Picture bodies packed into a cozy garage, possibly not fully sound-proofed walls, narrow, people hanging from the rafters like the apes we are, moshing into the band, and oh so much beautiful noise. Church last night.
Third St in Santa Cruz near the Boardwalk was crammed with bodies Saturday night, wall to wall, two-stages; one garage reserved for the loud. Enter Vault Dweller hailing from Salem, Oregon trying to find their box of beer before they sound check. Then, after a lengthy tune up, they start to jam. Then there’s me, completely floored by the soul of the music. It was a groovy, doom, crust, heavy metal treat. Delicious. The bass (Big Derrick) was phenomenal, Nate hit the guitar with feeling and Brandon, the drummer on vocals was tearing through the night with piercing cries of fury. Seriously, it was great. And such an amazing turn out with all of us completely prepared to rock. The set was painfully brief so all the bands playing could fit in before the “wee hour” in Santa Cruz of 10pm when people would most assuredly complain. Still, it was enough time for Vault Dweller to conquer.

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