1. Because Eyehategod is playing.
Eyehategod is the result of the meeting in 1988 between Jimmy Bower, formerly the drummer from Shell Shock, and Mike IX Williams, who worked as a roadie for the band. They became friends and decided to create a punk band that aimed to play really slow and loud. The resulting music became the root of the influential Big Easy metal sound at a time when other bands tried to play as fast as possible. Call it doom rock, stoner rock or sludge, it’s a mix of metal and the blues, played very loudly and fairly slowly.
2. Because they share the stage with great bands.
Pentagram is one of the doom metal pioneers, starting to play in the early ’70s and famous for its activity on the national Underground scene and its constant line-up shifts. The only permanent member is Bobby Liebling, vocalist.
Black Tusk from Savannah mixes punk power and thrash metal riffs with a hint of Southern Rock sound.
Omean is about to record, and this is an occasion for them to shine in front of their own crowd and their spiritual fathers.
Last but not least, Haarp is definitely a product of New Orleans, born in Katrina’s aftermath after the members left their former bands. They were signed recently on Phil Anselmo’s label, Housecore Records, and their new album was produced by the latter, who believes in them. “They’re the best fuckin’ New Orleans band I’ve seen since the late ’80s,” Anselmo says.
3. The Housecore Records connection
As we reported in April, Haarp’s new album will be on Phil Anselmo’s new label, Housecore Records; Anselmo has also encouraged Eyehategod to make an album for Housecore. His aim is to give back to the music what the music gave to him, by helping bands from a whole range of styles, underlining his dedication to music and the defense of an identity.
4. Because metal’s local music as well.
New Orleans is famous for its music—all its music—and it’s easy to forget that there are communities that know the city first for its metal, not just Eyehategod but Crowbar, Soilent Green and Down. There are places where Down—which includes Anselmo and Jimmy Bower—play stadiums; their last New Orleans date was in Voodoo’s Bingo! Parlor. That ain’t right. We have the whole year to enjoy good jazz, brass, funk and so on; for one night, it’s time to try something different.
