Category Archives: RockStar

OZZY…

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This hits hard, really hard.

I remember the first time I heard Ozzy’s voice, it was around 1977 and I was 13ish. My family had recently moved into a new apartment and there was a “cool” (at least I thought so) kid that lived across the hall from us. We became friends and listened to a lot of music together. One day he put on Master of Reality and my mind was blown. I guess I had overlooked Sabbath all of these years. I voraciously ate up their back catalog enjoying it all.  And then, in 1979, just like that, I heard that Ozzy and Sabbath parted ways.  I was bummed but hopeful for new music.

I was listening to the radio (yeah I am a dinosaur) one day when I was about 16 when I heard the first notes of “Crazy Train” assault my ears. As the song progressed I recognized Ozzy’s distinct voice, sure enough. the DJ said “That was the new record from former Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne.” I saved some money and bought Blizzard of Oz and proceeded to wear it out. I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing, in my young mind (and ears) it was a sonic masterpiece. I couldn’t wait to hear more from Ozzy and crew.

Diary of a Madman hit just as hard. Track after track of Rock and Roll excellence. I lucked out and scored tickets to see Ozzy in Jan of ’82. What a show! Ozzy and crew played songs off of both solo records AND some of the Sabbath songs I had fallen in love with. Ozzy, Randy Rhoads, Rudy Sarzo, Tommy Aldrige, and Don Airey absolutely CRUSHED it. The music and theatrics were stellar and took you away to the magical universe of Rock and Roll. We lost Randy a few months later, but we still had his spirit with us, and still do.

Ozzy continued to make great records and remained a staple in my listening preferences. But those first two record just hit me different than the rest. I saw Ozzy multiple times on tour (and actually got to shake his hand and thank him once). I continued to look forward to new music from Ozzy.

I was lucky enough to catch Black Sabbath on a couple of their reunion shows which was a wonderful experience for me after all of the years of listening. I heard of Ozzy’s health issues and wished the best for him and hoped he would be able to take some time for himself and enjoy what he had given the world. But no, he wasn’t done giving. He soldiered on and gave us more music and tours.

Watching the Back to the Beginning show I saw how the years of giving (and the Rockstar lifestyle) had taken its toll on him. But in true Rock God fashion Ozzy gave it his all. And we ALL drank it up and showed our respect. In my mind I thanked him for the years of enjoyment and music.

And then he was gone. He went out on a high note. The world mourned, I mourned. I didn’t know him personally but I felt like he knew me. It was like losing that crazy uncle that most people have. His songs made me laugh, cry, shout in defiance, and help me get through difficult times. I cannot thank him enough. I know wherever he is right now, he’s telling them all to “Go Crazy”.

 

Thanks Ozzy, for everything.

 

Side note:

The day Ozzy left us I received text from my grown son, as follows:

“Your childhood, my childhood, and now Noah’s. (Noah is my 3 year old grandson) Last night, Noah laid on my chest and asked me to show him Ozzyborn. We watched Ozzy videos for an hour and talked about him. Today before school, he asked if he can listen to his Ozzyborn. Then on the way home he said I love Bark at the Moon…”

I texted a sad emoji face to which he replied:

“Yeah a little eerie right? He’s never asked me about Ozzy before…then last night and today, he became his favorite.”

 

I guess Ozzy is still giving it his all.

 

It’s LOUD, it’s OZZY, it’s ROCK AND ROLL! (I’m gonna go Bark at the Moon)

-the Hellion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darken The Day – The Dealing

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Well, well, well…

It would take something awesome to wake the Hellion and here it is.

Darken The Day has released  – The Dealing and the Hellion is here to “deal” with it.

Let’s talk about Darken The Day for a minute. Most bands are relatively easy to pin down. Not these guys.

There are elements of multiple genres/styles/bands throughout their music. Country, Trash, Metal, Doom, Sludge, etc…

It’s all there. Thus leading me to categorize DTD as a band without boundaries.

Now, let’s talk about The Dealing:

9 tracks of powerful music that will send you down a rabbit hole of surreality . Layers upon layers of carefully crafted and

sculpted sonic wizardry.

Track listing

1.The Dealing
2. Little Bit
3.Walk Out Alone
4.Violence Waits For I
5. Reverend
6. Riptide
7. Coming Back To Life
8. Shine
9. Tear It Down
I find myself not hearing this record as individual tracks but instead, as a whole. It is one of those records that you put on
and let it roll. I believe it was meant to be listened to in that form. I’ll have to nail down an interview with the guys and
find out about that. If pressed I would say the standout track for me “Little Bit” (see video below).
A record like The Dealing gives me hope that true artistry in the music world still exists. No sellout, no
compromises, No Grids, No Click, No Punch Ins, No Auto Tune! Just music. I know the background of several of these
cats and they are definitely heavy hitters. Talent all day here my friends. As for the technical side of The Dealing it is
mixed and mastered very cleanly. You hear all of the layers as they were meant to be heard. I don’t’ get the feeling of
egos with this record (we’re all familiar with musical egos). Like I said it is crafted to compliment each part thus making
it complete.  Darken The Day, it’s worth a listen, you will NOT regret picking up The Dealing. You WILL be back for more.
Darken The Day is
Rob Smith Rhythm and Lead Guitars, Keyboards
Blair Spencer Hall Vocals
Mike “Gutter” Garcia Bass Guitar
David “Ace” Armstrong Rhythm and Lead Guitars
Donnie Mosley Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Mike Chavez Drums
May be an image of 6 people and guitar

it’s LOUD, it’s DIRTY, it’s DARKEN THE DAY

-the Hellion

Bob Kulick talks Skeletons In The Closet

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It’s not every day you get the chance to talk with a legend. When we were offered the opportunity to talk with Bob Kulick, I immediately thought Mike Araiza would be the perfect host for this interview. Boy was I right, you can check out the stellar interview below.

Make sure you also check out Bob’s new record “Skeletons In The Closet” which  will be released on September 15 through Vanity Music.
Bob Kulick promo 4

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

(Bob Kulick Style!)

-the Hellion

Frankie Banali talks ROAD RAGE!!!

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Had a great conversation with Frankie Banali about the new Quiet Riot release Road Rage!

Check it out here:

https://quietriot.band/

http://www.frontiers.shop/search?sSearch=Quiet+Riot

https://www.amazon.com/Road-Rage-Quiet-Riot/dp/B071FKGKFC/ref=sr_1_1?        ie=UTF8&qid=1501808705&sr=8-1&keywords=Quiet+Riot

it’s LOUD, it’s DIRTY, it’s QUIET RIOT (so bang your head)

-the Hellion

 

 

QUIET RIOT – ROAD RAGE

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Frontiers Music s.r.l. out on   08/04/17

1.Can’t Get Enough

2. Getaway

3. Roll This Joint

4. Freak Flag

5. Wasted

6. Still Wild

7. Make A Way

8. Renegades

9. The Road

10. Shame

11. Knock Em Down

 

Having been a Quiet Riot fan since forever I have to say I was quite intrigued when I heard they had hired James Durbin as their new vocalist. I had been paying attention and waiting for the new record to drop when, to my surprise, I received a preview copy of Road Rage in my inbox.

Not sure what to expect from 2017 lineup of Frankie Banali (drums), Chuck Wright (bass), Alex Grossi (guitars), and James Durbin (vocals) I quickly found myself picking my ass up off the floor upon listening to it.

The songs on Road Rage take me back to the days when groove laden rock was the norm, and yet these tracks have a freshness to them. There are homages to 70’s and 80’s bands throughout this record that make it a comfortable, yet head banging listen.

There are those who have proclaimed the death of Rock and Roll as we know and love it. I would say to them, “Listen to the new Quiet Riot record Road Rage and get back with me on that.”

Stand out tracks for me include: “Can’t Get Enough”, “Getaway”, “Still Wild”, and “Knock Em Down”.

As expected Frankie lays down a solid bed for the rest of the band to build upon. Chuck rounds out Frankie’s drumming with a heavy bottom end. Alex walks his guitar all over the map and if you listen you will hear the talent that this man has. James had his work cut out for him by laying vocals over such amazingly crafted music, and he pulled it off, and then some.

The record officially drops on 08/04/17 on  Frontiers Music s.r.l. and I will for sure be ordering a copy to support hard working musicians to keep doing what they do and what we love.

I would give this a solid 8 out of 10 stars.

 

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s QUIET RIOT

(so BANG YOUR HEAD)

-the Hellion

 

 

Marty Casey – A Rock N’ Roll Champion

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Sometimes people cross your paths and leave a positive impact on you. I found one of those people in Marty Casey.

From first seeing him on Rockstar INXS, then meeting him when he was singing for LA Guns, and now a conversation with him, Marty has had that positive impact on me.

Please take a moment and listen to our conversation and understand who Marty is and the message he brings right here:

 

After listening do yourself a favor and click the link below the album cover and order the new record.

 

marty casey pic 3

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/martycasey

     Here’s a couple of videos from the new record, enjoy:

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

     -the Hellion

talking with Robert Mason of WARRANT

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I had the chance to talk with Robert about the new WARRANT album LOUDER HARDER FASTER. check it out here:

it’s LOUDER, HARDER, FASTER

the Hellion

Metallica/Lady GaGa

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I have been asked by several people what my thoughts on the Metallica/Lady GaGa performance last night on the Grammys.

I haven’t watched any of the so called “award” shows in a very long time. My reasoning is that I do not feel it adequately represents reality. I think that if they want a REAL version they should put it to vote to the people who are listening to that particular genre of music. Now, on to the Metallica/GaGa performance.

Because I was asked I looked online and saw the performance. In my opinion it was a train wreck from the get go. I think that it was someone’s grand idea to try and cross pollinate fans of Lady GaGa and Metallica. While I feel, both are great performers on their own, they added nothing to each other. I was also bothered by the “mosh pit” dancers on stage. It seemed too contrived, any one of you who has been “caught in a mosh” know what I mean. As for the technical glitches, hey it’s Rock N’ Roll and we have ALL lived through them.

All in all, it was painful for me to watch. I said it and I’ll stand by it.

-the Hellion18222_506710132693748_815406802_n

Where Do We Go From Here?

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In the beginning, Rock N’ Roll was underground. It was not mainstream at all. Eventually it became widely accepted and part of our culture.

Rock radio helped to expose us to bands and music in ways like no other. There was a time when that was how we discovered new bands and songs. Record stores popped up everywhere and one could hang out and explore and find new music as well. We then had the arrival of music video channels which gave us another source to discover new bands and music.

Then radio became less user friendly and more commercial, only playing what they were told. The record stores began closing their doors. Music video channels stopped playing music videos. What happened?

The internet had come along and was added into the thick of things. Some people put the blame on that.

What happened to the music world? Is there still great new music being made? How does one find new music these days? I mean with all the music being flooded onto the web how does one find that jewel that reaches out to you?

Do you think that some of the bands we all know and love would have made it if they had just started out in today’s world?

I often wonder if the next Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, etc. etc.  is out there lost in the shuffle.

Just some thoughts I was pondering… what are yours?

-the Hellion

Stephen Pearcy talks SMASH

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Well, It’s a new year and I’ve taken some time off to try and gather my wits about me in this turbulent world. What better way to jump back into it than to chat with Stephen Pearcy about his new record SMASH! Enjoy!!!

screammmmer