Join us for an unforgettable weekend!
John Sloboda
When I was still in my 20s (twenty years ago), the little metal band from Cleveland I fronted – SAPPY BELL – was playing all the shows we could get around town and elsewhere. We would try to open for any and every national metal/hardcore/hard rock act that came to town. We would self-book shows anywhere that would have us from Columbus to Pittsburgh and connect with every local/regional band on every bill we played.
I think Jayden (as I knew him) and I first crossed paths at Peabody’s Downunder’s later location in Cleveland (after they moved out of “the flats”), when Sappy Bell may have been on the bill with Nothingface (could have even been Vanilla Ice, for all I remember). And sometime later we were off to Erie, or Albion – or somewhere there abouts – to play with Beneath the Scars.
Could have been a county fair. Could have been a beachfront location, a firehouse, or a tavern. The point is, Jayden and the guys couldn’t have been more welcoming, supportive and really immediately embracing us as friends/”colleagues,” etc.! This relationship would go on for the next couple years, playing any time either one of us was able to book the other on shows between Northeast OH and PA … and a not to be forgotten trip to Michigan in a literal blizzard.
Sappy Bell was always happy and willing to get included on the bill for the first 5-6 Jim ‘N I Metal Massacres – with all of the “scars” bands (BTS; Scars of Ruin; Scars of Oblivion; Scarsky and Hutch…whatever Jayden would come up with)! And at some point (year 1 or year 2) – I just naturally made some poster / t-shirt art, as I had been doing all of the design for Sappy Bell merch/gigs/recordings anyhow. But from there – Jayden has asked and I have obliged ever since. Since my own band has retired (and we made a point of toughing it out and playing our “last” show at Metal Massacre), it’s been a great way to stay connected in whatever way I can. I still love metal, I still love the brotherhood that scene represents… I’m just triple the miles away! And you have to give it to “the Foo,” for what he continues to pull-off for everyone, some +10 years later!
These days outside of my day-job my time is mostly dedicated to being a Dad, BBQ’ing at home and still trying to keep the creative juices flowing via illustration work, etc. – while rocking out to something heavy!
