Hammersmith Odeon 1988

27 years ago, Oct. 9, 1988, Metallica played their first of three concerts at London's Hammersmith Odeon. Metallica was during the European leg of the Damaged Justice Tour and in the second half of September they arrived to Great Britain and Ireland where they had to play 14 gigs in total. Originally band planned two concerts in London – those were the last two concerts on the Isles. But the concerts were so popular that both were sold out much earlier. In this case, the promoter decided to organize a third extra Hammersmith Odeon concert. So Metallica played at the Hammersmith three nights in a row. The following three tickets of these concerts and original flyer comes from my collection. Poster, fully signed by whole band is owned by Chris from TMCC. Still looking for this one.

Three nights in a row

Flyer from UK Tour

Poster from Hammersmith Odeon (owned by Chris from TMCC)

Cliff day and nasty surprises that await ticket collectors

Today's entry due date (26 September) was to be dedicated to Cliff Burton, who 29 years ago was killed in a bus accident after a concert in Solna, Sweden. The occasion for this was supposed to be a ticket from last Metallica concert with Cliff, who managed to "finally" get it. Ticket… which turned out to be fake. So, Cliff Rest In Peace (Thank’s God Cliff was REAL) and today's entry will be devoted to the nasty surprises that await ticket collectors in the network (I write as an example but not only my own experiences).

R.I.P. Cliff Burton

First of unlucky ticket from Solna (Sweden) September 26, 1986. At first everything looked fine. I discovered auction in the "last minute" and before bidding I saw the ticket only on my phone not on a computer screen. Description however, clearly said that the ticket is the original and the other old tickets offered by the same seller convinced me that this is an old fan selling off part of his collection. I knew less or more how the ticket looks and what I saw on the phone was enough for me to bidding. As it turned out it was a mistake but I learned about it only when I received ticket and posted scan at TMCC forum. Proud as a peacock I wrote under the photo that I became a happy owner of a real evergreen (because in fact this ticket is evergreen …. when it is original). Posts befriended collectors and pictures of their tickets quickly brought me to the ground. Judgment sounded - Buddy You bought a FAKE. It hurt but a man learns life.

Fake ticket ....

....and real evergreen (from Mike "butchamet" collection)

Below about how unpleasant surprises may lurk for you on the Web.

1) Fraud. This is a situation with which we deal in the case described above. You buy a ticket, whose description clearly introduces you into error and from the accompanying pictures cannot be said that you are dealing with a fake. In addition, the seller not answer your questions ...  but much you care on the ticket and the problem ready.

2) Concealment of relevant information #1. The ticket (Madrid, Spain 19-06-1993), which was looking for a very long time. In the end, he appeared on sale somewhere in Spain. The description and picture were OK ... I did not pay attention why the picture shows a ticket from edge to edge, no background. After opening the envelope, it turned out that the seller did not mention anything about the fact that the ticket is laminated. Of course, it was the original ticket but laminated. From my point of view as a collector ticket has no value ... maybe as a bookmark.

This is what You see at ebay

This is what You get

3) Concealment of relevant information # 2 – Ticket from Louisville, USA 25-07-1986. A similar situation as above except that we are not dealing with laminated ticket. In this situation, neither the description nor the image is not made me any suspicion. Well, it turned out that the ticket is glued to thick cardboard. I do not remember how many hours I spent holding the ticket on the steam to loosen it from the board. All for nothing. Amazingly the person (other collector) from whom a ticket does not see anything wrong with that. Remember, always ask for photo ticket on both sides, or at least ask if there is to glued to something.

This is what You think You get

Oupssss .....this is what You get

4) Wrong description – Ticket from Atlanta, USA 09-09-1986. The average Metallica fan wanting to be in possession of a souvenir from Cliff era could get caught on this "bargain". Ticket described as being from Ozzy Osbourne / Metallica Tour in 1986. However, the average fan may not know that this Tour ended August 3, 1986, and ticket for which I am writing is from September 9, 1986. In addition, it can confuse us that most of tickets from that tour no mention of Metallica.

 "Real bargain" (pics stolen from ebay)

5) Incomplete ticket. Part of the American tickets from the 80s and early 90's had a specific narrow, oblong shape (different than the typical tickets from Ticketmaster). Those were the times when the tickets did not have bar codes and at the entrance to the concert portion of the ticket was simply peeled off. Often, together with part of the ticket, which contained information about the date of the concert, venue, etc. In the case of purchase of such incomplete ticket (sometimes it is only a small part as in my case) we rely then on the description of the seller, who sometimes misses the truth . Remember when I bought at eBay Ozzy Osbourne ticket from summer 1986 US tour and seller wrote in description that this is probably the ticket from the Ozzy Osbourne “Bark at the Moon 1984 Tour” but he wasn't sure. He was sure the ticket came from the concert, which took place in Portland. It was a half of a ticket without date and venue details. At that time I used Metlist site as a main info base - info from this site was clear - Ozzy played with Metallica in Portland June 25, 1986. Later I discovered that this is Ozzy ticket from 1984 not 1986 and not related with Metallica at all . At metallica.com June show in Portland not exist and probably Metlist info was wrong.

What year and venue ?

Other incomplete tickets from my collection

6) Lot tickets. Rather frequently in my case the situation when the auction relates to a lot of tickets and the seller does not provide in the listing specific dates.  In general picture shows a large number of tickets and in addition is blurry. We only know that there are some Metallica tickets. Often, I am buying such lots hoping that among the tickets is something I'm looking for. Mostly there are tickets that already have in my collection. In the end, somewhere, these nearly 150 duplicate tickets in my collection came from.

Are there any Metallica tickets in this set ...or aren't

Bordello bum-bum - Milan 2015

“A year without Metallica concert is a lost year” - for several years (with few exceptions) this was my motto,  I manage to accomplish. It is also the name of the group on Facebook, which brings together people do not imagining year without a Metallica concert. When the band began to announce European dates it became clear that I need to decide where I going this year. Initially I had to go to Vienna but have been back twice on the Metallica concerts, so I decided that this must be the place where I have never been – Milan, Italy. I must admit that I was worried a little hot weather especially, I did not win “on stage” contest or meet & greet with the band and that meant standing in the sun for several hours. But fuck it, this is METALLICA.

Visconti Family crest

After a quick trip through the main attractions of Milan, and compulsory ice cream, pizza and coffee showed up in the parking lot at the Forum Mediolanum when Gojira began concert.  At this point, I would like to write something about the organization of the concert.  I called it - bordello bum-bum ... I think that only Poles know and understand what I mean. In short, it can be described as total chaos. Of course, not everything was shit - service handed out bottled water and watered not only the first rows of what at + 34°C was a real blessing. 

I'm coming

Shortly before Messugah concert it turned out that I will have the opportunity to be the second time on stage. Without going into details of how it happened, I would like to THANK the entire  Polish gang with which it became possible. Piotr, Kasia, Dora, Łukasz i Adrian – MANY THANKS

Gojiraaaaaa

In Milan, unlike a year earlier in Warsaw (where I was on stage) fans standing on the stage directly behind the band along the stage and not along the sides. From the point of view of fans it was a much more attractive solution ... especially for those standing in the first row like our Polish gang. The concert itself was insane. High five with band members, talking with them were not uncommon, let me just say that my friends had even more luck. Musically, do not even bother me that the vocal was difficult to hear - setlist rewarded all. I do not remember such a good setlist for a long time. King Nothing was highlight for me ... and only regret that the band did not play the whole of my favorite Bliztkrieg.

The best place on earth

Polish Gang - You are the Best

Polish Gang. Photo credit Francesco Castaldo

Another ticket, wristbands and pick to the collection became a reality. No poster from concert this time but frankly I have not seen even one Metallica poster in Milan. Very strange. I heard that at a concert or even on the stage were several members of TMCC. I was able to meet only Alfredus while waiting to enter the scene. I just wanna say - Thank You Alfredus for restoring my faith in another man, when You tried for more than an hour to convince the staff to let backstage people who were entitled to be.  I think most people would think at this point about themselves. About Staff, they did not have even a sheet pass and behaved as if nothing understand or did not want to understand. Just bordello bum-bum.

All picks directly from Rob

Lithuania 2010

In next few days marks the fourth anniversary Metallica concerts in Lithuania, where they promoted Death Magnetic album. It was leg of European World Magnetic Tour during which the band arrived for the first time to Lithuania and also gave concerts in Latvia and Estonia. The concert which became a question mark, because air traffic over Europe was largely paralyzed by a volcanic eruption in Iceland. Metallica as always did everything to bring their music and from Scandinavia (Oslo) moved by ferry to Riga (Latvia). A lot of fans from Western Europe, however, was not so lucky. But I know guys who drove by car from Belgium to Lithuania.... Respect. Me and my friend also went to Vilnius (capital city of Lithuania) by car where we showed up the morning of the concert.

 

Siemens Arena early morning show day

 

METALLICAAAAAA !!!!

 

After the obligatory visiting the old town where you could find a lot of Polish accents (the city that for centuries was Polish and lay on Polish territory) went into the hall where the concert was to be held.

 

Vilnius - where old meet new

 

Vilnius cathedral

 

At the hall we met some friends from TMCC, but what was strange - the lack of crowds at the hall. It was so strange, because it was the first ever Metallica concert in Lithuania. Because on this tour Metallica played on stage centrally located, so we just waited until everyone gathered at the hall come and quietly went inside hoping that, we will all see well. Inside we were surprised again - still could take the place of the barriers in the first row. WTF???. We were on one of the stage corners, but right in front of one of the microphones. The first support was Fear Factory. The sound was weak and I don’t remember much from their performance. Then there was the Gojira. I saw the French for the first time in action and despite still not the best sound performance stuck in my memory ... maybe because of the distinctive bassist playing. During the supports behind us was quite empty, you could easily reach first or second row. Metallica as always came and smashed... at least to me.

 

Show number one

 

Thank You and goodnight

 

During the concert several times passed by us Eric from TMCC, who was working for Metclub recording videos of concerts. As it turned out “knowledge” with "concert staff" made ​​the guards more favorably looked at my camera, which I had hidden earlier and which now snapping occasional pics. They gave us even water. After the concert, we came to Big Mick, who gave me the setlist from the concert with his own hand-written notes. Add to these ticket and two guitar picks ……Yeahhhhh. Ticket from second show bought from other TMCC member two years later.

 

Tickets from April 20 and 21 '2010

 

 

Setlist from Big Mick and guitar picks

 

 Info brochure

 

 

Unfortunately we could not stay for the second concert, which was to be held in the same hall the next day ... a great pity. What stuck in my memory is still in relative peace among the fans and the lack of madness. In Poland the unthinkable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the pursuit of Metallica

Today’s post is not directly about Metallica tickets but don’t worry ….tickets will also be. I have great pleasure to inform You, that yesterday was the premiere of Piotr and Kasia Kowieski book  “In the pursuit of Metallica” (original title “W pogoni za Metallicą”).

 In the pursuit of Metallica

It’s groundbreaking book on the market because for the first time we can see the band with eyes of the fan not the journalist. I must immediately add, that Piotr and Kasia are not ordinary fans ….they are a Metallica maniacs!!!. This is not another boring book describing history of the band having its own beginning  in the garage in El Cerrito. This is collection of stories about how Piotr and Kasia follow in the footsteps of Metallica around the world – to the present day both have behind the belt 64 concerts on 6 continents. Both they belong to this small group of fans for which borders do not exist and surely many of You saw them on some concerts ....as a rule in front row. Is extremely probable that you will find yourselves on one of photos which are placed in the book (I found many members of TMCC on the photos). Then photos. There are hundreds of them in the book. Not only from concerts or meetings with band members but also from places they visited, t-shirts, posters, tickets, guitar picks …and Metallica clothes – simply tour stuff.

Record Store Day

 

El Arsenal Completo

 

The book does the very good impression. You do not get 50 page booklet on shitty paper but 450 pages in full color and hard cover. I am pleased with this book twice. Firstly, this is fantastic book for Metallica fan and secondly I am glad that I had my little contribution to the book. At the request of Piotr lent from my collection a few tickets of concerts in which the author was but did not have them. It is also an opportunity for me to big thank Piotr and Kasia for the fact that being on the following Metallica concert they always remember about my passion and enrich my collection with new tickets. Thank You very much.

 

.....;)

 

PS. The book is in Polish, but if anyone would like to get copy please contact me and I will try to help You get Your copy.



 

New shit in my collection #2

Over the past few days, the postman brought two nice package with some new tickets. As usual one from TMCC member and one from eBay. Tickets are from the years 1989-2004 and represent not only different Metallica lineup but show how the tickets design has changed over the years.

The first ticket of 1989 represents one of my favorite periods of the band. Mammoth Damaged Justice tour from the years 1988-1989 is probably vocally and visually in my opinion, the best live band period. Although tickets for this period are not especially interesting somehow always enjoy my interest. In 1989, Metallica played 156 shows up and it means that someone who wants to complete all the tickets of the year will have to perform the mammoth job.

nice addition from Damaged Justice Tour

Another ticket came from 1993 American leg of the Black Album Tour. Actually, it was the decline of the tour on American soil, where the peak was in 1991-92. If anyone would like to complete all Metallica tickets from one year and we are not talking about the early years of the 1982-1985, probably year 1993 will be the most difficult to complete. Why?. In 1993, Metallica ended Black Album promotion and toured with monster show literally all over the world. So, We have a U.S. leg, then concerts in Mexico, which hit later on Live Shit Binge & Purge and then it's total madness: Hawaii, Japan, Australia, Indonesia and around, South America and all of Europe at the end with the final concert in Werchter, Belgium. Together the five continents from January to July. Ufffffff….

end of the Black Album Tour on American ground

The third ticket is a typical "Fuckinticketmaster" from North American Load tour in 1997. It was one of two concerts that took place at the U.S. Air Arena in Landover. From today's four this ticket is probably the least interesting for me and saves him just that this is the full ticket.

"Fuckinticketmaster"

The last of the new acquisitions is a ticket from 2004 from the Canadian part of the Madly In Anger With The World Tour. Tickets from this tour, provided that they have been releases from Metclub are one of my favorites. Very nice design, which we have seen in the booklet of St. Anger album here has been reproduced in shades of red. Additionally, Metallica logo as a hologram does looks very good. From this period, mean years 2003-04, I suggest looking for tickets from Metclub - classic tickets from Ticketmaster, unfortunately, are a nightmare.

I'm madly in anger with You....

Next blog entry will be a jubilee. I wonder, do you know why?