I fell in love with Type O Negative in 9th grade, when I heard "My Girlfriend's Girlfriend" and "Love You to Death". Then I borrowed the album "World Coming Down" from classmate, and BOOM. No going back. I would Stay Negative forever.
My freshman year of college, after the release of "Dead Again", I discovered that Type O Negative was touring and would be coming our way (a venue the next state over). My parents were incredibly strict and I was still under their command at this time in my life. The problem was that the concert was happening after the semester was over, so I would be back home for the summer, making sneaking off impossible.
My mom was all about "the secret" and manifesting your desires by concentrating on them. So, I printed out the concert info and taped it to my computer where I looked at it and thought about it every single day. I talked to my parents about it all the time. So did my sister.
Finally, one random day, one random moment, my dad said, "I'll take you." The metal gods smiled upon me.
My dad is an experienced concert-goer (rock, blues, bluegrass, everything in between). So thankfully he knew what to expect. I said, "Now Dad, they might say some bad words, I just wanted you to know." etc.
My dad took us to the city and got a hotel for me, him, and my sister.
When it was time, we got to the venue and waited in this incredible line of people. There were some middle aged redneck metal heads in front of us. They were awesome! There were people saying this was their 7th time to see Type O, etc. I was in awe. Metal shows are always a great place to see fashion, unique people, and an array of band shirts revealing others' musical tastes. This was a wonderful first experience of these things.
Anyway, in we go. Brand New Sin (whatever) and Celtic Frost opened. Needless to say, Celtic Frost was beyond magnificent and it was obvious they were veterans of their craft. Their stage presence was subliminally overpowering. Magic I felt to my core.
BUT, my anticipation was primarily invested in Type O Negative. The thrill of seeing and hearing Peter Steele in person. (I know, I know, vocalists get all the attention.) In the middle of Celtic Frost's set, Johnny and Kenny of Type O ran onto stage, screamed a few lyrics into the mic, and scampered off. I couldn't believe my eyes. I couldn't control my pounding heart. I was the most fortunate girl in the world.
Finally, it was time.You probably know that moment. That stretch of time where you're convinced it's taken the band 3 hours to set up. Should you sit down to conserve your energy? Should you go to the bathroom? No - what if they start while you're gone! We should move to the front... no, we'll get overheated before the band starts, then we'll get trampled. Anyway, despite the wait, the energy of the crowd remained very focused. Pantera was playing over the sound system, and everyone sang along.
Slowly, out came the Type O drum set. The "BOO" and "YOU SUCK" prompter signs. The green stage lights. And soon, out stepped the band.
I was screaming, weak, adrenaline surging, so much boundless bliss. All of the classics and favorites were played. It was everything I could have wanted.
I still get excited just thinking about it.
We told my dad, "Don't worry, there won't be a moshpit."
Ooops, we were wrong. Incidentally, my dad, my sister, and me were on what I call the "outer layer" of the mosh area. We were the first non-moshers, framing the pit. I thought it was exciting, and my dad handled himself quite well. One foot forward, one foot behind, elbow out, fist in hand. There was this one guy in the crowd, he was enormous. He was serious about seeing this show, so when a drunkie was actin-a-fool, this big guy pointed at the drunkie, a stern look on his face, and slowly shook his head from side to side. It was hilarious AND effective.
I got a beer spilled on me. Smoke in my eyes. My ears felt like they were bleeding. Headache. It was all SOOO worth it.
Of course we all know that there won't be any more Type O Negative shows. This is one of my most cherished memories, and I feel so lucky that I was able to see them live. I'm still as Negative as ever, and I am getting my FIRST tattoo next week - the Type O logo.
