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
Had a great conversation with Frankie Banali about the new Quiet Riot release Road Rage!
Check it out here:
http://www.frontiers.shop/search?sSearch=Quiet+Riot
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Rage-Quiet-Riot/dp/B071FKGKFC/ref=sr_1_1? ie=UTF8&qid=1501808705&sr=8-1&keywords=Quiet+Riot
it’s LOUD, it’s DIRTY, it’s QUIET RIOT (so bang your head)
-the Hellion
Frontiers Music s.r.l. out on 08/04/17
1.Can’t Get Enough
2. Getaway
3. Roll This Joint
4. Freak Flag
5. Wasted
6. Still Wild
7. Make A Way
8. Renegades
9. The Road
10. Shame
11. Knock Em Down
Having been a Quiet Riot fan since forever I have to say I was quite intrigued when I heard they had hired James Durbin as their new vocalist. I had been paying attention and waiting for the new record to drop when, to my surprise, I received a preview copy of Road Rage in my inbox.
Not sure what to expect from 2017 lineup of Frankie Banali (drums), Chuck Wright (bass), Alex Grossi (guitars), and James Durbin (vocals) I quickly found myself picking my ass up off the floor upon listening to it.
The songs on Road Rage take me back to the days when groove laden rock was the norm, and yet these tracks have a freshness to them. There are homages to 70’s and 80’s bands throughout this record that make it a comfortable, yet head banging listen.
There are those who have proclaimed the death of Rock and Roll as we know and love it. I would say to them, “Listen to the new Quiet Riot record Road Rage and get back with me on that.”
Stand out tracks for me include: “Can’t Get Enough”, “Getaway”, “Still Wild”, and “Knock Em Down”.
As expected Frankie lays down a solid bed for the rest of the band to build upon. Chuck rounds out Frankie’s drumming with a heavy bottom end. Alex walks his guitar all over the map and if you listen you will hear the talent that this man has. James had his work cut out for him by laying vocals over such amazingly crafted music, and he pulled it off, and then some.
The record officially drops on 08/04/17 on Frontiers Music s.r.l. and I will for sure be ordering a copy to support hard working musicians to keep doing what they do and what we love.
I would give this a solid 8 out of 10 stars.
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s QUIET RIOT
(so BANG YOUR HEAD)
-the Hellion
Sometimes people cross your paths and leave a positive impact on you. I found one of those people in Marty Casey.
From first seeing him on Rockstar INXS, then meeting him when he was singing for LA Guns, and now a conversation with him, Marty has had that positive impact on me.
Please take a moment and listen to our conversation and understand who Marty is and the message he brings right here:
After listening do yourself a favor and click the link below the album cover and order the new record.
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/martycasey
Here’s a couple of videos from the new record, enjoy:
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!
-the Hellion
I had the chance to talk with Robert about the new WARRANT album LOUDER HARDER FASTER. check it out here:
it’s LOUDER, HARDER, FASTER
the Hellion
I have been asked by several people what my thoughts on the Metallica/Lady GaGa performance last night on the Grammys.
I haven’t watched any of the so called “award” shows in a very long time. My reasoning is that I do not feel it adequately represents reality. I think that if they want a REAL version they should put it to vote to the people who are listening to that particular genre of music. Now, on to the Metallica/GaGa performance.
Because I was asked I looked online and saw the performance. In my opinion it was a train wreck from the get go. I think that it was someone’s grand idea to try and cross pollinate fans of Lady GaGa and Metallica. While I feel, both are great performers on their own, they added nothing to each other. I was also bothered by the “mosh pit” dancers on stage. It seemed too contrived, any one of you who has been “caught in a mosh” know what I mean. As for the technical glitches, hey it’s Rock N’ Roll and we have ALL lived through them.
All in all, it was painful for me to watch. I said it and I’ll stand by it.
-the Hellion
In the beginning, Rock N’ Roll was underground. It was not mainstream at all. Eventually it became widely accepted and part of our culture.
Rock radio helped to expose us to bands and music in ways like no other. There was a time when that was how we discovered new bands and songs. Record stores popped up everywhere and one could hang out and explore and find new music as well. We then had the arrival of music video channels which gave us another source to discover new bands and music.
Then radio became less user friendly and more commercial, only playing what they were told. The record stores began closing their doors. Music video channels stopped playing music videos. What happened?
The internet had come along and was added into the thick of things. Some people put the blame on that.
What happened to the music world? Is there still great new music being made? How does one find new music these days? I mean with all the music being flooded onto the web how does one find that jewel that reaches out to you?
Do you think that some of the bands we all know and love would have made it if they had just started out in today’s world?
I often wonder if the next Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, etc. etc. is out there lost in the shuffle.
Just some thoughts I was pondering… what are yours?
-the Hellion
It was a perfect Sunday afternoon as I pulled up to the Lobo Theater for the Stryper show. I was pleasantly surprised to see a line had already formed in front of the building. I made my way towards the door and sorted out my entry so I could prepare to shoot the evening’s festivities.
The people who had purchased the pre show meet and greet (there were quite a few of them) were finishing up and allowed to form a line in the lobby. The sound check was starting up and I decided to walk around and visit with the fans. I was shown various items that had been signed (one cool item was an original vinyl copy of To Hell With The Devil.
Steve Civerolo with his dad Paul
Overall there was a sense of love for Stryper. I found it very cool to see people I knew to be fans of various Hard Rock bands that one usually does not associate with Stryper, telling me how much they meant to them. One special moment for me was seeing my good friend Derek Leyba be given the opportunity to help with load in for the band. The joy in his eyes was immensely satisfying.
Derek Leyba
I went back in and found the band taking their time with the sound check to get it right. The thing that impressed me was the fact that they were willing to take that extra time to give their fans a high-quality show. Eventually everyone was satisfied with the sound check and whisked off to don the Black and Yellow.
I began my set up in the photo pit and waited for the crush of the crowd when the doors were opened. Funny thing, that didn’t happen. People were kind and civil as they packed in. I saw many friends of mine and many hugs were given. Then, the lights went down and business was about to begin.
The show began with a cool video history of Stryper which led into a countdown. When the lights came there they were, in their Black and Yellow glory, STRYPER!!!
Michael Sweet
Robert Sweet
Oz Fox
Tim Gaines
They took us back to 1986 instantly as they played through To Hell With The Devil in its entirety. The band was spot on not missing a lick of the album they had created so many years ago. Song after song was delivered and it seemed the band grew more energetic as did the crowd. After completing the album To Hell With The Devil Stryper ran through some of their crowd favorites and some more current songs. I can definitely say that they left the crowd satisfied. There was a very cool moment during the set when Michael was talking to the crowd and one guy professed his love of the band and you could hear it in his voice.
For moments here and there I actually felt like I was a 22-year-old again watching them for the first time. The playing, the vocals, the stage and the costumes were perfect. I am so very pleased to see that the years have only made them a better, stronger band. If you have the chance do yourself a favor and catch Stryper on this tour, you will NOT be disappointed!
Thanks Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, Oz Fox, and Tim Gaines for a great time and a reminder of how the music community should treat each other.
it’s the Yellow and Black Attack, it’s STRYPER!!!
– the Hellion
Grab a cold one, crank up the volume, and enjoy my conversation with the one, the only, Appalachian Apostle: ADAM JOAD from Scattered Hamlet.
After listening go to www.scatteredhamlet.com and preorder Swamp Rebel Machine!!!
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it Scattered Hamlet!!!
-the Hellion
Had the chance to chat with Justin Manning about some stuff…so check it out:
-the Hellion
the Hellion Rocks 