Online edition by Detroit Live Magazine

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CONTENTS // August 2014

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7 neon trees 8 Eliza neals 10 311 11 jeff daniels 12 benny and the jets 14 #flaboom & my pal val

feature // dirt fest 16 19

battlecross dalton brothers POWERMAN 5000

25 Faster horses 26 SPOTLIGHT mayhem festival 2014 28 CHOICE CUTS 30 Horoscope Contributors: Benny Jet, Eric Harabadian, Darian Counts, Chris Balow, Anne Schultz, GT, Scotti Moore, Aluna Michaels, Marc Nader, Korynne Hatcher Editor: Anne Shultz Art Director: Desiree Kelly Sr. Photographer: Marc Nader Graphic Design: Desiree Kelly, Darian Counts Additional photos: Dan Munoz, Anne Schultz, Jenne Barnes Photography Publisher: Darian Counts // Detroit Live Media LLC Promotion/Administration: Amanda Blanchard Cover Photo by: Marc Nader Sales: Darrin Williams, Stephanie Kelly, Michelle Gonzales Readers: You DETROIT LIVE MAGAZINE IS 100% OWNED AND OPERATED BY MICHIGAN RESIDENTS

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NEON TREES

Go Nu Wave at The Fillmore

By: Julia Sikora / Photos Marc Nader Bring down the house lights. Cue strobes and LEDs. The band takes the stage, their shadows flicker across a thin white curtain hanging from the rafters. Synthesizers and strings slowly amplify and reach an orchestral crescendo before the curtain drops to reveal a scene straight out of a nu wave fantasy. The night was equal parts rock concert and 80s cult film when Neon Trees took stage at The Fillmore on their Pop Psychology Tour in late June. And you do not need a degree in pop psychology, or any other discipline, to know that front man Tyler Glenn was born in the wrong decade. With the 80s clothes, hair, and some stellar dance moves they punctuated the night from the first note of “Lessons in Love” to the last chorus of this year’s radio hit “Sleeping with a Friend.” Glenn opened with a tribute to The Pixies and performed “Where Is My Mind?” in front of the hard to ignore, giant inflatable brain stage prop. Glenn’s rapport with his crowd was truly amazing.

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It was clear that he was grateful and has a deep respect for his fans. As the show wound down, Glenn chose to share some thoughts regarding his recent difficulties accepting himself and re-connecting with his music prior to the creation of Pop Psychology. Having recently come out to the public about his sexuality, he has become an icon for self-acceptance in the music community, especially among LGBTQ youth and allies. “Voices in the Halls,” the song that followed, is a powerful and haunting track, driven forward by Glenn’s strong vocals. The rest of the performance consisted primarily of new tracks from the band’s April release, Pop Psychology, which included “I Love You (But I Hate Your Friends),” “Teenager in Love,” and “Unavoidable” that featured duet-style vocals from Glenn and drummer, Elaine Bradley. As a fan of earlier Neon Trees material, I was pleasantly surprised to hear “Mad Love” and “Trust” off of Picture Show, and even more excited for “Your Surrender,” the third single taken from the

band’s debut album, Habits.

“

an icon for self-acceptance in the music community

“

The show would not have been complete without “Animal,” the punchy, upbeat track that put Neon Trees on an entire generation’s radar back in 2010. “Everybody Talks,” was part of the energetic encore and just when we thought the night was over, we were treated to one last song, “First Things First,” which is quickly becoming my favorite Pop Psychology track. With a bow, Neon Trees brought the house lights down, releasing us from the fantasy and sending us back into the real world.

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ELIZA NEALS by Eric Harbadian

PHOTO BY MIKE TOUMEY

hether it’s homegrown soul, rock, jazz, blues, folk, or even country, there is an unmistakable aura about it that unabashedly screams Motor City! You know it when you hear it; the grit, the honesty, the raw and funky energy that exudes from the very heart of Detroit music. The world, of

course, knows all the usual suspects; Motown, Iggy, Seger, Nugent, Kid Rock, Eminem, Jack White, etc. Although she may not be a household name, yet, one would be remiss not to include blues rocker Eliza Neals in the mix. The sultry blond chanteuse follows reverently in the footsteps of those that came before and has worked hard to earn her title—

recognized nationally—as the “Detroit Diva.” Eliza Neals (nee Thomasian) is a native Detroiter who attended Wayne State University and majored in piano and opera. She was born into a musical family along with her two sisters who are also singers. She is a distant cousin to world renowned French vocalist Photo by Lisa Boyle

Charles Aznavour and has been living and breathing the arts as long as she can remember. Perhaps the earliest spark to her career path came by way of bass player extraordinaire Bootsy Collins when Neals was just six years old. “I met him in a local record store sometime in the ‘70s, I think,” recalls the singer-songwriter. “He was doing a signing and he wrote ‘Freak to Freak’ on a balloon for me. I said who is this? I thought he was so cool. I said I wanna be in the music business. He was a big influence.” It was that simple and innocent, yet, profound encounter that set young Eliza on the course of her life’s work. Through the ‘90s and early 2000s, Neals set things in motion playing with various ensembles throughout the metro Detroit area, just trying to earn a living and make ends meet. She established herself as a dynamic performer steeped in formal training and savvy technique. That knowledge would serve her well upon her second significant chance encounter in 2002. “I met Barrett Strong in a local health food store and when he told me who he was I didn’t believe it,” says Neals. Strong was one of the first songwriters that worked with Berry Gordy at Motown. He sang and scored the first hit for the label called “Money (That’s What I Want)” in 1960. He, of course, went on to write hits for The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Edwin Starr, Gladys Knight and many others. “That was 12 years ago and we’ve been working together now for ten years,” continues Neals. “We’ve got a lot of movie and TV placements of music that we’ve done together. We had a deal with Virgin Records. The guy that gave me the deal got fired so we decided to just go independent. Now we’re gearing up to go with another company but want to retain ownership of our music. We wanna own everything and then get big enough where we don’t have to give away the whole farm. You make your own terms and that’s what we’re doing.” The charming and astute Neals co-wrote and co-produced Strong’s follow-up to his successful ‘70s solo album Stronghold, appropriately entitled Stronghold 2, in 2008. She has also recorded a number of CDs under her own name, including I’m Waiting (2003), Liquorfoot (2005), No Frogs for Snakes (2008) and her latest Messin With a Fool (2012). Her collaborations with Strong as well as her solo work is consistently paying off in dividends, with songs being placed on television networks such as the Hallmark Channel, HBO, Lifetime,

and HGTV. A lot of the placements have emerged because of a plethora of airplay they are receiving world-wide on blues-rock radio and as a result, select tour dates throughout Europe are being planned for this fall. A lot of airplay and residuals are flowing for the previously referenced album Messin With a Fool. It’s a joint collaboration between Neals, Barrett Strong and Martin “Tino” Gross and, even though it has been in circulation for over two years, is still garnering praise as Eliza Neals’ finest hour. It’s easy to see why, with a hit single “Misery” dominating internet and terrestrial radio charts as well as a track list that boasts a cavalcade of soulful haunting vocals, delicious pop hooks, wry hip-hop flourishes and down and dirty guitar work. From the hypnotically psychedelic “In Charge” to the Exile on Main Street-era Stones-ish sounding “Shame” and the emotionallyriveting Joplin-esque “Rainin in Detroit”; this is a prime example of what the Motor City’s musical melting pot is all about.

“

You make your own terms and that’s what we’re doing

“

Eliza is married to HJ Neals. The couple retains a home in the Detroit area and also reside in New Jersey as well. HJ handles a lot of the social media, photography and logistical aspects of Eliza’s career. “HJ, my man, is a huge supporter and understands the business side of music. It makes being an artist so much easier,” says Eliza. And having a partnership like this allows the Detroit Diva to effectively spread her musical message from Kansas City to NYC. “It’s been great, with sold out shows and standing room only,” says the bluesy songstress regarding out of town appearances. “When they hear you’re from Detroit they all come. Plus, I’ve changed my name to ‘Eliza Neals and the Narcotics.’ It’s really fitting for blues rock because we are ‘dope.’ I’m not promoting drugs, if that’s your thing. It’s all about the music. It’s a trip, it takes you somewhere.

Once someone plays with me they are a ‘Narcotic’ for life (laughs).” Neals has a somewhat unique and economical way of hiring musicians while on tour. “What I do is I pick up a band in any city I’m in,” she explains. “I find the best blues players in the city. I call recording studios or check Reverbnation. I find them and they back me up.” Neals was just recently with Bart Walker in Nashville and stated that he’s number one when it comes to blues rock. “I supply charts or full music. Most of the musicians play by ear. We do one rehearsal and, bam, we go do it. It’s crazy! Someone told me Chuck Berry did that a lot. It’s kind of kamikaze style but it works most of the time. And it’s new every time. You learn something new and you meet new people, so there are friends everywhere you go in every state you play.” This summer there are a number of dates planned where you will be able to catch the Detroit Diva in her natural habitat. On August 2, Eliza Neals and The Narcotics will be appearing in Port Huron at Port Sanilac, sponsored by the Detroit Blues Society. The following day on August 3, she will be joining the “Blues Girls of Summer” at The Hastings Street Ballroom in downtown Detroit. Both Arts, Beats & Eats along with a stop to Campus Martius Park are slated for later this year. “It’s hard to have a career out here, especially being a girl,” says Neals. “It is good for people to see what we’re doing so that we can inspire musicians to move around and spread the word about how great Detroit’s music scene is. That’s why I’m doing this.” The three-time Detroit Music Awardwinner has been number one for bluesrock in Detroit on Reverbnation for nearly six months straight and is number 23 in the world. Neals will continue touring, writing and working on a new album with producer Mike Puwal (ICP) that will feature many local and national blues heavyweights and is slated for an October 2014 release.

For more information on

Eliza Neals and The Narcotics you can check them out at: www.elizaneals.com www.motownrock.com @elizanealsrocks facebook.com/thedetroitdiva. DETROITL I V E MAGAZINE.COM

311

BY Scotti Moore

While many bands can lose sight of what is important and what brought them to and keeps them where they are at, 311has remained dedicated to their fans over the years and remembers that there’s something more to the music. The fans.

eeing 311 has become an annual tradition for me. I knew walking into Freedom Hill that my first task was to join the large group of people assembling in line waiting for the merchandise booth to open. If you have ever had the opportunity to attend one of their shows, you know that people aren’t going to miss their chance to grab the hottest merch item which is the customized t-shirts that feature individual city names. While I was standing in line, I enjoyed the conversations that surrounded me ranging from the band’s previous shows to our favorite songs and albums. Even though I am usually a bit reserved prior to a show, when it comes to these guys, it’s always a bit difficult to not get pulled in by the electric atmosphere filled with the growing anticipation of the show. As I left the merchandise frenzy, I heard live music coming from the pavilion. The opening act had started as I made my way closer to the pit to take in the live sounds of reggae. I was all too curious to see how the crowd would react to the legendary group “The Wailers.” As the venue began to fill up, you could tell that the party was starting to hit its stride as the crowd was already dancing and singing to the lyrics of the late, great Bob Marley. As they closed down their set and conveyed their admiration for those who attended, you could just feel the

excitement building to another level. I, like many, was excited that I’d get to hear some material from 311’s new album titled “Stereolithic.” It was released on March 11 and has now become a holiday for fans, “311 Day.” After a short break, the house lights were still on and the crowd began the usual universal chant “3-11, 3-3-11.” The band walked onto the stage unannounced and picked up their instruments and thanked the crowd for showing up and spending the evening with them. Getting right down to it in a way that let’s you know they are here for us as much as we are for them, they started off with “Don’t Stay Home” and then headed into their mega hit “All Mixed Up.” This solidified the tone for what we were to expect throughout the rest of the nigh...the party of all parties. While 311 continued through their set, the typical feel of a concert wasn’t present. I looked around as it seemed more like a backyard get- together. It was like everyone gathered around to sing back up with the neighborhood local band , but obviously 311 is far from your average local band. The set list had a perfect mix of their previous 10 releases along with covering a handful of new tracks. The performance included hits such as “Time Bomb,” “Beautiful Disaster,” “Come Original,” “Amber,” and “Creatures (For a While).” They also managed feature a drum solo

performed by the entire group and a jazz infused bass solo that had the crowd hanging on every run. Even though at this point we were now an hour and 30 minutes and 21 songs into the show, the fans showed no signs of slowing down. It seemed as if time had ceased to exist and everyone around me was as fresh and energetic as when the band first took the stage. As 311 laid their tools of the trade down and exited the stage, the crowd’s roar began to get louder as the chant of “3-11, 3-3-11” returned, letting the guys know that we all wanted more. The house lights remained off and the intensity of the crowd grew. We knew their return to the stage for an encore was inevitable. As they entered, the crowd busted into a deafening roar. Their first encore was “Tranquility” and for the final song, they shut it down with their biggest hit, “Down.” And as the music faded, the bass player came out and lead the now infamous “3-11, 3-311” chant. I am hopeful that they will continue for many more years. People should experience 311 at least once in their lives and witness how incredible it is to be part of the sincere bond between a band and their fans. True mutual dedication is what it is all about.

artist spolight

jeff daniels

BY ERIC HARBADIAN

The pride of Chelsea, Michigan; Jeff Daniels has an impressive resume that reveals an actor who has taken chances. From his early roles in films like Purple Rose of Cairo and Terms of Endearment to intense family dramas such as The Squid and the Whale right up to absurd comedies like Dumb and Dumber, he is an artist that has shown incredible range. With his 2013 Emmy award-winning role as newscaster Will McAvoy in HBO’s The Newsroom and his reprised role as Harry Dunne in the highly anticipated Dumb and Dumber To coming this fall, the nearly 60 year old actor is flying at the top of his game. You might also know the Michigan native to be a generous and somewhat philanthropic catalyst to furthering the hopes and dreams of aspiring thespians and playwrights through The Purple Rose Theater Company of Chelsea that he founded in 1991. But there is another side to his artistic oeuvre that many may not know, and that is his role as singer-songwriter. It is a pursuit and a passion that has been there in earnest since he left Michigan for the footlights of New York City in 1976. He purchased a Guild D40 acoustic guitar from Herb David’s Guitar Shop in Ann Arbor and it became an alternative vehicle for him to formulate ideas and develop his songwriting and performance skills. The self-effacing Daniels took a very cautious and well thought out approach to his musical pursuits for many years. Acting was always at the forefront but he wanted to keep his artistic options open as well. “I’m very fatalistic about it, “says Daniels about his thespian career. “ It wasn’t supposed to last. You’re supposed to do five or six movies and you’re over. I thought about what else I could do creatively in the event the acting career ends. But the acting career kept going. Certainly Dumb and Dumber helped with that.” Daniels continues to wax humbly about his entry into the music world. “I wanted to start small,” explains Daniels on live musical performance. “I went straight to the opera houses and small clubs and stayed away from the New Yorks, Chicagos and things like that. I didn’t feel that just because I’m an actor everyone has to take me serious as a musician. And even when I played at the Purple Rose Theater it was to raise money.”

But it was a series of experiences and key performers that gave Daniels the impetus and inner fire to take his musical show on the road. The seeds of his troubadour epiphany began in the late ‘70s when he would see singer-songwriters like Steve Goodman at the Bottom Line in New York City. Other folks like Arlo Guthrie and Christine Lavin were also crucial in forming the young actor’s musical development. “I saw some of these people come in with just themselves and an acoustic guitar and they held that audience,” recalls Daniels. “I really admired that and thought I would enjoy doing that. Let me keep writing.” Perhaps the singular push that gave Daniels a shot of musical adrenaline came from playwright and friend Lanford Wilson. He asked Daniels to put some music to one of his poems called “Road Signs.” It was a song about a bus trip that Wilson took from Missouri to Chicago. He composed and played it for the playwright and he loved it. Fast forward 20 years after Daniels moved back to Michigan and invited Wilson to write a play for the Purple Rose Theater Company. Convening in a local bar after a rehearsal found the visiting playwright inquiring Daniels about doing an impromptu performance of his “Road Signs” piece. Daniels was put on the spot and revealed to Wilson that music was something, at that time; he basically did to entertain himself. But on that fateful night, at the behest of Wilson, Daniels grabbed his guitar and played a solo version of the song that brought the house down. “Lanford insisted that not just anyone can do this and that I had to share my talent with others,” says Daniels. “I had to find a way to do this where I could draw upon my experience as an actor. You draw upon your experience to get on stage on Broadway. I had to figure out how to put together a musical show that did that and then I might have a chance at doing something unique.” Currently Daniels is doing just that, wih a series of dates he is playing in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois throughout the month of August. Of

particular interest and close proximity to Southeast Michigan fans are appearances August 17th and 18th at the Ark in Ann Arbor. It is one of Daniels’ favorite venues and he will be joined on this and the entire tour by The Ben Daniels Band. “It’s a father-son thing, and to even have a kid in their 20s that will talk to you is gold,” cracks Daniels. “I did a solo thing in January and I wanted to do something with a band, but I didn’t just wanna play with some session guys.” But just because it is his son’s band the elder Daniels insists they are not a mere backing group. “Arthur Miller, the playwright, once said he looked forward to seeing what his work inspired in other people,” notes Daniels on submitting his music to the band. “This is not a dictatorship. You give them the demos, lyrics and chord charts and then you wait.” Daniels has a catalog that includes five recordings, with his latest entitled Keep it Right Here. Many of his songs are very personal and run the gamut from ironically humorous to pensive and sentimental. And each of his albums usually contains overt references to various Michigan-based locales and touchstones. While he does not claim to be an expert on the state of Detroit and its environs he does offer some hopeful and engaging food for thought. “As Detroit starts to bounce back from the depths you’re hearing about a lot of 20-somethings moving into the city,” says Daniels. “They need things to do and I think that’s gonna breed a need for entertainment. As Detroit starts to come back and the population comes back, and it becomes a younger city again, music will become a positive force for change. That’ my hope anyway. There’s a reason that Kid Rock, Eminem and Seger are still here. They love this place and there’s an energy to it.” DETROITL I V E MAGAZINE.COM

Benny & The Jets

s a founding member of the Detroit based band Benny and the Jets, I’m not going to pretend we belong in the company of such legendary people, but we are truly happy and honored to be inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends (MRRL) Hall of Fame. The MRRL site is dedicated to promoting and preserving the history and accomplishments of artists and music that are part of Michigan’s rich and diverse rock ‘n’ roll legacy. Gary Johnson from Bay City, Michigan (aka Dr. J) created MRRL in 2004 to document this vital aspect of our State’s cultural history. Artists and songs that have contributed to Michigan’s rock and roll movement are recognized by MRRL in hopes to serve as a reminder of the all the talented legends that has come out of Michigan and helps keep the spirit and appreciation of Michigan artists burning bright.

The Column

Artists that will be joining us in this online Hall of Fame are Hell, Michigan guitarist Michael Katon, The Chantelles from Fenton, and Marshall Crenshaw from Birmingham. We will be joining other Michigan Rock Legends like; Question Mark and the Mysterians (#1 song 96 Tears) The MC-5, Bob Seger, Amboy Dukes, Alice Cooper, Mitch Ryder, Brownsville Station, Berry Gordie Jr., Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Four Tops and many more. After 40 years of playing guitar in this band almost every night and making a living, it’s the only job I’ve ever had. We may be the only band to have played the Studio Lounge, Red Carpet, Harpos, Royal Oak Theater, Cobo Arena, Pontiac Silverdome, and Ford Field. Our claim to fame may just be that we lasted so long and we have played with many members of the Hall of Fame. We recorded 3 LPs in the ‘70s, toured the U.S. and Canada, had the Dumb Girl YouTube hit, and played Who’s Who of Rock and Roll. Everyone from Freddy Boom Boom Cannon to Bo Diddley, Ricky Nelson to Eddie Money, Ted Nugent, and Steppenwolf. One of our first gigs was opening up for Chubby Checker at the famous Stroke Club in Toronto. Note: Chubby Checker is NOT in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. How famous or who do you need to know to get in there? Society has changed. There used to be live music and bands on every corner, every weekend, if not every night.

Nowadays you can drive down Telegraph Road from Pontiac to Toledo on a Saturday night and not see any. Girls used to meet up at the corner bar, sit near the dance floor and wait to be asked to dance. That is how people used to meet - hook up! It may be how your parents met and grandparents before that. Now, if girls go out dancing they find a DJ and jump around and talk about it on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or some other social media site. This is not to say this is a bad thing to do, just that it is different than back in the day and probably not so great for guitar players of the future. Having a house, cars, kids, wife and a few dogs, and playing guitar may be as “Hall of Fame” as it gets for me. I’m not sure with the world the way it is now that young guitar players or entertainers will ever be able to pull this off. Thank you to DJ Ricky Cover for nominating us and for his efforts to make Benny and the Jets part of something really amazing.

For more information about Benny and the Jets Band

call 313 730 1627 or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bennyandthejets. To read more about Michigan artists and songs, visit the website at www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com.

Bulletproof Snow is a band thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s building a HUGE following. These guys definitely know how to put on a Rock and Roll show. Despite being relatively young they have massive amount of stage time, and it shows. Trey McLaughlin, Jacob Yacobelli, Matt Coon, Connor Cheney have been performing on every stage available to them for the past 2 years and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paid off. They were the 2013 Rockstar/Uproar winners, received nominations for a Detroit Music Award and placed 2nd in the Detroit Live Blow up My Band contest. We at Detroit Live are proud to support them and highly recommend catching their performance at Dirtfest

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# Flaboom by GT

Flaboom: A glorious awareness of the conclusion of a story and/ or an acknowledgement of the understanding of it… Flaboom! When someone shares an amazingly exciting benefit with you… “Flaboom, thank you,” you’ll say. When you’re introduced to a new delicious dish that has blown your mind with flavor, you’ll say “Flaboom that is incredible.” Flaboom, in a sense, is your way of delightfully understanding that you’ve surprisingly received an awesome gift. Flaboom is my gift and I shall do my best to make it your gift.

ach month, I will shine the spotlight on people, places, and happenings within the Detroit Metropolitan Area (or those with strong ties to our resilient city) that are truly keeping the real funk, jazz (mainly fusion) and R&B alive. This monthly foreword of Detroit’s gifts of jazz, funk & R&B will be from my perspective as a full-time bassist in and out of the city of Detroit. I’ll take you on tours, backstage, on stage, the after-parties, the sound checks and more. Additionally, I will introduce you to present or future friends that will intrigue your mind into supporting their efforts as a musician, director, teacher, venue owner, festival executive, etc. We all need to be kept abreast to the positive and brilliant minds of our city that will stop at nothing to ensure our gratitude. There are a lot of great places in this city whether it is a jazz club, an R&B spot, a funk joint or a tight rehearsal spot, as well as a studio for you to lay your tracks professionally. I will showcase and share these places with you for you to learn about, see, and

hopefully experience if you haven’t already. I know right now you’re saying to yourself, “Who is this guy and how can I trust what he’s got to say?” Well, I am known as GT and sometimes “Sirslapnasty.” I was born and raised on the west side of Detroit within a household that was filled with music of the 70s. Al Green, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, EWF, Cameo, The Isley Bros, The Temps, Blue Dog, The Dramatics, The Jackson Five, AWB, Grover Washington, Jr., Miles Davis, Return to Forever, Rufus feat Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Parliament/Funkadelic, Prince, Chic, The Spinners, The Ohio Players, and so many more along with singing in glee clubs & dancing in “pop-lockin” groups, helped to create this multi-nominated Detroit Music Awards Bassist and Washington Area Music Association nominated TopInstrumentalist. Aside from highlighting events and profiling people and places, I want to open up discussions about the things pertaining to Detroit in the jazz/funk community and bring awareness and insight to you, the readers, about the music and culture that exists here in our city. I speak as an aficionado of 40+yrs, a musician of 25+yrs and a huge fan of life. I truly feel that the disco era murdered funk and R&B by the programmable musical equipment that was introduced to the world. The spirit of these genres lie within the souls of the musicians. Drum machines and synthesizers took the jobs of many funky rhythm sections and put the groove into the hands of the unfunky. Most of these “producers” lack the imagination or musicianship to be soulful; although, there were a few like Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Kashif, Prince, Quincy Jones, Nile Rodgers and Teddy Riley (just to name a few), that have done all they could to keep funk and R&B alive in the 80s. I hope that strikes a funky/jazzy nerve. All in all, my dream is to catch you at a show saying… “Flaboom, this is highly entertaining!” Flaboom has universal potential, due to its versatile applications in life’s exciting moments. When you do “give it a spin,” hit me up on my Twitter @FlaboomGT and let me know about it or visit www.GTtcp.com. BIO: GT has been endorsed by Spector Basses, Laggan Bassworks, Reverend Guitars, HSS, VM Guitars, Ken Smith Strings, Tobias Basses. He has performed across the country and has been involved with projects such as FUNKILINIUM, The Roger Jones Trio, The Sanja Mishira Trio, The Bruce Middle Band, Mama Sol & tha NUTS (Dreamgirl & The Music Speaks), DNA feat Daru & Andy, Rev Righttime & The First Cuzins of Funk, Je t’aime, and Orange Lake Drive.

PAL VAL

By Randy Willis

lending alternative rock, blues and grunge with a modern sonic twist, I would describe them as one of my favorite 90’s band not yet discovered. Taking the best parts of the decade and coming up with a perfect formula. This Detroit based trio is made up of Elise McCoy on guitar/vocals, Valarie Klaft on drums/ vocals and John Missig on bass/vocals. Forming in 2009, My Pal Val shows no signs of giving up a half a decade later. They recently headed in to GrooveBox Studios again for two songs “Flashlight” and “Graveyard.” Both available on their website mypalval.net. When I first heard “Graveyard,” I became an instant fan. A steady pulsating drumbeat with a solid rolling bass line and rhythmic, gritty guitars all complimented by a haunting melodic and soulful voice. It all comes together as tonal tornado of beautiful musicianship. The band’s use of dynamics combined with Elise’s hauntingly angelic voice tends to push and pull at the listener until the power of the rhythm section overwhelms you. The more I listened, the more it drew me in.

August dates: 8/1 - Crownival at Crow Manor 8/2 - The New Dodge w/ Destroy This Place, The Paper Sound and Touch The Clouds 8/14- Hatchey’s w/ Those Hounds and Andy and the Pandy’s 8/16- The Cadieux Cafe w/ High Arrow For more information, visit, www. facebook.com/MyPalValDetroit.

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Photos Marc Nader

Story Anne Schultz

egardless of what band people are in, it’s a given that they did not start out playing on a stage in front of thousands of screaming fans. And, if you’re in a metal band, you sure as hell did not stand in line for hours waiting to audition for a television show to be judged and told by a panel whether or not you have the potential to make it. F**k that. If you’re going to make it, you’re just going to have to go old school and work your ass off. A lot. Just ask Michigan based band, Battlecross who have been relentlessly kicking ass ever since their album, Pursuit of Honor which was released back in 2011 with Metal Blade Records. With a slew of domestic and international shows from high profile tours and songs that have charted on Billboard, iTunes, SirusXM, just to name a few, these guys are quickly showing the world how it’s done. The band has earned a reputation not only for delivering high-energy live performances that will melt anyone’s face off, but also for having an unwavering work ethic and bringing awesome musicianship to metal. While many might not think much of metal bands, guitarist and co-founder of Battlecross, Hiran Deraniyagala , begged to differ. “We’re not just chug. There’s theory behind the musical content. It’s not all open notes and just thrashing around.” This is obvious when you listen to their 2013 release War of Will. Even aside from the content of the music, there has been debate on what kind of metal they are. Are they more this or are they more that? “People get so uptight about the genres of music. Everyone is so worried about everything but the music,” said front man, Kyle Gunther. “Just listen to the music.” Like so many of us, the guys in band grew up listening to all kinds of music ranging from The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Hank Sr. and whatever was playing on the radio at home. Some of them dabbled in music lessons when they were younger for a while but eventually, they began to experiment and learn on their own. Both Hiran and Kyle agreed that they have learned the most over the years by just playing with other musicians. From the time we start listening to music as kids and transition into teens, it’s likely that our musical tastes change along the way. Departing from “radio music,” bands like Cannibal Corpse and Pantera found their way into their heads and from that moment, unknowingly, things were set in motion. “Tony [Asta]and I grew up together. Back in 2003 we would just play guitar at each other’s houses. In high school we formed a band and that is when the name “Battlecross” appeared. In 2007 is when we

got our original drummer, Mike [Kreger] in the band and the sound as we know it was born. That’s when I would say Battlecross was started,” Hiran explained. While this was all happening, Kyle on the other hand, was further north and involved in his Flint based band, I-Decay. Gunther formed I-Decay around the same time as Battlecross and eventually the two bands would cross paths. They would often swap out shows with each other and got to know each by being in the scene. When Marshall Wood, the former lead singer for the band, took some time off to spend time with his family, Battlecross approached Kyle and asked if he would fill in for a while until they knew what was going on. “I was just supposed to be a fill-in. I wasn’t going to quit I-Decay. “ Kyle continued to substitute with the band for a while. At some point, he had a falling out with some of the guys in his band and there were some personal issues going on with the other band members that made things challenging. “I tried to reform I-Decay and it didn’t really work well. That’s when they came to me with the job offer.” Accepting that offer and collaborating with each other has proven to be one of the best career decisions the guys have made so far. Any time a band experiences success, you will have people asking them, “What did you do to make that happen?” It’s like we’re all waiting for some magical answer. But there really isn’t one. “We’re loyal to each other and we work hard,” Hiran confidently and quickly answered. “And we’re loyal to our fans. Being personable with them and not changing who we are as people. Even though we’ve had this little amount of success, we are still the same guys that people can just talk to. There’s no ego in the band and we don’t think we’re better than anyone else. We’ve worked from the ground up,” added Kyle. One of the things that they thought was cool happened when they recently attended Mayhem. They saw people in the crowd with Battlecross shirts on and stopped and talked to people. Fans expressed how happy they were for the band’s success and that is probably a great feeling for any band to experience.

“ When

you think metal, we want you to think Battlecross ”

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Photos Marc Nader So what’s next for these guys in terms of what they want to accomplish? World domination. Okay, maybe not quite that, but they would like become a household name and staple in the world of metal like legendary bands Lamb of God, Metallica, and Slayer. “When you think metal, we want you to think Battlecross. I want people to know who we are whether they like us or not.” Battlecross will be up and down the East coast of the U.S. and bouncing from Canada to Mexico to South America during their current Summer North America Tour. And in the midst of all the this, they will be making their way home to Michigan on August 9 at DirtFest at the Birch Run Expo Center where they will join other bands who’ve they shared the stage with such as Chimaira, It Lies Within, Nothing More, and headliner Killswitch Engage. The band has played this festival before, just not together in the same band. In addition to Kyle and Hiran, other current band members include co-founder/ guitarist Tony Asta, bassist Don Slater, and drummer Alex Bent.

For more information about the band, visit their website at: www.battlecrossmetal.com

dalton brothers by Korynne Hatcher

very August, the Birch Run Expo Center in Birch Run, Michigan prepares to be invaded by thousands of metal fans ready to rock out at DirtFest. Entering its 16th year with headliner Killswitch Engage, it is Michigan’s longest running, independently owned music festival. Born out of a simple need for a place to play, founder Matt Dalton recalled how the festival that was attended by 7000 people last year started with three bands and one stage. He says that he and a friend moved the “hall” format type of a show to the grass and invited their friends out for a day of music. The starting point was when he and a friend named Kurt both played in bands and worked at the music store in the Birch Run mall. They decided to put a show together to showcase their bands and it ended up being a fun and successful show so they did it again the next year. After two years, it grew to 10 to 15 bands that next year which is also when Kurt moved out of state to Mississippi. With his friend’s permission, Dalton continued to put on the festival and added a third stage. Matt compared the process of band selections for the festivals to sports. He says that he takes away all of the stats and gives each band the “eyeball” test, which, he also called the “heart” test. He asks himself how he feels about the band looking at them. Social media stats, the number of records sold and things of that nature do not factor into his final decision. He listens to a song and if the song is good and if the band seems to have the genuine desire to perform music. Giving them a chance to play just like he did when his band was starting out is something that is important. DirtFest gives a lot of bands to play on a large show with a large audience that they may not have been able to do elsewhere. Matt also feels very strongly about bands supporting and promoting each other. The planning process for DirtFest each year literally takes the whole year with the exception of a 12- hour window after each festival where he is not in the planning stages for the next one. Several years ago, Flint’s rock radio, WWBN Banana 101.5 FM became a partner with Matt and DirtFest. Dalton knew Program Director Tony Labrie from several years ago when he was the night time DJ for a station called Radio X and remembers going to the station to talk about the festival in the weeks leading

up to the event. In 2010, he got a call from Labrie asking about the show. At that time, Matt had contemplated not doing the event as he was working with a band on the Vans Warped Tour while his brother was spending time in Europe. When the radio station expressed interest in a partnership, that was the determining factor to keep DirtFest going. Because of Labrie’s knowledge about the genres in the festival and music in general, he was the perfect person to bring on board as he now had resources to help grow the festival.

To purchase tickets and find out more information about artists and the event, visit www.dirtfest.com.

Dirt Fest is a one- day festival. I asked Matt if he had any plans to expand into a longer running event. He was honest when he said that he has discussed it in the past but he doesn’t want to grow something if it is not growing up and is simply growing out. Mid-Michigan is a small area and he doesn’t necessarily see the demand for a multiple day event but would certainly not be opposed to it should the demand present itself. When I asked Matt what his advice would be for those who were thinking about putting together their own festival, he did not disappoint and gave me the exact same response that all of the others have...and that is to run in the other direction! I laughed when I told him that that was the consensus. He then clarified saying that obviously it’s his “baby” and loves doing it but people often have the misconception that it’s an easy event to pull off. That is just not the case. “If it were as simple as Wayne’s World 2 and all you had to do was ask Aerosmith to show up and all of a sudden there is a half million dollar production and everyone who was at Woodstock all shows up, then by all means, let’s all throw a festival every weekend.” It’s a lot of work and it’s not easy. While he wasn’t discouraging anyone from trying, he says that the pieces falling into place can’t be put on paper in a plan. DirtFest 2014 is bigger than ever and we will see upwards of 40 bands perform. Many of the local bands are making their debut this year and will be in great company with bands such as Battlecross, Powerman 5000, Tantric, and Sid Wilson from Slipknot. Sponsors include Ourtunex, Banana 101.5, and National Rock Review. Matt is very excited about what this year will bring. This year is the first year that VIP tickets have sold out. General Admission tickets are still available.

By On August 16, Mad Decent Block Party will be returning to the Detroit area. The event has moved from last year’s Pontiac location to Meadow Brook in Rochester Hills. The “block parties” started back in 2008 as a free concert series by Mad Decent , founded by label manager and record producer Diplo (Thomas Pentz). Mad Decent has a roster of artists that includes Dillon Francis, Flosstradamus, UZ, Major Lazer, Riff Raff, and many others. If techno, electropop, or dancehall music aren’t your choice of musical genres, you might not be familiar with most of the artists who are on or have done things with the label. But don’t count yourself out just yet, because you are more than likely familiar with the trap and bass artist Baauer for his viral hit “Harlem Shake” and Snoop Lion, aka Snoop Dog, who released a reggae album with Mad Decent, Reincarnated, back in 2013. The Block Party concert series has grown tremendously in a short amount of time and includes 22 cities this year across the U.S. compared to 8 just two years ago. Repeat artists from last year, Dillon Francis and Keys N Krates, will be joined this year by others that include Flosstradamus, I See Monstas, Riff Raff, Zeds Dead, and Diplo himself. General admission tickets starting at $35 and pavilion/pit seating at $75 (before service fees). The concert takes place from 2 p.m. - 11 p.m.

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the

interview

For the past two decades Spider One has been pushing the envelope of modern music with his band Powerman 5000. Combining traditional elements of metal with electronic music with a splash of post apocalyptic horror has been a winning combination. As the founding and only consistent member of the band, Spider One is no stranger to rock and roll. As the brother of rocker Rob Zombie, it’s safe to say that he comes from good metal/ horror genes. Dl: What are some of your favorite aspects of doing festival type shows? S1: Well we’re in total festival mode now. We just got back from touring Europe and doing European festivals is a whole other level of show. I mean, over there is a huge endeavor. Playing with Metallica and Iron Maiden is just an incredible experience. You can have a set time of 11a.m. and still play in front of a hundred thousand people. But being back in the States and doing events like Dirt Fest is a great experience. It’s great

to reunite with bands you have toured with in the past and it just brings out a different atmosphere than a regular arena or club show. I love it. DL: The song “Invade Destroy Repeat” is an incredible opener for the album. Has the band lineup changed for this album? S1: Thanks. It’s definitely a high energy attention grabber. And that was the intent. Yes we’ve got some new guys. Most of this line up has been together for a couple of years now. I mean having a band is a tricky prospect. Creating a group of guys that works together not only artistically, but personally is a difficult task. And I’ll tell you the personal aspect is so important because during the tour you get to spend a lot of time together. This line up is very strong creatively. This album is the accumulation of everything we do best. It came together great. I kinda feel that after all these years of doing this, we’re kind of figuring it out. Over the years we’ve experimented with different aspects of electronic and metal. But for this album, we’ve come back to where we started and what we know best and got an album that I’m very proud of. DL: Tell me about your writing style. Do you tend to write lyrics then fill in the music? Or, create a groove first then fill in words?

S1: The way we write is a sort of modern way. We used to get in the room and everyone jam and see what we get. Today it’s more of a Protools approach. We just sit down in front of a computer with a couple members of the band and lay some stuff down. Because you utilize loops and synthesizers, you need to do it in a way that you also get to produce as you go. So, when you get finished with a song, it’s pretty much ready to go. DL: Not many households produce two metal powerhouses like Rob Zombie and Powerman 5000. What was your childhood like? S1: (Laughs). Well, surprisingly normal. My brother and I are only a couple years apart. We grew up in Massachusetts where there wasn’t a lot to do. So we just dove into music to keep us entertained. DL: Is there a lot of competition between you and Rob? S1: Not really. More interests in what each other are doing and support and respect for each other.

Look for Powerman 5000 at Dirt Fest on August 9 at the Birch Run Expo Center

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photo by Jenne Barnes

Faster Horses Festival Gains

like Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker and Joe Diffie.

a sizable satchel or red man chewing tobacco. (You may substitute the herb of your choosing in place of tobacco).

I arrived mid way on day two. I didn’t have a hard time finding a place to park and wandered to the main stage, located somewhere within Michigan International Speedway. I’ve got to say the scope of this event was epic. You would think that with major stars like Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban and Tim McGraw I’d have been glued to the main stage for three days straight. But at this type of event, people should pace themselves. There were plenty of things to do on your way from one stage to the next such as ride a huge Ferris wheel, play a game of volleyball or pit stop at the beer tent which featured Michigan crafted beers.

While this was a one day excursion for me, it’s a full-on vacation for others. They plan all year and drive across the country to spend a weekend with fellow country music fans and stars. Many camp at the neighboring campgrounds and many more make camp at NIS‘s infield. School teacher Shari Harmon from Illinois said, “I live for this; it’s my time to just relax soak up some rays and meet interesting people from all over the country. I love the people I’ve met and you can bet I’ll be back next year.” Auto worker Dave Mason stated, “I go to a lot of music festivals, mostly rock. Faster Horses has a completely different feel. It’s much more laid back and cleaner and definitely well organized.”

The “Next from Nashville Stage”, while it was considered the “second stage” and was intended for up and coming and local artists, in reality it was more than enough to feature any national artist. This is where I found fantastic local and regional acts like Matt Austin Band and Paulina Jayne. I also discovered great new bands like Nashville based bands Old Dominion and David Fanning.

Momentum by Darian Counts The Faster Horses Festival has quickly become the country music event to attend in the Midwest. Live Nation Country President and festival creator, Brian O’Connell has gone to great lengths to create an event that not only brings country’s biggest acts to Michigan, but provides an unforgettable experience for concert goers that is worthy of its sophomore superstar status. This year, the main stage is a five story tower of lighting and effects that was perfect to showcase nationals

Aside from the epic stage show and spine rattling sound the view wasn’t so bad either. As a professional people watcher, Faster Horses is an event to look forward to and prepare for. The proper preparation tools are lots of sun block, mirrorized sunglasses and

By the time Keith Urban took the stage to close the night, the place was completely over run with excited country music fans who had been there all day and were ready for the headliners. Urban took the stage and gave the crowd a high-energy performance composed of some of his biggest hits. Even though I was only there for one day, I was blown away by what I experienced. Next year Faster Horses will be back and I suspect will be even bigger. I recommend that any self respecting country music fan get tickets early.

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SPOTLIGHT

photo by chris balow

he Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival screamed back into Michigan on July 17 with a full day of metal to satisfy the throng of headbangers in attendance at the DTE Energy Music Theater. Ever since this metal festival was conceived back in 2008 by Vans Warped Tour founder, Kevin Lyman and his Taste of Chaos partner, John Reese, this event has showcased quite the lineup of artists in the heavy metal, metalcore, thrash, death, and nu metal genres over the years.

This year Mayhem had three side stages this year. The Victory Records headliner was Emmure. They have been signed with Victory Records since 2007 and were one of the noticeable bands to emerge from Warped Tour in 2010. Earlier this year, they released their sixth album, Eternal Enemies. With the Headbang for The Highway/Sumerian and Victory Records stages side by side, it made it easy to go back and forth between the two stages without missing much of the artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sets.

Body Count featuring Ice-T was definitely one of the side stage highlight performances. Throughout the set Ice-T doled out his brand of sage advice for anyone in the mob that showed up to see Body Count perform. After a decade away from the scene, Body Count (Ice-T on vocals, Ernie C on lead guitar, bassist incent Price, drummer Ill Will, and guitarist Juan of the Dead) delivered a tight performance. Ice-T mean mugged slyly over the crowd in his own calm, cool, unflappable

FESTIVAL 201 4 by Chris Ba low

way, as he and his band performed a set that appealed to both the “Cop Killer” and the “Talk Sh*t, Get Shot” generation. Guitarist Ernie C ripped through his guitar solos effortlessly, showing off his riffs talent by playing his solo on “Manslaughter” entirely with one hand. The Coldcock American Herbal Whiskey stage featured artists Mushroomhead, Miss May along with a few others. Even though Suicide Silence got the packed crowd hyped up, you could feel the absence of former singer Mitchell Lucker who died back in 2012 in a motorcycle accident. He was one of the founding members and lead vocalists alongside Tanner Womak. Florida deathcore based band, Cannibal Corpse closed this stage down as the headlining act. The band has been together since 1988 and is still going strong. Main stage performers Trivium and Asking Alexandria played shorter sets than what most fans probably would have liked, but nevertheless, it was amazing. On his way up to the mic, Asking Alexandria’s Danny Worsnop appeared to slip and sprain his ankle but didn’t let it affect his performance. Korn took the stage and ignited the sun soaked crowd. Crossing into multiple

genres of nu-metal, hip-hop and dubstep; they were determined not to be defined by any single one. Drummer Ray Luzier’s thrashing playing style, combined with drumstick flips meshed with the other members playing styles more than David Silveria’s ever did. The majority of the crowd were clearly loyal fans of the band’s rhythmic and melodic sound. The band launched into classics such as “Got the Life,” “Coming Undone,” and “Falling Away From Me” as well as their new single “Hater.” I am still waiting for Ice Cube to show up and revive the song “Children of the Korn” from 1998’s Follow the Leader!

the rhythm section of bassist Johnny Christ and new drummer, Arin Ilejay. There were more flames, explosions and strobes in an opening salvo that included “Critical Acclaim” and “Welcome to the Family,” songs that inspired enthusiastic singalongs by a crowd that stretched onto the farthest part of the hill. Overall, this year’s Mayhem experience was unforgettable and is one that every metal lover should have.

Avenged Sevenfold brought the ambiance of the giant throne Skull King. Along with it were skull-bats and, of course, FIRE. Singer M. Shadows asked the crowd if they would prefer to be addressed as the people of Clarkston or the people of Detroit. After democratically taking a quick audience poll, he was slightly drowned out by the “Detroit!” chant. It’s pretty hard to ignore a band that sounds very crisp vocally and in its musicianship. Synyster Gates hit the notes for “Shepherd of Fire” and the crowd cleared their throats to sing. In its shadow, guitarists Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates offered workmanlike riffage atop DETROITL I V E MAGAZINE.COM

CHOICE

CUTS

Nazareth

Rock ‘n’ Roll Telephone

(Convexe Entertainment CVX 904783):

BY ERIC HARBADIAN John Wetton & Richard PalmerJames

Jackknife/Monkey Business 1972-1997 (Primary Purpose PP001CD)

JJohn Wetton and Richard Palmer-James have a musical partnership that dates back to the ‘60s. They first gained international notoriety in 1972 as a collaborative team with British prog pioneers King Crimson. In that band Wetton was the lead vocalist and bassist and Palmer-James took over for Peter Sinfield as lyricist. Wetton’s gone on to major success as a member of Asia, UK and as a solo act while Palmer-James has flourished as a songwriter in the European pop market. If you’re a fan of behindthe-scenes extras and things like that you’ll appreciate this collection of outtakes, unreleased recordings, and demos. Included are a couple of so-so moments, but then, that’s all part of the “warts and all” sonic experience. 28

There’s no question that the sound of front man Dan McCafferty and Nazareth was the archetype for a generation of bands, including AC/ DC and Guns & Roses. Well here it is, some 40 years later, and these classic rockers are still pumping out vital meat and potatoes rock ‘n’ roll. McCafferty’s voice is remarkably still on point and tastefully gritty, with noteworthy moments evident on the acoustic and driving “Back 2B4,” the rousing “Punch a Hole in the Sky” and the sage-like “One Set of Bones.” There are some wonderful group harmonies on “Winter Sunlight” and an atypical departure into hip-hop, with “Long Long Time,” that is sincere and really works.

back with a follow up. The concept involves taking tracks from previous album releases and presenting a sort of “best of” collection of their tried and true material recorded “live” in the studio; no overdubs, no “fixes in the mix” or excessive production. Tiles have always been a very road savvy and performanceoriented band so all the tunes crackle, with a ton of spontaneity and well-honed bravado. And they didn’t skimp on the packaging, which is cool for collectors. It’s a two disc set, with Disc One coproduced by Bob Phillips at Sound Escape Studios and Disc Two featuring songs from the band’s 2005 performance at the Rites of Spring Festival in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. There are also two bonus videos of songs taken from Tiles’ first Off the Floor release. Mixed by Rush svengali Terry Brown, with cover artwork by Hugh Syme, these guys know how to do it right!

B.B. King,

The Life of Riley (DVD, MVD Visual MVD6345D):

Tiles Off the Floor2 Limited Edition (Standing Pavement Recordings SPR 014-100)

As a response to their successful original Off the Floor concept album from a few years ago, Detroit’s premier progressive rock quartet is

“Survival is a Word…This is its Story.” That is the tag line used to describe the life of one Riley B. King; better known to the world as B.B. King. Director Jon Brewer leaves no stone unturned in this excellent documentary on the legendary influential blues icon. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, there is a regal quality to the storytelling that moves King’s story along in a cogent and indelible fashion. And the man himself is there at the forefront taking the viewer from his early days as a sharecropper to his time as a radio deejay, jingle writer and, eventually, becoming a consummate entertainer, singer and guitar player. Some of the persons interviewed for the film include President Barack Obama, U2, Eric Clapton, Carlos

Santana, Leon Russell, John Mayall, Joe Walsh and many others. Extras include extended interviews and a 2011 live performance from the Royal Albert Hall. It’s safe to say that King is one of our most beloved and treasured American music figures and this fine film captures a lot of the reasons why

The Doors

Light My Fire: A Classic Rock Salute to the Doors

(Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra Records CLP 1713) :

This is a very special tribute, indeed! You see a lot of these compilations out there, with a ton of different artists and producers and, yes, the music of The Doors is well tread and familiar territory. But you haven’t really seen a combination of artists assembled together like this. For example you’ve got former

Aug 16th

Foreigner front man Lou Gramm paired with famed jazz guitarist Larry Coryell on “Love Me Two Times.” There is also guitar madman Leslie West throwing down, with harmonica wiz Rod Piazza and organist Brian Auger on “Roadhouse Blues.” Another stellar showing is vocalist Joe Lynn Turner and legendary Memphis guitarist Steve Cropper performing “Riders on the Storm.” Mark Farner, Todd Rundgren, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, Keith Emerson and a host of others team up on various tracks to pay homage to, arguably, one of the greatest bands in rock ‘n’ roll history. At the helm is producer and musician Billy Sherwood who does an amazing job getting superb performances out of all involved. This is certainly a labor of love and very well done. Worth a listen!

Deanna Bogart

Just a Wish Away

(Blind Pig Records BPCD 5159):

This is her fourth album for Blind Pig and the multi-dimensional singer-songwriter hits one out of the park again. You never know what you’re gonna get with a Deanna Bogart record; ballads, blues, jazz, country, rock ‘n’ roll, funk? But one thing is for sure—you will be captivated! And that is, indeed, the case here. The album begins with the up tempo “If it’s Gonna Be Like This” and establishes a kinetic Little Feat-like shuffle proffered by Bogart’s soulful piano lines. “Fine by Me Good Bayou” is a clever nod to New Orleans music and culture done with an intoxicating voodoo feel. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Tightrope” gets a relaxed jazzy treatment as Bogart’s smooth vocal drawl drives the heartfelt lyrics home. There are some softer moments here as well, with the Bonnie Raitt-ish “What is Love Supposed to Do” and the easy “Maybe I Won’t.” A welcome surprise is Bogart’s cover of Sly Stone’s “Hot Fun in the Summertime.” It’s a cool, laid back arrangement that spotlights her lovely tenor sax work and really swings.

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HOrOSCOPE BY ALUNA MICHAELS, M.A.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) – Happy birthday Leo! Everything’s going your way! Meditate with affirmations and creative visualization and see what more can happen. Later in August, things may seem blocked. Don’t get frustrated. Focus instead on expanding your consciousness and releasing any limitations, so you can receive even more! Also update your desires, since you’ll be at a new level of spiritual growth. Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) Meditate on your ideal relationship and perfect financial situation. What subconscious blocks keep you from having the best circumstances in these areas? Start a journal and write intuitions that arise during the day, or even in your dreams. Now work on purifying your mind with “denials” – strong “NO” statements that clear out hidden limited thoughts. Next month, you can work on planting seeds of positive affirmations! Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) Examine your spending and finances. After meditation and contemplation, you’ll see you don’t need as much as you think. Also, when you feel spiritually full, you’re less likely to try to fill empty spaces inside by shopping. Focus on sharing your light with others. Be social and take walks with friends. Do fun activities that don’t involve money, just human connection. Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) Mars and Saturn want you to focus your energies toward important goals. Meditate and get clear about your highest priorities. Make a plan of action and follow through on those inspired ideas. You have great support from the Universe now to improve health, fitness, relationships and emotional boundaries. Also meditate on self-forgiveness. Release harsh thoughts about yourself! Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) You’re often cheery and silly, and don’t express anger outwardly. Examine your behavior to see who or what you’re avoiding – or minimizing contact with. Meditate to cleanse your mind of these hidden resentments. This exercise opens your heart to a sense of spiritual bliss and in-tune-ment with life! You’ll be able to feel closer with others, and more committed to your soul’s path. Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) August is a great time of financial abundance! You might have new investments that pay off, or receive gifts from people. Also explore spiritual sexuality. Even if single, meditate on the powerful life force in each cell that radiates a compelling sense of bliss. In this way, you can attract an amazing partner! Also spend time with friends who

are as committed to their spiritual goals as you are. Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) Relationships are flourishing! You can meet an amazing partner, or have a renaissance in your current connection. Career-wise, don’t avoid work due to romantic enthusiasm, since supervisors are extra critical now. On the other hand, don’t be your own critical boss by overworking if you’re anxious about the intensity of your emotions. Don’t hide from love, Aquarius. Ironically you’re a better individual as you blend with another! Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20) Devote yourself to a spiritual practice. As a Pisces, you see God in all Paths, and are tempted to float dreamily from one to another. Avoid “spiritual indigestion”. Choose one guru or one style of yoga/meditation. Dive deep into the water you choose, Little Fish, and be blessed by the abundance of joy you find! Health wise, treat yourself to the highest quality organic foods and take time for meals. Aries (March 21 – April 19) You’re enthusiastic about things in the beginning, but lose interest quickly. This month, be careful about leaping into a new relationship and promising so much that you scare yourself. You could suddenly back away and hurt someone. Resist the impulse to move too fast. Meditate as commitment anxiety surfaces (often masking boredom), and move forward anyway! Similarly, watch out for spending sprees, since you’ll likely regret it later. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) If you’re struggling with your partner, incorporate meditation time together. Create a sacred space in your home where you can both honor each other’s souls and release personality quibbles. Spiritual solutions will come for mundane issues. If single, put your own soul connection first, and can attract a solid partner with permanent potential! Gemini (May 21-June 20) Your body believes every word you say! Observe your speech

and see what signals you send your cells, joints and organs. Make a gratitude list about your body and meditate on that list, speaking affirmations aloud. Stop picking on your body right now! At work, you can have a long-awaited breakthrough. Even someone with whom you’ve been struggling could seem kinder or more helpful. Cancer (June 21 – July 22) – Finances get a boost this month! If it comes in the form of a gift, please accept it – you’re reaping good karma! In relationships, meditate on whether or not you’re appreciated by others. You might need to calmly confront people about their habitual bad treatment. You can create new rules for how you want things to be, even if they’ve gone as they are for awhile!

Aluna Michaels is a secondgeneration astrologer and Soul Evolutionist practitioner. She also holds a Masters in Spiritual Counseling and has been teaching and consulting for more than two decades. Her book “Spiritual Gifts of the 12 Astrological Signs” is now on Amazon in Kindle version. Ms. Michaels is available for appointments in her home or by phone. Call (248) 5831663 or visit www.alunamichaels.com

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