Two weeks ago I wrote a blog post about The Hu, a Mongolian folk metal band formed in 2016. I had never heard of the group until three days before I wrote the post, but thanks to a comment from Clive at Take It Easy, I gave a listen to their music, and I liked what I heard.
After I wrote the post, my youngest son, Pat, told me that he was a fan of their music. I mentioned to him that as part of reading about The Hu, I discovered that they were going to be in town at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion for a concert in about 10 days, along with Megadeth, Five Finger Death Punch (5FDP), and Fire From the Gods. He suggested we go to the concert, and while I was a little hesitant at first, we decided to go.
I didn’t know any of the other bands, all of whom were heavy metal. In fact, in another strange coincidence, another blogger, Ray V at Mitigating Chaos, had left a comment on my post about The Hu, saying they made 5FDP look like a girly pop band. I had to look up what 5FDP stood for, and then lo and behold, 10 days later I’m watching them perform live in concert.
Heavy metal is not a music genre I listen to, but I had become impressed by watching videos of The Hu, so I was excited for the concert.
I have to admit, I was a bit out of my element. There was a lot of black clothing, and a lot of tattoos. But they were all into the music, and you can’t ask for more when at a concert. And there were people of all ages, from people who appeared to be about my age (old), down to grade-school age children.
I also have to admit, I think I heard the f*** word more in one night than I had probably heard in the past 50 years – and that was from the performers! It seemed as if the f*** word was a key part of every song played by 5FDP. And most of the audience was chanting the word along with the performers.
My take on the concert was that the music itself was quite good since the guitarists and drummers were phenomenal. However, I could have done without the lyrics, at least the few words I could understand.
Overall, my son and I had a great time. There aren’t many things better than a live outdoor concert on a perfect summer night. I also got to step out of my comfort zone, and it was well worth it.
Here’s a clip I found on YouTube of The Hu performing at this concert:
This is not the first time that something I wrote about on my blog led to a real-world connection, and I’m sure it won’t be the last…
You are brave to step out of your comfort zone and go to a heavy metal concert. My son would be proud! Now it really would have impressed me if you would have said that you got into the mosh pit! Or it would have just confirmed with me how CRAZY you really are! LOL!
Glad you had a good time with your son. It is pretty cool how here you had never heard of the Hu before and then you get to go see them in concert.
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there was a mosh pit, but no way I was getting that close to the music, or the craziness of the mosh pit!
and blogging has led me to trying new things!
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Don’t blame you one bit!
Blogging does that so well!
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π
and indeed it does!
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I really like these guys. They donβt feel heavy metal to me. Like I mentioned in your other blog about them. They come across more tribal to me. Great rhythm.
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I agree completely, they do get your foot tapping. Tribal is a good way to describe their music…
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I think the company with your son was what made you listen to the music!! π
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indeed; being there with my son was what made the night special!
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how cool that this crossed over into your life, and that you went out of your comfort zone to hang with your son and. head bang.
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yes, I am now a headbanger. and the best part was hanging with my son…
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that’s right, and well worth a little ear ringing….
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π
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I hope you wore ear plugs
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My son wears ear plugs when he goes. Good advice! Even with esr plugs it would be too loud for me.
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I always bring ear plugs when I take my daughter to a concert. Even when it is one of my bands.
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the volume didn’t seem to be that loud – maybe the fact that it was outdoors keeps the sound lower?
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It is important to me to protect my hearing like it is important to me to protect my knees because they don’t really heal up from serious damage. I want to have both as long as possible.
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that seemsl ike a good strategy…
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maybe in the mosh pit you need ear plugs…
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Haha!
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our seats were far enough away to not need earplugs, although it may have been helpful to drown out the noise from the people around us π
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I went to a Third Eye Blind concert at the end of July, I wore ear plugs until the last two songs. They are one of my favorite 90s type bands.
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did it sound any different once you took the ear plugs out? I think my three sons liked Third Eye Blind, but it is not a band I am familiar with…
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I don’t think I have heard of that group. But I do often wonder how bands come up with their names! π
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You have probably heard some of their songs. Their is one song of theirs that I associate with an event in my life that is kind of special so I really enjoyed experiencing them perform it live.
You would probably recognize Semi-Charmed Life. It was one of those songs that was always on the radio about 20 or so years ago.
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Will have to look them up.
The songs that we associate with good memories always adds a special touch to them.
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indeed…
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I have to stop saying how I don’t think I know a band when you mention them! For once again you proved me wrong. Yes, I remember the Semi-Charmed Life song. A flashback in time. π
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By the way, the Austin City Limits music festival starts soon and they will be closing a lot of the park near the river downtown. But you could go to it if you really wanted. I think it is kind of expensive
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How long does it last? Depending on the type of music Brad may be interested and depending on the price! We may think it’s too expensive as well, but I know he would enjoy hearing some live music when down there.
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It is two weekends, Oct 7-9 and Oct 14-16, but it is a really big music festival; one of the two big events for Austin each year (SXSW being the other). They shut down Zilker park for like 4 weeks. I think it is at least $150 a day and I am sure they hit you hard on drinks and food.
I do not plan on going. I didn’t see any acts listed that I really wanted to pay money to see.
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Oh yeah, we won’t be doing that, expensive, like you said. Brad and Jason went to a music festival around here . An all day thing. Numerous bands, some they knew and really liked and some were new. I can’t remember exactly the cost of the tickets, but I know the price was under a hundred. They had a good time.
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ACL is a big deal and I never go because I don’t like crowds. But, the airport might be extra busy directly before and after those dates.
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that seems pretty reasonable for an all day music fest…
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have you ever gone to SXSW?
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No, I have never wanted to deal with the crowds.
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I am sure it is a madhouse…
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I’ll have to tell my son; he loves going to Barton Springs. I think he goes just about every day…
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it was not familiar to me. but that’s typical of anything new music after 1979…
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Thats right, you are OLDer than me. π
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older, and unfortunately, not wiser either… π
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LOL! Oh I guarantee you are wiser than me when it comes to math! π
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I do like keeping track of my stats π
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LOL!
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I just listened to Semi-Charmed Life, it didn’t ring a bell. Glad to hear you enjoyed seeing them perform one of your special songs…
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it is a bit of a strange name…
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I find heavy metal music relaxing. π I know of The Hu, and have listened to some of their songs. Wear black, and you’ll fit right in! π
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the music does have a certain melodic beat to it. and next time, I’ll know to wear black π
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Wouldn’t it have been hilarious to run into some of your students at the concert? “I never pictured Professor Borden as the heavy metal type.” I’m familiar with a couple of the heavy metal bands you mentioned, and you were definitely out of your element. I think it’s great that you shared your experience with your son. My son and I went to a Nascar race (one of his interests) a few months back. I had absolutely no interest other than hanging out with him. I don’t take those shared experiences for granted since he lives more than 1,000 miles away.
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that would have been funny to run into some of my students. and yes, I was defintely out of my element, but I still found it enjoyable. A big reason why was the chance to be there with my son. Pat is a big fan of F1, and he went to an F1 race last year in Texas with his brother…
those shared experiences are what make life enjoyable!
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Well done on going to the gig! Iβm sure you and Pat both enjoyed your time together. Iβve half-jokingly suggested to Jill that she plays Whole Lotta Rosie. If that works, maybe The Hu can follow AC/DC? We could tell her theyβre a substitute for The Whoβ¦
Thanks for the shout out π
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Pat and I had a great time together.
and I do enjoy Jill’s music posts, especially this week’s Jimmy Buffett song…
and The Who vs The Hu – what a battle of the bands that would be…
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Good to hear that. I hadnβt realised Philly was so close to a state boundary but I guess the river does that job.
Jimmy Buffett means very little over here. I think I spent more time watching him in a recent episode of Blue Bloods than I have in listening to his music!
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the best views of Philly are from across the river in New Jersey…
I did not know Jimmy Buffett was in Blue Bloods. and I can see how his music may not translate well outside of the U.S….
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Best seen from a distance?
It was just the one episode. They are currently showing season 12 here but I think youβre due a new one soon. From what Iβve seen of him, which admittedly isnβt much, he seems like a poor manβs John Prine. He has taken Caroline Jones under his wing, which gets him into my good books.
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sometimes the details aren’t so pretty… π
I think Jimmy Buffett is a guy who admits he is not the most talented musician, but he knows his audience and he knows how to perform better than most. He has built a rabid fan base. And he seems like a pretty savvy businessman as well. I also read his novels/books, which I found quite enjoyable.
I remember when you told me about the Caroline Jones connection…
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Heβs made the most of a variety of talents, which is always to be admired. Caroline opened with him for The Eagles – not a bad gig to get. Sheβs been on tour a lot of late with the Zac Brown Band and is a kind of honorary band member. She just needs that one big break to really take off.
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I am sure you will be the first to know when she has that big hit! fingers crossed…
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Iβll be there waiting π
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π
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I’m onto your tricks, Clive!!! π€£
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So I saw! Iβll fulfil my side of it too π
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π
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and now the ball is in his court!
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Glad you and Patio had a great evening out taking in live music. It is always good to expand our horizons!
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thanks, Brad. Pat and I had a great time!
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I have to admit, heavy metal is not among the genres of music I listen to. The closest I ever came to it was as a teenager. I listened to Metallica. At some point, they changed and got heavier and louder. So, I stopped listening to them. For some reason I still enjoy AC/DC. Maybe they just have a better sound? I don’t know.
I really enjoyed reading your blog on this, though and I admire you stepping out of your comfort zone like that. That was a bonding moment with your son. To me that is beautiful! I know your son really appreciated it, too!
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it’s not my usual brand of music either, but I thought it was quite good, except for the lyrics, as I mentioned. And the best part was hanging out with my son… thanks for your kind words…
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Oh wow, I love heavy metal and I’m so glad you and your son had a good time at the concert!
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you would have loved this concert then! and yes, we had a great time…
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I would have. I’m really into an all female metal band I found out about online and I would love to see them live someday. Fingers crossed it will happen π€π½
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yes, fingers crossed!
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My daughter dragged me to see Megadeth in retaliation for me taking her to see AC/DC a few years earlier. We loved both concerts and as you say, Jim, it is more about the shared experience. Don’t we, at a certain age, make up our own words to songs anyway? π
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you are right; the music is secondary to the shared experience. And I am good at singing along with the chorus, and then mumbling the rest of the song…
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Wow, Jim. I really commend you for stepping out like that. Personally, I have a hard time keeping engaged while listening to live music, so I think by the 3rd band I’d be ready to pack it in. Way to represent the over 60 crowd.
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The first two bands only played for about 30 minutes, and there was only 15 minutes between them, so they kept things on a pretty good schedule. And while I was certainly among the older crowd, I wasn’t alone!
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They look tough and sound tough. I hope the Mongols never acquire nuclear weapons.
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maybe it’s time for another no nukes concert…
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I’m not into heavy metal as much as I use to be. When I was a teenager I listened to it alot. All great bands though and glad you had a great time Jim.
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so you’re a real head banger! my son and I had a great time…
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X hand banger hahah. Way to old for that now, I would probably fall over hahahaha
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at least you could say you were one!
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Actually I liked the music but the head banging was never really my thing. I remember back in the day in my little group of friends it seemed like the guys did the heavy banging and us gals sat there with flirty eyes watching. Hahaha Oh wow Jim now your taking me back down memory lane. Haha. I think I still have a few pictures tucked away of my “rocker friends” from the 80βs hahahaha
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nothing like a good trip down memory lane. there were a few long-haired people swinging their hair around at the concert, while I sat there running my hands through my crew cut… π
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Did the Hu perform Pinball Wizard?π You were brave to attend this concert. I like the Hu’s instruments and sound. The lyrics have a little too much burning and pillaging for me. I wish them success with their careers.
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they may have, but I would not have understood the if they had π
I agree; they have a nice sound, but the lyrics don’t do much for me…
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And I thought I was stepping outside my box playing “Whole Lotta Rosie”!!! I could never go to an actual concert … most especially not a heavy metal one! You’re a brave man! And ol’ Clive certainly has broadened our horizons, hasn’t he? π
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he is quite the instigator π
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What an amazing experience! Not only to go out of your comfort zone, but to be with your son at a live concert.
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it was a great experience. by the way, one of my students is obsessed with F1 racing. She hopes to go to grad school in Monaco and then work for one of the teams someday!
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Hi Jim, it sounds like an interesting life experience. I have only been to one concert in my life and that was Live. Terence wanted to go and we were still dating. I did go, but I told him after never again. I am a firm believer in letting people know right up front what I will or won’t do – haha!
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it was a great experience. and it appears as if Terence appreciated how upfront you were! π
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