My Dad Introduced Me To RAMMSTEIN

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With recent news that RAMMSTEIN is officially back in the studio for the next album, I couldn’t help but reminisce about the first time I heard the band.
 
The time was 2001, and I was enjoying my summer break the only way I knew how, by playing Street Fighter Alpha 3 the whole time. My dad, on the other hand, had his sites set on some father-son bonding and decided to peel me away from my paradise of pixels and combos.
Now, I don’t know how you bonded with your respective old man, but for me it was usually car rides. Long, boring car rides. As an adult, I now know it was probably tough for my dad to ‘get' me a lot of the time. We’re talking about a German native who moved his life to the states, and let’s just say his upbringing involved neither Dragon Punches nor Hurricane Kicks. But there was one safety net that connected us: music.
 
Most of my music taste came from my parents and my dad was the first person to introduce me to metal. Dio, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motörhead… the list goes on. And around the time of said car rides, my taste in metal was fairly grounded to what was big in the states, so mostly what was played on the radio and whatever I could find in Metal Edge Magazine.
 
With all the background, let me get back to the point: car rides and German metal.
 
So my dad is taking me on one of his infamous cruises down the coast, talking me about, like, stuff and whatever. At some point, he could tell that our precious bro time wasn’t creating the desired result and that music was likely his only choice to get things back on track.

Back against the wall, my old man throws out: “Hey, so there is this band I like a lot from Deutschland.”
 
“Cool…” I said whilst, staring out the window.
 
“I think you will really like them as well” he proclaimed with a cocky attitude.
 
“Sure, put em on but-”
 
Before I could finish, the mouth of the beast opened and Till Lindemann voice echoed out with:
 
“Du
Du hast
Du hast mich!” 
 
That was the most metal way of saying “you have me” I have ever heard in my life at that moment. Credit to my dad, I loved that goddamn band. We spent that whole car ride listening to Sehnsucht, bonding over some of the most awesome and most inappropriate music ever… and creating a car ride that I wouldn’t change for anything.

How Your Third Day at Coachella Should Look

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  • Again, SHOWER. If not just for the hydration.
  • Get into the venue early. Right at 11. Time to treat yourself to a nice lunch and cocktail. I recommend trying to find PDTIKI, a hidden tiki bar curated by NYC’s PDT. Last year it was somewhere in the Craft Beer Barn. Be on the lookout for a something that belongs in the tropics and you’ll be able to find your way in.
  • Get some Texas BBQ at Bludso’s after that.
  • Head to the Mojave tent by 12:10 for the first set of the day. It’s from Australian band Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. And the great news is that you can catch the whole set.
  • After they finish at 1:10, you have about an hour and a half to roam. Get lost. Check out some art. Take part in some “extra-curricular activities.” Nap. Hydrate. All the above.
  • But then get ready to get loose for THEY. At the Mojave tent at 2:40.
  • After that set, hit the bathroom. It’s still early enough in the day that they won’t smell THAT BAD.
  • Head to the Coachella stage for the indie pop up and comers LANY next. They go on at 3:35.
  • Time for lunch. Maybe a nice refreshing Acai bowl from Backyard Bowls near the VIP tents?
  • That’ll give you the energy you’ll need for FIDLAR at the Mojave tent at 4:55.
  • Cut their set short and head to the Sonora tent at 5:20 for sultry Latin R&B sounds of Cuco. You are bound to feel really old, but that’s ok.
  • After his set, you’ll have about 45 minutes to do whatever you want. May I recommend checking out a random band you’ve never heard of? That’s one of the best parts of Coachella.
  • But make sure you are at the Coachella stage for Portugal. The Man. Still one of the best live bands out there. I should hope so too. They’ve only been doing it for 14 years. Check out the video above for proof.
  • If you are into the whole Jazz and Hip Hop mix, cut P.tM’s set short and head to the Outdoor stage for Kamasi Washington, which is bound to have plenty of surprise guests.
  • After that set go to the lesser known Heineken House to catch Busta Rhymes doing a DJ set. Cause, you know, it’s Busta.
  • Ibeyi will be doing her set at the Gobi tent right in the middle of that, so if you are into her, make sure you only stay at the Heineken House for a little bit.
  • Miguel will also be taking the stage at the Outdoor spot at 8:30 so make sure you catch some of that.
  • The sun is down and your stomach is rumbling. Time to ingest your last meal of the festival. Maybe a hot dog? Maybe an overpriced fancy hot dog? Try Sumo Dog in the Craft Beer Barn.
  • Do it quickly though, cause the set of the day starts at 9:30 in the Sahara tent. Migos are about cook up all sorts of goodness there.
  • I would split my time with Migos and head to the Outdoor tent for A Perfect Circle. Anything Maynard touches is bound to be entertaining to watch.
  • At this point, most people will be heading to watch Eminem, which you totally should if you are a fan. But you are probably tired. You are probably over it. Your allergies are killing you. Your feet feel like they are on fire. So why not just lay down somewhere on the cool grass and stare at the desert sky? Or go to get angry with Eminem. Your choice.

 

It’s done. You did it. Time to head back to wherever your reality is and dream about all the pain and good times next year. Will you do it all again? Of course you will. Anything for music.

How Your Second Day at Coachella Should Look

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  • Wake up early enough to go take a communal shower. Cause let’s face it, you smell.
  • CONSUME ALL OF THE WATER. This is no joke. It may not actually be hotter on day two, but it’s going to feel like it.
  • Eat something. Get the carb load going cause boy do we have a day ahead of us.
  • Head to the venue right around 1:30 and go straight to the Mojave tent to catch sister duo Chloe x Halle.
  • After catching their entire set, you have ten minutes to do whatever you please. Maybe a bathroom break?
  • But at 2:30, make sure you are at the Sahara tent and ready to move that dad bod for AC Slater.
  • Hang out there till about 2:55 and then start heading to the Coachella Stage to catch Nigerian hip hop star, Wizkid. Rumor has it Drizzy Drake is set to make an appearance.
  • That set will go to 3:30 and then you have a 15 minutes break. Maybe a late lunch? Definitely a drink. I’d recommend a Eureka! Burger in the Craft Beer Barn.
  • Don’t take too long though cause Django Django is taking the Mojave tent by storm at 3:45.
  • You’ll get to catch about 10 minutes of their set because NILE RODGERS & CHIC (yes that Nile Rodgers & Chic) are set to take the Coachella Stage at 3:55. Watch the entire set. It will not get better. Don’t believe me? Check out the video above.
  • The good news is that after that, you can hang out waiting for Chromeo to play at the same stage starting at 5:20. May I recommend a nap?
  • After your Fancy Footwork is over with Chromeo, make sure you head to the Mojave tent for BROCKHAMPTON. It’s sure to be crazy.
  • Split your time there with Snakehips at the Sahara tent. It’s about to get moody.
  • Another 15 minute break? HEAD TO THE BATHROOM AND THEN CHUG SOME WATER. You got another 5 hours to go and things are about to get busy my friend.
  • Starting at 7:20, check out everyone’s new favorite Australian Tash Sultana in the Mojave tent.
  • Then get ready to move next door to the Sahara tent for Louis the Child’s dance party around 7:40. Don’t worry that you’re late, just start moving and all will be ok.
  • Keep that movement going over to the Sonora tent at 8 for The Bronx. Remember, protect your face and if someone falls down in the pit, PICK EM UP! We’re all friends.
  • It’s time for dinner. Nothing too heavy. Maybe a taco or two from Pinches Tacos in Food West. Definitely a Margie in there as well.
  • Eat quick and make it to the Mojave tent for Alvvays by 9 PM.
  • Hang out and vibe there till about 9:25 and move on over to the Sonora tent for the last few songs of the newly renamed Bay Area band, Oh Sees.
  • RIGHT AFTER they are done sprint to the Coachella stage to check the last few bass faces of Este and HAIM.
  • Then spring back to the Mojave tent to catch JUNGLE. By the way, dancing is required.
  • The home stretch. The Queen is calling you. Bey has arrived and you are her acolyte. Time to get into formation.
  • That’s it. Day 2 is in the books. Your last task? Try and pass out somewhere near a bed. Preferably your own. Sweet dreams sweetie.

 

One day to go. You think tomorrow will be easier? HAHAHA. Prepare yourself.