When Metal Legends Decide to Reboot Their Greatest Hits Like a Nostalgia-Packed Netflix Series
So there I was, minding my own business, scrolling through social media like a digital hermit, when suddenly—BAM!—John Bush drops a musical bombshell that made me spit out my lukewarm energy drink. The man, the myth, the vocal powerhouse who once made ANTHRAX sound like a caffeinated grizzly bear, decided it was time to resurrect the ’90s like they were a zombie with a mosh pit pass. On December 18th, at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois (yes, that place exists and apparently has Wi-Fi), Bush kicked off round two of his “I’m Still Got It” tour, performing songs from his legendary decade with ANTHRAX. And let me tell you, this wasn’t just a concert—it was a full-blown time machine with distortion pedals.
Joining him? Oh, just a few nobodies: Phil Demmel on guitar (you might know him from MACHINE HEAD or literally any thrash band that matters), Mike Orlando shredding like his life depended on it, Jason Bittner on drums (the guy who probably practices by beating traffic cones), and Joey Vera on bass, because why not bring in your best friend from ARMORED SAINT to make it a family reunion? Oh, and Jack Gibson had a scheduling conflict, which honestly sounds like code for “I forgot to set my alarm for glory.”
Now, let’s talk setlist. This wasn’t your average “play the hits and cash the check” nonsense. No, sir. Bush went full archaeologist, digging up deep cuts like “Potters Field” and “Random Acts Of Senseless Violence”—songs so rare, most fans thought they were myths whispered around campfires. And then, just when you thought it couldn’t get better, he throws in “Safe Home”—the song that once featured Keanu Reeves looking cool while doing… whatever Keanu Reeves does when he’s not saving the world or being the nicest guy in Hollywood.
In a recent interview that definitely wasn’t just him reminiscing over a cup of tea, Bush admitted he’s been “singing to the ANTHRAX songs” to remember them. Which, let’s be honest, is both adorable and slightly terrifying. Imagine the guy who once belted out “Only” like a war cry now going, “Wait, what’s the second verse again?” But hey, if your memory can survive three decades of headbanging, you’ve earned the right to forget a lyric or two.
And can we talk about “We’ve Come For You All”? That album was so metal it probably scared Iron Maiden. Guest spots from Roger Daltrey and Dimebag Darrell? That’s not an album—that’s a superhero team-up. Bush called it “solid,” which is metal-speak for “this slaps harder than my dad’s belt in 1994.”
So why now? Why resurrect the Bush era like a thrash metal phoenix? Well, as he put it: “I’m gonna be 62. Let’s just do it.” And honestly? Respect. Most people his age are googling “how to use TikTok” or complaining about yard gnomes. Not John. He’s out here proving that age is just a number and that some legends don’t fade—they just wait for the right mosh pit.
Will ANTHRAX join him on stage? Maybe. Will Joey Belladonna show up and they’ll duet on “Only” like a thrash opera? One can dream. But until then, John Bush is out here reminding us that the ‘90s weren’t just about frosted tips and dial-up internet—they were about riffs so heavy they required a warning label. 🤘🎸🔥
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
