JPG

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammet, Sundance Film Festival (06), small show supporting the film The Darwin Awards.

This one seemed to easy to be true. I happened to hear about a small show that Metallica was to be playing later on, so I stopped by the venue beforehand. No problem getting in, I just did that whole "look like you belong" kinda thang. Staff is usually so busy prepping the show that getting in is relatively easy. ID badges definitely helped as I had press creds for both Sundance and Slamdance, and I was, of course, wearing them in case I needed to look important.

I asked who was in charge, was told his name and pointed in his direction. About 30 seconds later the deal was done - the usual, first 3 songs no flash and he'd tell the crew to expect me. According to me, I was now officially the coolest dude in town. But not for long...

A few hours later I returned for what was to be THE event of the festival, hands down. Metallica?! In small club?! FREE?! AND i'd get to take photos?! What more could I ask for?!

So, I showed up, explained who I was looking for and who I was and they opened the first door and asked me to wait for abit. Okay, no problem. After awhile I got pretty bored and started to chat up the security dude. That's often what I do when I'm bored, I'm probably not the only one that would have done it. Having played football, I'm used to huge guys and they don't intimidate me, and there's that whole "gentle giant" thing, too, right? Normally, yes; in this case, nooooo!

So he wasn't havin' it, seemed to think I was trying to "buddy up" to him, so that he would let me in. I explained to him that that certainly wasn't the case here, as I was already in. Oooohhh, don't think that was a good idea, because before I knew it, they did that whole toss-the-drunk-guy-outta-the-saloon scene - swinging doors, wild, wild west style and I was out in the cold; literally, it was the middle of winter and we were atop a mountain.

So I waited. And waited. And waited some more. Metallica started. And I was OUTSIDE!!! Song #1 finished and still outside!!! Song #2 started and finished and still out in the cold. Nobody lovin' me now. It was red carpet, E channel type stuff, but I had to wait near the entrance so that when the boss arrived I could shout his name. The police weren't havin' it, so I had to do some sweet talkin'. Huge, huge stretch limo showed, groupies pilled out of the car, then the boss. I shouted, he replied, "What are you doin' still out here?", I explained and I was in. The door dude apologized and I said something brotherly and peaceful and I was in.

I headed towards the stage, but it was beyond packed. And I'd missed my songs. A coupld of huge dudes lifted me up onto the speakers and I got about a song's worth. Wanted to stay in the club, so I stopped shooting and started enjoying.

Unbelieveble concert; one of the best in my life! Agressive music, but the crowd was very cool.

Tough night, good result