On a cold March night, masked metal group, MUSHROOMHEAD, made their return to Dallas Texas to the famous Gas Monkey Bar and Grill. Bringing along another masked group named VENTANA and a band of “freaks” HELLZAPOPPIN.
VENTANA was up and doing some research on the band before the show I learned that St1tch, who is the sampler/keyboardist for MUSHROOMHEAD, started the band because of his love for industrial music. This is definitely a different style of music than MH. But don’t let that deter you from giving them a listen. Dawning masks somewhat like their touring partners. Both vocalist, Scott Beck and Keyboardist, St1tch both going into the crowd on multiple occasions. Even getting into the moshpit with the wild crowd. I would highly recommend checking them out.
Next up was the traveling sideshow, HELLZAPOPPIN. This is definitely not for the faint of heart. Lead by THE GOVNA BRYCE GRAVES, he starts our crazy night with some old fashion fire eating. He brings out ERIC ROSS, a human pin cushion to say the least. He swallows a piece of string and somehow pulls it out of his chest…something most people in attendance were at a shock about. Which wasn’t the last time we’d see Mr. Ross that night. He later came out and showed us why he is named “The Human Pin Cushion”. Another performer that night was the “Half-man daredevil” himself, SHORT E. DANGEROUSLY. We saw him do pushups, one handed handstands and was used as an anchor for a performance later on in the show. He also got on top of a ladder and jumped on to a bed of glass, oh that was also set on fire by Bryce. BRYCE GRAVES also came back out and performed another trick before bringing out another performer. He took an ordinary screwdriver out, put a condom over it (Always protect your tool) and stuck it in his nose. He also used and ELECTRIC screwdriver!! Next was ANDREW S, Guiness Record Holder. Through the night we saw him swallow a cane, sword and a huge drill bit. We also see him put a super long “straw in his nose and out of his mouth…and yes, people drank from the straw. I have to say this was a CRAZY night. There was much more that happened but this would be a very long review. I suggest looking them up or better yet, go see them live next time their in your area.
Now for the Main Event of the evening, MUSHROOMHEAD. known for their avant-garde sound which includes influence from heavy metal, art rock and electro-industrial and their imagery which features masks and costumes as well as their unique live shows. This tour they are dawning their Devil Horn masks. It’s always a eye catching show with the percussionists having water on their drums so with every hit you see it splash up. Entertaining to say the least. When their hit song “QWERTY” first hits the crowd lit up. Definitely a fan favorite song. Followed by another huge favorite “Sun Doesn’t Rise”. MUSHROOMHEAD never fails to entertain the crowd. Interacting with the crowd, even getting down into the crowd on multiple occasions. They are coming back into town with INSANE CLOWN POSSE later this year.
