Tag Archives: Classic Rock

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK UPROAR – ERNIE BALL/JAGERMEISTER STAGES SHOW REVIEW!

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The Ernie Ball stage before the madness.

The “Jager” stage ready for action.

We started our UPROAR journey with a visit to the tour bus of P.O.D.  and an interview with Wuv. (Interview soon to be posted on http://rockunight.com/).

We then scrambled to catch Albuquerque NM’s own SKULLDRON. They put on a blazing set to open the day and fire up the  crowds for the rest of the amazing artists. The doom laden melodies of SKULLDRON are reminiscent of DOWN and CROWBAR. Thanks SKULLDRON for starting us off right! We also caught up with them towards the end of the day for an interview.(Interview soon to be posted on http://rockunight.com/). http://www.facebook.com/skulldron

We then prepared for our good friends in MINDSET EVOLUTION. We had previously interviewed them on Bleach Bangs Radio. (http://www.bleachbangs.com/) We found them to be down to earth people and easy to talk to. They actually turned the interview around on us and began to fire questions at us! This episode remains one of our highest listened to. MINDSET EVOLUTION took the stage and claimed it as their own. Even with bassist Joshua Bodeen nursing an injured knee and performing from a chair, these Illinois boys got it done. We tried an interview but the wind blew the tent over on us, so we’ll see what our editing dept. can do! .(Interview soon to be posted on http://rockunight.com/). http://www.facebook.com/mindsetevolution?fref=ts http://www.mindsetevolution.com

It was then time to see a band that has piqued my interest since their album BLOOD OF MY ENEMIES dropped earlier this summer: ATTIKA7. The sheer brutality and aggression of this CD floors me. I could only hope for their live performance to be as brutal. The crowd was fired up as well to see them. Featuring Evan Seinfeld (BIOHAZARD), Rusty Coomes (Illusion Motorcycles, SOA cast member) this band came ready to kick some ass. They engaged the crowd and owned them from the first to the last note of their set. Evan left the stage and joined the crowd at the barricade at one point. We then went to meet ATTIKA7  for an interview at their merch booth. Evan had pressing matters and the rest of the band was loading out equipment, leaving Rusty to man the booth and greet the throngs of people gathering there. We patiently waited for Rusty to have a free moment but the crowd was relentless. Finally Rusty had a few minutes for us which we captured and will be seen soon on  http://rockunight.com/ http://www.attika7.com/ http://www.facebook.com/attika7?fref=ts

We were then invited to come on stage and take pictures of the P.O.D. performance. Having interviewed P.O.D. drummer Wuv he said we could take pictures from the stage which was an honor to us. The band hit (and I do mean HIT) the stage running. Their set included classics as well as tracks off of their new release MURDERED LOVE. The energy, raw power, passion, and talent this band possesses never ceases to amaze me. The songs were performed flawlessly and even their older tracks still sounded fresh. They made sure to include audience participation and Sonny (lead vocals) even gave a shout out to some fans from Las Cruces NM. As we watched from side stage we felt as if we were part of the power that emanated from P.O.D. http://www.facebook.com/PayableOnDeathPOD http://www.payableondeath.com/

We would like to give a special shout out to Kristine Ashton-Magnuson/AM Media, Sarah Facciolo, Publicity Assistant Razor & Tie, Brian Simpson, and Ryan Feldman, Fresno Media for giving us the opportunity to meet, photograph, and interview some wonderful artists. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And thank you to ALL of the music supporters WORLDWIDE!

The Hellion, Rock U-Night, Bleach Bangs Radio

VOCALIST CONNOR GARRITTY FROM ALL HAIL THE YETI!

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I have been listening to the ALL HAIL THE YETI CD for a little bit now. I keep finding little things that I missed before so it keeps growing on me. It is deep and full of passion and power. The craftsmen in this band truly know the tools of their trade. I wish that others would take a chance on some of these new bands and give them the airtime that they are due. Regardless of that I will continue my fight to champion bands like ALL HAIL THE YETI. Like Craw before, Connor has answered some questions for us and given us a peek inside his world. Let’s go see:

1. Music has always been around me. How about you?

Connor: Music has been a part of my life since before I could walk. both my parents are huge music lovers. My older brothers introduced me to Van Halen, Kiss , Def Leppard, and those types of bands in the early 80’s. Then I discovered Motley Crue. From that point forward I was hooked!

2. Did music play an important part of your childhood?

   Connor: My brother and I started going to concerts at an early age. We were fortunate enough to have two older brothers that would take us to big concerts. anything they liked we did also!

3. How did you get into performing?

Connor: It probably started when I was a small child. My brother and I would do air concerts to kiss and Motley Crue. then that turned into having custom wood guitars made for us. Our weekends consisted of pretending to be these larger than life rock n roll stars of that time. From there I got into theater art in high school and loved being someone else in front of strangers. that transformed into performing musically not long after.

4. Did you have any formal music training? Or were you self-taught?

     Connor: I have not. I tried different instruments growing up, but never had the patience to sit it through. I wanted instant results. Being a performer came more naturally to me.

5. Were you in many bands in your career?

     Connor: aside from AHTY I’ve only really had 2 other serious bands. I’ve written and recorded with numerous other musicians, but I’ve kept my own projects pretty minimal in the last 15 years.

6. Have you learned any lessons that helped you along the way?

     Connor: Everyday that I’m allowed to be alive I learn something new. Each moment is a new experience, and being able to understand that and use it for what its worth is the biggest lesson I have ever learned.

http://www.facebook.com/officialallhailtheyeti

http://www.allhailtheyeti.com
http://www.twitter.com/allhailtheyeti
http://www.myspace.com/allhailtheyeti
http://www.reverbnation.com/allhailtheyeti
http://www.youtube.com/allhailtheyeti

7. Tell me about how AHTY came to be.

Connor: AHTY was an idea I had in my mind for years. It just kept stewing. then one day when the timing was right I let it out. The original guitarist and I were talking and he understood what it is that I wanted to do. We started writing songs in a little room in the back of a tattoo studio. Everything from there on just happened the way it should have. Its been a long battle to keep it together after losing members, relationships, and life’s curve-balls. The band is stronger than it has ever been right now. We are in the place we need to be. From here we can only go up. And that’s what I plan to do!

8. How did you come to work with Craw?

 Connor: Craw and I had a mutual friend that told him that we were looking for a guitar player. He called me and we spoke briefly, that night Craw was working at a club in phoenix, and another friend of mines band was playing there and he happened to be wearing one of our shirts. Craw spoke to him and it all seemed to fit! Like fate.

9. What bands are you listening to lately new and old?

 Connor: well shit I cant really say new and old cause a lot of the olde bands are still new bands, so I’ll just tell ya what I’m listening to.
Witchcraft, Graveyard,Junius, Watrain, Haarp, eyehategod, Acid Bath, Crowbar, Asteroid, Katatonia, Down, Dunderbeist, Orange Goblin, fuck this list could go on forever!

10. What is your take on the music scene?

Connor: eghh in this town there is no scene! it’s all just people trying to do whatever it takes to “make” it. which never really happens anymore. I’m sure smaller cities and towns have better scenes than we do. With the state of the music industry in general everything is changing rapidly. You either have to be on top of it or get left behind! So a music scene has turned more into a music gunfight! if you don’t shoot first and have a cooler gun you’re gonna die!

11. What advice do you have for young musicians?

Connor: never listen to people who tell you to quit or give up. Don’t let other people’s negativity get you down. use it to fuel your fire. This isn’t an easy road, it takes years of work and dedication. All these people who are in signed national acts are just people too. they had to start somewhere. There are no super heroes be different, stand out, have integrity!

12. You have 91 countries reading this, the floor is yours speak your mind:

Connor:

God is but a creation of man

follow us to find yourselves
we are the saviors of truth
and the demise of the holy lies!

Hail the left hand path!
do unto others as you see fit!!
ALL HAIL THE YETI

I fully expect All Hail The Yeti to soldier on and become a force in the new music world. Do Yourself a favor and check them out now and watch them grow! Listen to “The Art Of Mourning” :

the Hellion

NEW SINGLE FROM SHOTGUN REBELLION – “INTO THE NOTHING”

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NEW SINGLE FROM SHOTGUN REBELLION – “INTO THE NOTHING”

Check out the new single from SHOTGUN REBELLION!

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shotgun-Rebellion/108501432544041

WHAT’S THAT? YOU’RE NOT LISTENING TO THESE 10 BANDS?

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1. TRIPHON

http://www.facebook.com/triphonband

http://www.triphon.com

       Euro-American symphonic metal blending elements of power, thrash, classical and metalcore. Diggin’ the sound of the blending of styles in this band. New to me but definitely staying in my ears and on my radar.

2. BULLET 

http://www.facebook.com/bulletband

http://www.bullet.nu

 Full Pull from Bullet was released on 09/25/12 here in the US. Bringing back the hard charging, balls out, in your face Rock of bands like AC/DC and Maiden . Well worth the listen, and remember, HAVE FUN!

3. HOTEL DIABLO

http://www.facebook.com/hoteldiablo

www.thehoteldiablo.com

I recently did an interview with guitarist Alex Grossi. And found out about this outstanding new band of his. The debut CD The Return To Psycho California just dropped. I’ve heard the tracks and it is KILLER!:

3. BEARD

http://www.facebook.com/beardisbullshit

I’m gonna let Beard’s facebook page say it all : “Carne Asada Fries, Hot Wings, Milwaukee’s Best and Metal! Beard is the heaviest and greatest rock band to ever emerge from New Mexico. This band is bullshit…..Crank it!”

5. ATTIKA7

http://www.facebook.com/attika7

http://www.attika7.com/

I got this CD the day it came out. Raw, aggressive, brutal, angry, all apply here. This CD is deep on so many levels. I will be seeing these guys at the UPROAR show on 09/30/12. Hopefully an interview will come out of it.

6. SKULLDRON

http://www.facebook.com/skulldron

A HEAVY SKULL CRUSHING SOUND THAT COMES FROM 5 GUYS OUT OF THE NEW MEXICO DESERT. INFLUENCED BY BANDS SUCH AS DOWN, SLEEP, BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER, PANTERA, C.O.C. PENTAGRAM, ST. VITUS, AND COUNTLESS OTHERS. PLAYING THEIR AMPS AT MAMMOTH VOLUME, SKULLDRON BRINGS THE RIFF WITH A DESERT GROOVE!!!

7. ADLER

http://www.facebook.com/adlermusic

http://www.adlerrocks.com

Steven is back with a new band, a new release and some great music. Liking the sound and here’s to Rock N’ Roll!

8. The Skull

http://www.facebook.com/troubletheskull

The Skull features original member of Trouble- vocalist Eric Wagner along with longtime bassist Ron Holzner. The Skull is here to do one thing… rock you with the sounds and spirit of Trouble -past-present-future .
Trouble was formed in 1979 by guitarist Rick Wartell and was joined by guitarist Bruce Franklin, vocalist Eric Wagner, bassist Tim Ian Brown, and drummer Jeff Oly Olson. Ian Brown was replaced by Sean McAllister in 1983 and, later, by Ron Holzner in 1987

9. David Shankle Group

https://www.facebook.com/Davidshanklegroup#!/pages/DSGDavid-Shankle-Group/228286120537860?fref=ts

http://www.davidshankle.com

David Shankle the shredding guitarist from Manowar. New stuff in the works from this great, stay tuned right here for info soon!

10. SISTERS DOLL

http://www.facebook.com/sistersdoll

http://www.sistersdoll.com

Paying homage to the glam bands of the past, Sisters Doll is a rising force in the Glam resurgence scene! Check ’em out!:

Ten more! Keep them coming! Know of a band that should be on here? Let me know!

the Hellion

 

MY 100TH POST! ON MY BIRTHDAY, MOVING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE!

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As I sit here pondering my 100th post it comes to me. Why I do what I do. There are some extremely wonderful bands out there that really have no outlet to be heard. Why is this? What can be done? How can they be heard? By us the bloggers and internet radio hosts, the internet video shows. We can can herald their cause. By us telling our peers, sharing their music on our sites, telling our friends, going to their live shows, posting their videos, and taking the time to interview them and hear what THEY have to say. I come to know a lot of these bands and they are hard working, genuine people. They usually are barely scraping by by selling their merch. I try to buy their stuff at every turn. Corporate radio and TV might not support them but WE will.

One other thing I am passionate about is not losing touch with music of the past. As with newer bands, there is really no outlet for a lot of bands from the past. So much great music has been made already. But when their marketability starts to lack they are cast away for the next big thing. By listening to these bands we keep them alive. As with the younger bands we need to support them in the same way and NOT LET THEM GET LOST!

I will leave you with this and go now to enjoy my birthday evening. ROCK N’ ROLL WILL SURVIVE!!!

the Hellion

BLEACH BANGS RADIO 09/25/12 – HERETIC AND CRY WOLF! REBROADCAST LINK

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CLICK HERE TO LISTEN NOW:  show_3807385.mp3

TRACK OF THE WEEK 09/25/12- BLACK SPIDERS “KISS TRIED TO KILL ME”

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I just love this band PERIOD! This video and song KILLS me. I wonder how KISS feels about it? You’ve gotta see this:

JASON BECKER – A MUSICAL SOUL

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www.jasonbecker.com

http://www.facebook.com/jason.becker.1253

 

Jason Eli Becker was born July 22, 1969,  and at the age of 16 with Marty Friedman put together Cacophony. They released Speed Metal Symphony in 1987 and Go Off! in 1988.

 

Here’s a taste of “Speed Metal Symphony” :

Jason released his first solo record in 1988. Perpetual Burn is an amazing album.

 

Sadly Cacophony broke up in 1989. Jason then went on to play for David Lee Roth for his A Little Ain’t Enough (1991) record. Jason  was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease) a week after joining the band. He managed to finish recording the album, but was unable to tour in support of the album, as his condition left him with little strength in his hands.

 

Here’s Jason with David Lee Roth on “Drop In The Bucket”:

 

 

After his diagnosis he was given two to three years to live. Due to his illness, he eventually lost the ability to speak and now communicates with his eyes via a system developed by his father. Although his ALS gradually robbed him of his ability to play guitar, to walk, and eventually even to speak, he still remains mentally sharp and, with the aid of a computer, continues composing. In the back of the Perspective CD case, Becker states “I have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It has crippled my body and speech, but not my mind.” His medical condition has remained stable since 1997. In 2003, Becker posted on his website that he was feeling better and had gained some weight, while the folder for his 2008 album Collection also mentions an upcoming book.

Admirably Jason is still with us today and still composing music. In 1996, Becker released an album entitled Perspective, an instrumental album composed by him (with the exception of Bob Dylan’s song “Meet Me in the Morning”). The writing of the music had been started before ALS completely crippled his abilities. By using guitar, and, later, when he was unable to use both hands, a keyboard, he continued to compose while his disease worsened. However, when Becker could no longer physically play even a keyboard, his friend and music producer Mike Bemesderfer helped him with a music-composing computer program which could read the movements of his head and eyes, enabling Becker to continue to compose after he lost control of the rest of his body.

Several years later, Becker released Raspberry Jams (1999) and Blackberry Jams (2003); the first contained various unreleased demo-tracks, and the latter contained demo-tracks and alternate versions of songs that were later reworked and published into other albums.

Collection is a great album to start with if you want to experience the music of Jason Becker.

 

Here is one of the newer tracks that I cherish “Electric Prayer For Peace”

Thank you Jason for all you have given to the music world. Much love and respect to you.

the Hellion

 

 

JOHN 5 – A GUITARIST FOR THE NEW AGE

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A lot of people have recently become aware of John 5 through his guest appearances on That Metal Show and as the guitarist for Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson. His career however, is quite impressive. He has done studio work with Matt Ball, Avril Lavigne, Rob Halford, k.d. lang, Garbage, Meat Loaf, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, FeFe Dobson and has written and recorded with southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. One of my favorite projects he has done was RED SQUARE BLACK. Featuring: Mark Binder – Vocals, John Lowery (later to become John 5) – Guitar, Randy Castillo – Drums, Angelo Barbera – Bass they released one EP in October of 1994 entitled “SQUARE”.

 

With tones of metal, and industrial this band was ahead of its time. Sadly they only had the one release and the members moved on to other projects. Here’s a listen to “Violent Pause” from the EP:

John 5 also co-wrote  “The Monster Is Loose” with Nikki Sixx and Desmond Child for Meat Loaf’s 2006 release Bat Out Of Hell III. 

 

Currently John 5 is playing with Rob Zombie, a new record and tour are in the immediate future. Here’s “Foxy, Foxy” from the 2010 release Educated Horses:

 

John recently released his sixth solo record God Told Me To on May 8th of this year.

 

A great release full of smoking and innovative licks I HIGHLY recommend getting this. Here is the video for “Welcome To Violence”:

 

If I had to sum up John 5 in one word it is, AWESOME!

 

the Hellion

 

 

HEADPHONE TRIPS PART 2- 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.

PINK FLOYD – “ECHOES” (1971)

If you want to experience some “out of this world” music, this is one of the best compositions for that. Surreal, spacey, and sometimes outright scary (when you are driving on a deserted back highway at 3:45 in the morning) This song pulses in and out, and takes you places in your mind that you might not be familiar with.

 

RUSH – “2112” (SIDE ONE) (1976)

Take the whole first side of 2112 as an audio journey that you fill your ears with wonder. Put on your headphones, relax, and go to places you only dream of. It will be 20:34 minutes well spent.

 

More headphone trips to come, keep your ears open…

the Hellion