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!
On a recent trip to Los Angeles I was fortunate enough to meet and hang out a bit with Dronika members Eduardo and Carlos. We got to hang out and watch some great live music at the Whisky. Dronika is a new band that I have been lucky enough to witness growing. They have included me in sharing their growth and development. They are currently working on their debut release. Pay attention and don’t miss out when their CD drops! Here’s a taste:
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:
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!
Sometimes you see a band that just sticks with you. I mean pretty soon they are eating your food, ordering pay-per-view, making long distance phone calls, on and on and on… Beelzebubba is one of those bands. Seriously though, on a recent trip to Hollywood I caught their performance at the Whisky A Go-Go. Prior to the show several people had asked me if I had ever seen Beelzebubba before. To be honest I hadn’t, nor had I ever heard of them before. I was quite taken aback when they took the stage dressed as people right out of my worst nightmares. Cowboy hats, western shirts, and pointy boots OH MY! I thought I was at a rock show?!?! As soon as they started playing though….everything was gonna be ok, or was it?
I caught up with Adrian Jackson Dunham (A),and Zachary Maxwell Dunham (Z) and tried to figure out the question, What in the HELL is Beelzebubba?
Z: I’m not really sure how to define it…
A: A really fun band, the inception of which is from our heads… We dress like Texans who are trying to look sharp for the ladies… We do songs you might not expect to come out of a ten-gallon hat… We are a country band.
How did this unholy union come to be?
A: Zach and I always liked to play music together. Beelzebubba is a vein we hit and ran with. We have always been fascinated with outsider art, primarily music and concept albums of this genre. Thor’s “An-Thor-Logy”, AKA “Ride of the Chariots”, The Shaggs “Philosophy of the World”, and anything by The Kids of Whidney High are my greatest influences. I feel that these all reflect the way the world really is.
Z: Me too. My brother and I have been playing music together since 1998. Our stuff has always been just for us, trying to make each other laugh. We grew up in a small town where we’d get snowed in a lot, so we needed to entertain ourselves. It started as really silly rock (we sang songs of praise about the wrestler Goldberg and Yassir Arafat). Then we got really into NES video game music – covering classics and making our own. In 2005 we formed our first band called Hokma Gandhi. We sucked, playing at one or two total shit hole bars, and believing all the time that we were geniuses; and we didn’t have to work hard because we were going to be discovered and magically whisked away to the realm of stardom. We did that for two years, until Hokma Gandhi blessedly dissolved. Then Adrian and I sort of went our separate ways – I moved to NYC and he stayed in LA. Do you want to add anything about Hokma Gandhi?
A: No. You said it, that’s fine.
Z: We reunited in 2009 when I moved back for work. One day in the summer of that year, we were driving around listening to a mix Adrian had made. The only song that wouldn’t skip was “Cop Killer” by Body Count. We love that song, always have ever since we were kids. Adrian said, “How awesome would this be as a country song?” I said, “Fucking awesome. In fact, this should’ve been a country song.” Adrian said, “Let’s record it – like a slow country shuffle,” and I replied, “No, let’s do it as a moderately peppy two-step.” We then immediately set up the laptop and recorded it in his kitchen in about a half hour. That was the first track we did. Adrian and I reinvented the song as a country song, almost an exact rendition except for the chord progression in the chorus – Adrian makes very careful, considerate musical liberties with every cover we do. We showed “Cop Killer” to some people and they all laughed their asses off. Then we sort of left it alone, and did other stuff to make each other laugh, like traditional Jewish Power Metal…
A: Hineih Ma Tov is still one of my favorite things we’ve ever done…
Z: A few weeks later, Adrian came to me and said we should start a band. But what kind of band? Our tastes are so varied and eclectic? He suggested that we just do like we’ve always done and just do whatever we want – kind of like Mr. Bungle or Ween or Frank Zappa. But I came back and said that Cop Killer is really something to be proud of and we can take our secret formula of comedic song writing and do an entire album of country-fried punk, heavy metal or gangster rap songs. Now we had a country band with a Satanic through line. Adrian came up with the name by combining an ancient pseudonym for Satan (Beelzebub – Lord of the Flies) and Bubba, a pretty standard redneck name…
A: Which coincidentally is also the name of a Dead Milkmen album.
Z: And that is the birth of Beelzebubba. I’m the manager of the band – getting gigs, scheduling rehearsal, etc – and I also have a lot of creative input. I came up with the flag and the costumes, for instance. But the feel, the overall artistic vision, is Adrian’s. He designed the website, he orchestrated every song.
Tell me about the magical alchemy of players that comprise Beelzebubba.
Z: I’m the lead singer. My background, all of my training and stuff, comes from musical theatre. Freddy Mercury, Mike Patton, Stevie Wonder, Rob Halford and Ozzy Osbourne are my favorite singers.
A: I’m the lead guitarist and I sing backing vocals. I went to music school, studied experimental music. My favorite musical style of all is Judas Priest. I met John in school – he’s our drummer. He’s good at just about everything from blast beats to Bach. And he’s really good at World music, like African ensemble drummer and Indian tablas.
Z: Aaron, the bassist, is one of my buddies. He’s got a sick sense of humor and he loves outlaw country music above all other things in life. Although this is his first band, he’s been playing guitar and bass for years with his brother, who is a drummer. And James, the pianist, is someone I met through doing choral work. He’s a veteran, highly proficient in both guitar and piano, and also music composition. He’s written several musicals and teaches regularly.
What does the future hold for the band?
Z: The future holds a lot of fun and a lot of work. We hope that this can be our full-time job. We want to play all over the US and the world. We’re very confident that we reach a wide audience, and what we represent and what we’re saying really hits a nerve in our current sociopolitical climate. We’re definitely interested in fame and fortune, but we abhor complacency. We want to rock. We want to disturb, challenge, infuriate and horrify. This could be the best job ever.
I know that you started out doing covers, but I have heard rumors of some original tunes coming our way, is this true?
A: Yes. We’ve got two new ones, “Get Away, You Fuckers”, which is about being stuck in Los Angeles traffic, and “Maybe Sandusky”, which is about Jerry Sandusky being President and other characters who in the public eye. We’ve also got a couple more in the works.
(“Out of State Fuckers” comes to mind – the Hellion)
Z: A little over a month ago, I told Adrian we have to start making our own songs. People keep saying “Amazing covers! Do you have any originals?” We’re really good. People are watching. But if we don’t say what’s in our hearts and solely stick to these covers, people will stopwatching.
A: Our approach to playing other peoples’ songs… I mean, listen to our version of “Bitches”, then listen to Insane Clown Posse’s and tell me it’s not original. That being said, I totally agree that if we only do our covers we’ll only get so far. If we want to break out we have to take a risk and put down what we’ve got.
Z: At first we were scared: How do we incorporate who we are and what’s going on with us into the formula, created originally for transforming pre-existing songs. We weren’t sure, and we didn’t want to force it. Then one day I was walking down the street, talking to Adrian on the phone, and this cute Green Peace girl standing in front of a local restaurant, trying to get people’s signatures for something, started mocking me. She put her hand up to her mouth and mimicked me walking and talking on the phone – I assume in an effort to get my attention so I’d sign whatever petition she had. I kept talking, but as I got close I had this irresistible urge to scream, “FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING CUNT” as loud as possible. I didn’t, of course. I went home and explored that urge and realized both my brother and I have a tremendous amount of rage. Rage, I believe, is what separates lasting comedy from comedy that is cute and transient. Comedy in music runs the risk of being cute, which is detestable to Adrian and me. It must be fueled with rage, or else you’ll get stuff like Andy Samberg, Jimmy Fallon and Dimitri Martin…
A: Or that guy… What’s his name… I don’t know, it doesn’t matter.
Z: After we figured out the rage ingredient, we sat down and wrote three songs in one day, all of which we’re really proud and excited for.
A: Yeah, “Maybe Sandusky” took only twenty minutes. We took a quick break, which is when I came up with “Get Away, You Fuckers” while I was taking a shit. I showed it to Zach and he said, “Perfect.” – meaning the song, not my dump.
Z: We proved to ourselves that our formula works, and we’ve sort of hit our stride. Our goal is to get at least 12 tracks by the end of the year. Then we cut an album.
A: And when we cut an album, that doesn’t mean we won’t do “Cop Killer” or “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”, et cetera.
I was lucky enough to catch a live show, can you describe a performance to the readers?
Z: It’s a full show, sixty minutes, with no explanation or dialogue, but a definite emotional arch and direction. It’s very theatrical in this sense. It’s challenging for the audience. We set it up as a sort of demented sing along – these covers are popular songs many people know, but presented clean and yet entirely pissed off. So the audience finds themselves indulging in lyrics, screaming lyrics that could probably get you arrested in the real world. However, it leaves the audience with a feeling of completing a fun, crazy and unpredictable journey.
A: Yeah, a lot of it is about a band getting up there and rocking. No excuses, no fucking around, no whining!
Z: Stand flat-footed, facing the audience. No self-indulgent jamming with our backs to the audience, which for some reason is a tasteless trend in most live music.
A: It would be funny if we all turned around during every solo… The drummer, too.
Are there any of today’s artists that give you inspiration?
Z: Not that many popular artists. I’d say a lot of Mike Patton’s projects. All the bands we play with inspire me, however. Young people trying to find their voices against a shit load of obstacles. I’ve been there, and I’m always reinvigorated and inspired by people who have the courage to try to express themselves in a public forum. Pussy Riot inspires me. Aaron, Adrian and I saw Glenn Campbell’s final performance at the Hollywood Bowl. That was incredible.
A: I’ve named a few earlier in the interview. I’m inspired by, the now defunct, Afrirampo, Pussy Riot, Secret Chiefs 3, and I like that song by Selena Gomez, “I Love You Like a Love Song”, baby.
What advice would you give to a group a young people trying to start their musical careers?
Z: I have three things to say. First, always be true to yourself, no matter how crazy or unpopular or unmarketable you think your music might be. All of the greatest bands in history did what they wanted to do. Do whatever your instincts dictate, regardless of failure. And when you do inevitably fail, relish it, for it will lead you to what cannot fail. After a decade of not having a totally awesome product, we’re finally doing it, and it’s turning out to be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life. Second, set a noble goal. Mine is to make a really fun product from scratch with my brother. We’re not rich and famous, but we’re making our own totally original thing, and we’re laughing our asses off doing it. This means I’m living in my goal and I feel fucking successful and grateful; it keeps me working hard in rehearsal, finding gigs, playing shows, and all the other tough necessary things a band’s gotta do. And third, don’t buy into your own publicity or image. It’s a show, and at the end of the day you have to wash your dishes and do your laundry.
A: I’d say when you play a gig be sure to stay and watch the other acts. It’s courteous to stay and it’s a good opportunity to network and study live performance. I’ve seen it for years where bands just play and bounce. And the other piece of advice is, I’m paraphrasing Lemmy Kilmister, but he said something to the tune of, “Don’t try to write something great, that’s not how great music is done. Writing music is about putting down what you got.”
What do you guys think of the music scene today?
Z: It depends on what scene you’re talking about. If you mean American Idol or the Grammy’s, I’m sickeningly reminded of the Nazis – how they systematically exterminated the Jewish artists and intelligentsia; and then introduced their own artists, saying, “Ah, now this is how art is supposed to be.” I always like seeing live music. My brother and I saw Primus at the Wiltern last October. That was incredible. We saw Dio twice before he passed, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest with Rob Halford… All of these shows were so wonderful and memorable. I also like seeing unsigned, no name bands because I never know what I’m going to get. Sometimes it sucks, sometimes it’s magnificent – either way, it’s always a learning experience. So I guess I think of today’s music scene as school, looking for what works and what doesn’t so I can make the best product possible.
A: Yeah, the coolestscene I ever saw was at Metal Masters in San Bernardino in 2008 – that’s when we saw Motörhead, Heaven and Hell and Judas Priest. You could talk to everyone. Everyone was super friendly and had nothing to prove. Everyone was exactly where they wanted to be.
Are we ever gonna see Beelzebubba spread their music throughout the world on tour?
This is my continued quest to bring to you bands that you might not have heard before. I think these bands are worth checking out and should have the support they deserve. The “corporate world” needs to pull their head out and start listening!
My friend Kurt Arft told me check out this band. HELL YES! Acid Bath, Eyehategod, Pantera, Down, Motley Crue, Blues, Black metal, Country, pagan Chants are the influences this band cites. I’m really liking the vibe these guys have. Check out their video for “The Art Of Mourning”:
What would happen if the children of “Outlaw Country” parents were sneaking away and listening to Metal and Hard Rock? You get Shotgun Rebellion that’s what. “Outlaw Metal” is the calling card of this band. Let’s keep our ears open for these guys! Get some “Devil’s Home Brew” right here:
My good friend Kathleen Holstead got us an interview with these guys for our Bleach Bangs Radio show (http://www.bleachbangs.com/) and they have been on my radar ever since. Hard working good solid band. check out the video for “Guilty Wreckage”:
Heretic was born during the mid 80’s in Southern California. They were one of the top acts in the LA area, love this band and think you will too. Given new life and a new release they are ready to show the world some power! Here’s “Remains”:
I have to thank my friends over at Eddie’s Mates (http://www.facebook.com/eddies.mates) for bringing these guys to my attention. This Power Metal band backs that up! They are headed out on tour so look for them! “1000 Quatrains” :
Dronika are a band I have been fortunate to have witnessed the birth of. Putting the final touches on their debut Album and making plans for GLOBAL DOMINATION. Here’s sneak peek of “Prophets Of Doom” (demo) :
Cyanide Saints is a hard driving band that will make you sit up and take notice. Coming on strong they are ready to take their place on the Rock world! Catch them while you can! “Raising Cain” :
Metallica, Pantera, Anvil, In Flames, Children of Bodom, Unearth, Slayer, The Agonist , Mastodon , Motorhead , Kill Switch Engage have all fired up Caym. Young and with a head full of metal this band is ready to kick your ass. “Jukai”:
I saw The Treatment open for Kiss/Motley Crue recently. Hailing from the UK and opening for icons of rock such as those! Wow! A fresh look at straight up Rock N’ Roll you better see them soon! “The Doctor”:
We are talking with Adz Darksite Redpath from all the way from Wales. He is the guitarist for Fear Death Xperience and Darksite.
What can you tell me about your first musical experiences as a child in the UK. Adz : For me its impossible to corner it to one individual event , I was born in 1978 and my father ran a successful folk club before I was born and is an incredible banjo player and often played with my mother who sang and played the Appalachian dulcimer , as well as this my father was a luthier so I was always in the workshop watching him work on instruments from the point I could crawl , henceforth the music thing is less events in my life and more a second by second interwoven part of my existence .
What are some of the most outstanding musical memories from your childhood that stay fresh in your mind today? Adz: again there are many but I remember many times before even my eighth birthday I used to sneak downstairs after my bedtime into the smoke-filled living room full with bikers and musician’s and just sit behind the sofa and just take in everything , which back in the early eighties just fuelled my mind to want more than being a member of the 99% and seeing all these at the time so-called outcasts who were actually doing something with their lives rather than the yuppie culture at the time that was just about work and not about fuelling the soul . my soul is music and without it both me and my soul die .
At what point in your life did you decide you wanted to play music? Adz: I truly think ive always known and wanted to be a musician , ive even got pictures of me with guitars when I was literally half their size so I guess it’s just something that has always seemed obvious for me , I just have never seen another real option for me as it has been my calling for as long as I can remember .
Was guitar your first choice? and why or why not? Adz: yes I would say it was my first choice I got my first proper guitar at 11 although by then I was insanely into iron maiden and Metallica so six months later I got a bass and that was my main focus until I was maybe 16 at which point the scope I felt I had on the guitar was just too enticing to stay away from any longer , although I did play guitar throughout the whole time I was a bassist I always knew it would come back to being an axe man.
What was the process by which you learned to play? Adz : I have had one proper lesson my whole life , when i was in secondary school the 4 people who took music for their exams were offered lessons , we had a guitar teacher brought in that my friend took to like an addict lol , myself I went to one class where we were shown the basic blues scale and that just bored me senseless as I was mad addicted to playing the likes of slayer and Metallica , Pantera etc at the time so I didn’t go again which I found out after was probably good for me as the teacher spent almost 2 months going over that scale apparently lol , so other than that I am totally self-taught.
What were/are some of your musical heroes that influenced your musical spirit? Adz: well band wise I was brought up on a crazy mix of hard rock and folk everything from Earl Scruggs to Little Feat and Zappa , but the bands I site as my original influences when i first got into music and really sparked my interest are without doubt , Metallica , iron maiden ,slayer , Pantera etc , at the moment im hugely into a massive variety of bands but in a big way the bands , Cirlces ,Textures , Neosis etc , on the other side as a guitarist ive a small number of players who truly interest me , for example , Zakk Wylde , James Murphy , Steve Vai , Tremonti are all players I can listen to all day , musically though I don’t have one hardened group of bands or any one style that I adhere to as I truly believe that to be a great musician you must listen to as much of all styles as you can tobroaden your horizons and expand your knowledge and inspiration
What do you think was/is different about being a musician in the UK? Adz : that’s an awkward one to answer without pissing off a lot of people lol , lets just say its a very closed scene here at the moment , unless you’re in with the current trends and are constantly kissing up to the right people here then your fighting an ever increasing uphill battle and are more than likely going to be ignored shunned and just plain cast out .
If you could be a musician during any period of time what would that be and why? Adz : Ah bro it would have to be the eighties , to be a part of the birth of thrash and death metal etc would have been insane although if im honest I think I would pick right now as I see huge advances ahead within musicstyles and scenes and I believe only for the positive .
Would I be surprised by anything on your MP3 player? Adz : quite possibly hehe.
What do you think of the happenings in the music world these day? Adz : I have very mixed feeling’s to be honest , it’s harder than ever to be a part of the scene as a band , I think we all see there simply aren’t enough people getting off their lazy asses and going to shows anywhere which is just shocking to myself . on the other side I hate the way everything has gone to iPods etc I miss having that vinyl or cd and reading the sleeve notes and having that tactile object that in some cases can change your life , like I remember taking the cassette of the black album to school every day and reading the lyrics all the time etc , I think losing these things is a shame although the changes do hold huge possibilities so I attempt to embrace it as much as possible when it’s warranted , I think the way labels play the game is also sadly hugely different , we don’t see any labels paying anything towards bands or investing anymore apart from major’s , they expect the bands to do everything unless you by some glance of fate land with a label that actually believes in what you’re doing and will put their money where their mouth is which is so rare now its a joke , however that’s only from what ive heard in the U.K. , I can only hope it moves forward in the future.
Interesting conversation with my brother from Wales. Make sure you go to the band pages and “like” them if you find them to your tastes (which I’m sure you will)
the Hellion Rocks 