Bon Scott and Brian Johnson and AC/DC

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I was 13 years old and had that one older friend that my parents warned me about. He was also that friend who turned me on to some great music. He had long hair, wore a denim vest, engineer boots, drank beer, and smoked cigarettes. He also loved this band from Australia called AC/DC.

I grew to love this band as well and their “dangerous image”. They were raw, abrasive, and didn’t give a shot about niceties. They songs reached into your dirty side and made you feel cooler by just having listened to them. There was no pop, bubblegum, with these guys, just nasty Rock N’ Roll.

Bon Scott had a voice like no other, period. There was no smooth golden notes to slide easily into your ears. Bon himself exuded so much coolness, and it worked.

Then in 1980 on the heels of their greatest album to date, Highway To Hell, the world lost Bon. I was devastated to say the least. Myself and my Rock N’ Roll cronies paid our respect by trying to wear out our AC/DC records. And yes, I shed a few tears for Bon.

I don’t remember when it was but I soon read rumors that AC/DC was going to soldier on with a new vocalist. My circle was abuzz with speculation. And on July 25th 1980 we were waiting at the record store for the new release, Back In Black.

We listened to the record trying to be accepting of what we were hearing. It was a great record from start to finish. While the new singer, Brian Johnson, was no Bon Scott, he did the band justice. We had hope for AC/DC with Brian.

It is now 2015 and I now find myself reflecting back through the years of AC/DC music. Now, I am gonna piss a lot of you off. Back In Black was the last great album AC/DC made.

I had high hopes for the band but in my opinion they strayed into the pop world with all of the albums after Back In Black. While not becoming a shitty band, they just lost that dangerous raw edge that drew me in in the first place.

I do happen to own every AC/DC release from the beginning to Rock Or Bust, and will continue to support them, I just happen to not get the same rush from their newer music.

Bon, I miss you and wonder how far you could have taken the band,  and Brian great effort in carrying on but sorry, it wasn’t the same.

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s AC/DC

-the Hellion

“Honky Tonk Metal” Band SCATTERED HAMLET Announce Upcoming U.S. Tour‏

“Honky Tonk Metal” Band SCATTERED HAMLET Announce Upcoming U.S. Tour

 

Announcing New Partnership with COLDCOCK WHISKEY

 

In the Studio Now Recording the Follow Up to Skeleton Dixie

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SCATTERED HAMLET is what would happen, “If science mutated the genes of AC/DC, Motorhead, Molly Hatchet, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Steven Jones all into one new being, then added a shot of Nashville Pussy for good measure.” – Tony Sison, All Access Magazine

 

SCATTERED HAMLET is pleased to announce their upcoming full U.S. tour and partnership with COLDCOCK WHISKEY. The band, who have dubbed their live act “The Hillbilly Sideshow Extravaganza”, will be headlining several dates on their “Shotgun Shells and Dynamite Run”, while select dates will feature Kingshifter (Pavement Entertainment). The 30+ day tour will also include festival stops at Rocklahoma (Pryor, OK), Hogrock (Cave in Rock, IL) and Trishstock (Hannibal, NY).

 

See below for all confirmed tour dates.

 

SCATTERED HAMLET “Shotgun Shells and Dynamite” U.S. Tour:

May 15 Newhall, CA @ Vu

May 16 Phoenix, AZ @ Blooze Bar

May 17 Midland, TX @ Blue Max

May 18 Austin, TX @ Dirty Dog

May 20 Dallas, TX @ The Boiler Room

May 21 Pryor OK @ Rocklahama Retrospect Kickoff Party

May 22 & 23 Pryor OK @ Camp Jager Stage at Rocklahoma

May 24 Tulsa, OK @ Downtown Lounge

May 25 Fayetteville, AR @ Smoke and Barrel

May 27 Asheville, NC @ One Stop/Ashville Music Hall w/ Gutterhound

May 28 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern

May 29 Roanoke, VA @ Coffee Pot Roadhouse w/ Media Downfall

May 30 Ladson, SC @ The Hive May 31 Greenville, SC @ Gottrocks

Jun 3   Portland, ME (TBA)

Jun 4   Long Branch, NJ @ The Brighton Bar

Jun 5   Brooklyn NY @ The Shop

Jun 6   Hannibal, NY @ Trishstock Festival

Jun 7   Providence, RI @ Dusk

Jun 9   Akron, OH @ Empire

Jun 11 Cave In Rock, IL @ Hogrock Motorcycle Festival

Jun 12 Algona, IA @ The Afterlife

Jun 13 South Bend, IN @ McCormicks

Jun 14 Madison, WI @ Frequency

Jun 15 Chicago, IL @ Live Wire

Jun 17 Tulsa, OK @ Downtown Lounge

Jun 18 Kansas City @ Aftershocks w/ Kingshifter

Jun 19 Witchita, KS @ The Elbow Room w/ Kingshifter

Jun 20 Tracy, MN @ Bonnie & Clyde’s

 

 

SCATTERED HAMLET is again working with multiple Grammy-nominated producers Jason Dongaghy and Jake Rodenhouse to record their follow up to Skeleton Dixie. The band will be performing tracks off of the highly-anticipated album (due out the end of 2015) throughout the tour.

 

According to frontman Adam Joad, “People are going to be hearing a lot of the new material on this tour. We’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback from the demos so we’re looking forward to seeing the audience reactions come May.”

 

Joad adds, “We’ve upped the ante all around for our live show. We’re pumped to have COLDCOCK WHISKEY right alongside our beer kegs, deer skulls, shotgun mic and the chaos people have come to expect from the HILLBILLY SIDESHOW EXTRAVAGANZA.”

 

Rick Zeiler, founder of COLDCOCK WHISKEY states, “We are thrilled to be working with SCATTERED HAMLET! The guys put on a great live show and have an energy that fits perfectly with COLDCOCK WHISKEY!”

 

 

SCATTERED HAMLET is known for a relentless touring schedule of over 200 shows a year. The band has played in 40+ U.S. states.SCATTERED HAMLET’s music has been featured on CBS, CMT, the Travel Channel as well as VEVO Entertainment.

http://www.scatteredhamlet.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ScatteredHamlet

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s SCATTERED HAMLET!!!

     – the Hellion

Bleach Bangs Radio discusses Motley Crue, AC/DC, and Van Halen and should they hang it up?

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Well, like that irritating rash, WE’RE BACK!!! We at Bleach Bangs Radio are exploring out options to infiltrate your ear holes and burrow into your brains. This time we decided to discuss some bands and their lifespans. Should they pull the plug? Should the defibrillators be hooked up to them? Check out the show right here:

     Afterwards let us know your thoughts. Pay attention as well because you just might have your chance to participate in an upcoming Bleach Bangs show yourself!!!

     -Bleach Bangs crew

Hangin’ with Sworn Enemy

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Had a blast hanging out and talking with Sworn Enemy! Thanks to Mike Araiza for camera operations a nd editing the video! Here the conversation with the guys:

     Thanks go out to Sal, Matt, Mike, Jeff, and Taykwuan of Sworn Enemy, and Tom George for hooking this up!

     Check out Sworn Enemy online:

http://swornenemymusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSwornEnemy

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s SWORN ENEMY!!!

     -the Hellion

Bar Bands, Bar Bands, Bar Bands…2

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First off I want to thank you all for the overwhelming response to last nights Bar Bands post. I was however, reminded of a few more things regarding bar bands and I am addressing them now.

Promoters, you need to do just that. I have seen an unfortunate trend as of late with putting up an event page on social media sites, dusting off your hands and calling it a day. I am sorry that is not good enough, period. I cannot tell you how many times at the last minute I get a message “hey you coming to the show tonight?” and because of the lack of show promotion this is the first time I hear of the show. Shame on you, shame. You are doing the band a complete disservice to say the least. EVERYONE should know about a show you put together.

Club owners, pay the bands a decent rate!!!!! These guys are traveling on their own usually on limited means throughout the country. Club owners wake up because you know they are talking to each other about clubs to play in and which to avoid. Imagine if you treat a band decently and they spread the word and you have bands knocking your door down to play your venue. Word gets around, locals will see the bands are dying to play your venue and will be beating your door down to attend.

Promoters and Club owners, ADVERTISE!!!!!! There are usually on most towns several means of advertising the show.  If people don’t know, they wont go!!! If you work with the advertising outlets I am sure a bond can be made and some kind of deal can be made.

Lastly, remember these bands are providing us a service and we should be thanking them.

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

-the Hellion

Bar Bands, Bar Bands, Bar Bands…

rant

Recently a couple of people have made disparaging comments about bar bands. One person in particular  made it known that bar bands were beneath him and a waste of time. Well I am here to tell you that most bands you have heard of and listen to today got their starts in a bar somewhere. Ok, ok there are those few anomalies out there I’m sure who jumped immediately into arena gigs.

The Doors, Motley Crue, the Beatles, Guns N’ Roses, the list goes on and on. These bands played to small crowds at first and honed themselves into arena machines.

Now, in today’s world, arena bands are mostly extinct so the return of the bar/club band is more important than ever. There are several bar/club bands that live in my heart these days. They are there because I have insight as to the blood,sweat, and tears they exude. Their craft is important to them and they are willing to go that extra mile to give their all to their fans. I wish to personally thank the following bands/performers in no particular order: Dellacoma, Nomada, Skulldron, Throw The Temple, Scattered Hamlet, Darken The day, Wulf, Beard, Ragdoll, Crowned By Fire, Mike Araiza,  and many, many more. I salute you all for being the warriors you are and for flying the Rock N’ Roll flag high. All you other local bands, STEP UP!!! And to you naysayers out there, I’ll debate you on camera anytime, you know how to reach me.

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

-the Hellion

 

 

DIMEBAG’s Grave Allegedly Vandalized By Up-And-Coming Metal Band

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According to a post on PANTERA‘s Facebook page, authorities have been notified after members of an up-and-coming metal band allegedly used an Instagram account to boast about defacing late PANTERA guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott‘s grave. The since-removed Instagram post (the Instagram account has been deleted as well) showed a photo of the grave with the following caption: “i HATE pantera…with a passion. and so does the rest of my band. so on tour going throug texas we paid douchebag darrell a visit, we spit on his grave, stole a pair of cowboy boots, and i wrote ‘FAG’ on his grave… i’m not a homophobe but i hope all panturrrra fans see this and shit themselves with anger….FUCK DIMEBAG, buncha racist hillbillies”

Unsurprisingly, many of the PANTERA fans have since caught wind of the posting and have since used the Internet to voice their displeasure over the grave defacement. The PANTERA camp has also commented the despicable actions of the individuals in question, writing on Facebook: “We are absolutely disgusted by this! We ask that all of you please show Dime and his grave the respect he deserves. This conduct will not be tolerated and the authorities have been notified.”

After it was reported a few years ago that Dimebag‘s grave at the Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Texas was vandalized, Dimebag‘s brother, former PANTERA and current HELLYEAH drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, was asked by Artisan News if the person responsible for causing the damage had ever been apprehended. “Nah, nah” he replied. “But it’s just a real disrespectful thing. I don’t understand why somebody would wanna scratch their name in somebody’s tombstone or anything. But fans are rabid, man; they do unheard-of things. I just wish they would respect him and let him rest in peace and just leave it at that.”

“Dimebag” Darrell Abbott was co-founder and lead guitarist for PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, Dimebag and his brother Vinnie Paul formed DAMAGEPLAN. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by Nathan Gale. He was 38 years old.
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courtesy of Blabbermouth .net

complete and total disrespect…smh

-the Hellion

DELLACOMA signs to Shock Records

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dellacoma SOE

We are very pleased to announce that we have signed our very first record contract! Shock Records will be releasing our debut album “South of Everything” in Australia and New Zealand on 10 April. Unfortunately we still do not have a release date for the rest of the world but the good news is that if you pre-ordered we will be shipping out within the next couple of weeks and even if you missed out on the pre-order you will still be able to order either off the Shock Records website or by messaging the band directly.
This is a giant step forward for us as a band and we are so incredibly grateful for all your support and patience, none of this would have been possible without YOU our dedicated fans. We look forward to seeing many of you soon as we hit the road for more epic adventures.

     DELLACOMA is:

Rick Reynolds- bass
Art Struck- guitar
Matt Cook- drums
Dellacoma Rio- vocals

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     Check out DELLACOMA online at:

http://www.dellacoma.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dellacoma

 

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Check out Shock Records online at:

http://www.shockrecords.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/shockrecordsaus

     I also feel mighty proud that one of my photographs was used by DELLACOMA for the rear cover!

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

     – the Hellion

 

 

American Metal Legends TESTAMENT Announce “Dark Roots of Thrash II” Tour, Coming April 2015

TESTAMENT to Perform an Exclusive New Set List, Including The Legacy and The New Order in Their Entirety + Select Practice What You Preach Album Cuts
Re-Introducing Bassist STEVE DIGIORGIO
Support from Thrash Leaders EXODUS + Texas Metal Assailants SHATTERED SUN
TESTAMENT and EXODUS Combined VIP Meet & Greet Experience Available via www.SLOTIX.com
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     Pioneers of the classic American metal scene, TESTAMENT, are announcing what will undoubtedly be the most crushing heavy metal tour to hit North America this spring – the Dark Roots of Thrash II tour! The Dark Roots of Thrash II tour will conquer North America for five weeks, beginning April 1st in San Francisco, and will include select TESTAMENT and EXODUS festival performances. Select cities are on sale now, and more dates will be announced soon. 
Adding to TESTAMENT’s live onslaught, fans will receive a guaranteed pummelling from the Dark Roots of Thrash II tour’s revered support: fellow Bay Area-thrashers EXODUS and Texas melodic metal assailants SHATTERED SUN.
TESTAMENT, EXODUS and SHATTERED SUN “Dark Roots of Thrash II” Dates:
04/01/15   Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
04/02/15   House Of Blues – Hollywood, CA
04/03/15   Livewire – Scottsdale, AZ
04/04/15   Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM
04/06/15   Aztec Theater – San Antonio, TX
04/07/15   House Of Blues – Houston, TX
04/08/15   House Of Blues – Dallas, TX
04/10/15   Pop’s – Sauget, IL
04/11/15   Mojoes – Joliet, IL
04/12/15   Harpo’s – Detroit, MI
04/13/15   The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
04/15/15   Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, ON – CANADA
04/16/15   Rapids Theatre – Niagara Falls, NY
04/17/15   Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
04/18/15   The Palladium – Worcester, MA, New England Metal & Hardcore Festival
04/19/15   The Paramount – Huntington, NY
04/21/15   Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY
04/22/15   Cannery Ballroom – Nashville, TN
04/23/15   Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
     it’s gonna get LOUD!!!
     -the Hellion

Speaking on the Grammys

rant

I was doing my best to stay out of the “Grammy bashing” posts, but alas, I find myself jumping in. If we as music lovers and consumers are unhappy with the situation we need to speak up. If everyone who has made a statement would take the time to make their thoughts known to the right people we might make a difference. By flooding the radio stations with emails, phone calls we might make a difference. By writing and emailing the Grammys and telling them your thoughts we might make a difference. Lastly, by PURCHASING the music you love and telling others about it, and going to shows and supporting the music you love we WILL make a difference. – the Hellion