2013 was great year for us here at the Hellion Rocks. Killer interviews, great shows and hanging with even cooler people. It’s very cool when you get to talk to artists you have grown to admire. It’s even cooler when they message you and stay in contact with you. It’s a great feeling when you also help to spread the word of a new up-and-coming band as well. In the past year I have learned how small the music community really is. It is amazing the connections that lead to other connections and how the music brings us all together.
I have to give thanks to my cohorts at Bleach Bangs Radio, Charlie Owens and Randy Norris. These guys are my brothers plain and simple. They are the embodiment of awesome and I am proud to work with them.
Eddie’s Mates holds a special place in my heart as well. Sandy and Sean have not only helped us with Bleach Bangs Radio they also made the logo for the Hellion Rocks! Thanks EM!!!
I have to thank my wife Dani for giving me the courage and strength to reach out and chase this crazy dream. She is ALWAYS there for me.
There are so many people who mean the world to me as well: Mike Araiza, Jeff Sandoval, Adam Joad, Jake Delling LeBas, Redd Yoachum and the rest from Scattered Hamlet, Craw Cajun and Kat Ford, Death Alley Motor Cult, Kurt Arft, Wornstar Clothing, Justin Manning and Crowned By Fire, and Dellacoma Rio and the Sunset Riot guys, Steve Helmer, Dave Gold, and Bobby Siekkinen . Those are just a few from an incredible list.
Thank you to all of the publicists that have worked with me this year as well. Here’s looking towards a productive 2014!!!
Thanks to Blabbermouth.net and Circus Magazine for picking up some of my interviews! I am honored and humbled.
Lastly but far from least I wish I could personally thank each and every one of the 60,000 people from the 140 countries around the world who dropped in on this site last year. I hope you enjoyed it and let me know what you want to see here in the future.
Boy am I glad the music industry is back in the hands of the musicians. Because of this bands are making the records they want to make, and they are damn good. Death Alley Motor Cult has made one of those DO NOT MISS records. Before we talk about the record let’s talk a bit about Death Alley Motor Cult. Comprised of four distinct individuals: Death Alley Dave – Vocals and Lead Guitar, Zero-G – Rhythm Guitar and backing Vox, The Falcon – Bass and backing vox
The Banker – Drums. Separately they are unique individuals, together they form a solid rocking unit. On to the record, The Outlaw Chronicles will take you on a brutal journey that you will want to go on again and again. Your journey starts with “She Wants” which sets the pace for this sonic descent into the world of Death Alley Motor Cult. Like a fish hook in the mouth of a trout “Sex Parade” snags you with a solid groove and will have your fist pumping in the air. The lead off single “Bow Down” knocks on your eardrums and then simply kicks them in, full of aggression and power this is the PERFECT song for the pit. “Funk You” well, “C” makes it meaningful if you get my drift. “I’m Not Dead” gives one the self affirmation to stay strong and persevere, not dead, NEVER SAY DIE! “Robot Bride” makes me think of blasting down the highway at about 90 with the sound CRANKED TO 11+!!! “Bad Ass Mutha” yes they are, and yes they mean it this one makes you feel like it too! “One More For The Road” keeps the pace til the very end, no slacking on this record. If you’re looking for a technical album, you won’t find it here. Loud, dirty, sleazy rock n’ roll with loud guitars, throbbing bass, pounding drums, and I just gargled with razorblades vocals is what you get with Death Alley Motor Cult!!! Kudos to Death Alley Motor Cult for making a kickass record! Special thanks to Eddie’s Mates for turning me on to this band!
The lead off single from the new DAMC record does NOT disappoint, 2 minutes and 49 seconds of pure aggression. This track opens as if someone is impatiently knocking at your door and then just decides to kick it in and come right in. Once they’re in, look out, some serious shit’s about to go down. The groove sets in and you almost find yourself involuntarily banging your head in time with the music. When the vocals kick in you are not sure if Dave has just gargled with some whiskey laced with razor blades and is ready to kick some ass, and you quickly feel his passion. You definitely do NOT want to be the subject of this song. It will get your blood flowing, fist pumping, and fill you full of adrenaline. You wont need an energy drink after listening to this, in fact, if you listen to this track every morning when you get up you will have all the energy you need for the day! Gang vocals, pounding drum beat, throbbing bass, and dirty guitars make “Bow Down” a hell of a good single to introduce us to The Outlaw Chronicles. ARE YOU READY?
DEATH ALLEY MOTOR CULT IS
Death Alley Dave – Vocals and Lead Guitar
Zero-G – Rhythm Guitar and backing Vox
The Falcon – Bass and backing vox
The Banker – Drums
Death Alley Motor Cult is a band that I really have come to love over the past year. I was privileged enough to have been allowed to listen and review their new CD prior to its release. “The Outlaw Chronicles” burns through your ears with sonic fire. This CD is already a contender for my list of top 10 releases for 2013.
“The Outlaw Chronicles”
1. She Wants
2. Sex Parade
3. Bow Down
4. Funk You
5. I’m Not Dead
6. Robot Bride
7. Bad Ass Mutha
8. One More For The Road
That is the initial track listing for the advance copy I have.
I’ve been asked several times who Death Alley Motor Cult sounds like. Well, they sound like Death Alley Motor Cult. Raw, brutal, in your face unabashed rock n’ roll. This new CD carries on with this sound, it makes your heart race and gets your passions all fired up. Solid production added to accomplished song writing plus outstanding musicians make this Death Alley Motor Cult CD a MUST have. Stand out tracks for me are the lead off single “Bow Down”, “Funk You”, I’m Not Dead”, and “Bad Ass Mutha”. Death Alley Motor Cult definitely delivers with “The Outlaw Chronicles” and then some. Like some group of antiheroes DAMC has four distinct characters: Death Alley Dave – Vocals and Lead Guitar, Zero-G – Rhythm Guitar and backing Vox
The Falcon – Bass and backing vox, and The Banker – Drums. Dark, dirty, and dangerous , are words that describe a live performance by Death Alley Motor Cult and this new CD captures that vibe to the T. Don’t miss a chance to see them live, and make it a PRIORITY to pick up “The Outlaw Chronicles” by Death Alley Motor Cult when it drops this summer. I WILL be doing a feature length interview with DAMC to discuss this CD at length in the very near future!
Zero G and I are from the same mold, fans of old school punk/metal. We recently met up during NAMM weekend and it was like we had been friends for life. Check out this interview and you’ll see what I mean (oh yeah, gets funny at the end, but hey that’s Rock N’ Roll):
Great bunch of guys, I got to meet and hang out a bit with the guys from Death Alley Motor Cult during NAMM weekend. They put on a great set and I want to share this band with the world. Here’s an interview with drummer “Banker” :
Hey guys! I just got DAMC drummer to answer a few questions for us. Make sure you catch DAMC on Bleach Bangs Radio this Tuesday (10/02/12)!
1. How did you become involved in music? Shawn Van Wyhe:Just the love for it. To be honest, Kiss, 1975…huge influence.
2. How did you go about learning to play an instrument? Did you have formal music education? Shawn Van Wyhe: Loved music as a kid, Beatles and Buddy Holly but then I discovered KISS in like 1975 and everything changed. I took lessons in like 5th and 6th grade through school. Then when I was 18 I could afford real lessons and things took off from there.
3. Was it drums that hooked you, or do you play anything else? Shawn Van Wyhe: This may sound cliche’, but drums were EVERYTHING t o me for so long. Peter Criss, Bun E Carlos, and gene Krupa were everything to me.
4. I am a KISS fan myself (I have the Rock and Roll Over cover inked on my arm). What do you think about the new lineup with out Ace and Peter? I call it Diet KISS 50% less KISS. Shawn Van Wyhe: Honestly, I dig it. I think Eric and Tommy are great additions to the band. It’s unfortunate that all 4 of them could not make it work, but at least they are staying true to the music and the image.
5. Right on, I just got to see them on tour. speaking of bands, when was it you started playing in bands?
Shawn Van Wyhe: When I was about 20. It was wild, kind of late but worth the wait.
6. Were there many? And what lessons did you take away from those experiences?
Shawn Van Wyhe: To be honest, there were only three other bands. I learned that it is so important to put your ego aside and work as a team.
7. That is a true statement brother. Tell me about how Death Alley Motor Cult came to be? Shawn Van Wyhe: Well, Diablo Dave,Zero G and myself were in a band called Dead Garden. The band had run its course and we were looking to go in a different direction. More groove oriented so to speak. We looked for a bass player, and Falcon fit in perfectly. We had all known of each other forever but never played in a band together. Not to sound cliche’, but after that first practice, we all knew that what we had was very special and we needed to run with it.
8. Very cool, totally understand the “Vibe” thing. Tell us some of the recent events in the DAMC world. Shawn Van Wyhe: Well, we have just signed on with Eddie’s Mates and could not be happier. They are helping take us to another level that we could not do alone. We have been slowly breaking out of playing just local shows and have started to branch out to Vegas, Santa Ana, and Sacramento. With no end in sight we are totally stoked!!
9. Very glad to hear that, you guys definitely deserve it! So what are you listening to lately? Shawn Van Wyhe: Everything! Green Day, Testament, Lit, Accept, Texas Hippie Coalition….all over the board.
10. All great choices, listening to some of those myself. Last question: The floor is yours speak your mind about anything you want: Shawn Van Wyhe: Well, We all think that we have something special with Death Alley. We have so much fun and look forward to taking it to the world and sharing what we have with everyone.
Death Alley Motor Cult brings metal back to where it belongs, to the forefront of radio. Start with a dose of blistering guitar work, a thunderous rhythm section, growling vocals and you have an idea what Death Alley Motor Cult is all about. Check out “American Nightmare”:
In a flash of bright, colorful, iridescent light The Electric Boa don’t just remind you of all things rock, they ARE all things rock – now, yesterday and tomorrow. Here is “Horse” live:
I have loved this band since I found them. In the process of spreading the word I have bought several of their CDs and passed them along to friends. Here is my favorite track:
a couple of years ago a friend told me about this band. I have liked them ever since. Blues based straight up Rock N’ Roll have kept this band in my ears. They made a breakthrough with the 2011 release of “Pressure & Time”. They have just released “Head Down” on 09/17/12 I recommend you grab it. Here is their new video for “Keep On Swinging”:
This is another band recommended to me by a friend. They are new to me but a definite like. Heavy DOOM and hard charging music makes this band a worthwhile listen. Check out “Coven of Cain” and let me know what you think!:
from their bio: Abiotic is an American progressive, technical death metal band from Miami, Florida that has recently signed to Metal Blade Records. The five-piece group consists of vocalist Ray Jimenez, bassist Alex Vazquez, drummer Andres Hurtado and guitarists Matt Mendez and Johnathan Matos. The band has released two singles and a seven song studio EP entitled ‘A Universal Plague’. “Vermosapien”, the second track on the EP, has recently been featured on the quintet’s first music video, directed by Dan Drescher.Abiotic is agressive, melodic, technical and musical, to say the least. They’ve been compared to bands like The Faceless and Veil of Maya. Mixing technical riffs, brutal break downs, and solos that will leave you breathless, makes this five-piece assault an act that fans won’t ever want to miss. Here is “Vermosapien”:
I got to see these guys a few weeks ago. Great band, very tight, awesome stage performance and great guys to talk to. I see great hings with this young band. They out on the road and earning their stripes! Here is their new video for “tWIST3D l0V3 sTORY” :
So I just love this band period! Getting out, getting done with pure Rock N’ Roll music. Bringing the fun back into Rock but at the same time ready to kick your ass at the drop of hat. Thanks guys! Here’s “KISS Tried To Kill Me” :
I have a deep seated love for southern rock. I grew up listening to old school country and hippie rock. Southern Rock was a natural progression for me. I found Blackberry Smoke recently and new immediately I would like them. With bands like them Southern Rock and its legacy will stay true. Here is “Ain’t Much Left Of Me” :
I heard this band on satellite radio one day and had to know more. What I found is a band whose attitude is “What you see is what you get”. No frills, groove laden Rock N’ Roll. This band sees regular play in my rotation. Here’s the KILLER track “Brother Go On”:
2013 was great year for us here at the Hellion Rocks. Killer interviews, great shows and hanging with even cooler people. It’s very cool when you get to talk to artists you have grown to admire. It’s even cooler when they message you and stay in contact with you. It’s a great feeling when you also help to spread the word of a new up-and-coming band as well. In the past year I have learned how small the music community really is. It is amazing the connections that lead to other connections and how the music brings us all together.
the Hellion Rocks 