It’s not every day you get the chance to talk with a legend. When we were offered the opportunity to talk with Bob Kulick, I immediately thought Mike Araiza would be the perfect host for this interview. Boy was I right, you can check out the stellar interview below.
Make sure you also check out Bob’s new record “Skeletons In The Closet” which will be released on September 15 through Vanity Music.
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Rock N’ Roll!!!
(Bob Kulick Style!)
-the Hellion
I recently received the new Monte Pittman record Inverted Grasp Of Balance for review. Little did I know that it would cause me to have a profound revelation to a question I have been seeking an answer to. Over the years of recorded music people have been trying to answer the question: What makes a record good? There has been a myriad of answers that run the gamut of the music industry. The problem is most of the answers that have been provided are subjective to the answerer and biased to their own opinions. For me, at least, I feel that I have finally answered said question. A good record is one that when you put it on you find yourself turning it up, tapping your foot or nodding your head to the beat, and when it’s over you find yourself feeling as if you just got back from…somewhere.
I was excited to review this record as I have spoken with Monte before and have enjoyed his previous work. I didn’t realize that I would spend the rest of the day and the next listening to it on repeat and still humming the songs long after. There is a level of craftsmanship to this record that is hard to find these days (one other is the work of Jeff Sandoval and Mike Araiza). There is no doubt that music flows through the soul of Monte Pittman and I hear nods to so many musicians in his playing and writing. When a record is made for the purpose of sharing what one feels in their minds ear, it is profound and beautiful.
Inverted Grasp Of Balance features Monte on guitars and vocals, Richard Christy (Charred Walls Of The Damned, Iced Earth, Death) on drums, and…..wait for it….Billy Sheehan, yes I said Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Winery Dogs, just to name a few) on bass. Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Steel Panther) handled the production duties and the record sounds clean and crisp. I read somewhere that Monte recorded his guitar parts while on the road, but this record feels so organic to me and it feels like someone turned on a mic in a jam room and captured some live magic.
Inverted Grasp Of Balance gives us twelve tracks which flow together beautifully and I guarantee you will NOT find yourself reaching for the skip button, in fact you WILL find yourself reaching for the repeat button.
If you have to pin me down for stand out tracks I would have to say “Skeleton Key” just reaches out to me the most. This track, in my opinion should be on every radio station across the planet, period. It’s just good rock n’ roll that gets in your head.I find myself just humming throughout the day. “California” opens with bass that just drips with cool and is pure Billy Sheehan and then paints a picture in your mind of being on a cool road trip with the radio blasting, the wind in your hair, and your best friends at your side. “New Blood Keeps Us Alive” is an epic track that, again, I feel should be blasting out of every speaker across the world. It begins with some wonderfully beautiful acoustic work that grows to some powerful rock n’ roll worthy of note. This song opens up the mind and makes you reflect on life.
Monte’s guitar work is across the map on Inverted Grasp Of Balance, taking from gentle acoustic to balls out shredding, and it all works in connection with each other. Not only is there stellar guitar work here Monte’s vocal work is strong and epic as well. The songwriting on Inverted Grasp Of Balance is something else. Monte has reached deep within and written some deep compositions that I believe were truly from the point of artistry. Combine all of that with great drumming and legendary bass playing this is a music lovers wet-dream.
Inverted Grasp Of Balance drops on Sept 23 on Metal Blade Records make sure you do NOT miss out on this record.
Inverted Grasp Of Balance track-listing
1. Panic Attack
2. Arisen in Broad Daylight
3. Guilty Pleasure
4. The Times Are Changing
5. Double Edged Sword
6. Cadabra
7. Pride Comes Before the Fall
8. California
9. Be Very Afraid
10. Obliterated
11. Skeleton Key
12. New Blood Keeps Us Alive
Pre-order “Inverted Grasp of Balance” at metalblade.com/montepittman/
Monte Pittman online:
http://www.montepittman.com
https://www.facebook.com/MontePittman
http://www.youtube.com/MontePittmanMusic
https://soundcloud.com/montepittman
http://twitter.com/montepittman
http://www.instagram.com/montepittman
https://montepittman.bandpage.com
https://myspace.com/montepittman
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Monte Pittman
-the Hellion
If I were to have to give a quote about the music Jeff Sandoval and Mike Araiza make, it would be this: “This is music as it should be, no preconceived formula here. These guys write and play what they “feel” and that, my friends, is the true spirit of music.”
I’ve known these two guys for a while now and it had been my great fortune to have been at the birth of most of their work. Of The Earth, Frank Hannon Band and now as Jeff and Mike.
That being said, let’s talk about their latest effort Project Playlist. I cannot tell you how many times I received a text or an excited phone call from Mike telling me to “check out this riff” or “what do you think about this?” there was passion in those messages and that fervor and passion found its way to the record untarnished. Jeff, on the other hand, is like a Zen Master, calm, cool, and collected. His lyrics and powerful yet smooth vocals carry weight and presence that in my opinion border on legendary. Let’s get into the tracks and stroll around a bit.
Project Playlist opens with “The Good Fight” (which happens to be my go to track on this record). Have you ever heard a song that just stays with you? I mean one that you find yourself hitting repeat over and over again? One that you manage to find something new with each listen? You find yourself absent-mindedly humming or tapping the beat throughout the day? “The Good Fight” just happens to be a song like that. Even cooler is that a couple of my close friends wrote it. I tried to put that aside and came to the conclusion that the fact that they were my friends was irrelevant, this is a damn good song, period. As I continued to listen to “The Good Fight” I compared it side by side with other songs and artists I consider in the same vein. This comparison led me to the conclusion that this track by a couple of guys that live in my town and I know personally can go toe to toe with artists like SIXX A.M., Pop Evil, STP, etc., etc. This track features studio wizard Chris Collier on drums and bass as well as production.
“So Long”, featuring Will Hunt on Drums, has a fresh , yet familiar feeling and yet stays unique. Powerful and yet not abrasive in away this is a song that one could use to set the pace of their impending day. Feeling good and energetic is what this track brings to me.
“It’s All I need” features Kurt Arft on bass and Chris Collier on drums and really packs a punch. Deep lyrics and Jeff’s powerful vocals give this song some weight. This is a heavy song but not overbearing if you get my meaning. Their craftsmanship shines through here.
“Beggars And Thieves” features Kurt Arft again on bass and Will Hunt on drums. This track is probably the “grooviest” one on the record and will have your head bobbing and foot tapping as soon as you start listening to it. There’s a couple of twin guitar parts that Mike just kills with.
Project Playlist closes out with “No Answer” which features Frank Hannon has that 70’s vibe that just goes so well with this song. I love the guitar wok in this track. Nice way to close out the record with some quality music and friends.
What do we ultimately get with Project Playlist? A Rock and Roll record that stands up in this turbulent time in the music industry. Jeff and Mike said “Damn the norm, we’re gonna make the music that we feel inside” and it works, on so many levels. Music at its purest level is what we have here folks.
I must also give shout outs to Kurt Arft, Will Hunt, and Frank Hannon for stepping up and going toe to toe with Jeff and Mike. Their performances are outstanding on this record. I didn’t forget Chris Collier, not only did he deliver some killer bass and drums, like a mad scientist he grafted it all together to deliver a superior recording. I think that in today’s DIY music industry production quality has suffered at the hands of inexperience in record production. Jeff and Mike know the value of a properly produced record and have developed a relationship with Chris that works.
So, after all of that why should you get a copy of Project Playlist? I could say because they are my friends and it would be cool to help them out, but I’m not. You should get this record because it’s great music, that’s it in a nutshell.
Now, you only have until Friday 08/12/16 to get your order in at https://squareup.com/store/JeffAndMike after that you will only be able to pick it up at live performances. Good news is new music is already being made so stay tuned.
Thanks Jeff and Mike for keeping music alive. – the Hellion
If any of you are like me, you constantly crave new music. Not just new music but quality music. Jeff Sandoval and Mike Araiza deliver, in spades, with Project Playlist. Jeff and Mike have taken many musical journeys together and have included me along the way. Check out this heartfelt discussion we had about how they got to where they are today. When you’re done watching I HIGHLY recommend you click on the picture below and order Project Playlist . There will be a detailed song by song review up this Saturday so stay tuned. Project Playlist is currently the front-runner for CD of the year on the Hellion Rocks and that’s no joke. Order yours today!!!
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK AND ROLL!!!
-the Hellion
YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO WATCH IT!
CLICK THE PICTURE TO ORDER NOW!
Here you go folks! the Hellion Rocks purchased (yes I said purchased) four pre-release autographed copies of the new Jeff Sandoval and Mike Araiza CD “Project Playlist” to give away! If you want to win one before you buy one email me at janaya@thehellionrocks.com and tell me why you want one. Make sure to enter “Project Playlist” in the subject line. There are only four so email quick! In addition, I sat down with Jeff and Mike to discuss their musical journey and we rolled cameras….look for the video later this week.
So I broke out News Of The World today and was captured by the licks in “Get Down Make Love”. This song came out in 1977 and the guitar in it translates directly to 2015. As a whole the track kills all around. Heavy drums, brutal bass, nicely done keys, and of course, Freddie’s magical voice. Brian May handles the guitars like the wizard we know him to be. There is a part in the middle where it gets kind of spacey sounding but Brian does it all with his Red Special and an Electroharmonix Frequency Analyzer pedal, which he would often do live. The studio cut featured an Eventide Harmoniser. Do yourself a favor and put the good headphones on and give this track a revisit, or a first visit and expand your mind. Brian May’s tone and licks get me every time I listen to this track.
Check it out right here:
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s QUEEN!!!
-the Hellion
What a cool experience we had at the Hellion Rocks yesterday. We were honored to have the chance to speak with guitar legend Marty Friedman. I was tied up with mayhem and mischief so Mike Araiza stepped up and took care of business. Mike and Marty had a great conversation that we are sure you will enjoy! So check it out right here:
e sure and pick up the killer new release from Marty Friedman “Inferno” out on Prosthetic Records NOW!!!
Catch up with Marty Friedman online:
https://www.facebook.com/martyfriedman.official
http://prostheticrecords.com/?p=3971
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s MARTY FRIEDMAN!!!
-the Hellion and Mike Araiza
Had a blast hanging out and talking with Sworn Enemy! Thanks to Mike Araiza for camera operations a nd editing the video! Here the conversation with the guys:
Thanks go out to Sal, Matt, Mike, Jeff, and Taykwuan of Sworn Enemy, and Tom George for hooking this up!
Check out Sworn Enemy online:
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSwornEnemy
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s SWORN ENEMY!!!
-the Hellion
First off I want to thank you all for the overwhelming response to last nights Bar Bands post. I was however, reminded of a few more things regarding bar bands and I am addressing them now.
Promoters, you need to do just that. I have seen an unfortunate trend as of late with putting up an event page on social media sites, dusting off your hands and calling it a day. I am sorry that is not good enough, period. I cannot tell you how many times at the last minute I get a message “hey you coming to the show tonight?” and because of the lack of show promotion this is the first time I hear of the show. Shame on you, shame. You are doing the band a complete disservice to say the least. EVERYONE should know about a show you put together.
Club owners, pay the bands a decent rate!!!!! These guys are traveling on their own usually on limited means throughout the country. Club owners wake up because you know they are talking to each other about clubs to play in and which to avoid. Imagine if you treat a band decently and they spread the word and you have bands knocking your door down to play your venue. Word gets around, locals will see the bands are dying to play your venue and will be beating your door down to attend.
Promoters and Club owners, ADVERTISE!!!!!! There are usually on most towns several means of advertising the show. If people don’t know, they wont go!!! If you work with the advertising outlets I am sure a bond can be made and some kind of deal can be made.
Lastly, remember these bands are providing us a service and we should be thanking them.
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Rock N’ Roll!!!
-the Hellion
Recently a couple of people have made disparaging comments about bar bands. One person in particular made it known that bar bands were beneath him and a waste of time. Well I am here to tell you that most bands you have heard of and listen to today got their starts in a bar somewhere. Ok, ok there are those few anomalies out there I’m sure who jumped immediately into arena gigs.
The Doors, Motley Crue, the Beatles, Guns N’ Roses, the list goes on and on. These bands played to small crowds at first and honed themselves into arena machines.
Now, in today’s world, arena bands are mostly extinct so the return of the bar/club band is more important than ever. There are several bar/club bands that live in my heart these days. They are there because I have insight as to the blood,sweat, and tears they exude. Their craft is important to them and they are willing to go that extra mile to give their all to their fans. I wish to personally thank the following bands/performers in no particular order: Dellacoma, Nomada, Skulldron, Throw The Temple, Scattered Hamlet, Darken The day, Wulf, Beard, Ragdoll, Crowned By Fire, Mike Araiza, and many, many more. I salute you all for being the warriors you are and for flying the Rock N’ Roll flag high. All you other local bands, STEP UP!!! And to you naysayers out there, I’ll debate you on camera anytime, you know how to reach me.
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Rock N’ Roll!!!
-the Hellion
the Hellion Rocks 