My good friend and brother Craw Cajun (All Hail The Yeti) and I discussed his impending solo work during a phone conversation last year. Well, it has come to fruition and here’s the first taste, enjoy:
Music has helped me get through a lot of hard times in my life. I know our troops across the globe are having some rough times as well. I am starting this project to get bands to sign copies of their CDs and send them to me so I can in turn send them to the various branches of the military around the world. I believe a signed CD would help to lift their spirits and give them a moment or two of joy to their stressful days.
Please if you want to get involved send signed CDs to:
James Anaya
“Rock The Soldiers Project”
PO Box 2055
Moriarty, NM 87035
This is a not for profit endeavor I just want to spread the gift of music to those in service to our great country. Thanks!
I was fortunate to meet Dave after a Tesla concert recently. We talked briefly about doing an interview around his upcoming Dave Rude Band release.
Coincidentally a couple of hours before our scheduled interview I received the new CD in the mail. Thanks to Rat Pak Records! So it made it into our conversation. Enjoy this lengthy interview right here:
I have thoroughly listened to this new CD and I HIGHLY recommend picking up a copy of your own! Thanks Dave!
Pamela Moore came to most of our attention as “Sister Mary” from the EPIC Queensryche record OPERATION MINDCRIME. Well my friends, she’s back, and she has brought an AWESOME CD with her: Resurrect Me.
I will be reviewing the CD soon right here. Thanks to her label Rat Pak Records we were able to set up an interview. So, without further adieu, here you go:
Johnnie Bolin took some time to answer some questions for the Hellion Rocks!
1. There was always music of some form in my house as I was growing up. Was there a lot of music around the Bolin household when you were a child?
#1. Music non stop, Elvis, Beatles, Wes Monk, Hendrix, and later Tommy!
2. When did you start playing music? How did you end up behind a drum kit?
#2. I was playin’ my parents chairs wearin’ them out, but 1st I got a bass,then a Danelectro long-horn, THEN Finally drums-Tommy taught me guitar.
3. Do you play any other instruments?
#3. Guitar as U know.
4. I know you started performing at a young age. What can you remember feeling during those first performances?
#4. Scared, not knowing all the responsibilities of a drummer, I could play by myself but a drummer has to carry a heavy load, in time.
5. Were you into many bands during your youth?
#5. Probably around 4 till graduation. Horn bands as a kid, then Humble Pie, Spooky Tooth, Free, The Who…
6. Did you have formal music lessons?
#6. No formal lessons, just would watch and listened to every good drummer I could.
7. How did you get involved with Black Oak Arkansas?
#7. BOA used to play in Mpls. where I lived and played for about 12 yrs. Our band backed up Black Oak and I got to know Jim Dandy pretty well and he knew Tommy, so when his drummer left I jumped aboard, 22 yrs ago!!
8. Tell me about being inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association’s Hall of Fame.
#8. Tommy and I are in both Iowa and South Dakota Hall of Fame. It’s great being recognized for something you’ve done all your life.
9. What would you say to young artists trying to break out into the music world?
#9. This world is different then mine. One thing still applies, practice makes perfect!
10. What are you currently listening to new or classic?
#10. I listen to the same stuff I did when I was a kid, and some newer funk, soul, dance stuff!
11. The floor is open. Tell us what ever you wish:
#11. As Edgar Winter once said, “Keep playin’ that Rock n’Roll”, thank U James!
DEATH OF AN ERA’S NEW EP, THE GREAT COMMONWEALTH,OUT TODAY (ARTERY RECORDINGS/RAZOR & TIE) – iTunes HERE
(New York, NY) – Death of an Era’s new EP The Great Commonwealthis out today(Artery Recordings/Razor & Tie) – on iTunes HERE (http://bit.ly/DOAEiTunes). The Great Commonwealth EPwas produced by Kevin Lankford.
Formed last year, the Columbus, OH based death metal band Death of an Era is the latest addition to join the Artery Recordings, the joint venture between The Artery Foundation and Razor & Tie. After a year supporting their self-released Reviler EP, this collective of high school friends had risen out of the Ohio underground and into the national spotlight. Alternative Press featured them in AP&R, and they carved out a rabid core of fans through relentless touring and an incomparable sound. Confronting everything from child abuse and drug addiction to deceit and bullying head-on, the group—Daniel Simpson [vocals], Nathan Stewart [guitar], Dustin Colling [guitar], and brothers Chris [bass] and Michael Cooper [drums]—offer catharsis in the face of chaos.
I have always had a fascination with The Doors. Their music, lyrics, and mystique beckoned me at a very young age. The Doors took me on many, many trips through their music. One of the many cool things about Ray was the fact The Doors lacked a bassist, so Manzarek usually played the bass parts on a Fender Rhodes Piano. Wow, that was cool. I will miss you Ray, thank you for the music. I will shed a tear for you brother.
Bret Campbell – Vocals
Matt Molloy – Guitar/Vocals
Jordan Hankey – Bass/Vocals
Beau Bricher – Drums/Vocals
Little did I know that when I picked Strikes At One as a band to check out I would actually get a chance to see them live and interview them. I received a message from them on Facebook saying they would be playing a show near me on their way to Rocklahoma. We set up an interview and had a good time hanging out. We got to see an interesting set from them (including a rising police car, Beau drumming from behind a plexiglass screen, screams of “Santana”, and a micro stage). All in all an interesting evening from one kick ass band.
There are moments in Rock N’ Roll music that would be cool to have seen. The birth of the Beatles, the beginning of the punk rock movement,Led Zeppelin in their glory days, Aerosmith when they first hit the scene, Guns N’ Roses when they were still hungry and raw. These are but a few moments in Rock N’ Roll music that stand out. Well my friends, the powers of Rock N’ Roll music have struck again with Sunset Riot.
Hailing from Australia, these guys went to ground and did their homework. Seeking inspiration from their Rock N’ Roll heroes, Sunset Riot delivers a brand of Rock N” Roll that, while familiar, is uniquely their own.
Members JP – guitars/vocals, Dellacoma Rio – vocals, Ziggy Scott – guitars/vocals, Resh – drums, and Simo – bass, each bring their unique personalities to the band and give it life and magic. I say magic because I have seen people from all backgrounds simply fall in love with the band and their music after witnessing a Sunset Riot show. Yes Sunset Riot puts on a “show”, no getting onstage and staring at their shoes for these guys. They take us back to a time when Rock N’ Roll was fun and it was an event. Exploding onto stage with swagger and power they will make you smile.
Dellacoma Rio- vocals; Del brings everything you want in a front man. He does not limit himself to the stage, at one show I was at he actually left the venue and was singing to the people outside the club and encouraging them to come in, at another he jumped up and was swinging from the light rigging. Del draws you into the show by coming into the crowd and singing with you. Then, of course, there is the sex appeal for the ladies. He plays up to the women by singing to them and giving them that moment of unabashed enjoyment. Del has definitely brought back the iconic figure of the front men of old.
Del working the crowd
JP – guitars/vocals: JP brings that classic guitar hero right back around. Feeling every note that he plays, and showing it, he will make you feel them too. JP has taken all that is cool about guitar players and amplified to 11 and beyond. You will hear nods to some of your favorite guitarists of the past in JP’s style of playing. Jumping in periodically on vocals JP rounds out his all out rock star image.
JP – owning on guitar
Ziggy- guitars/vocals: Ziggy gives Sunset Riot that twin guitar sound we all know and love. Ziggy’s playing complements JP’s so well and yet stands out on its own. From rhythm to lead his toolbox of tricks is top-notch. Providing backup vocals and harmonies makes Ziggy invaluable to the Sunset Riot sound.
Ziggy an all out rockstar
Resh – drums: Although quiet and reserved in person, Resh is a beast onstage. An impeccable drummer with just enough flair to compliment his playing without hindering it. I was quite surprised to recently learn that he also plays guitar making him a musician of top-notch caliber. Smiles and positive mental attitude make Resh a joy to know.
Resh the master of the beat
Simo – bass: Young and full of enthusiasm Simo is quite the solid player. Simo flies about the stage as if he had wings, all smiles and hair. Simo’s style of playing is reminiscent of early Cliff Burton and Jason Newstead. Holding down the bottom end in perfect sync with Resh, Simo is a recent addition to Sunset Riot and an addition that was well-played by them.
Simo spreading the love
Sunset Riot is a band poised on greatness. They are ready to champion the cause of feel good Rock N’ Roll that we all remember and love. The band has fun on stage, smiles, high fives, playing off of each others moves.
Sunset Riot LIVE!!!
The music of Sunset Riot is infectious, you WILL find yourself humming or singing their songs after being exposed to them. In a recent conversation with Del’s father, Terry, he mentioned to me of a 90-year-old woman and her 40-year-old son who caught Sunset Riot at a show and were impressed enough with the band they went and introduced themselves.
My good friend and brother Charlie Owens is the one responsible for introducing me to this band and he has been their champion for quite a while now. I, in turn, have introduced others to this band. They are totally self funded and are currently on their third US tour entirely on their own. It will take all of us to help this band achieve their place in the music world that they deserve. So do Rock N’ Roll a favor and spread the word.
Now, crank up your speakers, fire up the big screen, and enjoy this bit of a live Sunset Riot performance I shot recently, you will understand what I mean.
the Hellion Rocks 