Fans certainly may anticipate a heavy metal music explosion when Avenged Sevenfold takes the stage tonight at the Alerus Center, but perhaps not a repeat of their Nov. 29 show at the Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center.
That night, the curtains at the top of the stage caught fire during Avenged pyrotechnics show. The small flame was quickly extinguished and the show continued, according to news reports.
"I guess that's what happens when we try and blow everything up," M. Shadows was quoted as saying from the stage.
Avenged Sevenfold is bringing its "Buried Alive" tour to the Alerus Center at 6:30 tonight. Doors will open at 5:30, and three guest bands -- Hollywood Undead, Asking Alexandria and Black Veil Brides -- will open the show.
Members of Hollywood Undead, a rap rock band from Los Angeles, use pseudonyms (Charlie Scene, Da Kurlzz, Danny, Funny Man, J Dog and Johnny 3 Tears) and each wears his own mask based on those worn by hockey goaltenders.
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"Our band is six guys who have a dream -- no, I'm kidding," J Dog said in a telephone interview. "We're just a couple of dudes who are trying to make music and have fun at the same time. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed because we're living our dream right now."
Their hometown of L.A. is full of performance venues, but touring is the way bands like the Hollywood Undead make money, and make a name for themselves, he said.
The band just released its second recording, "American Tragedy." Their first came out four years ago.
"I think we're going to start working on our third,"he said. "Entertainment is more fickle than ever, and you can't take too long or people lose interest. If you don't come out with something right away, there's another band that's going to do the same thing."
Like many musicians,
J Dog said he hates trying to describe Hollywood Undead's music ("It always comes off the wrong way"), but when pressed he called it a fusion of metal, hip-hop and rock.
The band members have been wearing their masks since the beginning.
"If we take off our masks, we've all got black hair and tattoos like every other band," he said. "But if you're in a mask, you're like a superhero almost." The trademark feature of J Dog's mask is the dollar bill he wears over his mouth.
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"Everyone thinks I have a fixation about my mouth," he explained. "It's like 'Put your money where your mouth is.'"
Avenged Sevenfold, whose roots are in Huntington Beach, Calif., formed in 1999, and includes vocalist M. Shadows and Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ.
Their tour takes its name from "Buried Alive," the fourth single from the band's gold album "Nightmare." Released worldwide in July 2010, "Nightmare" earned Avenged Sevenfold its highest-ever debut on the Billboard album chart, a news release said.
Tickets for the concert are $25 and $39.75 for reserved seats; $44.75 for general admission floor; and $100 for a limited number of four-packs. They're on sale at Alerus Center box office; all Ticketmaster outlets; or charge by phone (800) 745-3000.
If you go
- What: Avenged Sevenfold concert, part of its Buried Alive Tour, with special guests Hollywood Undead, Asking Alexandria and Black Veil Brides
- When and where: 6:30 p.m. tonight. Doors open: 5:30 p.m.
- Tickets: $25, $39.75, reserved seats; $44.75, general admission floor; $100 four-packs. Available at Alerus Center box office; all Ticketmaster outlets; or charge by phone (800) 745-3000.
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