Death Alley Motor Cult brings metal back to where it belongs, to the forefront of radio. Start with a dose of blistering guitar work, a thunderous rhythm section, growling vocals and you have an idea what Death Alley Motor Cult is all about. Check out “American Nightmare”:
In a flash of bright, colorful, iridescent light The Electric Boa don’t just remind you of all things rock, they ARE all things rock – now, yesterday and tomorrow. Here is “Horse” live:
I have loved this band since I found them. In the process of spreading the word I have bought several of their CDs and passed them along to friends. Here is my favorite track:
a couple of years ago a friend told me about this band. I have liked them ever since. Blues based straight up Rock N’ Roll have kept this band in my ears. They made a breakthrough with the 2011 release of “Pressure & Time”. They have just released “Head Down” on 09/17/12 I recommend you grab it. Here is their new video for “Keep On Swinging”:
This is another band recommended to me by a friend. They are new to me but a definite like. Heavy DOOM and hard charging music makes this band a worthwhile listen. Check out “Coven of Cain” and let me know what you think!:
from their bio: Abiotic is an American progressive, technical death metal band from Miami, Florida that has recently signed to Metal Blade Records. The five-piece group consists of vocalist Ray Jimenez, bassist Alex Vazquez, drummer Andres Hurtado and guitarists Matt Mendez and Johnathan Matos. The band has released two singles and a seven song studio EP entitled ‘A Universal Plague’. “Vermosapien”, the second track on the EP, has recently been featured on the quintet’s first music video, directed by Dan Drescher.Abiotic is agressive, melodic, technical and musical, to say the least. They’ve been compared to bands like The Faceless and Veil of Maya. Mixing technical riffs, brutal break downs, and solos that will leave you breathless, makes this five-piece assault an act that fans won’t ever want to miss. Here is “Vermosapien”:
I got to see these guys a few weeks ago. Great band, very tight, awesome stage performance and great guys to talk to. I see great hings with this young band. They out on the road and earning their stripes! Here is their new video for “tWIST3D l0V3 sTORY” :
So I just love this band period! Getting out, getting done with pure Rock N’ Roll music. Bringing the fun back into Rock but at the same time ready to kick your ass at the drop of hat. Thanks guys! Here’s “KISS Tried To Kill Me” :
I have a deep seated love for southern rock. I grew up listening to old school country and hippie rock. Southern Rock was a natural progression for me. I found Blackberry Smoke recently and new immediately I would like them. With bands like them Southern Rock and its legacy will stay true. Here is “Ain’t Much Left Of Me” :
I heard this band on satellite radio one day and had to know more. What I found is a band whose attitude is “What you see is what you get”. No frills, groove laden Rock N’ Roll. This band sees regular play in my rotation. Here’s the KILLER track “Brother Go On”:
I have been a fan of Down since its inception. This is the first of four EPs to come out. It was released on 09/18/12 and does not disappoint. Down carries on with their distinct dark and brooding sound. With tones of Sabbath running through it Down is true to form. Live and raw sounding it is deeply satisfying. If you have been living under a rock and haven’t heard Down you are missing out. Down features:
Philip Anselmo – Vocals
Jimmy Bower – Drums
Pat Bruders – Bass
Pepper Keenan – Guitar
Kirk Windstein – Guitar
With a total length of 33:18 it is well worth the price. Here is the track listing:
1. “Levitation”
2. “Witchtripper”
3. “Open Coffins”
4. “The Curse Is a Lie”
5. “This Work Is Timeless”
6. “Misfortune Teller
Here’s “Witchtripper” : UPDATED: OFFICIAL VIDEO RELEASE!
I sat on the porch one mid morning talking with Rick from Shotgun Rebellion. We found we were kindred spirits on a lot of things. As we talked, I felt a bond developing with Rick and knew we would remain friends for a long time. Let’s get to know Rick (guitars/vocals), Jon (bass), Jared (drums), and Steve (guitars) from Shotgun Rebellion.
Hey guys, let’s open a cold one and find out about the origins of Shotgun Rebellion. How did all of this start?
Jon: “As Rick was playing with a band called Kill the Silence and I was with Echofist, our paths had crossed a few times. Over the next two years we’d swap emails back and forth discussing various shows and what all was going on in the Oklahoma music scene. When Echofist separated, the vocalist and I started a new project. Although I enjoyed what we were doing, there was just something missing. So I decided to put the word out that I was looking to do a side project that had a little bit more balls to it so to say. Well, Rick just happened to be online and within about twenty minutes of me posting a notice he called me. As the issues within KTS grew, what was originally just a side project and a chance for Rick and I to work together, begin to evolve into the full-time ride. We thought for a short time about just bringing me in on bass and revamping the lineup for KTS, but after thinking it over we decided to go with our own identity as Shotgun Rebellion.”
As I was listening to the tracks you sent me I hear elements of country music in your songs. What were some of your country influences?
Rick: Not really what you would call traditional country. But more of an Outlaw country and Southern Rock like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Hank jr. and Willy nelson were more of an influence to me along with blues.
Tying into the previous question I also hear metal in your songs, where did the metal influx come from?
SR: Sabbath, Zeppelin, Van Halen, Dokken, Wasp, Down, Pantera, Corrosion of conformity, Megadeth, BLS, Anything Ozzy, Motorhead and Pride & Glory Just to name a few.
As I have gotten to know about I have heard you guys referred to as “Outlaw Metal” what can you tell us about that?
Rick: Well I grew up in southern Oklahoma and my parents and grand parents always listened to country, Outlaw country, Southern Rock as well as Classic Rock. My dad Ronnie taught me to play at a young age, he cut my teeth on Southern Rock and Outlaw country tunes along with blues and classic rock songs. So on my own I was listening to Wasp, anything Ozzy, Van Halen and all that era’s Metal and hard rock songs. So I was taking the licks my dad taught me and trying to learn how to play the stuff I liked. About that time I met a Guitarist named Steve Parnell we formed a band in the late 80s early 90s even then Steve was a accomplished Guitarist he started teaching me a lot more of what was going on in Metal then. We’ve since added him to the line up of “Shotgun Rebellion” in the past year, you can hear his lead work on our songs such as “Emperor’s clothes and Killed by love”. So this half Outlaw country/Southern rock meets Metal/hard rock is just a natural thing for me. So we just coined the term “Outlaw Metal” to describe our sound.
Tell me about the writing process. I can imagine you all putting on some David Allen Coe and then some BLS, drinking a few and going from there. How do you guys go about writing new material?
Jon: “As awriter, anything can inspire you and that creative spark can hit at anytime, I’m always coming up with lyrics. I’ll send them to Rick, who is constantly working out something on his guitar. When he finds something that fits, he’ll record it and bounce it back to me. Or he’ll come up with some lyrics on his own and call me saying he’s sending a new track. Either way, once we have that first blueprint of a song, we all will start adding in our own little touches.”
It’s obvious you have a lot of classical influences, what are some of the newer bands that are catching your attention?
SR: Eye Empire, DevilDriver, Kill Devil Hill, Down and there’s a new southern rock band called Blackberry Smoke I like a lot.
You have shared the stage with some great bands, does any particular show stand out?
Jon: “Every show we do with Texas Hippie stands out just because they are brothers in arms, we’ve gotten to know those guys pretty good and are fun to work with. But as for me one show that really stands out was when we played with Warbeast, Forte, and Rev Jones at the Coca-Cola Center in Oklahoma City. We had honestly only been together as Shotgun Rebellion for a about a month, and as far as the crowd knew we came out of nowhere. Over the next few weeks, we received messages from fans and even the promoter who told us we had the set of the night, and that was only our second show after that first practice six weeks before.”
Rick: Sharing the stage with George Lynch twice when we opened for Lynch Mob was a big deal for me. I grew up in the late 80s as a teen and he was a big influence on my playing
What are the musical backgrounds of you guys? Any formal musical instruction? Rick: I was taught to play guitar from my dad.There was alway instruments around the house if you didn’t play you wasn’t from my family. So it was just the way I was raised.
Jon : “I graduated from the Art Institute in Dallas with a degree in Music Business.”
I have been having fun reading the responses fro others with this question. Is there any music that you listen to that would surprise us? I happen to like the Bee Gees myself…. Rick: I sometimes listen to Motown soul and a lot of blues. Jon: “I listen to just about everything. Whether its country, metal, blues, pop, jazz, or even Christian artists; I’m always hearing rhythms or lyrics that hit me and inspire me. I take that bit of inspiration and use it, then send it off to Rick who puts his own stamp onto it with what he’s been listening to and that is where that SGR blend comes from.”
If you had a chance to speak to a crowd of musicians trying to enter into the music industry what advice would you give them? SR: Stick to your guns and don’t be fake, what I mean is play and write from the heart don’t just be what you think other people want to hear. If you do that it’ll come out fake so Stick to your guns and play what you feel.
Let’s have some “Devils Home Brew”:
There you have it, Shotgun Rebellion in the raw.
the Hellion
UPDATE: Catch Shotgun Rebellion on Bleach Bangs Radio tomorrow night (09/18/2012)
Where does Jake Delling Le Bas come from? I heard you were from Ireland? Jake: Well I was born here in the U.S.A and lived here until I was 8 years old. But after that my family moved over to Ireland and that’s where I spent some very important years of my life almost 14 years in total. So I grew up in the west of Ireland and that’s where I really feel like I come from. But it is nice to be back living here in the states again.
Who was it that introduced you to music? Jake: That one for me is a really tough question I don’t really have a single person who one day showed me some music and it changed my life forever. I just have memories of very pivotal moments over the years when different people have shown me different things that really changed my music listening. Between my Mother, friends in school, some friends of my Dad and who knows who else a lot of people have helped me through the years.
What kind of music was your earliest memories? Jake: But if your asking what kind of music it was I do have a very early memory of my Mother giving me the Pearl Jam album Ten when I was around 11 or 12. I don’t even think she listened to Pearl Jam I think she just found it one day and gave it to me. But that was a pretty big deal that got me started more than anything I ever listened too before that.
Were you interested in other instruments? How did you find your way to the drum kit? Jake: I always wanted to play an instrument since I can remember. We always had guitars and things around the house because my Dad plays a little bit. I even got given a bright white electric guitar of some random make when I was really young that sat around for years. I tried learning it a little bit as I grew up but the guitar never really drew me in. And then in school I had some friends that wanted to start a band but they had no drummer. And I will never forget my friend Owen said to me one day ” Man if you started playing drums it would really help me out” I always liked the drums and that was the reason to just go and do it. So I was 13 or 14 when I got my first kit and never looked back after that. It was a great decision as far as I’m concerned!!
I have seen some drummers out there playing some massive kits. Some of them are so big you lose the drummer in them. One of the things I love about you is the fact you play a small kit. Why do you do so?
Jake: A philosophy I have always loved in that simple is better. And that same thing applies to my drums. Growing up I was a huge punk fan and I still am but one of the things about punk is simplicity and no bullshit. That’s what I do with my drums I don’t see any reason to have 50 drums and 80 cymbals. For some guys a giant kit works and some guys make it work. But at the same time some don’t! I just figure if you can’t do what you need to with a very minimal set up then you have no business using a complicated set up. So I just like to keep it simple and make the most out of a small set up.
I have to ask you about this. Who gave you the nickname “Irish Thunder”? Jake: Well that one came from a man you know, Mr. Adam Joad or the Appalachian Apostle as he is known. Adam is quite the man for nick names I think he loves giving them out. I was barely in the band before he slapped the nick name Irish Thunder on me. It’s a good one though I’ll take that all day long.
I love sharing new music with friends that I know will appreciate it. One of those bands is “Ghost”, I know you enjoy the band how come? Jake: So many reasons!! I have you to thank for giving me that CD that one was in my ears everyday for a few months after I got that. But what they do is so awesome to me. They want to sing about the devil but do it in the catchiest way possible with awesome riffs, you can’t beat that. And the whole hiding the identity thing is a nice touch. They are just a great band doing something different, its awesome.
Besides “Ghost”, what other new music are you listening to? Jake: I go through a kinds of different phases of different music. Lately its been a lot of bluegrass a band called Split Lip Rayfield I’ve been listening to a lot lately. My boys in Gypsyhawk just released their new album so I’ve been rocking that one, those dudes rule. I just came across a band recently called Larry and His Flask its some pretty cool stuff worth checking out.
Your fan base are called “Hell Riders” what does that mean to you? Jake: The Hell Riders are why we do what we do. When we first started going out there and touring and really showing people who Scattered Hamlet are the response we got from people meant everything to us. And then Hell Rider chapters starting popping up around the country it was amazing for us and now we meet people who are proud to call themselves Hell Riders. And that for me is incredible. To have people who connect with your music that much and take pride in being a part of it I can’t ask for anything more. Hell Riders for me make me want to go out on the road as often as I can to meet every one of them. Hell Riders!!!!
If you were asked to contribute to a book on the music industry, what advice would you give to a new musician? Jake: PRACTICE! That’s the biggest thing you have to practice your instrument if you ever want to do anything. Practice often and practice hard. Also go out and play with people don’t sit in you garage and be too afraid to go out and play with people you learn more playing with other people than you ever will sitting at home alone. And lastly if you think this is something you really want to do then prepare yourself for sacrifice it takes a lot of sacrifice. But also prepare yourself for fun I wouldn’t trade this for anything else.
I have heard some “interesting” music coming from the “Hell Rider” van, what’s other surprises would I hear if I looked through your musical selection? Jake: Haha that’s a scaryquestion probably lots of things! As music fans we all love a lot of things, things we wouldn’t expect. Me I have no problem bustin out Lionel Ritchie’s greatest hits anyone who disagrees can suck it. Hulk Hogan and his Wrestling Boot Band is another favourite to listen to on the road. I even have some good old Limp Bizkit on there but that’s mostly there because myself and Adam like to listen to it on the road and break down how lyrically retarded Fred Durst really is. If you didn’t know he is very retarded. It helps pass the time while we drive.
Given the current state of flux it’s in what do you think of the music industry these day? Jake: That’s the big Question for a lot of people these days. It’s a tough place out there for a band a REAL band that is, it’s an extremely tough place. I was at a music festival last weekend and there were many different kinds of music there but one thing that drove me crazy is that on a huge stage in front of thousands of people there were 2 guys up there one using a DJ setup and another barely playing drums. It was horrible, the dude was just singing using autotune. But people were loving it!!! Going crazy for it! Even though there was not much real talent being used up there. So that’s what REAL bands have to compete with now and its a sad state of affairs. Technology is replacing talent its disgraceful. But the thing I always remember is that if I still love real music and REAL bands then there are others out there too. People like Hell Riders and all real music fans as long as these people are out there the REAL bands will always have a chance it just takes some damn hard work. Oh and talent although for some people the talent part isn’t necessary if you have autotune haha!
Check out the talented Jake Delling Le Bas in the band Scattered Hamlet!
It truly is a small world. Several years ago I attended a show and was fortunate to meet the guys in Texas Hippie Coalition. I kept my eyes and ears on them since then. There were a few lineup changes in THC and that was where Craw first came to my attention. He subsequently left THC and fell off of my radar. Enter my friend Alan Scott. Alan is a local jewelry/leather craftsman who has made pieces for many varied artists and celebrities. He told me a bout a band called Die Hard Til Death. I became friends with the bassist Kurt Arft who in turn told about his friend Craw who was now playing with All Hail The Yeti. Kurt helped us to get in touch and I was able to do this interview. I put together some questions and emailed them to Craw. He sent back his answers and yet I felt I needed something more so we got to talk on the phone one evening. Craw rang me up and I went outside and sat on the tailgate of my pickup under the stars and got to know Craw a little bit. We had a lot of similar musical tastes in some Outlaw Country and talked about how much we both enjoyed the “soul” in some of the artists in the past. I asked him about touring and what their plans were. All Hail The Yeti will be playing a few shows until the holidays and then after maybe some touring. I also asked about how the name came to be He said that Connor came up with it…that’ll wait for another interview. Now, let’s get to know Craw:
Tell me about where you come from and where you grew up? What was the music like?
Craw: I grew up in South Louisiana in a small town surrounded by bayous, crawfish ponds, duck blinds, and deer stands. Where most folks come from struggle and are proud of their last name, culture, and the things they have worked hard for…mainly offshore workers, farmers, plant workers, and fisherman. As hard as they work they can party even harder and ‘pass a good time’ HAHA C’mon… Louisiana is full of great music: Zydeco, Jazz, Blues, Country, Rock/Metal, we cover all the bases down home and I am fortunate to grow up around all of it.
Music is such a part of my life on multiple levels it is part of my DNA I think. What is it about music that infected your soul?
Craw: The way music has infected my soul? Brother I don’t know one person that doesn’t use music as a way to deal with the stress of this strange world we live in every day… Music is an amazing gift given to us; it can be your shoulder to cry on during the worst of times, or it can lift your spirits and bring everyone together during the best of times. Can I get an Amen!!
What was it that drove you to pick up an instrument and learn to play? Craw: Well I’ve always had an instrument in my hand, both of my parents were musicians. My father was a helluva singer and guitar picker and my mother has the voice of an angel and is a very poetic songwriter…it’s in the blood. On my mother’s side, “Thibodeaux”, we have the fiddle players and on my father’s side, ‘’NeQuent”, is the accordion players. A lot of my family members can play an instrument or sing…
A lot of artists do not start out playing the instruments they end up playing. Was guitar your first choice? Craw: Guitar was my first choice absolutely. Even though my folks were separated early in my life both of them had a guitar layin around the house… In school I played saxophone and dabbled in other instruments, but I always had a love for guitar.
Were you able to take any formal lessons or did you dig in to your inner spirit and learn by ear?
Craw: Never had formal lessons as a kid, but we lived n a trailer house out in the woods. My step father and mother would invite friends and family to the house for cookouts, crawfish boils, and bbq’s. They always had a couple of acoustics jammin some blues/southern rock tune, a country song everyone could sing along to, or playin along with the radio. I was very lucky to have these people show me lil chords, parts of songs, and tricks. Later I would listen to the radio and figure out the tuning before the second verse. I would try to play along; I didn’t realize then, but I was playing by ear and learning to pick up pretty quick.
I love all music but I can readily identify with the music of the late 60’s and 70’s. Is there any “era” of music that appeals to you more than others?
Craw: It’s hard to say a specific era? I love music that dates back from 1930’s to the present…but my favorite “genre” is hands down Outlaw Country. I can listen to Waylon and Willie all day long.
Who are some of the artists that inspire you to this day?
Craw: Good question how much time ya got… Let’s kick back a few cold ones and I’ll try to fire em all off to ya before one of us passes out! It will be you.
Ha ha, I’m gonna hold you to that one brother. You are probably right in your assumption on that. When was that you started playing in your first band? Craw: When I was in High School, I convinced a of couple friends to play cover tunes and write songs. I always wanted to have a band of brothers just playin music. I was into sports, dirt bikes, hunting and fishing; all that changed once I got into a band. All I wanted to do with any free time was practice and play shows, I was obsessed!
Were you in many bands? I’ll bet there were some mixed experiences and many lessons learned from them.
Craw: I can count them on both hands… Man what didn’t I learn from these bands and experiences? Haha, and I will always have great memories of all the musicians I met and will continue to share the stage with. It has been a blessing to meet life-long friends through music.
What can you tell me about the origins of All Hail The yeti?
Craw: Connor started this band with a love for Sludge and Doom Metal bands from Southern Louisiana and influences from his favorite bands growing up, not just metal but all genres. He has found brothers who share the same passion and drive for this kind of music, and we love what we create… All of us share stories of bands we grew up on and the energy is still there like it was the first time we discovered them!! I will get goose bumps just talking about a concert back in the day or a part in a song, crazy isn’t it?
I hear ya brother and now the feeling exactly. I have heard the term “Whiskey Metal” used to describe All Hail The Yeti. What’s that all about?
Craw: Come watch a live show… best way to explain it brother…
I love the “sound” of All Hail The Yeti how did you guys develop that sound? Does it all start with a jam session and songs all pulled from that? Or does each member bring pieces in and go from there?
Craw: It’s one helluva Gumbo bruh… Ingredients of our influences mixed with jam sessions and bits n pieces from each member thrown together in one pot. I love watching the magic happen when creating a song.
I am always on the lookout for new artists to check out how about you? Anything new caught your ear lately?
Craw: I really stick with my old favorites, y’know? The guys in the band are always showing me new artists they are up to date on; all kinds of new shit like Ghost, a band from Sweden called Graveyard, Haarp, to name a few..
Some people are surprised at what they find in my music collection. Is there anything surprising to others in yours?
Craw: Not really I’m stuck in my ways man. I love listening to old records and I still have a CD player in my truck so it’s the same damn outlaw country mix, blues mix, or the same damn rock metal mix HAHA. Lawd, someone “pimp my ride” so I can be up to date.
If you were offered a chance to give a lecture to people trying to break into the music industry, what would that include?
Craw: I’m still learning and watching this business change every day so I couldn’t lecture anyone. If someone was passionate and was honestly asking for my advice, I would tell them my journey, from start to present, and hopefully they can take from it and apply it to their dreams…and they all have my respect for getting out there and trying.
The floor is yours brother, close this out with whatever you want to say to the readers.
Craw: Well I appreciate all the questions and those who are taking the time to read this interview. As some people try to be the “Biggest, Baddest, King, Queen” etc… Haha? I’m happy to just be “alive and kickin” and living my dream. It’s not the automobile ya drive, or how fat the wallet is, or who ya know to me. It’s what’s inside and where your heart is. My heart is where it needs to be: in music, and it has led me to meet amazing friends and extended family that I will always hold close to me. Find your happy place and have fun with your life while ya can. See you on the road, I love you all…Craw
What a great interview, thanks Craw. I plan on staying in touch with this for a LONG LONG time. Check out the video for “The Art Of Mourning” by All Hail The Yeti:
VOTE FOR SUNSET RIOT TO OPEN FOR EVERCLEAR!!I’ve seen a few bands in my life. Few have moved me the way Sunset Riot has. Upon hearing some of their tunes on cd i was hooked immediately. When I saw them live the first time I knew I was a fan for life! If you’ve seen them live you know exactly what I’m talking about. For me it gets better every time. Other bands should really pay attention to the way these guys are doing it. Because whether they know it or not… they’ve got it figured out. PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE AND VOTE FOR MY MATES!!!! THANK YOU.
Cheers!
Charlie MF Owens
I first heard of Sunset Riot from the Bleach Bangs crew. They were right on all points, energetic stage show, great Rock N’ Roll, down to earth guys. This hard working band deserves this shot so let’s help them out! It’s easy to support:
My friend Stevil Helmer from Die Hard Til Death told me about these guys. While still new to my ears this guys are certainly welcome in my ears. Thanks Stevil! Let’s look at the video for “Gun To My Head”:
I received a message the other from Ade Riches telling me about this band. “PEEPSHOW’s 2nd album release, ‘Brand New Breed’ last week won the Scottish New Music Award for Loud/Metal Recording of the Year 2012 at the musician and industry awards ceremony in Glasgow. The band have also received praise of their LP ‘Brand New Breed’ across the music press in magazines including Fireworks Magazine, Rocksound Magazine, Powerplay Rock and Metal Magazine, and Big Cheese Magazine” -Ade. How could I NOT check them out? Great job Peepshow! I look forward to more from you! Here’s “Let Go” :
Dream Theater, Skid Row, Disturbed, Dio, Queensryche, and Halcyon Way. Yup I love the way that sounds. Halcyon Way is Atlanta’s premier heavy metal band. They are known for their explosive live shows, instantly catchy melodies, precise vocal harmonies, incendiary guitar work, intricate yet pounding drums, and showmanship hearkening back to the glory days of arena rock. Here is the promo for their release “IndoctriNation”:
SOULBLEED is and always has been a band that has stuck to their Heavy Metal roots. No matter what they are doing, be it writing, recording, or performing live, the members hold themselves to a high standard and work hard to create music that stands out. The band is dedicated to making music that is brutal, raw, melodic at times yet always metal. Drawing from a wide range of influences has helped the band shape their sound and find a voice that is unique to them. Thanks to the guys in Dronika for pointing them out to me! New album promo:
I was fortunate to have recently seen Coldspell play live. I was also lucky to have been able to interview and hang out with these guys. Warm, and down to earth people, yet they will not hesitate to kick your ass on stage. It was a pleasure to see a band that “had it together”. DO NOT MISS THEM if they hit a town near you! Here is “Time”:
Whiskey Six — Landed on my radar a couple of years When I accidentally caught their show at a Tattoo convention. Their Heavy southern laden sound had me hooked from the start. Check em out! Vid—” Your Disease”
Anti-Mortem A killer young Metal band out of OKC. This in my eyes (or ears) is what metal is all about. With this band you can hear the passion and honesty in the music. I sadly have not seen them live… yet, but if you ask around, it’s unanimous…They will destroy you! Vid—Truck Stop Special:
Wildstreet You want a band with the perfect mix of that “80’s feel” and incredible modern sound? This IS the band. You WILL sing along to every song. Every song WILL get stuck in your head. Trust me, that’s a good thing.It’s not just an image with these guys. They are living their sound all out. One of the best live shows going. They know what they’re doing in and out of the studio. Vid–Poison Kiss:
Black Tora I will put this 3 piece up against ANY 4,5,6 etc.. out there. I was blown away at how much sound these 3 are capable of producing. Bombastic drums, outstanding vocals, and “are you kidding me” guitar playing.In my opinion this is one of the most underrated bands out there. Unbelievable. Vid—Never Enough:
Warner Drive For a long time I had other bands and friends telling me to check this band out. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG?!?! Big mistake on my part.Thankfully I own their C.D.s now and their tunes are all over my phone and iPod, so I don’t have to be without them anymore. Live show you ask. GO as soon as possible!!! Vid– The scarecrow:
Ten more bands worth checking out! Thanks to my good friend and co-host on Bleach Bangs Radio ( http://www.bleachbangs.com/) Charlie Owens for guest appearing with his picks!
I remember in 1983 a friend of mine told me about a band he had seen called Pantera. He said the guitarist “Diamond Darrell” was “out of this world”. I remembered the name but never heard anything more about the band at the time.
1990- I turned on the radio one day and heard a song that blasted through and hit me like a ton of bricks. “Cowboys From Hell” totally crushed me! I found out the name of the band was Pantera. Hmmm??? Could this be the same band I heard about several years ago? It was, and I understood what my friend had meant. “Diamond Darrell” and Pantera became one of my new favorite bands. I bought “Cowboys From Hell and played it over and over. Cherishing each brutal song as they burned into me.
1992 – “Vulgar Display Of Power” continued the onslaught, I was telling everyone and anyone about Pantera! The songs remained true to the name of the record and “Diamond Darrell” was burning up the strings.
1994 – Pantera continued to evolve as did “Diamond Darrell”. I do not know the circumstances but he had morphed into “Dimebag Darrell” with the release of “Far Beyond Driven”. The aggression continued and the guitar work became even more amazing (yes it did!) I was sure that Pantera was going to change the face of Rock N’ Roll and I championed their cause.
1996 – “The Great Southern Trendkill” gave me my favorite Pantera song to date. “Floods” (in my opinon) was Dimebag’s best work EVER! If there are any doubts check it out here and get back to me and we can discuss it:
2000 – “Reinventing the Steel” gave me more ammunition to carry on the fight! This band was going straight into the halls of Metal Icons from my past. I knew that I would forever sing the praises of Dimebag’s playing. And then…..Pantera was no more. I was crushed.
2003- Damageplan! Well alright! Dime was back! My guitar hero was back! I eagerly listened to this album and was happy! “Reborn” (featuring Zakk Wylde!!!) was never a truer song!
2004- December 9th – I was at work, it was early in the morning. I had stepped outside to receive some materials when I received a text message from my then fourteen year old son. “Dad, did Dimebag get killed?” WHAT?!?!?! I had heard nothing at this point. I made some phone calls and it was true. I was horrified at the thought. Another of my favorite musicians had been taken from us. When I heard the details of his murder I was sickened. WHY?!?! I will ALWAYS wonder why?
2012- I still listen and try to turn people on the music Dime created and left for us. He remains now and forever one of my favorite guitarists. Thank you Dime for the music and for giving all you had.
Dime and his brother Vinnie did a cover of one of my favorite Ace Frehley songs “Fractured Mirror”. You can just feel the emotion in this fitting tribute to one of Dimebag’s heroes.
the Hellion
P.S. this post is dedicated to a young music lover who has parents who care enough to share the healing power of music with him – “Matt The Cat” this is for you!
On this 09/11 I want to stop and take a moment to stop and reflect a moment. I am grateful I live in a country that affords me the freedom write this blog and share it with the world. I am grateful to all of those around the world who have sacrificed in every imaginable way for the benefit of others. I am grateful to all of the people who have given us music throughout all of man’s history. I am grateful for all of you who have come here to read my words, thoughts and ideas on the Rock genre of music. From my very soul thank you ALL!
the Hellion Rocks 