Hello,

New onto the forum since the last version. New to this, but by far not new as a fan. I was in NYC when the first cd came out and bought it the day it was released, and have been a big fan since.

I remember seeing Godsmack in Utica for my first time. I was sick as ****. It was the worst sinus/head cold that I ever had. I don't actually get that sick for I am quite healthy and workout, but this was as though death was beckoning me through its threshold. I left school that day to pick my friend, who was a certifiable alchohoic then, though sober now--good job Raf! He was already paralytical when I picked him up. I seldom drink and NEVER do so at a show. I brought a camera in with 2 rolls of film as I typically do for all the shows I go to. I really didn't even have the strength to take pictures. That all changed when I heard the intro to "Straight Out Of Line" and I could literally feel the strength and energy consume my body.

I couldn't believe it as I just looked around and my illness was essentially gone. It was like a runner's high and I was exhilerated and elated at the same time. I ran down some steps where Robbie, SUlly and Tony were walking out on this cat walk and stood about 2 feet from SUlly and snapped a pic of him demonstrating that I was #1. So in this pic all you see in is his finger about 6 inches from my lens. Good memory.

Now for a bit of who I am. I am Michael and live in upstate NY, close to Syracuse, which is where I've seen them 3 out of 4 times. I am a teacher at the high school level with a Master's degree which also allows me to teach at the collegiate level. I'm married with a family, which is the ONLY thing that's placed above my love of metal.

I started out as a KISS fan in 5th grade (a long time ago), so I've really been in to music since then. I was given an old scaratched version of Alive and Alive II from one of my parent's renters of the apartment complex that we had. He also gave me Cheap Trick-Budakan, so I have always loved live music. I collected all of the KISS albums and still have them as well as the first series KISS cards that we all bought from the ice cream truck!!!

From there it was punk rock. Living in the burbs of LA punk, new wave, ska, mod and oi were prevelant, so I was really in to that scene. I went to about 150 gigs from 1980-1985 seeing some of the "REAL" great punk bands of all time: Ramones, Misfits (with Danzig), TSOL, Fear, B. Flag, Kennedys, Flipper, GBH, Expoited, Throbbing Gristle Catholic Discipline, Damned, Agnostic Front, and literally dozens of others. I was also, at that time, in to BMX, skating, and surfing. I was able to meet some amazing people; Tony Hawk being one of them. He was brilliant and was also sponsored and he was like 12 years old. He taught me some tricks there at the PIPELINE, from which I still have my membership card.

Then one day, I was listening to the first Iron Maiden lp (this was 1980) and was hooked. Then when Killers came out I listened "Wrathchild" and it was as though that song was written for me, it was my creed for I am a Wrathchild. When the "Beast" came out, I was truly gone. That was and is the single most important metal album ever, IMHO. I have a $30,000 Maiden collection and wathched them get cast aside through several genres...........now they're bigger than ever. I just saw them last week.

When metal was heralded as being "dead" due to all this new stuff, Godsmack emerged at the right time and, I feel, became what was left of Alice and Chains and a blend of Metallica. I still mourn Staley's death for he is the Jim Morrison for me in terms of his legend and early demise. Godsmack was a fresh addage and one of the only new bands that remotely filled those shoes, for me anyway. When I was looking for something to reach out and take me to another medium, it was Godsmack for me. Since then Disturbed, FLAW and only a few others really have what it takes to continue to fill those shoes, though FLAW still goes unnoticed.

Even though Godsmack seems to be a household name and they are commercially successfully, they are damned good and I will remain a loyal fan from this point forth. It's been over 8 years now and it seems like yesterday I was in NYC purchasing that first cd.

Well, this may not be the typical start to an introduction, but this just proves my love for metal and this band. I could go on forever, and to some, it may seem as though I have. Don't deny me my enthusiasm for I am just a fan!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers and Beers.........MaidenMike

welcome yourself here

welcome to the smack family mike!! i think you'll like it here!! if you want to hang out and just have fun, most of us hang in the smack it up forum.

what up mike to the GODSMACK FAMILY !!!! cya round the boards

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Hey MaidenMike...I am an Iron Maiden fan too...did not go to this last concert in Chicago due too would have had to have nosebleed seats...someone said it was good but not the Maiden that once was and I guess that they are supposed to do it again next year with all the old props???? Tell me how your experience was....????