True fans “Buggy” and “Johnson”
By Victor A. Mota
Bronx Journal Staff Writer
It was a vociferous night for heavy metal fans in the Bronx. For the first time, Yankee Stadium hosted a heavy metal concert that set hardcore metal followers –many of them, diehard Yankee fans — ablaze with excitement at seeing some of the biggest bands in heavy metal history: Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer (“The Big Four”), pound the Yankee stage.
Outside the grounds, businesses catered to the energetic atmosphere. Fans bought concert T-shirts and Yankee memorabilia. They ate and drank in places like Billy’s, Stan’s, and the Hard Rock Cafe. Fans from all over the country swarmed on River Avenue, on 161 Street, many swapping cameras with strangers to pose in front on the new Yankee Stadium.
On this special night, the air was peppered with the sound of fans yelling the names of their favorite bands, which often ignited a spirited competition to see who could yell the longest and loudest.
It was a diverse group of fans. One of them, Mel Tenacious, like many other passionate metal heads, branded colorful tattoos showing her favorite bands.
“I’m a huge Yankee fan,” Tenacious said. “I got a tattoo of the Yankees and The New York Giants. I am a huge metal fan. To hear and see amazing music play at Yankee Stadium, of all places—I love it! I love it! It was a totally amazing night!”
Owen Billie was one of a very few Native Americans attending the show. He is a big Anthrax fan, whose lead singer is also Native American.
“We got into Megadeth, then into thrash metal…and finally, Anthrax,” Billie said. “We are here to support Joey Belladonna (Anthrax’s lead singer), who is a Native American. Billie laughs and adds, “We used to like Metallica, but no more.”
“We are here to support,” says Billie.
Like some other fans of Anthrax, Billie said he didn’t realize that three of the five Anthrax members, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello and Rob Caggiano, were from the Bronx.
“I thought they started in California!” Billie said.
Joseph Michialles, a manager at the popular 161st Street Billy’s, said the concerts benefit the local businesses.
“The more events they have (at Yankee Stadium), the better it is for everybody,” Michiailis said.
Sean Buggy and his friend Paul Johnson also attended the concert and they did not hide their extreme exuberance for their favorite band, Slayer.
“I love to tell you why we came to this concert: “S L AY-E-R–R–R–R–R–R–R!!!,” they yelled.
“I am a huge metal fan,” says Tenacious.
“Metallica and Slayer have had a long rivalry that’s gone on for years,” Buggy said. “Metalica has come on top and they are kind of the bread winners of the game. But Slayer is that one that has the true fans, like me and my friend here. We haven’t missed a Slayer show, probably, in the last 10 years!”
“S L AY-E-R–R–R–R–R–R–R–R–R–R!!!”
Again, like Billie, Paul Johnson was surprised to hear that several members of Anthrax were from the Bronx.
But it didn’t sway him from still supporting his favorite band as he gave out a spontaneous yell.
"S L AY-E-R–R–R–R–R–R–R–R–R–R–R–R–R–R!!!"
Photos by Victor A. Mota
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