"That was a big break for us, at a big show," says guitarist Kris Dann of the band's recent opening slot for Anthrax at the Agora two Saturdays ago. "And he fucked up and fucked up big. And he realizes that he fucked up pretty big."
According to reports, Begert warmed up for the Anthrax show by swigging Jack Daniel's in the parking lot; then he moved on to the Agora bar. By the time the band took the stage, the singer was six sheets to the wind.
The band's set quickly went downhill. Dann's guitar cut out during the first song, and his amp faded out shortly thereafter. During a long silence, the house system started playing Iron Maiden. Begert filled the awkward pause with some less-than-stellar stage banter, using racial epithets to berate the crowd. During the third song, the singer attempted to drape himself over the drums. After peeling himself off new drummer Nathan King's kit, he reeled around the stage, knocking over microphone stands and tripping over Dann's guitar cord, ripping the entire assembly from the instrument. After some heated verbal exchanges between the members, the set ended as the intragroup squabble moved offstage.
The show was Hatecore's first major appearance following the overdue release of its recording debut, the new Pure Hatred EP. It was the latest incident in the band's star-crossed experiences of the past year and a half. In February 2004, expensive gear was stolen from the group, which has since struggled to maintain a lineup. Nonetheless, it has managed to play regularly across Northeast Ohio.
"We definitely apologize," says Dann. "[Begert] was out of control and acting wrong. It was the alcohol talking. He's almost on probation at this point. It was embarrassing."
· Following a freak onstage accident, well-known Cleveland drummer Eugene "Rims" Reardon passed away on Tuesday, September 20. According to friends, on Saturday, September 17, Reardon was playing with guitarist Ron Schirmer's band when his drum stool broke. Reardon fell, suffering a torn aorta that led to internal complications. The drummer's résumé included '70s band Slaughter and stints with area notables including Neil Giraldo and Andy Gerome.
· The Capgun Cowboys are riding into the sunset after five years, two independent albums, and a recent average of around 50 shows a year. The swingin' country-western band will play its final show on Friday, October 7, at the Beachland Tavern (15711 Waterloo Road). Singer-guitarists Greg Yanito and Phil Verhoef are moving to California, where the two plan to continue working together.
· Eclectic punk combo Who Killed Marilyn? is finishing writing its full-length debut and plans to record the disc this fall, with Mushroomhead's Stitch and Years of Fire's Cole Martinez (Between Home and Serenity, Shenoah).
· Garage rockers the Velvematics have started their own label, J.R. Records, which is incorporating in Nevada. The band plans to use the label to launch other Cleveland bands. The group has also signed a management deal with Hollywood's Arena Entertainment. Visit www.thevelvematics.com for more info.
· Rockabilly trio Haywire has announced a hiatus from live shows, but plans to record a live-in-the-studio album in upcoming months. Keep posted at www.haywirerocks.com.
