One Of The Greatest Nu Metal Shows Ever Played Lubbock In 1999 And You Probably Weren’t There

Are you one of those people who is/was solely focused on the headlining band?

On occasion, those opening bangs become somebody and sometimes it's somebody big. When you think about it, a rare few start their careers heading. Bands usually have to pay their dues on the "undercard" before they have enough accolades and crowd favorites to own a show.

In 1999 I was so stoked to see one of my favorite bands, Coal Chamber, live in Lubbock. I used to play "Big Truck" and "Mi Loco" during the morning show despite everyone telling me it was a little too heavy for the a.m. Personally, I saw a little novelty in their presentation so I thought it worked as both music and a bit.

For you newbs, there used to be side-by-side clubs in the Depot District where the Buddy Holly Statue now stands (it's the second location). The clubs were The Depot Warehouse and the other side was Liquid 2000 (which later became South Beach among other things). In fact, the complex was kind of three clubs with the sandwich shop Einsteins occasionally offering shows as well.

I can't say why the show landed at Liquid 2000 instead of the Warehouse, but Coal Chamber was booked to play there on August 31st, 1999, on their Livin La Vida Loco tour,  right before the release of their second album. I was 100% all about it, and ready to rock.

All of this was the result of being too focused on the headliners for the show because among the openers was a band called "Slipknot" that I have ZERO memories of being there. I have lucid memories of Coal Chamber on the stage and faint memories of Machine Head, but no memories of Slipknot  They WERE there though, and I brought receipts, courtesy of my friend Sean Lamphere (from the band Darker Shade Of Grey).

Here's Sean's actual setlist he copped from the show.

I also have a tour t-shirt from this show somewhere at the house. All of this is a great reminder to pay attention to those opening bands because you never know how much, or when they'll blow up.