There’s been FAR TOO MUCH of those things lately. I know I’ve discussed it before, but WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? I mean the Rock N’ Roll community needs to get behind each other and lift each other up, not tear each other apart. I often times reflect to the day when Rock fans would gather in the parking lots of shows,outside of record stores, at parties, AND HAVE A GOOD TIME! Sure there were discussions about how one thought this band was better than another, and there was the occasional fisticuffs, but for the most part we were there to celebrate Rock N’ Roll music. I see far too many people these days dragging down someone for their successes and trash talking them instead of congratulating them, and giving them advice or support. I support each and every artist who makes the effort to step up and share their art. Won’t you? Will YOU help to tighten back up the GLOBAL Rock N’ Roll community? Bands: send me your info to janaya64@msn.com LET’S DO THIS!!!!
One of the most “colorful” local performers I know is Gutter. He’s a hard-working, fun-loving musician that doesn’t EVER slow down. Let’s see what he has to say:
Tell me about how you were introduced to music.
Gutter: When I was just a little kid my Dad played guitar and harmonica plus my Grandfather played classical guitar. I used to sit around and thought it was so cool just to listen to them play.
My mom, may she rest in peace, was one of my greatest music mentors. To whom do you attribute your love of music to? Gutter: As a young tyke I used to listen to American top 40… he-he. Plus I hung around the older kids in the neighborhood and they turned me on to Deep Purple, Montrose, Robin Trower, Sabbath and I was hooked early on to some killer rock n roll!
What was the catalyst that lead you to decide to become a musician? Gutter: While listening to my Grandfather play and saw how it mesmerized people, I said that want to learn to do that.
Did you have any formal musical training or did you just wing it? Gutter: yes, I took a few lessons from my Gramps then took guitar lessons at Luchetti’s music store back in the day and learned the basics and pretty much winged it from there.
I know you as primarily a bassist, was that your first choice? Do you play other instruments? Gutter: I was originally a guitarist. I played guitar in my first two bands but there were no bass players so I bought a Rickenbacker and started becoming a bass player. I still write my originals on guitar and have to figure out bass parts later.
What are some lessons from previous bands that you carry with you through today? Gutter: Just be true to yourself and play what you feel and what makes you happy. Playing music is supposed to be great fun and never a chore.
Tell me about the “Gutter” moniker? Gutter: Well, back when I was in a band in Hollyweird my only transportation was my motorcycle so my singer & guitarist would pick me and my bass up for band rehearsals and they would always be late. So there I’d be sitting on the curb waiting for them with my bass and they would say, “There’s the Gutter Dweller” and that became my nickname…Gutter Dweller, which was quickly shortened to “Gutter”…hah! and people still call me that to this day.
What are some of the many projects your working on these days? Gutter: Well, I’m currently playing in three bands. I’m in an original rock band called “Rusty Tramp” which plays awesome party rock. I also have another darker sounding rock band called “Darken the Day” and we are actually playing our debut gig opening for my other band Rusty Tramp’s CD release party coming up soon. Plus, I have an awesome classic rock cover band called “LocoMofo”
People are sometimes surprised at what they find in each others music collections. Are there any surprises in your collection? Gutter: Oh man, I have a very extensive music collection. There are many surprises from Al Di Meola to Zeke.I have all kinds of styles in there but mostly metal, punk, prog and a lot of obscure stuff that a lot of people have never even heard of.
Speak your mind freely, the floor is yours: Gutter: Well, like I said before, be true to yourself and your music and everybody has to support your fellow musicians and the music scene to keep it alive and well!! Cheers.
I have to thanks my friends in the band SUNSET RIOT for pointing these guys out to me. Hearkening back to the dirty sound of the rising Hollywood bands, The Black Saints fit right in. If you like some loud, dirty, hard Rock N’ Roll These guys are your ticket. Don’t miss out, I picked up their CD, single for “Capone” and a shirt and plan on keeping them in my player for quite a while! Here’s “Capone”:
Saw these guys at the UPROAR show recently. They put on a great set and had GREAT crowd response. I got to talk to some of them for a minute and they are very humble and personable guys. Check out their video for “Remember Your Ghost” :
Dunderbeist has been at it for 6 years with the same amount of releases together with extensive touring. The Norwegian six headed locomotive embarks on their sixth release, their second one outside of Norway that follows their first international effort this year, “Black Arts & Crooked Tails” , with an album of great depth and sharper edges. Here’s “Fear and Loathing” :
Hailing from the blistering valley of Los Angeles and touted as Rock’s New Generation is Cherri Bomb, a badass all girl rock band who has already shared the stage with such bands as Filter, the supergroup Camp Freddy and toured with the Smashing Pumpkins. Check out the hard charging “Mirror Mirror” :
Since Messer’s beginning in the summer of 2009, this Dallas, Texas group has raised the attention of industry and music lovers alike.
Their music can be described as a nod to the 90’s, with their roots firmly planted in the present while still honing their original sound for 2012 and beyond. Here’s some live footage of “Coming Back Again”:
Got to interview this band a while ago and been listening to them ever since. FRETLESS might be one of the most exciting hard rock orchestras of today. This band features 3 experienced multi talented musicians with more than 25 years/member in the business. They have been compared with music giants such as Dio, Thunder, Pretty Maids and Running Wild among others. “Here We Go”:
Starseed produce some of the most satisfying melodic hard rock you’re likely to hear. Soaring melodies and epic energy, powerful, riff driven rock with electrifying stage shows, their music grasps many elements of the post grunge scene drawing influences from early Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains to the power and torment of Soil. More recent comparisons include the tenacity and energy of Stone Sour and intense melody of Alter Bridge. Check out “See Through Your Lies” live:
“Glamour of the Kill” were formed in January 2007. They take their name from a line in a He Is Legend track – I Am Hollywood The band’s mainstream popularity was assisted by a 10/10 Metal Hammer review for their debut demo ep Through the Dark They March. This led to tours with Bullet for My Valentine, Darkest Hour and Avenged Sevenfold. “Feeling Alive” :
Got to see these guys live as well as interview them. Melodic hooks, outstanding vocals, and engaging stage presence are what this band is about. A hard-working band that does their homework. The band name is a descriptive theme chosen to represent the group’s belief and path to success. Stellar-(defined as, “pertaining to stars”), By Night-(defined as, “faster than usual”, or “overnight”). “Wink Of An Eye” will stick in your head for quite a while:
A young band from Seattle WA that throws back to the early sound of Rock N’ Roll. Bluesy, raw, and unafraid to show their roots, this band has what it takes to stand out! : “Feel So Blue” :
Ladies and gentlemen… a moment or two with Mr. Keith Robert
1. What were you listening to as you were growing up?
Music was the first and most important thing in my household as a child.. My earliest memory is KISS. I mean c’mon, my crib was underneath the KISS Spirit of 76′ poster!! But my dad had me listening to Billy Joel and Bad Company along with the Beatles. Mom had me wrapped up in Air Supply and Michael Bolton. Brothers would bring the Queen, Crüe and RATT in. But I was head over heels for KISS. just non stop!! Right down to me doing impressions of them all in my bedroom and air guitar!!
2. I know you are an Ace Frehley fan, and also Eddie Ojeda of Twisted Sister. What other players had an influence on you and your playing?
Oh man!!! Always the toughest question. I get influenced every day I listen to music. But truly let’s start at the top, Jimmy Page! The dirtiest motha trucker ever on guitar. I truly model my sound and feel along Page’s guide book. He was great at being sloppy and it totally turned me on to the style I love today. But let’s not forget about Brian Forsythe, The Young Brothers, EVH (mainly for his choice of clothes) And honestly I swear on my guitar, John Bonham is one of my biggest influences. His rhythms are insane and patterns like his, get my creative juices flowing.
3. Was there someone outside of your influences that opened you up to or pushed you into a musical direction?
Yes! All the assholes who told me I wouldn’t ever be able to play!! Like the bullies in school, what pricks!!! On a positive note, people like teachers in my past schooling where very cool. Always pushing me to go further in life. But on a daily basis I get influenced by the most basic things, such as conversations with people I hardly know. As much as I can come off strange and spaced to a lot of people, I’m very open minded and I listen to everyone’s story. Which influences me on all levels.
4. The first time I saw you play was with your former band Wildstreet, and I thought to myself, and I know I’ve said it several times since then. “That dude is what ya want in a guitar player”. Not only the technical skills that you possess but the way you worked the stage and the crowd. You have fun when you play. Sucking up a little I know. The question is… How do you see yourself as a guitar player?
Your the best, I’m so humbled to hear that from you. You know what the truth is man? I love to entertain on stage. KISS was and still is my main drive on putting on a show… Gene & Paul understood that, Mick Jagger understands it, KIX GETS IT!! Dude there is something so great about entertaining. I know where I stand as a guitarist. I wish upon a star I could fly up the neck like EVH or Steve Vai, but I just don’t! I play for the song, I play for the band, I play the shit right on guitar and then I focus on grabbing people’s attention from stage and making them feel they spent their money accordingly. What a waste of time when musicians stand still or don’t let loose. Even the band Phish are entertainers! Have you ever seen Trey run around on stage? Brilliant!! When i’m in a great rock band, all I wanna do is give 100% to the music and the crowd. Nothing is better then seeing people smile and enjoying the moment.
5. The decision on leaving Wildstreet. Was it a difficult one to make? What tipped it over the edge” so to speak?
It was a easy decision. I have never publicly spoken about it until now. Look, I loved that band more than any band I ever played with. But the fire died. . . And it killed me. They (Eric, Jimmie, Ali and Beck) gave me a new lease on life. And it was the best time of my life, musically. I believed WS had all the potential in the world. But when money starts affecting every single move we made, it forced me away. I’ve been honest about the business side of music my whole life. Don’t be fooled, I’m in this for the money not for anything else. I get self satisfaction in other ways. Playing my instrument is fun, but I don’t do it for free. Along with money issues, when Jimmie left, WS was over. Him and Eric created it. Without him, rubbish. Yeah we fought, yeah we disagreed, yeah I was a maniac… But when we played to 4 (which we did) or 4000 people, it felt fucking GREAT. I wish we played to 100,000 people, cause I believe the original WS deserved it. It’s a time in my life I can never dismiss.
6. What are your thoughts on it today? Regrets, closure, relief?
If we qualified for it and someone offered the original WS a shit load of money, I’d be the first one at rehearsal. I have no regrets, it was a great time and I learned a lot from them musically. The best part of it all, was leading me to meeting my future wife. I do have relief though since, now I can afford things.
7. Was Wildstreet the first band you were in?
Fuck no! Does a KISS tribute band qualify?! LOL well that was my first real touring act. Then I played with MTV’s Jesse Camp, remember that?? Man we toured with Alice Cooper and N’SYNC!!! I also played with the Flames, ZäNKT and had a killer brush on stage with Frank Dimino from ANGEL. However, WS was the first real band I considered to be contenders.
8. Moving on to the present. Say you want to start a new band. What is the first piece of the puzzle you want to put into place?
DRUMMER!!! Screw everything else!! If he don’t play like John Bohnam, then I stay home and pet my cat. I’ve been trying so hard to find the right elements but its truly a puzzle. Ya know… It’s got just be right, dudes need to really wanna rock. I have always had good success when a drummer and I click and can arrange songs. I admire great drummers. A solid bassist and an egotistical frontman is the American dream a solid 4 piece rhythm exploration is all I ask for.
9. What does the future hold for you? New band, writing, more touring etc…?
I honestly wish I knew. I want nothing more than a band of brothers to call my own. But if it doesn’t just have the right dudes then it ain’t worth shit. As of current, I am trying to just take a back seat and let it all set in and just happen. Been working, tech’n for bands and just staying close to the scene. I realized I can not force it anymore. If if happens, it happens. “Que sera, sera” – Johnny Thunders.
10. You mentioned to me recently that you have been “Trying to let the music pan out right now. It’s been so uninspiring”. Would you care to elaborate that?
You know, I hit L.A. pretty hard hard in its face when I arrived. I got my self into a touring act and after the Ted Nugent tour I basically wanted to throw up in my mouth and spit it on people’s faces. I am kinda disgusted with “finding an act” it just seems so silly, going back and fourth into bands to get paid us such a drag. That’s not what music really is to me. Music is about being yourself with others being themselves thus for creating a unique brand of look and sound!! WHERE THE FUCK has that gone in the music business? Van Halen was a unique band. They were punk ass kids from Pasadena who had a plan, partied, played their asses off and DID NOT TAKE THIS SHIT SO SERIOUSLY, Fucking A!!! Have I lost your attention in my ramblings!?
11. How do you feel about where the music industry is currently and where it is headed?
Transition. And just like I always say, I was born in the wrong time period. Well once again I’m in the wrong time wrong place. Currently it’s a mess! No ones really sure how to sell records. (I am, publish vinyl records and sell em only that way so people have no choice but to buy a record, listen to the record. The entire record! Not this EP shit!!)
Where is it headed? Up shits creek with out a paddle! If your lucky to have a unique band who can tour, then you can make money. But the money is in touring and live events.
12. In your opinion what will it take for a band, especially a Rock band, to have a generous amount of success today?
I think a lot of bands today have “generous” success. What I don’t see today is SUPERGROUPS. it’s just too wide open to have Rock Super Group success anymore. Back in the 70’s it was meat and potatoes. Now it’s, vegan, vegetarian, meat, salads and fast food. Anyone hungry by the way!??
13. I snagged your iPod… What am I gonna hear? Any surprises?
What the hell is an iPod!!!!??? Is that that thing you wear over a busted eye? How about my vinyl collection? Notice how I rearrange your own questions?
Well my vinyl collection is small but, Zeppelin, old blues albums, Hanoi Rocks, Clapton, Aerosmith. But my iPod changes all the time. I ain’t got much room on my iPod so most of the time I switch it out with whatever I need to learn on guitar or what I absolutely have to have which is … TWISTED SISTER LIVE AT THE HAMMERSMITH!! Dee rules.
14. Last but not least, This one is all you bro. Tell us anything & everything you want us to know.
I’m working on a bitchin’ Vegas style cover band called The Luv Guns!! Featuring Dani Luv, Troy Patrick Farrel and Scotti Griffin, gonna be a blast!
I am totally head over heals for poker and I have been kicking ass too!! Yes, I wanna be a poker superstar.
I love my girl, I love my cat, I love poker, I love panda express and I love pot!
I also love you and the bleach bitches!!
You guys have been fucking awesome to me and my friends and I am glad to have buds like ya’ll
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 SKULLDRONare 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=tshttp://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 ATTIKA7for 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/PayableOnDeathPODhttp://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!
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.
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!
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!:
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!”
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.
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!!!
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
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!!!
Who remembers the band NITRO? The incredible screaming vocals of Jim Gillette? The unbelievable, insane, lighting fast guitar wizardry of Michael Angelo Batio? The FOUR necked guitar? The HAIR? Well, here’s a reminder:
Michael Angelo Batio started playing piano and writing music at the tender young age of five. At ten he started playing guitar, it is said he was playing faster than his teacher a couple of years later. He soon became a session musician and began recording music for various companies.
He started his recording career in 1984 with Chicago-based heavy metal band Holland, an project set up by ex-Steppenwolf singer Tommy Holland. They released one album Little Monsters released in 1985 on Atlantic Records.
Here’s “Love In On Time” :
In 1987 he joined forces with Jim Gillette to form NITRO. The band released two studio albums – O.F.R. (1989) and Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. (1991).
In April 1993, Michael Angelo Batio founded his own record label, M.A.C.E. Music. He began recording his first album, No Boundaries, which he released in 1995 on this label. He then released several more solo records, Planet Gemini (1997), Tradition (1999), Lucid Intervals and Moments of Clarity (2000), Lucid Intervals and Moments of Clarity part 2 (2004), Hands Without Shadows (2005), 2 X Again (2007), Hands Without Shadows: 2 Voices (2009), In 2011, Michael debuted his multi-media show “Hands Without Shadows – A Tribute to Rock Guitar” in Las Vegas. In 2012 Michael is touring the world with this show. It is a chronological tribute to rock guitar.
Batio is ambidextrous, a skill he taught himself. He is able to play two guitars at the same time either in synchronization or using separate harmonies. This includes playing completely different parts at once, as shown while playing his famous Double-Guitar. Though naturally left-handed, he plays as right-handed when playing one guitar. Batio invented and often demonstrates the “Over-Under” technique, which involves flipping his fretting hand over and under the neck rapidly, playing the guitar both regularly and like a piano.
the Hellion Rocks 