Tag Archives: Ozzy

WHEN A BAND CHANGES DIRECTION (OR DOESN’T)

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How many times have you heard “This band sold out” or “That band went mainstream”? I have heard this about several bands throughout the years. Let;s take a look at several bands that have “changed direction” , or have stayed the same and if that has worked for them.

     QUEEN 1971 – 1991 the Freddie Mercury years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queen remains one of my favorite bands of all times. The band was constantly evolving and changing throughout their career. They explored many styles of music during their recording career. They were never afraid to branch out and explore their creativity. Here are two songs that show their diversity. The world lost a beautiful soul when Freddie Mercury passed away in 1991, we will forever miss and love you Freddie, thank you for your music. Queen pulled off, to great success, changing directions.

“Keep Yourself Alive” from QUEEN – 1973

“These Are The Days Of Our Lives” from INNUENDO – 1991

MEGADETH 1983 to present

Megadeth is a band who has stayed true to their original vision. Their style of speed/thrash metal has pretty much been a constant throughout their career. While some will say it has hurt their career, their fans remain loyal, and their record sales constant. I say cheers to Dave and crew (though they have changed over the years) keep it going! Staying true to their direction has worked for Megadeth.

“Peace Sells” from Peace Sells…but Who’s Buying? – 1986

“Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)” from Th1rt3en – 2011

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS 1983 to present

This band has always been in a special place in my heart. Never afraid to be who they are, always giving their all to their fans. Their members and styles have changed throughout the years but they have always managed to pull it off. Playing what they want to and disregarding the critics their music reflects the colorful personalities that infuse this band. Many people have tried to pigeonhole this band to a certain genre, to no avail. I call them a Rock N’ Roll band PERIOD. Thank you RHCP, you have given my soul much joy. Keep growing and evolving and stay true to your passions.

“True Men Don’t Kill Coyotes” from The Red Hot Chili Peppers – 1984

“The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie” – from I’m With You – 2011

METALLICA – 1981 to present

Ahhh Metallica, the source of great contention amongst metal heads. Some say they sold out with the “Black” album, some say they didn’t. I think they have made some questionable choices in the past years, but they remain strong as one of the driving forces in metal music. As part of being human we are constantly changing and growing (well, some of us do) as the events surrounding us dictate. The guys in Metallica are not immune. Growing older, gaining families, becoming financially stable HAS to affect them, and their music. I, for one, appreciate that fact and despite their making some music that does not always appeal to me I stand by this band and remain a fan. R.I.P. Cliff Burton, miss you!

“No Remorse” from Kill ‘Em All – 1983

“All Nightmare Long” from Death Magnetic – 2008

GUNS N’ ROSES 1985 to present???

GNR WHAT HAPPENED?!?!?!? They were poised to take over the world and instead they burned it down. The energy of the the five original members was the perfect combination. Then the backup singers, the keyboard players, the horn section, etc… etc… sigh. I know this band has been the topic of great controversy, and probably will remain so for a long, long time. I will always remain in love with early GNR and the music they made and I am grateful for that, post original five, not so much. I personally believe the direction that the band took killed them (this is my humble opinion). Oh well we have our memories…. if we could only find our way back to the jungle.

“Welcome To The Jungle” from Appetite For Destruction – 1987

“This I Love” from Chinese Democracy – 2008

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY 1998 to present

Ahhh BLS, now here’s a band that I totally get. Members have come and gone and yet this band gets stronger and stronger. Great music year after year, record after record and a loyal fan base that unifies together as one big BLS family. Zakk Wylde never shies away from playing whatever he wants, piano based ballads, acoustic songs, full out electric, it matters not to Zakk. With BLS it never grows stagnant and you will never be bored! GI/FD!!!

“Born To Lose” from Sonic Brew – 1999

“Overlord” from Order Of The Black – 2010

These are just my opinions on bands that have (or have not) changed direction, please feel free to comment or message me with your ideas or thoughts and I will post them here.

the Hellion

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! – UPDATED FOR MARTIN TULLY

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     ENJOY IT MY GHOULISH ONES!!!

AND FOR MY GOOD FRIEND MARTIN TULLY:

BLEACH BANGS RADIO 10/30/12!

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http://www.bleachbangs.com/

 

THE WORLD IS FULL OF MONSTERS

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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

AN INTERVIEW WITH CROWNED BY FIRE GUITARIST JUSTIN MANNING

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http://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire?fref=ts

http://www.crownedbyfire.com

Justin took time from his busy schedule to call me and give an intimate interview on Crowned By fire and their up and coming take over of the world. Take your time, sit back, grab a tasty beverage and listen……

thanks Justin! It was a pleasure speaking with you as always.

the Hellion

WHO WANTS SOME WAH???

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One of my favorite guitar effects is the wah pedal.

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We all know and love the work of the man Jimi Hendrix. His use of the wah pedal set the bar for guitarists to come. So let’s look at some of the standouts:

 

Zakk Wylde on Ozzy’s “Gets Me Through”

Zakk has carried on the torch of melodic playing yet with brutality. His use of the wah in this makes this song stand out as one of Zakk’s best.

 

Jeff Beck on Jeff Beck Group’s  “I Ain’t Superstitious”

Jeff takes a classic blues song and makes it magic. Slow down, put on some headphones and just listen to the magic.

 

Dimebag Darrell on Pantera’s “A New Level”

I couldn’t leave the man off of this list. Listen to the artwork in this track and just smile in its glory.

 

Jimmy Page on Led Zeppelin’s “No Quarter”

The haunting music in this track is very well suited for Jimmy’s use of the wah. This one has taken me to far away places in my mind on many occasions.

 

Slash on Guns N Roses’s “Sweet Child O Mine”

Slash is one of my favorite guitarists plain and simple. Listen to the swagger of this song and get it all over you.

 

 

This list is by far incomplete. There are so many more to listen to so help me out!

the Hellion

 

 

MUSIC CAN SAVE YOU

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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/

 

 

HATE, DISCONTENT, AND JEALOUSY

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There’s been FAR TOO MUCH of those things lately. I know I’ve discussed it before, but WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?  I mean the Rock N’ Roll community needs to get behind each other and lift each other up, not tear each other apart. I often times reflect to the day when Rock fans would gather in the parking lots of shows,outside of record stores, at parties, AND HAVE A GOOD TIME! Sure there were discussions about how one thought this band was better than another, and there was the occasional fisticuffs, but for the most part we were there to celebrate Rock N’ Roll  music. I see far too many people these days dragging down someone for their successes and trash talking them instead of congratulating them, and giving them advice or support. I support each and every artist who makes the effort to step up and share their art. Won’t you? Will YOU help to tighten back up the GLOBAL Rock N’ Roll community? Bands: send me your info to  janaya64@msn.com  LET’S DO THIS!!!!

the Hellion

MY 100TH POST! ON MY BIRTHDAY, MOVING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE!

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As I sit here pondering my 100th post it comes to me. Why I do what I do. There are some extremely wonderful bands out there that really have no outlet to be heard. Why is this? What can be done? How can they be heard? By us the bloggers and internet radio hosts, the internet video shows. We can can herald their cause. By us telling our peers, sharing their music on our sites, telling our friends, going to their live shows, posting their videos, and taking the time to interview them and hear what THEY have to say. I come to know a lot of these bands and they are hard working, genuine people. They usually are barely scraping by by selling their merch. I try to buy their stuff at every turn. Corporate radio and TV might not support them but WE will.

One other thing I am passionate about is not losing touch with music of the past. As with newer bands, there is really no outlet for a lot of bands from the past. So much great music has been made already. But when their marketability starts to lack they are cast away for the next big thing. By listening to these bands we keep them alive. As with the younger bands we need to support them in the same way and NOT LET THEM GET LOST!

I will leave you with this and go now to enjoy my birthday evening. ROCK N’ ROLL WILL SURVIVE!!!

the Hellion

PHIL SOUSSAN – A ROCK LEGEND SPEAKS

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     We got ROCK LEGEND Phil Soussan to get with us on some questions. You know him from his stellar bass playing and songwriting with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Vince Neil, Johnny Hallyday and John Waite, as well as a membership in Beggars & Thieves. Soussan has also played in bands featuring Jimmy Page, Steve Lukather, Edgar Winter and Richie Kotzen. Let’s check out his interview:
     I am thankful to my mother for being instrumental in exposing me to various forms of music. Was there someone who opened your ears to music?
     Phil: Yes, my Mom used to play the radio all day and sing along to songs. I was bought a kid record player at about 4 years old, and I used to sit in front of it changing records and singing along. About that time, my Mom’s musical cousins – two brothers who played just about every instrument, bought me a real 1/4 size acoustic guitar. The rest is history!
      When was it that you decided to learn music? Were you formally educated or self-taught?
     Phil: Both. I was self-taught on the guitar, melodicas, recorders – anything that made a sound! At about 8 I started taking proper recorder lessons and at 11 began classical violin and music theory studies.
      I think all of us at one time cranked up some music and played air guitar to our heroes music, what were some of the bands you jumped around in your bedroom to?
     Phil: The Carpenters… NOT!!   David Bowie, T-Rex, Sweet, Slade, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Move, Wizzard, the Yardbirds, the Stones and of course the Beatles – all of these the first time round!
      What were some of your early bands experiences? Did you take any lessons learned from those experiences and they are still relevant to you today?
     Phil: I had a lot of American friends growing up in London and they placed a lot of importance on the quality of sound and their technique, compared to UK musicians that were not very polished. I started to practise a lot by watching in the mirror and I was able to see my technical faults better.  I knew how it should look. I still do this today.
      I’ve talked to a lot of musicians who have been “starstruck” by other musicians, has that ever happened to you?
     Phil: Very few times… when I first had a chance to meet Jimmy Page, once I got to know him the familiarity kicked in and we became friends.
      If there was any performer alive or not you could work with who would that be?
     Phil: Elvis during the Sun Sessions era, Hendrix, Zeppelin during the LZ III years.
      I love the idea of one-off “supergroup” projects, what would your ideal project be?
     Phil: Big Noize with Sebastian Bach!
      Is there a singular moment in your musical career that you are most proud of?
     Phil: Walking on to the Stage at Wichita for my first US gig with Ozzy, and at Donnington in 1986.
      I love your solo work and have a copy of “NO PROTECTION” can you tell us about the CD?
     Phil: Thank you! I played and recorded virtually all the instruments on the record. I wanted to do a record where I performed and arranged the entire record. I first heard McCartney do it with “Maybe I’m Amazed”  and I wanted to try the challenge of doing it myself. It was tough but I learned so much about imagining arrangements in my head. Some people think it’s because you want to be able to control everything, but it’s not. I think I wanted to do it is because I wanted to really get inside of music, from every perspective. And it was very difficult to do. But when you come through it, you are a better musician for it: you understand arrangements better, you understand all the instruments better. It takes four times as long to change one part, and I don’t have three other guys to say, “Hey, let’s change this”. I had to change it, record it, change that, record this, and then listen and realize, “No, it’s not working. I think I’ll do something else”. But what I got out of it was a sense in my head that, when I hear an idea now, I can imagine exactly how it should be arranged. And that’s something that I was not doing very well before. So it’s an amazing exercise. My last album “Vibrate” was fun to do but it was what I would call a compilation, a compilation meaning songs one written there, one written here, one written there, and every song put together into a collection written over a long period of time. This album was written at one time from beginning to end, all songs written around the same time, and there’s a thread of continuity that goes through it. As I started recording it, I was in my studio and I started coming up with arrangements.The record itself is really a snapshot of my life at the moment, at a point where I had to go through a lot of realizations and changes in the you cannot stop life from taking its course.
Here is “Free My Soul” from NO PROTECTION:
      Are you still involved with the Grammy’s and how did that come about?
     Phil: Yes, I am Vice President. I have been a member for many years and about 6 years ago a put myself on the ballot to run as a Governor, which I did. I wanted to find a way to give back to the musical community and the Grammys was the best way. I became involved in advocacy issues, fund-raisers for MusiCares and education issues. I wanted to do something for MusiCares as they were the entity that did so much for by best friend Randy Castillo when he became so ill.
      What does the future hold for you? New recordings, touring, etc….?
     Phil: All of the above, We just got back from doing a festival in Bulgaria with Big Noize and we had a change of singer from Joe Lynn Turner to Sebastian Bach; it was awesome and we are now looking to book more shows with this line up.  I really want to do more shows out of the Los Angeles area with my solo band doing material from this new album and some of my other hits written for other artists, but it is proving difficult to tie down local promoters as most of the agents are closed off to new projects. Maybe I shall try to approach local venues myself.
 
       If you were asked to give a lecture to musicians looking to start their careers, what advice would you have for them?
     Phil: Ask yourself if this is really what you want to do and if it is then go for it, never say die and never give up.
      What era appeals to you the most and why is that?
     Phil: The era before digital music – I loved making records and selling records was the way in which we made our money. Today everyone feels that music should be free and it has become such a s challenge to be able to pay your bills and continue making music for people with no income. It is not as if recording equipment manufacturers give you free equipment!
      Being a veteran of the music industry what are your thoughts of the sate of things today?
     Phil: We are getting back in to the T-Shirt business. We use music to invite people to a gig and if you sell them merchandise then you walk away from the deal with some income. If not then you come up zero.
      If we were hanging out and I plugged your MP3 player into my stereo would I be surprised at what was on it?
     Phil: Just a varied assortment of music.
      This last one is open, tell us anything you want to:
     Phil: Listen to my record, enjoy the songs and if you like them please join my mailing list at www.philsoussan.com and write! I try to reply to everyone as much as I can. Please follow me on Twitter at @philsoussan and although I have a Facebook “page” I am not on Facebook anymore – I hate Facebook as I don’t know anyone on it who is not made miserable/ jealous or had their friendships and relationships compromised… and I want to make people feel good – My music makes people feel good!
     Thanks so much for considering this. I know there are some questions you have answered a million times over the years, I’m just hoping to bring them to a new audience!
     Phil: You’re welcome!  Rock on!
Let me know if you are tied in to any local promoters or radio stations and perhaps I can arrange to come out to NM and do some shows!
     Phil
     Thanks Phil!
     I am gonna leave you with Phil’s version of the classic “Shot In The Dark”:
     the Hellion