TOGETHER WE WILL GAIN STRENGTH

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I have been fortunate in my life. I have a solid family, am gainfully employed, and in relatively (there have been some issues) good health, and I have my extended music family. We are a community and we need to stand strong for those in our community. In the last few years I have met some great bands and some great fans. The only way the music community can succeed is by the support given by EVERYONE. We need to remember this every day.  We also need to take the time and try to get to know each other and help each other through our various hard times. Sometimes a crisis can be averted by someone just listening to someone else. There have been many times that a simple phone call has made a difference in my life when I’m feeling down. The world used to seem such vast place when I was a child, not so anymore. As of this post, we are at 121 countries actively reading the blog, 121 countries! Music lovers from around the globe, FAMILY from the four corners of the earth. What does this mean? To me it gives me the ability to share bands that I know and the music they make with people who might not have ever had the chance to hear them. I also get to find and hear bands that I would not necessarily have heard as well. One of the things I am passionate about is helping these various bands break out from their respective “local” areas and bring their music and live shows to the world. Remember: KISS, Motley Crue, Metallica, etc. are ALL local bands somewhere. Do me a couple of favors today in your travels: 1. take the time to stop and tell someone that you care for them, and LISTEN to what they have to say. 2. Share a piece of music or a band with someone that might not have heard it/them. Let us as musicians/fans make a difference and show people the strength of our music community.

 

the Hellion

OUR PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES OF NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT

     I just learned of the school shooting and we here at the Hellion Rocks, Bleach Bangs Radio, Music U-Night, Rock U-Night, send out our deepest sympathy. Hold your family close and show them love. Let us, the music community, stand strong for those in need.

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http://news.msn.com/us/multiple-deaths-reported-in-shooting-at-conn-school

WHAT’S UP WITH VELVET REVOLVER?

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I have recently heard rumors of a VR reuinon. I read that Scott Weiland made a statement that Stone Temple Pilots are taking a breather and now would be the right time for Velvet Revolver to get back together. Hmmm…that would be cool. I was always a fan of the Velvet Revolver sound. Again we come to that place where a band can only be the members that formed it. I have had the discussion before about revolving band members. I think that Velvet Revolver is and can only be: Slash, Duff McKagen, Matt Sorum, Dave Kushner, and Scott Weiland. What’s your take? This is a reunion I would love to see! However, I have heard Slash say it’s a no go…..let’s hope.

the Hellion

THE HELLION ROCKS T-SHIRT IDEAS

Thinking about rolling out some T-Shirts for the supporters of the site. Let me know what you think.

FRONT:

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BACK:

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THE NEW LOGO!! (THANKS TO EDDIE’S MATES)

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R.I.P. – REMEMBERING JOHN LENNON AND BROTHER DIME

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     John Winston Lennon October 9th 1940 – December 8th 1980

     John Lennon will always be a part of my life. As a small child I  loved his music, as a young man I learned to appreciate his style of writing, as an adult I learned to appreciate the man and his craft. Thank you John for sharing with us and giving up so much for the world. I will do my best to keep your music in the ears of those I can reach.

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Darrell Lance Abbott August 20th, 1966 – December 8th, 2004

     Dime gave me new hope in Rock N’ Roll. He cam and kicked our asses and made us feel good about it. The people who were fortunate to be close to him spoke of his kindness and willingness to give. His guitar playing was innovative and carried on (and, dare I say, improved  upon somewhat) the legacy of his mentors before him. His life was short but impacted the music world and he was taken from us doing what he loved. I will always miss you Dime.

     We remember John, Dime, and all of the fallen people who have given up their lives doing what they love or in protecting others. We humbly thank, and respect you all.

the Hellion

LAMB OF GOD/RANDY BLYTHE – MY PERSPECTIVE

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I’ve remained relatively quiet on the whole Randy Blythe/Lamb Of God issue up until now. I have been doing a lot of thinking about this recently. First off, I wasn’t there so everything I read and see is from the other persons point of view, so I can only speak as to how I feel. This whole incident is a great tragedy for everyone involved. I do not think the fan went to the show with the outcome that occurred in mind. Nor do I think Randy took the stage with the intent to cause any one harm. I believe an unfortunate sequence of events led to this tragedy. When Dimebag Darrell was murdered in cold blood on stage it got real for performers. It is unfortunate that now an artist has to fear for his/her life when performing so I can see reacting to someone “invading” your work space (yes the stage is a performers work space). Venues hire security to try and help prevent madness like this from occurring. As fans we need to act responsible as well, I know we are to have a good time, but let’s not ruin it for others by acting a fool. I have witnessed up close fear in the eyes of the performers when a crowd gets to unruly. All in all, an unfortunate sequence of events indeed. Should Randy be punished? In my opinion no, I believe he is punishing himself enough. These are just my thoughts and I do not expect everyone or any one to agree with them.

the Hellion

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2013

 

As we wind down 2012, (which was a great year) we also start looking forward to 2013. We had some new doors open for us this year, we got to cover the 2012 Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar tour, we got to cover the great Skeletonwitch show, we reconfigured Music U-Night into Rock U-Night, and I started this Blog. Bleach Bangs Radio interviewed some great bands, and we saw the CD releases of local NM bands Beard, and Rusty Tramp. I also am going to be attending the dedication of the West Mesa Performing Arts Center to Randy Castillo this December. I also made a lot of new friends and met and heard a lot of new bands. I love you all.

2013 promises to start off on an equally great note. We have been fortunate enough to have obtained media access tot he 2013 NAMM show in Anaheim California in January. We plan on interviewing various instrument/gear companies and bring it to you first hand.  We plan on continuing to bring you new bands, new interviews, new CD reviews, and new show reviews. If there is anything you want to see let us know. We are fan driven and here for you, the music lovers.

 

yours in Rock

the Hellion!

 

THANKSGIVING BREAK…BRB!!!

GONNA TAKE A FEW DAYS OFF TO ENJOY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!! I AM THANKFUL FOR ALL OF YOU WHO READ THIS BLOG, THOSE WHO MAKE THE MUSIC THAT WE LOVE, AND THOSE OF YOU WHO MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN! BACK ON FRIDAY, KEEP IT ROCKIN’! 

the Hellion

ANOTHER MUSIC LOVER – ISH GARCIA TALKS ABOUT HIS LOVE OF MUSIC AND FAMILY

I have a good friend who truly knows the meaning of family, Ish Garcia. This man sacrifices for his family by working out of the country to earn a living in this hard economic time. When he does get the opportunity to spend time at home he makes the best of it by giving back by sharing his passion for music with his family. I truly believe in the healing power of music as does he, Ish uses the power of music to help his autistic son “Matt The Cat”. I got Ish to take some of his rare time to answer a few questions:

1. When did you first fall in love with music?

Ish: I have always loved music, since a baby , really. In love, maybe after I heard and bought a Hendrix album Axis Bold As Love, after that ,I realized I couldn’t go a day without some kind of music.

2.  What is it about music that touches you?

Ish:  Music just gets inside,- lyrics, rhythm, it just depends on the song.

3.  What do you do to support you favorite bands?

Ish: Support ?- Buy the Album-whole album , not just the one you like on the radio, buy the album that’s why they made an album,I’m pretty sure the song are strung together for a reason. Also, buy a shirt, usually bands I like /love have cool merch for sale. Buy a ticket for the show and see ’em live!!! Share that shit with all your friends. Hope fully the small bands you like will make it, like Guns N’ Roses or Alice in Chains, Pantera , they all started doing small gigs and then bang, I would like to witness it first hand.

4.  Tell us about some of your favorite bands and your passion for music.

Ish: Jimi Hendrix – Guitar god great lyrics, His cover songs are better than the originals themselves-in my opinion Black Sabbath-Ozzy and Dio for me undecided…,c’mon its Sabbath, need I say more Ozzy-its like crack for my ears Zeppelin, to me its real rock n roll to me a blue print of what rock and roll should sound like. Alice in chains-Lyrics, the sound of Layne and Jerry together , chunky riffs.What is grunge ? Black Label Society-Everything I love all rolled into one-Doom, chunky riffs-blues, melody To me music is magical or spiritual and powerful, its in the air ,it’s a time machine. even when you cant see it, you can feel it, it can make you feel strong when your weak, inspire you, calm you down. I believe music is a super natural living thing, a gift to us. I couldn’t see a world without it. My wife is the one who really introduced me to Alice in Chains, and I’m so grateful. And as far as BLS, I gotta hear at least one song a day, and I have to blow out my ear drums with it.

5. Tell us a little about “Matt The Cat”

Ish: We took him to his first big( not local) concert and meet n greet. in 07 velvet revolver he loved slash from rock band. and then liked guns and roses, they were all cool to him, he got Duffs sweat band at the end of the show. I notice a big difference with Matt when we go to Black Label shows in particular, he’s dressed like everyone, so he feels “in” and true BL family show him respect. He loves the music , he gets exited when we tell him Black Labels in town. He can act like himself without being judged. Taking him to the meet n greets and concerts and seeing him be happy is priceless.

Thanks Ish, you have my utmost respect and love.

the Hellion