ADZ: It’s a long story my brother what would you like to know first.
How did it all come together?
ADZ: Well its been GA our front-mans’ baby for a long time , things only really hit a pro stride when myself and Davie joined just under two years ago and introduced our style and drive into the mix.
Speaking of style and drive, describe the sound of FDX.
ADZ: That’s not an easy one to define , GA would probably give a much more apt description than me but I would say that the X are the next natural evolution of metal music.
How has the recording process been?
ADZ: Long and stressful as its been a self funded and mostly self recorded album between our home rehearsal area and couple of local studios here in south Wales but given the situation I believe we’ve done some pretty hefty work for the first official FDX release.
Is there a title for the record?
ADZ: The current title is ” Killer. “
Is this a “Full” release or an EP?
ADZ: A full album.
How will it be released?
ADZ: Both physically and digitally through PolyRam records.
Do you plan on touring to support the new record?
ADZ: Oh for sure bro , weve a couple of small festival slots booked here for February and a small run. f dates then were planning a small U.S. Promo tour in late march sorta time with fellow PolyRam label mates still to be confirmed.
Tell us anything else you want about FDX
ADZ: Well the only thing to really say is expect the unexpected in the most bad-ass way and finally as we always say ” Prepare to not know what the f**k hit you ” we’re coming.
Thanks for this quick Q&A, any shout outs you want to give?
ADZ: Anytime brother , a massive shout out to the incredible DBZ guitars and diamond amplification for the support and yourself for your amazing support brother , what you’re doing with Bleach Bangs and the blog is awesome and you will always have my support.
Babyjane – Australia’s rawest and explosive hard rock act – have come out of the rusty gate with all guns blazing…
Andy Smith (no singer comes closer to the swagger of Jagger and the presence of Plant than THIS one); John Gerasolo (rock’s next guitar hero — forget the Top Hat); Paul Judge (a snarling Sid Vicious who can really play the bass) and Nik ‘Animal’ Kats (the bombast of John Bonham meets the terror of Tommy Lee) unleashed their debut scorcher Are You Listening in 2011. Mixed by famed American producer Michael Wagener (Metallica/Janet Jackson/Ozzy Osbourne/Extreme) it features 11 tracks of hard rock at its absolute best (including ‘can’t stop singing it’ classic Can You Keep a Secret?)
A rousing support gig with Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach in Perth (2008) left the word on everyone’s lips that ‘Babyjane are the band to watch’. Recently, they have gone from strength to strength – securing airplay on American radio, global release of the album, a week-long prime-time spot on WA’s number one radio station 96FM and over 5000 Youtube views of their video single (Are You Listening).
Now, Babyjane have stepped it up a notch. 11 track second album, Make It Sick, was recorded in Nashville, 2012 with Michael Wagener handling production duties from start to finish – the end result is what one industry-insider has described as “the most balls-to-the-wall rock album since Guns n’ Roses Appetite For Destruction”… with one-time Motley Crue/Union singer John Corabi making a rousing appearance on the title track.
Corabis’ appearance alone reached first-page news on rock website Blabbermouth.com and unprecedented attention on Google.com in June. Featuring a sound only a world-class producer can muster, hugely commercial tracks like Bad Woman and She’s Just A Liar, and a well-oiled 4-piece band behind it, Babyjane are ready to step into the big league.
Road-tested and set for world domination, Babyjane are just gathering steam. Are you listening? You soon will be…
Here’s the video for the new single “She’s a Liar”:
Halcyon Way vocalist Steve Braun answered some questions for us. Let’s get to know about him and his band Halcyon Way.
Thanks for speaking with us Steve. Can you tell us a little about your self and where you come from?
Steve: Hmmmm that could be a very deep questions,lol. I am the lead singer for Nightmare/ Sony Red recording artist Halcyon Way. We are a metal band based out of Atlanta, GA. I am a Jersey boy born and raised. I have lived all over the US and Canada following my dreams. I now live in Nashville, TN which is funny that I now drive 4 1/2hrs to band practice but you gotta do what you gotta do.
There was always music of some kind being played in my house while I was growing up. How did music come into your life? What kind of music shaped you as a kid?
Steve: I really got into music at a young age. My older sister use to baby-sit me when my parents were out. I remember the first stuff I listened to was Meat Loaf, Billy Joel, Pat Benatar and Hall and Oats. I was instantly hooked. Tho it wasn’t Metal I believe it really helped to set the foundation of loving strong songwriting and melody.
Most everyone dreams of being a rock star but these dreams remained unrealized. How did you make your dreams come true?
Steve: Man…all I can say is it took a lot of handwork. Countless hours of practice singing to my favorite tapes…yes tapes:) I also took private voice lessons in NY, LA and Nashville. I was even a vocal performance major in college.
On making my dreams come true…I’m still in that phase. You have to knock on as many doors as possible. I believe if you continue to knock on doors sooner or later the right door will open. Sitting in your bedroom hoping it will happen will NOT make it happen.
What were some of the experiences you had that led to you to where you are today?
Steve: I have been quite blessed in the experiences I’ve had in the music industry. My first break was singing for Word Records recording artist Siloam. We were an anti-drug hard rock band. We toured all over the US and Canada.
I’ve sung on the TV show “The View”. I actually got engaged on the show. I am the only one to ever make Barbara Walters cry on tv. I mean now I can die a happy man:)
I’ve sung for Italian progressive Metal band ASHENT. We’ve released 2 CDs via Lion Music.
I have been fortunate enough to tour all over the world and meet some of the most amazing people along the way.
Most musicians “earn their stripes” in several bands prior to success. What were some of your more memorable experiences in some of your earlier bands?
Steve: Well in Siloam we were on CNN when we were in Corpus Christi, TX and we were honored by the mayor. However, one of the biggest memories was that we played in this boys n girls club and as soon as the lights went down for the intro and gang fight broke out and the head of a porcelain duck whipped past my head (I still have the duck head:))
One of the greatest things playing with ASHENT was I got to spend a lot of time in Italy. I would sometimes spend up to a month at a time there when recording our albums. The best part was I got to live like a local.
In talking to people about music, most of them identify with a certain era of music more than others. What period of music do you identify most with?
Steve: I would have to say I’m a child of the 80’s. I love the decade of decadence.
What artists inspired you from the past and which current artists have caught your ear?
Steve: I would have to say…Michael Sweet of Stryper, Tony Harnell of TNT, Sebastian Bach and James LaBrie.
Some of my favorite new artists are Five Finger Death Punch, Killswitch Engage, in This Moment and All That Remains.
People are often times surprised at what they find “hiding” in my music collection. Anything “out of the ordinary” in yours?
Steve: Oh man…there are a ton of things on my IPod that makes me go huh…I didn’t know I had that. Stuff like Marvyn Gaye, Notorious BIG, and obscure 80’s one hit wonders
I have found myself really getting to enjoy the music of Halcyon Way. Tell us a little about Halcyon Way.
9.Halcyon Way has been around in different forms for the past 10 years. They’ve gone through a ton of turmoil over the years from member changes, recording issues, canceled tours and even cancer in the founding member guitarist Jon Bodan. I’ve been in the band just about 3 years. During this time we’ve done a few tours, released 2 CDs and are getting ready next month to record our next disc and shop around for a new label. Our music is available on halcyonway.com, most major retailers and iTunes.
Given the opportunity to address young musicians what advice would you give them?
Steve: Work hard, work hard, work hard…don’t let your ego get in the way. Remember there is someone who is practicing in their bedroom that are better than you and I will ever be. Always remain humble because that will speak tons of your character.
Lastly, have a career/job that will help pay the bills. Don’t let it get in the way of you’re dreams but have something to bridge the gap where you can live and follow your dreams.
What do you have to say about the music industry/scene today?
Steve: It’s awesome to be in the business but the money is not there like it use to be. Some of it is from bit torrent sites. I’ve seen on one site our last album was downloaded somewhere in the 20-30,000 times)and some of it is from the world economic crisis facing the world. We pay a lot of stuff our own pocket which is why you need to have a job. The day of getting a million dollar contract being dropped in your lap is sadly gone.
Thanks for taking sometime to talk to me. – Steve Braun
the Hellion Rocks 