I got choked by Maynard Keenan of TOOL at a 4th of July party.

So I'm from Texas and was in a small town in Michigan for trade school in 2016. It was 4th of July and I didnt really have any plans considering I really didn't know where to go or who to hang out with. My parents called me up and said that friends of theirs from church had a farm in Michigan and were throwing a 4th of July party there and I was invited. I was initially reluctant, but drove there. Very nice couple and beautiful farm. People start showing up and having fun and I'm talking music with the wife of the couple and she offhandedly mentions she heard I was a rock and metal fan and asks if I was a fan of TOOL. I told her I was a huge TOOL and APC fan. She said, "Well don't freak out, but Maynard is going to be here."

Inside my head I squealed like a ten year old girl at a Hannah Montana concert. Turns out this lady actually went to school with Maynard and knew him growing up.

Sure enough, Maynard shows up with his wife and daughter. I didn't approach him because I didn't want to bother him, but just kept sneaking glances. The wife of the couple notices and asks if I'd like to meet him and of course I said yes. She introduces us and he can tell from the vibe I'm a fan, but he's cool about it. We talk about his winery and entrepreneurship for a few minutes and I'm about to let him be and not bother him anymore when the wife wants to take a picture. We kinda turn and smile and I did a little thumbs up, but then I feel his hands wrap around my neck. I just kinda laughed and rolled with it and thanked him for the opportunity to meet him. We ended up chatting a bit more on a hayride later on.

So yeah, I have a picture of me getting choked by Maynard Keenan at a 4th of July party.

I used to work for a radio station so I've actually worked with a lot of bands and artists, but funny enough mine is probably also Jimmy Eat World. We put on a contest to play ping pong backstage with them before the show. Stocked with beer, food, etc. I was supposed to help run the event, but the winners didn't show. So the staff got to take advantage and we got to hang out with them for a good while. I miss that job lol

Was poking on Craigslist looking for gear for a band I used to play in (sadly we broke up), in I want to say 2019, I misclicked and ended up on the tickets page. Just so happened in the first few adds was a posting referring to a meet and greet give away for 3 Veil of Maya tickets, seemed almost too good to be true, but it was just posted so figured wth let's try. I reach out and within moments got a reply, asking me my favorite track by the band (at the time it was It's Not Safe to Swim Today, which they played!), and list their current members. Answered correctly, and then the person contacting me reveals she is Lukas' mother (current lead singer), and as much as she wanted to see them, didn't want to go alone/do something nice for some fans. My former drummer and another former buddy came with, we took her to dinner at a fancy Italian place as thanks before the show. Super pleasant woman, and was as happy to talk to us as she was to listen. Talked about her children's musical endeavors, apparently her daughter is also extremely musically inclined. After dinner got to the venue for the meet and greet, which was small, maybe 10 other people tops. So got some one on one time with each member, and I got to pick at Danny's brain for bass tips and techniques, which I can happily say he gave me a means to improve ( you likely won't ever see this Danny, but thanks! ). They were all super chill down to earth guys, got some merch, and my shirt signed as well. We then spent the show protecting 'Mimi' (Lukas' mother's self given nickname) along the front security gates, so she didn't get smashed or swallowed by a mosh pit. Was great to inform a few folks nearby of who she was (extra help versus pit, got wild on a few songs) and see first the wonder in their eyes, followed by a double take, a "No way", and last look of determination to succeed in protecting the woman who gave of us the gift of Lukas Magyar. Best concert experience for me, hands down.

My friend is good friends with Rob Dukes so when Exodus came to town we hung out on the tour bus before and after the show. They were on tour with Slayer and it was Lee Altus' birthday, so we went over to the room they were in and took a shot with members of Exodus and Slayer while singing happy birthday to him. It was excellent

I saw the Distillers in like 2004. The show was delayed because the band still had not gotten there. When they finally did, I saw Brody heading from the stage to the front of the venue. I was dead set on meeting her, so I ran, meeting her about halfway asking for her autograph. She looked at me, looked around, then grabbed my hand and said “Come with me”. Turns out she had to badly pee, they were probably on the road all day. She could have brushed me off, told me to wait there, but instead she took me to the bathroom with her. I peed with Brody and we washed our hands together while she made small talk. Afterwards, she signed my shirt (that I still have), gave me a huge hug, and went on to play an awesome set. Dream come true for a little 14 year old punk girl.

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My buddy and I waited until about 3am after a Down show in Detroit to meet Phil. It was a polar hellscape outside like it’s doing now in the U.S. so we we’re freezing but knew if we held out he would have to come out the only door between the venue and his bus. Around 3am, he struts out with a huge smile on his face and was just an awesome dude. We talked Down, Pantera and shitty weather…took some great photos and “manly” hugs all around. Great guy.

Thanks for starting this tonight…I’m going to go dig up my photos and call my old buddy about it now.