Sometimes you get mad. Real mad, like your-ex-stole-your-car-and-smashed-it-into-a-tree kinda mad. You’re so filled with rage, all you can think about is bustin’ some heads. But there’s no need to get violent with random strangers to release your inner turmoil. Just go to the Corrosion of Conformity show at the New Daisy on Tuesday, June 28th.
As they start playing, your body will begin convulsing. You’ll be grinding your teeth uncontrollably, and before you know it, you and about 20 other sweaty guys will be slam-dancing shirtless in the mosh pit. When it’s over, you’ll feel like you took a Xanax, only there’ll be no hangover in the morning, just a couple of bruised shins.
The New Orleans-based metal quartet has been playing together since 1982, and when you hear their sound, it’s obvious these guys were raised on ’70s glam-metal like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. Their only major flaw is the heavily produced sound on their albums, but that shouldn’t be a problem in a live show at the Daisy.
Opening for Corrosion are truck-stop rockers Alabama Thunderpussy. Do a Google search for “beer AND weed,” and their site is one of the first to appear. (Seriously, try it.) That should give you a hint about what these guys are all about. It’s heavy metal but not the dark and scary kind. It’s more like if your plastic Satan bobblehead doll came to life and formed a metal band.
Speaking of dark and scary, there’s another goth/industrial night in town. Every Saturday night at the Dungeon (the basement of 6-1-6), freaky kids in black come out in droves for Ritual Goth Night. Veteran goth DJSamael and his understudy Romantique spin goth, industrial, EBM, and haunting retro music. Belly dancers dot the corners of the dance floor, and drinks have names like “Vampire’s Kiss.” Painted red-and-black flames climb the walls from the floor, which is a welcome change from the old Day-Glo graffiti paint job from the club’s rave days.
Samael recently broke off ties with the Memphis Industrial Goth Project, which has been hosting a very successful weekly goth night at the Full Moon Club on Wednesdays for months. Still in its infancy, Samael says future Ritual Goth Night events could include magicians and stilt walkers.
You can catch some good, old-fashioned garage punk at the Buccaneer as The Angel Sluts join FUT and Thunderlip on Wednesday, June 29th.
Pop-punk fans should also check out The Holiday at the Skate Park of Memphis on Saturday, June 25th. These barely-out-of-high-school rockers are just adorable. Their music is crisp like Blink-182, and not long into their set, you’ll be bopping. It doesn’t hurt that these guys are so wholesome. While they don’t consider themselves a Christian band, all the members are Christian. There’s just something about punk-rock good boys that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, like the feeling you get after hugging Grandma. — Bianca Phillips
