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Interview By Benjamin Niebla II “Lord of PR”

Since 2009, the San Diego Metal Swap Meet has brought a unique event to Southern California. The event provides a place for metal merchants to sell their clothing, art, CDs, vinyl, patches, and just about anything else heavy metal related. It also offers a DJ, playing everything from early heavy metal favorites, to obscure metal gems. This is not only a merchandise central event, but it is also a social event, where old friends meet, and new friends are made.

The San Diego Metal Swap Meet has a tradition of offering an all ages avenue for the younger crowd to experience the record store vibe of the 80’s and 90’s, while also seeing a well-known live band, to close the event, all for a very affordable door fee.

Past performers and special guest: DJ Katon (from HIRAX) / Derek Riggs (legendary IRON MAIDEN artist) / Exhumned / Cage / Thanatology / Slaytanic / Cattle Decapitation / Sadistic Intent / Dreaming Dead / Gravehill / Condemned / Anger as Art / Hellhunter / Sons of Satan (VENOM Tribute) / Ruines ov Abaddon, Eukaryst / Lou Rusconi / Peter Beste

Interview with San Diego Metal Swap Meet promoters Brian Parker and Israel Pelayo:

KNAC.COM: What event(s) led to the creation of the San Diego Metal Swap Meet?

PARKER: I worked at a record store here called Blue Meannie Records. When it closed, I felt there was a void in the scene for not only a place to buy metal related merchandise, but a gathering place where friends can meet. I thought, why not have a swap meet, and I talked with my buddy Israel about doing it in my driveway, and it turned out to be pretty successful.

PELAYO: Pretty much the decline of the record industry basically led us to creating our own event showcasing the sale of physical metal media.

KNAC.COM: What were the short-term and long-term goals of the yearly gathering?

PARKER: Short-term, we wanted it to be something metal fans can be proud of. San Diego often was skipped on tours, and it's not often mentioned in conversations for a place to visit for metal music. We wanted to provide an all-ages event that highlights positivity in the metal community. Long-term, we just want to have an event that brings people together. If we always set expansion as our goal, it could take away from the spirit of the event.

PELAYO: Brian and I didn’t really have much of a plan when we first did it. We just wanted to hang out with friends and trade some CDs and vinyl. We were very shocked when we suddenly had hundreds of kids in our driveway so the response was a pleasant surprise. After the first one we decided to make the event something more formal and more organized.

KNAC.COM: What have been the major challenges of putting on the event throughout the years?

PARKER: Personally, the challenges have been to figure out how to do all this stuff. I do not have previous experience organizing events, so it was an interesting learning experience. Also, we had challenges when moving venues. We were priced out of the downtown venue, and happened to stumble on our current location Protector Brewery and Setting Sun Sake.

PELAYO: Some of the bigger challenges involve booking a venue that will let us host an all-ages event with bands and with alcohol.

KNAC.COM: How big is the metal scene in San Diego, California?

PARKER: It's much bigger than it was 15 years ago. We have a venue nearly entirely dedicated to heavy music in Brick by Brick, and it's pretty common to see packed shows there. Our scene has long been tied to our friends to the South in Tijuana. It's difficult to gauge from our event, as we do get a lot of people from out of town. I would say it's a healthy scene that has been steadily growing.

PELAYO: The Metal scene in San Diego is kind of small when it comes to local events, most people just come out when big bands like IRON MAIDEN or JUDAS PRIEST roll through town. We have a lot of people that come from out of town for our event so it helps quite a bit.

KNAC.COM: What are some of the highlights over the history of the b>San Diego Metal Swap Meet?

PARKER: Having Derek Riggs with us nearly every year has been surreal. Being able to bring the mighty JAG PANZER to San Diego was pretty incredible, but I think the highlight for me is seeing kids grow up going to the event, and starting metal bands of their own.

PELAYO: For me, the time we had the Metal Swap Meet in downtown San Diego was the biggest highlight for me. Having JAG PANZER perform live and getting Phil Anselmo and SUPERJOINT do a meet 'n greet was just phenomenal.

KNAC.COM: What bands are on your wish list for future events?

PARKER: Generally, we try to go for bands that most people will enjoy. I don't want to list any particular bands because that could drive expectations, but there are tons of bands I would love to bring to Metal Swap Meet.

PELAYO: I think that a band like CANNIBAL CORPSE or MAIDEN would be in our ultimate wish list. We want to grow slowly into the premier metal event in So Cal so we have to measure our growth and make the right moves to keep the event happening on a yearly basis.

KNAC.COM: Why do metal fans need to attend the 2022 San Diego Metal Swap Meet?

PARKER: It's a great value! We have 70+ vendors, 5 bands that include rare performances by EVILDEAD, SLOUGH FEG, and a drum clinic by the "Atomic Clock", Gene Hoglan! We will also have DJ Katon of HIRAX spinning metal between bands, and signing his book will be the legendary IRON MAIDEN artist Derek Riggs. It's all ages, there's food, drinks and friends... all for just $20. Also, it's just once a year.

PELAYO: I would say that if anyone misses the social aspect of being in a record store and discovering new bands and albums and also meeting with like-minded individuals then this is your type of event. This is a 100% family friendly event as well so you can bring the kids, enjoy a cold beer and buy as much metal merch as your heart desires.

What: 12th Annual San Diego Metal Swap Meet
When: Saturday, October 15, 2022, 11:00 AM – 6:00 pm (Pacific)
Where: Setting Sun Sake Brewing Co. 8680 Miralani Drive San Diego, CA 92126
Price: General admission ticket - $15.00 Dollars
Bands playing: Evildead, The Weird Slough Feg, The Gene Hoglan Experience, Stygian Crown, Nightshadow

Website: http://www.sdmetal.org/msm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdmetalswapmeet/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdmetalswapmeet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sdmetalswapmeet
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrn6RaELwSnoPgmEJ9PmXag?view_as=subscriber