Here is the link to a very cool conversation I had with Jaxon from (həd) p.e., sit back and enjoy and then tell some friends!:
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!
the Hellion
Tag Archives: Pavement Records
Finding strength through adversity- guitarist Randy “the Arsonist” Cooper
photo courtesy of Randy Cooper’s Facebook page
I first met Randy a few years ago at a show in NM. We hit it off and have remained friends and stayed in contact ever since. In getting to know Randy and the strength and tenacity he possesses has been inspiring to say the least. While life has seen fit to try and throw roadblocks ( there have been several and they shall remain personal out of respect for Randy) at him he blasts through them like a rock n’ roll juggernaut.
When I first bore witness to the performing and playing style of Randy I was blown away. It was obvious that he was inspired by the late great Dimebag (if you look closely at his headstock you will see two dimes, message me if you don’t get the reference) and yet he remained true to his own style of playing. Straight up in your ears power coupled with thoughtful melodies are what Randy shares with us in his music.
I have seen Randy move on with his life and career in a positive way. He recently added his talent to the band Emperors And Elephants. I have really come to like this band and their straight up sound. Here’s taste for ya:
Randy you continue to inspire and give me hope, thank you my dear friend.
he’s loud, he’s on fire, he’s Randy “the Arsonist” Cooper!
the Hellion
An interview with Feel Never Real vocalist Tim Jones
Feel Never Real hit my ears recently, and they hit them hard. Shauna at Pavement Entertainment made me aware of them and I’m glad that she did. I had a chance to have a conversation with vocalist Tim Jones and it was a fun one. Here it is in all of it’s unedited glory:
Their new record Rock Rebel Gold is out now on Pavement Entertainment get it online today!
Be sure and hit them up online at:
https://www.facebook.com/feelneverreal
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s FEEL NEVER REAL!
-the Hellion
Emphatic sign to Pavement Entertainment
Pavement Entertainment welcomes Nebraska’s Emphatic to the roster. Emphatic’s brand of melodic hard rock has gained them much acclaim by fans and critics alike with their albums “Damage” and “Another Life”, along with 4 singles charting in the top 40 active rock charts.
The band is currently playing select live shows while writing their new album slated for a late 2014 release. “With some welcomed changes that have occurred with Emphatic, we felt it necessary to get back into the studio and make an album that reflects the current vision of the band” states guitarist Justin McCain who will also be producing the new album. “We are excited about this new opportunity and look forward to the road ahead”.
The band has suffered through some changes in its past but according to Pavement’s Director of A&R Tim King, “Any band that has longevity and is in it for the long haul had to suffer through ups and downs. This includes changes with labels, management, and sometimes even band members. There are so many bands that just pack it in and call it a day when things get tough. Bands like Emphatic separate the men from the boys. The band’s determination and great songwriting is a key factor as to why I signed them to Pavement. We have many great things planned for these guys”
the Hellion Rocks presents: Scent Of Remains guitarist Herb Himes!
I love when I get the chance to check out bands that I’ve never heard of before. I have to thank Shauna O’Donnell for telling me about Pavement Records artist Scent Of Remains. We had the chance to speak with guitarist Herb Himes check it out right here:
Make sure and check them out online:
https://www.facebook.com/scentofremains
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Scent Of Remains!
the Hellion
My conversation with Emperors And Elephants drummer Jason Meudt
Very lucky to have the opportunity to speak with drummer Jason Meudt from Emperors And Elephants. Great conversation and we could have spoken all day. We spoke about the new release ‘Devil In The Lake’ and even premiered a track “Your Will”. Here’s the link for your enjoyment:
Their new CD ‘Devil In The Lake’ has just dropped and you can pick it up world wide
Emperors And Elephants are on the web find them at: https://www.facebook.com/EmperorsandElephants and http://emperorsandelephants.com
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS!
the Hellion
EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS – DEVIL IN THE LAKE CD REVIEW
1. Bring It Down
2. Who You Are
3. Your Will
4. Man Of God
5. Locust
6. Hit Of Red
7. Deep Sleep
8. Change
9. Wicked Game
10. Ghost In The Mirror
11. You And I
12. M.O.G.- Dupermang Remix
The Rock N’Roll onslaught of 2014 continues with the release of ‘Devil In The Lake’ by Emperors And Elephants. Emperors And Elephants hit my radar when my friend, guitarist Randy Cooper, informed me that he had joined forces with them. I eagerly awaited news from this collaboration and read everything I could find. Now the fruits of their hard work have come to light as they unveil ‘Devil In The Lake’ to the world.
I have read other reviews comparing them to this band or that band, there will be none of that here. While you can hear certain influences in the music of Emperors And Elephants they remain unique in their sound. There are elements of Southern Rock riffs to full on blazing Metal. I am not going to list who I feel their influences are I will leave that up to you and your ears.
Emperors And Elephants is Jesse Andrews – vocals, Jason Meudt – drums, Jeph Stiph – guitars, Randy “The Arsonist” Cooper – guitars,and Ron “Stoppable”Vanders – bass a truly tight unit built for Rock N’ Roll.
‘Devil In The Lake’ reaches out and sinks its sonic awesomeness into your ears right out of the gate with opening track “Bring It Down”, and by the the time you get to the closing notes of “M.O.G. Dupermang Remix”, you will come to realize you have become infected with the need to listen to the record all over again.
The guitar work that is found on ‘Devil In The Lake’ is top-notch. Randy “The Arsonist” Cooper and Jeph Stiph give us some riffage that dreams are made of. Beautiful acoustic, dirty Southern Rock grooves, to ear bleeding shred it’s all here on ‘Devil In The Lake’. Their trade-off licks remind me of some of the great guitar duos of Rock N’ Roll. You can distinctly hear their individual styles on the record though as each show their style of playing.
Jesse Andrews vocal work makes me ask “Where the hell has this guy been hiding?” Powerful is an understatement with Jesse on ‘Devil In The Lake’. Clean melodic work to bone rattling screams give your ears delight throughout. One of the things that draws me into a vocalist is the ability to inject emotional feeling into their vocals. Jesse imparts emotion and then some here, you truly feel when you listen to him sing.
Ron “Stoppable”Vanders provides the bottom end to Emperors And Elephants on ‘Devil In The Lake’ solid and the style that is needed on a record like this. Ron has the ability to lock into the groove of the song and get your head nodding, in my opinion a good bassist does just that. I love closing my eye and focusing in on the bass lines on this record.
The drums of a record are like a heartbeat to me. Jason Meudt gives ‘Devil In The Lake’ its heartbeat and then some. Another thing a bout a record I love is the ability of the drums to accelerate your own heartbeat and get your adrenaline pumping. No needless flashiness here, just some solid Rock N’ Roll drumming. Jason provides the foundation upon which ‘Devil In The Lake’ is built.
Clocking in at around 46 minutes the 12 songs on ‘Devil In The Lake’ are all enjoyable, yet there are a few that stand out to me. “Bring It Down”, “Man Of God”, “Deep Sleep”, “Change”, “Ghost In The Mirror” all just have that je ne sais quoi about them. Give them a listen and you” see why.
Production wise the ‘Devil In The Lake’ is clean and mean. Levels and clarity are stellar across the board and the CD stands up to being played at levels that will let your neighbors on the block enjoy it as well.
I was just speaking to Randy Cooper as I was writing this and he is excited for the world to hear it and he is proud as hell of the band and the work they accomplished here. I have to say “Randy, you’ve found your groove brother.”
My final thoughts on ‘Devil In The Lake’ are this, 2014 is gonna be a great year for Rock N’ Roll music, and bands like Emperors And Elephants are on the font lines leading the charge. This a record that all lovers of straight up, Rock N’ Roll music need in their collection. 15 out of ten stars right here, it’s that good. Thanks Jesse, Jason, Randy, Jeph, and Ron for making a record that is enjoyable start to finish. Now, bring it out on the road!
Find Emperors And Elephants online at: https://www.facebook.com/EmperorsandElephants and http://www.emperorsandelephants.com/
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Emperors And Elephants!
-the Hellion
the Hellion Rocks 