Tag Archives: Justin Manning

Was Jimi Hendrix that great?

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Hendrix performing on the Dutch television show Hoepla in 1967

     I have had many conversations about Jimi throughout the years. There are those who laud his playing, and those who deeply criticize him. Myself, however, have a different opinion on Mr. Hendrix.

     I believe that Jimi played the heart and soul. He felt the music coursing throughout his every fiber and was able to bring that out through his writing and playing, and that was good enough.

     I don’t feel he was the greatest or most technical player. I feel that he felt the guitar talking to him and he listened to it and not the limitations the musical world had imposed, and that was good enough.

     I have said before and I stand by it, music lives within all of us, some of us listen, and some hit the mute button. Jimi turned it up to 15 and beyond. You can see the magic in his live performances. When Jimi, Mitch Mitchell, and Noel Redding took the stage it was a spectacle to behold.

     In conclusion, Jimi was not the greatest guitarist ever (I don’t think that title can ever be granted to one guitarist) but he did pave the way for others to realize it was ok to experiment and take their music to new levels. He influenced so many guitarists that I to think he is a legendary guitarist but not the best ever.

     If you want to see musicians truly lost in their craft check out this video for “Purple Haze”. Put it on the big screen, turn it up as loud as you can, and stare into their faces, you’ll see what I mean:

     Be true to the music within, it your friend that will be with you no matter what.

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!

   -the Hellion

My top 10 Rock songs that never get old for me

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There are songs that you have heard a million times and you can’t take them anymore (Post about those songs another time), and those that remain eternally epic. This is my list of those songs I consider most epic.

10. “Tombs Ov Oblivion” – Crowned By Fire

     9. “Back In The Saddle” – Aerosmith

     8. “Breakin’ Down” – Skid Row

     7. “More Than A Feeling” – Boston

     6. “Now I’m Here” – Queen

     5. “Dance The Night Away” – Van Halen

     4. “River Of Deceit” – Mad Season

     3. “No Quarter” – Led Zeppelin

     2. “Love To Love” – UFO

     1. “Spirits In The Night” – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

     These are the ten top songs which I could listen to over and over without them wearing out on me. I guess of I were to make a Hellion Rocks greatest hits CD these would be the ten songs that would make the cut for me. Why these ten songs? They each represent to me musical craft at its best. I can listen to these and be carried away on musical adventures in faraway lands. I encourage your feedback and responses with your own definitive top ten list.

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!

     -the Hellion

 

Help a touring band out!!!

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OK Rockers listen up! Send an email to janaya64@msn.com and tell me why you like Crowned By Fire. Every entry wins something special and one entry wins something very cool and it helps them get on the road!!!. You have two days to get your emails in! Put CBF in the subject box please! FUEL THE FIRE!!! – the Hellion

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FUEL THE FIRE!!!

-the Hellion

 

Crowned By Fire: FUEL THE FIRE!!!

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Hitting the road is rough these days. My buds in Crowned By Fire are fixing to bring their unique sonic assault to the masses and need your help to do it. They are offering some very cool merch and perks on their indiegogo site. Shirts, downloads, one-of-a-kind articles, it’s all here! Rock N’ Roll is not dead and Crowned By Fire is on a mission to FUEL THE FIRE!!!! SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!!!!

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click the link and support:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fuel-the-fire–2

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CROWNED BY FIRE!!!

-the Hellion

Rock N’ Roll is NOT dead Mr. Simmons

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So I recently read the article where Nick Simmons interviewed his father Gene Simmons in Esquire:

GENE SIMMONS: ‘ROCK IS FINALLY DEAD’

The Kiss rocker expands on his thoughts about the past, present, and future of recorded music.

I have a few things to say about this. I have seen that this article has recently been trending on Facebook. I am of the opinion that it is indeed NOT dead.  Gene has pretty much killed the hopes and dreams of future musicians. I remember when music was made for the sake of creating art, the success that followed was a bonus. Imagine if Beethoven or Van Gogh only were only creating art for commercial or monetary gain. That is where the music industry has seemed to have gone. I blame the industry itself for becoming too corporate. If they don’t see an immediate gain for it they don’t see fit to put any money behind it. THAT is the problem. I think that someone that holds the status of Gene Simmons should put his experiences back into helping the industry not discouraging it.

I have a very good friend who is named Dellacoma Rio. He is a vocalist from Australia. He, to me, embodies the spirit of Rock N’ Roll. While he was in previous band Sunset Riot they managed to book shows and gain exposure in the US while still being based in Australia. They toured the US extensively and successfully gaining ground at every turn. Unfortunately due to creative differences and life changes Sunset Riot chose to mutually dissolve. Dellacoma Rio, however, was not done. The spirit and fire of Rock N’ Roll burned passionately within him. With a little bit of reinvention and tenacity he put together a new band and hit the road again. Booking gigs and festivals across the US the newly formed DELLACOMA began the process of making themselves seen and heard. In the midst of touring across the US they took the time to stop and make an old fashioned Rock N’ Roll record. No processing, no extreme overdubs, just raw and fresh. A record that translates to live performances seamlessly. The evening of finishing in the studio they played a gig and set off on the road again. All of this from a gentleman who comes from modest means. There is no one bank rolling this gentleman or his band, just blood, sweat, and tears. Rock N’ Roll is alive and well within DELLACOMA. That is an example of one of many bands I know and love who work equally as hard.

Getting back to Gene Simmons, KISS has always had the opportunity to be trend setters. I feel that they have let us down as of late. When the reunion, and farewell tours were done they had the chance to reinvent themselves and continue to gain new ground. Instead of putting others in the classic makeup they could have invented new “characters” for Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer. It was done before with Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent. I am of the opinion that what we have now is Diet KISS, or KISS Lite now with 50% less KISS. They have put out two mediocre records and continue to rely on their back catalog instead of searching within and getting in touch with  the part of them that drove them in the early days.

Now, to basically tell young rockers to give up is a pretty crappy thing to say. When Rock N’ Roll was in its infancy there was no one there handing out checks or promoting or playing the music. It was all word of mouth and shameless self promotion. I feel that we have returned to those days. While the internet has been a curse to the industry due to the whole downloading issue it has also allowed bands to use it to promote and reach out on their own. OK in the vast sea of bands putting out their stuff on the internet how do they get heard? Well that falls to people who do what I do and the bands themselves. By taking that step and getting out, touring, not taking no for an answer and promotion, promotion, promotion they can be heard. Is the money still there, of course not,  it is still lining the pockets of the greedy corporations. I’m sure Gene has his pockets full. I challenge those rockers who have “succeeded” to reach out and help bands be heard and succeed in their musical endeavors. There IS new music being made that defies the current slop being force fed to us by corporate radio and the bloated industry, you just have to open your ears and eyes and look and listen for it.  No Gene, Rock is NOT dead by any means, like everything else we just have to work a little harder at it.

 

thump thump, thump thump, THUMP THUMP….

you hear that? That’s the pulse of Rock N’ Roll and it’s still strong.

 

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL…and we love it!

the Hellion

 

 

 

 

Crowned By Fire saves Rock N’ Roll with Space Music For Cave People

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1. Buried Away

2. Light Ov The Voodoo Star

3. Crowned By Fire

4. Something In Her Blood

5. Space Music For Cave People

6. Burnin’ For You

     Crowned By Fire is no mediocre band. They have completely proven that with the release of Space Music For Cave People. The new EP drops July 1st on Chrome Mountain Records. There have been some quality releases as of late but this one is a game changer.

     Like a defibrillator this record send a high voltage charge straight into the heart of Rock N’ Roll.  Crowned By Fire comes on strong with the swagger of gunfighters walking down a street at high noon looking for trouble. Intense riffs powered by the guitar assault of the highly underrated Justin Manning,  the chest crushing bass of Chris Breedlove, the powerful punch on the drums of Rocco F Paolone, combined with the lyrics and the “I just kicked you in the nuts” vocals of John Fitterer fuel the Crowned By Fire machine.

photo by Robert John

photo by Robert John

     Like those famous potato chips in that bright yellow bag, once you start listening, you just can’t stop. On more than one occasion I have found myself waking up with one of the six tracks playing in my head.

     While track for track the entire record is amazing there are some stand out tracks here. “Something In Her Blood” was one of the last tracks put together for the record but it is the first to stand out to me. Justin channels some guitar greats here and yet puts enough of his own spin on it to make it his own style. The title track “Space Music For Cave People” reminds me a little of the Cult on steroids. John completely owns with his vocals on this one. “Crowned By Fire” opens with some dirty from the swamp bass from Chris. Those three tracks are the ones that reach me the most.

    The records on a whole is deep on so many levels. Each listen provides you with something new in its structure. In these days of “fast food music”,  Space Music For Cave People is a sit down full course dinner. This is a record made the right way and with the love of making music behind it.

     Here’s the lyric video for the title track “Space Music For Cave People”:

     Stay up to date with CBF online:

     https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire

     http://www.crownedbyfire.com

     https://www.facebook.com/ChromeMountainRecords

     http://chromemountainrecords.com

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CROWNED BY FIRE!!!!

     -the Hellion

PRONG Reveal More Details on New Album Ruining Lives and Record Store Day Exclusive Single

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PRONG Reveal More Details on New Album Ruining Lives and    Record Store Day Exclusive Single

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Ruining Lives Available May 13th on SPV/Steamhammer in North America

Ruining Lives is the follow-up to the acclaimed 2012 release Carved Into Stone and continues to show the band on an upward trajectory, proving that despite having a long, illustrious career PRONG can still make records that matter and re-invent themselves without negating their roots.

With Tommy Victor in the producer’s chair and Steve Evetts (Hatebreed, Sick Of It All, Sepultura) once again coming in to put his trademark shine on the record, Ruining Lives has turned out to be a monster of an album. From the first riff-assault of the opener “Turnover”, the album takes you on an angst-filled roller coaster ride that marries some very old school, Beg To Differ-elements with post-punk, industrial metal, hardcore thrash, all the while retaining a modern and current feel. Fans of the bands legendary, genre-defining Cleansing-era and new fans alike will be thrilled.

Tommy Victor about Ruining Lives: “This is the fastest written and recordedPRONG-album ever and it has more great songs than any previous PRONG-record.  I am particularly proud of the vocal performance and I think we captured some outstanding sounds on this album. There’s a little bit of a throwback element here. Ruining Lives is almost a “Force Fed” type of song. The album is a hybrid between NY Hardcore and some very modern, song oriented work. You will find some “Rude Awakening” but also some solid, crushing riffs. I feel we have captured the best elements of PRONG on this album.

 

He continues, “Come To Realize” is something new – we have never approached this kind of time signature. It really is math-metal meets pure hardcore with a crazy-ass riff. What’s exciting about the whole album is you have your hooks, your riffs and something innovative that makes the album very current. This qualifies as the hybrid nature of PRONG: marrying post-punk, industrial metal, hardcore thrash and modern elements – all of that with hooks and not just a bunch of screaming.”

The new album Ruining Lives will be released now throughSPV/Steamhammer in Scandinavia on April 23rd, in Germany on April 25th, in Europe on April 28th and in the US/Canada on May 13th as a limited digipak version incl. 1 bonus track and poster, as a double gatefold colored vinyl version incl. 1 bonus track and the CD in cardboard sleeve, as a standard version and download.

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n April 19th PRONG will release an exclusive single for “Record Store Day” celebration with the new track “Turnover” on side A and a pig remix version of “Revenge Best Served Cold” by Raymond Watts on Side B. The single is limited to 3.000 copies and comes in a green/white marbled vinyl version. The worldwide digital release of this single is April 21st!

 

Track Listing DigiPak:

1.Turnover

2.The Barriers

3.Windows Shut

4.Remove, Separate Self

5.Ruining Lives

6.Absence Of Light

7.The Book Of Change

8.Self Will Run Riot

9.Come To Realize

10.Chamber Of Thought

11.Limitations And Validations

12.Retreat  (Bonus Track)

 

Track Listing Jewel Case

1.Turnover

2.The Barriers

3.Windows Shut

4.Remove, Separate Self

5.Ruining Lives

6.Absence Of Light

7.The Book Of Change

8.Self Will Run Riot

9.Come To Realize

10.Chamber Of Thought

11.Limitations And Validations

 

Track Listing Vinyl Version

LP1 Side 1

1.Turnover

2.The Barriers

3.Windows Shut

 

LP1 Side 2

1.Remove, Separate Self

2.Ruining Lives

3.Absence Of Light

 

LP2 Side 1

1.The Book Of Change

2.Self Will Run Riot

3.Come To Realize

 

LP2 Side 2

1.Chamber Of Thought

2.Limitations And Validations

3.Retreat  (Bonus Track)

 

PRONG Live 2014

26.03. D-Essen – Turock

27.03. NL-Haarlem – Patronaat

28.03. NL-Roermond – ECI Cultuurfabriek

29.03. B-Antwerp – Trix

30.03. GB-London – Underworld

01.04. GB-Glasgow – Cathouse

02.04. GB-Manchester – Sound Control

03.04. GB-Wolverhampton – Slade Rooms

04.04. F-Paris – Nouveau Casino

05.04. D-Cologne – Luxor

06.04. D-Karlsruhe – Substage

08.04. D-Saarbrücken – Garage

09.04. CH-Aarau – Kiff

10.04. D-Munich – Backstage

11.04. A-Vienna – Szene

12.04. CZ-Prague – Nova Chmelnice

13.04. PL-Krakow – Kwadrat Club

15.04. D-Berlin Lido

16.04. D-Bremen – Tower

17.04. D-Hamburg – Knust

18.04. DK-Copenhagen – Vega

19.04. SE-Gothenburg – Sticky Fingers

20.04. SE-Stockholm – Debaser Strand

21.-25.07. SLO-Tolmin – Metaldays

26.07. D-Viersen – Eier mit Speck Festival

27.07. NL-Eindhoven – Dynamo

29.07. NL-Rotterdam – Baroeg

30.07. D-Weinheim – Cafe Central

31.07. D-Wiesbaden – Schlachthof

01.08. D-Wacken – Wacken Open Air

08.08. GB-Derbyshire – Bloodstock Open Air

09.08. B-Kortrijk – Alcatraz Festival

23.08. D-Bad Wünnenberg – Wünnstock Open Air

 

For More Info Visit:

http://www.prongmusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/prongmusic

https://twitter.com/prongmusic

http://www.spv.de

 

the Hellion Rocks presents: guitarist MONTE PITTMAN!!!

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I know I have said it before the music industry is a small small world. I received a text the other day from Crowned By Fire guitarist Justin Manning about Monte Pittman getting in touch with me about some things. At the same time Monte messaged me about said things. We got in touch and managed to set up this interview. In the course of our conversations we also found out we have a lot of friends and contacts in common. Enjoy getting to know Monte Pittman right here:

Monte Pittman - The Power of Three

     Be sure and check Monte Pittman out online:

     http://montepittman.com/

     https://www.facebook.com/monteleepittman?fref=ts

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s MONTE PITTMAN!

     the Hellion

the Hellion Rocks presents: Justin Manning of Crowned By Fire

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It’s always great to talk to Justin Manning. We had a great discussion about the new deal Crowned By Fire signed with the newly formed Chrome Mountain Records.1044077_1452670484954224_2072048793_n

 

Make sure you go to Facebook and show Crowned By Fire and Chrome Mountain Records some love:

https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire

https://www.facebook.com/ChromeMountainRecords

 

 

This conversation went for about an hour so I’ll keep it short here and let you get to it:

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CROWNED BY FIRE!

the Hellion

 

CROWNED BY FIRE INKS A DEAL WITH CHROME MOUNTAIN RECORDS!

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Ever since I had my eardrums punched in by Crowned By Fire and their first release ‘Prone To Destroy’ in 2011 I have been behind them. I have since become friends with John Fitterer (vocals),  Justin Manning (lead guitar), Michael Pacheco (rhythm guitar), Chris Breedlove (bass),  J.P. Paschall (drums). They are a hard working bunch of guys that deserve their shot. I am happy to pass on the following to you, my beloved readers:

Music promoter and owner of Arkansas Rocks! Entertainment, Stephanie Shaw, announced last week the launch of her new record label, Chrome Mountain Records. Chrome Mountain Records (CMR), is a fresh new Indie label with plans to blaze a new trail in today’s music industry. To set things ablaze, Chrome Mountain Records has just inked a deal with LA-based metal band, CROWNED BY FIRE, to release a 6 song EP, Space Music For Cave People, in March 2014.

Crowned By Fire has been burning down the metal scene since 2006. As fate would have it, Stephanie, booked CBF a date on their Southern Horsepower Tour back in March 2013, in Little Rock, Arkansas. “I was already a fan, I had bought all of their music on itunes, but seeing them LIVE, brought on an intense passion for their music”, states Stephanie Shaw. “In December 2013, I found out that Crowned By Fire, was playing a gig at the World famous, Whisky a GoGo, out in LA. I booked a flight and was planning my first trip to California, before I knew it! It was then and there that I knew Crowned By Fire had to be the first band signed to Chrome Mountain Records”.

Chrome Mountain Records is setting a March 2014, release date for the new 6 song EP, Space Music For Cave People, recorded at Zakk Wylde’s THE BLACK VATICAN studio. Crowned By Fire are the only band besides Wylde’s Black Label Society, to have recording privileges there, to date. Crowned By Fire’s lead guitarist/founding member, Justin Neil Manning, was Wylde’s guitar tech/personal assistant off and on for 14 years, honing his craft from a very young age, under the guidance of Zakk’s watchful eye. Lead singer/founding member, John Fitterer, fronted the LA-based psyche metal band, Transultra, through the 90’s, before joining up with Manning and starting Crowned By Fire, in 2006. Fitterer’s unique and powerful vocals, paired with Manning’s phenomenal shredding, define the classic American metal sound. Chris Breedlove-Bass, Michael Pacheco-rhythm guitar, and JP Paschall-drums, round out the heavy-hitting line up ov doom.

Crowned By Fire are currently putting finishing touches on a couple of songs with Engineer, Chris Collier. The 6 song EP will be mixed by Pantera’s famous producer, Sterling Winfield, of Lewisville, Texas. Chrome Mountain Records has plans for this release on vinyl, CD and digital download, in March 2014. Actual release date will be announced soon. Shaw states that she is looking forward to this next step up the Chrome Mountain with Crowned By Fire, and invites everyone to, “come burn with us!”

“Chrome Mountain Records, shiny chrome on the outside, molten metal on the inside!”

Check out this cool video montage from their last tour the “Southern Horsepower Tour 2013” you might catch the Hellion in some of the pics! Thanks to CBF Lindz for putting it together:

     You can find Crowned By Fire online @

https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire

 http://www.crownedbyfire.com

 https://twitter.com/CrownedByFire

   Chrome Mountain Records is at

https://www.facebook.com/ChromeMountainRecords

http://chromemountainrecords.com

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CROWNED BY FIRE!!!

the Hellion