Every Time I Die in Houston

A few years back in my wilder days, when I used to attend concerts without a camera in each hand, I went to the “Sounds of the Underground” Tour. Probably one of the best concerts I have ever attended. Shadows Fall, Darkest Hour, Every Time I Die, Chimera, and Gwar were just some of the acts performing at the all day event. An event that friends and I came to deem “Guitar Hero Tour 2007”, since a good number of the bands had tracks in the game. On this day of rock and roll one of the bands that still stays in my hazy memory is Every Time I Die. The energy they brought that day transferred solidly into those of us in the crowd and most evidently in the giant circle pit of which I am proud to say I was a part. When I found out that ETID was coming through Houston, I knew I had to shoot this show.

Every Time I Die was headlining at Warehouse Live with four acts before them. The first act was scheduled to go on at 7pm; 30 minutes from when I got word that my ride was just getting ready to pick me up. With the night off to a good start by keeping the tradition of never being on time to a show at Warehouse Live, we were on our way. We arrived at the venue as the second band was ramping up their set. The hard part is over, now to go in and enjoy the show, or so I thought. As we approached the ticket window the bold yellow note on the glass made me thankful I had a press pass and wishful for having ridden my motorcycle. SOLD OUT. This means my ride and fellow ETID fan could not get in and could very likely strand me in a location that is a 30-minute drive from my home. Shit. After a quick brainstorm we decided with my press pass and unnecessarily large rucksack of a camera bag, I could schmooze his admittance out of someone. “Hello, I’m Brian Vogel and I’m covering tonight’s show and my ride… Yeah… No, I understand.” No luck. It looked like I was going to have to enjoy this event on my own. While bullshitting out front with Moose, the driver for one of the bands, I noticed a guy on the corner making exchanges. After a minute of money shuffling and conniving, Boom, we had the illusive ticket.

We entered Warehouse Live as one of the band finished their explosive set, but something was off. Where was everyone? If you have ever been to this venue you will know that there is one large main room for big name acts and bands that really draw a crowd and sell out shows. Bands like Every Time I Die who was preparing to perform on a small stage, in a small room, for small local acts.
As my mind started racing thinking about my ISO settings and the abysmal light quality in this small room, I seemed to be the only person that cared. You could feel the energy in the building. All the energy of those bands and their fans packed into one small room that to them was a great concert hall filled with some of the best rock and roll. Just then, the last opening act finished.

We entered Warehouse Live as one of the band finished their explosive set, but something was off. Where was everyone? If you have ever been to this venue you will know that there is one large main room for big name acts and bands that really draw a crowd and sell out shows. Bands like Every Time I Die who was preparing to perform on a small stage, in a small room, for small local acts.
As my mind started racing thinking about my ISO settings and the abysmal light quality in this small room, I seemed to be the only person that cared. You could feel the energy in the building. All the energy of those bands and their fans packed into one small room that

Finally, this is it. No more thoughts of, “I wish I hadn’t broken my wide angle lens” or “Those lights would be better back there”, now all I could think of was, “I’m about to see one of the best acts I have ever seen from less than three feet away. Killer.” Chants from the crowd interrupted my thoughts. “LET’S GO BUFFALO!” clap clap clap-clap-clap “LET’S GO BUFFALO!” And then, the lights were extinguished and the crowd myself included, erupted.

I wish I could tell you what song they started with or what Keith said to the crowd as he got on stage but all I can tell you for certain is that it was non-stop from the minute they entered the room. Before the first song was even half way over crowd surfing fans started pouring over the barrier into the press area. There were more fans in Photographer’s Row than photographers at this point. Did I care? Hell No. Even the kid in the wheel chair was crowd surfing and getting respect knuckles from Keith. That’s all part of the game. While dodging sweaty fans and the small photographers that clearly missed concert etiquette class, I was snapping away. Trying to capture even a fraction of the awesomeness that was going on. Jordan was throwing his guitar into the air only to catch it and go right into the chorus while Andy was on the opposite end of the stage staring at the crowd like and escaped bear wondering how these puny people could bring a stop to his rocking. After a few songs and a few hundred photos I put my cameras away and just enjoyed the show. Easy Tiger, Tusk and Temper, The New Black, We’rewolf. All the great songs came out at this show with just as much energy and attitude as you would expect. It was everything I could have hoped for an assignment and more. Not only did I have an awesome time but also I am now going to keep growing my beard and invest in a Jean Vest.

I’m sorry if this article seems a bit scattered. I’m still amped from the show and listening to an unhealthy mix of Every Time I Die and Tenacious D. If you take away anything at all from this article, it should be that next time ETID comes to your town or even your state, buy your tickets early and make sure you go expecting to have an awesome sweaty time. In the mean time go pick up one if not all of their CDs.

*This Blog was originally written in 2013 and is being reloaded since the original post was lost.