Photos and article by: Ashley Parrish
Cheyenne, WY – Approaching this article felt daunting. This wasn’t just another show at Cheyenne’s beloved record store, and it wasn’t merely because it marked my first time seeing the legendary crossover thrash group D.R.I. No, this was daunting because it was to be the last of these indescribably iconic shows. For at least twenty years, Cheyenne has held this secret gem—a place like no other, where you could see your favorite underground heavy bands in an intimate, close-knit setting.
The energy of the evening was palpable; adrenaline blended with the unfortunate reality that this might actually be the final show at Ernie’s. (To be clear, the store isn’t closing; they will no longer host shows.) Without disclosing the nitty-gritty details, it simply isn’t feasible to keep having shows, but I have been informed that if there is any way they can—they will find it. This news has gutted Cheyenne's small but fiercely loyal metal community, who have seen Ernie’s as their beacon for so many years. And you better believe the community showed up in full force to celebrate and make the most of the last show at Ernie November’s.
Before showtime, the store moves the clothing racks and shelves of incense and crystals aside, creating an open space just big enough for a drum set, a couple of mic stands, a small sound booth, and a little bit of space for those brave enough to be in front of the crowd. T-shirts and woven backpacks dangle from the ceiling rafters, illuminated in a red glow by small plastic spotlights. This setup is one of the many things that sets the place apart from anywhere else. Surprisingly, amidst the chaos of the regular pits that break out, nothing ever seems to get broken, and everyone always helps each other up. The sense of community these shows exhibit is downright wholesome, not to mention the irony of having hardcore bands play in such a hippie-charged environment—imagine mosh pits amid Buddha statues and tie-dye tapestries.
Starting off the night was Cheyenne’s own Violent Testimony. The place erupted immediately into a circle pit, proving the crowd was more than ready for the chaos to commence. Within minutes, frontman Tylor Wade was lifted and carried through the crowd as he screamed into the mic. The energy was charged and relentless, and I appreciated how nobody was wasting any time cranking up the intensity that the night was so clearly calling for. You could feel the energy of the performance in your bones. The end of shows at Ernie’s must have hit these guys the hardest; each member has been a staple at every show over the years and has played there so many times with various bands of their own.
Between sets, I would wander outside for some air. It was a Friday night, and the city was buzzing with life (and alcohol) thanks to the weekly Friday Nights on the Plaza event and Cheyenne’s downtown open container ordinance. People roamed the streets and alleyways of downtown, beers in hand, enjoying the busy atmosphere. Brief bouts of rain would break the heat and send everyone scrambling for cover, while early 00’s post-grunge rock group Hinder played a few blocks away, their sound drifting over to Ernie November’s back door. The strange contrast of butt-rock colliding with the extreme metal pouring from Ernie's created a humorous and slightly chaotic mix that made the night all the more interesting and memorable.
While hanging out in the back parking lot, my inner journalist emerged. I began asking people about their first and best shows at Ernie's. Many couldn’t recall their first show, while others remembered every detail, right down to the clothes they wore. The consensus on the best show was clear: the first time Goatwhore played in 2010, followed closely by Wormrot. Other favorites included Ringworm, Exhumed, The Casualties, and Cancer Christ.
This was Draghoria’s first time playing at Ernie November’s, and although I have seen them many times before, experiencing them at Ernie’s was an entirely new experience. Propped up on a step stool behind Alex Carillo’s drums, I had a unique view of the chaos unfolding in front of me. In my opinion, it was one of their best performances—not just because of the novelty of the situation, but because the sound was surprisingly clear and the energy of the crowd collided with the energy of the band—sometimes literally. There was a brief mishap with someone stepping on a pedal in the midst of a rowdy circle pit, but the minor kerfuffle didn’t take away from the killer performance.
Next up was Deathwish, currently touring with D.R.I. and promoting their newly released LP, The Fourth Horseman. Their aggressive blend of thrashy hardcore was right at home here. Their DIY ethos and relentless speed fit perfectly. The crowd was never calm during their set; the energy only built and built, each song intensifying the atmosphere. The skill and cohesion of their music drove the energy to teeter on the edge of chaos without fully tipping over (okay, maybe it did a few times). Every riff, every drum beat seemed to propel the audience further into the mayhem, transforming the tiny record store into a whirlwind of raw, unbridled energy. It was a performance that exemplified the spirit of the underground scene.
D.R.I. finally came on to a crowd chanting their name. Frontman Kurt Brecht announced they would be playing for a whopping 90 minutes, which was met with roaring applause. Despite the intensity of the last three bands and the constant movement of the audience, the crowd showed no signs of slowing down—in fact, it was quite the opposite. Seeing a band as legendary as D.R.I. in such a cozy and unconventional setting was a dream come true for many people. Someone yelled between songs, “I can’t believe this is happening right now!” It was indeed a moment that I won’t forget any time soon. D.R.I. played with the excellence of a band that has been at it for over 40 years, delivering all the favorites and putting on a show that will live on in local lore. It was a fitting way to close out the era at Ernie’s—sort of bittersweet, but mostly brutal as hell.
It was a night that captured the raw energy and relentless spirit of this unique and constantly overlooked metal scene. I have said it before and will say it again: there is no place like Ernie November’s to see a show. The bands love it, the crowd loves it, and it’s the only place I can think of that removes the boundary between band and audience so blatantly. It doesn’t surprise me why so many big names love to play here; a place like Ernie November’s removes all the B.S. and pretentiousness—it’s stripped down and DIY. Though this may be the end of an era, its impact will be felt for years. So we bid farewell (for now) to this iconic “venue” unlike any other and hope there is a way for the shows to carry on. But if not, it is with heavy hearts and raised fists that we are grateful for every unforgettable moment.
