Watch Me Burn @ 5 Star Bar 11-3-17 (Black and White)
Articles by "Watch Me Burn"
Watch Me Burn Reunites Like the Good Old Days and Times of Old
It's been 8 years since they last played a show. Ten years since the release of their last full-length album to date "At the Stake" released back in 2007. Now is the time for them to reunite. The time of all new music as well. A simply titled release known as the "2017 Sampler" consisting of three unreleased or heard of tracks, can be heard and picked up at their showcases including this reunion show that was held on Friday November 3rd 2017 at the Five Star Bar in Los Angeles, California, Downtown Los Angeles in particular.
Where the crowd came in a handful of on lookers, as the bar space kept inward, people filing in as Watch Me Burn, the second to the last act, out of the four to play this set-up, was setting up, and checking that their sound check was underway. So then as the clock struck a little after 11PM this night, the band that once was, back then, was ready to ignite once again.
But due to some technical difficulties the band needed a re-check of their sound check set-up as they would again go on, a few minutes later, around 11:20PM to play onward of about a 20-30 minute set. Consisting of course, of their old and new works of art, coming in the form of mixing it up with genre splicing that is metal, grindcore, black metal, death metal, thrash metal, and sludge metal. It is quite the combination, but nevertheless, the foursome act came together to re-perform as they had done so many years and times before. This night being no different, as the crowd were highly entertained by their presents and performance overall. The fierceness of frontwomen vocalist Sawa did a raw yet intense job of vocalization, still sounding top notch quality after this 8 year long stance of a wait period. While the other members Russ on bass, Rusty on drums, with Kevin on guitars, brought it all in, keeping in tune and check with the material at hand. In short, their set-up consisting of material that was familiar yet remained fresh to the eyes and ears of those within the bar setting as it were that evening. In other words, Watch Me Burn kept the intensity on high alert with those on lookers banging their heads to the roughness of their music, as others raised their metal horns to the ceiling tops, while tons in the backdrops screamed and cheered with delight. It was fun times, good times, of the old times of the then and now, of the here and now, because Watch Me Burn is back and will possibly stick around for sometime from here on out.
Watch Me Burn Photos By Natalie Perez
That is how the surrounding's of the environment felt off when in attendance at the Five Star Bar, out in Downtown Los Angeles, a hole in the wall, type of venue that has had a variety of acts both big and small, come into its doors when those still making their mark to this very day. Hence forth, acts just like Watch Me Burn reuniting for one, is a showcase that will have more to come, much sooner than you would think possible.
SETLIST:
1. Ghost Town
2. Snake Charmer
3. The Keeper
4. Hush
5. Polcia
6. The Wolf That Ate The Sun
7. High Noon
8. 3 2/3rds NUMB
9. Raining Glass
10. Lullabye
Watch Me Burn Reunites and Releases New Music!
Los Angeles, California based sludge/thrash/grindcore act Watch Me Burn has returned after being split up for quite sometime. During their run though, they released a couple of full-length albums "Watch Me Burn" (2002) and "At the Stake" (2007) with a handful of demo and split releases in-between as well as a music video for the track "Mandrake".
With this return reunion, they spent time writing and recording a brief sampler demo, simply titled "2017 Sampler"; find the artwork and tracklisting below, as well as the added addition of a reunion show happening November 3rd 2017 at the Five Star Bar in Los Angeles, California. The sampler can be purchased as well as other works via their bandcamp page HERE.
1. Ghost Town
2. The Keeper
3. Shake Charmer
Watch Me Burn Interview
Los Angeles sludge thrash metallers Watch Me Burn got their start sometime in the 2000 era in which they went on to release two LP's a series of splits, and a few demo recording's their last release before their split-up in 2009 was "At The Stake" in 2007. Since then frontwomen Sawa has done her modeling gig as a Suicide Girl the remaining members Russ, Rusy, and Kevin have gone on to other activities. R.I.P. Watch Me Burn.
1. Introduce yourself, and what is the hidden symbolism behind the name?
My name is Rusty. I play drums for Watch Me Burn. I don't think there is a hidden message in our name. I will say there are a ton of ways to use our name.
2. Do you feel you are portraying a message to the masses that we can all relate to?
I am sorry but I don't think we have a message. Besides music is love. Being happy entertaining our fans and doing everything in our power to put on a good show.
3. How are the holidays treating you guys? Any New Year's Resolutions?
The holidays are always a bitch. Spending money you don't have. Seeing people you would rather not see. Watch Me Burn is getting ready to play a ton of shows for 2009.
4. What are the future plans for Watch Me Burn?
We will be releasing our 3rd full length album. Playing as many shows as possible. Trying to get some label attention.
5. How did the process and development of "At The Stake," come about, do you think it has defined you guys as band?That album took forever to finish. If anything it mad us stronger as a band. The recording process was spanned across about 8 months. First drums, then bass, then guitar and then vocals. The entire record was recorded at LMU by our good friend Christian. It was also mastered by Scott Hull from Pig Destroyer. The record is really polished. I don't think it defined us, I think it is what we were at the time. We are always growing and trying different things.
6. What is music for you? Does it bring you some new emotions or it helps you to get rid of some negative emotions?
For me...music is a release. It helps me get rid of negative feelings I tend to hold on to. I feel like a million bucks for about 10 minutes after a set. Then I have to start moving my drums for the next band. Playing live is the greatest!
7. Why do you think the 80s has enjoyed such a huge comeback?
Everything comes back around. The next thing you know..Death Metal and Grind will be back in the spot light like it was in the early 90's. Then Watch Me Burn might have a chance for global domination...for a few months.
8. So, how would you describe your sound to a stranger in three words?
Fast, Funky & Tight
9. What was it like playing the Los Angeles Murdefest for the passed 3 years I believe. Are you going to make it a tradition?
Playing the Murderfest is the best. Kevin (Guitar) & I have been friends with Dan from Church of the 8th Day since high school. He has been a friend and a fan of Watch Me Burn since we started. He knows we can draw a good crowd and loves us as we love him. I hope we get invited back for version 5.0.
10. And finally to wrap things up, anything else you'd like to mention we haven't covered?
I would just like to thank you for this interview. I would like to tell everyone to stay tuned and watch for our 3rd release, due out in 2009. If you or someone you know does booking, please contact us through our MySpace page. www.myspace.com/watchmeburn. Thanks for everything. See you in 2009.
