“It’s All I Need” – Jeff Sandoval and Mike Araiza

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Ok, so I have had this track for a few days now and can’t get enough of it. Jeff and Mike will be releasing the lyric video to the world tonight 01/31/14 at 6pm mst right here: Jeff Sandoval & Mike Araiza on their Facebook page.

Let’s talk a bit about the track and the video. While it is an acoustic track it does not come off that way at all, in fact, it’s pretty damn heavy. Let’s talk about the bass first. Kurt Arft lays down a heavy, dirty bassline that, by itself, does not seem like it belongs in this song but it fits like a puzzle piece into it. Kurt gives it that groove that this song so rightly deserves. Chris Collier, who not played drums on this but produced it as well, put all of those puzzle pieces together into one solid track.

What can I say about Mike Araiza? The guitars on here are clean, and I mean CLEAN. Mike is so full of melody and it truly shows in his playing and style. I keep forgetting that this is an acoustic track.

Ahhh the vocal stylings of Jeff Sandoval. There are not to many vocalists out there that can still give me the chills, Jeff is one of them.  You feel ALL of the emotion that Jeff is imparting into his vocals.

The video for “It’s All I Need” is an incredible piece of work as well. While it is a “lyric”video it leaves you with the images playing over and over in your head. You will find these images replaying in your mind every time you listen to this song.

Don’t miss out on the premier on 01/31/14 at 6pm mst right here: Jeff Sandoval & Mike Araiza on their Facebook page!

A conversation with guitarist Mike Araiza

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I have known Mike Araiza for several years now. In fact I remember sitting in the parking lot of the Owl Cafe with him and Jeff Sandoval listening to the freshly minted tracks from the Of The Earth project they had just completed.

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They moved on in their journey and the next step was an album of songs they had written that turned out to be the frank Hannon Band ‘Six String Soldiers. Which featured appearances by legendary guitarists Dickey Betts, Dave Meniketti, Rick Derringer, and Pat Travers.

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Now, I am excited to say, Mike and Jeff are taking the next step in their musical evolution. They are going to be releasing a series of new tracks as single releases over the next year. The first of which is tentatively called “All I Need” or “It’s All I Need”. This first track features mutual friend Kurt Arft on bass guitar and Chris Collier pulling double duties on drums and production duties.

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bassist Kurt Arft

bassist Kurt Arft

drummer and producer Chris Collier

drummer and producer Chris Collier

 

Mike and I had a nice conversation about all of these events and would love to invite you to listen to it right here:

 

Make sure you got to Mike and Jeff’s Facebook page and give them a like and show your support: https://www.facebook.com/JeffandMikeMusic!!!

 

it’s loud, it’s tonerific, it’s Jeff and Mike!

the Hellion

 

 

 

 

Mind Merchant release lyric video for “Killer Instinct”

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The hard working rockers Mind Merchant have released a lyric video for the track “Killer Instinct”. Inspired the hit Showtime series Dexter, “Killer Instinct” is the 2nd single released by the Chicago band, Mind Merchant. Mind Merchant is comprised of: Steve Crandall-singer/percussion, Bob Cashin- guitar/ vox, Doug Ehrhardt-guitar/vox, Kurt Arft-Bass/ vox, Mark Cox- Drums/ vox. Check it out right here:

     You can find Mind Merchant on the facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mind-Merchant/383766625024958

      it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s MIND MERCHANT!!!

     -the Hellion

Bassist Kurt Arft talks Mind Merchant, Wornstar Clothing, and future solo music

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 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kurt-Arft/159324670817127?fref=ts

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mind-Merchant/383766625024958

http://www.wornstar.com/

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

 I finally caught up to my busy brother Kurt Arft. This man is a workhorse who never slows down! We got a short phone interview from him so enjoy, and get out and support! Here’s the link:

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

     the Hellion

MIND MERCHANT RELEASES THEIR FIRST TRACK – “CRASH AND BURN”!!!!

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     2013 promises to be a stellar year for new music. One of the releases I am super stoked about is Mind Merchant. They just released a new track to whet our appetites. So give “Crash and Burn” a listen right here:

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/16034562

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https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mind-Merchant/383766625024958

www.twitter.com/mindmerchant5
www.reverbnation.com/mindmerchant
www.myspace.com/mindmerchant
www.youtube.com/MindMerchant5Music

CHECK OUT MIND MERCHANT!!!

My good friend Kurt’s latest endeavor!

Chicago based band coming to you live, very soon!!!

FORMED TO BETTER THE MUSIC WORLD! We are an Original Rock/Metal Band that also plays some of today’s Hottest new Rock!! Five Finger Death Punch, Alter Bridge, A7X, Audioslave, Foo Fighters, Seether, Shinedown, Volbeat, BuckCherry, P.O.D. and so on….. The originals we write are a collaborative effort inspired by and drawn from all of our musical influences and fit right into the same category as those we choose to cover!!! With Steve’s amazing vocals, to Bob and Matt’s Shredding Creativity, to Kurt and Mark Making the Ground Shake, we are proud to bring you the quality music you’ve been looking for in your New Favorite Band !!!!! Thanks for checking us out!!!! We aim to please and have fun with our Friends and Fans!!!!

Steve Crandall-singer, percussion
Bob Cashin- guitar, vox
Kurt Arft-Bass, vox
Mark Cox- Drums, vox
Matt Ryan- guitar, vox
the Hellion