iron Buddha was up next, hauling in their gear. Catching up with Pete and Mike Campbell was a blast—those guys are not only cool but ridiculously talented. Pete’s drumming and Mike’s off-the-wall guitar timings never cease to amaze.

As Iron Buddha took the stage, their sound was monstrous. It’s the kind of intense, soul-shaking performance that could make the heavens cry blood. Each beat and strum felt like a declaration of war against the mundane, with a raw power that’s just too damn exhilarating.