The world is full of monsters. As a parent I am aware of this everyday. My children are now grown and young adults out in the world. I was often told as they were growing up that I was to overprotective and that nothing would happen. I tried and we were lucky so far, and I hope to remain so. My Friends in NJ were not so lucky as to the  recent events that have befallen them. The loss of their daughter Autumn has touched me deeply, the callousness in the way the alleged perpetrators treated   her sickens me. Now the blame game will begin, “I was mistreated as a child”, “My father wasn’t around”, etc. etc., well I got news for you, I WAS mistreated as a child, and my parents were at times neglectful. But you know what? I CHOSE NOT TO CARRY ON THAT CYCLE. YES,  YOU HEARD ME, I MADE THE DECISION.  All of your actions are chosen by you. Own them they’re yours. Now, take the time and talk to your loved ones and be a part of their life.

Rest In Piece Autumn Pasquale, the world dimmed a bit with your loss. If you want to donate to Autumn’s family and make sure that your donations
go to Autumn’s family, Please Contact only Joe Fortino, John Higginbottom, Ken Mondillo or Greg Tripp members of The Electric Boa
Or
Autumn Pasquale Memorial Fund
C/O Fulton Bank of New Jersey
35 N Delsea Dr
Clayton, NJ 08312
Donations can be made via mail or walked in to the location
This is the official fund…watch the scams..this is the official one..Help is still needed.

with repsect,

the Hellion

I have been thinking about a conversation I recently had with a friend about growing old. I recently turned 48 years old and I still find excitement and joy in Rock N’ Roll. I’m not your typical 48 year old, I have long hair, earrings, numerous tattoos, I write a music blog, co-host an internet radio show, and created an internet video music show. I am twice the age of a lot of my friends. And yet, we have meaningful conversations, I give them advice, and we discuss pertinent world issues.

I feel that music knows no age, it is timeless. Through my entire life it has been a constant friend to me, always there, always comforting, never questioning me, never belittling me, always my companion.

My mom always had music on when I was growing up. When my first step-dad wasn’t home it was Rock N’ Roll. Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jackson 5, Rolling Stones, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Temptations, The Who, Santana, Sly & the Family Stone, Isley Brothers, David Bowie, MC5 were but a few of the many bands my mom introduced me to. My step-dad however, only listened to country music. Johnny Cash, Jack Greene, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sonny James, Buck Owens, Loretta Lynn, Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, Bill Anderson, Tammy Wynette, Charley Pride, and Conway Twitty were some of his staples. I was five in 1969 and all of this music had me hooked, I was in love with music. I enjoyed the Rock N’ Roll more than the country (As an adult I would later come to respect the country music). Music became my anchor in the storm of my turbulent and dark childhood.

I was ten when my mom married my second step-dad and saved me (or so I thought) from the monster we had lived with. My new step-dad was a more   of a free-spirit. Johnny Mathis,Cher,Terry Jacks,Redbone, Grand Funk Railroad, Elton John, Blue Swede, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, Wings, Three Dog Night, The Steve Miller Band, and Steely Dan filled my ears with glorious sounds. However, it soon became apparent that music would become my only friend. My mom and my new step-dad soon had no time for me and my newborn brother. They had lives to live and we were and interruption. Again it was a dark time for me. It was 1974.

1974 -1985 Many many things happened in those years, most I choose to put away and not reflect upon. A lot of music came and went of varying styles and trends. I was lost and wandering, but music was still there. Hard Rock and Heavy Metal became my music of choice ( I made some questionable choices in music during this period as well).

1985 I was reborn. I met my future wife and The Cult, AC/DC, Dio, Dokken, Kiss, Motley Crue, Scorpions, Ratt, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, and David Lee Roth were on the scene. My life became worth living and truly became joyful to me.

1990 I became a father and vowed to be there for my new son and treat him as I wish I had been treated as a child. We filled him with love, companionship, and music. Megadeth, Judas Priest, Anthrax, Pantera, Metallica, Alice in Chains, Warrant, Queensryche, Poison, and many others were often heard on radios and cassette players (yes cassette) in our home.

1993 My daughter was born furthering my joy in life. She was full of life and energy and completed my dream family. The music from that time carried on the “Metal Scene” was prevalent in our home in this period.

Present- I am 48! Oh shit! When did this happen? My kids are now young adults, I am still as much in love with my wife as I have ever been. and music is still a huge part of my life. I now write about, interview, and talk with people about music on a daily basis. I share my experiences, give advice, and share music both new, and old with many others. Music, yeah it can save you, it saved me.

the Hellion

http://www.bleachbangs.com/

http://rockunight.com/

https://thehellionrocks.wordpress.com/