Local Metal Band Plays Dream Show

Consider it a dream come true for four Deftones fans.

Local band Drop Anchor has been given the opportunity to open for Deftones tonight at the House of Blues in Atlantic City, NJ.

Deftones is a Sacramento-based Grammy Award-winning alternative metal/experimental metal band formed in 1988. The band is presently on a U.S. tour in promotion of its new album, “Diamond Eyes.”

Drop Anchor can be described as an alternative metal band with roots in Lansdale. Two of its members—bassist and lead vocalist Kevin Mooney and drummer Harold Echols—are veterans from a ‘90s aggressive hardcore band from Lansdale called Chine.

Guitarists Brad Holstine and Matt Buckley round out the rest of the band. Buckley is a Patch columnist . He is also a veteran of local metal band Cetus.

“I feel a lot of emotions right now, but ‘stunned’ is probably the best word to describe it,” said Buckley. “And all the nerves.”

Buckley has no clue what to expect. He can’t believe that his band will be opening for one of his favorite bands of all time.

“It’s kind of hard to put words together right now,” he said.

The story goes that a nearby band was lined up to open for Deftones tonight, but cancelled at the last minute.

“A couple of people vouched for us, including Paul over at Stereokiller.com, so I have to give him huge thanks for helping make this happen,” Buckley said. “We talked to see if we could drop everything to do this, and we all decided that we’d do what we had to in order to make this happen.”

After tonight, Deftones head out on the European leg of its tour with a show Friday at the Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary.

After this evening's show, Drop Anchor may have an increased fan base and perhaps a future opportunity to perform with a group that has influenced the members' musical careers.

“All I want to do now,” said Buckley, “is get through the set without making a fool of myself, and I’ll consider the evening a complete success.”

Tickets are still available at $30 for general admission, standing room only, and $35 for balcony seats. Doors are at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m.

House of Blues Atlantic City is located at 801 Boardwalk in Atlantic City.