Here is the link to a very cool conversation I had with Jaxon from (həd) p.e., sit back and enjoy and then tell some friends!:
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!
the Hellion
Monthly Archives: July 2014
Pat Torpey from Mr. Big has a health battle in front of him
Los Angeles, CA. The rock band, MR BIG, announced today that its drummer, Pat Torpey, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and unfortunately will be unable to perform all of his normal drumming duties on the band’s upcoming World Tour in support of the band’s new album, …The Stories We Could Tell.
“ I’ve been dealing with Parkinson’s symptoms for the past couple of years and only recently received a confirmed diagnosis as symptoms worsened. I intend to fight the disease with same intensity and tenacity that I drum and live my life by and will continue recording and performing, as always, to the best of my ability. “, stated Torpey.
MR BIG intends to announce a drummer in the near future whom will handle most of MR BIG’s drumming duties on the Fall 2014 tour and expects Torpey to jump on the drums on suitable live songs as well as participating in the groups acoustic set.
We all wish Pat the best in his fight. The Hellion Rocks and Bleach Bangs Radio will kepp him in our thoughts.
With love and respect – the Hellion
Finding strength through adversity- guitarist Randy “the Arsonist” Cooper
photo courtesy of Randy Cooper’s Facebook page
I first met Randy a few years ago at a show in NM. We hit it off and have remained friends and stayed in contact ever since. In getting to know Randy and the strength and tenacity he possesses has been inspiring to say the least. While life has seen fit to try and throw roadblocks ( there have been several and they shall remain personal out of respect for Randy) at him he blasts through them like a rock n’ roll juggernaut.
When I first bore witness to the performing and playing style of Randy I was blown away. It was obvious that he was inspired by the late great Dimebag (if you look closely at his headstock you will see two dimes, message me if you don’t get the reference) and yet he remained true to his own style of playing. Straight up in your ears power coupled with thoughtful melodies are what Randy shares with us in his music.
I have seen Randy move on with his life and career in a positive way. He recently added his talent to the band Emperors And Elephants. I have really come to like this band and their straight up sound. Here’s taste for ya:
Randy you continue to inspire and give me hope, thank you my dear friend.
he’s loud, he’s on fire, he’s Randy “the Arsonist” Cooper!
the Hellion
These vocalists are top notch and they should be in your ears!!!
The power and swagger of a vocalist are often times what makes up your first impression of a band. I want to bring several of the vocalists to your attention just in case you might have missed them.
Let’s get started with a vocalist near and ear to me, Jeffery Sandoval.
photo by the Hellion Rocks
I first saw Jeffery singing in a cover band in Albuquerque, NM. I have since seen him grow and expand into several projects including: Of The Earth, Frank Hannon, and more recently his new endeavor with guitarist Mike Araiza. Jeffery is the kind of vocalist I grew up loving. Power, emotion, and soul all live within the voice of Jeffery. As a front man he is the quintessential party host who welcomes you to the show and makes damn sure you are having the time of your life. Be sure to check him out on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/JeffandMikeMusic
We next move on to John Fitterer.
Crowned By Fire hit me like a steamroller driven by a driver on acid. Vocalist John Fitterer brings a certain uniqueness to the table. The lyrics and style of John are straight out of another world. When John sings it’s like nothing you have heard before. His lyrics are deep and at sometimes seem as if from another world. On record his voice is powerful and compelling, live it is thunderous and hypnotic. As a front man he grabs you by the hand and drags you into a world of musical wonder in which you never know what is hiding around the corner to grab you. John and Crowned By Fire can be found on Facebook right here: https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire
And then there is Dellacóma Rio.
photo by the Hellion Rocks
Over the last few years Dellacóma has become near and dear to my heart. The first time I saw Del he was singing for the now defunct Sunset Riot. I was so blown away by his “RockStar” performance. A powerful stadium rock voice full of emotion is what Del brings to the table. Not only was he an outstanding vocalist, he was a showman extraordinaire. I knew from the get go that no stage could contain the kinetic energy of Del Rio. He has since moved on to his new project simply named, Dellacóma. Del continues to work his ass off by getting out and hustling up show after show. Del has so much class and style and definitely knows how to bring the audience into an enraptured state of well being and happiness. I often look around and see that almost everyone in the crowd is smiling and enjoying the music and performance Del Brings. Love ya my brother! This is where you can find Del on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dellacoma/timeline
The Appalachian Apostle…Adam Joad
photo by the Hellion Rocks
Ahh Adam…we go back a few years now and I am still wowed every time I see Adam and his band Scattered Hamlet. Adam sweats swagger and pisses pure testosterone. Full of cock sureness and reckless hillbilly attitude, Adam delivers it all with not only a one-two punch but a kick to the groin as well. While his voice is far from perfect and full of prettiness, I can’t imagine Scattered Hamlet sound any other way. Moonshine and razor-blades are the closest thing Adam has to a sound. Full of mountain wisdom, philosophy, and words Adam gives Scattered Hamlet a style unto itself. Imagine that band that used to play the keg parties you used to hang out at amplified to 100 and you can just begin to imagine a Scattered Hamlet show. I have become close to Adam and am very proud to consider him family. Believe you me, this is a Facebook page worth liking: https://www.facebook.com/ScatteredHamlet?ref=br_tf
There you have it, a variety of frontmen who should be heard everywhere!
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!
the Hellion
Guitarist Mike Araiza and why you should be listening to him
photo credit: Jeff Serpa
Guitar face, we have all seen it and loved it, but do we really understand it. I have seen that face on Mike Araiza many times. Mike and I have discussed it at great length on many occasions. This is my take on it and why it pertains to Mike.
The first time I saw Mike perform live was at a small bar with an even smaller stage. My wife and I were told about this great cover band called Surface that people were raving about. Mike happened to be one of the guitarist in the band. I was drawn to his playing style like a moth to a flame. Here was this bespectacled bald guy and he was playing like he was performing at the LA Forum, or Madison Square Garden. The raw emotion and soul went from Mike to his guitar, out of his amps and into my musical soul. I was FEELING every note that he was bleeding out. If he could impart that much into the songs of others I could only imagine what his original music would sound like.
I got the chance when Mike along with his musical partner Jeff Sandoval released the powerful Of The Earth EP. Mike continued to bring music that was jam packed with feeling and emotion and yet remained simple and enjoyable. This continued with the subsequent Frank Hannon Six String Soldiers release and the current Jeff Sandoval Mike Araiza Project tracks.
I grew up listening to the now iconic guitar players like EVH, Randy Rhoads, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix….the list goes on and on, and they all had great guitar faces. I am proud to list Mike Araiza among those icons, and even prouder to call him brother.
Mike has a rougher time now days with the music industry being a shambles as it is. It is harder for a quality player like him to be heard on a wide scale. Trust me though, you should be listening to him and his music. It takes me back to those simpler times when you picked up your friends, cranked up the radio, and drove around getting lost in the music and good times. It’s all there again in the music Mike makes.
Do yourself a favor and listen to his music and share it with a friend, they will love you for it.
https://www.facebook.com/JeffandMikeMusic?ref=br_tf
Check out the guitar face on Mike right here:
Thank you for the music Mike, love ya my brother!
It’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Mike “Guitar Face” Araiza!!!
-the Hellion
the Hellion Rocks 