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Author Archives: janaya64
Emphatic sign to Pavement Entertainment
Pavement Entertainment welcomes Nebraska’s Emphatic to the roster. Emphatic’s brand of melodic hard rock has gained them much acclaim by fans and critics alike with their albums “Damage” and “Another Life”, along with 4 singles charting in the top 40 active rock charts.
The band is currently playing select live shows while writing their new album slated for a late 2014 release. “With some welcomed changes that have occurred with Emphatic, we felt it necessary to get back into the studio and make an album that reflects the current vision of the band” states guitarist Justin McCain who will also be producing the new album. “We are excited about this new opportunity and look forward to the road ahead”.
The band has suffered through some changes in its past but according to Pavement’s Director of A&R Tim King, “Any band that has longevity and is in it for the long haul had to suffer through ups and downs. This includes changes with labels, management, and sometimes even band members. There are so many bands that just pack it in and call it a day when things get tough. Bands like Emphatic separate the men from the boys. The band’s determination and great songwriting is a key factor as to why I signed them to Pavement. We have many great things planned for these guys”
The producer: the unsung (for the most part) hero of the music industry
You ever listen to some music and think to yourself “Wow, that sounds great!” I’m not talking about the band or the song, I’m talking about the SOUND of it. The drums are huge, the bass is punchy, the guitar tones come through, the vocals have presence, and the entire package is clean and brilliant.
So how did it get that way? Proper production that’s how. A lot of things are necessary to making a recording with great quality: the band and their songs , recording equipment and place to record, and a producer.
The pre-production process is a necessity for any recording project. This is an opportunity for the band and the producer to put their heads together and come up with a battle plan to record the band and their songs in the best way. Often times during this process the songs are reworked with the assistance of the producer in order to maximize the tracks for recording. I have spoken to producers who have told me that sometimes a band has reworked all of their songs intended for an album based upon the producers’s input.
Over the years some producers have become stars in their own right often sought out by artists for the particular “sound” that is associated with them . Does this change the band? I don’t think so, in fact, I think that a working relationship between a band and a producer over time can become a magical thing. Think of the relationship between Rick Rubin and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, magic, sheer magic.
Sometimes the artist puts on the producer’s hat as well. This can work for some and be too daunting for others. I feel that this can be exhausting both physically and mentally and takes a superhuman effort to pull off.
Then there is the producer who is also a musician who does double duty, producing AND playing on project he is working on. While this sounds like it would be cool for the producer it makes me wonder if something is lost on either side because of the hard work it takes to play and produce. I know some who have pulled it off successfully, more power to them. Chris Collier and his double duty work on the Jeff Sandoval and Mike Araiza Project song “It’s All I Need” comes quickly to mind.
Here’s a piece of advice to up and coming bands: Do yourself a favor and make sure you pay attention to the production of your recordings, it will pay off in the end.
I wish to thank the following producers for the body of work they have given to the world of music: George Clinton, Roy Thomas Baker, Jerry Wexler, Jimmy Miller, Trevor Horn, Steve Lillywhite, Jeff Lynne, Jimmy Iovine, Sam Phillips, Berry Gordy, Mutt Lange, Teo Macero, Jim Steinman, Chris Thomas, Daniel Lanois, Todd Rundgren, T Bone Burnett, Arif Mardin, Brian Wilson, Brian Eno, Rick Rubin, Phil Spector, Nile Rodgers, Quincy Jones, Sir George Martin, Chris Collier, Sterling Winfield, Steve Thompson. While in no means complete, these producers quickly come to mind for me.
In conclusion, take out that favorite recording and listen to it, I mean REALLY listen to it. The mix of bass, drums, guitars, and overall presence combined with the talent of the band. Then look at the production credits, seek out the producer and thank them.
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!
-the Hellion
the Hellion Rocks presents: Pat Harrington of GAGGLE OF COCKS
Dirty Rock N’ Roll, you know I love it. I was taken aback when I first heard the name GAGGLE OF COCKS, I shut up and listened when I heard them. I believe you will dig these cats as well so check out the interview with Pat Harrington right here:
Here’s video for the track “Black Helicopters” for ya:
Be sure and check out GAGGLE OF COCKS online at:
http://gaggleofcocks.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/gaggleofcocks
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s GAGGLE OF COCKS!!!
– the Hellion
(Hed)P.E. and SOiL announce Born To Ride 2 Tour
Metal, rasta, punk infused heavyweights (hed)P.E. will embark on the “Born To Ride 2” tour with fellow label mates SOiL throughout May 2014. This tour follows 2012’s “Born To Ride” tour featuring both bands.
(Hed)P.E.’s forthcoming album “Evolution” is currently being mixed and is slated for a summer 2014 release on Pavement Entertainment. This is the follow up to 2010’s “Truth Rising”. According to vocalist Jahred, the album will be “Some of the heaviest material we have ever recorded”.
SOiL is currently supporting their new single “The Hate Song” which comes from the critically acclaimed new album “Whole”. Available digitally and in stores now.
Confirmed dates are as follows:
MAY 2014:
1 Arlington Heights, IL HOME bar
2 Waterloo, IA Reverb Rock Garden
4 Denver, CO Summit Theatre
7 Los Angeles, CA Whiskey A Go Go
8 Pomona, CA The Glass House
9 Las Vegas, NV LVCS
10 Tempe, AZ The Marquee
11 Ramona, CA Ramona Mainstage
13 Long Beach, CA Gaslamp
14 Fresno, CA Strummer’s
16 San Francisco, CA DNA
17 Sacramento, CA Ace Of Spades
18 Reno, NV Knitting Factory
20 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory
21 Seattle, WA Studio Seven
22 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre
24 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
25 Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep
30 Oklahoma City, OK The Chameleon Room (SOiL Only)
31 Kansas City, MO Kansas City Rockfest (SOiL Only)
Razor & Tie Hits #1 And #2 At Rock Radio With The Pretty Reckless and All That Remains
RAZOR & TIE HITS #1 AND #2 AT ACTIVE ROCK RADIO
– FIRST INDEPENDENT LABEL TO HOLD BOTH SPOTS
The Pretty Reckless “Heaven Knows” At #1
All That Remains “What If I Was Nothing” At #2
All That Remains “What If I Was Nothing” At #2
(New York, NY) – Razor & Tie celebrates the top two spots on the Active Rock Radio chart this week with The Pretty Reckless hit song “Heaven Knows” hitting #1 and All That Remains’ “What If I Was Nothing” landing at #2. Led by Razor & Tie Senior Vice President Promotions Kurt Steffek, this marks the first time an independent label has held the top two spots on the chart. The Pretty Reckless join All That Remains and P.O.D. as Razor & Tie bands that have gone to #1 on the rock charts.
Steffek comments, “I’m extremely proud of this accomplishment for Razor & Tie and couldn’t be happier for our bands. Hats off to some great A&R as well as the wonderful promo team that I work with.”
Razor & Tie Co-Owner’s Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam add, “We have made a commitment to work with the most inspiring artists in rock and this is an incredibly gratifying accomplishment. We are very fortunate to support The Pretty Reckless and All That Remains. More to come.
The Pretty Reckless celebrate this first #1 Radio hit in advance of their forthcoming album release, Going To Hell, on March 18th. The video for the “Heaven Knows” can be watched here: http://vevo.ly/GlreyE. The band, led by singer Taylor Momsen, has supported Evanescence, Guns N’ Roses and Marilyn Manson on tour in addition to headline runs in both the U.S. and abroad. The Pretty Reckless is currently supporting Fall Out Boy on tour in Europe and UK and look out for dates in North America this spring and summer.
“What If I Was Nothing” is from All That Remains’ album A War You Cannot Win. The album debuted at #13 on the Billboard Top 200. “What If I Was Nothing” also marks the band’s 6th Top 10 single at the format. The first single from the album, “Stand Up” reached #1 at Active Rock Radio. One of the leading rock/metal bands in music today, ATR has sold more than 1 million combined albums to date and 1,500,000 tracks to date.
An exciting time in the label’s history, Razor & Tie has upcoming releases from Chiodos, Chelsea Grin and KYNG along with additional releases via the label’s new imprint Washington Square from The Hold Steady and Augustana.
ENTHRONED, NOISEY LAUNCH NEW TRACK “OF SHRINES AND SOVEREIGNS”
ENTHRONED, NOISEY LAUNCH NEW TRACK “OF SHRINES AND SOVEREIGNS”
10th studio album “Sovereigns” out April 15 on Agonia Records
BELGIUM – Belgium’s leading black metal force, Enthroned, has teamed up with Noisey to launch a new track, “Of Shrines and Sovereigns,” from the band’s upcoming full-length,Sovereigns. Stream the new song today at: http://noisey.vice.com/blog/enthroned-of-shrines-sovereigns-from-sovereign-LP before Sovereigns hits stores on April 15 via Agonia Records.
Sovereigns can be pre-ordered now in digipack CD, black vinyl, bone-white vinyl with green splatter limited to 100 hand numbered copies and exclusive BOX CD limited to 333 hand numbered copies (including: the new album released in exclusive jewel case edition, embroidered patch, flag and a lighter with band’s logo) at: https://www.agoniarecords.com/index.php?pos=shop&lang=en.
The follow up to the critically acclaimed, Obsidium (2012), Sovereigns was recorded and mixed in Enthroned’s own studio, Blackout Multimedia. The band’s 10th album drifts from sonic blast beats to oppressive slower parts, melds together aggressive shredding with forceful riffs, and blends satanic whispers with Nornagest’s trademark vocals. The release also welcomes a new drummer, Menthor, in the place of Garghuf and a new rhythm guitarist, ZarZax.
An additional Sovereigns track, “Of Feathers and Flames,” can be streamed on YouTube at
1. Anteloquium
2. Sine Qua Non
3. Of Feathers and Flames
4. Lamp of Invisible Lights
5. Of Shrines and Sovereigns
6. The Edge of Agony
7. Divine Coagulation
8. Baal al-Maut
9. Nerxiarxin Mahathallah
Stay tuned for more information on Enthroned and Sovereigns, out this spring on Agonia Records.
Enthroned is…
Nornagest – lead vocals & lead guitar
Phorgath – bass
Neraath – lead guitar
Menthor – drums
ZarZax – rhythm guitar
Enthroned online…
www.facebook.com/Frater.Silurian
www.facebook.com/agoniarecords
RINGWORM New Album Streaming at Invisible Oranges and Brooklyn Vegan
RINGWORM New Album Streaming at
Invisible Oranges and Brooklyn Vegan
Hammer of the Witch Available March 18th on Relapse Records
“Tore my head clean off my shoulders upon my first listen through”
-Metal Injection-
Cleveland’s legendary kings of metallic hardcore RINGWORM will release their new album and Relapse Records debut Hammer of the Witch March 18th in North America, March 17th for the UK/World and March 14th for Germany / Benelux / Finland. The album is available for pre-order from Relapse in CD, LP and digital formats at http://bit.ly/RingwormHammer. The deluxe iTunes edition is available for pre-order HERE. This version features two bonus tracks from RINGWORM‘s 2013 EP release Bleed
Beginning today Invisible Oranges and Brooklyn Vegan are hosting an exclusive full album stream of Hammer of the Witch. Listen to it on Invisible Oranges HERE and on Brooklyn Vegan HERE.
Starting this Wednesday, RINGWORM will embark on the “North American Inquisition: Chapter 1”. These dates begin March 12th in Nashville, TN and wrap up March 16th in St. Louis, MO. This run also includes an appearance on March 14th in Austin, TX as part of the 4th Annual Metal Sucks South By South Death Showcase. The show will take place at the Dirty Dog Bar.
Following the shows in early March, RINGWORM will be hitting the road in support of Hammer of the Witch beginning March 29th in Reading, PA, where the band will embark on a co-headline tour with Death Before Dishonor, which runs through April 19th in Lakewood, OH. A complete list of dates can be found below.
The band worked on Hammer of the Witch with Ben Schigel (Chimaira, Walls of Jericho) handling production duties at Spider Studios in Cleveland, OH and vocalist Human Furnace handling the album’s stunning cover art. Destined to be a mainstay in every hardcore metal fan’s headphones, RINGWORM‘s Hammer of the Witch serves to solidify the bands vital place in hardcore history. Noisey hails this work as “yet another achievement in a long line of uncompromising heavy [music] from these dudes,” while New Noise Magazine raves, “Everything you love about the brutalest, viciousest metal infused hardcore legends continues without missing a step.”
RINGWORM – North American Inquisition: Chapter 1
3/12: Nashville, TN @ Café Coco
3/13: Little Rock, AR @ Vinos
3/14: Austin, TX @ Dirty Dog Bar (Metal Sucks Showcase)
3/15: Oklahoma City, OK @ Industrial Skatepark
3/16: St. Louis, MO @ The Demo
RINGWORM Co-Headline with Before Dishonor:
3/29: Reading, PA @ Club Reverb
3/30: Patchogue, NY @ 89 North
3/31: Quincy, MA @ PRC
4/1: Baltimore, MD @ Charm City Art Space
4/2: Erie, PA @ Basement Transmissions
4/3: Columbus, OH @ KOBO Live
4/4: Covington, KY @ Legends
4/5: Johnson City, TN @ Hideaway
4/6: Jacksonville, FL @ Roc Bar
4/7: Pensacola, FL @ The Handlebar
4/8: Houston, TX @ Fitzgeralds (downstairs)
4/9: San Antonio, TX @ The Korova
4/10: El Paso, TX @ The Spot
4/11: Tucson, AZ @ The Rock
4/12: Pomona, CA @ Aladdin Jr.
4/13: San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside
4/14: Salt Lake City @ Shred Shred
4/15: Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
4/16: Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot
4/17: Sauk Rapids, MN @ Bubbas Bar
4/18: Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge
4/19: Lakewood, OH @ The Foundry
European Festivals:
8/6 – 8/9: Jaromer, CZ @ Brutal Assault w/Red Fang
8/9 – 8/11: Ieper, BE @ Ieperfest
For More Info Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/Ringworm13
KXM releases video for “Rescue Me”
Ray Luzier (KORN), dUG Pinnick (KING’S X), and George Lynch (LYNCH MOB) collectively known as KXM have released the video for “Rescue Me” off of their forthcoming Rat Pak Records release! Enjoy:
https://www.facebook.com/KXMofficial
http://www.ratpakrecordsamerica.com/kxm
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s KXM!
the Hellion
WINGER RELEASE VIDEO FOR DEBUT SINGLE “RAT RACE”
WINGER RELEASE VIDEO FOR DEBUT SINGLE “RAT RACE”
Latest Album Better Days Comin’ Available in
North America on April 22nd Via Frontiers Records
iTunes Pre-Order Available at http://smarturl.it/WingerDeluxe
(New York, NY – March 5th, 2014) –Winger returns this week with the first video from their upcoming Frontiers Records release Better Days Comin’. “Rat Race” is the debut single from the album being released in North America on April 22nd. The video for the song can be seen right here:
The video was also featured on the home page of Ultimate Classic Rock. The high-energy song and video alternates between black and white performance footage and color montages of life’s daily rat race. “Rat Race” was filmed in Nashville, TN and directed by Jason Green.
“In this day and age, how quick you think, hard you try,no matter how fast you run, someone is always gaining on you” states front man Kip Winger. “We wanted to make sure the video visually represented that.”
Better Days Comin’ is available for digital download via iTunes at http://smarturl.it/WingerDeluxe. Fans that pre-order the album will receive an instant download of the first single “Rat Race.” The album is also available for physical pre-order on Amazon.com in a standard (http://smarturl.it/WNGR_AmzCD) and deluxe configuration (http://smarturl.it/WNGR_AmzDLX). The deluxe edition comes in a glossy digipak and includes the bonus track “Another Beautiful Day” and a DVD including a Making of the Album documentary as well as the videos for “Rat Race” and title track “Better Days Comin’.” Fans can also order exclusive bundles, autographed items and more from the band’s webstore at http://bit.ly/1hJLPYw.
From the opening riff of album opener “Midnight Driver of a Love Machine” to the final outro lick of “Out Of This World,” it is clear Winger is back and better than ever. Hard rocking songs like “Queen Babylon,” progressive rock movements like “Tin Soldier,” and touching ballads like “Ever Wonder” show the band’s diversity while always centering on great songs. The band has always been known for their incredible musicianship and the trend continues on Better Days Comin’.
Winger formed in the late 1980’s and soared to immediate success with their 1988 self-titled release. The album spawned the hit singles “Seventeen” and “Headed For A Heartbreak” and achieved platinum sales status. Winger also stayed on the Billboard Top 200 chart for over 60 weeks where it peaked at #21. Their next album, In The Heart Of The Young, also achieved platinum status behind the singles “Can’t Get Enuff” and “Miles Away.” The change in musical climate of the mid-90’s, compounded with unprovoked ridicule on MTV’s popular Beavis and Butthead, led the band to go on hiatus in 1994. In 2001, the band reunited and have not looked back since. Winger has made a name for themselves with relentless touring, while winning back fans and critics alike because of their exceptional musicianship, Kip Winger’s powerful vocals and the band’s incredible songwriting.
Winger is comprised of Kip Winger on vocals/bass, Reb Beach on guitar, John Roth on guitar and Rod Morgenstein on drums.
the Hellion Rocks 