Here is a recent article on a BMI lawsuit I found interesting:
-the Hellion
Category Archives: Classic Metal
Pop Evil, a great show, a great friend, and an interview with Matt DiRito
Pop Evil rolled into Albuquerque, NM this Monday and kicked some serious ass. It had been a bit since I had last seen them so it was an event I was looking forward to. It was even better because this go around I was going to get to shoot their set AND get to interview bassist Matt DiRito. When I found out about scoring the interview I remembered my very good friend guitarist Mike Araiza (Of The Earth, Frank Hannon Band, the Jeff Sandoval and Mike Araiza Project) telling me about getting to hang with them the last time they were in NM. I called him up and asked him to co-host the interview with me.
We met Matt at the tour bus and it was good to see Matt and Mike great each other like old friends. It was then down into the basement of the iconic Sunshine Theater to have our candid conversation with Matt. After some “mood lighting” adjustments we got around to our raw, unedited, casual conversation with Matt which you can check out right here:
Very cool, very relaxed, friends and musicians talking amongst themselves. After a few more minutes of friendly talk we snapped a few pics and walked Matt back out to the tour bus and said our “see you laters”.
Matt DiRito and the Hellion
Matt DiRito and Mike Araiza
After the interview Mike and I went for a quick bite and some stimulating conversation. A brief walk back to the venue and the Rock N’ Roll merriment was on. We enjoyed sets from Glamour Of The Kill, Avatar, and Escape The Fate. The evening, however, was owned by Pop Evil. From the minute they took the stage to the minute they walked off of it it was a 100 miles per hour adrenaline rush. A blistering set of songs from a set designed to give the fans a maximum Pop Evil experience filled our ears. Here is the setlist:
“Flawed”
“Hero”
“100 in a 55”
“Behind Closed Doors”
“Divide”
“Monster You Made”
“Boss’s Daughter”
“Last Man Standing”
“Goodbye My Friend”
“Sick Sense”
“Torn To Pieces”
“Deal With The Devil”
“Trenches”
Leigh Kakaty
Matt DiRito
Chachi Riot
Dave Grahs
Nick Fuelling
Pop Evil is a band on the move, in all of the right ways. They present an image, a sound that pays homage to their influences and yet remains original, they deliver a live show worthy of seeing. If Pop Evil roll into a venue near you make sure you go and see them. Thanks guys!
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Pop Evil!
the Hellion
RANT INSIDE!!!! PROPER SHOW ETIQUETTE!!!
I’ve spoken upon this subject before and an event that occurred last night has fired me up again. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE ROCK N’ ROLL COMMUNITY?!?!?!
Let me set the stage: Last night I was fortunate to have been granted coverage of the Saint Vitus show here in NM. The venue does not have a photo pit so you have to shoot from the crowd. I usually shoot and move and work with the crowd to shoot the event. Well last night there was this cat to my immediate left who was flailing about like a man possessed knocking into people and making a general nuisance of himself. Now, I don’t mind someone getting totally lost in the music at all but one should realize there is a world outside of their five foot space. This guy continued bumping, elbowing, and knocking into people with complete disregard and then it got worse. Dave Chandler, the guitarist for Saint Vitus, posed in front of my camera for some choice shots and this idiot next to me shoves into me and starts throwing his hands in front of my camera thus ruining any chance of a good shot. I politely said “Hey man, I’m working here” his response was “FUCK YOU” he then continued to thwart every shot by reaching and flipping the bird in front of my lens. An altercation was imminent when my security bros came and confronted his guy who fronted on them as well. The girl he was with was begging him to chill but he was having none of it. They grabbed this guy gave him and his girl the boot. The crowd cheered his ejection as they were tired of him as well, we all enjoyed the rest of the show and I was able to get back to shooting a kick ass show.
We all know show attendance is down across the board and completely sucks. I heard several people make comments after that guy was thrown out. “And that I why I don’t go to shows much anymore.” “Who needs to go out and see shit like this?” “Fuck it, people suck. I knew I should have stayed home.”
What happened to the world? The Rock N’ Roll community used to be about being cool and having a good time, not about fighting and being an idiot. Sure there were hose occasions but they weren’t that common. Come on people if we want to revive the music scene we need to look within ourselves and our own actions.
be the community, be the music, BE COOL!
the Hellion
what do YOU want?
There’s been a lot on my mind as of late. I see people complaining about so much but not finding solutions. They complain when others achieve success, “they sold out”, they’re kissing so-and-so’s ass”, “they have money”, on and on.
In 2013 I was part of a local music interview/live performance show. I was part of the team that created and wrote said show. I even was the host for many interviews. It rapidly expanded out of control with too many hands in the pot. We made many attempts at nailing down interviews and coverage of bigger name artists with little or no success. Ultimately I left the show behind and started the Hellion Rocks.
I began my new adventure by reaching out to the band contacts that I did have and began doing written interviews. This led me to purchasing a DSLR camera to shoot shows and do video interviews my self. The site was growing as readers across the globe were taking notice. I began to study photography techniques and revisited the works of some of my favorite Rock photographers like Bob Gruen, Robert John, and Chad Lee. I learned the editing process and kept on learning. Eventually I began shooting festivals and big name artists. I also began to interview big name artists on video and phone as well. Now I receive major label releases for review before they hit the stores, and am invited to cover shows and receive press releases from many big name publicists and the acts they represent. Several of my interviews have been featured on Blabbermouth.net as well.
The Hellion Rocks site is now viewed in over 140 countries with a weekly reach of 3500. Am I satisfied? HELL NO!!! I want more and more and more. I want to be able to do this for a career and continue to bring music to the eyes, ears, and minds of the world!!!. I am not satisfied with being that guy from Albuquerque, NM with a website that takes pictures and interviews bands. I want the name the Hellion Rocks and the music and bands I report about to be synonymous with Rock N’ Roll!
I also have become involved over the past couple of years with Charlie Owens and Randy Norris of Bleach Bangs Radio. These two individuals have the same mindset as I about their internet radio station. The offer a no-holds-barred approach of interviewing bands and bringing their music to the masses. They offer bands a chance to offer their uncensored opinions on life, music, and the industry. I am proud to be a part of their team.
So what is my point of the post? Why am I writing this today? STOP COMPLAINING AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!
Are you satisfied with being the best band in your hometown? Are you satisfied with covering the same shows over and over? How far are you willing to go? Make a name for yourself, take that leap of faith. Remember, Motley Crue is a local LA band, Slipknot is a local Des Moines band, KISS is a local New York band. They had the faith and perseverance to break out. Sure it means sacrifice and struggle but it is worth it to achieve your goals. If you are happy just playing local gigs and just covering local bands. more power to you, just don’t complain about lackluster attendance or site views.
Am I making a living with the Hellion Rocks, no. I have been paid for a photo shoot and my photos have been used by a touring band and that’s a start. I will not complain about that, instead I will continue to forge ahead and make a name for myself and eventually I WILL get that paying gig.
Now, who’s with me?
It’s loud, it;s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!
the Hellion
An interview with Feel Never Real vocalist Tim Jones
Feel Never Real hit my ears recently, and they hit them hard. Shauna at Pavement Entertainment made me aware of them and I’m glad that she did. I had a chance to have a conversation with vocalist Tim Jones and it was a fun one. Here it is in all of it’s unedited glory:
Their new record Rock Rebel Gold is out now on Pavement Entertainment get it online today!
Be sure and hit them up online at:
https://www.facebook.com/feelneverreal
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s FEEL NEVER REAL!
-the Hellion
BLOODY HAMMERS Debut New Video on Loudwire
BLOODY HAMMERS Debut New Video on Loudwire
Under Satan’s Sun Available June 10th in North America
On Napalm Records/Spinning Goblin
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BLOODY HAMMERS will release their new album Under Satan’s SunJune 10th in North America(May 30th G/A/S, FIN & Benelux, June 2nd UK & Rest of Europe, June 4th ESP/SWE/NOR). The album will be released via Napalm Records/Spinning Goblin. The album will be available a regular CD, limited edition vinyl gatefold and digitally. It can be pre-ordered on AmazonHERE. A teaser for the album can be viewed HERE.
As the release of Under Satan’s Sun draws nearer, BLOODY HAMMERShave released a new video for the song “Death Does Us Part”. The video is being premiered exclusively by Loudwire and can be viewed HERE.
BLOODY HAMMERS video for their song “Welcome to the Horror Show” can be viewed HERE.
The lyric video for the song “The Town That Dreaded Sundown” can be seenHERE.
BLOODY HAMMERS are a heavy rock band from Transylvania County, NC. Although commonly viewed as a gothic rock, Bloody Hammers have equally incorporated elements of doom metal, stoner metal and psychedelic rock.
“Too much of the genre today is cookie-cutter junk – vacuous because it follows whatever the latest semi-trend might be. Or, worst of all, there’s some amazing riffage but complete shit for vocals; like, hasn’t anyone learned a thing from Megadeth about this misstep?
That’s precisely why it’s so arresting when something like BLOODY HAMMERS comes along. With a moniker taken from a song by psych-rock legend Roky Erickson, the music is doom without being dumb and retro without being repetitive. The Charlotte-based outfit come out swinging like Oh Dae-su in the original Oldboy, with longtime Goth staple Anders Manga leading Sabbath-esque overtones that too many try but few are able to actually pull off – especially with this sort of aplomb.”
– Michael Christopher/Vanyaland.com
Track Listing: 1. The Town That Dreaded Sundown 2. Spearfinger 3. Death Does Us Part 4. The Moon Eyed People 5. Second Coming*** 6. Welcome To The Horror Show 7. Under Satan´s Sun 8. Dead Man´s Shadow On The Wall 9. The Last Alarm 10. The Necromancer
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Stacey Blades gives us an update on Let It Rawk and the new single “American Rebels”
It’s definitely cool when Stacey Blades gives me a call. We had a chance to talk about the impending release of the new Let It Rawk single “American Rebels” which drops on May 6th. I have had the chance to preview the track and it is a KILLER piece of work! Check out the conversation right here:
Thanks Stacey!
let it be loud, let it be dirty, LET IT RAWK!
the Hellion
We need Rock N’ Roll heroes
Remember when Rock Stars were larger than life? Glammed out superheroes we stuck on our walls and tried to emulate? Over the top looks and lifestyles were the norm for them. Not to mention we had a lot of cool music to listen to. We need them back in our lives, and then some.
Turn on the news, read a paper and it’s doom and gloom with no end in sight. It’s getting old and tired to me. Remember how you felt when you saw you favorite Rock Star or picked up a new record, poster, or magazine? Remember how good it felt?
There are still real Rock Stars walking the earth. They are out there and we need to step up and support them and what they do. Go to a Rock Show and help it to be all that it can be. Buy the records, shirts, and hit them up for posters and such. Let’s enjoy ourselves and revel in Rock N’ Roll once again!
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ F’N ROLL!!!
the Hellion
STEEL PANTHER – ALL YOU CAN EAT: THE BEST RECORD EVER!!!*
Steel Panther is the best heavy metal band ever! Michael Starr is the singer, Satchel plays guitar, Stix Zadinia plays drums, and Lexxi Foxx is pretty. Their new record All You Can Eat is the best ever, you can throw away all of your other records, you’re welcome.*
*this review is a parody!
Death To All But Metal!
-the Hellion
2ND WARNING: ANOTHER RANT INSIDE! Music sharing.
Let’s talk about musicians and money for a minute. A lot of people still have the misconception that Rock Stars live in mansions, have fancy cars, and generally live a life of luxury. I’m here to tell you that is DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE. In fact, that is far from the norm, only a very small percentage live in excess.
I have spoken extensively with musicians in bands who have toured the world and sold millions of records and yet live in a regular house, drive a regular vehicle, and live day by day. I know musicians who live in substandard conditions in order to provide us with the music we love. Yes, it is a choice that they themselves choose to make, but we also choose to partake of it.
Now, let’s talk about music sharing. I have a wonderful idea on it: If there is music you love, and think others in your circle would enjoy, buy more than one copy and share it with those people. Then encourage others to do the same. This would go a long way towards helping musicians afford to continue to make music. The cost of making, recording, and distributing music is not cheap. BUY your music please and help keep music alive, and put some money into the pockets of the artists. – I’m just sayin’
-the Hellion
the Hellion Rocks 