Like NOTHING I had ever seen…

Back in 1992, I had bought tickets to see House of Pain at the 9:30 club in Wash DC., as my girlfriend at the time was a huge fan. “Some band” called RATM was opening. Unfortunately (for her) she got real sick & didn’t go, so I brought a friend. When RATM took the stage, I was so utterly amazed, I swear it was like NOTHING I had ever seen before. The passion, the angst, people were going fucking nuts (as was I) Being a musician myself, I went home with a whole new outlook. They were playing the next day in Baltimore at a place called Hammerjacks, so I bought 2 more tix and made my girlfriend go, promising a surprise. When RATM took the stage this night, again I was so blown away, like nothing I had even seen was like that, it was literally almost indescribable, even to this day. The whole place again was nuts, no band I had ever seen before had a crowd so whipped into a frenzy. She was so happy I made her come, that she almost forgot we were there to see House of Pain. Which, actually was good, because before HOP came on, Everlast came out & told the audience that a bouncer had punched Danny Boy in the face, that they weren’t gonna play & to fuck off. Needless to say, the crowd pulled down the amps & monitors, tore shit off the walls, even broke out all the front windows at the venue! Riot police came & everything. As we were walking back to the car, Tom was out back just talking with a few people. I have never been one of those “groupies” that gets all star-struck, but I just had to walk up and tell him, “man, I’ve never seen anything like you guys ever before in my life, you were fucking spectacular. I then told him the story of my sick girlfriend and how we had to come to Baltimore to see them (twice for me!) He said very humbly, “Thanks man, I really appreciate it.” I then told him no man, thank YOU, those 2 shows have changed my life. I feel so fortunate that I was able to see them right when they were coming up, these were some of my favorite memories of my early college days, and actually, think of those nights every time I listen to Rage. Thanks for the memories!