Metal Mayhem in Hollywood: Bone Maggot at The Rainbow

Ventura metal band Bone Maggot brought the heat to Hollywood July 20, 2018

PHOTO: Bone Maggot | SouthPasadenan.com | Heavy Metal heavy hitters Bone Maggot

In my opinion there’s few things better than drinking a cold beer and watching a killer metal band, which is exactly what I did last Friday night at the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Hollywood. The band in question on this particular evening was Bone Maggot, a groove based heavy metal band from Ventura County. Now, I’d seen them before on several occasions, usually when my old band was gigging with them in Ventura; it was always a great night of metal when we all got together and played. Some of my favorite memories from my time in the metal scene are with these guys so I knew totally what to expect, but here’s the thing: they still blew my mind.

Live music has always hinged on how well a band plays together. I don’t care if you’re punk, if you’re metal or even pop, if you can’t play tight in the pocket then I won’t even bother. I like to see a band that sounds like they’ve put in an exhausting amount of time working at their art; that it’s as important to them as it is to me as a viewer. Bone Maggot is one of the tightest bands I’ve ever had the joy of hearing live.

PHOTO: Timothy Straw | SouthPasadenan.com | Bone Maggot @ Rainbow Bar and Grill July 20, 2018

Singer and Guitarist Mike Klein growls and screams like there’s no tomorrow, like there’s nothing left. He is a hammer of a vocalist, beating you into the ground mercilessly. Jay Rivera, their second guitar player, and Mike have a beautiful dance of destruction with the way they play their parts. Switching leads and rhythm parts seamlessly.  Not only do their parts compliment each other but, they seem heavy with intent. These guys thought about their parts and how to work with each other and it shows. Both of which are held in place with Ray Madueno’s bass work. I really like watching Ray play; he has such a sense of when to be busy and when to be still and he always looks like he just loves what he does.  Some of the best grooves are all him and drummer Lance McNelly. Lance is fantastic. He’s a very texture based drummer, he knows exactly when to hit hard and when to finesse the kit, and when he hits heavy, it fills your gut with fire. Watching how the four of them complete the recipe of pure metal together is stunning.

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PHOTO: Timothy Straw | SouthPasadenan.com | Bone Maggot @ Rainbow Bar and Grill July 20, 2018

I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to metal, I love what I love and loathe what I loathe passionately.  I’m often uncompromising in my opinions of bands I love and Bone Maggot is currently one of the best bands I’ve seen live. The room they had to play in was small and yet they worked it perfectly. Every time these guys come into town I’m going to be there, throwing horns and drinking beers and wrecking shop.

PHOTO: Timothy Straw | SouthPasadenan.com | Bone Maggot @ Rainbow Bar and Grill July 20, 2018

You will regret missing this band.

Here’s their video for their song ‘Needles’ which they played

you can also find their music, other videos and pictures at their website http://www.bonemaggot.com/

PHOTO: Timothy Straw | SouthPasadenan.com | Bone Maggot @ Rainbow Bar and Grill July 20, 2018
PHOTO: Janey Mae Presley | SouthPasadenan.com | Bone Maggot in Hollywood

 

PHOTO: Janey Mae Presley | SouthPasadenan.com | Bone Maggot in Hollywood

 

PHOTO: Janey Mae Presley | SouthPasadenan.com | Bone Maggot in Hollywood