A Day in the Life of a Musical Misfit

Friday night started out just like any other Friday in recent memory. Woke up, prepared for school and sent the child out the door for another day in her educational career.

Although this wasn't just another day, in fact it was the eight year anniversary of Sept. 11. Respectively, this wasn't a day for mourning, this was a day to celebrate life and to celebrate being alive. Which is something I do everyday.

Four years ago I was involved in a serious car accident that resulted in the amputation of both my legs, a fractured hip, and a fractured elbow. Most are shocked when they hear this and it is hard for many to be able to fathom enjoying life after such a tragedy. The fact of the matter is the accident was actually a blessing, and music is something that has improved my quality of life. When I was in the hospital I was taken over by an overwhelming feeling of lose. I lost almost everything, my jobs, my house, my cat, my boyfriend...I could go on and on but it would sound like a country song that you would hate.

The fact of the matter is music was the one thing that could take away this feeling of helplessness. It gave me strength to face everyday, and to face it well. This is the reason why I spend much of my time blanketing myself in the local music scene in Sacramento, CA and this was exactly what I was doing on Sept. 11, 2009.

The venue was Ugly's Tequila Bar in Citrus Heights. The genre, metal.

The first band worth mentioning are Seeds Of Hate, hailing from Santa Rosa, CA. Although it seemed it took a few songs for the band members get into their zone, once they did they were on fire. Stand out song "Art of Combat" is powerfully composed. It was refreshing to be able to differentiate the different notes and melody, especially between the guitars. The music was in a sense, brutally neat. When Seeds of Hate performed Sepultura's "Refuse/Resist" (opening song from their album "Chaos A.D.") the crowd not only went wild, but the band played it well. It was just what everyone needed to get them prepared for what was about to come.

Headlining the show was Trial by Combat, pure Sacto metal from hell. Trial by Combat are a talented quartet who are no doubt on their way to spotlight main stream music. Jesse Grossman, lead singer and vocalist, holds the helm of the band with his strong stance; his voice pointed to the sky as if he were shouting at someone not of this world. Holding down port and aft are guitarists Aaron Duddley and Jesse Palmer who trade off tantalizing solo segments and erotic faces that show they love playing music just as much as the crowd loves watching them play it. Last but not least, and perhaps the power behind the band altogether, is Sam Keegan. He plays the drums like a powerful engine pushing the music at the speed he wants it to go. In the words of famous Joe Strummer, "A band is only as strong as their drummer." Some of the songs that highlighted their set were "Novice Orden," and signature song "Baptized in Battle."

So, in short, it is nights like these and music like this that help me return to a feeling of comfort. The loud, crunchy, comanding music which comes from these bands and this particular genre of music not only enduces the feeling of survival, but gives you the sheer will and determination to take over the world.

For more information on these bands and for upcoming shows visit their websites.

www.myspace.com/seedsofhatenb

www.myspace.com/trialbycombattheband