Get Off My Desert Lawn!

Tag: ghost

  • The Invisible Tip Jar

    I went to the Pantera concert last night (8/29) here in Vegas. Great show. Side note – I was extremely impressed with Amon Amarth. In all my years I had never had a chance to see them. I liked them so much I actually bought a shirt after the show, and I never buy an opening act’s shirt.

    Which brings me to my annoyance.

    Tipping has gotten out of hand as everyone knows. Being from Vegas I understand tipping helps, and by no means am I a cheap tipper. Most times I tend to overdo it.

    BUT

    This was the second time this has happened. The first one being the Ghost show a few weeks ago.

    Last night I bought 4 shirts at $40 a piece, along with a poster and tote bag. $200 plus tax. My total bill was $278, as I was told.

    In years past, the shirt guy would turn his iPad around to show me the itemized receipt, then I would be offered a screen to ask if I would like to leave a tip.

    Now, there’s nothing shown. It’s take it or leave it, you’re holding up the line.

    Like I said, the same thing happened at Ghost. A little more – $280 – but only three shirts and a tote.

    What is one supposed to do? Wait in a Disneyland type line of people, then question everything at the end of the transaction?

    I’m all for tipping, but as far as I could see, neither place had a sign that said “Whatever percentage will be added to each transaction.”

    I’m just supposed to assume that the concert shirt tax rate in Clark County is now 50%?

    That’s how they get you to not question anything. Show was great. You’re pumped up. You want that $40 shirt.

    $100 please.

    No problem. Here’s my card.

  • Satan Has Sold Out

    I went to see the band Ghost this past weekend. For the uninitiated, Ghost is a metal band that used to pretend to worship the devil. I say used to because they are a far cry from their past.

    The lead singer used to dress up in Pope garb, complete with a skull mask. It was extremely creepy and cool at the same time. it was unique and scared a lot of people.

    Flash forward 11 years since I first saw them at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, and the “ritual” as the concert is called, had become a Broadway play.

    I have never seen a singer have so many costume changes in a “metal” concert in my life. No more Pope wear. Now it is glittery lounge jackets and a half mask that looks like he’s getting ready for Mardi Gras.

    I understand the old mask had to be extremely hard to wear, but the cool part about it was, as a Pope, Tobias Forge didn’t have to move around. He could simply use his hands in a religious manner. Now, he jumps around on stage and dances and shakes his butt. He also sings songs that sound like he stole them from the Bee-Gees.

    All in the name of Satan?

    I should have known I was in for something unexpected when I saw the type of crowd Ghost attracts now. No more “look at this guy. He looks like he sacrifices animals on the weekend.”

    Now it looks like Comic Con.

    The best part of the entire show was waiting in line for an hour because phones were not allowed. They have to get locked up in a pouch you can wear around your neck or shoulder. You then have to wait after the show so they can unlock it for you.

    It was a complete mess to say the least.

    I reiterate it was the best part because I now see why they don’t want anyone to film the show. While I am not a devil worshipper, I felt so bad for those that do. Watching T.F prance around on stage to rainbow lighting, I could only shake my head and think to myself

    Is this what the devil has become?