Tag Archives: BLS

Dream band lineups

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One of the questions I see the most is “What would your dream band lineup alive or dead be?” I have pondered this question many times and I come up with different answers each time. So I decided to  write about it and come up with three bands. One with band members who are no longer with us, one with all living band members, and comprised with both. I will try to give reasons why and even try to give my fantasy bands an appropriate name.

From the other side,

SOPHISTICATED HOOLIGANS:

Bon Scott, AC/DC (deceased 19 February 1980) – vocals

Dimebag Darrell, Pantera/Damageplan/Rebel Meets Rebel  (deceased December 8, 2004) – guitars

Randy Castillo, Lita Ford/Ozzy/Motley Crue  (deceased  March 26, 2002) – drums

John Entwistle, The Who (deceased  27 June 2002) – bass

I can only imagine what a jam session with these guys would sound like. I hope that they are hanging out on the other side. I think the combination of these “gentlemen” would make for a unique sound. I chose the name “Sophisticated Hooligans” for them because the oxymoron just suits the attitude I imagine they would have.

Still with us,

COSMIC DESTRUCTION:

Sebastian Bach, Skid Row/Solo – vocals

Zakk Wylde, Ozzy/Pride & Glory/Black Label Society – guitars

Justin Manning, Crowned By Fire – guitars

Geezer Butler, Black Sabbath – bass

Mike Portnoy, Dream Theater/Adrenaline Mob/Flying colors – drums

I shudder to think of the destructive power this band would have, hence the name “Cosmic Destruction”. There would have to be a warning label on the CDs and at the live performances. All of these players have that explosive power that would give this band the ability to crush your chest and have you thank them for it.

 

Some still with us and some not

RETROGRADE:

Paul Rodgers, Free/Bad Company – vocals

Randy Rhoads, Quiet Riot/Ozzy (deceased  March 19, 1982) – guitars

Flea, Red Hot Chili Peppers – bass

John Bonham. Led Zeppelin (deceased  25 September 1980) – drums

The mixture of Paul Rodgers beautiful voice combined with Randy Rhoads melodic playing style would compliment each other so well. Combine that with Flea holding down the bottom end and John Bonham keeping the beat and WOW! I know this lineup seems kind of weird but I think it could work. As for calling the band “Retrograde”, I think it just sounds cool.

 

There you have it those are just my thoughts, please share yours!!!

the Hellion

 

 

 

A message From Charlie Owens of BLEACH BANGS RADIO!

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So… September 23 2009 was the very first time we were on air with BleachBANGS. That date is right around the corner. Crazy. Sitting back listening to some of our very first shows and enjoying. We’ve come along way in 3 years and we’re not done yet. Very happy and proud to have had all these amazing bands on with us over the course of this ride. It’s about you and your music! We’ve had some ups and downs. Tech issues, money issues, idea issues. We’ve overcome all of em. Onward and upward from here. No matter what it is, promoting, housing, feeding, booking, or just talkin it up & playin the tunes on air BleachBANGS is here for you… The bands. Thank you!

We’ll even bang your ugly friends

Cheers,
Charlie Owens.

I have been fortunate to have been asked into the Bleach Bangs family as a co-host, Thanks guys!

the Hellion

10 MORE bands you should be listening to!!!

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In my continuing quest to bring you bands that corporate radio ignores here’s ten more:

AN EARLY FALL:

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http://www.anearlyfall.com

http://www.facebook.com/anearlyfall

I was fortunate to see this band at the Whisky-a-go-go in Hollywood this June. They put on a great set and I see great things in the future for this band. They are based out of Phoenix Arizona.

“The Verdict:

 

IRONCORE RESISTANCE:

 

http://WWW.REVERBNATION.COM/IRONCORERESI…

http://www.facebook.com/Ironcoreresistance

Ironcore Resistance is a Kentucky based band ready to put their brand of hardcore metal in your face. These will will kick your ass and make you like it. Hell even Father Zakk likes ’em, say no more!

“Westboro:

 

FURYON:

http://www.furyon.net

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Furyon/114816935285870

FURYON is a new band from the UK who like nothing more than to challenge expectations. Raised on a diet of heavy metal, prog, and classic rock, FURYON mix all these components for a truly unique and contemporary sound. I stumbled upon this band and have been enthralled ever since.

“Disappear Again”:

 

GYPSYHAWK:

http://gypsyhawk.bandcamp.com/
http://gypsyhawkusa.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/Gypsyhawkusa

I got to meet Erik from Gypsyhawk when he was filling in for mutual friends Scattered Hamlet. He is a great guy and Gypsyhawk is a great band. These guys are a straight up Rocking band and not afraid to tell it to you. Hell yes to bringing back the big sound. Catch these guys if they come ANYWHERE near you!

“Hedgeking”:

 

OSTRANDER

http://www.facebook.com/michael.l.ostrander

This world class guitarist is also a friend of mine. Ostrander can hold his own with the best of the best. His shredding and playing style a stellar. His greatness in playing is the complete opposite to his mild mannered quiet demeanor. Do yourself a favor and check out this axeman extraordinaire!

“Law Of Return”:

 

REVERENCE:

http://www.reverencemetal.com

http://www.facebook.com/Reverencemetal

Again thank you internet, one of my internet friends turned me on to this band. REVERENCE features members from: Tokyo Blade and Savatage, Crimson Glory, Jack Starr’s Burning Starr. Power metal to the extreme these veteran performers have come to show the world how it’s done.

“Bleed For Me”:

 

TENAFLY VIPER:

http://www.facebook.com/TenaflyViper

Mushroomhead drummer Steve “Skinny” Felton and vocalist Waylon Reavis have teamed with Chimaira bassist Jim LaMarca and Tommy Church to form the band Tenafly Viper. The band has recorded fifteen tracks which have been submitted to Megaforce Records.  My friends in Scattered Hamlet pointed this band out to me. Love the vibe and sound and I think you will too!

“Reno”:

 

SPEED X:

 

http://www.facebook.com/SpeedXband

SPEED X is the new band featuring ex-Queensryche guitarist Mike Stone on guitar, Black Label Society guitarist Nick Catanese, Doubledrive drummer Mike Froedge and former Doubledrive bassist Joshua Sattler, and the latest addition Jason Fowler on vocals. As a BLS fan I was glad to see this side project from Zakk’s “Evil Twin” . I can listen to this over and over. I think you should too.

“Speed”:

 

BRAND NEW MACHINE:

http://www.brandnewmachine.net

http://www.facebook.com/brandnewmachine

I interviewed these guys on our radio showBleach Bangs Radio. Fun guys with a Rock N’ Roll mission. Good old school hard rock here and you WILL like it another GREAT band on the rise and you heard them right here on the Hellion’s Blog! Definitely check these guys out when they hit your town!

BNM Studio teaser:

 

CYCLE OF PAIN:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cycle-of-Pain/88241448126

Another side project band from BLS bassist John J.D. DeServio. Together with Joe Taylor (Lead Guitar), Gregg Locascio (Vox, Guitar),Bob Pantella (Drums), and Troy Cromwell (Keys) This band has elements of  Rock, Metal, and Funk. Great to see J.D. step up and put out a great side project CD as this.

“Egypt”:

 

There you have it! Ten more for your ears, I’ll keep ’em coming!!

the Hellion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Label Society – The Blessed Hellride CD review

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Many people that I have talked to about BLS have told me this was the CD that got them “into” BLS. This is why I have chosen it for review.

All songs written by Zakk Wylde.

  1. “Stoned and Drunk” – 5:02
  2. “Doomsday Jesus” – 3:30
  3. “Stillborn” – 3:15
  4. “Suffering Overdue” – 4:29
  5. “The Blessed Hellride” – 4:32
  6. “Funeral Bell” – 4:41
  7. “Final Solution” – 4:04
  8. “Destruction Overdrive” – 3:01
  9. “Blackened Waters” – 3:56
  10. “We Live No More” – 4:02
  11. “Dead Meadow” – 4:30

Released in 2003 The Blessed Hellride: “Stoned and Drunk” opens the door to this CD with blistering drums and Zakk’s brutal vocals and guitar licks. An easy song to crank up, roll the windows down and hit the road. “Doomsday Jesus” carries on the brutality leading us down an apocalyptic road of Viking like wailing vocals, hammer like drumming, and shotgun guitars. “Stillborn” gives a taste of Ozzy himself on backing vocals and is easily one of BLS’s best known songs. A kick ASS video directed by none other than Rob Zombie can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZGt4JVX860 “Suffering Overdue” slows down a bit but maintains the heaviness of the CD and settles in for a groove that keeps you into the feel of the CD. The title track “The Blessed Hellride” hearkens towards the acoustic mastery of Zakk Wylde. My favorite version is the acoustic duet he does with the Evil Twin himself and can be found here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXiSxviwj78 “Funeral Bell” picks the pace back up and fires the engines back into overdrive. The Funeral Bell is ringing but not for BLS or the BLS Family! “Final Solution” Keeps the pace and Zakk’s pinch harmonic style prevails throughout. “Destruction Overdrive” is a dangerous song for me to listen to while driving because I just want to floor it and drive like hell. Easily one of my favorite tracks on the CD. When you look down and see the your speedometer is at 120mph “Blackened Waters” brings you back to reality and slows the pace back a bit and still keeps it heavy. The drum intro to “We Live no More” is one of my favorite songs intros. Zakk’s vocal work on this one is my favorite on the CD. Zakk closes out the CD with the piano laden “Dead Meadow” but there is nothing dead here. Great way to close out a CD that like a finely tuned engine revs up and down and gets the blood pumping! A great CD to get you into BLS. Pick it up and I guarantee you’ll be back for the rest of the collection

Zakk Wylde/ Black Label Society

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SDMF = Strength Determination Merciless Forever

the calling card of The Black Label Society. It means a lot to me that’s why it’s inked on my arm. I first became aware of Zakk Wylde like most of the rest of us, through Ozzy. I quickly came to love his playing style and naturally when Pride & Glory happened it gave us chance to hear Zakk on a new level. When it progressed into Black Label Society I was a already a fan. As the albums rolled out and the internet grew and grew I met many others who felt the bonding power of the BLS Family. Our Family genuinely cares for one another to the point of meeting and hanging out at shows, and other events. BLS items are readily shared between Family on a regular basis. At times it seems as if the music takes a backseat and the love of Family takes over. SDMF? You bet until the day I die. I Bleed Black and wear my colors every day.Image

The music of BLS carries me daily and there is rarely a day where a BLS song is not heard blaring from my speakers. If you have never heard BLS do yourself a favor and check out some songs, I promise you will find something you will like. Zakk and BLS  continue to evolve and amaze me. Check out this video for “Stillborn” : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZGt4JVX860 BLS will ALWAYS be a part of my life and I will ALWAYS be here to spread the positive message and help to lead others in a positive way. Don’t HATE, APPRECIATE!  Thank you Zakk Wylde, thanks from the bottom of my heart. http://www.zakkwylde.com/ http://www.blacklabelsociety.com/news.html http://www.facebook.com/zakkwylde?ref=ts https://twitter.com/ZakkWyldeBLS

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