Tag Archives: 60’s

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2013

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As we wind down 2012, (which was a great year) we also start looking forward to 2013. We had some new doors open for us this year, we got to cover the 2012 Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar tour, we got to cover the great Skeletonwitch show, we reconfigured Music U-Night into Rock U-Night, and I started this Blog. Bleach Bangs Radio interviewed some great bands, and we saw the CD releases of local NM bands Beard, and Rusty Tramp. I also am going to be attending the dedication of the West Mesa Performing Arts Center to Randy Castillo this December. I also made a lot of new friends and met and heard a lot of new bands. I love you all.

2013 promises to start off on an equally great note. We have been fortunate enough to have obtained media access tot he 2013 NAMM show in Anaheim California in January. We plan on interviewing various instrument/gear companies and bring it to you first hand.  We plan on continuing to bring you new bands, new interviews, new CD reviews, and new show reviews. If there is anything you want to see let us know. We are fan driven and here for you, the music lovers.

 

yours in Rock

the Hellion!

 

GERRY RAFFERTY – A VOICE REMEMBERED

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“Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right. Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.” Who doesn’t know those lyrics? A lot of people do not know that Gerry Rafferty was the singer  of Stealers Wheel though. I was eight years old when that fantastic song came out. I used to run around singing at the top of my lungs until I was told to shut up (at which point I sang it under my breath). Gerry Rafferty’s voice struck a nerve in me. When I next heard from Gerry Rafferty I was fourteen, “Baker Street” blew me away. The song painted a vivid picture in my mind, it was if I could see the lyrics played out in a move in my mind. The composition, and groove of the song was, still is, and will be amazing. I loved and learned to appreciate the saxophone from that song. With other songs such as “Right Down The Line” , “Get It Right Next Time”, Gerry continued to fill my ears with joy. Unfortunately personal issues caused him to fade from the scene but not from my mind. Eventually we lost Gerry in 2011. I continue to share his music with others and show them the genius of his music. Thank you Gerry Rafferty for sharing your beautiful art with us.

 

“And when you wake up it’s a new morning
The sun is shining, it’s a new morning
But you’re going, you’re going home” – Baker Street

R.I.P Gerry

STEALERS WHEEL  – “STUCK  IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU”:

GERRY RAFFERTY – “BAKER STREET” :

 

the Hellion

FICTITIOUS BANDS THAT WERE PRETTY COOL

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There have been some pretty cool bands that were made up for movies. Let’s take a look at some of the bands that would have been cool if they were real.

 

STEEL DRAGON

 

The movie “Rock Star” from 2001 gave us one of the coolest bands that never was.

Mark Wahlberg as Chris “Izzy” Cole (Lead vocals)
Dominic West as Kirk Cuddy (Rhythm Guitar)
Jason Bonham as A.C. (Drums)
Zakk Wylde as Ghode (Lead Guitar)
Jeff Pilson as Jörgen (Bass)

This was the film lineup on screen. The actual music from “Steel Dragon” was pretty cool. with songs such as “Livin’ the Life”, “Blood Pollution”, “Stand Up”, “Wasted Generation” written by greats such as; Steve Plunkett, Peter Beckett, Twiggy Ramirez, Sammy Hagar, and Desmond Child, A.Allen, J. Allen to covers of “We All Die Young” (Miljenko Matijevic, Kenny Kanowski) by Steelheart and “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll” (Ronnie James Dio, Richie Blackmore) by Rainbow. This is definitely one of my favorite bands that never was. Here’s “Blood Pollution”:

 

STILLWATER

 

“Almost Famous” from 2000 gave us the band Stillwater. This was a 70’s band that I wish would have been.

Peter Frampton
Mike McCready
Jon Bayless
Ben Smith
Gordon Kennedy
Marti Frederiksen – vocals

Were the magic behind the band. Nancy Wilson wrote the song “Fever Dog ” which we can see right here:

 

THE WONDERS

 

” That Thing You Do! ” from 1996 is a movie I can’t pass up. From the mind of Tom Hanks this is the tale of a band in the 60’s and their rise to fame and their meteoric fall from it. The movie features original music by Tom Hanks, Adam Schlesinger, Rick Elias, Scott Rogness, Mike Piccirillo, Gary Goetzman and Howard Shore. Here’s the title track:

 

Three pretty cool bands that could have been.

 

the Hellion

 

 

HEADPHONE TRIPS PART 1 – PUT ON YOUR BEST PAIR AND EXPERIENCE AUDIO HEAVEN

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There is nothing like a well-engineered song through a pair of great headphones. Over the years there have been many songs that just blow you away when listened through headphones, in a dark room, lying on the floor. Let’s look at two this week.

BILLY THORPE – “CHILDREN OF THE SUN” (1979)

When this song hit in ’79 it amazed me. The composition combined with the engineering blew my mind. If you put this on, clear your ind and listen, you can imagine the spaceships flying throughout your head and whirling around you. Sadly, Billy passed away in 2007 but he will never be forgotten with his timeless music to fill our ears. Check out “Children of the Sun”:

THE MOODY BLUES – “NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN/LATE LAMENT” (1967)

For being recorded in 1967 there’s a lot going on in this song. Make sure you check out the full release not the radio edit. If you tune out the world and just listen you can hear many layered instruments and vocalizations  that are not readily apparent through regular speakers. This was one of many songs my mother (may she Rest In Peace) brought to my attention. LISTEN to it:

I will be updating this topic regularly ENJOY! (and get some good headphones)

the Hellion