Spending an Evening With Testament in Tucson

Spending An Evening with Testament on opening night of their tour in Tucson, AZ! When I saw the video of Eric Peterson and Chuck Billy announcing this tour on Instagram I think I watched it five times because this is what I’ve been wanting to hear for years! Is this actually happening? Practice What You Preach in its entirety, with ballads and deep cuts that aren’t usually played live is my dream tour! I had tears in my eyes and put the ticket sale date on my calendar. The tour ends in my hometown of San Diego, but I had to be there for opening night. I wanted to see it first with no way to look up the set list (because I knew it would) I just wanted it to be a surprise. I bought tickets as soon as they went on sale and started counting the days. We Vandemark girls are always down for a road trip to see a show.

Celebrating an album anniversary is so special because it’s not just the album, it’s all the memories tied to it. Where you were the first time you heard it, what song hit you the hardest, and hearing it live wondering what songs they would play, back when you couldn’t look up a setlist ahead of time. Those that have known me a long time, know that Testament is one of my favorite bands. I first heard them on Metal Shop on a late Sunday night back in the day. At the time I was into Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Metallica kind of bands and this was a different sound that I just wanted more of. I went down to Tower Records and grabbed the Practice What You Preach cassette tape. I remember popping it in my little boombox, pressing the play button and laying down on the floor with my head right next to it, reading along with the lyrics printed in the sleeve. The lyrics are about environmental issues, politics and corruption. There were growls I’d never really heard before, like in “Blessed in Contempt”, and then throw in a ballad which is appropriately called “The Ballad”. I was so blown away and absolutely in love with this sound. I wasn’t living with my parents, but I had to show my mom the lyrics in an effort to convince her that metalheads are brilliant and create thought provoking content. She was actually impressed with the lyrics, but still not ready to listen to it. When Titans of Creation was released in the middle of Covid lockdown. I did the same thing, laid on my bed with headphones, like a teenager in the 80s and soaked in that whole album.

Testament is one of my all time favorite bands not just for their music. The first time I saw them was 1992 at Iguana’s in Mexico. Back in the day, it was one of the few places that you could have a mosh pit and that place was crazy! I was all about it, having the time of my life. I somehow found myself pushed up on the stage, I thought I was fine, but the band saw something different and had security pull me up. The stage manager had me stay sidestage for the rest of the show. I was soaking wet in sweat, a few tequila poppers in, a total mess, but after the show I got to meet them. I was that “Omg, I love your band” girl, but they didn’t mind. They were so gracious, down to earth, and cool to me when they could’ve just walked away.

So here we are, it's finally April 30th we hit the road for a six hour drive to Tucson! We planned on arriving early enough to check in at the hotel, clean up, get a drink, but you know how road trips go. We rolled up at 7:51 pm with the show starting at 8pm. I thought I had already downloaded the tickets, but I didn’t. I couldn’t get into the Ticketmaster app, the minutes are ticking and I’m starting to freak out that I’ll miss the walk out. The irony is Kaiya was the chill one and got the tickets downloaded. I made it with a couple of minutes to spare. This was our first time to Tucson and the Rialto Theater, which is a cute venue and people were super cool. They were pretty mellow from what we’re used to, but they were friendly and helpful. I found out 3 hours into the drive that I had a photo pass, and fortunately I had grabbed my camera, just in case. So here I am opening night of my dream tour, with camera in hand, grateful it all worked out. First three songs, doing my thing, singing “Practice What You Preach”, “Sins of Omission”, and “Perilous Nation” trying to catch some shots, while Kaiya got us drinks. I’ve done this hundreds of times, but I will never forget that moment, that feeling, ever.

I found Kaiya in the crowd, put my camera away and with drink in hand, a smile on my face, tears in my eyes, stood there soaking it all in. The whole band just looked like they were having a blast. I may have cried a few times, especially during “The Ballad”. I’ve seen Testament quite a few times, in different states, festivals, Mexico, on a boat in the Pacific, and this was my absolute favorite show ever! I loved hearing their stories in between songs, maybe a little roast here and there. I’m not going to post any spoilers, it’s an amazing show, grab your tickets! There’s only 15 stops on this tour, make sure you get to one!

We’ll see them again at Welcome to Rockville (I’m so excited, they play on my birthday) and closing night of the tour in San Diego. Tell us where you will see Testament!

Remaining dates for Evening With Testament:

May 04 - Wichita, KS @ Temple Live (buy tickets)

May 06 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave (buy tickets)

May 07 - Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop (buy tickets)

May 10 - St Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall (buy tickets)

May 11 - Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe At Old National Centre (buy tickets)

May 13 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Warsaw (buy tickets)

May 14 - Wilmington, DE @ The Queen (buy tickets)

May 15 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage (buy tickets)

May 17 - Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall (buy tickets)

May 20 - Huntsville, AL @ Mars Music Hall (buy tickets)

May 22 - Austin, TX @ Empire Garage (buy tickets)