Eclectic Ear Nashville

Happy belated New Year! According to Larry David the cutoff is January 7th, if you know you know. However, on January 3rd I had the utmost honor of spending the first weekend of 2026 taking photos of Nashville’s Nu-metal tribute bands at The Basement East. Here was the lineup. The opener was a high energy get your blood flowing tribute band to System of a Down! If you’re asking “did they play Chop-Suey?” oh yeah they did! The crowd got absolutely rowdy the whole room was filled with static as everyone sang along. They were so good that at one point I joined the crowd to submerge myself in the moment and then I was like WHOOP I need to get back to taking photos! 

The second set hits home for me. Shake My Tomb pays tribute to my personal favorite Deftones. They covered all the classics which raged my brain with nostalgia. Shake My Tomb performed “Change” which that song will forever have me in a chokehold. Deftones has been such a huge part of my life especially in my adolescence. I was fortunate enough to see Shake My Tomb perform last year and I just knew Deftones fans that were attending that night were in for a special treat. 

Then comes the headliner, Karrot! Karrot does a phenomenal job not only performing but bringing the essence of Korn right to you! They didn’t have bagpipes but instead they had a melodica! When they performed “Got the Life” I’m pretty sure everyone in The Basement East was singing along. From the vocals, mannerisms to the lead vocalist even having a wardrobe change from the Adidas tracksuit to a kilt, iconic. I heard someone say “Did he just change into a kilt?!” The crowd was so lively and into everyone’s set! Even mosh pits broke out which warmed my heart. That’s the thing about music/shows is seeing everyone together sharing the same interest and just having fun! 

This show had something exceptionally special. Shannon from Serpent and Sage tattoo was there with a unique flash dedicated to all of the nu metal bands. Shannon also had other selections for people to choose from which caught my eye. At one point when I was changing my POV I stopped and looked and was like mmhm YUP I forever need that on my body engraved in ink! Which reminds me I need to book an appointment with her ASAP. I chatted with an attendee who was wearing a Deftones shirt told me it was their first time there and later on I saw them getting inked and popped on over there out of curiosity and they showed me they went with The Ohms album cover and get this, it was their first tattoo! How amazing is that?! 

I suggest you go check out and follow the tribute bands’ socials so you don’t miss out the next time they come out to play! 

I personally would like to thank John Nicholson for gracing me with the opportunity to take photos for the Happy Nu-Years4 show, to all the bands, The Basement East, Low Bar, all the awesome people I met, and all those involved to make this happen! Take care and stay weird🤘🏻

IG: _indecisivegemini