Last Call with Scott Alderman, tour producer, metalhead and author

]

Fans of heavy metal may remember the infamous 2000 “Tattoo the Earth Tour” with Slayer, Slipknot and Metallica headlining. Shrewsbury resident Scott Alderman was the producer and sat down with Last Call to talk about earning the enmity of Sharon Osbourne, organizing shows in rodeos and parking lots, making sure the stage didn’t catch fire (again) and his upcoming book, “Caravan of Pain” out March 15.

Why was the “Tattoo the Earth Tour” so infamous?

The tour struggled to come together — getting it off the ground while we had so many people and entities trying to stop us from doing it. When we started the tour, we were still building it, in a way. It began in the middle of July but we didn’t announce it until the middle of June. I didn’t know the end dates when we started or who was going to show up to the first show.

Plus we had Slipknot, who had just gone platinum, and they’re just an insane band, and their fans are insane.

Insane in a good way or bad way?

I think in a good way. I had a sense back then that the kids who go to our shows are not going to go shoot up their high school. They’re getting it out of their system — I always thought of it as giving them a place for that. But we got banned in Boston — we were so loud, there was so much cursing on the stage that old ladies were riding around trying to find the party to get it shut down. Within a couple days, the mayor banned Slipknot and Tattoo the Earth for life — and it was one of our better shows. We had like 12,000 people but we couldn’t tattoo because it was still illegal in Massachusetts. We couldn’t even do a demonstration.

Who was the first band that committed?

Slipknot — we were trying to find a headline band. I was trying to get Red Hot Chilli Peppers or Metallica. I had a guy who was working with us and he mentioned Slipknot — said they’re hot, they just went platinum, and they’re a little bit dangerous. When we saw that Slipknot was really the band we wanted, we went to their agency and they had already committed to playing Ozzfest. So we worked on them and doubled the offer and they left Ozzfest and really pissed Sharon Osbourne off.

You think you made a powerful enemy that day?

Oh yeah, oh my lord. It was a double edged sword. Clear Channel — that was Live Nation back then — at the time owned all the amphitheaters. She had the pull (with Clear Channel) and got us out of those locations, so we were left playing rodeos, parking lots and horse tracks. The original tour was supposed to be like 38 days but it got cut down to 18 shows for lack of locations. She had got a big headliner — a hot band — and then we stole them away. She had every reason to be angry — I would have done the same thing in her place. When she found out that half of our dates were Clear Channel venues, she was like, “no way.”

So how about the tour itself — once you got it going?

It was like “Spinal Tap” meets “Carrie.” Every show was just insane. In Kansas, the stage got lit on fire, and in Wisconsin, the leader of Slipknot got maced a few hours before the show by the head of security at the venue. This is the craziness of the tour — it turned out that the year before Slipknot had performed there with Ozzfest and didn’t like how they’d been treated so it was off to a bad start. That show, Wisconsin, had the worst vibe ever.

Were you worried at all then?

That show, yeah I was scared — but I was scared the whole tour, cause I just had a nightmare that someone was going to die at one of our shows. The problem was we were playing alternative venues — not amphitheaters. Playing at amphitheaters was like going to a five-star hotel after you’ve been camping. Mostly, we were playing at parks where you had to set everything up from scratch. That’s the part that really wore us down — setting up the stage at a Texas rodeo in August — it was 110 degrees. It wasn’t meant to support a music show and people don’t like to go to alternative venues because they’re not known.

Though we didn’t have any problems with our fans. They knew what they were doing. The EMTs told me that the metal fans usually don’t get hurt — it’s the shows like Blink 182 or Green Day that attract younger kids and they can get hurt.

Had you wanted to do a second year?

Yes! But basically, everyone screwed us the second year — Slipknot’s manager and Sharon Osbourne. We were going to do Slipknot and Marilyn Manson but Ozzfest just doubled every offer. We were in the position where we’d have to pay three to four times what the show was worth and still play in rodeos. Plus, Clear Channel owned thousands of radio stations and were able to keep us off the radio. That’s something that hasn’t changed one bit — the music industry is run by a very small group of people. They spent millions to stop us in our tracks.

There is some satisfaction in that though — that they spent so much money to do that.

Absolutely, I get a lot of satisfaction out of it. Getting it off the ground and being one of those people that made it real sort of changed me. That was in some ways more important to me than anything. Obviously I would have loved to have sustained it for 20 years like Warped Tour and made all that money but it just didn’t work out that way. That’s why we shifted gears and did the first tattoo convention in Massachusetts.

When did the law change in the Commonwealth?

Once I saw that we weren’t going to put out a second tour — which was just crushing — I saw that the law had just changed in Massachusetts. I decided to put on the first tattoo convention in the fall of 2001. We drew like eight or nine thousand people. We had artists from all over the world, and guys who did hand tattooing from Borneo — it was a really successful show.

What inspired you to write the book?

I sketched out an outline of what became this book in the year following the tour. I wrote a memoir in 2020 and my plan was to write a few of them about my life. The next one was going to be about the time 30 years ago, when I worked at an AIDS hospice during the AIDS epidemic in New York City — a heavy book. Then the pandemic hit, and I wanted to write a book but I didn’t want to write that one — so I settled on Tattoo the Earth.

What did you learn from this whole experience?

I was out of my mind for the majority of trying to get this off the ground. It was a crazy vision quest. A part of what I learned is to trust my own instincts. Now, I’m much more comfortable with who I am and what makes me up.

“Caravan of Pain” will go on sale on March 15.

Famous Metal Musicians React to the Breakup of Every Time I Die

]

Why does the breakup of Every Time I Die feel so different from the breakup of other popular bands? Part of it is certainly the drama that has developed around the split — but I don’t think that’s all of it. Plenty of band breakups are less-than-amicable, after all.

No, I think what makes this particular dissolution “special,” for lack of a better word, is that Every Time I Die were about as close to being universally beloved as any metal or hardcore band has ever been. I’m sure there are people who did/do not appreciate their music, and this being the Internet, I’m sure there are people who talked a lot of shit about them. But those shit-talkers are few and far between; ETID were never the constant target that so many of their peers have been.

This being the case, news of the split has lead to an especially emotional outpouring from prominent members of the metal community. We’ve collected some of those reactions below; we’ll continue to update this post as more come in.

Underoath

Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves, ex-God Forbid)

Buz McGrath (Unearth)

This @everytimeidie nonsense has to be some sort of “gimmick” i refuse this news.— buz with 1 Z (@buzmcgrath) January 18, 2022

Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!)

I took every chance I could to see @everytimeidie play on warped tour 2006. Their live show energy amped me up. Was always happy for their success and longevity, loved seeing the group grow and change. Great band— Laura Jane Grace (@LauraJaneGrace) January 18, 2022

James Hart (18 Visions)

EVERY TIME I DIE. What a career! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽— james hart (@JamesHartagram) January 18, 2022

Bryan Garris (Knocked Loose)

Kevin Kaine (Knocked Loose)

ETID took a chance on KL in 2017 and brought us out and it quickly turned into one of my favorite tours, quickly turned into one of my favorite bands and favorite people. That tour led to another, and another. Hate to see em go but will cherish the memories we have. Til next time— Pac (@TheCandyKaine) January 18, 2022

Thomas Williams (Stray from the Path)

They did the same thing for stray. Always put over new bands. A philosophy that they taught me over time and will continue to do https://t.co/QpmwnfBnkl— Tom from stray (@tomfromstray) January 18, 2022

Craig Reynolds (Stray from the Path)

every time they died 😢— craig reynolds (@reynlord) January 18, 2022

Brian Slagel (Metal Blade Records)

So sad to see what’s happening with Every Time I Die. Such good dudes and such a legendary band #ETID— Brian Slagel (@brianslagel) January 18, 2022

The World Alive

Thank you Every Time I Die for taking us to Australia for the first time

For always being humble and kind to us and our crew

For being one of the sickest live bands who inspired us to always want to get better

Long live ETID =>— THE WORD ALIVE (@TheWordAlive) January 18, 2022

Telle Smith (The Word Alive)

If every time I die is done that’s a loss for the entire music world not just the heavy music scene

Very few bands as beloved as ETID this is a sad day 😔— T E L L E (@tellesmith) January 18, 2022

Within the Ruins

Jordan “Gwarsenio Hall” Olds (Two Minutes to Late Night)

]

The Head and the Heart Announce Tour with Dawes, Shakey Graves, Jade Bird

]

The post The Head and the Heart Announce Tour with Dawes, Shakey Graves, Jade Bird appeared first on Consequence.

The Head and the Heart have mapped out an extensive run of 2022 North American tour dates featuring a trio of folk-favorite special guests: Shakey Graves, Dawes, and Jade Bird.

Dubbed the “Every Shade of Blue Tour,” the trek is named after THATH’s upcoming single, due for release this Friday, January 21st. Stretching from spring through early fall, the itinerary is split into three legs, each featuring a different act in support on select dates.

The May 20th through June 10th leg (Pittsburgh, Cleveland, New York, Boston, Milwaukee) will see The Head and the Heart accompanied by Jade Bird. Dawes will then join them on the road from August 2nd through the 22nd, with stops in Austin, Oklahoma City, Boise, Missoula, Seattle, and Los Angeles. Finally, the September 14th through October 15th stretch will find THATH playing with Shakey Graves in cities including Denver, Columbus, Toronto, Indianapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, and Nashville.

“It’s wild to think that by the time we get back on the road this year, it will have been over two and a half years since we last toured,” the band said in a press statement. “We’re so excited to bring new songs to life on stage every night, traveling alongside artists who inspire us. We can’t wait to get out there, doing what we do with an even greater sense of gratitude.”

Tickets will be available via Ticketmaster beginning January 21st at 10:00 a.m. local time; exceptions are for the Vienna, Virginia show (on sale February 19th) and the Salt Lake City show (TBA). Find the complete tour schedule below.

twilliams hardison 3 The Head and the Heart Announce Tour with Dawes, Shakey Graves, Jade Bird

Editor’s Pick

Fans can get early access to a special pre-sale running from Wednesday, January 19th through Thursday, January 20th by texting The Head and the Heart’s fan club at 206-339-3209 by 10 p.m. CT tonight (January 18th). Standard pre-sale will also run on Thursday, with codes available by following the band on BandsinTown.

Story continues

You can also pre-save “Every Shade of Blue” now to be entered to win a painting from the band that inspired the single’s artwork. The winner and a guest will also be flown to Seattle to receive their prize, plus hang with the band and enjoy a private acoustic performance from The Hear and the Heart’s Jonathan Russel, Charity Thielen, and Matty Gervais.

The Head and the Heart “Every Shade of Blue Tour” Dates:

05/20 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live *

05/22 – Gulf Shores, AL @ Hangout Music Festival

05/24 – Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater *

05/25 – Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater *

05/27 – Pittsburgh, PA @ STAGE AE *

05/28 – Lewiston, NY @ Artpark Amphitheater *

05/29 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre *

05/31 – LaFayette, NY @ Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards *

06/01 – Northampton, MA @ The Pines Theater at Look Park *

06/03 – Shelburne, VT @ Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green at Shelburne Museum *

06/04 – Portland, ME @ Thompson’s Point *

06/06 – New York, NY @ Pier 17 – The Rooftop *

06/09 – Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap *

06/10 – Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion *

08/02 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live at The Moody Theater ^

08/04 – Houston, TX @ Lawn at White Oak ^

08/05 – Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory ^

08/06 – Oklahoma City, OK @ The Criterion ^

08/08 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Venue TBA ^

08/09 – Boise, ID @ Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden ^

08/11 – Missoula, MT @ KettleHouse Amphitheater ^

08/12 – Seattle, WA @ Marymoor Park ^

08/16 – Portland, OR @ McMenamins Edgefield ^

08/18 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl ^

08/19 – Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre ^

08/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre ^

08/22 – San Diego, CA @ Humphreys Concerts By The Bay ^

09/14 – Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom

09/15 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre

09/17 – Richmond, VA @ Altria Theater #

09/20 – Charlotte, NC @ Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre #

09/21 – Wilmington, NC @ Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park #

09/23 – Columbus, OH @ KEMBA Live! #

09/27 – Toronto, ON @ RBC Echo Beach

09/29 – Detroit, MI @ Oakland University – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre #

09/30 – Indianapolis, IN @ TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park #

10/01 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island #

10/03 – Madison, WI @ The Sylvee #

10/04 – Madison, WI @ The Sylvee #

10/07 – Minneapolis, MN @ Armory #

10/08 – St. Louis, MO @ Saint Louis Music Park #

10/10 – Birmingham, AL @ Avondale Brewing Company #

10/13 – St Augustine, FL @ The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre #

10/14 – Atlanta, GA @ Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park #

10/15 – Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater #

= w/ Jade Bird

^ = w/ Dawes

= w/ Shakey Graves

The Head and the Heart Announce Tour with Dawes, Shakey Graves, Jade Bird

Ben Kaye

All Structures Are Unstable: An ode to Every Time I Die — Kerrang!

]

Let’s face it: Every Time I Die were never going to last forever.

Propelled by an unapologetically incendiary catalogue of songs – the soundtrack to a firefight in a bomb factory – and boasting a live show that teetered gleefully on the precipice between exhilaration and injury, it was that white-knuckle thrill that things could come off the rails at any second that endeared the Buffalo badasses to generation after generation of hardcore fans. The threat of cataclysmic upheaval, personal and professional, was ingrained from the beginning: writ large across illustratively-titled early highlights like 2003’s In the Event That Everything Should Go Terribly Wrong (sole lyric: ‘You’re okay, I will be…’), and still there on 2021 landmark A Colossal Wreck.

Burning bright and fast to the bitter end, they lasted into their third decade not through calculated pacing, but by finding unprecedented reserves of fuel for the fire. All of which makes the news that those flames have been permanently extinguished in a flurry of prickly online exchanges and dryly-worded lawyers’ letters so profoundly unsatisfying.