So, I have been sitting some info for a while. As most of have heard, some form of Guns N’ Roses will be performing at Coachella and a possible tour. Keep in mind this is some form of a reunited GNR. Stay tuned right here for more information to come….
You know where you are?
-the Hellion
There has been a lot of buzz about The Dead Daisies lately, and, after seeing them perform I now know why. We were fortunate enough to have been granted an interview with vocalist Jon Stevens (Sydney, Noiseworks, INXS) on their tour bus prior to their performance. He was very entertaining and the interview was a blast. We were treated with kindness and grace and felt comfortable and welcome. Jon even provided us with signed copies of the debut CD from The Dead Daisies. If you look at the CD in the picture it says” Play Loud” -Jon Stevens
Here is the interview enjoy!:
The CD is amazing to say the least. It features Jon Stevens- vocals/guitars, David Lowy- guitars, John Fields- bass/guitars/keyboards/percussion, Vanessa Amorosi- vocals, Kevin Savigar- keyboards, Dorian Crozier- drums, Isaac Carpenter- drums (“Yesterday & Tomorrow”). The amazing single from this release is “Lock’N’Load” and features Jon Stevens – Lead & Backing Vocals/Acoustic Guitar, Slash – Lead Guitar, David Lowy- Guitar, Johnny Salerno- Drums, Simon Hosford- Bass/Electric & Acoustic Guitar, John Fields- Organ.
We were in for quite the surprise for the live performance. The touring band consisted of the following individuals:
Jon Stevens – Jon Stevens’ remarkable career as a singer, songwriter and performer has spanned over 20 years and reaped many achievements, including ARIA chart-topping success as the front man of legendary Australian bands Noiseworks and INXS. photo by the Hellion
Frank Ferrer- Frank Ferrer is an American rock drummer and session musician. In October 2006, Ferrer became an official member of the American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses after serving as the band’s emergency substitute drummer for Bryan Mantia on several occasions during the band’s summer 2006 European tour. Ferrer is also a member of The Psychedelic Furs as well as a former member of Love Spit Love. He has recorded and worked with several high profile musicians including The Beautiful, Robi “Draco” Rosa, and Sarah Clifford. -photo by Charlie Owens
Richard Fortus – Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Fortus is a current guitarist of legendary American rock band Guns N’ Roses, handling both rhythm and lead duties since 2001. -photo by the Hellion
Dizzy Reed is a multi-talented keyboard/vocalist who is currently touring with Guns ‘N’ Roses and has been with Axl since almost the beginning. He is well respected in the Los Angeles music community as a guest player with many well known artists and with his own solo projects. Dizzy brings the blues rock energy to the stage! – photo Charlie Owens
Bobby Schneck – Bobby Schneck got his start in the bars and clubs of the midwest at the age of 17 playing everything from country to funk to full bore heavy metal. After moving to LA in 1987 he found himself in one of the biggest Sunset Strip bands of the day called B.B. Chung King and the Screaming Buddaheads. A fan of the band turned out to be Slash who would regularly sit in with the band. In 1996 Slash tapped Bobby to tour with Slash’s Blues Ball, a funk and RB rock band that circled the globe on and off for 18 months. He went on to record and tour with Eddie Money, Five For Fighting, Gilby Clarke, Warren Zevon, Green Day and Weezer and then filled in for an ailing Brad Whitford on the 2009 Aerosmith Tour. Slash again tapped him for the “We’re All Gonna Die” tour in 2010 featuring Myles Kennedy on vocals. -photo by the Hellion
Marco Mendoza- Marco comes from a very musical family and started playing the guitar at an early age.
Marco is perhaps mostly known for his work with a number of rock bands and artists such as Thin Lizzy, Blue Murder, Whitesnake , Ted Nugent, Neal Schon and Soul SirkUS, Lynch Mob, as well as diverse artists such as Dolores O’Riordan from the Cranberries. He is currently touring with his solo project and Thin Lizzy (Black Star Riders). – photo by the Hellion
The Dead Daisies put on one of the best sets I have seen in a long, long time. Good old Rock N’ Roll lives on in The Dead Daisies for sure. Big names, big music, without big egos make these guys an all around class act. Thank you gentlemen, from the bottom of our hearts. – Team HellBangs
How many times have you heard “This band sold out” or “That band went mainstream”? I have heard this about several bands throughout the years. Let;s take a look at several bands that have “changed direction” , or have stayed the same and if that has worked for them.
QUEEN 1971 – 1991 the Freddie Mercury years
Queen remains one of my favorite bands of all times. The band was constantly evolving and changing throughout their career. They explored many styles of music during their recording career. They were never afraid to branch out and explore their creativity. Here are two songs that show their diversity. The world lost a beautiful soul when Freddie Mercury passed away in 1991, we will forever miss and love you Freddie, thank you for your music. Queen pulled off, to great success, changing directions.
“Keep Yourself Alive” from QUEEN – 1973
“These Are The Days Of Our Lives” from INNUENDO – 1991
MEGADETH 1983 to present
Megadeth is a band who has stayed true to their original vision. Their style of speed/thrash metal has pretty much been a constant throughout their career. While some will say it has hurt their career, their fans remain loyal, and their record sales constant. I say cheers to Dave and crew (though they have changed over the years) keep it going! Staying true to their direction has worked for Megadeth.
“Peace Sells” from Peace Sells…but Who’s Buying? – 1986
“Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)” from Th1rt3en – 2011
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS 1983 to present
This band has always been in a special place in my heart. Never afraid to be who they are, always giving their all to their fans. Their members and styles have changed throughout the years but they have always managed to pull it off. Playing what they want to and disregarding the critics their music reflects the colorful personalities that infuse this band. Many people have tried to pigeonhole this band to a certain genre, to no avail. I call them a Rock N’ Roll band PERIOD. Thank you RHCP, you have given my soul much joy. Keep growing and evolving and stay true to your passions.
“True Men Don’t Kill Coyotes” from The Red Hot Chili Peppers – 1984
“The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie” – from I’m With You – 2011
METALLICA – 1981 to present
Ahhh Metallica, the source of great contention amongst metal heads. Some say they sold out with the “Black” album, some say they didn’t. I think they have made some questionable choices in the past years, but they remain strong as one of the driving forces in metal music. As part of being human we are constantly changing and growing (well, some of us do) as the events surrounding us dictate. The guys in Metallica are not immune. Growing older, gaining families, becoming financially stable HAS to affect them, and their music. I, for one, appreciate that fact and despite their making some music that does not always appeal to me I stand by this band and remain a fan. R.I.P. Cliff Burton, miss you!
“No Remorse” from Kill ‘Em All – 1983
“All Nightmare Long” from Death Magnetic – 2008
GUNS N’ ROSES 1985 to present???
GNR WHAT HAPPENED?!?!?!? They were poised to take over the world and instead they burned it down. The energy of the the five original members was the perfect combination. Then the backup singers, the keyboard players, the horn section, etc… etc… sigh. I know this band has been the topic of great controversy, and probably will remain so for a long, long time. I will always remain in love with early GNR and the music they made and I am grateful for that, post original five, not so much. I personally believe the direction that the band took killed them (this is my humble opinion). Oh well we have our memories…. if we could only find our way back to the jungle.
“Welcome To The Jungle” from Appetite For Destruction – 1987
“This I Love” from Chinese Democracy – 2008
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY 1998 to present
Ahhh BLS, now here’s a band that I totally get. Members have come and gone and yet this band gets stronger and stronger. Great music year after year, record after record and a loyal fan base that unifies together as one big BLS family. Zakk Wylde never shies away from playing whatever he wants, piano based ballads, acoustic songs, full out electric, it matters not to Zakk. With BLS it never grows stagnant and you will never be bored! GI/FD!!!
“Born To Lose” from Sonic Brew – 1999
“Overlord” from Order Of The Black – 2010
These are just my opinions on bands that have (or have not) changed direction, please feel free to comment or message me with your ideas or thoughts and I will post them here.
the Hellion
This has been a long fought debate among rock fans. I think that keyboards are an integral part of rock music. Keyboards have been around from the birth of rock, to its current evolution. Like everything else keyboards can be (in my opinion) misused in rock music. Again everything in this post is just my opinion and is open for (and welcomed) discussion. Let’s get crackin’:
Some early rock songs had a prominent piano sound in them that was integral to the sound. Let’s look at a video from Jerry Lee Lewis for 1957:
Jerry Lee Lewis made this song come alive with the piano. The song was rockin’ for it’s time and it would not be the same without the piano.
The Doors brought forth some great keyboard laden music on the late 60’s. Ray Manzarek took keyboards and made them cooler. The distinct sound of Ray’s playing gave the Doors their signature sound.
Foreigner in its early incarnation brought some great songs. Who doesn’t recognize the intro by Al Greenwood to “Cold As Ice”? This song was rocking us back in ’77. Although I was personally unhappy with the direction Foreigner took later on, these early songs remain dear to me.
Up until the release of Van Halen’s “1984” keyboards were not a part of the band. “Jump” took me by surprise, it was even a cool keyboard riff. What was happening to my hard rocking band???? But, it was Van Halen so most of us forgave them….maybe.
In the 90’s Guns N’ Roses gave us “November Rain”. Axl Rose and Dizzy Reed provided the keyboard/piano work for this epic song. People liked the song but I felt it was the beginning of the end for that hard charging five pieve (originally) band. Good song though.
“Du Hast” is one of those songs where the keyboard has no place in my opinion. Christian “Flake” Lorenz is adept as playing but the “keyboard riff” just confuses me in this song.
Those are but a few of “keyboard” heavy songs that come to mind. Here are some keyboard players worth noting and you should definitely check out their work:
Billy Preston
Mike Garson (David Bowie, Smashing Pumpkins)
Jon Lord (Deep Purple)
Keith Emerson (ELP)
Stevie Wonder
Warren Zevon
Joe Jackson
Fats Domino
Paul Carrack
Rufus Wainwright
Donald Fagan (Steely Dan)
Roy Bittan (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band)
Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
Gary Wright
Jackson Browne
Richard Manuel (The Band)
Bill Payne (Little Feat)
Gregg Allman (The Allman Brothers Band)
Chuck Leavell (Session player, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, The Black Crowes)
I am going to leave you with one of my favorite keyboard heavy songs:
“Bohemian Rhapsody”, Freddie Mercury’s piano playing on this is a beautiful thing. The song is timeless and is an art form to be cherished forever.
Thanks Freddie you will always live in our hearts and our ears.
the Hellion
(I will be revisiting this topic)
the Hellion Rocks 