| Truth Before Treason along with many others |
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| Written by John Abbott | |||
| Wednesday, 22 February 2012 17:32 | |||
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It was a weekend filled with live music in Chippewa Falls. I was able to catch three shows in two nights all within one block downtown. First it was the second installment of the Friday the 13th Metal Massacre at Every Buddy's Bar. Four metal bands in one night. Then, on Saturday night four more bands at Every Buddys as well as a blues band in the Snout. The most important thing of all though, I caught the show I wanted to see, from beginning to end, Truth Before Treason on the Every Buddy's Stage. Outstanding! It was great music and great times in Chippewa Falls! Its been such a long time since I have written anything, I start to question if I still can. Yeah, yeah, I know, my detractors question if I ever could. But, with the busy Thanksgiving to Christmas holiday season, I didn't get out to see much music. Over New Years I was on a spousal enforced vacation from computers and writing, down in Madison. While there I saw much beautiful music, but of this I shall never speak. And now, here we are half way through January. I felt like I stepped into a family reunion on Saturday night at Every Buddys Bar & Grill. Ben Ulwelling of the band Truth before Treason had drawn in what seemed the entire Ulwelling clan. They had drawn me as well. They are one of my current favorite bands in the Chippewa Valley.  What I noticed on Saturday night is just how much the band had polished itself over the time since I had seen them last. I don't know if they have been getting more stage time, or practice time, who knows maybe the stars just aligned. But I thought they played an even better than usual show. Chris Tulip on vocals and lead guitar, both flawless. The thing I really love about the band is their ballad/metal style. The mix between soft and romantic and crushing metal. Fantastic, I run short of superlatives when describing them. They covered what I think is a Five Finger Death Punch song and it reminded me of why I always walk out of FFDP concerts somewhat disappointed. The band has several of these soft/metal songs on their CDs and I love everyone of them. But, they never play them in concert. The video crops a bit tight because I had to turn the anti-shake way up. I was pretty much bouncing around with the camera. I couldn't help myself. I was really happy with the two videos I caught. The first one, I can't decide is a cover or not. Number One Son who watched the video the next day thought it was a Five Finger Death Punch cover. I feel like I recognize it too but google couldn't find it from the lyrics I picked out. I guess I have reached the point if google doesn't have the answer, I must be mistaken. The second song I caught on video was Trent Reznor's Hurt, later covered by Johnny Cash. Their version does't sound like either of those and I wasn't displeased in the least. I thought Chris Tulip did a fantastic job on the solos. I thought his timing was great. Jack Shaw also had a bit of solo time in this song. Nothing of the complexity or depth of Chris, but I think it is great when a band has a Rhythm guitar player who can also solo. I went to the band's web site but couldn't listen to their songs posted there. Something about my Flash Player version number. As a geeky aside, --I am really glad that Apple with their iPhone and iPad have killed Flash. It needed to be done. I just hope it can die quickly and we can all move on to what is better. Someday I hope we can all just listen to and watch the things we want to on our computers without worrying about version numbers.  So back to the music. At the Snout Saloon on Saturday night it was Burnt Brownies from LaCrosse, a light blues band. I was pretty much popping over to the Snout on set breaks at Every Buddys. Swilling down a Red Stripe with The Blonde and listing to some blues. I was pretty happy with the track I did on video, Bob Dylan's Tangled Up in Blue. I think most of their stuff was bluesy'r but I like this song and I think they did a great job at it. There were not a lot of people there and so it was a nice volume to be able to talk. I got served my first Red Stripe purchased from the newest, hardest working bartender in town, DrewB. It was the first and I hope there are many more!Outside of that, I caught Kids of Comets, Our Judgement, Mors Mortis Machinatio. I was not as big of fan of those so just watch the videos here. It wasn't my thing, but they might be yours. It was great to see all this music in downtown. I am pretty happy Every Buddy's Bar & Grill, the town's newest stage seems to be making a go of it. Crowds have been pretty good sized the last few times I have been there. You know I am a big fan of their music. But, I am also a big fan of their hamburgers. Its a bar and grill. Wes, the bar's owner not only stages good music, he makes a fantastic bacon cheeseburger and the best french fries in town. Even better than the Shortstop. High praise indeed! They have dollar burgers on Wednesday nights. My kids love the place because Wes lets them eat all the pickles they want. I guess that is unsolicited plug complete.
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 18 March 2012 00:07 |
| If I'd written all the truth I knew for the past ten years, about 600 people - including me - would be rotting in prison cells from Rio to Seattle today. Absolute truth is a very rare and dangerous commodity in the context of professional journalism. Hunter S. Thompson |
