Had the chance to chat with Justin Manning about some stuff…so check it out:
-the Hellion
Tag Archives: Chris Breedlove
My top 10 Rock songs that never get old for me
There are songs that you have heard a million times and you can’t take them anymore (Post about those songs another time), and those that remain eternally epic. This is my list of those songs I consider most epic.
10. “Tombs Ov Oblivion” – Crowned By Fire
9. “Back In The Saddle” – Aerosmith
8. “Breakin’ Down” – Skid Row
7. “More Than A Feeling” – Boston
6. “Now I’m Here” – Queen
5. “Dance The Night Away” – Van Halen
4. “River Of Deceit” – Mad Season
3. “No Quarter” – Led Zeppelin
2. “Love To Love” – UFO
1. “Spirits In The Night” – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
These are the ten top songs which I could listen to over and over without them wearing out on me. I guess of I were to make a Hellion Rocks greatest hits CD these would be the ten songs that would make the cut for me. Why these ten songs? They each represent to me musical craft at its best. I can listen to these and be carried away on musical adventures in faraway lands. I encourage your feedback and responses with your own definitive top ten list.
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!
-the Hellion
Help a touring band out!!!
OK Rockers listen up! Send an email to janaya64@msn.com and tell me why you like Crowned By Fire. Every entry wins something special and one entry wins something very cool and it helps them get on the road!!!. You have two days to get your emails in! Put CBF in the subject box please! FUEL THE FIRE!!! – the Hellion
FUEL THE FIRE!!!
-the Hellion
Crowned By Fire: FUEL THE FIRE!!!
Hitting the road is rough these days. My buds in Crowned By Fire are fixing to bring their unique sonic assault to the masses and need your help to do it. They are offering some very cool merch and perks on their indiegogo site. Shirts, downloads, one-of-a-kind articles, it’s all here! Rock N’ Roll is not dead and Crowned By Fire is on a mission to FUEL THE FIRE!!!! SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!!!!
click the link and support:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fuel-the-fire–2
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CROWNED BY FIRE!!!
-the Hellion
Crowned By Fire saves Rock N’ Roll with Space Music For Cave People
1. Buried Away
2. Light Ov The Voodoo Star
3. Crowned By Fire
4. Something In Her Blood
5. Space Music For Cave People
6. Burnin’ For You
Crowned By Fire is no mediocre band. They have completely proven that with the release of Space Music For Cave People. The new EP drops July 1st on Chrome Mountain Records. There have been some quality releases as of late but this one is a game changer.
Like a defibrillator this record send a high voltage charge straight into the heart of Rock N’ Roll. Crowned By Fire comes on strong with the swagger of gunfighters walking down a street at high noon looking for trouble. Intense riffs powered by the guitar assault of the highly underrated Justin Manning, the chest crushing bass of Chris Breedlove, the powerful punch on the drums of Rocco F Paolone, combined with the lyrics and the “I just kicked you in the nuts” vocals of John Fitterer fuel the Crowned By Fire machine.
photo by Robert John
Like those famous potato chips in that bright yellow bag, once you start listening, you just can’t stop. On more than one occasion I have found myself waking up with one of the six tracks playing in my head.
While track for track the entire record is amazing there are some stand out tracks here. “Something In Her Blood” was one of the last tracks put together for the record but it is the first to stand out to me. Justin channels some guitar greats here and yet puts enough of his own spin on it to make it his own style. The title track “Space Music For Cave People” reminds me a little of the Cult on steroids. John completely owns with his vocals on this one. “Crowned By Fire” opens with some dirty from the swamp bass from Chris. Those three tracks are the ones that reach me the most.
The records on a whole is deep on so many levels. Each listen provides you with something new in its structure. In these days of “fast food music”, Space Music For Cave People is a sit down full course dinner. This is a record made the right way and with the love of making music behind it.
Here’s the lyric video for the title track “Space Music For Cave People”:
Stay up to date with CBF online:
https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire
https://www.facebook.com/ChromeMountainRecords
http://chromemountainrecords.com
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CROWNED BY FIRE!!!!
-the Hellion
the Hellion Rocks presents: Justin Manning of Crowned By Fire
It’s always great to talk to Justin Manning. We had a great discussion about the new deal Crowned By Fire signed with the newly formed Chrome Mountain Records.
Make sure you go to Facebook and show Crowned By Fire and Chrome Mountain Records some love:
https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire
https://www.facebook.com/ChromeMountainRecords
This conversation went for about an hour so I’ll keep it short here and let you get to it:
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CROWNED BY FIRE!
the Hellion
CROWNED BY FIRE INKS A DEAL WITH CHROME MOUNTAIN RECORDS!
Ever since I had my eardrums punched in by Crowned By Fire and their first release ‘Prone To Destroy’ in 2011 I have been behind them. I have since become friends with John Fitterer (vocals), Justin Manning (lead guitar), Michael Pacheco (rhythm guitar), Chris Breedlove (bass), J.P. Paschall (drums). They are a hard working bunch of guys that deserve their shot. I am happy to pass on the following to you, my beloved readers:
Music promoter and owner of Arkansas Rocks! Entertainment, Stephanie Shaw, announced last week the launch of her new record label, Chrome Mountain Records. Chrome Mountain Records (CMR), is a fresh new Indie label with plans to blaze a new trail in today’s music industry. To set things ablaze, Chrome Mountain Records has just inked a deal with LA-based metal band, CROWNED BY FIRE, to release a 6 song EP, Space Music For Cave People, in March 2014.
Crowned By Fire has been burning down the metal scene since 2006. As fate would have it, Stephanie, booked CBF a date on their Southern Horsepower Tour back in March 2013, in Little Rock, Arkansas. “I was already a fan, I had bought all of their music on itunes, but seeing them LIVE, brought on an intense passion for their music”, states Stephanie Shaw. “In December 2013, I found out that Crowned By Fire, was playing a gig at the World famous, Whisky a GoGo, out in LA. I booked a flight and was planning my first trip to California, before I knew it! It was then and there that I knew Crowned By Fire had to be the first band signed to Chrome Mountain Records”.
Chrome Mountain Records is setting a March 2014, release date for the new 6 song EP, Space Music For Cave People, recorded at Zakk Wylde’s THE BLACK VATICAN studio. Crowned By Fire are the only band besides Wylde’s Black Label Society, to have recording privileges there, to date. Crowned By Fire’s lead guitarist/founding member, Justin Neil Manning, was Wylde’s guitar tech/personal assistant off and on for 14 years, honing his craft from a very young age, under the guidance of Zakk’s watchful eye. Lead singer/founding member, John Fitterer, fronted the LA-based psyche metal band, Transultra, through the 90’s, before joining up with Manning and starting Crowned By Fire, in 2006. Fitterer’s unique and powerful vocals, paired with Manning’s phenomenal shredding, define the classic American metal sound. Chris Breedlove-Bass, Michael Pacheco-rhythm guitar, and JP Paschall-drums, round out the heavy-hitting line up ov doom.
Crowned By Fire are currently putting finishing touches on a couple of songs with Engineer, Chris Collier. The 6 song EP will be mixed by Pantera’s famous producer, Sterling Winfield, of Lewisville, Texas. Chrome Mountain Records has plans for this release on vinyl, CD and digital download, in March 2014. Actual release date will be announced soon. Shaw states that she is looking forward to this next step up the Chrome Mountain with Crowned By Fire, and invites everyone to, “come burn with us!”
“Chrome Mountain Records, shiny chrome on the outside, molten metal on the inside!”
Check out this cool video montage from their last tour the “Southern Horsepower Tour 2013” you might catch the Hellion in some of the pics! Thanks to CBF Lindz for putting it together:
You can find Crowned By Fire online @
https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire
https://twitter.com/CrownedByFire
Chrome Mountain Records is at
https://www.facebook.com/ChromeMountainRecords
http://chromemountainrecords.com
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CROWNED BY FIRE!!!
the Hellion
Crowned by Fire – Southern Horsepower Tour 2013 03/28/13
Ever since Crowned By Fire hit my radar I have been jonesing to see them live. I have been lucky enough to have become friends with guitarist Justin Manning, and interviewed him on several occasions. When the promise of new music via a new EP called SPACE MUSIC FOR CAVE PEOPLE was announced the metal world shivered in anticipation. Add to the fact that it was being recorded at The Black Vatican (Zakk Wylde’s personal studio) AND was being produced by the one and only Sterling Winfield (Pantera, HellYeah, Damageplan, yeah that guy) make it a winner straight out of the gate.
Even cooler was the announcement of their Southern Horsepower Tour 2013. The Metal Gods were smiling down on me when it was revealed that the tour was starting in my hometown. FINALLY I would be able to experience Crowned By Fire in person. The day had finally come.
The day of the show was it was hard to stay focused on work but I managed. A text and then phone call with Justin let me know they were closing in on my home town. They wanted a day room to freshen up before the show so a quick phone call to the man Trev McKendry (band manager) and info was passed along and the band was taken care of.
I met the guys as they were getting ready for the show and found them to be just as awesome as I had hoped them to be. I wanted to do something nice for them and get them dinner before the show. We headed towards a restaurant that was near the venue but it had unfortunately gone out of business. There was a local brew pub right next to the venue that served food so to the Farside Brew Pub it was. Pizza was ordered and Charles, the proprietor, took care of the beer needs. With bellies full, and good craft beer enjoyed, we were off next door to the venue.
The amount of gear that the guys pulled out of their trailer seemed endless. It was miraculous how they had fit everything into such a small trailer.
Eventually the gear was in and the set up began. We were all awestruck by the awesomeness of the gear as it was un-crated and revealed. Justin had some wonderful guitars with some awesome stories behind them. The Green V OV Doom and its custom paint work by the AWESOME Jason Oberly .
Green V OV Doom with custom paint by Jason Oberly.
Probably one of the more surreal moments of the night was getting to hold in my hands the guitar given to Justin by the one, the only Zakk Wylde. I could feel the immense power emanating from it as it was in my grasp. I was holding the mighty Ol’ Betsy in my grasp. It also had a custom strap made by Chad Erickson of Carved Rock Leather!!!
in awe that I am holding a guitar given to Justin by Zakk Wylde.
After watching Justin warm up with licks that would kill a mere mortal it was time. As I was shooting pics of the stage I heard Justin call my name, I handed my camera off to Charlie M.F. Owens and went to see what Justin needed. I was again floored when he told me I was introducing the band. Well, now I was not only going to see one of my favorite bands, I was going to introduce them as well.
Introducing Crowned By Fire
“Well alright Hooligans! Are you ready for CROWNED BY FIRE?!?!?!” I roared into the microphone and it was on. Exploding on to the stage Crowned By Fire delivered everything I expected, and then some. The band lineup was spot on, Jonathan Paschall brought the thunder from his throne on high, Chris Breedlove handled the bottom end like a boss, Michael Pacheco kicked your ass with his guitar, and you thanked him for it, John Fitterer stalked the stage like some deranged shaman belting out vocals from some primal age. And then there is Justin Manning , his wizardry of the fretboard was mystical and enthralling. The combination was perfect. We were treated to some of the new songs from the above mentioned impending release as well as some tracks from the always awesome PRONE TO DESTROY.
Wow! What a show! It did not disappoint! Crowned By Fire is a band not to miss and EVERYONE needs to experience it! I will leave you with a video from the show, this is “Buried Away” enjoy!
the Hellion
PS: A special shout out to Chad Miller for keeping the guys geared up and tuned up! Make sure you stop and shake this mans hand for helping to keep the guys runnin’!
Justin and Chad preshow
P.S.S. extra special thanks to Lindsey Thompson for handling the merch area, and various and sundry needs. She will prove invaluable to the guys on this tour.
Justin and Lindsey at dinner
Crowned By Fire, Classic American Metal? You bet your ass they are!
GET TO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT GUITAR WIZARD JUSTIN MANNING
https://www.facebook.com/groups/148831261916027/?fref=ts
Justin Manning is a local southern CA rocker born and raised Los Angeles and is currently one of the
founding members and lead guitarist for the heavy metal band Crowned By Fire. This shredder started his
musical journey as a drummer at the age of 10 and became the “First Chair” drummer in his Junior High
marching band and local school band. He always inspired to be a guitarist and it was not until the age
of 12 when he received a red and white Fender Stratocaster for Christmas from his father. Not knowing
where to begin playing guitar, Justin used his knowledge of reading drum music to incorporate it into his
guitar playing, a distinct signature to his rhythm playing still heard to this day.
He listened to records from the likes of Guns N Roses, Van Halen and Ozzy Osbourne and learned
playing the solos off the records by creating music patterns and on many occasions played guitar with his
friends to gain more experience.
At around this time, he met a graduate of Musicians Institute who became his mentor and taught Justin
to play scales and on many occasions would take him to various band rehearsals with the likes of Lemmy
from Motorhead, El Duce (The Mentors), Jimmy Bain (Dio) and other major rock stars. Justin would
sometimes sit in as a drummer for these bands when the actual drummers missed their rehearsals. It was
at this ripe age of 13 that Justin’s calling to be a musician came to be.
At the age of 16 with a bass his mother bought him, he joined the local band Men in Black as a bass
player and played the local clubs on the sunset strip. He shortly left the band to start a new Pantera-
esque inspired band, again taking the helm as lead guitarist. It was during this time that he met Zakk
Wylde and was asked to be his guitar tech and in less than 24 hours was on a plane to Arkansas to start
the Black Label Society and Crowbar tour. This gave Justin the opportunity to meet some of the greats,
most notably the members of Pantera and other notable rock stars. This opportunity gave Justin a taste of
what life on tour really is as well as a vast amount technical experience.
When he returned back home from the BLS tour, Justin became the personal assistant to Zakk’s wife
Barbaranne, helping with her the various necessities. He also became Zakk’s protégé during the Ozzfest
tour that same year and appeared on the TV show the Osbournes.
Justin started various bands and held regular day jobs at ESP and Schecter Guitar Research as a guitar
technician. While at ESP he became acquainted with George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob) who gave him
the opportunity to work as a bass tech for Anthony Esposito (Thin Lizzy, Lynch Mob, Ace Frehley) and he eventually took the reigns as Georges tech. Justin
was asked on several occasions to actually play on stage with Lynch Mob as a second guitar player
doubling the rhythm and leads for the guitar legend himself.
Upon his return home he started a few bands one which will eventually turn into the current band
Crowned By Fire with co-founder John Fitterer and released an EP and their latest full album “Prone To
Destroy” recorded in Florence, Italy and distributed under a European label.
Justin still remains close friends with Zakk Wylde, George Lynch and also with Tommy Victor (Danzig,
Prong, Ministry) who has offered him a gig as his guitar tech on the Danzig Legacy Tour which includes
Danzig, Samhain and The Misfits on their tour in the coming months. Justin carries various major
endorsement deals and mainly plays his favorite Les Paul specially given to him by the great Zakk Wylde.
https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire?fref=ts
the Hellion
AN INTERVIEW WITH CROWNED BY FIRE GUITARIST JUSTIN MANNING
http://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire?fref=ts
Justin took time from his busy schedule to call me and give an intimate interview on Crowned By fire and their up and coming take over of the world. Take your time, sit back, grab a tasty beverage and listen……
thanks Justin! It was a pleasure speaking with you as always.
the Hellion
the Hellion Rocks 