http://www.facebook.com/dronika2012
On a recent trip to Los Angeles I was fortunate enough to meet and hang out a bit with Dronika members Eduardo and Carlos. We got to hang out and watch some great live music at the Whisky. Dronika is a new band that I have been lucky enough to witness growing. They have included me in sharing their growth and development. They are currently working on their debut release. Pay attention and don’t miss out when their CD drops! Here’s a taste:
the Hellion
Alice In Chains will ALWAYS hold a spot as one of my favorite bands. This track is one of their best.
I sat on the porch one mid morning talking with Rick from Shotgun Rebellion. We found we were kindred spirits on a lot of things. As we talked, I felt a bond developing with Rick and knew we would remain friends for a long time. Let’s get to know Rick (guitars/vocals), Jon (bass), Jared (drums), and Steve (guitars) from Shotgun Rebellion.
Hey guys, let’s open a cold one and find out about the origins of Shotgun Rebellion. How did all of this start?
Jon: “As Rick was playing with a band called Kill the Silence and I was with Echofist, our paths had crossed a few times. Over the next two years we’d swap emails back and forth discussing various shows and what all was going on in the Oklahoma music scene. When Echofist separated, the vocalist and I started a new project. Although I enjoyed what we were doing, there was just something missing. So I decided to put the word out that I was looking to do a side project that had a little bit more balls to it so to say. Well, Rick just happened to be online and within about twenty minutes of me posting a notice he called me.
As the issues within KTS grew, what was originally just a side project and a chance for Rick and I to work together, begin to evolve into the full-time ride. We thought for a short time about just bringing me in on bass and revamping the lineup for KTS, but after thinking it over we decided to go with our own identity as Shotgun Rebellion.”
As I was listening to the tracks you sent me I hear elements of country music in your songs. What were some of your country influences?
Rick: Not really what you would call traditional country. But more of an Outlaw country and Southern Rock like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Hank jr. and Willy nelson were more of an influence to me along with blues.
Tying into the previous question I also hear metal in your songs, where did the metal influx come from?
SR: Sabbath, Zeppelin, Van Halen, Dokken, Wasp, Down, Pantera, Corrosion of conformity, Megadeth, BLS, Anything Ozzy, Motorhead and Pride & Glory Just to name a few.
As I have gotten to know about I have heard you guys referred to as “Outlaw Metal” what can you tell us about that?
Rick: Well I grew up in southern Oklahoma and my parents and grand parents always listened to country, Outlaw country, Southern Rock as well as Classic Rock. My dad Ronnie taught me to play at a young age, he cut my teeth on Southern Rock and Outlaw country tunes along with blues and classic rock songs. So on my own I was listening to Wasp, anything Ozzy, Van Halen and all that era’s Metal and hard rock songs. So I was taking the licks my dad taught me and trying to learn how to play the stuff I liked. About that time I met a Guitarist named Steve Parnell we formed a band in the late 80s early 90s even then Steve was a accomplished Guitarist he started teaching me a lot more of what was going on in Metal then. We’ve since added him to the line up of “Shotgun Rebellion” in the past year, you can hear his lead work on our songs such as “Emperor’s clothes and Killed by love”. So this half Outlaw country/Southern rock meets Metal/hard rock is just a natural thing for me. So we just coined the term “Outlaw Metal” to describe our sound.
Tell me about the writing process. I can imagine you all putting on some David Allen Coe and then some BLS, drinking a few and going from there. How do you guys go about writing new material?
Jon: “As a writer, anything can inspire you and that creative spark can hit at anytime, I’m always coming up with lyrics. I’ll send them to Rick, who is constantly working out something on his guitar. When he finds something that fits, he’ll record it and bounce it back to me. Or he’ll come up with some lyrics on his own and call me saying he’s sending a new track. Either way, once we have that first blueprint of a song, we all will start adding in our own little touches.”
It’s obvious you have a lot of classical influences, what are some of the newer bands that are catching your attention?
SR: Eye Empire, DevilDriver, Kill Devil Hill, Down and there’s a new southern rock band called Blackberry Smoke I like a lot.
You have shared the stage with some great bands, does any particular show stand out?
Jon: “Every show we do with Texas Hippie stands out just because they are brothers in arms, we’ve gotten to know those guys pretty good and are fun to work with. But as for me one show that really stands out was when we played with Warbeast, Forte, and Rev Jones at the Coca-Cola Center in Oklahoma City. We had honestly only been together as Shotgun Rebellion for a about a month, and as far as the crowd knew we came out of nowhere. Over the next few weeks, we received messages from fans and even the promoter who told us we had the set of the night, and that was only our second show after that first practice six weeks before.”
Rick: Sharing the stage with George Lynch twice when we opened for Lynch Mob was a big deal for me. I grew up in the late 80s as a teen and he was a big influence on my playing
What are the musical backgrounds of you guys? Any formal musical instruction?
Rick: I was taught to play guitar from my dad.There was alway instruments around the house if you didn’t play you wasn’t from my family. So it was just the way I was raised.
Jon : “I graduated from the Art Institute in Dallas with a degree in Music Business.”
I have been having fun reading the responses fro others with this question. Is there any music that you listen to that would surprise us? I happen to like the Bee Gees myself….
Rick: I sometimes listen to Motown soul and a lot of blues.
Jon: “I listen to just about everything. Whether its country, metal, blues, pop, jazz, or even Christian artists; I’m always hearing rhythms or lyrics that hit me and inspire me. I take that bit of inspiration and use it, then send it off to Rick who puts his own stamp onto it with what he’s been listening to and that is where that SGR blend comes from.”
If you had a chance to speak to a crowd of musicians trying to enter into the music industry what advice would you give them?
SR: Stick to your guns and don’t be fake, what I mean is play and write from the heart don’t just be what you think other people want to hear. If you do that it’ll come out fake so Stick to your guns and play what you feel.
Let’s have some “Devils Home Brew”:
There you have it, Shotgun Rebellion in the raw.
the Hellion
UPDATE: Catch Shotgun Rebellion on Bleach Bangs Radio tomorrow night (09/18/2012)
There have been some pretty cool bands that were made up for movies. Let’s take a look at some of the bands that would have been cool if they were real.
STEEL DRAGON
The movie “Rock Star” from 2001 gave us one of the coolest bands that never was.
Mark Wahlberg as Chris “Izzy” Cole (Lead vocals)
Dominic West as Kirk Cuddy (Rhythm Guitar)
Jason Bonham as A.C. (Drums)
Zakk Wylde as Ghode (Lead Guitar)
Jeff Pilson as Jörgen (Bass)
This was the film lineup on screen. The actual music from “Steel Dragon” was pretty cool. with songs such as “Livin’ the Life”, “Blood Pollution”, “Stand Up”, “Wasted Generation” written by greats such as; Steve Plunkett, Peter Beckett, Twiggy Ramirez, Sammy Hagar, and Desmond Child, A.Allen, J. Allen to covers of “We All Die Young” (Miljenko Matijevic, Kenny Kanowski) by Steelheart and “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll” (Ronnie James Dio, Richie Blackmore) by Rainbow. This is definitely one of my favorite bands that never was. Here’s “Blood Pollution”:
STILLWATER
“Almost Famous” from 2000 gave us the band Stillwater. This was a 70’s band that I wish would have been.
Peter Frampton
Mike McCready
Jon Bayless
Ben Smith
Gordon Kennedy
Marti Frederiksen – vocals
Were the magic behind the band. Nancy Wilson wrote the song “Fever Dog ” which we can see right here:
THE WONDERS
” That Thing You Do! ” from 1996 is a movie I can’t pass up. From the mind of Tom Hanks this is the tale of a band in the 60’s and their rise to fame and their meteoric fall from it. The movie features original music by Tom Hanks, Adam Schlesinger, Rick Elias, Scott Rogness, Mike Piccirillo, Gary Goetzman and Howard Shore. Here’s the title track:
Three pretty cool bands that could have been.
the Hellion
Where does Jake Delling Le Bas come from? I heard you were from Ireland?
Jake: Well I was born here in the U.S.A and lived here until I was 8 years old. But after that my family moved over to Ireland and that’s where I spent some very important years of my life almost 14 years in total. So I grew up in the west of Ireland and that’s where I really feel like I come from. But it is nice to be back living here in the states again.
Who was it that introduced you to music?
Jake: That one for me is a really tough question I don’t really have a single person who one day showed me some music and it changed my life forever. I just have memories of very pivotal moments over the years when different people have shown me different things that really changed my music listening. Between my Mother, friends in school, some friends of my Dad and who knows who else a lot of people have helped me through the years.
What kind of music was your earliest memories?
Jake: But if your asking what kind of music it was I do have a very early memory of my Mother giving me the Pearl Jam album Ten when I was around 11 or 12. I don’t even think she listened to Pearl Jam I think she just found it one day and gave it to me. But that was a pretty big deal that got me started more than anything I ever listened too before that.
Were you interested in other instruments? How did you find your way to the drum kit?
Jake: I always wanted to play an instrument since I can remember. We always had guitars and things around the house because my Dad plays a little bit. I even got given a bright white electric guitar of some random make when I was really young that sat around for years. I tried learning it a little bit as I grew up but the guitar never really drew me in. And then in school I had some friends that wanted to start a band but they had no drummer. And I will never forget my friend Owen said to me one day ” Man if you started playing drums it would really help me out” I always liked the drums and that was the reason to just go and do it. So I was 13 or 14 when I got my first kit and never looked back after that. It was a great decision as far as I’m concerned!!
I have seen some drummers out there playing some massive kits. Some of them are so big you lose the drummer in them. One of the things I love about you is the fact you play a small kit. Why do you do so?
Jake: A philosophy I have always loved in that simple is better. And that same thing applies to my drums. Growing up I was a huge punk fan and I still am but one of the things about punk is simplicity and no bullshit. That’s what I do with my drums I don’t see any reason to have 50 drums and 80 cymbals. For some guys a giant kit works and some guys make it work. But at the same time some don’t! I just figure if you can’t do what you need to with a very minimal set up then you have no business using a complicated set up. So I just like to keep it simple and make the most out of a small set up.
I have to ask you about this. Who gave you the nickname “Irish Thunder”?
Jake: Well that one came from a man you know, Mr. Adam Joad or the Appalachian Apostle as he is known. Adam is quite the man for nick names I think he loves giving them out. I was barely in the band before he slapped the nick name Irish Thunder on me. It’s a good one though I’ll take that all day long.
I love sharing new music with friends that I know will appreciate it. One of those bands is “Ghost”, I know you enjoy the band how come?
Jake: So many reasons!! I have you to thank for giving me that CD that one was in my ears everyday for a few months after I got that. But what they do is so awesome to me. They want to sing about the devil but do it in the catchiest way possible with awesome riffs, you can’t beat that. And the whole hiding the identity thing is a nice touch. They are just a great band doing something different, its awesome.
Besides “Ghost”, what other new music are you listening to?
Jake: I go through a kinds of different phases of different music. Lately its been a lot of bluegrass a band called Split Lip Rayfield I’ve been listening to a lot lately. My boys in Gypsyhawk just released their new album so I’ve been rocking that one, those dudes rule. I just came across a band recently called Larry and His Flask its some pretty cool stuff worth checking out.
Your fan base are called “Hell Riders” what does that mean to you?
Jake: The Hell Riders are why we do what we do. When we first started going out there and touring and really showing people who Scattered Hamlet are the response we got from people meant everything to us. And then Hell Rider chapters starting popping up around the country it was amazing for us and now we meet people who are proud to call themselves Hell Riders. And that for me is incredible. To have people who connect with your music that much and take pride in being a part of it I can’t ask for anything more. Hell Riders for me make me want to go out on the road as often as I can to meet every one of them. Hell Riders!!!!
If you were asked to contribute to a book on the music industry, what advice would you give to a new musician?
Jake: PRACTICE! That’s the biggest thing you have to practice your instrument if you ever want to do anything. Practice often and practice hard. Also go out and play with people don’t sit in you garage and be too afraid to go out and play with people you learn more playing with other people than you ever will sitting at home alone. And lastly if you think this is something you really want to do then prepare yourself for sacrifice it takes a lot of sacrifice. But also prepare yourself for fun I wouldn’t trade this for anything else.
I have heard some “interesting” music coming from the “Hell Rider” van, what’s other surprises would I hear if I looked through your musical selection?
Jake: Haha that’s a scary question probably lots of things! As music fans we all love a lot of things, things we wouldn’t expect. Me I have no problem bustin out Lionel Ritchie’s greatest hits anyone who disagrees can suck it. Hulk Hogan and his Wrestling Boot Band is another favourite to listen to on the road. I even have some good old Limp Bizkit on there but that’s mostly there because myself and Adam like to listen to it on the road and break down how lyrically retarded Fred Durst really is. If you didn’t know he is very retarded. It helps pass the time while we drive.
Given the current state of flux it’s in what do you think of the music industry these day?
Jake: That’s the big Question for a lot of people these days. It’s a tough place out there for a band a REAL band that is, it’s an extremely tough place. I was at a music festival last weekend and there were many different kinds of music there but one thing that drove me crazy is that on a huge stage in front of thousands of people there were 2 guys up there one using a DJ setup and another barely playing drums. It was horrible, the dude was just singing using autotune. But people were loving it!!! Going crazy for it! Even though there was not much real talent being used up there. So that’s what REAL bands have to compete with now and its a sad state of affairs. Technology is replacing talent its disgraceful. But the thing I always remember is that if I still love real music and REAL bands then there are others out there too. People like Hell Riders and all real music fans as long as these people are out there the REAL bands will always have a chance it just takes some damn hard work. Oh and talent although for some people the talent part isn’t necessary if you have autotune haha!
Check out the talented Jake Delling Le Bas in the band Scattered Hamlet!
http://www.facebook.com/ScatteredHamlet
“Skeleton Dixie”
Happy Birthday Jake! 09/15/12
the Hellion
It truly is a small world. Several years ago I attended a show and was fortunate to meet the guys in Texas Hippie Coalition. I kept my eyes and ears on them since then. There were a few lineup changes in THC and that was where Craw first came to my attention. He subsequently left THC and fell off of my radar. Enter my friend Alan Scott. Alan is a local jewelry/leather craftsman who has made pieces for many varied artists and celebrities. He told me a bout a band called Die Hard Til Death. I became friends with the bassist Kurt Arft who in turn told about his friend Craw who was now playing with All Hail The Yeti. Kurt helped us to get in touch and I was able to do this interview. I put together some questions and emailed them to Craw. He sent back his answers and yet I felt I needed something more so we got to talk on the phone one evening. Craw rang me up and I went outside and sat on the tailgate of my pickup under the stars and got to know Craw a little bit. We had a lot of similar musical tastes in some Outlaw Country and talked about how much we both enjoyed the “soul” in some of the artists in the past. I asked him about touring and what their plans were. All Hail The Yeti will be playing a few shows until the holidays and then after maybe some touring. I also asked about how the name came to be He said that Connor came up with it…that’ll wait for another interview. Now, let’s get to know Craw:
Tell me about where you come from and where you grew up? What was the music like?
Craw: I grew up in South Louisiana in a small town surrounded by bayous, crawfish ponds, duck blinds, and deer stands. Where most folks come from struggle and are proud of their last name, culture, and the things they have worked hard for…mainly offshore workers, farmers, plant workers, and fisherman. As hard as they work they can party even harder and ‘pass a good time’ HAHA C’mon… Louisiana is full of great music: Zydeco, Jazz, Blues, Country, Rock/Metal, we cover all the bases down home and I am fortunate to grow up around all of it.
Music is such a part of my life on multiple levels it is part of my DNA I think. What is it about music that infected your soul?
Craw: The way music has infected my soul? Brother I don’t know one person that doesn’t use music as a way to deal with the stress of this strange world we live in every day… Music is an amazing gift given to us; it can be your shoulder to cry on during the worst of times, or it can lift your spirits and bring everyone together during the best of times. Can I get an Amen!!
What was it that drove you to pick up an instrument and learn to play?
Craw: Well I’ve always had an instrument in my hand, both of my parents were musicians. My father was a helluva singer and guitar picker and my mother has the voice of an angel and is a very poetic songwriter…it’s in the blood. On my mother’s side, “Thibodeaux”, we have the fiddle players and on my father’s side, ‘’NeQuent”, is the accordion players. A lot of my family members can play an instrument or sing…
A lot of artists do not start out playing the instruments they end up playing. Was guitar your first choice?
Craw: Guitar was my first choice absolutely. Even though my folks were separated early in my life both of them had a guitar layin around the house… In school I played saxophone and dabbled in other instruments, but I always had a love for guitar.
Were you able to take any formal lessons or did you dig in to your inner spirit and learn by ear?
Craw: Never had formal lessons as a kid, but we lived n a trailer house out in the woods. My step father and mother would invite friends and family to the house for cookouts, crawfish boils, and bbq’s. They always had a couple of acoustics jammin some blues/southern rock tune, a country song everyone could sing along to, or playin along with the radio. I was very lucky to have these people show me lil chords, parts of songs, and tricks. Later I would listen to the radio and figure out the tuning before the second verse. I would try to play along; I didn’t realize then, but I was playing by ear and learning to pick up pretty quick.
I love all music but I can readily identify with the music of the late 60’s and 70’s. Is there any “era” of music that appeals to you more than others?
Craw: It’s hard to say a specific era? I love music that dates back from 1930’s to the present…but my favorite “genre” is hands down Outlaw Country. I can listen to Waylon and Willie all day long.
Who are some of the artists that inspire you to this day?
Craw: Good question how much time ya got… Let’s kick back a few cold ones and I’ll try to fire em all off to ya before one of us passes out! It will be you.
Ha ha, I’m gonna hold you to that one brother. You are probably right in your assumption on that. When was that you started playing in your first band?
Craw: When I was in High School, I convinced a of couple friends to play cover tunes and write songs. I always wanted to have a band of brothers just playin music. I was into sports, dirt bikes, hunting and fishing; all that changed once I got into a band. All I wanted to do with any free time was practice and play shows, I was obsessed!
Were you in many bands? I’ll bet there were some mixed experiences and many lessons learned from them.
Craw: I can count them on both hands… Man what didn’t I learn from these bands and experiences? Haha, and I will always have great memories of all the musicians I met and will continue to share the stage with. It has been a blessing to meet life-long friends through music.
http://www.facebook.com/officialallhailtheyeti
http://www.allhailtheyeti.com
http://www.twitter.com/allhailtheyeti
http://www.myspace.com/allhailtheyeti
http://www.reverbnation.com/allhailtheyeti
http://www.youtube.com/allhailtheyeti
What can you tell me about the origins of All Hail The yeti?
Craw: Connor started this band with a love for Sludge and Doom Metal bands from Southern Louisiana and influences from his favorite bands growing up, not just metal but all genres. He has found brothers who share the same passion and drive for this kind of music, and we love what we create… All of us share stories of bands we grew up on and the energy is still there like it was the first time we discovered them!! I will get goose bumps just talking about a concert back in the day or a part in a song, crazy isn’t it?
I hear ya brother and now the feeling exactly. I have heard the term “Whiskey Metal” used to describe All Hail The Yeti. What’s that all about?
Craw: Come watch a live show… best way to explain it brother…
I love the “sound” of All Hail The Yeti how did you guys develop that sound? Does it all start with a jam session and songs all pulled from that? Or does each member bring pieces in and go from there?
Craw: It’s one helluva Gumbo bruh… Ingredients of our influences mixed with jam sessions and bits n pieces from each member thrown together in one pot. I love watching the magic happen when creating a song.
I am always on the lookout for new artists to check out how about you? Anything new caught your ear lately?
Craw: I really stick with my old favorites, y’know? The guys in the band are always showing me new artists they are up to date on; all kinds of new shit like Ghost, a band from Sweden called Graveyard, Haarp, to name a few..
Some people are surprised at what they find in my music collection. Is there anything surprising to others in yours?
Craw: Not really I’m stuck in my ways man. I love listening to old records and I still have a CD player in my truck so it’s the same damn outlaw country mix, blues mix, or the same damn rock metal mix HAHA. Lawd, someone “pimp my ride” so I can be up to date.
If you were offered a chance to give a lecture to people trying to break into the music industry, what would that include?
Craw: I’m still learning and watching this business change every day so I couldn’t lecture anyone. If someone was passionate and was honestly asking for my advice, I would tell them my journey, from start to present, and hopefully they can take from it and apply it to their dreams…and they all have my respect for getting out there and trying.
The floor is yours brother, close this out with whatever you want to say to the readers.
Craw: Well I appreciate all the questions and those who are taking the time to read this interview. As some people try to be the “Biggest, Baddest, King, Queen” etc… Haha? I’m happy to just be “alive and kickin” and living my dream. It’s not the automobile ya drive, or how fat the wallet is, or who ya know to me. It’s what’s inside and where your heart is. My heart is where it needs to be: in music, and it has led me to meet amazing friends and extended family that I will always hold close to me. Find your happy place and have fun with your life while ya can. See you on the road, I love you all…Craw
What a great interview, thanks Craw. I plan on staying in touch with this for a LONG LONG time. Check out the video for “The Art Of Mourning” by All Hail The Yeti:
the Hellion
VOTE FOR SUNSET RIOT TO OPEN FOR EVERCLEAR!!I’ve seen a few bands in my life. Few have moved me the way Sunset Riot has. Upon hearing some of their tunes on cd i was hooked immediately. When I saw them live the first time I knew I was a fan for life! If you’ve seen them live you know exactly what I’m talking about. For me it gets better every time. Other bands should really pay attention to the way these guys are doing it. Because whether they know it or not… they’ve got it figured out. PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE AND VOTE FOR MY MATES!!!! THANK YOU.
Cheers!
Charlie MF Owens
I first heard of Sunset Riot from the Bleach Bangs crew. They were right on all points, energetic stage show, great Rock N’ Roll, down to earth guys. This hard working band deserves this shot so let’s help them out! It’s easy to support:
http://www.facebook.com/KRBDE.touring?sk=app_154954461294925
click on the link, click on the vote button, click on NSW and click vote next to Sunset Riot! It’s just that easy!
the Hellion
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