20 Great Moments From 2013

As this year comes to a close, it is time to look back at all the happenings. I love reading everyone's lists about top films, music, video games, toys, whatever it may be. They are fun to make, and fun to read. This year I am starting off a little different. I will of course have best films and music as usual, as well as some lists from some of my favorite grog contributors, but for now, I bring you. 20 great moments. This is in no order at all. Just 20 things that happened in my life this last year that were special or exciting. I could have made the list a lot longer, but figured 20 was a good cut off. I will not be making a list of horrible moments. There are some, but that list is no fun to write. So instead I bring you the awesome.

Goblin Live

Add this to the list of things I never thought would happen in my life. I heard that they were playing at Housecore Horror fest in Texas, but assumed I wouldn't be able to make it there. As I was attempting to figure out how in the hell I could make it to Texas, I saw that they were playing in Philly now. That gave me hope. I kept checking, and finally I woke up one day to the news that they would be here in Portland. I shit my pants, then called everyone I knew. Some of the responses were amazing. Most people didn't believe it right away. Well a few days later tickets went on sale, and I of course instantly bought one of the VIP tickets. I knew this was a once in a lifetime thing, so I went all out. Jump ahead seven months later and it finally happened. I went early. Watched the sound check, bought a bunch of swag, met them, got said swag signed, then had some drinks before the actual show. Secret Chiefs 3 started it off, which was excellent as expected, then Goblin hit the stage and made my shit rock hard for the next three weeks. Here is a quote taken from my facebook directly after the show. I think it sums up how amazing of a night that was. "Goblin was so fucking good. I can't even put into words how amazing of a day this was. I am in shock. After many invites to post show shenanigans, I opted to walk home, eat some medicated taffy, and relax. I just need to let today sink in. I will post pix tomorrow."

Crypticon Seattle

I have attended Crypticon most of the years that it has been in Seattle. This however was the first year that I was a vendor. I shared a booth with VonKlingele Kustoms and Critters and Gods. This was a totally different experience, and one I loved. I still got to meet some amazing people, buy some amazing things, and drink all of the grog, only I was also able to share the gospel of the grog, as well as help out two of my favorite people. 

Danzig With Doyle

I have seen Danzig five times. He is definitely one of my favorite musicians. I love all three of the bands he fronted, and have listed to his entire discography an unhealthy amount. I almost skipped this, but ended up picking up a ticket. Glad I did. This was easily the best I have seen Danzig. He basically played only things off the first three records, well except when Doyle came out and they banged out some amazing Misfits songs. It was a pretty drunk night, and I was walking back from downtown and ate shit on the sidewalk. Gave my friend Nick a good laugh. 

Jtro Beat Beat Challenge

This one just happened last week. The FP was one of my favorite films of last year, so when I heard Jason Trost was going to be here in Portland hosting and competing in a DDR competition, I knew I had to make it. Mortician Matt and I set out for Ground Control. Evey kid of the eighties fantasy. Arcade games and booze all in the same place. We met Jason Trost, played a lot of games(mostly Splatterhouse), and watched the completion. It ended up being quite the memorable night. 

HP Lovecraft Fest

I have lived in Portland for a while now. Somehow, I had never attended this. I always meant to, just never worked out. Well this year I heard that The Cabal Cut was playing, so I knew I had to go no matter what. The list just got better as it got closer. Prince of Darkness with a video intro from Carpenter, Yuzna was going to be there showing Beyond Reanimator, Richard Stanley was there showing the directors cut of his piece from Theatre Bizzare, and all kinds of other awesome Lovecraftian goodness. I ran into old friends, made new ones, and saw some bad ass flicks. Gabe Nye was even able to make it. 

The Return to VHS Hunting

I have always collected movies. When I was in grade school I would record shit off TV. In middle school I started collecting VHS. In the early 00's I sold off my collection trying to keep mine and VonKlingele's video store open and switched to DVD collecting. Last year I left my job and ended up selling my 2000 plus DVD collection. Well, this year I went back to my roots. I always enjoyed VHS, and have continued to watched them since the beginning, but this year I went back to full blown collector. It has been fun to say the least. 

Mom of the Grog Visits

I don't get to see my mom that often. We haven't lived in the same state in a christ age. It is always  blast when we get a few days to catch up and nerd out. Last time she was here I took her to see Cannibal Holocaust on the big screen. Nothing that exciting happened this time, but we did have some fun shopping, drinking, and eating some bad ass food. Steph Infection of course was along for the ride. We are a pretty badass family. 

The Dickies Live in Portland

One of the greatest theme songs of all time is Killer Klowns From Outer Space. I have listened to that soundtrack a buttload of times. Due to that, I have become quite the fan of the madmen behind it, The Dickies. Just fun, snotty, pop punk. Well, when I saw that they were playing here right after Thanksgiving I knew I had to go. I ended up having so much fun on Thanksgiving that I was quite hungover and exhausted by the time the show hit, but I knew I still had to go. Great show for sure. They didn't play killer klowns, but I kind of expected that. For as tired and beat as I was, ended up being a pretty memorable night.

                             





                               Godspeed You Black Emperor






Godspeed was a huge part of my 20's I picked up one of their albums in 2001 and listened to it nonstop. In fact that album is so linked to Tony Hawk 3 for me. Gabe Nye and I would play Tony Hawk for hours with Godspeed on repeat, like Scarface. Well, I never got to see them back in the day, and last time they were here tickets sold out so fast I wasn't able to make it. As soon as I heard they were coming back for Music Fest NW I knew it was a must do. Great show. I sat in the balcony and just watched. I had eaten a special brownie that enhanced the experience that much more.

Devil's Night

Halloween is always an important time around the house of grog. It last the whole year, but is in full gear for all of September and October. This year on Devil's Night, AKA October 30th my good friend Cory came over and we had some drinks, watched Spaced Invaders, and tried to build  a Goosebumps house. The outcome was questionable, but the process was amazing. We ended up giving up and just playing around with horror props from my room. 

Extreme Week

The Grog's second attempt at a theme week. The first was kids horror, so I figured lets 180 this bitch. Some amazing contributors helped make it a memorable week.

Graves at Sea, Ash Borer, Aldebaran, Ephemeros

A show of epic proportions. Graves hadn't played in like eight years or some shit. I was beyond excited. I worked a ton right before, and was tired as shit, but I know how to prepare so I was ready and infuxicated. 

Willow Creek with Bobcat Goldthwait In Attendance

I have loved all of Bobcat's films. I was a little hesitant on this as I am pretty burnt out on found footage, but I had faith being that it was Bobcat. When I saw it was playing here with a Q and A I gathered the troops and headed up. It was a blast. The movie was funny and terrifying and he was hilarious. Definitely be on the lookout if it hits your town. 

Adjust Your Tracking Tour

I had a chance to see this doc at Crypticon, but was excited to see it on the tour as I was working and preoccupied at the con. I was also excited to do some VHS shopping at the swap meet, and meet Dan, one of the filmmakers I had been in contact with via the internet. Gabe Nye and I headed up to the Hollywood and had a blast. The film was great, we had some amazing scores, and met up with some other friends. It was also the last event Gabe Nye and I attended before he moved to Washington. 

The 49 Days of Horror Part 2: The Pajama Jam

In 2002 back in Washington many of us took part in a 49 day horror marathon. It was a blast and insane. Well, this year we decided to try it again. We are all in different spots now. Geographically and mentally, so this definitely played into it. It still ended up being a blast. 

Tromeric Turns 33

My birthdays usually end up being pretty bad ass. This year was even more bad ass than usual. Sushi, horror films, music, drugs, alcohol, amazing people. I could go on forever. Just an amazing day. 

I Am Divine

I have been obsessed with John Waters as long as I can remember. I have watched and read everything possible. I always loved Divine. So good in everything. I was more than excited to see this, then I found out it was coming here with Mink Stole in attendance. I shit. I hadn't shaved in a couple days and my hair was frizzing out, basically what I am saying is that I looked like I should hang out with Victor Salva.

The Guts and Grog Cartoon

My friend Nick put together a minute long cartoon for Guts and Grog. We used it to promote Crypticon, but it is just generally bad ass.Click the pic to see said cartoon.

Wizard World Portland

I love comicons. They can be tiring, but the reward is always worth it. So much shit to buy, amazing people to hang out with, and plenty of chances for my inner fanboy to explode out without going to jail. 

Seeing Guts and Grog Swag Printed

The grog has been an amazing ride. I have met so many amazing people, made connections, and most importantly, had a ton of fun doing it. Never in a million years when I drunkenly decided to post my ramblings online for my friends to read, did I think I would be where I am today. With that said, it is amazing seeing the grog logo printed onto things. As mentioned earlier a cartoon was done. This year I also had shirts printed, posters printed,  books printed, and much more. Kind of surreal seeing it around. Definitely bad ass though.

There you have it. 20 amazing moments for the grog in 2013.  Excited to see what next year brings. Stay tuned for your normal top list that will resume in the near future. Look out for top documentaries, albums, and of course movies.

- Tromeric