To many Scott Ian is simply “That guy with the beard from Anthrax”. But as he hits Australian shores on his “One Man Riot” speaking tour, Scott Ian aims to both simultaneously dispel and enhance that myth …all of course depending on your point of view.
On the opening night of the Australian tour at Adelaide’s ‘Dunstan Playhouse’ Scott appears nonchalantly centre stage accompanied by nothing more than a Coopers Pale Ale and microphone before the AC/DC background music is lowered and the stage lights focus upon him.
A self-proclaimed protector of his own personal space, Scott explains the therapeutic reasoning behind the speaking tour. From the many cases of mistaken identity to the uninvited beard-stroking strangers, Scott explains to the audience why it’s not his “duty” to correct or enlighten those misguided people who feel they have the right to invade his personal space for their own reasons. “Sure… when you’re in the street yell the name of my band at the top of your lungs…. But keep your hands off my fucking beard!”
As he took us back to 1985 and the band’s European promotional tour for “Spreading the Disease”, the exceptional story-telling turned simple yarns of a 21 year old Jewish kid from New York into real life experiences for the captivated audience. Without spoiling the stories for those yet to see the show, Scott recited anecdotes which involved meeting his idol Lemmy in the darkened corner of a London bar, and the subsequent antics that almost saw him “fired from heavy metal”.
Mid show presented the audience with the chance to fire a few questions towards Scott which amongst others, spawned stories of his adventures with Cliff Burton, and another time Anthrax suspended a 7’ fish above a Slayer gig and lowered it at just the opportune moment.
The second half of the show was focused primarily on Scott’s tumultuous times touring with and hanging with the boys from Pantera, in particular close friend Dime. Affectionately nicknamed “Baldini” by the great man Dime, Scott recited an epic story revolving around a high-as-a-kite hair metal front man. It was never going to end well, and as it turns out… well, you’ll have to check out the show to find out.
By this stage, 3 massive hours after the Scott Ian took to the stage, the show is rounded out with a “dead” short 8-10 song “dead” set featuring nothing more than Scott and a guitar which lead to a final farewell and ovation from the audience.
The show is a recollection of heavy metal folklore involving some of the biggest names in the business. It confirms some stories which many believed were only urban myth and others that are only just seeing the light of day for the first time. Running over 3 hours, although you wouldn’t have thought so at the time, it’s highly entertaining even for the uninitiated and takes the listener on a ride through the glory days of thrash metal straight from the mouth of the man who lived it.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Lindsay at Rock Tsar Photography
ONE MAN RIOT TOUR DATES
Monday, September 24: Dunstan Play House, Adelaide
Wednesday, September 26: Goldfields Theatre – MCEC, Melbourne
Saturday, September 29: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Monday, October 1: The Tivoli, Brisbane
Tickets on sale Thursday, July 5
www.dinnerforwolves.com/one-man-riot
VIP Packages Available From
www.scott-ian.com
OZ COMIC CON
September 22nd/23rd – Brisbane
Tickets: www.ozcomiccon.com/sydney/guests/scott-ian
September 29th/30th – Sydney
Tickets: www.ozcomiccon.com/brisbane/guests/scott-ian
