Darian Counts Presents
DETROIT
oct. 2013
ROCK LEGEND
SAMMY HAGAR TALKS WITH DL MAG
RICH PYLE’S NEW SHOW 5 YEARS OF DETROIT LIVE FAUSTUS YELLOWCARD EAGLES EMPIRE OF THE SUN
ION
RAGHEB ALAMA
VER SAR Y NNI
BENNY JET
5 YE AR A
RIKKI ROXX
EDIT
OLIN EZRA
EXPORTING THE DETROIT MUSIC SCENE TO THE WORLD Photo -Marc Nader HOROSCOPE
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MELTDOWN RICH PYLE in
Meltdown Premieres Thursday, October 31, at 10 PM ET/PT on National Geographic Channel
A struggling economy has led people across the country to search for profit in the unlikeliest of places. Now, urban treasure hunters have helped turn the search for precious metals into a nearly billion-dollar industry. Go inside the high stakes world of turning unassuming and often discarded objects into profit as National Geographic Channel follows a unique breed of prospectors on their search for precious metals to melt into cold, hard cash.
F
or the last few years many of us have seen Rich Pyle on the True TV show Hardcore Pawn. But what many people don’t know is that late last year he parted ways with Les and the crew to pursue other television opportunities. Earlier this year he was approached by National Geographic to host a new show airing this winter called “Meltdown”. The last few months he’s been staying in L.A. and filming in southern California and America’s southwest. I had a chance to sit sown and talk with Rich when he returned to Michigan to get the inside exclusive info on the new show. Darian: So rich what’s the concept of the new show? Rich: Well basically, my job on the show is to seek out places where precious metals might be found. But it’s not digging like some of the other prospecting shows. It’s kind of an “Urban Prospector” type of situation. I have to creatively come up with places to look for precious metals, gold silver, platinum etc. Darian: So have a background or expertise in metals? Rich: Yeh, over my 25 years at the pawn shop I developed a bit on an expertise on metals, that’s one of the reasons they choose me.
Rich: When I got there I came across a guy names Waldo Stakes aka ”Rocket Man”. Waldo has been working for years to build a rocket car that can break the land speed record.
accessory line called RPM that is Detroit, Music, Muscle car oriented. Were still in the design phase but some of the stuff that will be available is impressive.
Darian: So you get there and meet Waldo. What happens from there?
Darian: What about your band Superlast? What’s going on with them now?
Rich: Well I have to find out if and how much precious metals may be in the Rocket then rip the thing apart and find the metal. Then Get it out and have it melted down and tested for purity. Once that’s done its melted into bars and sold.
Rich: Oh a lot is going on with Superlast. For one thing Superlast is my baby. I’ve been in a lot of bands in my day but I’m very excited where Superlast is going right now. We just released our new CD. It’s getting great reviews and selling like hotcakes. We recently did a show with Cheap Trick at DTE. After we were off stage Robin Zander from Cheap trick called our singer Mike back out to perform with them. They were great guys and seemed to sincerely dig our band. For right now we’re looking forward to playing at the Detroit Live Magazine 5 year anniversary show on October 19th at Rocky’s Pub in Riverview with Ray Street Park Fall Prey and The Ruiners.
Darian: So people like Waldo just give you the Rocket? Rich: No that’s where my negotiating skills for HCP come in. I have to buy the Rocket (or whatever machine they have) and hopefully the metal we get out of it exceeds the cost. Hopefully when it’s all said and done we get more for the metal then we paid for the Machinery. Darian: Did you make a profit off of the rocket?
Rich: You’ll have to watch to find out. But the thing to keep in mind is it’s not really about the dollar amount we can get from the metal. It’s about the background and the stories of the different types of people I meet. It’s about the challenge of finding new and interesting Rich: Well a lot of machinery and industrial products have metals in them that can be valuable. They can be places to acquire metals. We filmed for a couple months and did the first 10 episodes. I think people found in the most unexpected places. will find it surprisingly interesting. Darian: So how do you go about finding theses metals? Darian: Is it difficult starting a new show since your And what do you do once you find them? only real filming experience is with Hardcore Pawn. Rich: That’s where I have to get creative. For example I had heard that they used silver in rocket engines. So Rich: Not really. This show builds on my past experience of precious metals and negotiating. But I went to the Mojave Desert in southern California. also it allows me to get out and meet new people I went to a place that is known for testing rockets. and see new things. With the old show I was stuck in Government has used the Mojave test rockets and now private companies as well as college students use the same building with the same people every day. Most of them really didn’t want to be there. Now I it to test their rockets. get to travel the country and meet people I would have never met before. It’s a great experience and I’m really looking forward to seeing what becomes of it. Darian: What do you mean you have to “creatively” look for metals?
Darian: So you lived in L.A. for the last 2 and a half months while you were filming Meltdown. What’s it like being a Michigan guy living in tinsel town? Was it fun? Did you meet a lot of celebs? Did people recognize you at all? Rich: It’s funny I would think that people in L.A. would be used to seeing people like Brad Pitt & George Clooney and would not care to see me. But I have to tell you a story. I’m in this club, The Rainbow Room, and I’m sitting there with some friends from the show having a beer and around the corner come this guy. I looked at him and he looked familiar but before I could place him he yells “Oh my god I know you? I watch your show all the time. Hey can I get a pic with you? “As usual I’m always willing to pose for a pic with a fan of the show. After a second it occurred to me who the guy was…. It was Ron Jeremy.
@RichPyleRPM
Darian: So is your departure HCP a good thing? Rich: Oh its definitely a good thing. I spent 25 years in that shop working for them. I planned to spend my whole life there. I mean I was ready to retire as a pawn guy. But now after parting ways with them I’ve been offered all kinds of opportunities I never would have had before. I’m really grateful. Darian: What other irons do you currently have in the fire?
www.facebook.com/RichPyleRPM
Rich. I’m also working with Darren Hamilton from Photo By Muscle Marc Nader Detroit to put together a clothing and DETROITLIVEMAGAZINE.COM - LIVE 5
FIVE YEARS OF DETROIT LIVE MAGAZINE DL’s first issue. Oct 2008 Featured Sponge, PDP, Kelly Jean, 60 Second Crush,Critical Bill & Ricky Ruiner. Not really a favorite .. but a starting point.
This Month In Dl’s 5 yr anniversary edition 8. THE RED ROCKER SAMMY HAGAR TALKS WITH DARIAN COUNTS 10. BENNY & THE JETS 14. THE RIKKI ROXX EFFECT 15. FAUSTUS - MARK PETTY 20. 5 YEARS OF LIVE MAGAZINE 22. PASSIN’ THRU THE “D” 24. CHOICE CUTS ERIC HARABADIAN 25. FOZZY - LAUREN RAE 25. RAGHEB ALAMA ERIC HARABADIAN 26. YELLOWCARD SCOTTI MOORE 27. FINAL FANTASY XIV REVIEW OLIN EZRA 27. HARDLINE TATTOO 29. DETROIT ALTERNATIVE FASHION SHOW- JEN DREWYORE-BECK 30. HOROSCOPE - ALUNA MICHAELS Contributors: Benny Jet, Eric Harabadian, Darian Counts, Aluna Michaels, Marc Nader, Rikki Roxx, Mark Petty, Jen Drewyore - Beck, Olin Ezra, Ashley Zlatopolsky, Lauren Rae,Scotti Moore Graphic Design:: Granger Graphics Story Editing: Elizabeth Sinclair Photgraphers: Marc Nader(Cover), Scott Legato, Aaron Gripe (2Eighteen Designs), T Mac Imaging, Christopher Bjornberg Publisher: Granger Publishing Inc. LLC Editor: Darian Counts
TO ADVERTISE CALL 734-775-9991 OR EMAIL DARIAN@DETROITLIVEMAGAZINE.COM 6 LIVE - DETROITLIVEMAGAZINE.COM
Since 2008 we’ve produced about 60 issues of Detroit Live Magazine. In that time I’ve had some issues that were close to my heart and some that were...not so much. As a celebration of our 5 year history I’d like to take a few minutes and share with loyal Detroit Live readers some of my favorites and why. Hopefully you find this info interesting. We are also eager to know which issues you enjoyed most and why. Feel free to go to our facebook page and tell us which issue is your favorite and why..
Some of our favorite issues & why!
March 2009 This was my first favorite cover of Detroit Live Magazine. It was early 2009, when few people had heard of Christina Chriss. I met her at a coffee shop to do a small article about her. At the end of our conversation I asked her. “So what’s your musical or career goal?” She said to me , with fiery eyes “ I want to rule the world.” I knew then she would be a force to be reckoned with not only in Detroit but nationwide. The last few years have seen her build her career in a smart steady fashion, staying true to what’s important to her. She’s graced the cover of DL several times but none of those covers, to me are as special as the one featuring this young, Les Paul slingin’, tattoo-less Christina Chriss.
June 2009 Pistol Day Parade I’ve been a fan of PDP for years. Fuller, Guido and Jason Lollio and Rob have proven themselves talented and hard working musicians. In June 2009 PDP was featured on the cove of DL. Since then they’ve continued to grow every year. Recently they added one of my favorite Detroit drummers Jason Hartless to their line up and are now signed to Goomba records. These guys have a lot of irons in the fire right now and are definitely on the verge of big things. We look forward to covering their careers as PDP continues to go nationwide.
This was The Christina Chriss Jay Sims band‘s second Incredible guitarist and appearance on Detroit the epitome of what a Live Magazine. rock guitarist should look Soon after Christina like on the cover of a would form her magazine current band Kaleido
Forest Wade Featured on the cover after winning the DL Battle of the bands. Sadly, FW is no longer together, but their music lives on.
Fall Prey This was FP’s first appearance on the cover of Detroit Live. FP would later win the DL “Blow up my Band” competition and be featured again on the cover of DL
July 2011
The Stunningly beautiful Rocquel Wallace from 34 Bliss teamed up with DL Senior Photographer Marc Nader to create a strikinpatriotic cover. 34 Bliss has always been a favorite of DL readers. We look forward to covering them in the future. FYI - The Flag never touched the ground. Thanks goes to Marc Nader and his photoshop skills for being able to accomplish this shot without disrespecting “Old Glory”
Summer of 2011 must have been an inspirational time. Looking back at the June, July and Aug. issues I feel sense of pride. As usual, photographer extrordinaire, Marc Nader worked his magic and created 3 of the most impressive covers of any magazine, Detroit based or otherwise. In June of 2011 we featured Rod Stewart impersonator Danny D on the cover. Danny is an incredible artist and we needed to find a way to present him to Detroit and the world in a way befitting of his talent and relevant to his act. So we thought, if we were going to feature a tribute artist we needed to create a “Tribute cover” so we designed our magazine as tribute to the 1992 Rod Stewart/Rachel Hunter issue of Rolling Stone. Complete with a new logo and lettering to match. Not sure how many people “got it” and understood that it was a tribute cover of a tribute act...but we wanted to make sire we created an impressive cover to go with an impressive artist. Big thanks To Danny D for his cooperation and hard work and also thanks to our cover model Sara Hoffman. Megyn Hermez Dec. 2012 Something about this cover resonates. It’s beautiful color contrasts set it apart. It was the inspiration that all of 2013’s magazines were built upon. Credit on this one goes to the photographer Shant Malkonian and Megyn Hermez NINA FRIDAY The Ruiners. Aside from being our favorite Russian Rocker; Nina, along with international man of mystery Rick Ruiner, front one of Detroit’s favorite bands The Ruiners
JTX
Otto Vector. Truly one of Detroit’s most talented and original bands. They would again grace the cover of DL in Aug. 2013
J.T. is one of those guys who just is a Rock Star. His songs “Love in America” and “Party like a Rock Star” are anthems for people all over the country. On stage he is a rock and roll riot!
Alyssa Simmons Aug. 2011 This cover stands out due to the contrast of Alyssa’s Natural Beauty with the decay of the Russell Industrial Complex. Photographer Marc Nader’s vision of this cover came to life and jumped off the page. The Header photo of the Alyssa Simmons Story on pg. 8 of this issue was particularly striking. This was also the month we featured “Detroit Live Times”. A newspaper version of DL located in the centerfold of the issue, complete with classic newspaper advertisements.
March 2013 Rich Pyle & Superlast This was a breakthrough issue for Detroit Live magazine. This issue marks the transition from the standard newsprint covers similar to Metro Times and Real Detroit to a sleeker gloss cover that helps Detroit Live go toe-to-toe with national magazines like Rolling Stone. Rich Pyle’s popularity from his days on Hardcore Pawn helped propel this issue to our highest viewed online edition. This was the month that music fans in Norway, Indonesia, as well as Russia and Australia first became readers of Detroit Live Magazine
CANT FORGET THE BIG BOYS
TED NUGENT
KID ROCK
ALICE COOPER
JACK WHITE
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WWW.SAMMYANDFRIENDS.COM
Photo Marc Nader
The
For four decades Sammy Hagar has been taking stage to entertain throngs of rock and roll fans. His first taste of success came in the early seventies as front man for the band Montrose. Songs like Bad Motor Scooter & Rock Candy paved the way for his upcoming success. Yet his career with Montrose was short lived. Just two years and two albums were enough to create the momentum that Sammy would use to ignite his solo career. The second half of the 70’s saw Hagar working furiously to establish himself as a powerful and profitable solo artists. Yet his efforts would go largely unacknowledged by the rock and roll world for his first few solo albums. Then in 1981 with the release of “Standing Hampton” everyone took notice. The album contained hit after (radio) hit. Songs like “I’ll fall in love again”, “There’s only one way to Rock”, “Cant get loose”, “Baby’s on Fire” as well as “Heavy Metal” seemed to kick in the door and scream “Uncle Sammy’s back” and he’s found his Mojo. As a 16 year old wanna be rocker these songs moved me as much as the 89 cent per gallon gas in my Camaro.
ed Rocker
SAMMY HAGAR 4 DECADES GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD MUSIC & GOOD TIMES... AND A LITTLE TEQUILA
I literally wore the music off of my Standing Hampton cassette. Hagar never stopped to look up. Three lock Box, and VOA went from car stereos to TV’s as Sammy began to take advantage of the new media made prevalent by the upcoming cable TV channel MTV. His “I can’t drive 55” single and video became an anthem for the frustrated youth of the mid 80’s. As Hagar approached the mid 80’s it would appear that his career had flourished and matured, he’d released 10 albums, had almost half of them achieve either gold or platinum status and he was filling stadiums all over the world. For most people at this point they would consider their dreams fulfilled and probably coast from there on out. Not the red rocker. It was about 1986, Sammy was one of the most popular solo rockers on the scene. Yet another force to be reckoned with in the mid 80’s was Van Halen, at the time they were the behemoth of rock and roll. Their 1984 album and tour was their biggest and most profitable of their
history and they were on top of the rock and roll world. Yet the inner turmoil between David Lee Roth and the rest of the band was about to explode leaving arguable the biggest band in the world at the time singerless.
on the careers arguably two of the most powerful rock and roll influences of my adolescence. Sure there were the occasional Joe Dirt type comments about Hagar’s version of Van Halen. But to anyone who was truly a music fan it was obvious that Hagar’s version of Van Halen was a much deeper band than that of Better Call Sam! his predecessor. Prior to Sammy joining the band each V.H. performance seemed to be a virtual circus As the famous story tells it….Eddie Van Halen’s of David Lee Roth complete with sword twirling and mechanic, upon hearing of the bands dilemma says karate demonstrations. Apparently Roth felt it more “You should call Sammy!!!” Referring to Hagar. After a quick phone call and a consequent jam sessions Sammy important to practice flag twirling and trying on ass-less chaps that to actually learn the words to the songs he Hagar was the new lead singer of Van Halen. Looking back I appreciate the courage of this move by Hagar. He made famous. As a Van Halen fan of the late 70’s and early 80’s I saw the band live many times. I camped out was at the top of his game and Van Halen was on top of the world. Some may have said there was no where overnight and waited in line for over 10 hours for tickets on multiple occasions. I knew every song word for word to go but down. But without a detectable hesitation and note for note. One of the biggest (and really only) Hagar took the reigns of Van Halen. His cooperation disappointment of those early Van Halen shows was and collaboration with Eddie Van Halen seemed to the fact that, There I was, in the front row staring up drive the band to flow from one hit to another. From at David Lee Roth and rock and roll guitar GOD Eddie the first spin of “Why cant this be Love” to “Dreams” Van Halen. They’d rip into a song that I hold dear to my to “Right Now”, “Poundcake, Get Up, Cabo Wabo…..” dark rock and roll Heart and Dave cant remember the I could go on and on. Throughout the 80’s and 90’s Van Halen became this raging torrent of humongous words, at all…sometimes not even the melody in many sounding hits. Hagar’s Melodies were completely cases he’d just blurt out random phrases from other VH songs then throw a comment about how wasted different from anything Roth would do. From my position in the mid 90’s as a he was. To some degree I found it annoying due to the burgeoning up and coming fact that he was messing up the version of the song I was singing. Sure some songs he sang pretty well, but business man I none of them were how I remembered them from the always album. To be honest looking back, Shirley Temple could kept one have sang Van Halen Songs and I would have loved it. eye On that stage, at that time, between Eddie and Michael Anthony, propelled by Alex’s quadruple-bass mountain of a drum set and any rock and roll singer would have impressed me. With Hagar at the helm Van Halen moved forward becoming one of the biggest bands in the world until
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the day the news broke: “Sammy Hagar is leaving Van Halen” I felt a twinge of concern...not for Sammy but for VH. I knew Sammy would be fine. But VH?? Then the word hit…Dave’s getting back in the band.”.(Hooray!!!). Then.. Wait, no he’s not. Then some new guy named Mitch Malloy (Boooo)...then wait…no he’s not. Then Gary Charone ex-lead singer of the band Extreme, (of which I wasn’t a fan of) then...by now screw it I had moved on. And so Did Sammy.
were over. It was now time to begin reaping what he ‘d sown for so many years. He continued to write and tour creating one of his most well known anthems “Mas Tequila”. He parleyed his reputation for good times and rock and roll into successful business endeavors like Cabo Cantina and Cabo Wabo Tequila, Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum and Sammy’s Rockin’ Island Bar and Grill.
These days Sammy Hagar Lives the dream of every rocker. He fronts his band Chickenfoot with his good Come the late 90’s Sammy Hagar had achieved the goals friends Michael Anthony, Chad Smith and Joe Satriani. of every young kid who picks up guitar and struggles to And tours with ex-Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony make that first “D” chord. He’d proven he could build and his long time friends and back up band the a band to success from the ground up, have success Waborita’s. For Sammy’s Aug. 2013 return to Detroit as a solo artist and step in seamlessly into what many I was able to catch his show as well as have a great would consider one of the best bands of the day and conversation with Michael Anthony (see Sept. 2013 make it better. The time for notches in his guitar strap Detroit Live Magazine).
This was my 3rd time experiencing a Sammy Hagar Show. The first being in 1983 and in usual Sammy fashion his concerts are not just a show but an event. DTE Music Theater was awash in a sea of Red. From Montrose, to Solo, to VH, to Solo, to his most recent album (Sammy Hagar and Friends) fans got more than their fix. These days Sammy’s rock and roll career is all about good friends and re-connecting with the fans who have supported him throughout 4 decades of music. In his new album Sammy Hagar and Friends, he teams up with some of his friends from the past and present to create music that speaks to the soul of rock and roll fans young and old(er). His New album boasts contributions and collaborations with music legends like, Kid Rock, Neal Schon, Ronnie Dunn, Nancy Wilson, Bill Church, in addition to the Waborita’s and Chickenfoot.
SAMMY HAGAR TALKS WITH DETROIT LIVE MAGAZINE This interview is transcribed from a phone call between Sammy Hagar and Darian Counts in Sept. 2013. It is edited for clarity and content. You can hear the entire interview at www.detroitlivemagazine.com ENJOY!
Darian: Hey there Sammy its great to talk with you. I caught your show over the summer at DTE with Michael Anthony and the Waboritas. It was a fantastic show as usual. I know you’ve been rocking crowds around the motor city for decades. Can you start us off with a story about rockin’ the motor city? Sammy: Hey Darian. It’s great to talk to someone in the Detroit. I’ve has a lot of good times there. I remember back in about ’73, I was with Montrose and we must have played about 12 shows there that year. I mean we were hittin’ it hard and opening for everyone on the planet. I remember opening for Aerosmith at Cobo Hall, at the time we didn’t know who they were and we were playing for about $500 a night. We barley had the money to leave our hotel rooms. So we take the stage that night and keep in mind we don’t even know who Aerosmith are, but we get out there and light it up. As our final song we close hard with a bad ass version of Helter Skelter. We get off stage, go back to the dressing rooms and we’re hangin’ and partying far a few. All of the sudden we hear Aerosmith opening their show and the start out with Helter Skelter.
you. I saw you with David Lee Roth in ’04 at DTE. Never was it so apparent the difference between your performance styles. Dave opened the show and tried so hard to be a rock star. He was doing the same thing he‘d done 25 years ago and it just wasn’t working. You came out and just did what you do and it was obvious that you were a rock star. Sammy: I’ve got to tell you that was the second night of the tour. The first night he closed, because we flip flopped every time, but the first night of the tour, I opened and he closed and it was a disaster for him. I mean when I open a show I’m like the most casual guy in the world and try not to pretend to be anything it’s a good time and everyone can relate. Dave comes out with that pretentious crap and it really fuckin’ hurt him. I mean he bombed so bad when he closed. He was way better off when he opened. Darian: My perception of Dave is that he’d rather “headline” and bomb than “warm up” and kick ass.
Sammy: oh yeh, he’d always tried to pull some shit, he do stuff like have is tour manager call mine and say Darian: I guess that just proves you should pay attention “Dave’s tour bus is broke down and he wont be able to your opening act. to open the show...Have Sammy open and Dave will close”…stuff like that. It was sad. Sammy: I guess they were back stage having a good time. Darian: So you guys didn’t develop a friendship during the tour? No bonding over Van Halen horror stories? Darian: Well Sam before we get started I have to tell
Sammy: Well, just so you know Darian I usually don’t get this deep into the V.H. / DLR dirt in interviews but Dave is always saying that I had to sing his songs because he was in V.H. first and he doesn’t have to sing my stuff. But the truth is he can’t sing my songs. You wouldn’t want to hear him sing When its Love or Dreams or Poundcake. And the kicker is I’m happy to sing some of those old Van Halen songs. I had a blast doing Panama and stuff like that. The guy is just not my favorite person on the planet. He’s just not for real, he’s too fake. He’s always Diamond Dave. Darian: I once interviewed Dave and asked him if there were any Sammy V.H. songs that he really liked? He would not give me an answer. He couldn’t bring himself to admit that there was a good Van Halen Song with out him. DETROITLIVEMAGAZINE.COM - LIVE 9
Benny &
The Jets The Column
By Benny Jet
maybe surpass the real thing. It seems like there have always been Elvis impersonators. Vegas used to be full of them. Bruno Marz got his start as 5 year old Elvis impersonator in Hawaii. The first impersonator I can remember seeing here in Last month in Detroit Live Magazine, I saw an ad Detroit, was the late Elvis Shelton. He was great, and that was back when Elvis was still alive. Now for The Ultimate Metal Tribute Show, at Rocky’s days, you can still see Sherman Arnold, Greg in Riverview Michigan. The show featured Thunderkiss as Rob Zombie, Sins of a Madman as Jaquea, Matt King and Don Tulsa Mclean keeping Ozzy, Alive Rock City as KISS, and the Holy Divers the Elvis show alive. (Thank You, Thank you very as DIO. D Counts even wrote about it “The Rise of much) the Tributes”. Now days in Las Vegas your likely to see Prince tribute, Michael Jackson or ABBA tribute, maybe It got me thinking about impersonators, tribute acts, and the Detroit rock and roll scene. Maybe the Jersey Boys or the Rat Pack. I can’t mention the entertainment scene not only in Detroit, but the Rat Pack with out mentioning Steve London one of Detroit’s best impersonators AKA Dean world wide. Martin. Where did this start? Where will it end? Beatles tributes and Beatlemania who have been playing concerts longer then the real There are impersonator shows that replace and Beatles. Here in Detroit, The BackBeats, Shout, Toppermost, the Beat Club keeping the Beatles mania alive. Benny and the Jets, the band, the man, the beard, the song, the radio show, the movie, the van, the book, the Pawn Star TV Guy, or in this case we can call it, The Column!
ALIVE ROCK CITY
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the music of the era, and like Mega 80’s, The Motown Experience, Margarettaville, Square Pegz, and the Invasion, have found a niche. Maybe more then a niche, lets call it success, rock and roll all night, and party everyday, mania! 50 AMP FUSE, got the name idea, from the Rolling Stones song, ‘You can’t always get what you want”. But like the song says, and many entertainers too, If you try real hard - You might just get what you need!
Hear Benny and the Jets with Doctor Doowop, Wednesdays 5 pm on WCXI 1160am or via the FREE tunein phone app. Thursdays (Benny SOLO) acoustic open mic at the Redford Moose on 5 mile road. Fridays 5 till There are lots of well known Detroit 9 pm dinner impersonators and tributes. Johnny Rotten stays show at the busy doing KISS and ALICE COOPER with Alive Greek Island Rock City and Nightmare. Danny D.- very popular Bar and Grill Rod Stewart. Jay White - Neil Diamond. Lookin on 11 mile Back and Kathmandu, - SEGER. The Detroit just west of Doors. Banned from Earth - OZZY, illegal not only Halstad in performs as a local rock band, they do concerts Farmington as War Machine/KISS. Mike Sugg does Toby Keith. Hills. Rock Harley, former lead singer for Rock’s Saturdays 5 Gang, now does a great Johnny Cash, and has till 9pm at Do recorded original songs in the style of Johnny! Hickey’s Bar and Grill in Rock’s former band mates JT and Dennis Charles downtown perform as the Everly Wyandotte. Find us on Brothers, Johnny Rivers and FACEBOOK Roy Orbison respectively. They have been and YouTube, promoting monthly tribute shows in Garden City send stuff for at the Grande Parlor Ballroom for info call 313the column to 766-4390. benejets@aol. com 50 AMP FUSE may be Detroit’s #1 band. They are not impersonators or a tribute, but they do invoke “Your Generation”. Which features Flight of Fire
Sammy: That’s Dave. It was a rough tour. I didn’t have a lot of respect for him going into the tour, but after that it was like holy shit... Darian: …But you were willing to give it a chance though…?.? Sammy: Oh yeah, I mean the tour was my idea for god sakes. I though we were going to become the best of buddies. I though we’d shake the brothers up so much that they’d say “We want you both back” then 5 minutes into it I thought “Awww shit, I got this guy figured wrong” Photo Marc Nader
Darian: How do you feel about your time with Van Halen Now?
Sammy: Well I’ll tell you, If it weren’t for me being thrown out of Van Halen I would never been in the position I’m in today, and I’m in the best position of my life. I mean between the Tequila and Rum companies and being able to do a record like the one I’ve just done “Sammy Hagar and Friends”. When I was in Van Halen I wasn’t even allowed to talk to anyone like Toby Keith or Kenny Chesney or any of my friends that I go to Cabo to with and play. Now I’m free to do what a want when I want. I couldn’t ask to be in a better position in life. Looking back now getting thrown out of Van Halen was the greatest thing that could have happened. I’ve got my place down in Cabo (The Cabo Cantina). I just sold my Tequila Company for a gazillion dollars now I’m makin’ Rum and records with my best friends. I have no animosity towards the brothers or anyone. I wish the ‘04 tour would have been great but whatever…Actually I think the Detroit shows were some of the best of the tour. cont. on 28
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LOYALTY AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY PAYS OFF FOR LOCAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. By G. C. Good II Taking a ride in any neighborhood in Detroit, one is assaulted by many homes in various stage of disrepair. Due to the economic climate and recession throughout the country and more so the greater Detroit area, many homeowners are unable to afford even the most basic of residential repairs and upkeep. With many resident unable to afford any kind of home maintenance, many Michigan contractors and construction companies have been forced to lay off workers, or even fold up shop altogether. This hasn’t been the case for Lincoln Park based Tittle Brothers Construction. TBC has been one of the few construction companies in Michigan to maintain and even expand its business throughout these trying economic times. After honorably discharging from the United States Army in 1991, owner operator Greg Tittle immediately went into business working for various construction companies until along with his brother Kevin, decided to start Tittle Brothers Construction in 2004. “After many years of working with other construction companies I noticed there was a big need for someone to step up and deliver the best products at the best value. Not like a lot of the other construction companies who over sell and under deliver. “Said Tittle.
Tittle attributes his success to fairness, hard work and honesty. “The way Tittle Brothers was able to grow when most other construction companies were folding up or falling behind, was to deliver the best value for the buck. We offer the best manufacture warranties. Piece of mind comes from knowing that when Tittle Brothers Construction does a job for you, you can sleep easy knowing you have the best warranty in the industry. Also doing what we say we’re going to do. If we tell you that project will be done on Monday it will be done on Monday. (Weather permitting of course). Also TBC Greg Tittle (Tittle Brothers Construction with wife Carrie, accept The 2012 does not require a down payment. Giving the Presidential Award for Excellence. homeowner confidence that we’re going to do “Being able to stay afloat and prosper a great job, because we don’t get paid till the in one of the worst economic depressions since customer is happy with the project we have the Great Depression is a testament to hard work completed.” Tittle said. and perseverance. But along with that comes One of the biggest contributing factors to TCB’s the responsibility to give back to the community. We pride ourselves on who we are and where we success is their willingness to give back to and come from.” Tittle said. support their community. “Every year TBC sponsors two or three families for Christmas You can join Tittle Brothers Construction and does a free roof for habitat for humanity. “ Said Tittle. Along with providing over 100 jobs next month as they sponsor the Detroit Live 5 yr anniversary celebration with Fall Prey Ray Street for the downriver community, Tittle Brothers Park, Superlast & the Ruiners at Rocky’s Pub also supports various community events and October 5th. has a hand in supporting local music acts.
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The Rikki Roxx Effect By : Rikki Roxx
your sleep.
$1-5,000 dollars to get that song recorded, mixed and mastered.
There are also the middle of the road studios in cost, these are the ones that can push out a quality product, but don’t have the huge overhead of the multi million dollar studios, thus being able to charge less to record the track. The problem with these studios is the mastering (which is the final mix down to which all copies of the song will be pressed from, in other words, the final step before your song is where it will be Last month on The Rikki Roxx Effect, we talked a little for the rest of eternity, so needless to say, this is a very bit about how to get started with your own band, with a important step). couple of do’s and do not’s. To quickly recap a couple of points I made last month, to catch some of you up, Many of these smaller studios (usually the ones in our first nugget of wisdom was that being in a band is a someone’s basement) do not have the proper equipment business, first and foremost. If you want to start a band to produce a quality master, which is why you would to jam with your friends and score some free drinks, have to find a quality mastering house, to properly start a cover band. master your product (which usually takes you out of the mastering process all together). Secondly, I encouraged all bands, new and old, to do one simple thing, write the killer song. It may sound Once you have weighed out all your options at this easy, but it really isn’t, you need that FM hit single, the point, between the cheap demo factories around one that spreads like wild fire, and the song that has town, to the middle of the road studio in the basement everything that one would want from a popular song. (without the mastering capabilities) to the multimillion Not a good song, or an okay song, or a song with a dollar studios, it is now time to hit the studio to record ripping solo, you need THE song that will define your that hit song. band. Before I go any further, notice I say, record the song, Thirdly, I highly encouraged you to NOT go right out and not the album. Too many bands are obsessed with onto the live scene circuit on your quest to ‘tear the roof the thought of putting out a full album. Unfortunately, off’ or anything of that nature, simply because at this in this climate, the days of the 12 track record are point in the game, you may think you have the songs, fading fast, being replaced by the single and the 4-6 and that is all you need to hit the road. But you are song release. Gone are the days of filler tunes, every sorely mistaken; this is where we will start off with this song MUST be quality. Once that first song is recorded, month’s edition of The Rikki Roxx Effect. then you must rinse and repeat 3-5 more times until you have your full release (if that is your end goal, if Last month we talked about having that first ‘hit song,’ you are just putting out songs, there is nothing wrong the song that will define your band, your ‘Welcome To with that at all, the 4-6 song EP just gives you another piece of merchandise to sell). The Jungle,’ or your ‘Master Of Puppets.’ Once that song is written, it is now time to hit the studio (not hit the nearest dive bar). Now you must properly prepare to hit the studio, what goes In Detroit there are dozens of recording studios, from into that preparation? the demo factories to the studios where Eminem and Kid Rock call home. The trick at this stage in the game Here is the rundown on what you need to do is finding the studio that best fits your band, and your on your part, and what sound, while at the same time being quality and being the band must do on able to fit the proper budget. their part. If you are in a rush, and don’t really care about the Naturally, you will quality of your product, and are going for a brash, almost punkish vibe, then the demo factories will be just want to know the song you are recording. I what you need, and you can get a song done for about $150 bucks. If you don’t mind taking your time, and are know, it’s a given, but you would be surprised a stickler for equipment, with a dash of perfectionism, how many times I’ve then the price range jumps drastically at this point. gone into the studio, only to find that What kind of sound do you want? Do you want the modern rock, ultra polished sound of say a Nickelback, someone has changed or bands of that ilk? Then you need to hit up the studios a part, or forgets what chords go where. around town that produce that kind of music, these You must know your will be your highest cost studios. These studios could easily cost you a couple thousand dollars a song, but if song frontwards and backwards, in and out, that is the sound you want, and the sound that would best represent your band, it’s going to be a bitter pill to it should almost be to the point where you swallow. But if you have that ‘hit’ song, the ‘defining’ can play the song in track, then it will be no problem for you to hunker out 14 LIVE - DETROITLIVEMAGAZINE.COM
Next, you will want to make sure all your equipment is in top shape. That means having your guitar properly set up by a professional. New strings, working cords and your amp needs to be properly set up. Drummers have your drums tuned, new heads, plenty of sticks, and working pieces (no busted up kick drum pedals). Singers, take care of your voice the day or two prior, which means cut out the smoking, drinking and deep throating (if that’s your bag), that is your instrument, take care of it. Now with all that taken care of, it is finally time to hit ‘record’ and start working on your track. This is when you have to put a lot of faith in your producer, as he/she will be the one who will guide you through the process. A good producer will offer suggestions on how to improve the song, have it be taking a part out of the song, playing it a little differently, or changing some wording around. Do NOT take this personally, they are doing their job, which is to take the song you are recording and make it as good as possible. This is NOT the time to be an ‘artist,’ this is a time to be a business person and create a product. Making songs as pop friendly as possible is a good producers job, let them do it, do not get a big head. Even Metallica has had producers tell them that a song sucks and needs to be reworked. So now days and days of long work later, your song is recorded, your job is done. All you need now for that song is to have it mixed and mastered, then it is time to put your piece of music out to the world. How will you do that? That is where I leave you in suspense, and this is where we will pick up next month. Do you agree with what I have been saying in this piece? Or do you think I am completely nuts and need to take my ass and throw it off a cliff. Let me know, you can email me at rikki@rikkiroxxeffect.com or you can scream at me LIVE every Sunday from 7-10pm on RawRadioX.com during The Rikki Roxx Effect. Either way, I am here for you guys, trying to help you out the best I can. I am passing on years of experience so you can save time and learn from my mistakes. Take what I say, and you can toss it, you can use part of it, or take what you have learned and pair it with what I have learned. Keep it real Detroit.
FAUSTUS: PREVIEW
By Mark Petty
the consecrated ground of a church? This immersive theater experience will take a bit of getting used to. Koja said that during her experience with “Under the Poppy,” a similar presentation, it takes the audience a few moments “to learn to follow the show.” Samantha Moltmaker, who portrays Envy, said that this type of production “asks more of its audience, but there’s a bigger payoff” for all involved, including the actors. The audience will feel an intimacy, perhaps even umcomfortability, from interacting with the players and taking part in the story. Carson said that, with the ability to “pick and choose your own adventure,” the production will offer the audience an “invitation to play and imagine” in a way that most adults don’t often indulge.
In November, Lust, Wrath, Envy, Sloth, Mephistopheles and Christopher Marlowe all come to church. Loudermilk Productions, who staged “Under the Poppy,” brings Marlowe’s “Faustus” to the First Unitarian-Universalist Church in midtown Detroit. But perhaps not in the way you may think.
the title role, have decided to portray Faustus as “a reckless young man who sells his soul, and the Sins who help him do it.” They asked themselves, what are the sins of a young man? and came up with the same four: Lust (obviously), Wrath, Envy and Sloth. These ethereal beings help guide Faustus to his end.
In Marlowe’s play, Faustus was an accomplished, middle-aged physician whose hunger for and mastery of knowledge led him to magic - the black arts. He made a deal with the devil, signed in his own blood, sacrificing his immortal soul for 24 years of power and glory on earth.
But this ain’t your daddy’s stage play. Koja describes the production as a “site-specific, immersive event.” The story takes place in the space in which it is held, not just on a stage. The audience, if you could call it that, is encouraged to explore and find the story as they will. In fact, the space itself may be viewed as another character. And what better character to add to this story of the choice between salvation and damnation than
Director Kathe Koja and co-editor of the original Marlowe text, Steve Carson, who will be playing
“Everyone’s experience will be different,” said Laura Bailey, playing Wrath. And that’s the point. We, as the audience, take as much responsibility in this performance as does the cast. It’s a personal experience as well. Carson said that he and director Koja’s decision to remain true to the original text was a conscious one, for it “holds up a mirror to everybody.” Come to this performance with expectations at your own risk. As Koja said, “We don’t promise you anything, because that’s the nature of hell.” Loudermilk Productions’ presentation of “Faustus” runs November 15th and 16th and 21st through 23rd at The First Unitarian-Universalist Church of Detroit. For ticket information and more, please visit www.faustusdetroit.com.
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five years of
We’ve talked with the biggest of the big as well as the locals playing the corner bar. Always quick to acknowledge that the musician at the corner bar playing his guitar while you eat your chili cheese fries just may be the next Kid Rock or Bob Seger. This year we are proud to celebrate 5 years of Detroit Live magazine with our good friends Superlast, Ray Street Park, Fall Prey and The Ruiners. This year’s event will be held at Rocky’s pub in Riverview. We hope you’ll mark your calendar for Oct. 19th to join Detroit Live Magazine, Rich Pyle Form join us on october 19th for our Hardcore Pawn & Meltdown, his band Superlast, Ray Street 5 Year anniversary BLOWOUt Park, Fall Prey and The Ruiners hundreds of music fans WITH RAY STREET PARK - SUPERLAST - FALL PREY AND THE RUINERS and excited to kick off another five years of Detroit Live Magazine. Thank you production but we never stopped being Remember waaaaay back? Back in the to the fans, readers, advertisers, artists and the world new leader in music. Be it rock, days when metro Detroit had no live music employees for helping us get this far. funk, techno or country, the Motor city still magazine. Despite being the home town of Iggy, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, turns out talented bands and artists of all Now come celebrate with us!! types. We may not solely move the world Kid Rock, Eminem, Stevie Wonder, Jack transportationally anymore, but we still White, Uncle Kracker, All of Motown and Darian Counts move the world musically and emotionally. about a billion other world altering bands and artists. In the days when hopefully These days it seems the national spotlight you’d find a friends of yours’ bands name is back on Detroit. But not for the reasons in small print in the Metro Times or Real we’d like. It seems our biggest tourist Detroit. attraction is rubble porn. For 5 years Detroit Live Magazine has been carrying the flag for Five years ago Detroit Live Magazine was the Detroit music scene. We’ve been taking started to let the world know that Detroit local artists to the four corners of the world may no longer be the leader in world car through Detroit Live Magazines online DISCOUNT TICKETS AVAILABLE AT edition.
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Empire Of The Sun - Ice on The Dune Tour Article by Ashley Zlatopolsky Photo Marc Nader Full of theatrics and spellbinding production, Empire Of The Sun’s show at The Fillmore was nothing short of magical. The Australian duo brought an entire troupe of performers onboard, with dancers adorned in elaborate headpieces and outfits moving perfectly to choreographed numbers throughout each song. A giant walking skull figure also joined the dancers to blast the crowd with cryo mid-set. Empire Of The Sun ran through their biggest tracks, including “Walking On A Dream”, “We Are The People” and “Standing On The Shore”. The pair also dropped a number of new songs off their latest album, Ice On The Dune. Two confetti showers fell on the crowd during “Alive” and the new record’s title track, leaving fans reeling post-show.
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Eric Harbadians Choice Cuts October 2013 Here’s the latest from
SUPERLAST, Self-titled CD (www.superlastband.com ):
the Detroit modern rock quintet that puts the emphasis on solid songwriting and musicianship over image or mere gimmicks. There is a strong ‘90s aesthetic here that can be somewhat heavy at times, but also balanced with key softer moments. Album opener “Voices” seems to mine an Alice in Chains ambience combined with tasteful atmospheric guitar embellishments and solos from John Quiroz. “Look in the Mirror” follows and even goes further by layering vocals and rhythms in such a manner as to keep the listener on the edge of their seat. “The Promise” is an interesting departure for its blend of Tim Reamer’s mandolin and folk-y, early Zeppelin approach. The overall scheme of acoustic and electric sensibilities they employ make for a diverse and sophisticated listening experience.
DEAD IN 5, Self-titled CD (www.facebook.com/ deadinfive ): This Motor City five-piece is an all out rock ‘n roll assault team! They’ve labored on the music scene for many years crafting some of the heaviest riffs and incendiary grooves around. Now they’ve culminated that collective know how into a well-oiled machine that is starting to create a real buzz on the regional and national circuit. This seven song disc is filled with tunes that are cleverly conceived and engineered to perfection by Andy Patalan at The Loft. Highlights such as “Pressure Head” leap out of the speakers, with razor sharp production and soulful vocalizing from front man Robert Libres. “Burn My Eyes” is raw and out of control; churning up a cauldron of Ministry/Rob Zombie/Johnny Cash references. “Shadow of a Thin Man” is aggressive and over the top while the closer “Outlaw Hellride” will resonate with you long after your mobile player of choice cools down.
HOWARD GLAZER, STEPCHILD OF THE BLUES (Lazy Brothers Records dist. by City Hall Records LB13001): This is the veteran Detroit-based singersongwriter/guitarist’s follow up to the internationally acclaimed Wired for Sound. If early reviews are any indication this album is well on its way to, at least, meeting or surpassing its predecessor. Glazer has a world-weary voice that is tinged with street wise charm and hipster panache. The opening track “Don’t Love You No More” is a good example of that. It’s a rock steady shuffle that stands its ground and sets the pace for an album packed with 24 LIVE - DETROITLIVEMAGAZINE.COM
nine original tunes done in a classic style. “Shakin’” follows and is, simply, a helluva good time! Glazer’s axe work is superb and drummer Charles David Stuart’s faithful Bo Diddley beat can’t help but ignite the dance floor. The blues leader smokes on electric but displays acoustic Resophonic acumen on his, first of two duets with frequent partner Harmonica Shah, “Gas Pump Blues.” “Cried All My Tears” is another winner featuring some choice electric slide cut from the Savoy Brown/Foghat School of rockin’ blues. Harmonica Shah returns with Glazer for the finale “Hurtful Feeling.” The interplay between the two is crazy and astoundingly good!
GOVT. MULE, SHOUT! (Blue Note Records): Here’s a novel idea for you. Imagine an established well respected band looking to shake things up a bit and deciding to record a double album, with one disc spotlighting a full-length’s worth of originally penned tunes performed by the band and a second disc where they feature all their favorite artists taking a crack at each doing an individual version of said band’s tunes. Well, that’s exactly what guitarist/ vocalist Warren Haynes and Govt. Mule did with this project. Joining the storied improv-oriented rock act are some of the greatest vocalists in modern pop music; Steve Winwood, Glenn Hughes, Ben Harper, Dr. John, Toots Hibbert, Dave Matthews, Myles Kennedy, Jim James, Grace Potter, Ty Taylor and Elvis Costello. It is the jamming quartet’s debut album for Blue Note Records and their first release in nearly four years. Nothing like coming out of the gate with an innovative concept as well as a long-awaited collection of smokin’ new tunes that really work!
SIMAKDIALOG, THE 6TH STORY (Moonjune Records MJR 056): Direct from Indonesia, here’s an instrumental jazz-rock sextet that is forging a modern sound all its own. They blend Western modes and themes with traditional Sudanese drums and percussion instruments and are taking improvisational music to new heights. It’s one part Weather Report mixed with several parts Mahavishnu Orchestra, Shakti, Miles Davis and Southeast Asian gamelan style. What is “gamelan” you may ask? It is the Indonesian concept that a series of instruments are built and tuned together to create a distinct and unified entity. And that is exactly what you’ll find here. Guitars and keyboards weave in and out in unison and split into unique and odd structured harmony. Rhythms seem to effortlessly shift from familiar four counts to asymmetrical free-for-alls. Yet, everyone seems to play together seamlessly. For most ears this is unlike anything you’ve ever heard. But if you’re looking to break out and experience something truly inspiring and out of the box, check it out! SHAWN HOLT AND THE TEARDROPS, DADDY TOLD ME (Blind Pig Records BPCD 5156): The direct heir apparent to Magic Slim; Guitarist-vocalist Shawn Holt took over his daddy’s band when Slim took ill a few years ago. He literally stepped up to the microphone and continued the tradition. That tradition is maintaining the sanctity of the blues in all its purest forms. What you have is a series of originals and cover songs stripped down to the barest essence of electric guitar, bass and drums. Holt handles the majority of lead vocal duties and busts them out with hubris and a bravado that is truly fitting of those that came before. Original Teardrop John Primer sings lead on the standard “Before You Accuse Me” and Holt also shares guitar chores with fellow band mate Levi William. Although this is a solid release there is nothing earth shattering or sonically groundbreaking here. But if you are a fan of “real” blues and concerned that the young folk are respecting those traditions, then you, my friend, are in good hands!
Ragheb Alama - The Fillmore
By Eric Harabadian
The energy in the venue was palpable. You could seemingly cut the tense fervor and anticipation with a knife. Eager fans started filing in around 8pm and it was immediately obvious they were primed for a night of world class entertainment from one of the leading superstars of the Middle East and the global scene, Ragheb Alama. It was a rare night for many in the Detroit area to see Lebanese singer Alama, currently on a select tour of the United States. Elegance is certainly the optimum word one could use to describe the show’s atmosphere. From the scores of beautiful women and nattily-coiffed men; the audience was dressed to the nines. And the bottles of champagne and good food that flowed only enhanced the frivolity that was in full swing. Photo Marc Nader First up was a Detroit area artist named Bassam Saleh. He was a dynamic performer that hit the stage with a strong vocal presence. He was joined by a tight combo consisting of a woodwind player, keyboardist and two mobile percussionists that darted all around the stage. While the spotlight was, indeed, on Saleh he shared it graciously with the percussionists. And they picked up the pace and ramped up the enthusiasm of the crowd in the process. From choreographed dance routines to leaping on tables and into the audience itself, the term “interactive” took on a whole new meaning!
After a short intermission, Lebanese comedian Elie Ayoub made an appearance and kept the crowd appropriately laughing, with his own brand of “old school comedy”; old school in the sense of one-liners, humorous asides and sight gags. After his monologue, Ayoub took a short break and then returned to introduce the headliner dressed in drag—that’s right, full makeup, a dress and a striking strawberry blonde wig! It had everyone in stitches and was not for the faint of heart!
GUITAR WIZARD RICH WARD TALKS SHOP WITH DETROIT LIVE
By Lauren Rae
Whenever I have a chance to see a band like Fozzy, I go for it. They’re the kind of band you go see when you want to rock out heavily and walk out of the venue with your friends, laughing, high fiving and saying, “That was intense.” They’re that brand of classic metal that you go see when you just want to have a hell of a time. And on September 20th, I and many others got to do just that. As part of the Sacrifice and Sin tour, they ripped through The Machine Shop in Flint with Halcyon Way and Saxon, blowing everyone away with epic riffs, bone rattling bass beats and a level of energy that can only be describe as contagious. It’s virtually impossible to be silent and not completely lose it during their set. But well before that, at the beginning of the month, I received a chance to quickly speak with guitarist Rich Ward about the tour and his thoughts in regards to Fozzy’s sixth album, which begins production soon. Detroit Live: One thing that I specifically want know is what are the differences between the festival tours and the smaller tours that you guys do, besides the size of the crowds? Rich Ward: I approach every show the same. And the reason for that is that you never earn a loyal fan base when you treat big festival audiences more special than you do an intimate club environment. The truth is that sometimes the club’s can be more fun because the four walls contain the energy in a way that actually can be more exciting for a band and for a crowd as well. Sometimes, if you’re playing in front of 15,00 people, the people who are in the back aren’t having as much fun as maybe the people who are at the first 1,000. And it’s a different dynamic. Obviously playing on bigger stages allow the fans to move more and allow [us] to perform differently than you would if you were playing a really cool, sweaty rock dive.
I grew up playing in a band called Stuck Mojo, we were one of the first rap rock bands in the early ‘90s. We played every punk, rock, and metal club in the world. So there’s kind of a sweet spot in my heart doing those gigs, because of where I started. Even though we have had the amazing privilege to play big festivals in front of 100,000 people in Germany, it’s still an amazing feeling to have a sold out, It was finally time for the main event to arrive and sweaty room with 600 people going crazy. Because I came from that, I think it’s still Alama did not disappoint. The audience gave him a kind of my first love. I try not to treat it differently, but obviously there are subtle hero’s welcome, waving Lebanese banners, flags and differences. If you’re an athlete, playing a mile high stadium in Denver is different messages of love and admiration. Looking snazzy in a from when you’re playing in Houston, TX, where it’s a different temperature and dark suit and tie, Alama adopted a classic conservative climate. And that’s another thing people have to take into consideration - that when persona that really worked. The singer-songwriter and you’re in a hot, sweaty club, sometimes there’s no air. And your lead singer finds host of Middle East television’s Arab Idol erupted onto it more difficult to sing when you have that environment. So we as musicians are the vast stage and connected with his fans from the constantly making adjustments in the way that we sing and perform based on the very first note. The packed house, of course, knew all environment. So the wiser you become as a musician, the better you become at his songs and joined in with Alama as they ran down adapting to those environments. the set list in unison. Alama was joined on stage by a ten piece band, including three percussionists, keyboards, guitar, bass and backing singers. He delivered global hits DL: One thing I have to ask - I ask every band that I interview this, because it’s from all his albums, such as Tab Leh (Oh Why?) and El Hob el Kebeer (The Great Michigan. What are your favorite things about playing here [in MI]? And are there Love), to rapturous applause. Perhaps, the primary key to Alama’s performance style any good memories you may have playing in this state? is his smooth, seductive vocals. He has great control and versatility and spanned the spectrum from tender ballads to full-on stratospheric heights. The band was top notch Rich: I think some of my favorite gigs ever have been playing in Detroit, because you as well, with many of the rhythms drenched in rich syncopation and a lively up tempo get the classic gigs there. The first time I ever played Harpo’s was one of the greatest spirit. gigs of my life, because it’s such a classic gig. I grew up in Charlotte, N.C., which is kind of a mid-sized city in the southeast. You read magazines about when Triumph Alama and band engendered a truly family-friendly sense of community or Motörhead or Van Halen played Harpo’s, and you just get this feeling that you’ve and humanity among arrived when you’ve played there. Having had the opportunity to do that, to have his fans. That could played these gigs that these classic bands that I grew up loving and worshiping not be more clearly played, honestly you feel like you’ve kind of arrived at some point. illustrated than when he brought a We’ve played St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, and the reason why Detroit is so great is little girl up from because the majority of the folks who come to the gigs are working class people. the audience to The working class are almost always without failure the most enthusiastic crowds. dance and sing And I don’t know why it is, I’ve never done a survey, I’ve never asked people in with him on one of Chicago and Detroit and L.A. and New York, “Why is it that you’re excited or not the night’s earlier excited by gigs?” I can’t even tell you what scientific reason or the sociological numbers. It was a reason is. All I can tell you is my experiences when you play St. Louis or you play rare and memorable anywhere, whether it’s Grand Rapids, or Erie. You get a different vibe off the performance that audience. And I don’t know that if it’s just because you grew up in factory towns and will surely remain in your parents worked in factories. It’s like playing in Birmingham, England is different the heart and mind from playing in London. It’s just a different mentality. There’s something special of that little girl for about it. We look forward to it every time we see it on the schedule. many years to come. Cont on 29 DETROITLIVEMAGAZINE.COM - LIVE 25
YELLOWCARD PLUGGED AND UNPLUGGED
breath of the night air and told me her four hour drive has been so worth it. She said this was so good I just jumped online and purchased tickets to The House of Blues in Cleveland for Tuesday night show, she said “once just isn’t enough.” Now that’s a dedicated fan.
I’ve heard the name of the band many times over the years but not familiar with any of their material. Walking into St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit I kept thinking “I really hope this is worth the drive”. I always hope but rarely does a band I know nothing about gain my interest as fast as these guys did. The idea that I was
Article By Scotti Moore Photo Marc Nader
going to be able to work my way to the front with no problem went out the door as I walked in. The house was packed from wall to wall! I turned to one of the members of the security team and asked who was going to be the opening band, he said Yellowcard . I looked at him with an obvious puzzled look on my face and asked him why they were going on so early. I was then made aware that they were actually opening for themselves. That’s right; Yellowcard was going to play their Ocean Avenue Disc, celebrating the 10 year anniversary of its release, in its entirety acoustically. So I enter the sea of Yellowcard faithful to get ready for what should be an interesting start to the evening.
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Show time; the band took the stage and was greeted by the excited crowd. Ryan key (Lead singer) begin with reminiscing about the last time they played at St Andrews and how it was the crowd that took from a bad beginning to one the best shows they ever performed. Then with the strike of the first note I began to witness something amazing! The entire room joined the band in perfect unison singing every word to every song that they played through their complete acoustic set. What an incredible blend of music, emotion, passion & energy. While every one of them was very skilled at their craft they had something that you don’t see every day, a violinist who not only perfectly accented each song but played a share of the leads where a guitar would normally take over. While listening to this I kept thinking how I wish they would play the entire night in this format. From the band to the crowd to the intimate bulb lighting on stage I was in awe. As the acoustic set came to an end the crowd erupted with cheers and as the band left the stage the excitement they created during this unplugged session only sparked a new anticipation to the band coming back out and plugging in.
Mind you, I was getting this kind of reaction and we are only half way through the night.
Lights go down & Yellowcard takes to the stage once again. This time they traded the acoustic guitars for electric. They continued the night with all that and more. The intensity level increased from both the band as well as the crowd. From one song to the next the love affair between Yellowcard and their fans proved obvious as the minions continued to sing every word of every song. I have never witnessed such crowd participation. While the band put on a masterful performance the violinist So during this brief intermission I set out to find an Sean Mackin in between playing made sure he kept the unbiased opinion of the show which would prove to be crowd involved while instructing them to get louder a bit difficult since every person in St. Andrew’s were there solely for Yellowcard. I began a conversation with during certain parts of songs but the loudest reaction came when he jumped up on the drum riser and did a Shane Gunn out in front of the venue & he told me this was also his first time seeing Yellowcard. When I asked back flip with a 10 point landing. The night was full of excitement with an overall joy for music. Plugged or him what he thought of the show he had this to say, “What an amazing show. I have seen Our Lady of Peace, unplugged Yellowcard satisfied their hungry followers Coheed & Cambria & Sum 41 do full album shows and and has gained one more fan “ME”. this show by far this has been the best one.” A longtime fan of Yellowcard, Claire Standier came out to get a
FINAL FANTASY XIV: A REALM REBORN After a plethora of launch issues, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn has been online about a month now. Streaming mmo goodness to consoles and PCs. At first only PS3 users were able to access Ezorea (Name of the realm). After a few weeks, and ironically the same day Grand Theft Auto 5 came out, FFXIV was made available to PC users via digital download. After playing a few weeks I’ve had enough time with the game to understand the basic concepts of this game. If you have no idea what an MMORPG is, than this is a great title to undertake your first quest. If you’ve been playing Everquest since it’s release in 1999 you’re still in for a treat with this game.
Reviewed by Olin Ezra
As with most RPG games, your main purpose is to advance your character through the basic level progression. You start the game picking the class, and customizing the appearance of your character, much like Skyrim, or other MMORPGs available today. You also pick your race and class. FFXIV has broken the class system down into 2 adventure groups. Disciples of War and Disciples of Magic. As with other MMO’s there are also crafting classes and 3 different gathering classes.
Hardline Tattoo Co.—Riverview’s First and Only Tattoo Shop. Award-winning tattoo artist Branden Gelineau opens up shop as the first and only tattoo establishment in Riverview. Following the grand opening of Hardline Tattoo Co. on September 10th, Gelineau and crew are already booking up fast. As a major name in the Downriver tattoo industry, Gelineau has worked at a number of shops with a slew of regulars that follow him. With his work in new school, traditional and portraits, it’s no question why he has gathered such a following. “It’s very personal,” says Gelineau, “for someone to trust you that much to [let you] create something on their body is humbling.” Gelineau brought fellow tattooist Nick Zee and body piercer Dan Mysilwiec in to round out the shop’s lineup. The interest they share in tattooing is evident on the surface of their skin and the stories between them. Aside from tattooing, Gelineau is a father and slaps the stand-up bass from time to time in the band The Gutter Ghouls. “My kids are my real passion,” he says. “At the end of the day, everything I do is for them.” Hardline Tattoo Co. is open 7 days a week. Check them out at the shop located at 18617 Fort St, Riverview, MI and online at Facebook.com/HardlineTattooCo.
A Realm Reborn adds an interesting twist with character classes, allowing you to cross class your character to find the specific job you want to play in game. A Gladiator can be combined with a Conjuer to form a Paladin, or a Conjuerer can be combined with an Arcanist to create a White Mage. You also get cross class abilities, plus the abilities of the job set. There is a lot of room for customization and playstyle. Combat in the game is fast paced. Veterans of MMO’s will have plenty of fun with the macro options. You can’t que a spell or two, everything has to be done by you at the correct time. This adds for more thoughtful combat, often in MMO’s I find myself drilling spells 2 sometimes 3 ahead of time depending on what I’m playing. Here, you have to stay on top of your casting and ability cooldowns. It adds a frantic element to the familiar MMO interface. Control can be achieved via the old school mouse and keyboard route or from a controller. I tested a Mad Catz controller with FFXIV and it worked flawlessly. I prefer a mouse and keyboard myself, but users of the PS3 version don’t have to worry about clunky controls. A mouse and keyboard is the way to go, as there is a lack true voice chat. While I find this fun, others whom I’ve run across do not. The Free Company I joined (the equivalent to a guild) has a ventrilo server, so voice chat was no problem. All in all FFXIV is an enjoyable experience for all ages. Those new to MMORPG’s and those who are veterans to online tacticle RPG content. There are plenty of paths to take, and tons to explore and discover. When I talk about a game having “polish,” I’m talking about games like this. Generally there are oodles of bugs in online only games, not this one. While there are some, this is the most “polished” out of box MMO I’ve ever played. I’m hoping that The Elder Scrolls: Online and Everquest: Next have the same amount of polish! Summary: The Good: Great Graphics - Well written, and captivating story - Endless class & character options - Great controls - No monthly fee for PS3 The Bad: Gold spam, gold spam, gold spam - PS3 users MUST buy a usb keyboard - Monthly Fee - Some low level dungeons may be very hard for new players Overal: 8.5/10 DETROITLIVEMAGAZINE.COM - LIVE 27
MORE SAMMY HAGAR Darian: So tell me about the new album “Sammy Hagar and Friends” I know you did some stuff with Kid Rock.
Sammy: Kid rock is the real deal. He was one of the first guys I called when decided to do a “with friends” album. And he was busy, out there, doing his thing but he just said “I’m in! Send me the tracks, I’m home for 2 days I’ll knock it out for you” I sent him the stuff and boom it was done. He’s a great guy, been a good buddy for a long time. Its funny...Kid Rock is respected everywhere. The other day I asked my limo driver if a certain restaurant is any good, he says “Kid Rock goes there” I don’t know what that means, but apparently it means it’s good. Darian: Tell me a bit about some of the “friends” on the new CD. Sammy: Making a record like this is the only way I can do it now. That’s what I loved about Van Halen, when we got along, was that you have other people around you to inspire you and make you better. That’s what happens with Chad and Mike and Joe Satriani in Chickefoot, it elevates you. When you do a solo record sometimes you just allow yourself to do whatever you want to do. Working with all my friends from different styles makes me sing better, it makes me write better songs. I mean I did a song with Ronnie Dunn and I did my part first and sent it to him. When he sent his back I heard it and thought Fuck! Now I have to go back and re-do my vocals…he killed me. And I did...I went back and re-recorded them. I loved it! So if there is going to be another Sammy Album it’s gonna be “Sammy Hagar and friends 2” or “Sammy Hagar and more friends” because that is the only way to do it.. Darian: Can you tell me something about the jam sessions while recording the album that some of the musician readers of DL will appreciate or relate to: Sammy: We were doing a version of the song “Going Down”. I’ve always done the Jeff Beck Version and we run thru it, end to end, first take, live. It’s me, Michael Anthony, Neal Schon and Chad Smith. When we finished I asked Neal if he wanted to do any overdubs. He says “are you kidding me? With Michael Anthony on bass there are no notes left to play...He covered them all”. And Chad, is just an awesome drummer. Instead of playing the 8th notes on the hi-hat like everyone else Chad did it on his fuckin’ foot. Check that out, I mean his kick drum is just so over the top its incredible Chad Smith is sooo bad...go back and listen to that song and your gonna hear a drummer just fuckin’ that song up! He’s incredible. Sammy: I love jammin’ with people. I mean it’s like my favorite thing to do. That’s what’s cool about this new album “Sammy Hagar and Friends”; it’s just a jam album with a few new cool songs. Darian: Favorite song on the new album?
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Sammy: One that’s special to me is “Father and Son”. It has an accordion in it, it’s got Tahitian ukulele and some really tripped out instruments. Because I really wanted to capture the vibe of where I wrote it. I wrote it in Taha’a, a little island off of Bora Bora and I’m in love with that song… it transcends me. Darian: ...Takes you back huh?? Sammy: Yeh…to when and where I wrote it. Every time I hear it I remember being inspired at that moment and writing it. I mean sometimes you write a song just because you came up with a cool riff and scream out some vocals. And that’s cool too. But some songs just have more emotion and attachment to them. Darian: That’s funny you say that. I get that vibe from your song Cabo Wabo.
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Sammy: Yes! I wrote that song the same way I wrote “Father and Son”, in an environment that directly inspired the song. When I wrote Cabo I called Eddie on the phone and says… “Think “Make it last” by Montrose”. And I was singing Cabo Wabo to “Make it Last” but Eddie got it and came up with the riff right then and there, he played it over the phone and we wrote the whole song over the phone. Cause just like you said, you feel like it takes you someplace, to a state of mind. And Cobo Wabo, at that time was just a state of mind. Now it’s a real place. Darian: Thanks to you it is. Thanks for everything Sammy…We’ll see you in Cabo
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Sammy: Thanks Darian…See you in Detroit. 28 LIVE - DETROITLIVEMAGAZINE.COM
The Ruiners
Detroit Alternative Fashion Show
The second annual Detroit Alternative Fashion Show was held in the Leland Hotel Grand Ballroom the evening of Saturday, September 21. Countering Fashion Week, the show featured designers and artisans of, as Host and Producer Meg Raphoon put it, “The other Detroit.” I wonder what this ballroom has seen? The Purple Gang. Jimmy Hoffa. Who knows what all has happened here in her time. She’s definitely seen better days. The paint has long since faded and is peeling off of the walls. The hole in the ceiling is covered by a tarp and the water-damaged plaster flakes off and falls to the worn marble floor below. She’s certainly taken her share of punches. But, like the city that is her home, she’s still standing. Raphoon, who is half of 49% Productions with Michael McMahen, is a whirlwind, seeming to be in five places at once. She was insistent that the designs were incepted and crafted in Metro Detroit. You’re not likely to see these homegrown fashions on your next trip to the grocery store or mainstream nightclub, however. Hence, “Alternative.” First to the runway was a pair of accessory outfitters. Stephanie Jasinski’s Stacey Jaye line of jewelry is made of post-industrial found materials and fashioned in delicate chain-mail, full length necklaces and pendants. Elizabeth Martin’s Blonde Swan featured lovely petite top hats for the girls and military style steampunk caps with faux goggles for the boys.
Next up was the couture of Liesl Geneva’s Apparel Artistry, featuring bustles and tieback dresses with surprising dashes of flannel and plaid. Then came the cyber-goth stylings of Evolution Division by Deanna Abita and Steven Razorblade. This is rave and club gear at its finest, with furry hoodies, leg warmers and bold, singlecolored stripes. The next pairing of designers showcased very
Photography by Jen Drewyore-Beck.
feminine fare. Helena Stenberg’s Kinki Kitty showed beautiful shoulder shrugs, collars and open hoop skirts. Wasted Utopia by Kimberly Jacobs had bustiers, aprons and even a few polka dots.
Fozzy Cont.
DL: So moving on to the album. You guys announced that there will be a new one next year. Have you guys been working on [the new album] for a while now? Or are you in the pre-production stages? Rich: We’re in pre-production right now. I’m doing this album a little differently than I’ve done in the past. Usually, what has happened is that Chris (Jericho, lead singer) sends me a stack of lyrics that he’s been working on and then I start finding ones that I’m inspired by and I start working on songs to write to. Or, I have a riff that I think is really cool and I’ll look for a set of lyrics that matches my riff. For the last year, I’ve just recorded. I play guitar for a couple hours every day. And it includes various dexterity exercises, jamming, playing scales. Every ten or fifteen minutes, I’ll come across some idea that I really think sounds cool and I’ll record it on my phone. What I’ll do is catalog every interesting riff or guitar chord progression idea that I can come up with, and over the last year I’ve recorded 250, all stored on my phone. I’ve categorized them: heavy, mid-tempo, fast, and put them in different folders…I have a sheer diversity of ideas that I’ve come up with and it’s cool. I really think we’re going to have an amazing record. Right now, it’s about finding how and when and where to develop these ideas for the songs. So it’s a little bit of a different process than what’s taken place in the past. It’s very breakthrough and I’m very excited.
Then came Shop Troll by Peter Vanslyke with leather corsets, skirts and vests appropriate for any Ren Faire. Finally, Jessica Crutchfield’s Ties That Bynde offered elegant and intimate corsets of muted coloration and luminescent, transparent skirts.
Usually, with a band, their first album is great because they’ve had their whole lives to write it. Then your second record can get what they call the sophomore blues. And then you’re struggling hard to figure out if you should change or should you stay the course. We don’t have those discussions in the band. We just say, “This is who we are.” We’re very self aware, because we’re not in our late teens, or early 20’s anymore. We know who we are as people, as musicians, and as songwriters. So there’s no struggle to redefine who we are or pick a direction. That course has already been set. So it’s a matter of finding our best moments, and harnessing who we are in the form of songs and lyrics. I think we’ve really started to be a better band because we don’t try. When you hear a Fozzy record, it is a true representation of who we are as players and writers. Backstage, lead Makeup and Hair I’m looking forward to making Designer Kat Kozen put together a team of another great record for us.
artists in their own right. The avant-garde, futuristic makeup was done by Kozen and Kelly Marqui. Hair was inventively and daringly coiffed by Megan Morrison, Sherice Zammitt-Groff and Laura Gill.
DL: Last year when I interviewed Paul (Di Leo, bassist) and Billy (Grey, rhythm guitarist), Paul talked about the process of recording for “Sin This community, which Raphoon fervently and Bones”, how Chris was on promotes and defends, truly came out for the road all the time with WWE, and so you guys had to send the this event. The old ballroom was filled pieces in to put it together. Will with people cheering the designs and the his announcement of no in-ring designers, urged on by thumping music, action until next year change how the band will go about recording?
also made by Detroit artists. It is certainly of note that all participants donated their time to make the 2nd Annual D.A.F.S. come to fruition. Rest assured that next year, this show and this “city on the rise,” as stated by Raphoon, will be even better. She wouldn’t have it any other way.
Rich: The way [Chris’s] WWE schedule was he would leave on Friday, wrestle Friday through Monday, and then come home on Tuesday. So what I would do was I would fly down to Tampa, and I would get a studio for Wednesday and Thursday. And we would record Chris’s vocals for “Sin and Bones” when he had his days off. The only difficulty that it made was that we would just record his vocals over two months as opposed to two weeks. Instead of working on them over a ten-day period or a two week period in a row in one studio, they would just be spread out over more time. Which is actually a good thing! It allowed us some time to reflect back on the performances. So if we recorded on Wednesday, we’d record two songs, come back on Thursday and listen to those performances to see what we liked or see if we wanted to make some changes. Then we’d record one or two more songs. It allowed us the flexibility to focus on a little bit on a time, and I could go back and work on guitars, bass, do other keyboards and backing vocals, and then come back the next week and start again fresh. So I really don’t think that process hurt us. I don’t think we’ve determined where we’ll focus in on recording…we don’t do it the way Aerosmith did it in 1977, where everyone was in a room together and just rolled the tape. Maybe there’s some magic captured that way, but because of the situation that we live in - us living in separate states and Chris having the career that he has - it puts us in a position in which we have to be creative and figure out new ways to come up with the best results, knowing that we have some challenges.
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SPIRITUAL HOROSCOPE October 2013 by Aluna Michaels, M.A.
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) – Happy birthday Libra! Give yourself the gift of forgiveness. Mars will help clear your subconscious of the last two years of resentments, frustrations and “issues”. Dreams and meditation will give hints of what to release. Journal about negative and mean thoughts you have toward yourself!! This is the biggest clearing you can do! Then you’ll be able to feel the love and abundance around you! Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) – Mercury is retrograde in your sign from Oct. 21 until Nov. 9. This is a wonderful spiritual opportunity! Meditation will be amazingly profound. You’ll have insights into subconscious problems. You’ll also intuitively know how to heal relationship issues. It’s also a great time to construct a new budget; and you might also have a little financial windfall!
Aries (March 21 – April 19) – It’s great to start a new eating and exercise routine. Find a style of self-care that resonates with your spiritual path. Your body is a beautiful temple that houses your soul, so treat it with love! Having a deeper meaning behind fitness will keep you motivated and it won’t be a fad you soon loose interest with. It may sound silly, but meditate and forgive your body its shortcomings – injuries, diseases, limitations – and focus on its strengths!
money . . . which can escalate into arguments or excessive worry. Focus your meditation on the unlimited abundance of the Universe. Once you regain your spiritual and emotional poise, intuitive solutions will come – and unexpected income can also flow in! Don’t make radical decisions this month, but be open to gentle guidance for how to proceed.
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) – Energetic Mars is in your sign for a two month stay! Center meditations on actions you can take to improve Taurus (April 20 – May 20) – Mercury your health, self-image and relationships. You’ll retrograde can cause confusion and find inner guidance comes easily. Adequate misunderstandings in relationships – but don’t courage is there for you too! One caution is not let it! Focus your meditation time on seeing the to be overly gung-ho with exercise. Listen to your heart connection between you and your partner, body’s limits, since you’ll be tempted to over-ride rather than stressing about garbled mental warnings. Also, have a party for family and close connections! You’ll be able to see the karmic friends, since your house has a great “vibe” right root and heal the cause instead of manage now! symptoms. This saves you weeks of brooding – and helps open your bond to a deeper level of Aluna Michaels is a second-generation trust and love! astrologer and Soul Evolutionist practitioner.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20) – You can start a new relationship this month. It’s crucial to meditate and be sure you’ve healed childhood hurts and disappointments so you won’t unconsciously bring them into your love life! Even if partnered, it’s a good time to Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) – Exciting examine your emotions and see what the roots are. It’s likely things are based far in the past and work opportunities are coming around! This your partner merely reminds you of old stuff! could be a new job, or a fun project – even a Also, be kind to your body with good food and cool new supervisor that makes work pleasant. Relationships will be blossoming, mostly because rest as you delve into this healing you’re radiating a divine beauty and harmony process. that is irresistible! The retrograde Mercury will help your intuition be very strong, and dreams Cancer will bring lots of guidance! (June 21 – July 22) – You might be Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) – You’ll be feeling irritated, re-inspired in your spiritual life. Try a new style so be sure you of meditation. Read different spiritual books meditate before or investigate philosophies. Go to a yoga class. taking things out Walk in nature. Try to gather a small group of like-minded friends so you can offer each other on your kids or encouragement. You might also find it soothing partner. Even if to cook, since you’ll feel the mystical connection these people are that comes from taking the time to care for your the source of your emotional body! discomfort, quiet time will help you Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) – Mercury get your thoughts is retrograde, bringing possible confusion in in order – and even your work life. Don’t make decisions until late November, if possible – your mind will be clearer see if there’s a misunderstanding then! But Mercury can also grant spiritual insights that improve your current job, so make (Mercury is sure to meditate and remain open-minded (just retrograde!). Your work life wait to take action). You’ll also be challenged will be smoother. on issues of trust and intimacy. It’s scary for Pay attention to Aquarians to bond, but take a leap! intuitive ideas that can create exciting Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20) – Use breakthroughs for meditation time to improve your current your entire office! relationship, or to draw a new one to you. Ponder your ideal relationship and ask your Leo intuition for steps to take to make it manifest. You might start by being more verbal about your (July 23 – Aug. spiritual beliefs so you feel more authentic with 22) – Mercury is retrograde and can everyone in your life. Also, in the work sphere, cause confusion and there could be a raise coming, or a new person misunderstandings you really bond with comes into your office! in your home about
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) 583-1663 or visit www.alunamichaels.com
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