We were fortunate to attend the 2012 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK UPROAR FESTIVAL in Albuquerque NM on 09/30/12 as media guests.
We were able to do some interviews and take photos with some of the appearing bands. Be sure to go to our website: http://rockunight.com/ for the FULL interviews!!!
SKULLDRON promo
P.O.D. “Wuv” promo
Also make sure and check out other interviews with bands from all over the planet at our internet radio show at: http://www.bleachbangs.com/
see ya there!
the Hellion
2. I know you are an Ace Frehley fan, and also Eddie Ojeda of Twisted Sister. What other players had an influence on you and your playing?
Oh man!!! Always the toughest question. I get influenced every day I listen to music. But truly let’s start at the top, Jimmy Page! The dirtiest motha trucker ever on guitar. I truly model my sound and feel along Page’s guide book. He was great at being sloppy and it totally turned me on to the style I love today. But let’s not forget about Brian Forsythe, The Young Brothers, EVH (mainly for his choice of clothes) And honestly I swear on my guitar, John Bonham is one of my biggest influences. His rhythms are insane and patterns like his, get my creative juices flowing.
3. Was there someone outside of your influences that opened you up to or pushed you into a musical direction?
4. The first time I saw you play was with your former band Wildstreet, and I thought to myself, and I know I’ve said it several times since then. “That dude is what ya want in a guitar player”. Not only the technical skills that you possess but the way you worked the stage and the crowd. You have fun when you play. Sucking up a little I know. The question is… How do you see yourself as a guitar player?
5. The decision on leaving Wildstreet. Was it a difficult one to make? What tipped it over the edge” so to speak?
6. What are your thoughts on it today? Regrets, closure, relief?
If we qualified for it and someone offered the original WS a shit load of money, I’d be the first one at rehearsal. I have no regrets, it was a great time and I learned a lot from them musically. The best part of it all, was leading me to meeting my future wife. I do have relief though since, now I can afford things.
7. Was Wildstreet the first band you were in?
Fuck no! Does a KISS tribute band qualify?! LOL well that was my first real touring act. Then I played with MTV’s Jesse Camp, remember that?? Man we toured with Alice Cooper and N’SYNC!!! I also played with the Flames, ZäNKT and had a killer brush on stage with Frank Dimino from ANGEL. However, WS was the first real band I considered to be contenders.
8. Moving on to the present. Say you want to start a new band. What is the first piece of the puzzle you want to put into place?
DRUMMER!!! Screw everything else!! If he don’t play like John Bohnam, then I stay home and pet my cat. I’ve been trying so hard to find the right elements but its truly a puzzle. Ya know… It’s got just be right, dudes need to really wanna rock. I have always had good success when a drummer and I click and can arrange songs. I admire great drummers. A solid bassist and an egotistical frontman is the American dream a solid 4 piece rhythm exploration is all I ask for.
9. What does the future hold for you? New band, writing, more touring etc…?
10. You mentioned to me recently that you have been “Trying to let the music pan out right now. It’s been so uninspiring”. Would you care to elaborate that?
11. How do you feel about where the music industry is currently and where it is headed?
Transition. And just like I always say, I was born in the wrong time period. Well once again I’m in the wrong time wrong place. Currently it’s a mess! No ones really sure how to sell records. (I am, publish vinyl records and sell em only that way so people have no choice but to buy a record, listen to the record. The entire record! Not this EP shit!!)
12. In your opinion what will it take for a band, especially a Rock band, to have a generous amount of success today?
13. I snagged your iPod… What am I gonna hear? Any surprises?
14. Last but not least, This one is all you bro. Tell us anything & everything you want us to know.
I’m working on a bitchin’ Vegas style cover band called The Luv Guns!! Featuring Dani Luv, Troy Patrick Farrel and Scotti Griffin, gonna be a blast!
The Ernie Ball stage before the madness.
The “Jager” stage ready for action.
We started our UPROAR journey with a visit to the tour bus of P.O.D. and an interview with Wuv. (Interview soon to be posted on http://rockunight.com/).
We then scrambled to catch Albuquerque NM’s own SKULLDRON. They put on a blazing set to open the day and fire up the crowds for the rest of the amazing artists. The doom laden melodies of SKULLDRON are reminiscent of DOWN and CROWBAR. Thanks SKULLDRON for starting us off right! We also caught up with them towards the end of the day for an interview.(Interview soon to be posted on http://rockunight.com/). http://www.facebook.com/skulldron
We then prepared for our good friends in MINDSET EVOLUTION. We had previously interviewed them on Bleach Bangs Radio. (http://www.bleachbangs.com/) We found them to be down to earth people and easy to talk to. They actually turned the interview around on us and began to fire questions at us! This episode remains one of our highest listened to. MINDSET EVOLUTION took the stage and claimed it as their own. Even with bassist Joshua Bodeen nursing an injured knee and performing from a chair, these Illinois boys got it done. We tried an interview but the wind blew the tent over on us, so we’ll see what our editing dept. can do! .(Interview soon to be posted on http://rockunight.com/). http://www.facebook.com/mindsetevolution?fref=ts http://www.mindsetevolution.com
It was then time to see a band that has piqued my interest since their album BLOOD OF MY ENEMIES dropped earlier this summer: ATTIKA7. The sheer brutality and aggression of this CD floors me. I could only hope for their live performance to be as brutal. The crowd was fired up as well to see them. Featuring Evan Seinfeld (BIOHAZARD), Rusty Coomes (Illusion Motorcycles, SOA cast member) this band came ready to kick some ass. They engaged the crowd and owned them from the first to the last note of their set. Evan left the stage and joined the crowd at the barricade at one point. We then went to meet ATTIKA7 for an interview at their merch booth. Evan had pressing matters and the rest of the band was loading out equipment, leaving Rusty to man the booth and greet the throngs of people gathering there. We patiently waited for Rusty to have a free moment but the crowd was relentless. Finally Rusty had a few minutes for us which we captured and will be seen soon on http://rockunight.com/ http://www.attika7.com/ http://www.facebook.com/attika7?fref=ts
We were then invited to come on stage and take pictures of the P.O.D. performance. Having interviewed P.O.D. drummer Wuv he said we could take pictures from the stage which was an honor to us. The band hit (and I do mean HIT) the stage running. Their set included classics as well as tracks off of their new release MURDERED LOVE. The energy, raw power, passion, and talent this band possesses never ceases to amaze me. The songs were performed flawlessly and even their older tracks still sounded fresh. They made sure to include audience participation and Sonny (lead vocals) even gave a shout out to some fans from Las Cruces NM. As we watched from side stage we felt as if we were part of the power that emanated from P.O.D. http://www.facebook.com/PayableOnDeathPOD http://www.payableondeath.com/
We would like to give a special shout out to Kristine Ashton-Magnuson/AM Media, Sarah Facciolo, Publicity Assistant Razor & Tie, Brian Simpson, and Ryan Feldman, Fresno Media for giving us the opportunity to meet, photograph, and interview some wonderful artists. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And thank you to ALL of the music supporters WORLDWIDE!
The Hellion, Rock U-Night, Bleach Bangs Radio
I have been listening to the ALL HAIL THE YETI CD for a little bit now. I keep finding little things that I missed before so it keeps growing on me. It is deep and full of passion and power. The craftsmen in this band truly know the tools of their trade. I wish that others would take a chance on some of these new bands and give them the airtime that they are due. Regardless of that I will continue my fight to champion bands like ALL HAIL THE YETI. Like Craw before, Connor has answered some questions for us and given us a peek inside his world. Let’s go see:
1. Music has always been around me. How about you?
Connor: Music has been a part of my life since before I could walk. both my parents are huge music lovers. My older brothers introduced me to Van Halen, Kiss , Def Leppard, and those types of bands in the early 80’s. Then I discovered Motley Crue. From that point forward I was hooked!
2. Did music play an important part of your childhood?
Connor: My brother and I started going to concerts at an early age. We were fortunate enough to have two older brothers that would take us to big concerts. anything they liked we did also!
3. How did you get into performing?
Connor: It probably started when I was a small child. My brother and I would do air concerts to kiss and Motley Crue. then that turned into having custom wood guitars made for us. Our weekends consisted of pretending to be these larger than life rock n roll stars of that time. From there I got into theater art in high school and loved being someone else in front of strangers. that transformed into performing musically not long after.
4. Did you have any formal music training? Or were you self-taught?
Connor: I have not. I tried different instruments growing up, but never had the patience to sit it through. I wanted instant results. Being a performer came more naturally to me.
5. Were you in many bands in your career?
Connor: aside from AHTY I’ve only really had 2 other serious bands. I’ve written and recorded with numerous other musicians, but I’ve kept my own projects pretty minimal in the last 15 years.
6. Have you learned any lessons that helped you along the way?
Connor: Everyday that I’m allowed to be alive I learn something new. Each moment is a new experience, and being able to understand that and use it for what its worth is the biggest lesson I have ever learned.
http://www.facebook.com/officialallhailtheyeti
http://www.allhailtheyeti.com
http://www.twitter.com/allhailtheyeti
http://www.myspace.com/allhailtheyeti
http://www.reverbnation.com/allhailtheyeti
http://www.youtube.com/allhailtheyeti
7. Tell me about how AHTY came to be.
Connor: AHTY was an idea I had in my mind for years. It just kept stewing. then one day when the timing was right I let it out. The original guitarist and I were talking and he understood what it is that I wanted to do. We started writing songs in a little room in the back of a tattoo studio. Everything from there on just happened the way it should have. Its been a long battle to keep it together after losing members, relationships, and life’s curve-balls. The band is stronger than it has ever been right now. We are in the place we need to be. From here we can only go up. And that’s what I plan to do!
8. How did you come to work with Craw?
Connor: Craw and I had a mutual friend that told him that we were looking for a guitar player. He called me and we spoke briefly, that night Craw was working at a club in phoenix, and another friend of mines band was playing there and he happened to be wearing one of our shirts. Craw spoke to him and it all seemed to fit! Like fate.
9. What bands are you listening to lately new and old?
Connor: well shit I cant really say new and old cause a lot of the olde bands are still new bands, so I’ll just tell ya what I’m listening to.
Witchcraft, Graveyard,Junius, Watrain, Haarp, eyehategod, Acid Bath, Crowbar, Asteroid, Katatonia, Down, Dunderbeist, Orange Goblin, fuck this list could go on forever!
10. What is your take on the music scene?
Connor: eghh in this town there is no scene! it’s all just people trying to do whatever it takes to “make” it. which never really happens anymore. I’m sure smaller cities and towns have better scenes than we do. With the state of the music industry in general everything is changing rapidly. You either have to be on top of it or get left behind! So a music scene has turned more into a music gunfight! if you don’t shoot first and have a cooler gun you’re gonna die!
11. What advice do you have for young musicians?
Connor: never listen to people who tell you to quit or give up. Don’t let other people’s negativity get you down. use it to fuel your fire. This isn’t an easy road, it takes years of work and dedication. All these people who are in signed national acts are just people too. they had to start somewhere. There are no super heroes be different, stand out, have integrity!
12. You have 91 countries reading this, the floor is yours speak your mind:
Connor:
God is but a creation of man
follow us to find yourselves
we are the saviors of truth
and the demise of the holy lies!
Hail the left hand path!
do unto others as you see fit!!
ALL HAIL THE YETI
I fully expect All Hail The Yeti to soldier on and become a force in the new music world. Do Yourself a favor and check them out now and watch them grow! Listen to “The Art Of Mourning” :
the Hellion
NEW SINGLE FROM SHOTGUN REBELLION – “INTO THE NOTHING”
Check out the new single from SHOTGUN REBELLION!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shotgun-Rebellion/108501432544041
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Death-Alley-Motor-Cult/276917487784?fref=ts
http://www.deathalleymotorcult.com/
Hey guys! I just got DAMC drummer to answer a few questions for us. Make sure you catch DAMC on Bleach Bangs Radio this Tuesday (10/02/12)!
1. How did you become involved in music?
Shawn Van Wyhe: Just the love for it. To be honest, Kiss, 1975…huge influence.
2. How did you go about learning to play an instrument? Did you have formal music education?
Shawn Van Wyhe: Loved music as a kid, Beatles and Buddy Holly but then I discovered KISS in like 1975 and everything changed. I took lessons in like 5th and 6th grade through school. Then when I was 18 I could afford real lessons and things took off from there.
3. Was it drums that hooked you, or do you play anything else?
Shawn Van Wyhe: This may sound cliche’, but drums were EVERYTHING t o me for so long. Peter Criss, Bun E Carlos, and gene Krupa were everything to me.
4. I am a KISS fan myself (I have the Rock and Roll Over cover inked on my arm). What do you think about the new lineup with out Ace and Peter? I call it Diet KISS 50% less KISS.
Shawn Van Wyhe: Honestly, I dig it. I think Eric and Tommy are great additions to the band. It’s unfortunate that all 4 of them could not make it work, but at least they are staying true to the music and the image.
5. Right on, I just got to see them on tour. speaking of bands, when was it you started playing in bands?
Shawn Van Wyhe: When I was about 20. It was wild, kind of late but worth the wait.
6. Were there many? And what lessons did you take away from those experiences?
Shawn Van Wyhe: To be honest, there were only three other bands. I learned that it is so important to put your ego aside and work as a team.
7. That is a true statement brother. Tell me about how Death Alley Motor Cult came to be?
Shawn Van Wyhe: Well, Diablo Dave, Zero G and myself were in a band called Dead Garden. The band had run its course and we were looking to go in a different direction. More groove oriented so to speak. We looked for a bass player, and Falcon fit in perfectly. We had all known of each other forever but never played in a band together. Not to sound cliche’, but after that first practice, we all knew that what we had was very special and we needed to run with it.
8. Very cool, totally understand the “Vibe” thing. Tell us some of the recent events in the DAMC world.
Shawn Van Wyhe: Well, we have just signed on with Eddie’s Mates and could not be happier. They are helping take us to another level that we could not do alone. We have been slowly breaking out of playing just local shows and have started to branch out to Vegas, Santa Ana, and Sacramento. With no end in sight we are totally stoked!!
9. Very glad to hear that, you guys definitely deserve it! So what are you listening to lately?
Shawn Van Wyhe: Everything! Green Day, Testament, Lit, Accept, Texas Hippie Coalition….all over the board.
10. All great choices, listening to some of those myself. Last question: The floor is yours speak your mind about anything you want:
Shawn Van Wyhe: Well, We all think that we have something special with Death Alley. We have so much fun and look forward to taking it to the world and sharing what we have with everyone.
“Devil Sex” video:
the Hellion
1. TRIPHON
http://www.facebook.com/triphonband
Euro-American symphonic metal blending elements of power, thrash, classical and metalcore. Diggin’ the sound of the blending of styles in this band. New to me but definitely staying in my ears and on my radar.
2. BULLET
http://www.facebook.com/bulletband
Full Pull from Bullet was released on 09/25/12 here in the US. Bringing back the hard charging, balls out, in your face Rock of bands like AC/DC and Maiden . Well worth the listen, and remember, HAVE FUN!
3. HOTEL DIABLO
http://www.facebook.com/hoteldiablo
I recently did an interview with guitarist Alex Grossi. And found out about this outstanding new band of his. The debut CD The Return To Psycho California just dropped. I’ve heard the tracks and it is KILLER!:
3. BEARD
http://www.facebook.com/beardisbullshit
I’m gonna let Beard’s facebook page say it all : “Carne Asada Fries, Hot Wings, Milwaukee’s Best and Metal! Beard is the heaviest and greatest rock band to ever emerge from New Mexico. This band is bullshit…..Crank it!”
5. ATTIKA7
http://www.facebook.com/attika7
I got this CD the day it came out. Raw, aggressive, brutal, angry, all apply here. This CD is deep on so many levels. I will be seeing these guys at the UPROAR show on 09/30/12. Hopefully an interview will come out of it.
6. SKULLDRON
http://www.facebook.com/skulldron
A HEAVY SKULL CRUSHING SOUND THAT COMES FROM 5 GUYS OUT OF THE NEW MEXICO DESERT. INFLUENCED BY BANDS SUCH AS DOWN, SLEEP, BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER, PANTERA, C.O.C. PENTAGRAM, ST. VITUS, AND COUNTLESS OTHERS. PLAYING THEIR AMPS AT MAMMOTH VOLUME, SKULLDRON BRINGS THE RIFF WITH A DESERT GROOVE!!!
7. ADLER
http://www.facebook.com/adlermusic
Steven is back with a new band, a new release and some great music. Liking the sound and here’s to Rock N’ Roll!
8. The Skull
http://www.facebook.com/troubletheskull
The Skull features original member of Trouble- vocalist Eric Wagner along with longtime bassist Ron Holzner. The Skull is here to do one thing… rock you with the sounds and spirit of Trouble -past-present-future .
Trouble was formed in 1979 by guitarist Rick Wartell and was joined by guitarist Bruce Franklin, vocalist Eric Wagner, bassist Tim Ian Brown, and drummer Jeff Oly Olson. Ian Brown was replaced by Sean McAllister in 1983 and, later, by Ron Holzner in 1987
9. David Shankle Group
https://www.facebook.com/Davidshanklegroup#!/pages/DSGDavid-Shankle-Group/228286120537860?fref=ts
David Shankle the shredding guitarist from Manowar. New stuff in the works from this great, stay tuned right here for info soon!
10. SISTERS DOLL
http://www.facebook.com/sistersdoll
Paying homage to the glam bands of the past, Sisters Doll is a rising force in the Glam resurgence scene! Check ’em out!:
Ten more! Keep them coming! Know of a band that should be on here? Let me know!
the Hellion
As I sit here pondering my 100th post it comes to me. Why I do what I do. There are some extremely wonderful bands out there that really have no outlet to be heard. Why is this? What can be done? How can they be heard? By us the bloggers and internet radio hosts, the internet video shows. We can can herald their cause. By us telling our peers, sharing their music on our sites, telling our friends, going to their live shows, posting their videos, and taking the time to interview them and hear what THEY have to say. I come to know a lot of these bands and they are hard working, genuine people. They usually are barely scraping by by selling their merch. I try to buy their stuff at every turn. Corporate radio and TV might not support them but WE will.
One other thing I am passionate about is not losing touch with music of the past. As with newer bands, there is really no outlet for a lot of bands from the past. So much great music has been made already. But when their marketability starts to lack they are cast away for the next big thing. By listening to these bands we keep them alive. As with the younger bands we need to support them in the same way and NOT LET THEM GET LOST!
I will leave you with this and go now to enjoy my birthday evening. ROCK N’ ROLL WILL SURVIVE!!!
the Hellion
http://www.facebook.com/michael.a.batio
Who remembers the band NITRO? The incredible screaming vocals of Jim Gillette? The unbelievable, insane, lighting fast guitar wizardry of Michael Angelo Batio? The FOUR necked guitar? The HAIR? Well, here’s a reminder:
Michael Angelo Batio started playing piano and writing music at the tender young age of five. At ten he started playing guitar, it is said he was playing faster than his teacher a couple of years later. He soon became a session musician and began recording music for various companies.
He started his recording career in 1984 with Chicago-based heavy metal band Holland, an project set up by ex-Steppenwolf singer Tommy Holland. They released one album Little Monsters released in 1985 on Atlantic Records.
Here’s “Love In On Time” :
In 1987 he joined forces with Jim Gillette to form NITRO. The band released two studio albums – O.F.R. (1989) and Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. (1991).
In April 1993, Michael Angelo Batio founded his own record label, M.A.C.E. Music. He began recording his first album, No Boundaries, which he released in 1995 on this label. He then released several more solo records, Planet Gemini (1997), Tradition (1999), Lucid Intervals and Moments of Clarity (2000), Lucid Intervals and Moments of Clarity part 2 (2004), Hands Without Shadows (2005), 2 X Again (2007), Hands Without Shadows: 2 Voices (2009), In 2011, Michael debuted his multi-media show “Hands Without Shadows – A Tribute to Rock Guitar” in Las Vegas. In 2012 Michael is touring the world with this show. It is a chronological tribute to rock guitar.
Batio is ambidextrous, a skill he taught himself. He is able to play two guitars at the same time either in synchronization or using separate harmonies. This includes playing completely different parts at once, as shown while playing his famous Double-Guitar. Though naturally left-handed, he plays as right-handed when playing one guitar. Batio invented and often demonstrates the “Over-Under” technique, which involves flipping his fretting hand over and under the neck rapidly, playing the guitar both regularly and like a piano.
Here MAB pays tribute to our man Dime:
Thanks for the playing Michael you are an ICON!
the Hellion
the Hellion Rocks 