Tag Archives: GNR

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

SHOULD KEYBOARDS BE IN ROCK MUSIC?

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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)

09/03/2012 SHOW!

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How my relationship with BLEACH BANGS RADIO started

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During the process of doing interviews for Music U-Night I was given an interview with Charlie Owens from Bleach Bangs Radio. I always like to spend some time before the interview getting to know my subject on a personal level. For me it helps to make the interview process flow easier and seem more natural. In getting to know Charlie it was if we were long lost brothers. We have so many common interests and likes, it was fate.

Charlie Owens from Bleach Bangs Radio on Music U-Night:

A little bit later I was asked to be interviewed on Bleach Bangs Radio. The on air chemistry continued and I was able to “meet” Randy Norris, and john Hennis, Charlie’s co-hosts on the show.  It was a great experience.

Bleach Bangs interview

 

A few months later I was invited to be a permanent co-host on Bleach Bangs and the rest is ….in the future!!!!

the Hellion

A message From Charlie Owens of BLEACH BANGS RADIO!

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So… September 23 2009 was the very first time we were on air with BleachBANGS. That date is right around the corner. Crazy. Sitting back listening to some of our very first shows and enjoying. We’ve come along way in 3 years and we’re not done yet. Very happy and proud to have had all these amazing bands on with us over the course of this ride. It’s about you and your music! We’ve had some ups and downs. Tech issues, money issues, idea issues. We’ve overcome all of em. Onward and upward from here. No matter what it is, promoting, housing, feeding, booking, or just talkin it up & playin the tunes on air BleachBANGS is here for you… The bands. Thank you!

We’ll even bang your ugly friends

Cheers,
Charlie Owens.

I have been fortunate to have been asked into the Bleach Bangs family as a co-host, Thanks guys!

the Hellion

Why do we like the music we do?

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Is it the driving beat or guitar hook? Is it the poignant lyrics? Is it the image of the band? A combination of any or all of the above? Personally it is the all of the above that catch my ear. Sometimes I’ll catch a hook of a song that sticks with me and I’ll check the band out and sometimes it turns out well. With others sometimes I’ll read a snippet of a lyric or again It’ll stand out to me. And yet other times I’ll see  a picture or a video that piques my interest. Obviously there is more than those things but those were the three leaders to a band that were thrown at me by readers. I wonder if some people “brainwash” themselves into liking a band because of one or more of those reasons. Let’s take a look at three videos  from one band  that touch on those  three reasons VELVET REVOLVER. 

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The “image”: the video for “She Builds Quick Machines” caught my eye even before my mind had time to process the song. Being a fan of “Spaghetti Westerns” I fell in love with this video and then the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hqe3jMHhvA

The “hook”: “Slither” had my interest from the opening notes of the song. The catchy riff kept it through to the end. Great hook that worms its way into your head and burrows deep: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKz2U4fvA4U

The “lyrics”: “Fall To Pieces” hit me like a hammer. “I keep a journal of memories I’m feeling lonely, I can’t breathe
I fall to pieces, I’m falling Fell to pieces and I’m still falling” just seem to hit home with me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JhsUFuqbCM

There you have it, one band, three songs, and three different reasons for liking those songs. Feelings? Thoughts? Comments? All are welcome!

the Hellion

 

 

 

 

My top 5 albums of all time – the Hellion

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I was recently asked online by my friend Mark (SDMF_Philly) to blog about my to 5 albums of all time. So here we go. These are in no kind of order they are just the five albums that I can listen to over and over (there are many more but these five just out at me right away). Let’s get started:

THE BEATLES – REVOLVER

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released on 5 August 1966

1. “Taxman”
2. “Eleanor Rigby”
3. “I’m Only Sleeping”
4. “Love You To”
5. “Here, There and Everywhere”
6. “Yellow Submarine”
7. “She Said She Said”
SIDE 2
1. “Good Day Sunshine”
2. “And Your Bird Can Sing”
3. “For No One”
4. “Doctor Robert”
5. “I Want to Tell You”
6. “Got to Get You into My Life”
7. “Tomorrow Never Knows”

I grew up listening to these songs and have over the years (no comments) have grown to appreciate them on so many levels. The Beatles have always remained an influence on my musical growth. I will be blogging about the influence of the Beatles on music soon. My favorite track off of this album is “Love You To” I just love the vibe of this song. Check it out here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF90rX43VpE

LYNYRD SKYNYRD – (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)

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released on August 13th 1973

1. “I Ain’t the One”
2. “Tuesday’s Gone”
3. “Gimme Three Steps”
4. “Simple Man”

5. “Things Goin’ On”
6. “Mississippi Kid”
7. “Poison Whiskey”
8. “Free Bird”

My mom (may she Rest In Peace) used to sing “Simple Man” to me when I was younger. My step dad was a country fan but he allowed this record to be played in the house. I loved the feel of these now classic songs. I could put this record on the turntable and just go to a different place. This is a timeless record to me and still gets plenty of play. Here is a link to “Simple Man” I hope I’ve done you proud mom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paUGhVQfBpw

VAN HALEN – VAN HALEN II

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released on March 23, 1979

Van Halen changed the game. Style, great vocals, KILLER riffs, feel good music in a feel good time. II is my favorite VH record for all of those reasons. I actually picked this record up the day it came out and ran all of the way home to hear it. I must have played it twenty times that day. It still sounds as fresh to me in this day as it did back then. My favorite track is “Women in Love” the intro to the closing notes are still amazing. Check out the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-HTBen7_CE

GUNS N ROSES – APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION

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released on July 21, 1987

1. “Welcome to the Jungle”
2. “It’s So Easy”
3. “Nightrain”
4. “Out ta Get Me”
5. “Mr. Brownstone”
6. “Paradise City”
7. “My Michelle”
8. “Think About You”
9. “Sweet Child o’ Mine”
10. “You’re Crazy”
11. “Anything Goes”
12. “Rocket Queen”

Another game changer. The sheer aggression on  this record quickly grabbed my attention. The power, bravado and devil-may-care ways gave the music world a shot in the arm. Another record that you put on and listen to open to close. GNR did their homework on looks and hooks and manged to keep the F@%K you attitude. “It’s So Easy” stands out the most to me on this record “See me hit you, you fall down” love that lyric. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNE2Oqut238&feature=related

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS – CALIFORNICATION

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released June 8. 1999

1. “Around the World”
2. “Parallel Universe”
3. “Scar Tissue”
4. “Otherside”
5. “Get on Top”
6. “Californication”
7. “Easily”
8. “Porcelain”
9. “Emit Remmus”
10. “I Like Dirt”
11. “This Velvet Glove”
12. “Savior”
13. “Purple Stain”
14. “Right on Time”
15. “Road Trippin'”

The thing I like best about Red Hot Chili Peppers is their “We play what we want to” style. You never know what you are going to get from a new RHCP record. This one marked the return of guitarist/songwriter John Frusciante to the band. The tracks are soulful and plain beautiful. the layered vocals, and lyrics make this a magical record for me. My stand out track is “This Velvet Glove”  the lyrics”  “Sailin’ for the sun cause there is one Knows where I’m from I care for you I really do, I really do” just hit me.  here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiqSl0bfWro

There you have it 5 albums that mean the world to me. Thanks

the Hellion