Monthly Archives: December 2013

2013 was a great year for the Hellion Rocks, bring on 2014!!!

by

1

178928_10150973183505972_426071352_n 2013 was great year for us here at the Hellion Rocks. Killer interviews, great shows and hanging with even cooler people. It’s very cool when you get to talk to artists you have grown to admire. It’s even cooler when they message you and stay in contact with you. It’s a great feeling when you also help to spread the word of a new up-and-coming band as well. In the past year I have learned how small the music community really is. It is amazing the connections that lead to other connections and how the music brings us all together.

I have to give thanks to my cohorts at Bleach Bangs Radio, Charlie Owens and Randy Norris. These guys are my brothers plain and simple. They are the embodiment of awesome and I am proud to work with them.

     Eddie’s Mates holds a special place in my heart as well. Sandy and Sean have not only helped us with Bleach Bangs Radio they also made the logo for the Hellion Rocks! Thanks EM!!!

18222_506710132693748_815406802_n

I have to thank my wife Dani for giving me the courage and strength to reach out and chase this crazy dream. She is ALWAYS there for me.

There are so many people who mean the world to me as well: Mike Araiza, Jeff Sandoval, Adam Joad, Jake Delling LeBas, Redd Yoachum and the rest from Scattered Hamlet, Craw Cajun and Kat Ford, Death Alley Motor Cult, Kurt Arft, Wornstar Clothing, Justin Manning and Crowned By Fire, and Dellacoma Rio and the Sunset Riot guys, Steve Helmer, Dave Gold, and Bobby Siekkinen . Those are just a few from an incredible list.

Thank you to all of the publicists that have worked with me this year as well. Here’s looking towards a productive 2014!!!

Thanks to Blabbermouth.net and Circus Magazine for picking up some of my interviews! I am honored and humbled.

Lastly but far from least I wish I could personally thank each and every one of the 60,000 people from the 140 countries around the world who dropped in on this site last year. I hope you enjoyed it and let me know what you want to see here in the future.

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!

see ya in 2014 – the Hellion

Steve Civerolo talk about The Ground Beneath “Self Titled”

by

0

1383319_10151869137630999_190147884_n

 

1012791_580678251972884_1454272681_n

 

     It’s always a fun time talking with Steve from the Ground Beneath. We got lucky and he gave an exclusive interview about the upcoming TGB release “Self Titled”. He even let us play a track off of the new record. Check it out right here: 

Be sure to check out The Ground Beneath online at: https://www.facebook.com/thegroundbeneath http://www.thegroundbeneath.com/

1012503_10151935981077033_136787023_n

     if you happen to be in the Albuquerque, NM area on January the 17th you can experience The Ground Beneath at their CD release show at the Launchpad!

1395935_10152016325252033_2069515861_n

      it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s THE GROUND BENEATH!!

     the hHellion

The REVEREND HORTON HEAT – Albuquerque, NM 12/27/2013

by

2

the stage is set

the stage is set

It was a very cool show that I witnessed the night of 12/27/13 at the Launchpad in Albuquerque, NM. The Reverend Horton Heat was in town. I talked to some people waiting at the door and found that they were from Durango Colorado and had come for the stylings of the Reverend.

Jim "Reverend Horton" Heath

Jim “Reverend Horton” Heath

There was an interesting mix in the crowd from the young to the much older. There were people dressed “Rockabilly” style to some metal heads. I have not seen the venue that crowded in quite a while, it was very refreshing.

The Reverend and Jimbo Wallace

The Reverend and Jimbo Wallace

I listened to the crowd talk about RHH and heard some interesting tales:  “This is the 16th time I’ve seen them ” said one guy, “I remember when I was a little girl and my uncle took me to see them”, a lady recounted, “They are kinda like the Grateful Dead for me. When they tour I follow them around so I don’t miss out”, said an older gentleman, “The musical style of RHH is what I grew up on. I am so glad they are still carrying the torch”, from a 20ish guy.

Th Reverend and Jimbo showing how it's done!

Th Reverend and Jimbo showing how it’s done!

I have been to many, many shows. Been in the pits of destruction of metal mayhems, most were tame in comparison when RHH got down to business. There was hardly room to breathe much less try to take some pictures, but we all loved it.

Scott Churilla keeping time

Scott Churilla keeping time

Jimbo Wallace kickin' your ass!

Jimbo Wallace kickin’ your ass!

I was so glad to the support for this energetic and very talented band. I have enjoyed The Reverend Horton Heat for quite awhile now, and I can say they are here to stay! They played song after song and the crowd sang along right with them. There was a mixture of old and new songs from their upcoming release “Rev” which is due out late January on Victory Records Thanks guys, and thanks to Victory Records for inviting me to the show and setting me up with a phone interview with Jim Heath to take place this Monday 12/30/13 (look for it next week with more show photos!)

the rhythm section of RHH

the rhythm section of RHH

RHH in action!

RHH in action!

it’s loud, it’s a psychobilly freakout, it’s the Reverend Horton Heat!

the Hellion

Happy Holidays from the Hellion Rocks!

by

0

BeFunky_20131224_124854.jpg

 

2013 was an AWESOME year! I got to photograph and interview some GREAT artists and make  a lot of new friends. Thank you to you all for stopping in and checking things out! We’re planning on bringing you bigger and better things in 2014! I’m already backed up with CD reviews!

 

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!

the Hellion

THE EXODUS ATTACK COMING TO FEAR FESTEVIL!

by

0

THE EXODUS ATTACK COMING TO FEAR FESTEVIL!

image003

OH YES YES YES!

We here at your lil’ old Fear Festevil delighted to be able to confirm the appearance of legendary Bay Area thrashers EXODUS on February 9, 2014.

When it comes to thrash metal, in particular Bay Area thrash, Exodus are one of the true Godfathers. Formed in 1980 by guitarist Tim Agnello, drummer Tom Hunting, bassist Carlton Melson and some other six-stringer called Kirk Hammett, Agnello soon left, allowing Hammett’s guitar tech Gary Holt to step up and in. Hammett then stumbled across Paul Baloff, a demo was recorded, Hammett left to join some other upstarts, Rick Hunolt took the other guitar and the rest became history. Their 1984 debut Bonded By Blood is a stonewall genre classic, and with cranium crunching classics such as ‘”A Lesson In Violence”, “Strike Of The Beast” and “Burn, Hollywood, Burn” we can promise that this will not be a calm or gentle soiree more than an aural beatdown. The current line-up of Holt, Lee Altus on guitar, Hunting, Jack Gibson on bass and Rob Dukes on vocals has been in place since 2007. Exodus‘ last album was 2010’s Exhibit B: The Human Condition on Nuclear Blast Records, and the band have just started working on new material for a prospective release later in 2014. http://www.fearfestevil.com/

fearfestevil_2014-920x300

Lynam – Halfway To Hell EP

by

0

lynamhalfwayepcover

 

1. Rise Up
2. Halfway To Hell
3. Dead Mans Parade
4. Cold
5. Store Bought Halo
6. Wrong Side Of The Grave

     Are you ready for a dose of hard charging, balls out Rock N’ Roll? Lynam delivers with their new EP Halfway To Hell. It’s all here: catchy hooks, swagger, great image, and songs that you’ll find yourself humming well after the CD is over. Dirty guitar driven songs are what you find here and I, for one, sure missed them. Bringing to mind the fun and spectacle of the 80’s, but with their own style and flavor Lynam has a hit on their hands.

    Lynam is comprised of Jacob Bunton – Vocals/Guitar, David Lynam – Drums/Vocals, Lonny Paul – Guitar/Vocals, Mark Dzier- Bass/Vocals. These boys have done their homework on their influences. Motley Crue, Foo Fighters, Guns N Roses, Greenday are but some of their inspirations.

     Hell I can’t even find a stand out track on this record because they are all worth listening to, over and over and over. Gang vocals behind a top notch singer, sleazy guitars, nasty bass lines, all held together by a tight drummer makes this all work.

     I HIGHLY recommend this record, it’s like those potato chips “once you start listening to it , you can’t stop”!

     Check out Lynam on the web:  www.twitter.com/lynammusic www.lynammusic.com https://www.facebook.com/lynammusic

     Here’s the lyric video for “Halfway To Hell” :

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s LYNAM!!!

     the Hellion

LYNAM NEW EP “HALFWAY TO HELL” OUT TODAY

by

0

LYNAM NEW EP “HALFWAY TO HELL” OUT TODAY

lynamhalfwayepcover

 December 17th, 2013  – The new EP from  Birmingham, AL rock band Lynam entitled “Halfway To Hell” is out today via New Ocean Media. The album was produced by the band and longtime producer Jason Elgin (Collective Soul, Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster, Terrible Things). The EP features six songs. A lyric video for the title track can be viewed at this link:

Lynam consists of Jacob Bunton (lead vocals, guitar), David Lynam (drums), Mark Dzier (bass), and Lonny Paul (guitar). 
 
Halfway To Hell track listing:
 
01. Rise Up
02. Halfway To Hell
03. Dead Man’s Parade
04. Cold
05. Store Bought Halo
06. Wrong Side Of The Grave
 
In 2006, LYNAM signed a deal with DRT/Universal and released the critically acclaimed album “Slave To The Machine”. The follow-up CD, “Tragic City Symphony”, was released in 2008 on Megaforce/Mascot Records and featured the radio singles “Save My Soul”, “Lindsay Says” and “Porn Star”. All three singles reached the Top 10 on the Active Rock independent chart, with “Save My Soul”reaching Top 5. A live album entitled “Thank You Goodnight!” was released November 2010 through Island Def Jam/New Ocean Media. Shortly after the release of “Thank You Goodnight!”, frontman Jacob Bunton joined up with formerGUNS N’ ROSES drummer Steven Adler to form the band ADLER and bassist Mark Dzier filmed the movie Rock Of Ages as part of the fictitious band Arsenal led byTom Cruise.
 
 
For more  information, check out the band’s website:
 
Lynam Facebook: 
 
Lynam Twitter:

 

Regarding Red Dragon Cartel vocalist DARREN JAMES SMITH

by

18

RDC

Well, I have read and listened to people discuss the debut performance of Red Dragon Cartel at the world famous Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood. Darren James Smith was raked over the coals and drug through the street. Apparently he had an off night, well that sometimes happens. If you have ever performed on stage in any capacity you know what I’m talking about. There are many things that can affect a performance: nerves, illness, preoccupation with something, or sometimes you are just not feeling it. I have been there before, it happens. It pained me to see people attacking Darren as they did,  I’m sure it hurt him. People were saying “he’s no Ray Gillen” we know that and I don’t think Jake E. Lee was trying to recreate another Badlands either, this was a new band with new life. There are several things that I feel (and these are just my opinions) affected this show in particular. First off the amount of press this show got was immense, no pressure there right? A lot of bands have time to hone their live performances before the press descends upon them. Not these guys,  we were inundated with minute to minute updates.  Second, I understand he had strep throat which sucks on any level but for a vocalist it’s devastating. Being sick and performing really does suck, been there, done that. Pile on these things to pushing yourself, learning songs, traveling it all adds up. 

I am sure that Red Dragon Cartel did not just pick Darren James Smith arbitrarily. There was something there and some chemistry between them that sparked the fire. Let’s give them the chance to find their groove and rock our ears!

I does my heart to good to see the smile on the face of  Jake E. Lee. He is writing songs and back on stage where he belongs.

Oh yeah, “Bark At The Moon” – Thanks Jake we know you wrote it!

1459844_710376942325485_223941445_n

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Rock N ‘Roll

the Hellion

Rock Radio Legend LOU BRUTUS Holds First Ever Photo Exhibition – Ten LOU BRUTUS Concert Photos Are Currently Up for Bid on eBay with All Money Going to Wounded Warrior Project‏

by

0

Rock Radio Legend LOU BRUTUS Holds First Ever Photo Exhibition

Ten LOU BRUTUS Concert Photos Are Currently Up for Bid on eBay with All Money Going to Wounded Warrior Project

Brutus Will Meet with Fans in Madison, WI on Saturday December 14, 2013 at An Exhibition of the Photographs. Select Images Will Also Be Shown in the Lobby of Madison’s Orpheum Theatre That Evening

 

Rock Radio legend LOU BRUTUS, who was recently voted Best DJ in America by voters in the Rock Radio Awards sponsored by Radio Contraband, is exhibiting his concert photography for the very first time with ten of the images currently being auctioned on eBay to benefit Wounded Warrior Project.

The photographs, taken at various locations around the United States, include onstage images of Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, Stone Sour, Shinedown, Halestorm, Disturbed, KoRn, Volbeat, and Jackyl. The photos, culled from the thousands Brutus has shot over his career, were chosen via fan votes on his Facebook page. Each has been framed and matted with the mat hand signed by Brutus in pencil.

Apart from his broadcast career, Lou is an accomplished photographer.  His lighthouse photography has graced magazine covers and he has worked the last six seasons as an on field Major League Baseball photographer. He often shoots rock bands as he travels the world to interview them. This is the first time his photography has ever been available for purchase.

 

Brutus will exhibit the photographs and meet with fans at Diego’s at 118 State Street in Madison, WI on Saturday December 14, 2013 beginning at 4:30pm CT. Admission is free to the public. While the auction will be closed by that time, those photos will be displayed as well as other images by Brutus that can be won by raffle with the proceeds again benefiting Wounded Warrior Project. Following which, select images from the exhibit will be set up for viewing in the lobby of the Orpheum Theatre in Madison at the Halestorm/Redlight King/Stars in Stereo show.

LOU BRUTUS is best known for his seventeen plus years of national syndication as the host of hardDrive with Lou Brutus and hardDrive XL with Lou Brutus, which can be heard on over 100 radio stations nationwide, as well as his work on other national radio platforms. He has done local shows in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, and Providence.

Brutus has also hosted radio specials and/or created radio channels for Metallica, Slipknot, Stone Sour, Rush, Disturbed, Theory of a Deadman, Smashing Pumpkins, and countless others. He was the very first to give national airplay to innumerable bands including Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Halestorm, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack and Sevendust.

LOU BRUTUS is currently working on his first book. It’s a collection of music industry war stories and photography, mixed with the museum sized collection of music memorabilia he has collected in his travels including thousands of backstage passes, ticket stubs, guitar picks, and concert posters. It will be entitled “One Man – Two Thousand Concerts: The Greatest Freakin’ Collection of Music Junk and Stories in History.” Sample chapter titles include “The Time Our Tour Bus Ran Over A Suicidal Crack Head on the New Jersey Turnpike,” “The Time I Hid in A Broom Closet So Frank Sinatra’s Bodyguards Wouldn’t Break My Legs, Wrap Me in Chain Link Fence & Drop Me Into the Ocean”, and “The Time I Went to the Arctic and Got In A Mosh Pit with A Bunch of Eskimos While Metallica Sang About Fucking A Goat.”

www.loubrutus.com

www.grumpyoldpunks.com

www.deadschembechlers.com

www.twitter.com/loubrutus

www.facebook.com/loubrutusrocks

FRET 12 RELEASING 3 NEW GUITAR INSTRUCTIONAL DVD’S JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

by

0

FRET 12 RELEASING 3 NEW GUITAR INSTRUCTIONAL DVD’S JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

 

The Popular The Sound and the Story Series Returns With New Installments from Josh Rand of Stone Sour, Jim Root from Slipknot/Stone Sour and Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti of Alter Bridge

 

(December 12, 2013 – New York, NY) – Fret12 is proud to announce 3 new installments in their ever-expanding lineup of the popular guitar instructional/documentary series, The Sound and the Story. The new installments feature Josh Rand of Stone Sour, Jim Root from Slipknot/Stone Sour and Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti of Alter Bridge. The Sound and The Story DVD series is quickly becoming known for featuring comprehensive guitar lessons taught by the artist – featuring fan-favorite songs. All 3 versions are available for order on the Fret12 website in various configurations and can be found at www.fret12.com.

 

The Josh Rand installment of The Sound and the Story features over 90 minutes of lessons taught by Josh and also offers a never-before-seen look inside the dramatic life story of Stone Sour’s guitarist. The lessons include tips on alternate picking, finger independence, hammer ons/pull offs, string skipping, sweep picking, musical modes and exotic scales. In addition there are in-depth lessons on how to play 7 of Josh’s signature solos. It also includes a 46-page tablature book that was verified by Josh himself. A preview for Josh Rand: The Sound and the Story can be seen here: http://tinyurl.com/JoshRandPreview.

 

Slipknot/Stone Sour guitarist Jim Root’s 2-disc collection offers an-depth look at the origins of his style, the sounds that add up to create his signature sound, and the emotional story that has molded him into the musician he is today. Jim Root: The Sound and the Story features 11 complete songs: covering solos, riffs, leads, overlays, effects usage and more! Jim’s DVD set includes a 60-minute documentary and over 3 ½ hours of lessons. A preview for Jim Root: The Sound and the Story can be seen here: http://tinyurl.com/JimRootPreview.

 

Mark Tremonti of Alter Bridge is no stranger to The Sound and the Story series. He made one previously after Alter Bridge released their Blackbird album. Now Mark returns for his second installment with Myles Kennedy by his side. Together they walk you through each song from Alter Bridge’s latest release, Fortress. The 2-disc set contains in-depth track-by-track instruction of the critically acclaimed album. There is also a 45-minute documentary featuring an in-studio look at the recording of Fortress and interviews that highlight the band’s creative process.  Alter Bridge: The Sound and the Story will be available later this month.

 

Along with the DVDs, fans can connect at FRET12.com; which offers a full online store catering to guitarists and guitar culture. FRET12 also features tablature, over 250 professional guitarist interviews and rig tours, as well as social platforms with active followings of guitar enthusiasts, musicians and fans to interact and network with.

 

www.Fret12.com