Friday morning dawned, finally a good night’s sleep without complete fear of bugs! After some markedly “unfancy” hotel breakfast, I headed out walking. My main destination was a CVS about 40-45 minutes trek. My purpose; to sort a covid test for my return back to Canada. Turns out that was not as easy as thought, and asking test questions quickly saw me being escorted out by security. Apparently, you’re not allowed into the store if getting a test. Prior to ejection, I had been directed to the website for booking. It did not go well, but finally, with some “semi-fudging” on the website (like hotel address as it didn’t want my Toronto one) I got the website to accept my booking! Now to find a car and driver as it’s only via the drive-thru I can take the test….wonder if Uber drivers would do that…lol. Worry later, party now.
MONSTERS ON THE MOUNTAIN – Day 2
Meeting with my across-the-road neighbours, we completed the short walk to investigate the tailgate party ahead of Native Sons taking stage. Holy crap was it hot out. Not as bad as when I was in Oklahoma, but this sure as hell ain’t Canada anymore Toto! After a quick look around the tailgate area which consisted of a beer stand, food stall a couple of seated areas covered by tents, a stage and axe throwing, I sought the cool sweetness of A/C and returned to the inside area.
Like many rockers, I’m a fan of the stainless steel rings and have been adding to my collection. I like different ones, not just all skulls etc. So with the nakedness of a couple of fingers still, I perused the ring merchant in the lobby hallway area. Spotting a Boba Fett head ring, I was immediately hooked as I tried it on. Low and behold a great fit and so it became mine.
DISCLAIMER
Now at this juncture in the story, it’s probably prudent to mention (like you can’t already tell), I’ve written this blog story account of my time at Monsters on the Mountain from my experiences and point of view. If you came here for specific detailed reviews and full setlists of the bands, you’re not going to find it. For me, a massive portion of this trip is the reconnection with my family that COVID has kept me from. Plus, only a couple bands here this weekend I’ve not seen in most cases many times. So this is my overall story and attempt to convey to you the reader, the experience of Monsters on the Mountain. That said, of course, I will mention almost every band in a short section.
NATIVE SONS
The auditorium was set up with two side-by-side stages and a larger tv screen in the centre. The young band (mostly) was already on stage into their opening number. Songs from their 2020 The Natives Are Restless album filled their setlist and they brought with them the energy of youth. Reminding the crowd several times more than necessary that they hailed from Lousiville, Kentucky didn’t take away from the show. I would later find out and meet with bass player Jim Quiggins originally from Sweet F.A., but damned if I remember what point of the day that was! I definitely need to check out the album as these guys looked so much fun on stage and sounded great on what I heard.
HOT MEISTER
After the set, which was quite good overall considering I didn’t really know the export, I again returned into the veritable sauna of the outdoor tailgate section. Holy hell, I swear this state is putting forth its best attempt to cook me! One Meister medium-rare coming up! Perhaps the jeans were a poor choice of wear today. Running into a friend also from a different part of Canada, we tried the food stand. TBH I had expected there would be a selection of food trucks on hand, but this was the only vendor. The steakburger and fries was a little on the flavourless side but provided the required sustenance.
We stood at a high-top table to ravenously destroy the food while watching the axe throwing. Several folks took a turn while we looked on. Not one axe thrown stuck into the wooden Robin Hood-like targets. Not one! Now I’ve thrown axes before and it’s not that hard to get it stuck in the board at least somewhere. So not too sure what the difficulty was, but I would suggest needing to release the wood-cutting projectiles from further back might play into it. I must say April Lee had the best axe-throwing prowess as I watched her attempt completely sail over the target…lol. Before long it was once again into the arena and the gorgeous offering of A/C that it presented for Heavens Edge.
HEAVENS EDGE
It is a real mystery as to how this band was passed over in their time. I guess a combination of timing and connections. When they were on one of the early MORCs I checked them out and that debut album has quickly become a stalwart fave. Every song rips and Reggie Wu simply must be the most underrated guitarist. Philly’s Heavens Edge should have been way, way bigger. Overall another great set, but I found Mark‘s vocals to be bouncing around the rafters a bit at least it sounded so from the tables at the back.
Well, the time finally dawned during Heavens Edge. The clock hands struck beer o’clock! I thought I’d done a decent job of easing into that side of things as I really didn’t want to super overdo it (more on this later). OMG, the selection was literally abysmal. A couple of seltzer things (that I ain’t touching with a 10ft pole) and Bud, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra were the beer choices, which are thoroughly gross….wait, what’s that black can? I don’t normally jump at IPA but it can’t be worse than the others. With a little bit of a “how you doing?” taste lingering after the sip, it was actually a decent brew and happy I was (more on this later).
The venue itself was quite nice and the lobby provided a great hangout spot as well. And free wifi was definitely a bonus, especially for an international traveller with no data service.
KINGDOM COME
Back inside for Kingdom Come hanging out with the couple I met on my very first MORC in 2012. I was a shy, timid, terrified Canuck (no really I was different then🤣). That was my first cruise. My first rock trip. Really my first solo trip anywhere that I wasn’t meeting someone at the other end. These two wonderful people offered me a beer and from then on we have been good friends and experienced many amazing times over the years. All thanks to MORC!
Anyways, I’ve always wanted to like Kingdom Come more than I do. And I keep trying. I absolutely love “Do You Like It” and “Get It On“, but I get a bit lost in some of the rest of the catalogue. But damn, do they sound awesome on stage! But they further lost me here this night with too much noodling solos and crowd chatter. That’s not to say that they don’t have their allegiance of fans as highly evidenced by the crowd reaction and posts seen later on FB. I shall keep trying to “get” Kingdom Come, next chance Sweden Rock Festival!
Rounds were purchased between me and Danny and Michelle (the couple from the 2012 cruise). Completely lost count of where we were and how many I’d had. That’s normal. I don’t need to count how many beers I had to look cool. If I want, I have etc. But the chat was highly engaging as can be between friends, especially when you haven’t seen them for a while. During this interlude, we switched sides of standing tables at the rear of the seating area knowing that KIX would be on the opposite stage to Kingdom Come.
KIX
Always a top band, these guys never fail to deliver on all counts. They were a band that never really hit my circles in a small town north of Toronto. I did, however, have and enjoy the Hot Wire CD. It was the 2012 MORC cruise in which they appeared on the roster that had me checking out more. Goddamn, these were incredibly strong songs all over. How were they not bigger and all over the radio is a mystery. And to see them live, simply mind-blowing! Sound-wise, everything is on point always. Doesn’t matter if I see them on the ship, a club, or in Sweden. And the showmanship of Steve Whiteman is hard to beat. He’s funny and entertaining as hell. During this show, they had a couple of substitute players with Ronnie Younkins in a year-long addiction program as Steve let us know. As well, drummer Jimmy “Chocolate” Chalfant recently had a heart attack and Will Hunt sat in for the skin bashing. Whiteman also discussed his recent solo album. A must for any KIX fan, good stuff!
The completion of KIX saw more rounds and I have to admit I was doing well….as in quite zippy…more than I should have been. Danny took a look at my can after delivering the bounty of his turn’s purchase and said “Hey dude…you know these are 7.3%?” Oh shit….well now that explains a lot, but FTW I’m having so much fun. Finally, feel like I’ve broken COVID and am living once again. Many said to me things like “aren’t you scared to go” and generally not understanding how much I needed this. So, they clearly don’t even know who I am!
NIGHT RANGER
Back in the day this was “The Sister Christian Band” was about all I knew and not really being a power ballad guy, never went further. As with KIX, it was that first MORC in 2012 that saw me thinking “might as well say I saw Night Ranger” and walking into the theatre. The next hour or so was truly magical as they literally drew me into one of the most amazing shows I’ve ever been to.
It’s been that way every time Night Ranger has hit the stage since for me. I’ve not “overseen” them, so that helps too as I’m not burnt out, but they always deliver. Brad Gillis can really wail and I love hearing the Damn Yankees tunes as well. This set was no exception and they were once again ridiculously good. Loving the new ATBPO album and will see them at Sweden Rock 2022 as well!…..
VINCE NEIL
That last IPA was probably the capper over the mark, maybe six or so total for the scorekeepers. Man, was I wasted. But Vince was sounding really good. Well better than I’ve heard and/or seen in recent years. I was actually loving his set. Within the first three songs, I was sending short video clips to huge Motley Crue fans and touting his abilities this evening.
Then somewhere, somehow (suspectably due to strong beer intake), I got distracted. I don’t always need to be 100% staring at the stage unless it’s one of “my” bands. That’s why I hang back at a table with friends and we can chat and laugh and listen to a guy like Vince Neil, who provided much of my youth’s soundtrack. Therefore, I totally missed the fall. An incoming message said: “Can you confirm Vince Neil just fell off the stage?” My response: “Fuck no, he sounds good tonight” followed by less than a minute later: “wait….maybe….stand by“.
“YEP….IT HAPPENED”
Apparently, that corner of the stage was dark and filled by a fog machine’s outputs and he misjudged or didn’t see the gap between stage and speaker/monitor. For someone who missed that quick occurrence or didn’t see closely that area of stage, and given Vince‘s stage prowess/antics in recent years, it’s easy to see how some may immediately revert to thinking it was more of an act or something. I saw many nasty comments, but to the credit of some, once the real info came out, they typed retractions and apologies into Facebook. Vince‘s band continued on doing covers (some of which I cringed at) but total power to them for saving the show. Vince is apparently recovering well from some broken ribs. Hopefully, he will be back on stage soon as I really felt he looked better, sounded better and was having way more fun than he’d had in years!
AFTER VINCE…
The thing about partying like a madman and rocking out, feeling the love of not just good friends, but everyone in attendance…..makes you hungry! TBH, I recall basically nothing of leaving. But I know I was hungry by the fantastic selection of gas station pizza piled on the hotel dresser the next morning. Maybe Danny and Michelle aren’t such good friends after all letting me eat that crap….lol. *Pigeon Forge is abysmally horrid in the way of ANYTHING after about 10 or 11pm. It’s like they roll up the streets.
Bring on Monsters on the Mountain day 2!
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*Photographs by: Shawn Sand Photography.
Cheers,
The Meister
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