Tag Archives: The Beatles

what do YOU want?

by

1

472176_10150957207320972_1918274537_o_1

There’s been a lot on my mind as of late. I see people  complaining about so much but not finding solutions. They complain when others achieve success, “they sold out”, they’re kissing so-and-so’s ass”, “they have money”, on and on.

In 2013 I was part of a local music interview/live performance show. I was part of the team that created and wrote said show. I even was the host for many interviews. It rapidly expanded out of control with too many hands in the pot. We made many attempts at nailing down interviews and coverage of bigger name artists with little or no success. Ultimately I left the show behind and started the Hellion Rocks.

I began my new adventure by reaching out to the band contacts that I did have and began doing written interviews. This led me to purchasing a DSLR camera to shoot shows and do video interviews my self. The site was growing as readers across the globe were taking notice. I began to study photography techniques and revisited the works of some of my favorite Rock photographers like Bob Gruen, Robert John, and Chad Lee. I learned the editing process and kept on learning. Eventually I began shooting festivals and big name artists. I also began to interview big name artists on video and phone as well.  Now I receive major label releases for review before they hit the stores, and am invited to cover shows and receive press releases from many big name publicists and the acts they represent. Several of my interviews have been featured on Blabbermouth.net as well.

The Hellion Rocks site is now viewed in over 140 countries with a weekly reach of 3500. Am I satisfied? HELL NO!!! I want more and more and more. I want to be able to do this for a career and continue to bring music to the eyes, ears, and minds of the world!!!. I am not satisfied with being that guy from Albuquerque, NM with a website that takes pictures and interviews bands. I want the name the Hellion Rocks and the music and bands I report about to be synonymous with Rock N’ Roll!

I also have become involved over the past couple of years with Charlie Owens and Randy Norris of Bleach Bangs Radio. These two individuals have the same mindset as I about their internet radio station. The offer a no-holds-barred approach of interviewing bands and bringing their music to the masses. They offer bands a chance to offer their uncensored opinions on life, music, and the industry. I am proud to be a part of their team.

So what is my point of the post? Why am I writing this today? STOP COMPLAINING AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!

Are you satisfied with being the best band in your hometown? Are you satisfied with covering the same shows over and over? How far are you willing to go? Make a name for yourself, take that leap of faith. Remember, Motley Crue is a local LA band,  Slipknot is a local Des Moines band, KISS is a local New York band. They had the faith and perseverance to break out. Sure it means sacrifice and struggle but it is worth it to achieve your goals. If you are happy just playing local gigs and just covering local bands. more power to you, just don’t complain  about lackluster attendance or site views.

Am I making a living with the Hellion Rocks, no. I have been paid for a photo shoot and my photos have been used by a touring band and that’s a start. I will not complain about that, instead I will continue to forge ahead and make a name for myself and eventually I WILL get that paying gig.

Now, who’s with me?

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

the Hellion

 

We need Rock N’ Roll heroes

by

0

 

rockstar2

Remember when Rock Stars were larger than life? Glammed out superheroes we stuck on our walls and tried to emulate? Over the top looks and lifestyles were the norm for them. Not to mention we had a lot of cool music to listen to. We need them back in our lives, and then some.

Turn on the news, read a paper and it’s doom and gloom with no end in sight. It’s getting old and tired to me.  Remember how you felt when you saw you favorite Rock Star or picked up a new record, poster, or magazine? Remember how good it felt?

There are still real Rock Stars walking the earth. They are out there and we need to step up and support them and what they do. Go to a Rock Show and help it to be all that it can be. Buy the records, shirts, and hit them up for posters and such. Let’s enjoy ourselves and revel in Rock N’ Roll once again!

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

the Hellion

Help support the Hellion Rocks with a T-Shirt!!!

by

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help the Hellion Rocks by purchasing a T-shirt at the link below! Thanks for all of your support!!! – the Hellionfront-big

 

back-big

https://www.booster.com/thehellionrocksfundraiser

2013 was a great year for the Hellion Rocks, bring on 2014!!!

by

1

178928_10150973183505972_426071352_n 2013 was great year for us here at the Hellion Rocks. Killer interviews, great shows and hanging with even cooler people. It’s very cool when you get to talk to artists you have grown to admire. It’s even cooler when they message you and stay in contact with you. It’s a great feeling when you also help to spread the word of a new up-and-coming band as well. In the past year I have learned how small the music community really is. It is amazing the connections that lead to other connections and how the music brings us all together.

I have to give thanks to my cohorts at Bleach Bangs Radio, Charlie Owens and Randy Norris. These guys are my brothers plain and simple. They are the embodiment of awesome and I am proud to work with them.

     Eddie’s Mates holds a special place in my heart as well. Sandy and Sean have not only helped us with Bleach Bangs Radio they also made the logo for the Hellion Rocks! Thanks EM!!!

18222_506710132693748_815406802_n

I have to thank my wife Dani for giving me the courage and strength to reach out and chase this crazy dream. She is ALWAYS there for me.

There are so many people who mean the world to me as well: Mike Araiza, Jeff Sandoval, Adam Joad, Jake Delling LeBas, Redd Yoachum and the rest from Scattered Hamlet, Craw Cajun and Kat Ford, Death Alley Motor Cult, Kurt Arft, Wornstar Clothing, Justin Manning and Crowned By Fire, and Dellacoma Rio and the Sunset Riot guys, Steve Helmer, Dave Gold, and Bobby Siekkinen . Those are just a few from an incredible list.

Thank you to all of the publicists that have worked with me this year as well. Here’s looking towards a productive 2014!!!

Thanks to Blabbermouth.net and Circus Magazine for picking up some of my interviews! I am honored and humbled.

Lastly but far from least I wish I could personally thank each and every one of the 60,000 people from the 140 countries around the world who dropped in on this site last year. I hope you enjoyed it and let me know what you want to see here in the future.

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

see ya in 2014 – the Hellion

Happy Holidays from the Hellion Rocks!

by

0

BeFunky_20131224_124854.jpg

 

2013 was an AWESOME year! I got to photograph and interview some GREAT artists and make  a lot of new friends. Thank you to you all for stopping in and checking things out! We’re planning on bringing you bigger and better things in 2014! I’m already backed up with CD reviews!

 

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

the Hellion

A discussion about Rock N’ Roll with members of Skinn Jakkitt, Final Curse, The Black Cross Brotherhood, and Death Rattle

by

0

IMAG1574

 

Something new to try out.Stevil Helmer and I had a music discussion with members of  Skinn Jakkitt, Death Rattle, The Black Cross Brotherhood, and  Final Curse. Here it is in all of its glory:

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL…and we love it

     the Hellion

What is music to me?

by

1

IMAG1574

What is music? Wow, what a question. I’ll try to tell you what it is to me.

I remember being alone a lot when I was younger, I also remember a painful childhood. Yet there was always a friend around to whisk me away from reality, music. I would often find myself listening to the world around me and the music it contained. There were birds chirping, the wind in the trees or against a building, the rain, sometimes the music of people going about their lives. That was natural music and it lives within us all, it is primal.

I remember radio becoming a close friend to me as well. I would listen to the various stations open minded to all that I was hearing. Through it all Rock N’ Roll called to me and welcomed me with open arms. There was such feeling in the music, and I identified with it. I was carried away from the everyday world by Rush, Van Halen, Boston, Peter Frampton, KISS….on an on. I was safe with them and I felt good. I give thanks to the live DJs who turned me on to the music they were listening to. I remember being able to call them up late night and discuss music with them and learn of bands and songs that still hold meaning to me today.

Ahhh the rock show, I have many fond memories here. When I was old enough I started going to live concerts and experiencing live music. What a joy to hear the songs I had come to know and love in a live setting. It was magical to see the songs being played to the moment. There is nothing like a live song played with the passion and emotions of the artist in the now. It was a party going to a live show, no fighting (well not like today, there were a few at times), no animosity, such a gathering for a good time. You could find out about bands you might not have heard of yet from others and you could turn them on to bands you have discovered. It was FUN!!! No cellphones, no leaving before the show was over, you were on from the first note to the end. Then the post show hangout and discussions, oh the times we had.

The event  of a new release, yes I said event. Once upon a time there were music stores and that was their main focus. Many of us would read every scrap of print we could find in order to know about upcoming releases. We would hang around in the record store talking music, and about the bands we loved. When a new record came out we would eagerly shell out our hard earned bucks, race home heart pounding, rip off the plastic, smell the fresh vinyl, drop the needle, and escape into the album artwork and liner notes.

What is music? Well, to me it is life, love and who we are. Our styles and preferences may change throughout the years but that love lives on within us. It is a different world today, the demise of the big labels, record stores closing, live radio traded for corporate canned programming. And yet, I raise my horns high and rock on as I have always done. The spirit lives on in me as I know it does in others and I am taking it back from the corporate world and I am gonna pass this message on to the world. Go to a live show, buy a t-shirt, buy a physical copy of the bands music, read the liner notes, TALK to people at a show, live the music because it lives in you.

 

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL (and I love it)

-the Hellion

Even more to come!!!

by

0

at the Aria Booth - NAMM 2013

at the Aria Booth – NAMM 2013  – photo by Charlie “MF'” Owens

 

Spent the weekend chilling with the family and enjoying my birthday weekend. Remembering the loss of Cliff on my birthday, and just slowing down for a minute. Now, looking forward: We have tons of killer interviews in the works, shows we are going to shoot and review, CD’s to write about, and new bands to put into your heads. I am amazed at the growth of this site in a year. Thanks to all who support and have given us the opportunity to do what we love. Please hit us up with bands, features you’d like to see and your take on the site, love to hear from ya! Remember, the Hellion Rocks and Bleach Bangs Radio love you all!

-the Hellion

VEGAS Vacation!!! The Beatles LOVE, Raiding The Rock Vault, Cabo Wabo, and Vince Neil’s Tatuado

by

0

images (9)

Well, I’m back! Took some time off from the site to go to Vegas and celebrate Mrs. Hellion’s birthday and our 25th wedding anniversary.

After a relatively easy bit of Sunday traveling we arrived at the Monte Carlo, checked in and started out our Vegas excursion by hitting up Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina for an early dinner. I had some extremely good pork carnitas with a nice heffeweisen beer, while Mrs. Hellion (a steak fajita connoisseur) had steak fajitas (which she said were some of the best she has ever had) yummy dinner indeed!

2013-06-09 18.55.13

      We were then off to The Mirage to see The Beatles LOVE Cirque Du Soleil show.

2013-06-09 20.26.17

      WOW!!! This was an amazing show! I was completely impressed with the way they put this show together. The energy of the performers combined with the state of the art scenery, and the INCREDIBLE music of The Beatles lent to an amazing evening. Everywhere you looked there was something going on, dancing, trapeze, lights, and music. The highlight of the show for me was when several actors were on a poster bed and a silken cloth came from beneath the bed and grew and grew until it enveloped the lower level audience and it appeared that the bed was floating on it. Then, like magic, it was sucked back underneath the bed in an instant. This is a show that is a MUST see.

2013-06-09 20.32.08

     We hopped a cab back to the Monte Carlo and rested up for another assault of Vegas. We spent the next day roaming about seeing the sights and enjoying the company of each other. We did a little bit of gambling (no luck) and just had a great time.

2013-06-10 14.32.362013-06-10 13.14.212013-06-10 15.01.402013-06-10 15.11.352013-06-10 15.13.25

     After a wonderful day went back to the Monte Carlo to clean up and get ready to head to the Las Vegas Hotel for Raiding The Rock Vault! Thanks to my lovely wife she scored us VIP to the show!!!

2013-06-10 18.53.322013-06-10 19.53.19

     We had a quick dinner at Tatuado Vince Neil Cantina where we saw vocalist Paul Shortino having dinner with his family (Paul and I shared a wave and a nod).

2013-06-10 18.42.332013-06-10 17.57.10

     RAIDING THE ROCK VAULT!!! We got early admittance to the venue and were ushered into the green room to meet the guys from the show. Tracii Guns, John Payne, Paul Shortino, Andrew Freeman, Robin Mc Auley, Jay Schellen, Michael T. Ross, and Jason Boyleston came in and were very gracious and friendly to us and the other four people that were there. My wife (Dani) and Tracii had a fun discussion: my wife: Hi, I’m Dani.” Tracii: “Ha ha you have a boys name” pause “Ha ha I have a girls name.” Paul Shortino gave me a hug and we took some photos. We chatted for a few then it was off to our seats.

12841__20130616033808_lvh-hjbua_2_1

2013-06-10 19.42.59

     Our seats were KILLER! Second row right in front of Tracii Guns. There was a pretty cool story line to the show. It was based around it being the future and scientists finding a time capsule from earths past. Upon opening it the rock n’ roll poured out to the delight of the audience.

2013-06-10 21.46.01

     The show took us on a Rock journey from the 60’2 to the 80’s. These world class musicians played the familiar songs to perfection. They had funplaying off of each other. Paul Shortino, John Payne, Robin Mc Auley, and Andrew Freeman all shared lead vocal duties as well as guitars and bass (Andrew and John). Tracii Guns and Jason Boyleston traded smoking guitar licks back and forth through the entire show. Jay Schellen provided perfect timing behind the drums. Michael T. Ross added the right touch of keyboards to the mix.

Andrew Freeman

Andrew Freeman

John Payne

John Payne

Tracii Guns

Tracii Guns

Jason Boyleston

Jason Boyleston

Robin Mc Auley

Robin Mc Auley

Paul Shortino

Paul Shortino

Jay Schellen

Jay Schellen

Michael T. Ross

Michael T. Ross

     This show exceeded all of my expectations and then some. Classic, iconic songs performed oustandingly!  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

    The rest of the time in Vegas is ours and we had fun!

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

the Hellion

ROCK THE SOLDIERS PROJECT!!

by

1

branches_of_service_logos

 

     ATTENTION ALL BANDS!!! 

Music has helped me get through a lot of hard times in my life. I know our troops across the globe are having some rough times as well. I am starting this project to get bands to sign copies of their CDs and send them to me so I can in turn send them to the various branches of the military around the world. I believe a signed CD would help to lift their spirits and give them a moment or two of joy to their stressful days.

Please if you want to get involved send signed CDs to:

James Anaya

“Rock The Soldiers Project”

PO Box 2055

Moriarty, NM 87035

     This is a not for profit endeavor I just want to spread the gift  of music  to those in service to our great country. Thanks!

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

     the Hellion