Concert Report: St. Valentine’s Day Massacre at Red Gorilla Studios

Intro:

This was my first time at the Red Gorilla Studios. Coincidentally, it happened to be located on Ranchitos Road, the same exact street as the spooky, creepy, definitely haunted antique shop where I used to work. This somewhat helped me navigate, but even so, I wondered if the GPS had led me astray. I nervously drove down the dim, dark street at a snail’s pace.

When I finally heard that feminine robotic voice helpfully inform me that “your destination is to your left”, I pulled up into a parking spot in front of a warehouse, one of many in this industrial complex. I only saw one person outside, a longhaired metalhead, wearing a band t shirt and leather jacket. He dipped into one of the buildings, and closed the door behind himself. I hoped this was the right place. It had to be, right? Why else would a radical rocker dude be here, at the exact same address as I saw on the flyer? So I followed his lead, and waltzed into the venue like I owned the place. After all, I’m on the list!

So I walked in, and saw the walls lined with tons of musical instruments and motorcycles. Some musicians were doing sound check on stage. It’s gotta be the right place, right? A guy sitting on the table noticed me wandering around aimlessly like a lost child, and helpfully offered me a puff of his joint. “Do you smoke?” He said with a friendly smile, as we locked eyes. I graciously accepted, and put it to my lips, but I didn’t even inhale, because I had a burning question on my mind.

“Thanks for the hit! But I have to ask you: Am I in the right spot? I was looking for Red Gorilla.” I asked him as calmly as humanly possible.

“No, this is the Murder Shack!” He exclaimed with a little bit too much enthusiasm. Whelp, that escalated quickly. While I chuckled with nervous laughter, and everyone else in the warehouse also cracked up at my shocked reaction, but homeboy quickly cleared my confusion. “Don’t worry, Murder Shack is just the name of this venue. Red Gorilla Studios is another venue just a few doors down. Just turn the corner and you’ll see a yard full of punks.”

“Alright, thanks homie! This place seems cool too, so I’ll definitely be back!” Hehe. Nice foreshadowing. Speaking of which:

The concert:

27 Devils Joking was the first band to grace the stage with their presence. Yes, I know the flier says Negative 2, but I think this was just a typo. This was good old fashioned Rock and roll! Their rocker chick drummer, Lisa Jo, was wearing a sweet Valentine’s outfit, such as cute leggings with pink and red hearts all over. The other dudes in the band also had a fun stage presence. Vocalist/guitarist Brian Curley, guitarist Arduous Register, and bassist Carlos Ortiz, all had a vibrant interpersonal chemistry. The drums, bass, guitars, and vocals all played off each other with a friendly yet rambunctious dynamic. The riffs and solos were reminiscent of the Golden age of classic rock, the cream of the crop during the 60s, 70s, and 80s, harkening back to the likes of The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Boston, and Heart. I may or may not have given certain band members a drink or two during the show. Don’t worry about it. It’s fine. Everything is fine.

I’m Broken, a Pantera tribute band, dropped off the setlist. However, they were still on the flier, so I’m still going to give them an honorable mention. I’ll accept any and every excuse to plug this amazing local band!

Destroy to Recreate is one of my all time personal favorite local bands ever! I have oh so many nostalgic memories about this authentic desert grown dirt metal band. In addition to their repertoire in Albuquerque, DTR has also performed at Santa Fe venues such as The Candyman (Strings n Things), Warehouse 21, St. John’s College, and so many others, too much to name or number. They always deliver. Kind of punk, kind of metal, all extreme! Everyone always has a great time! They played fan favorite tracks, including their eponymous self-titled single. We were all headbanging and singing along, just like the good old days! Crunchy chords, catchy metal riffs, and dark disturbing lyrics are the name of the game. The gothic styled custom instruments also lend themselves well to the spooky, creepy, eerie atmosphere and aesthetics.

In between sets at Red Gorilla Studios, I was moonlighting at the Murder Shack. See, I told you that I’d be back! Upon my return to the Murder Shack, I danced with the overalled and bearded Appalachian bluegrass musicians who had just performed there. I even gave one of them a “happy birthday” wish in exchange for a drink. The playful peck on his cheek was just a bonus. I also enjoyed a few tracks from the funk band who followed. It was all too easy to get lost in those deep pockets of groove.

Sickie J’s Mentors were another beast entirely. This group has an infamous reputation for notoriety and controversy. The band members were all wearing creepy executioner masks, reminiscent of Exhumed, Midnight, Ghoul, or even Gwar. Hell, it even reminded me of the classic Alice Cooper onstage decapitations. And the music itself was similar to all of these aforementioned bands, fast and loud and nasty, with dark gallows humor and morbid jokes. Just as sleazy as you please! Those gnarly lyrics would even make Beavis and Butthead blush! But take it all with a grain of salt. The shock value was clearly all in good fun. It’s just as funny as it is scary. And maybe even a little bit sexy? After all, they had some bodacious babes dancing onstage, and I immensely enjoyed the scenic view. A beautiful blonde, and a bombshell brunette! Hubba hubba! Between the offensive lyrics, heavy music, and violent visuals, I had a blast!

Outro:

Part of me knows that some people want me to just get to the point and talk about the music. But another, bigger part of me knows that MY people are more open-minded, creative, and curious about the vivid concrete imagery. Every single last exquisitely grotesque detail. The smell of secondhand cigarette smoke, permeating my unkempt hair and leather jacket. The taste of cold, refreshing hard seltzers, which I had stashed in my purse. The sight of dozens of different individuals, each with their own unique outfits, voices, stories, personalities, and mannerisms. Memorizing the patches on everyone else’s battle vests, right down to the dental floss whip stitching. And of course, the best part of all, the blaring noise of heavy freaking metal blasting from the amps! Five stars outta five!