Now where do I put that Grammy?
Great bunch of guys, I got to meet and hang out a bit with the guys from Death Alley Motor Cult during NAMM weekend. They put on a great set and I want to share this band with the world. Here’s an interview with drummer “Banker” :
http://www.deathalleymotorcult.com/
the Hellion
Former SEVEN DAY SONNET Drummer DAN KASHUCK: Free Agent Looking for New Touring/Recording Project
Due to the recent break-up of Chicago, IL area rock group Seven Day Sonnet, drummer Dan Kashuck is currently looking for a new touring/recording project to sink his teeth into (open to any genre and any location). Kashuck, who has also performed as a member of Emetic and 7th Vial, is a hard-working, determined musician currently endorsed by Pearl Drums, Pro-Mark sticks and Evans Drum Heads.
Dan Kashuck has toured with Seven Day Sonnet throughout the United States on full tours supporting bands like Sevendust, Sick Puppies, Adelitas Way,Saliva, Rev Theory, NonPoint and more. Kashuck is 100% proficient playing with click track live and in-studio, has a full setup rig for live backing tracks and is also proficient with programming in Abelton Live. He can also sing and do back-up vocals while drumming.
Dan Kashuck has several solo drumming videos portraying different styles available online for viewing now (all performed on his Roland V-kit at home studio). He also has live drum-cam videos online for viewing as well. See below:
Solo Drumming Videos
Rock/Alternative/Hard Rock drum cover
Metal/hardcore drum cover – ONE and TWO
Live Drum Cam Footage
Compilation Video From Multiple Shows
Dan Kashuck has several personal references available upon request. You can contact Dan Kashuck about drumming opportunities at dankashuck@yahoo.com.
Scattered Hamlet – Skeleton Dixie CD cover
https://www.facebook.com/ScatteredHamlet?fref=ts
Redd and I seemed to bond from the first time I met him. He is a phenomenal player and an all around great guy. Scattered Hamlet is a true peoples band that one should definitely give a listen to. Check out our interview right here:
the Hellion
Scattered Hamlet – Skeleton Dixie CD cover
Talking with Adam Joad about their forthcoming CD release, Skeleton Dixie. The conversation even went on to talk about other cool stuff. Give a listen and feel your inner “Hillbilly Harmony”
Adam outside the Whisky
Here’s the interview link:
Scattered Hamlet – Skeleton Dixie CD cover
under the pale moonlight in the Appalachian woods there was a stirring. The deep-throated rumble of an engine awoke the Appalachian Apostle from his slumber. The sound of boot heels approached as he grabbed his shotgun. The Appalachian Apostle opened his door and saw a shadowy figure leaning against the porch post. “What the hell do you want?” he saw an orange car with a deer skull and a rebel flag plate rumbling in the yard. “They call me the Hell Rider.” the shadowy figure said. “I got a mission for ya. I need ya to spread the word of Skeleton Dixie.” The Apostle stroked his beard and said, “Well alright, but I gotta round-up some friends first. Let’s call down the thunder first.” Thus the adventure begins…….
After a LONG, LONG drive from NM to Los Angeles CA we got some sleep and woke up and headed to Anaheim to take in the experience that was NAMM 2013.
outside of NAMM 2013
It started out with my typical run of luck. My partner in NAMM 2013, Charlie M.F. Owens, rolled in and was badged in a matter of minutes. Me, not so lucky, I was told “your badge has already been printed, so go to the badge pickup line.” I did, no badge, and was told “oh, you’re media, go to this other building to get your badge.” Again, I did, waited in line got up to the counter and…..”Hmm sir your badge won’t print out, you need to go to this other line.” Yet again, I did and finally, just as I was losing hope….SUCCESS!!! I have to give credit to the NAMM staff. They were handling the HUGE influx of people efficiently and with smiles on their faces.
We got in and were wowed by the amount of gear and people there.Our first mission was to attend a press conference help by Orange Amplification http://www.orangeamps.com/. They were launching a new, revolutionary tube tester. Video of the press conference will be available soon on our www.rockunight.com site.
Orange Amp press conference
We headed towards the Aria booth as I had been in contact with them about something special. The Cliff Burton signature bass guitar. We stood in awe of it as we were shown the prototype by Mr. James Chen. He was the man behind the design and build of this amazing bass, and he gave us an exclusive interview of the bass and it’s design. http://www.ariaguitars.com/ The interview will be available soon on our www.rockunight.com site. Here’s a pic of this amazing bass:
Cliff Burton Signature Bass by Aria
Cliff Burton Bass poster
We wondered about in wonder at all of the bells and whistles, glam and glitz that was NAMM 2013 day one. In our travels we ran into one Rikki Rockett at his Rockett Drum Works Booth. http://www.rockettdrumworks.com/
Rikki Rockett – Rockett Drum Works
to be continued…..
the Hellion
http://www.helmermanagement.com
https://www.facebook.com/HelmerManagement
Sometimes you run into people who have the same mindset as you do, and this is very cool. Stevil Helmer happens to be one of these people. I had the great fortune today to speak at length with Stevil. I then did a fifteen minute interview with Stevil. This is a guy who GETS the music industry of today. His understanding and knowledge of the industry is a valuable asset to those seeking to be a part of it. Enjoy the interview and be sure to check out Stevil’s sites at the links shown above. Check out the bands he works with: Chemical Tree ( https://www.facebook.com/chemical.tree?fref=ts), and Doomdogs ( https://www.facebook.com/pages/Doomdogs/159975830714334) Here is the interview link: (apologies for the end of the interview, phones were being tempermental, but hey, that’s Rock N’ Roll)
the Hellion
Oh HELL!!!! The boys are back in a BIG way. This new track is pure Scattered Hamlet! For those of you who don’t know about Scattered Hamlet, WHERE THE HELL YOU BEEN LIVIN’? UNDER A ROCK? Scattered Hamlet is more than a band, they are a force greater than the sum of the parts. Scattered Hamlet has seen member changes, and yet they are STRONGER THAN EVER! Look for the guys hitting the road to support the release of their FULL LENGTH CD: SKELETON DIXIE!!!! Check out the lyric video for the new track “Powder Kegs and Gasoline”. If you haven’t liked their Facebook page yet do it here: https://www.facebook.com/ScatteredHamlet?fref=ts Roll with the Scattered Hamlet fan base called the Hell Riders at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scattered-Hamlet-Hell-Riders-National-Chapter/145246535582650
the Hellion
(Hell Rider Captain)
CHECK BACK RIGHT HERE TOMORROW FOR SOMETHING EXCITING!!!!
ONE MACHINE: Critically Acclaimed Guitarist/Songwriter STEVE SMYTH Announces New Project
Featuring Members of Mercenary, Mnemic, Chaoswave and More
Listen to a Clip of the Track ‘One Machine’ HERE on YouTube
The highly-anticipated brainchild of critically acclaimed guitarist/songwriter Steve Smyth (Nevermore, Forbidden, Dragonlord, Vicious Rumors), ONE MACHINE, is alive and kicking. ONE MACHINE boasts classic and modern influences, featuring a collection of international members carefully selected by Smyth: Mikkel Sandager (Mercenary) on vocals, Jamie Hunt (Biomechanical) sharing guitar duties, rounded out by a powerhouse rhythm section with Tomas “O’Beast” Koefoed (Mnemic) on bass guitar and Raphael Saini (Chaoswave) on drums.
ONE MACHINE just finished the recording process on their debut album, which is currently in the mixing stages. The band has already been offered European festival dates and expects to make their live debut this summer. Fans can check out a clip of the track ‘One Machine’ right now on Steve Smyth’s YouTube page. Click this link to listen!
Smyth had often given thought to leading his own band throughout his distinguished career as a member of bands including Testament,Nevermore, and Forbidden, amongst others. Smyth had written a number of songs, but the challenge of finding the right members to bring them to life remained.
He found a more than capable shredding second guitarist in Jamie Hunt, and the two began collaborating on the material Smyth had. “Jamie’s playing complements mine extremely well, and we hit it off perfectly when we got together to work on the songs,” says Smyth.
A vocalist was found in the form of original Mercenary singer Mikkel Sandager. He was exactly kind of singer Smyth was looking for, with his versatile ability to sing in different ways, and his readiness to be pushed into new musical territories. “When our former bands toured together, I got to witness night after night, exactly what Mikkel could do; deliver a solid performance with an incredible range, as well as multiple characters in his voice. He’s perfect for this band,” adds Smyth.
Smyth, Hunt, and Sandager then set about refining and shaping Smyth’s original material.
Drummer Raphael Saini, formerly of Italian progressive metallers Chaoswave, whose band Smyth had previously provided guest solos for, was next to join. During the recording process, Saini lived up to Modern Drummer’s assessment of him as “a drum assassin; cold blooded, precise, and brutal”. To quote Smyth, “Raph surprised me with his ability in delivering these tracks. He totally killed it!”
In 2012, bassist Tomas “O’Beast” Koefoed, formerly of Mnemic, came on board, adding his distinctive sound to the tracks. Smyth states, “Tomas is without a doubt one of the most solid bassists I’ve encountered in some time! He literally added an entirely new dimension to these songs that would not have been possible to be achieved without him.”
Keep an eye out for ONE MACHINE performing on European festival dates this summer and stay tuned for more information coming soon!
To learn more about ONE MACHINE, please visit www.feedtheonemachine.com.
the Hellion Rocks 