11 years of rocking Hawaii tests metal band’s mettle
BEING in a band is never easy, but being part of a Hawaii-based metal group has got to be one of the most difficult prospects one could consider.
That's why I'm so impressed by the news that Crucible will celebrate its 11th anniversary this weekend with a concert at Pipeline Cafe. According to guitarist Derrick Haderman, it was founding member Mike Ching's resilience accompanied by an overwhelming need to rock that's kept him involved for the last decade-plus.
"It has to be such a burning desire in your heart that you're not gonna let it go," he said earlier this week. "Playing in front of 10 people, it does get frustrating."
Like Black Sabbath, Van Halen and Pantera before them, Crucible assaults listeners with a classic four-piece lineup that has produced three full-length albums. Haderman said their biggest highlight to date is a 1999 tour of Europe, which earned the band scores of new fans and interest from international record labels.
"We played from Portugal ... all the way up to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia," said Haderman. "By doing that it's really fueled our arsenal of memories and relationships to make us stronger (as a group)."
Doors open at 9 p.m. Saturday, with opening sets by Augustine and Phoenix Rose. Cover is $10 for those 18 and over; call 753-4970.
Want to hear more from Haderman? Visit my blog to listen to the entire interview streamed online, or download it to your iPod ...
IT WAS A little more than an hour before show time last Saturday, and yet there was Augie Tulba, standing outside the Hawaii Theatre.
As family and friends enjoyed food from Chai's Island Bistro at a pre-show reception upstairs, Tulba smiled and took pictures with fans before revealing the true reason why he was out there.
"I forgot the programs," he said with a nervous laugh. "So I'm waiting for my mom to bring them from Ewa Beach."
Sure enough, a few minutes later Tulba's elderly mother rolled up in the passenger seat of a car filled with boxes of programs that ushers rushed to distribute.
That appeared to be the only hitch in a laugh-filled hour of live television that featured Tulba's signature mix of homeless jokes, family stories and his take on current events. But when I ran into him at Soul de Cuba after the show, he admitted there was one more thing he forgot.
Despite rocking a three-piece suit with the dress shoes to match, Tulba didn't have a pair of socks to complete the ensemble.
With literally no time left, he was forced to ditch the nice shoes in favor of the pair of Converse sneakers he already had on. Good thing they were black, matching the color of his suit ...
BAR NEWS: After noise complaints apparently led to the cancellation of late-night events at Lulu's Waikiki, the promoters behind weekend parties there have moved on to new locations. Matty Liu and Chris Cano have turned their Friday weekly into "40 oz. of Freedom" at Planet Hollywood, while James Coles launches "Stunnah Saturdays" this week at the O Lounge with a live set by Rebel Souljahz ... Faithful customers were saddened to learn Slammers Bar and Grill closed at the end of July. Luckily, management posted signs that the bar would reopen sometime next month in the Ward Avenue space currently occupied by Tio's ... After a month of operating under the radar, the Lava Rock Lounge has reopened. Nestled deep within the International Marketplace, this bar can be kind of hard to find, but I like its underground location and intimate vibe. Plus, they have a 4 a.m. liquor license ...
WEEKEND PICKS: Aloha Tower Marketplace takes it back to the old school yet again on Saturday, as Big Ben Entertainment presents the "Old School Summer Jam." Midnight Star, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Rose Royce and El DeBarge are scheduled to perform, starting at 6:30 p.m. Call 375-0947 ... The ladies of Cherry Blossom Cabaret celebrate two years of titillation at the Mercury Bar on Saturday, with help from Bari Bari 13 and DJ Shadowfaxxx. This party calls for "Birthday Party Attire," which isn't the same thing as a "birthday suit" ... Underground hip-hop fans are excited about Little Brother headlining The Loft on Saturday. Local retailer DIG Lifestyles gave away guaranteed admission wristbands earlier this week; if you didn't get one, be sure to arrive long before doors open at 9 p.m. Why? It's a free show ...