“HIDDEN TRACK”
Andres S. Gonzalez
_______________________________________________
I love music. I mean it. I have found that within music, there’s an open window to transmit a feeling, an opinion, a subliminal message or just a beat that will make the body move without control. I have also been to many concerts. It’s been so many concerts/shows that I find it hard to be amazed by any show. Sometimes I’m more amazed by the crowd reaction.
In all there is only one concert that really stands out for me. Not because the band was huge and famous, or because the music was the best in the market. Instead it was because I finally witness what a real fan feels like when they have that one-on-one contact with the star.
This happened to me years back when I went to see Anthrax at the White Rabbit [San Antonio]. Anthrax was huge and famous in their hey-day. I mean they were selling out places and going on huge tours. Their music is thrash metal. A real rowdy bunch of guys. Their message has always been so diverse: they have songs about rebelling, about comic book characters, and most importantly about social issues. None the less, I went to see them for the fourth time. The show was top notch. The crowd was having a blast. I was just stunned being so close to them.
In the months before the show, Frank Bello, the bass player, lost his brother. In their current release at that time (Volume 8: The Threat Is Real), there was a hidden track in the cassette. (Yes, I said cassette—this was back before the mega cd empire took over.) This song was sung by him and it was written for his brother. Frank sang the song with so much emotion that I felt his agony and pain.
So when I had the chance to see the band live, I ran backstage to meet the band after the show. As always, security was rough. But I was finally able to meet the band. When I met Frank, I was floored by his presence. I was suddenly star struck. For that moment, I forgot the fun I had in the concert and looked at Frank and gave him my condolences. I told him that the song was truly amazing and that I connected with his emotions. He suddenly stopped signing autographs, and reached for me. We hugged and I heard him sobbing. It seemed that he was still hurting from losing his brother. Then we talked the rest of the night. Although he had these fans asking for his autograph, he kept talking to me. He shared the story about his brother incident. As the roadies were finished loading their gear, the band had to leave.
For once I realized that even these wild superstars are human. Moreover, I made a real connection. Because of his music and lyrics, I was able to understand and relate to his pain. I went home that night thinking about it over and over. Sadly, I found out that as the tour ended, he left the band. I guess his wounds still needed to fully heal.
|
