World of Cyn

2011 IN CYNCERTS

2011-12-29T20:14:48Z

Wow what another great year in concerts. Logging more than 30 national and countless local shows, it’s been one busy year. Stand out shows for me were Amon Amarth and Symphony X. There is absolutely no comparison to seeing a favorite band, superior performance , up close, in a great venue, with great friends. These shows were the perfect storms. 10 Years, of course, always ranks in the “best of” category for me as they are my fave. Seeing them up close at the Social, and State was a huge treat; and the meet n greet with Mark was the icing.

SURPRISES

This year there were some surprises, like Priest. Ticket was a gift and wow I was totally blown away by the caliber of show. Not to mention the seats were 5^th row center, with the ability to walk to the rail for the Zakk Wylde parts. Another great surprise was Ozzy. I wasn’t sure I’d love this concert, but he played 5 Black Sabbath songs including War Pigs and I was in heaven. Also mind blowers were Alice Cooper and Def Leppard. There is something about the “big” popular shows that make it worth the price, they spare no expense I guess, and the shows are simply top notch. Each of these shows was a surprise to me mostly because of the vocals and the staying power of these artists.

LET DOWNS

There were some “let downs” as well and from my favorite bands. Opeth did not play any of their old death metal songs and chose to focus on the new mellower album; very disappointing for me. Mastodon, although still a great show, I seriously missed the Crack the Skye tour, it was much more flamboyant and beautiful then this go round at the HOB. I was sad to see Disturbed which will probably be the last time for a while, as they are now on extended hiatus. Unfortunately David’s voice was not fully mended that day and he was nothing compared to the way he was in earlier show before all of his vocal issues. (or even last year).

ORLANDO BANDS

As far as local Orlando shows, it’s pretty impossible to count the number of shows attended by-show. Instead I made a list below of some memorable bands (below the national list). There were a countless number of times seeing Traverser, Empyrean and 5 Billion Dead. These bands continue to be a staple (and faves) in Orlando metal. Some new bands captured my heart this year, Druid Lord, Prophecy Z14 and Putrescent Secretancy. These bands have some serious chops and will for-sure make 2012 amazing for local metal. I was also very happy to finally see Ring of Scars, after their recording break they came back with a vengeance and delivered to us a new album. Also very cool is our friend Dexter's band Autumn Empire, I'm sure these guys will go far. And of course there were THEM, and seeing Celeste and meeting her husband Craig who I hope to see frequently for shredding lessons.

WHAT’s NEXT

2011 certainly was an amazing year for metal. The HOB, Firestone, and Hard Rock did an outstanding job bringing us some of the best national tours. 2012 is already off to a killer start. Tickets already in hand for Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Symphony X and Rammestein.

CYNS 2011 LIST:

NATIONAL SHOWS Backwards in Date order (starting Dec 11)

Adelitas Way, Art of Dying, Seether
Arkona, Korpiklaaini
Alice Cooper
Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan, Red Fang
Judas Priest, Black Label Society, Thin Lizzy
Sevendust, Eye Empire
Five Finger Death Punch, All that Remains,
Yngwie Malmsteen, 5 Billion Dead
Dream Theater, Trivium
Firewind, Nightrage
Opeth
Eye Empire
Fair to Midland, Empyrean
10 Years in Orlando and in St Pete
Mayhem Festival, Disturbed, Godsmack, Trivium, Megadeth,
Animals as Leaders, Intronaut
Big Business
Children of Bodom, Obscura, Devin Townsend,
Blackguard, Otep
Rick Springfield
Sick Puppies
Def Leppard, Heart,
Primus
Deftones, Dillinger Escape Plan
Symphony X, Powerglove
Danzig
Amon Amarth
Iron Maiden
98 Rockfest, Stone Sour, Halestorm, 3 Doors Down, Seether, Skillet, Eye Empire,
Accept
Eye Empire
Taylor Dayne
Hell Yeah, Buck Cherry, Damned Things
Cradle of Filth
Ozzy
Hinder, My Darkest Day
Nonpoint, Straight Line Stitch
Trouble

ORLANDO SHOWS: These shows are in no particular order and not all inclusive. This is a list of the memorable ones for me. Some of which I made it out to see on numerous occasions.

Traverser
Druid Lord
Empyrean
5 Billion Dead
Them
Ring of Scars
Prophecy Z14
Putrecent Secretancy
Autumn Empire

2011 Fringe Festival Reviews

2011-05-23T12:48:52Z

Current Score 5 of 11

Recommendations:

I Love You Because
Oral
The Booyah
My Monster
Trash Cinema101

Just OK
13 The Musical
Dr Who's Line is it Anyway
Preacherman
Heaven Help Us

Avoids
While You Dine
Miss Sammy Bakes a Cake

Sunday

My Monster
Philip Nolan
Wow, we knew this show would be amazing and it surely was. Philip never disappoints. Simple skit of a screenwriter lecturing but it was ALL Phillip. Perfect.

Trash Cinema 101
Excellent Education in the original trashy B movies. I didn't know what to expect and what we got was a cleverly weaved set of clips from some all time great trashy movies. Loved the clips showing how Nightmare Elm 2 was totally about gays, seeing Reese Witherspoon kick major ass in Freeway, and meet Buffy's predecessor in Faster Pussycat Kill Kill. Nothing however beat watching the original YMCA video in the movie Can't Stop the Music and the positively groan worthy Bruce Jenner in tight short shorts. Here is a list of recommended trashy movies:

Phantom of the Paradise
Freeway
House
Can't Stop The Music
Forbidden Zone
Faster Pussycat Kill Kill

While you dine
Can't recommend this show even though it had a cute name. It was a simple plot about a bunch of service staff and a bitchy client.

The Booyah
Quirky comedy about a bunch of 20 something's having a house party. Comedy and music ensue. All of us really enjoyed this little play written by Joel Warren. We have seen some of his Fringe plays in the past. Great cast, lots of funny lines and gag songs.

Dr Who's Line Is it Anyway
Catch it if you really are a fan of the show. All improve and different at every show. Kinda cute. Simple concept, the audience chooses a villain and a time period and the cast acts it out. You never know what to expect or what you will get.

Saturday

I Love You Because
Winter Springs Performing Arts

The Winter Springs kids are grown up and better than ever. This year delivering a more mature themed show and impressing the heck out of us with stunning vocal harmonies, crisp timing and perfect direction. Right behind Bat Boy- the first time they blew us away. The plot was simple, four singles trying to find romance after break ups. The completely mis-matched couples manage to fall in love "despite" their differences which make from some hilarious moments. After the show we chatted with the kids, and learned that Sage, the leading guy, spent a lot of time directing and blocking many of the funny scenes. Once again we are so very impressed with this troupe.

Oral
Kick The Puppy Performers

Very fun and educational show about the do's and don't of fellatio and cunnulingus. Quick and quippy yarn told from every perspective. Something for everyone...under 18. Especially loved the drawings of body parts and the diagrams of how-to. Basically this show is a sketch comedy with fast paced transitions going form couple to couple of all persuasions, as they discuss their anxieties, likes, dislikes, and tips.

Miss Sammy Bakes a Cake

Ugh we did not like this show. Definite miss. There was no plot or story just a TV show set where Sammy greeted her guests Debbie Reynolds, Dolly Parton, Judy Garland and Roseanne Barr. Just a parade of drag queens singing. Sorry I just can't say anything good about this show.

Heaven Help Us
MR Sisters

3rd in the series from the group that brought us Welcome to Hell. No where as good though. This show takes place in Heaven where Satan manages to steal Adam away from Eve. Cute ending though to Brady Bunch music. I can't really recommend this show. Neither Mark, Karen or Gary enjoyed this performance. There certainly was great acting and singing, so it's really hard to say what we didn't like except to day that we didn't.

First Friday Night

13 The Musical

Orlando Youth Theatre

We saw these kids last year in Box Car Children. They are an extremely talented bunch of kids with some great voices. The play it self was about 30 minutes too long. They easily could have cut out some of the musical numbers but it was definitely worth the time if you like youth theatre and talent. The plot was simple and straight forward. Evan a 13 year old moves from NYC to Indiana, devastating for any New Yorker for sure. The rest of the plot is formulaic and feels a bit like High School Musical. But again very fun and worth while.

Preacherman

This was a really cute little one-man story of an ex-Pentacostal preacher turned atheist turned performer. His story starts off extremely well as he has some great stories and insights of church craziness and Jesus camp. Fitting for the night prior to the Rapture. He "falls from Grace" at 22 and the rest of his life story is pretty usual. 20's befuddlement, 30's revelation and by the 40's -well by then we learn to take everything a whole lot less seriously. He has a colorful way of framing up the world and does a bit of preaching to his Fringe audience on the merits of enough-ness.

iPhone Apps 2011

2011-05-01T20:45:00Z

As a follow up to my 2010 list, here are some new favorites

Emoji Icons – Awesome Collection of Emoticons

Google Translate – Instant language translation from every major language, FREE and voice activated

Meet Up – The app and also the web bookmark. App for seeing your events, but only the web bookmark allows you to administer your site.

Feedler Pro – Any RSS feeder will do, I like this one b.c it allows me to keep my subscriptions in categories with the subscription still separated so I can read just one particular subscription. For example it doesn’t mix Google News with NYT News. Keeps em separated. Set up your service through the Google Reader and you can manage it anywhere.

Words With Friends – Virtual scrapple is a MUST.

GPS Drive – At the time, the cheapest and best mobile GPS

Yelp – Still my favorite restaurant finder

Orbitiz Mobile – Simple works great

Rhapsody – Musicphiles ONLY, $10 a month subscription for streaming EVERY album you can think of with only a few exceptions

How to Fringe - A Beginners Guide

2011-04-20T21:30:00Z

Lets assume you know what Fringe is all about, and you are cool enough to want to engage in some of the best fun Orlando has to offer.

Simple Fringing – go to the website, choose link to “this years shows" , pick a night and choose a play. Read a summary of the play by clicking it’s name. Buy tickets. DONE that easy. http://orlandofringe.org/

However, there are some advanced Fringing techniques that I will now share with you to enhance your Fringing experience.

About the Loch Haven Park and the Fringe Area. Parking is usually best at the Science center garage unless you are attending early/late or off primetime. Shows are in 2 buildings which are located on either side of the park. The Orlando Rep and Shakes Center. Each building has a couple of prime venues and some smaller ones. Which leads to the next point.

Know the venues and understand that some of the larger venues generally show some of the more elaborate plays and those destined to pull in larger audiences. Venue guides will be available at Fringe, but it’s key to know the best ones before you attend. At Shakes, one can always plan on The Orange venue having the biggest and best cabaret/comedy shows. When you are torn, it’s best to go Orange. At the Rep, depending on what they have going on, generally speaking Silver tends to be where they put some of the best shows. However, green is the next largest venue after Orange and Silver so keep an eye on green shows. Every venue has some unique things to offer, but it’s a general rule that some of the smaller/one man shows will be in smaller venues. (note there are some exceptions and I will point out those troupes on my Fringe blog as we get closer)

Buying tickets. You can pre-buy tickets or wait and simply buy them at Fringe inside one of the venue buildings. You MUST buy a Fringe button which gets you into the festival. After that, you must buy tickets individually to each show. There is usually a $1 up charge for the online service. There are NO assigned seats at Fringe. Once you buy your ticket, you must arrive early for the best seat. Lines DO start early for the best shows.

Planning your Fringe schedule. The web-site allows you to print one .pdf of the entire schedule. This is HIGHLY recommended. Then you can choose shows you wish to see by day. I review each show summary and then assign a priority value A thru C. I will pre-buy the A shows and attempt to see them early before they sell out.

Know what genre you are looking for. I have tried a taste of all that Fringe has to offer, and I prefer comedy and the cabaret shows. I have less of a taste for physical humor and one man stand up so I target shows in this direction. Sometimes it’s difficult to discern these details from the web-site show summary, but sometimes it will clearly state if the show is one-man. I am not a fan of the dance shows with one HUGE exception. Varie-a-Tease is the best show every year in my opinion. More of a Cabaret show really and a must see.

Watch the Blogs for the best recommendations. The Orlando Sentinel, Elizabeth Maupin, myself and several other Fringers will publish show summaries or reviews. These are extremely helpful when picking shows. Generally speaking the known /local troupes will sell out right away so it’s best to check the blogs daily and even ask around when you get to Fringe.

Have an open mind. Fringe is NOT for the easily offended. Remember this is uncensored, artist driven theater. The artists do/show whatever they want. And I mean WHAT EVER. There is a screening process since Orlando Fringe is the largest in the US, however be prepared for open minded, opinionated and in your face entertainment. It’s worth it!!!!!

Nov. Concert Junket and Ship Rocked Cruise

2010-12-04T15:46:00Z

What an amazing opportunity to spend 5 days with favorite bands. This was probably a once in a lifetime experience.

What: Aranda and 10 Years on tour with Sevendust in Florida, PLUS their addition to the Shiprocked Cruise

What is Shiprocked? Only the vacation of a lifetime. It's a chance to be on a cruise for 3 nights with your favorite bands. Not only concerts, but actually hangin with the bands. And it was all that. Headliners were Tesla, Cinderella and Vince Neil. More importantly, Aranda, 10 Years, Sevendust and Drowning Pool attended this year.

For those of you that don't know, 10 Years is one of my favorite bands, and right now perhaps ousting Disturbed and Tool out of my top spot. (on the strength of Feeding the Wolves and getting to know Brian on the cruise)

This little article and website has a summary of our cruise plus vids of the headliners. Other great bands attended as well.

http://www.bravewords.com/news/151089

Day 1: The Ritz Tampa for Aranda, 10 Years and Sevendust.

How excited was I to see Aranda again after a full year. These guys are all so awesome and they all remembered me well from last year. By the end of the weekend I got to know all their wives too - it was awesome and I was in total awe of Dameon once again. The man can PLAY!!

Also HUGE treat to be close to 10 Years. It's tough getting up close b.c they play with the likes of Sevendust and their fans are always there early and get the best spots. And if you are not in front, its mosh city. But I was 3 back on Brian's side of the stage. Their new songs are STUNNING even though they did not play my favorite off the new album, Fade Into.

For Sevendust, by friend Mike, who manges Aranda, got me on stage. It was cool being next to Clint as he was playing. That was for about 3 songs, after which, we watched from the sound booth. Perfect view!!

Gabe Aranda, Me and Dameon Aranda

Day 2: Orlando HOB for Aranda, 10 Years and Sevendust

Redo concert!! Same line up, back to Orlando for a great show. This time, Lisa and Carie joined. (Ali went to Ritz and Shiprocked).

Some great chats with all the guys from Aranda and Jesse from 10 Years. Of course up front row for Aranda both nights. (all shows in fact). But this time for 10 Years, I got to hang with Mike in the sound booth. Also met the 10 Years sound guys to. Which I got to know even better on the ship.

Me with Jesse and Mike from 10 Years; Orlando HOB

Shiprocked

It's impossible in this little blog to articulate the fun of this cruise. It starts off much like the average show.

As bands are pouring on the ship, and the first round of concerts happen. There are shows every night from 5pm till 2am. After which time, it is hang out and party till the sun comes up. Then sleep for a couple of hours and start it all over again. And of course every day at 4 is a meet and greet, so you have to be up and ready early.

The best part of the cruise for me, was meeting and hangin with Brian and Lew from 10 Years. And of course the great time with Mike, Aranda's manager and the guys from Aranda. Plus we made so many other great friends on the ship. Some of which are veterans, and some, like me first timers.

Concert Catch Up Aug-Oct 2010

2010-12-04T15:32:00Z

I'm more than three months behind in concert blog posts. Is it really December 3rd already. What a whirl wind of a year it has been. So many shows both large and small. Here are just a few highlights.

Black Label Society (Oct)- Zakk is a GOD, what else can be said about this amazing artist. This was probably one of my favorite shows of the year. And Children of Bodom were amazing too.

Bush (Oct)- Gavin, Gavin, Gavin. It was so nice seeing them again after all these years. What a fun girls night out too. Went with Lisa and Ali, and at the end of the night we all got photos with Gavin. They sounded awesome as well. Gavin has that raspy quality to his voice, and I could hardly notice any degradation. They opened with Machinehead - of course I was in heaven.

Gwar (Oct) - Decided that it's best not to add any pictures of the Gwar show to this website. None of them are really appropriate for mass audiences. I am a bit disappointed that the blood washed out. The show was so very cool. Venue was small and it was easy to tell that their set barely fit on the Firestone stage. But hey, the Palin massacre worked perfectly.

American Carnage (Oct)- Awesome show, too bad I can't remember Slayer. Stay away from Purple Hazes at the Hard Rock Live. Anthrax and Megadeth were awesome of course. It was also a great night out for the Orlando Heavy Metal Meet Up group. We had something like 25 peeps at this show. Frank tells me that just about all of the meet up missed Slayer. Some passed out, some, like me, don't remember much.

Godsmack (Sept) - This was a free one, Ali had an extra ticket. I own none of their music, but I do like many of their songs. Sully was amazing and quite the surprise. I was very impressed.

Uproar (Sept) -- BIG treat of the year. Seeing Disturbed YET again. What can I say for my number ones. This time I had 4th row seats plus got to stand in the pit directly under David. Just wow. The rest of the show was amazing as well. Lizzy was perfect, Stone Sour so fun, and wow A7X knocked everyone out.

Smile Empty Soul (Aug) - This one felt like a personal show. Teeny bar in Longwood Fla. Liquid Scripts. There were no more than 50 people in the bar and most not really aware of SES. This was a very special one. Got to chat with all the guys, and T-shirt completed!!

Deftones (Aug)- Perfect set, by this very special band.

Mayhem (Aug) - I was there for Five Finger Death Punch, but WOW ZOMBIE!!!! Just floored, probably the best show I have ever seen. I really hope I get to see Zombie again. So very impressed. LOG and Korn great too.

Cinderella (Aug) - Back stage passes to this one. Very cool to meet Fred again after so many years. I met them back around 85 on LI at the Sundance. Fun show.

Ali, Gavin, Lisa and Cyn at the Bush show, Ritz Tampa

David Draiman - Tampa

Sean from Smile Empty Soul & Me

Tom Keifer from Cinderella & Me

Some Fave New iPhone Apps

2010-12-03T22:39:00Z

Free Apps

Rhapsody – By far my favorite app. Stream music from any artist. For the price of one album, you get access to EVERY music catalog. I searched tons of artists and except for some very new unsigned bands, they were all available for streaming. Plus you can create a library of your favorites and stream till your heart’s content. Careful if you don’t have unlimited 3G data streaming.

Edmunds – I have been waiting for this app to show new cars. I don’t know why, just wanted to see what is out there.

Live Nation – Must-have app for event lovers, especially concerts. Also great for checking show dates.

Stub Hub – Must- have app for anyone that its interested in the ticket-secondary market

Meetup.Com – For users of the very cool meeting organizer. There is both an app and a mobile web version. Both free and both equally useful. The great thing about the web app is that you can view the actual meet up home page in it’s browser format as well as a mobile version.

The Economist – This has always been a favorite news journal, and now I get tons of content for free on my iPhone. Love it.

Lick of the Day – Really is great for guitar players. Lots of cool licks – free.

Words for Friends – Seriously addictive

Paid Apps (prices change so check iTunes for current prices)

Cat Piano – Such a great way to make your cats scream

Dragon Dictation – Such a cool and easy way to verbally dictate your emails. Works very well.

Scene It Harry Potter – This really is a fun game for Potter-philes. Not difficult but I’m only on Level 3.

Star Wars- Darth Vader Sound Board – Awesome way to make a statement

THE PRICE an original poem

2010-09-09T19:58:00Z

THE PRICE

Are you really the humankind

To stand up and feel what's hidden behind

The perversion of soul has taken hold

And actuality has left you blind.

Can you feel what's deep within

And peer beneath the charred black skin

And find some meaning not left screaming

When forced to turn away from sin

(Chorus)

Feel the reality, embrace the humanity

Turn from the machine

It leaves you wanting more

Feel the reality, embrace the humanity

Ignore the machine

And consider what's under the door

Is there really another way

Will you remember to find emotions today

And ignore the tech, it seeks no respect

It's the people that have something to say.

Step out into the daylight sun

And cast out the night you have become undone

Put away the device, it comes with a price

You have so much further to run.

(Chorus)

Feel the reality, embrace the humanity

Turn from the machine

It leaves you wanting more.

Feel the reality, embrace the humanity

Ignore the machine

And consider what's under the door

(Bridge Screamed)

How can you be sure

You have become pure

Cleansed by the cure

Not falling into more

Cleansed by the cure

Don't go back for more

Believe and be sure

You are now true and pure

Written By Cynthia Thomason; September9^th 2010 (FirstPublished on Poetry Soup.com 9/9/10)

All Copyright Rights Reserved

Sick Puppies - Orlando Club Firestone and WJRR Studio

2010-08-01T13:57:00Z

The real highlight of my 5 concert marathon - Sick Puppies.   The pups never ever disappoint. This counts as somewhere in the neighborhood of 6th or 7th show, I'm really not sure b.c their shows are buried in my AW pix.    I lost count of how many times I have seen these guys.   I know at least 3 w AW, plus w Shinedown once before and w Nickleback.   So maybe this is 6th.

Anyway, since many of their shows were w AW, I missed some of their entire sets plus I never took the chance to get photos with them.   This time, thanks to Alyse, we had entry to the WJRR Studio show and a very personal experience with Shim and Emma.    Alyse was even brought on stage by Shim at WJRR-all caught on video by the studio.   She knows the pups so well b.c a while ago she was a contest winner "roadie for a day" and has maintained her relationships with the Pups since then.

I was so happy to meet and have a few moments w Shim and Emma.   Very cool.

Alyse on Stage w Pups at WJRR Studio

Pups Concert Shots

Rip Tide Video fm Concert

Carnival of Madness-10 Years, Shinedown, Chevelle

2010-08-01T13:45:00Z

This was going to be the highlight of my 10 day concert marathon.   5 concerts in 10 days.   This show was number 3 plus Mark was attending.    It was a great concert no doubt but sandwiched between Scorps and Sick Puppies, this festival ended up being just a plain ole concert.

It was really cool that I arrived at the venue at noon and met cool new concert friend Jamie T from Tampa.    As a result, we got some pix with Shinedown and I did get to say hi to Shawn Hammer who is tour managing 10 Years now that they are back out on the road. I brought him a Frapp as a thank you for how nice he has been to us.

For this show I bought front row seats in the best section plus GA floor.   I knew 10 Years was opening the show and I MUST be dead center in front of Jesse.   Mission accomplished.   10 Years was awesome as always.   I just LOVE LOVE LOVE their music.      Here are all the pix:

10 Years Concert Shots

Shinedown, Chevelle, Sevendust and Puddle of Mudd

Jesse from 10 Years "What I am to you is not real"

Cyn w Eric Bass from Shinedown (Bass)