Melodic Rock Fanzine #63

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CONTENTS

04 C h i c a g o 06 A s i a 07 X- D r i v e 08 N i v a 09 B l u e s P i l l s 10 H a m m e r f a l l 12 R e v i e w s 14 M i s s B e h a v i o u r 15 G r e g o r y Ly n n H a l l 16 A d r e n a l i n e R u s h 17 S t a t e o f S a l a z a r 19 Yes 20 Ted Nugent 22 J.B.O. Melodic Rock Fanzine The official Frontiers Records magazine Year #10 - Nr. 4 / Issue #63 Editor-in-chief: Elio Bordi Concept, Graphics & Design: Elio Bordi Writers: Bruce E.J. Atkinson, Duncan Jamieson, Barry McMinn, Vitale Nocerino, Rob “Ezy” Bone, Primo Bonali. Headquarters and general contacts: Frontiers Records - Via Gonzaga 18 80125, Napoli - Italy Tel: +39.081.2399340/7753 Fax: +39.081.2399794 E-mail: elio@frontiers.it Website: www.frontiers.it Facebook: facebook.com/frontiersrecordsofficial Twitter: twitter.com/frontiersrec Editor and publisher: Frontiers Records s.r.l. Copyright©2014 Frontiers Records. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Printed in Italy.


band. chicago album. now Interview with:. robert lamm interviewed by:. d.jamieson

Focus on:

C H I C A G O - Now (Chicago XXXVI) (Frontiers Records) As soon as that distictive horn sound opens the album, you’re transported into Chicago’s world that remains as pristine as it did back in the 70s and 80s. It’s has Lamm’s sweet vocals, songs that flirt with pop,rock and jazz, and those horns that buoy the music. It’s smoother than alabaster. For a band located in the east, it’s a west coast grooves that breezes through the music. Considering they’re on their 36th album they do well not to sound tired, quite the contrary, as this fizzes with ideas making this fresh sounding and a remarkably consistent album. It feels like real care has gone into the compositions and performances here. “Free At Last”, “More Will Be Revealed” and “I Know” could have come off any of their albums from their 70s/80s heyday. The gloriously catchy “America” and cleverly arranged “Naked In The Garden Of Allah” show a more socio-political side to the band’s lyrics than the usual love songs. Despite not having the likes of Bill Champlin or Peter Cetera involved this a strong Chicago release. Their music might be out of step with current musical trends but their class is timeless. Duncan Jamieson (92/100)

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Question: Welcome back. “XXXVI” is a great album with all the Chicago trademarks included:the horns, the vocals, the ballads, rock and jazz parts. You must be happy with it. I believe you recorded it while on the road. Can you tell me about that process? Answer: For 5 of the 7 tracks I contributed, as usual, I compose the songs, using GarageBand, I sketched in keyboards, brass and other parts. The files sent to and fro with my collaborators. The actual song feeling finished, I send my GB grid to Mr. Linderman who converts it to ProTools, As we tour, we, with Hank traveling to us, set up the rig, and begin to replace sketch parts with the guys adding their performances, usually in hotel rooms... Lots of guitars, via email! To get Tris drums in the flow, so that the rest of the rhythm section is recording with his real drums, for a couple of tunes, we decided not to wait until the tour, and went to Drew's to get it done. Ditto, most of my vocals, at Parsons Green, where Hank and I live 15 minutes apart, so during tour breaks, I was able to maintain momentum, bringing the tracks along so that on the tour, we would have made progress. Other Tris drums were recorded on stage, before the gigs, with Keith's little HD set up, and then dumped into Hank's ProTools master sessions. Really, the whole deal, was about moving forward forward forward, whenever, however and wherever. Q: What should we expect from it? A: The new album is pure Chicago, but more like the innovative music of the early albums. Tracks are energetic, longer... Lyrics have depth, singing is strong, horns are the signature that is so familiar.

Can you please explain what is “The Ring” about and how it helped during the recording sessions? A: Since the new millennium, Chicago is touring more internationally. Band members reside in many different locations, so getting together to write and record new music, demands that we do this while touring. With input from various engineers, producers, Lee Loughnane pieced together a (sort of) compact movable recording studio. All the best mics, Pro Tools HD, compressors, monitoring systems, cables, etc. Q: The band collaborated on the song writing. Who contributed what and is there a greater sense of cameraderie as you’ve gotten older? A: We have always had a great work ethic, friendship and respect for each other, so in that sense not much has changed, it's all good. We did agree on this project that the principal writer would be responsible to produce his song. It worked well. Each songwriter was responsible for producing his song, making decisions, arranging, and completing the track, as always, in collaboration with the band members. Our supervising producer was Hank Linderman, who, as the recordings progressed, made rough mixes, constantly cycling them back to the band, wherever we were, so we could work deeper into the tracks. Eventually he created nearly all of the final mixes and prepared them for Mastering for various audio standards: 24bit 96k, AIFF, WAV, FLAC, apple lostless, mp3. Q: The opening track is the terrific ’Now’. What’s the difference being in Chicago now compared to the 70s and 80s? A: We know who we are, who we've always been, as artists,

and don't need to defer to people outside the band, regarding our music. Q: There are a couple of songs “America” and “Naked In The Garden Of Allah” with socio-political lyrics. Can you elaborate on the ideas behind those songs? A: "America" is a call to people to hold their representatives in Congress accountable. Not to do so is giving up power to “Government as Big Business”. "Allah" is a treatise on violence versus vulnerability in human behavior. Q: As a band you still tour a lot. What do you enjoy about the road? A: Music is meant to be played to an audience, this is the only way to experience Chicago and define the perception of this band. How is to be a Chicago music player? A: I am always listening to all kinds of music, from every corner of the world, from every era. I am humbled to be a working composer, musician. It is an honorable profession. Q: Can you tell us what to expect of your live show these days? A: Mind blowing musicianship, hugely popular songs, and big fun! Q: After 40 years and more of career, have you ever imagined your life without the band? A: Can anybody really imagine a life without Chicago? Ha! I have a few other projects I would like to work on, my solo albums, working withother musicians. So music is larger than Chicago. Q: You’re touring in Europe this summer. What’s the difference between European Chicago fans and the American fans? A: European audiences actually listen and have fun. Americans think they are at a ball game. MRF | 5


band. asia album. high voltage Interview with. john wetton interviewed by:. d. jamieson

Question: What do you remember about that gig in Victoria park, London? Answer: That summer afternoon in East end London was fairly auspicious as it augured the beginnings of a new festival in the nation’s capital. Q: Why and when did you decide to do the debut in its entirety? A: It was something we had never done in the UK. Q: What is it about the debut album that still resonates with audiences? A: It’s iconic and the whole exceeds the sum of all the considerable parts. Q: Is there a song that you particularly like from that record and what is it about that song? A: Only Time Will Tell – it has intensely personal lyrics and it was the first single in the United Kingdom back in 1982. Q: What was that period like in the 80’s for you and the band when the debut became such a mega success? A: It was magic. It was way beyond what any of us could have imagined. Q: The band has been fairly prolific since you reformed. Has that surprised you? A: No, we had a lot of unfinished business... Q: What are your main influences as music player? A: My brother, Robert, for practicing his Church Organ music so much,and influencing the way I think about music. Brian Wilson for showing me,

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with the Beach Boys, that there was an unlimited adventure in music ahead of me if I wanted it, and all those wonderful composers - Bach, Beethoven, Mahler, Tchaikovsky. Q: How do you write music? Do you have a specific way of doing it? A: It'll come from a musical idea when I am sitting at the piano (my first instrument was a piano). Sometimes it's lyrics first, sometimes it's music first. Usually it's just an idea. It'll be a situation, it'll just be something for my mind to register a situation that will sit very well into a song. Just something will spark, and I will be ready to go! Only Time Will Tell, for instance... I had the verse melody and I hear the lyric was (singing "You are leaving now, it's in your eyes...") that was already written and I didn't have anything else, just that melody and those words. When I started working with Geoff, it turned out that he came from a very similar background – church music – and lots of our ideas work together very well. It's not like you dealing with one guy coming from rock and another guy coming from a classical background, so that we have to find a middle ground. We have to be from a very similar background, so if I come with a verse and Jeff comes with a chorus, there is a likelihood they will fit together. And they do! Particularly on the first Asia record they fit together perfectly. So, Only Time Will Tell came from my verse, Geoff's chorus, and lines which I rewrote in a different

way. And I finished all the lyrics too. As for the arrangement... It pretty much arranged itself. It was the same with Heat of the Moment. Funnily enough, the singles from the first and the second Asia albums both were the last tracks to be recorded. We recorded Heat of the Moment at the last moment. It wasn’t part of the first conception of the album. It was just late one night that we decided to put two ideas together, this time with my chorus, Geoff's verse, and some different structures. We tried anything to make it work, and I hope it worked. When it came to our second album, "Alpha", we had finished recording, and were playing the album in Montreal, Canada. We got to the end of the record, and heard the voice from the record company guy who said, "I don't see any singles. You need a single!". So, we wrote Don't Cry that day. We normally spend a little longer on the writing of music, but sometimes it has to be done in a hurry. So, once we’ve decided on the music, the direction of the song – it’s not difficult to arrange it. And Carl comes in and put the drums right then, and Steve will play his lovely guitar. Q: You’re touring to support the new “Gravitas” album. How has the band changed now Sam Coulson is the new guitarist, replacing Steve Howe? A: The band function has not changed at all but we have a new energy and a harder edge to our sound.


artist.x-drive album. get your rock on Interview with. j. brunner interviewed by. b. atkinson

Question: Let us begin with a question for Jeremy, being the founder of X-Drive, take us through your journey to this point, a worldwide deal with one of the finest labels in the land… Answer: I originally started on piano, after hearing “Jump” for the first time. This really influenced me, and led me to start practicing on a borrowed guitar from a guy at a local radio station. Fast forward a bit, and those beginnings were reflected in the X-Drive project. There were about 40 songs that I had written in various stages of development, but there were an early batch of 10 or so that I was determined to share. I'm honored to be working with Frontiers and surrounded by their alumni. Q: Now, we have seasoned musicians surround you on this project. How did you meet up with James and Keith? A: I think it was initially a phone call with Keith and then from there we started emailing each other, and sending tracks back and forth. I was referred to Keith by a journalist I had worked with in the past. I had auditioned quite a few other singers by that time, but none of them seemed to fit. After Keith sent me one song, I knew immediately he was the right voice for my music. I met James when he and Keith were playing in Lynch Mob and we needed a bass player for the studio. I was definitely a fan of some of his past work, especially White Lion.

Q: Bringing in Fred Fischer on drums, seems to be the icing on the cake, with “Get Your Rock On” being such a high energy record… A: I've known Fred for a long time. He was in more than one local band, and I knew from the first time I saw him play that he was the drummer I wanted to use. He does bring energy, and I really admire his drumming skills and stage presence. Q: I know that you have spent a lot of time in preparing and recording your debut…please take us through the steps. A: I was working with some musicians who had been flying to Oregon from Los Angeles... and after a while, it seemed a better idea for me to be in L.A. At times, it was trying because there were different ideas that were attempted with different musicians, engineers, producers and studios, but it did take a while to find people that were able to understand the vision that I had for the record. Sometimes that took sticking to my guns, and ultimately, it came pretty close to what I was shooting for. Q: Jeremy, you were able to work with another legend on this record, Andy Johns! Tragically this was one of Andy’s last works, as we now he passed last year. Working with Andy must have been a lifetime experience… A: It was. I spent a lot of time with him, and not just in the studio. In the time he was working on the project,

he and I would talk for hours about his past work, and the legendary musicians that he worked with. Stories of working with rock icons abounded. It really was an honor working with him. As a total unknown, I was so impressed at how gracious he was to me and how much deference and respect he gave. He was a very genuine guy. I'll miss not being able to work with him again. He really cared about the music. Q: Realizing that “X-Drive” is a brand new band, are you planning to hit the road? If so, when and where? A: All I can do right now is see where this goes. If X-Drive develops a wide enough fan base, who knows? I don't know what the future holds for touring, as some of the musicians are already doing that with other bands right now. Q: “Get Your Rock On” is an outstanding debut! I would imagine that with your worldwide deal with Frontiers, you have surpassed expectations with this first effort… A: Thanks. I've been impressed with their achievements, and it was great dealing with them. They were very encouraging when Keith and I met with the label. It was not lost on me that I was new to the industry, and this was a big deal. They believed in my music, and I will always be thankful to everyone at Frontiers, especially Serafino and Mario for the opportunity. MRF | 7


Question: Firstly can you tell us the story behind the album title ‘Incremental IV’? Answer: The title of the album came about when I realized that this album actually is the fourth one, so I wanted to associate this album to just that. The word Incremental means a step wise enumeration and that is hopefully what we will continue to do in the future. Q: The new album comes just 10 months after the release ‘Magnitude’, how soon after ‘Magnitude’ did you start work on ‘Incremental IV’? A: We didn’t plan the start for the work on Incremental IV. It is a continued process to elaborate with lyrics and melodies. As soon as Magnitude was released we’d already started create new ideas and also working with ideas that already was shaped in an early form. Q: With ‘Magnitude’ receiving such critical acclaim, was there any pressure on you to follow up such a great album? A: I never think in dose terms. We’re just creating our music like we’ve always done. I can tell you that there is now pressure of any kind. Critical acclaimed or not, in the end it doesn’t mean that much. Of course it is a great pleasure to read great reviews but after all I’m making these recordings to archive the songs we’ve come up with, in order to continue with writing new ones. Q: How do you feel ‘Incremental IV’ compares to your three previous albums and how do you think the band and yourself has progressed since the debut ‘No Capitulation’? A: The debut was something like seventeen years ago and a lot of things have happened during this period of time. Several members have left and new ones have arrived. Even the musical style has changed during this time from metal to melodic rock and now, I like to think that we’re in 8 | MRF

band. niva album. incremental iv Interview with. t. niva interviewed by:. b. mcminn

for a more pure AOR music style. Q: What is the songwriting process for the album, do you write all the music and lyrics for the albums? A: As usual an initial song idea comes from one of us three songwriters, Roger, Marcus or I. Then we bring all the ideas up front and then finalize them together before entering the studio. Q: If you had to pick one track off the album that highlights what Niva is all about, which track would it be and why? A: It is hard to just pick one song

but if I pick one up-tempo and one mid-tempo it would be “Crush” and then “Only you”. Both songs have a typical NIVA stylistically structural and both songs have a joyful feel with a hit potential, as I see it anyway. Q: What are your touring plans in any, it would be good hear these and the previous albums songs live? A: Everyone involved in NIVA has their full-time jobs and families to support, but if the opportunity arises, we certainly will try to make our way to the live-stage. So let's see what the future has in store.


Primo Bonali: Hello guys! How are you doing? So, can you please introduce your self-titled debut album to our readers? In my review I've described the album as "a real trip, a journey in time and space that will bring you back in the '70s and far beyond (60s)". Do you agree? Dorian Sorriaux: Hi, I'am doing great thank you. Our debut album is coming out really soon, the 25 of July. There is 10 songs, some old ones that have been rearranged and some new ones. Its a blues / rock / soul kind of psychedelic album and it was produced and recorded in Gothenburg Sweden by Don

alsterberg. I definitely agree, we are heavily influenced by the music from the 60s and 70s. PB: You guys are all in your twenties, still your main influences come from '60 and '70 artists, like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Cream. How did you start listening to this music style and these bands? DS: I became a big fan of blues and rock music when I was around 3 or 4 years old. I got introduced to bands like ZZ Top and the early Status Quo by my dad and then I started to search in record stores and second hand shops for new

CDs and music to listen to in that genre. PB: How your band was put together? DS: The band started a few years ago when Elin met Zach in California while she was traveling. They became friends and started to write some songs and uploaded a couple demos on YouTube. The response was really good so it became more serious, they got offered to tour in Spain and to release an EP on a Swedish label. That's when they asked me to come along on tour and to record on the ep, I had met Zach earlier the same year in France when my band was opening for his old band. After visiting them in Sweden to practise for the tour I joined the band officially. PB: Your album is going to b released by Nuclear Blast. How did you get in touch with the label and which are your expectations about it? DS: It all started with an Email that we sent to nuclear blast with a YouTube link and to our surprise they actually responded. A while after that they came to see us live when we were on tour in Germany and really liked the show. They then made us an offer. We were talking to other labels as well but Nuclear Blast really seemed like the right label for us, they didn't ask us to change our sound our anything which the other labels did. Being sign to Nuclear Blast has been a wonderful experience, it opened a lot of doors for us and made us able to play bigger shows as well as a lot of media exposure.


band. hammerfall album. (-r-evolution Interview with. a. johansson interviewed by:. b. atkinson

Question: Hammerfall is known for many things, fantastic, hard hitting music, no strangers to hard work and of course, a love for touring. As you and your band mates have journeyed, you have experienced some many highs and lows.and for the most part, these have strengthened the band.if you look through the years, what impact have all of these experiences had on the music directly? Answer: Thank you! Well, sometimes the lows does more harm than good. But this separates the weak from the tough. The men from the mice. If you manage to go through it, it strengthens you. Like when you break a bone, they say it's stronger in the broken healed place (I heard lately this is a myth, but you know what I mean:)) The lows in Hammerfall's case made us believe in the true sound and stopped experimenting any longer. Back to the roots! Why fix something that don't needed to be fixed in the first place? Done and overwith it. It happens to many bands though. You try to broaden your horizons after a while. It's natural, but stupid if you have something good going. But now back to basics! Q: You are coming off of a much deserved break, over a year I believe and pointing to the new album, it seems that this break was just what the doctor ordered! 10 | MRF

A: Two years even. Yes, it made everyone realize where the band comes from and what we should do. Q: "(r)Evolution" seems to embrace some of your early creations, when writing this album, were you looking back to your roots? A: Yes, absolutely! We tried to make a record that would be like a follow up to “Legacy of Kings”. Yet a bit modern somehow. Q: I would imagine that after taking such a lengthy break, all of you were more than ready to get going. When did you actually start to record the new album? A: The drums in february this year. But the songwriting started before that. So the break was really not really a break:-) People were busy creating. Q: What if anything were you hoping to recapture from previous years in terms of sound, and methodology of recording? A: Everything:-) Q: So in keeping with the above question, what have you done that was similar to what has been done previous, and what have you done that would be different? A: We used the producer fron the two first records: Fredrik Nordström. That was a huge reason the album sounded like the first ones. His personallity is a bit more "Swedish" than the others we had. We had hard working Germans

before and they were great in all ways. Except one. They have a tendency to follow the leader (it is a common problem in Germany... and a strenght as well. Depending how you look at it. In this case they buttered up to Oscar (founder and band leader). Just because they wanted to keep their job, I think. So there was a lot of one way comunication going on. I don't think any of them, Oscar or the producers, realized themselves, but I personally think it harmed the end result slightly. It became too perfect somehow. Now with Nordström he was not sucking up to the leader so much. He spoke his mind and insisted on a lot of things. It's better for creativity. And his mix was more natural and powerful I think. Not so processed. Well, it's all what you prefer I guess, but I like when it sounds like a band playing. Q: Now, upon listening to the new record, we can hear a renewed passion in Hammerfall, not that you have lost any, but knowing how hard you guys work, and how long the group has been together. How to you keep coming up with such passionate music? A: People are passionate in their own ways. There are a lot of hidden aggression withing the band members. And some open ones too:-) Not towards each other (so much:)) but in general. It creates some tension in the music. Good ones! Metal should be aggressive!



YES - Heaven & Earth (Frontiers Records) As I wrote in another column: “Heaven & Earth” is as fresh as a Spring morning! This is the latest offering from that veteran ensemble of musical talent that we have been saying “Yes” to for over forty years! What we have here, are eight absolutely stunning pieces of swirling-symphonic musical progressions that will lighten the heaviest of hearts amongst us! A literal and musical masterpiece! “Heaven & Earth” may just be the album that re-invents “Yes” and introduces them to a whole new generation! Teaming up with legendary producer Roy Thomas Baker, “Yes” have delivered a complete musical statement that retains all the high marks this group have become known for. Yet, they have also breathed new life in their musical creations, finding new nuggets in their quest of musical expression. There is so much creativity within each track, and from each musician, that it truly boggles the mind! In a few words, “Heaven & Earth” is nothing short of beautiful and unique, just nothing quite like this in all of Heaven or on Earth!! Bruce Atkinson (90/100) STATE OF SALAZAR - All the Way (Frontiers Records) Again Sweden. And again an incredible album. Even better, if possible! Melodic Rock / AOR at its best, played with a superior musicianship, arranged and written in a superb and mature way, like the band was around since years. And actually they aren't, as State Of Salazar released their debut EP "Lost My Way" in the summer of 2012, and it was put together only one year earlier by these five young music students from Malmo. Their (obvious, listening to their music) influences come from bands like Toto, Survivor and Chicago, as the band sounds more US than Swedish (something that they share with their country-mates Work Of Art). Their debut-album "All The Way" features 12 songs, or, to better say, 12 radio-friendly jewels, with heavenly vocals (Marcus Nygren's voice can reach highest notes without never being annoying), anthemic chorus, epic melodies, over-the-top arrangements, and a crystal clear production. The main candidate for the “debut-album of the year” award! Primo Bonali (95/100) ADRENALINE RUSH - Adrenaline Rush (Frontiers Records) Adrenaline Rush are the aptly name latest Rock sensation to come out of Sweden. A band that first started to bear fruit when vocalist Tave Wanning and Eclipse’s Erik Martensson got together to record what would become this debut album back in 2012. Hand picking the band members from various backgrounds around the Stockholm music scene, with Tave being joined by Ludvig Turner and Alexander Hagman on guitars, Soufian Ma’Aoui on bass and last but by no means least Marcuss Johansson on drums. The album, like the bands name implies, is a much needed musical release of epinephrine into the rock system, full of big licks and even bigger chorus’s this Rock n’ Roll as it should be. Wanning has that Wendy James style and attitude to her vocals that deliver a punchy, angsty, no nonsense vibe. Stand out tracks for me are all of them, but if I had to pick my favourites then opener “Hit You Like A Rock”, “Generation Left Behind”, “Girls Gone Wild” and the massive sounds of “Want It All” have Martensson written all them. This is quite outstanding debut and one of the finest Hard Rock releases I’ve heard this year. Barry McMinn (99/100) X-DRIVE - Get Your Rock On (Frontiers Records) His voice is unmistakeable Keith St. John: ex-Montrose, fronts this brand new Los Angeles based quartet. His guitar stylings are precise, tasteful and rhythmic founding member of “X-Drive”, Jeremy Brunner, hailing from the Pacific Northwest… Jeremy put this group together with the afore mentioned St. John, and James Lomenzo on Bass and Drummer Fred Fischer. As testament to his far-reaching Talents, Jeremy was successful in signing a world-wide deal with Frontiers and “Get Your Rock On” is their debut. Twelve slices of no nonsense guitar driven rock, each number living all so well on the world’s stages! A tight, rhythmic group “X-Drive” takes us from one musical high to another. The record sounds “live” off the floor, I would imagine that there are many songs that are the result of only one or two takes! And all are Radio friendly and not in a forced way just natural driven rockers! As mentioned, Keith St. John’s voice is unmistakeable and so strong. A great counterpoint to the guitar explorations of Mr. Brunner! Couple this with the tight rhythmic playing of Fred and James, and we hear a fluid, pulsating and driven undertow that pushes each and every number! Overall, “Get Your Rock On” is a grand debut, and one that should musically fill the Summer air the world over! Bruce Atkinson (91/100) ASIA - High Voltage (Frontiers Records) This live album was recorded in London back in 2010 at the first High Voltage festival. It finds the classic line-up covering the whole of their legendary debut from1982, plus a couple of tracks from the “Phoenix” and “Omega” albums; the first two albums they recorded after their reformation in 2006. It starts off shakily; the sound is too thin and organic for their brand of pomp rock and it takes John Wetton some time to find his stride vocally. “One Step Closer” doesn’t convince at all but by mid-album it comes together. Steve Howe’s guitar in this live setting is definitely more prog rock than hard rock. The newer songs “An Extraordinary Life” and “I Believe” work well in the set, perhaps because they’re written to their present strengths rather than their early 80’s prime. However, by the time they hit the home straight with “Here Come The Feeling”, “Sole Survivor” and the bonafide classic “Heat of the Moment” all is forgiven and you can’t help but sing along with Wetton. Not perfect but with Howe back in the Yes camp then this could be a last chance to hear the original line up so it makes this a significant release for Asia fans. Duncan Jamieson (88/100) VICTORY - Don’t Get Mad Get Even (Yesterrock) Re-vitalised, “Don’t Get Mad Get Even” was the second release of this 80’s era hard rock group. “Victory”, a forceful hard rock group that featured Charlie Huhn-ex Ted Nugent singer, and Bassist Peter Knorn. The group had early success with their infectious rollicking tunes. This re-issues captures all of that intensity and energy. The line-up on this, their second effort, added Drummer Fritz Randow, and Guitarist Herman Frank. These two joined up with Charlie, Peter, and Guitarist Tommy Newton to go on to even more success! These five created an album’s worth of memorable slices of Metal-tinged Rockers delivered with conviction! “Victory” was a bright light in the 1980’s musical sky, and this re-issue will most likely brighten up those skies once again! “Victory” was a “take no prisoners” type band, and that is no different today! “Don’t Get Mad Get Even” is worthy of that second shot… Don’t hesitate, pick up this one for sure! Bruce Atkinson (85/100) 12 | MRF


HAMMERFALL - (r)Evolution (Nuclear Blast) After a two year break, these heavy metal Swedes have returned with a vengeance! “r-Evolution” marks Hammerfall’s ninth studio album, and it is a scorcher! This record belies their years in the music industry, there is so much energy coming off these grooves, that you may need a seat-belt when listening! Rock-hard and intense, this collection of brand new expressions registers in the upper echelons of Rock-Metal. As we have come to expect, any Hammerfall song is complete with poignant messages, and “r-Evolution” is no exception! Hardhitting, both musically and lyrically Hammerfall delivers. As we journey through this new creation, we are met with a familiar face right at the start; “Hector’s Hymn” sets the pace. We continue with such rockers as the title track, “Live Life Loud”, “Winter Is Coming” and much more. The signature sound of Hammerfall is still there, but the intensity is akin to their very first couple of albums! Seems the two-year rest was just what these musicians needed. Polished and re-forged, the group is offering up a total of eleven slices of melodic, molten metal that will keep you looking for more! Extraordinary talented musicians creating an extraordinary Recorded Work! Prepare yourself for a re-vitalised Hammerfall and take the next step in “r-Evolution”!! Bruce Atkinson (90/100) MISS BEHAVIOUR - Roadkill (AOR Heaven) The Swedes previous, sophamore album “Last Woman Standin” really saw them raising their game with the addition of singer Sebastion Roos. “Double Agent” sees them build on the strengths of that record and provide us with another great example of Scandnavian melodic rock that wears its 80s influences proudly. There’s a good marriage between Erik Heikne’s guitar and Henrik Sproge’s keyboards that give the band an almost epic AOR qualty that seperates their sound from others playing this genre (and a side of themselves that they should do more of). There are also some killer choruses on the title track and “Magical Feeling”. On “Cold Response” and they do a good impression of Toto meets Work Of Art. The power ballad of sorts “Corporation Arms” offers up a change from the usual boy meets girl fodder while “On With The Show” is just an old school song about rocking. More in common with fellow Swedes Houston’s brand of AOR than H.E.A.T or Eclipse’s harder melodic rock. If you were smitten by Miss Behaviour’s charms on their last record then this is equally captivating. Duncan Jamieson (86/100) NIVA – Incremental IV (AOR Heaven) This is the fourth Niva album and like the bands debut on AOR Heaven “Magnitude”, “Incremental” is another full force slice of AOR that defines the genre perfectly. The guitars of Roger Ljunggren and keyboards of Marcus Persson, together with the bass of Jan Stal and drums of Bengan Andersson, join vocalist and band namesake Tony Niva and together, they take up where “Magnitude” left off. From the opener “Don’t You Know” Ljunggren’s guitars make their mark. These are soon joined by the superb vocal tones of Niva and from here on in its melody rich rock all the way. Things continue on melodic path with the up-beat rocker and first single “Crush” and continue in the same mid-tempo style with “Better Just Forgotten”, before turning it up another notch with “Magnitude”. With all melodic rock albums you expect a ballad and this album has a corker in “Travel Back In Time”. All in all a great album and a worthy follow up to “Magnitude”. Well worth shelling out your hard-earned cash for without hearing any more than the tracks mentioned, so I’ll leave the rest for you to enjoy yourself. You won’t be disappointed. Barry McMinn (86/100) J.B.O. – Nur die Besten werden alt (AFM Records) J.B.O. (James Blast Orchester) the undisputed kings of Bloedsinn (nonsense) are back with the 10th studio album and once again the German’s from Erlangen deliver an album of total fun filled Parody Metal, with some reworkings and some new music. This album will bring a smile to even the most stone faced as you can’t help but love this quartets spin on pop and rock songs. The band pays tribute to Alice Cooper’s “Schools Out” with “Schule aus” and even Opus’s “Live is Life” is give the dark metal treatment with “Death Is Death”, and to be honest, I love the JBO make over. Other songs given the JBO treatment are “These Boots are Made For Walking” on “Das Bier ist da zum Trinken” and even “Mambo Number 5” is revamped with the excellent “Heavy Metal 666”. Even though the album is sung in the bands native tongue you don’t have to speak German to understand what this band is all about. It never did Rammstein any harm singing in German. Ok so this will not be everyones cup of tea, but if we all liked the same thing my job would be a lot easier. Take this album for what it is, a whole lot of FUN! Barry McMinn (82/100) GREGORY LYNN HALL – Heaven To Earth (AOR Heaven) The debut album from 101 South’s lead singer may takea few people by suprise; in a good way. A possessor of great rock pipes , he’s fashioned an album that is an eclectic mix of rock genres. He plays guitar but he’s also backed by some rampant guitar playing from the likes of Guiffria’s Craig Goldy and Armoured Saint’s Jeff Duncan. It’s all anchored by Hall’s voice so it proves to be a cohesive album despite its diversity. The most startling songs are “Stars In The Night” and “I Thought I Only Saw Heaven”. The first remind me of Graham Bonnet era Rainbow and then, blow me down, the latter is a heavy juggernaut that recalls the Ronnie James Dio era. “Rockin’ The Road” could be Brian Howe era Bad Company. Add to that some terrific hooks on the melodic title track and you have a great album that should appeal to any classic rock lover. Duncan Jamieson (88/100) ACCEPT– Blind Rage (Nuclear Blast) Judas Priest, AC/DC and Accept share common ground in that you know instantly that it’s them from the opening chords. They’ve all struck on a formula that works for them, often simple but effective and those that try to emulate them rarely do it as well. Accept come out snorting, hoofs thumping and horns waving on the metal anthem “Stampede”. Over the course of the record they deliver exactly what you’d expectof them; razor sharp yet catchy riffs, manly gutteral vocals from Mark Tornillo, gang chanting choruses and scorching solos that’ll singe your eyebrows off. “Fall of the Empire”, “200 Years” and “Wanna Be Free” are all worthy additions to their canon. It might not top 2010’s “Blood Nations” or their last album “Stalingrad” but it’s still a cut above the vast majority of metal bands. On the title track, a homage to the great rock and metal bands, when they sing that they themselves are one of the last of a dying breed they are not wrong. Thank goodness they’re still around,delivering the pure definition of teutonic metal. Duncan Jamieson (90/100) MRF | 13


band. miss behavior album. double agent interview with:. Erik Heikne interviewed by:. d.jamieson

Question: It’s another great album from you. Answer: Thank you very much, we’ve put down a lot of work into this one. Q: Your last album ‘Last Woman Standing’ was well received. How does the new record differ in your eyes? A: We knew “Last Woman Standing” was a great album, but the reception by fans and the press was way beyond our expectations. That of course means that the expectations on “Double Agent” is high. We grew as a band by touring on “Last Woman Standing” but then a terrible accident in Nottingham took our manager and friend Michael Sundén from us and that affected us a lot. We put our heads in the sand and decided to make our best effort to make an album that would have made Michael proud. The new album is more straight forward and live-oriented, I think. Double Agent is more nuanced so to speak. Q: How did you record the album? A: We recorded it as a band. Spent time together in the studio, worked hard and had great meals, laughs and drinks every evening. “Last Woman Standing” was recorded in sessions and we did not have the same chemistry

in the band back then as we do now. I hope that’s something that reaches the listeners, this emotional aspect. Q: What sparked the idea for the song “Double Agent”? A: The lyric picks up where the theme of “Last Woman Standing” ended. Musical wise it’s a combination of red wine and embracing the music we love. Q: What songs are you particularly proud of on the record? A: I like to think of an album, like a good movie. It has to have ups and downs in both tempo and emotion. We’re not a band that releases an album with 12 three minutes radio songs. This album has a couple of these in “Cold Response” and “Magical Feeling” and it has more emotional songs like “Corporation Arms”. It also contains more complex tracks like “The Cause Of Liberty” and heavier tunes like “Edge of The World”. Q: What is it about the 80s rock sound that captures your imagination as you were too young to hear it first time round? A: My first memory of hard rock was a Europe concert back in -92. Went with my mom and later found out that Sebastian was at the same gig with his mom. 10 years old, Kee Marcello and Joey

had a really strong impact on myself. It’s all about the melodies and the musicianship for me. The powerful sound. I don’t wanna dismiss some bands out there, but you don’t have to growl and tune your guitar to drop D to make powerfull music, my opinion. Q: There are a number of great melodic rock bands coming out of Sweden at the moment. Bands like H.E.A.T , Houston, Eclipse, W.E.T and yourselves. How do you account for this new wave of melodic rock? A: In Sweden there’s a history of creating music with strong melodies, but unfortunately the scene is so small here, most peoples like heavier rock. For us it was an eye-opener to tour in the UK, with a growing fan base of this music. But there are a lot of great melodic rock bands from all over Europe I think. Q: Can we look forward to seeing you live in Europe to support the record? A: I definitely hope so. We gained a group of fans and supporters with the last album and of course we want to rock with them soon again. Let´s hope that ”Double Agent” lives up to the expectations so that festivals and venues around Europe want to have us.


Question: How does it feel to have our solo album released? Answer: It feels great to have a product coming out that's completely me. Also a little scary, because if people like it, its great, but if the don't, well you now the rest, lol. It’s all on me... But its nice, it’s kind of a natural progression from 101 South to do a solo album. Q: It’s a got a variety of rock styles on it (like albums used to have) but it all sounds cohesive because it’s anchored by your vocals. Did you set out to make a diverse sounding record? A: I didn't really set out with any pre-concieved ideas of how I wanted it to sound, I just went for it, I’m a guitarist, so naturally some of the songs are more

A: Sometimes I started writing with a Guitar riff, other times it was a concept or a feeling... It just depended, sometimes I just got real quiet and listened... Good tip for life also... Because I played almost all the instruments (except some drums and guitar solos on 5 songs) on the album It was really cool to be able to write, record and hear the songs finished the way I heard them in my head, and wanted them to come out. Also having good Bros play Guitar solos for me like Craig Goldy, Jeff Duncan, Billy Liesegang, Johnny Navarro, Mike Turner... It helped bring in those final touches or spices... Q: Your faith is important to you. How does that affect the lyrics? A: Yes for sure, my faith is my foundation, and definitely influences what I wanna say, I always wanna lift people, take them to a better place. Theres enough negativity in the world already, I do touch on the other side as well to identify with people... Q: Is there any chance of you going band. gregory lynn hall out on the road to album. heaven to earth promote the record? interview with:. gregory lynn A: I really want to put a interviewed by:. d. jamieson Band together and play live and support this album, I’m looking for players right now, if you know any Pros, lemme know they can guitar riff based. I just let it flow, most of the songs were written as contact me directly at gregorylynnhall@aol.com I was recording the album. Q: Some people may be sur- Q: Will there be another 101 prised by how heavy this is in South album? places. There’s even a A: I talk to Roger Scott Craig now Rainbow / Dio sound in and then, I would love to do places. Were these bands another album, we shall see, it seems its getting harder and influences on you here? A: Yes, of course we are all prod- harder to make good high quality ucts of who we grew up on,and albums these days, the budgets are influenced by, my 4 strongest are small and makes it very diffiRock vocal influences are, Ronnie cult to hire live players, producJames Dio, David Coverdale, Paul ers, etc.. It forces us to put on Rodgers, and Lou Gramm, not many hats to make an album. Q: What’s next for you? necessarily in that order. Q: How long did it take to A: I would love to get out and play live, also collaborate with record the album? A: The album took about 3 some other Pro musicians and record more albums, and start months to make. Q: Tell us about the writing soaring... Get back in the mix process and the musicians was nice chatting with you, Rock On and God Bless. you got in to help you. MRF | 15


band. adrenaline rush album. adrenaline rush interview with:. Tave Wanning interviewed by:. b. mcminn

Question: So can you give us a brief history of how did the band come together? Answer: It actually started as a solo project. I had been playing in different bands for a long time but nothing ever took off in a serious way. It’s hard to find a group of people who share a vision and want things to go in the same direction. I mean, you always have a good time and lots of laughs but after a while just seeing the inside of a rehearsal studio and doing small club gigs gets old. I knew I was ready to take my music to a more professional level but wasn’t sure how to go about it. And then just by chance I ran into Erik at a Quireboys concert. I had worked with him briefly laying down vocals on a song of his a couple of years back but I didn’t really know him at all. We got to talking and decided to meet up and see if we could do some serious work together. Erik is an incredibly talented guy he’s a songwriter, a musician and a producer. I don’t think there’s anything in music he can’t do well. Plus he’s a genuinely nice person. And as it turned out he totally understood what I was looking for musically and everything fell into place. Ideas just kept coming and after a short while we had a bunch of tracks that were exactly the way I wanted – good melodies, great riffs and very energetic and live oriented songs with a modern production yet keeping one foot in the 80’s. I knew I wanted to play the songs live, it’s the main reason I’m even in the business at all. It’s always been about the show and performance for me, the 16 | MRF

connection with the audience. I love bands like Hanoi Rocks and Van Halen – really tight bands that can give a crazy front man a solid foundation to stand on so they can focus on getting the party going and entertaining the crowd. I will always try to be the circus monkey and give the people their money’s worth. If you want to hear me focus on singing you have to get the album. So when the album was ready I got in touch with some really talented guys I knew from school and other bands around town. They liked the songs and were also fans of Erik, so we decided to become Adrenaline Rush. I think the name really sums up how we sound and what we’re trying to do live. The guys are really great and I’m so happy to have them with me. Q: When putting the album together, was there a set direction you wanted the album to go, or did it just evolve song by song? A: I had an idea of what I was looking for. I grew up listening to rock from the 60’s 70’s and 80’s and I love the heavier stuff like Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest, WASP and so on. But I think my voice and visual vibe fits better with the classic melodic 80’s party rock. There was a bunch of female fronted bands back then that were, and still are, really great. Bands like Vixen, Lita Ford, Lee Aaron, Femme Fatale and so on. I like a bit of melody because it makes the song more interesting to sing. And I don’t mind flirting with pop at times either. So that was the general direction I wanted to go. And once Erik and I were on the same

page on that we started bouncing ideas back and forth and the songs just kept coming. Q: Personally I think this is one of the finest Hard Rock albums this year, but are you pleased with the end result? A: Thank you so much, I really appreciate you saying that. I am very pleased with the album and the band and everything else as you can imagine. There’s a whole lot of hard work behind it and it actually came out very close to what I had in mind when we started working. I decided early on that I was going to make an album that made me happy in the first place, to go with my gut feeling so that even if this was the last album I ever made I could at least walk away proud. And now, if others like it as well, that is a huge bonus. Q: How was the songwriting process for the album? Did all the band have input on the final songs? A: No, not this first time around. It was all me and Erik. Well, actually there were a few more songwriters involved, but for the most part it was just us. I am not much of a songwriter, at least not yet, but I did contribute on lyrics and vocal melodies. So I am dependent on other songwriters which is why I am so happy I got to work with Erik. He understood exactly what I was looking for both musically and production-wise. But next time I hope the guys in the band can work with us and put their mark on it as well. I really want this to be a band and not a solo project.


band. state of salazar album. All the way interview with:. Marcus Nygren interviewed by:. p. bonali

Question: Which are your sensations about"All The Way"? What are your expectations about? Answer: Thank you so much! I’m really glad you like it. I’m extremely proud of the songs and more then satisfied with how the recordings turned out. I believe we’ve done a killer record and I think it will please many fans of AOR and West Coast with its accuracy and variety within the genre. At least, that’s what we’re hoping for. When the album was recorded we didn’t know what to expect really. But we’re starting to understand that it’s not only us, there’s actually others who like what we do, and that’s simply amazing! Q: I could describe your sound as "Classic Melodic Rock - AOR", something pretty close to new bands like Work Of Art or H.E.A.T. (early albums), or "masters" like TOTO and SURVIVOR. Do you agree? Which have been your most important influences, musically talking? A: I can’t argue with that, haha. I believe we have alot in common with WOA and with early HEAT, when it comes to influences. The reason why State of Salazar sound like we do, I would say is the mix of West Coast and AOR combined with Symphonic Rock and Arena Pop/Rock. And maybe the most important thing about our sound; we always try to make our up-tempo songs suitable for a training montage. The most important influences I would say is Toto, Queen, Journey, Bill Conti and Vince DiCola. But the list goes on with everything from Chicago,

Airplay, Gino Vannelli and The Doobie Brothers to Survivor, Europe, Kiss and Abba. Just to mention a few, hahaha. Q: Which are the themes you're dealing with, lyrically talking, in this album? A: Well there’s a lot of lyrics on the album dealing with LOVE in different directions. Unrequited love, the longing for love, break up hate-love, about finding the right one and to have found the right one. Then there’s of course these feel good lyrics about believing in yourself and fighting for your dreams, as well as somewhat more humorous playful lyrics. Q: Where your monicker, State Of Salazar, comes from? Any particular meaning behind it? A: No, there’s no meaning behind it more than that it’s the band name actually. We came up with the name Salazar because of an old internal joke between the guys in the band and we thought it sounded great to put it together with State of. It’s kind of a wordplay with; state of mind - state of Salazar. That’s all there is to it, really. But yes when we learned about Portugal’s history and the irony that we play positive feelgood music and the possible link that can be done with the dictator Salazar, we discussed changing the name. Thank God we didn’t! We’re Swedes and we love the irony, hahaha. The name brings an edge to our music with all the questions, preconceptions and ideas about why we chose this name. Our music is all about feelgood and we just don’t

wanted a predictable easy slick name to go with our already smooth music and lyrics. Q: How and when the band was put together? A: Me and the other guys met at Malmö Academy of Music back in 2008, we became friends and started the band one year later, parallel with our education. Up until 2009 I’d been the singer in several metal bands and I felt a great need to go back to my roots and write slick music inspired by the 80’s Westcoast and AOR. A genre that has always been close to my heart. In the beginning we just had some fun with it. We recorded some demo songs and we did some small shows. In 2012 we decided to record our Ep ”Lost My Way”. It was our last year before graduation and we wanted to at least have a decent recording of our time together if we wouldn’t continue after we had finished school. But then when we released it we learned that there’s actually still an audience for this. A wonderful audience who loves this music as much as we do. And that was all we needed to be sure we wanted this band to carry on and aim higher. Q: How did you get in touch with Frontiers Records? A: They contacted us, only a month after our EP ”Lost My Way” was released. Ever since we started this band it has been a dream for us to end up with Frontiers as our record label. And for that to come true so quickly, and that it was they who contacted us, was really overwhelming for us and still is. MRF | 17



band. yes album. heaven and earth interview with:. j. davison interviewed by:. v. nocerino

Question: You spent a lot of 2013 playing full-album performances of The Yes Album, Close To The Edge and Going For The One. How much does it help to write songs for the new album? Answer: The three albums have obviously inspired me, and inspiration is the creative key by which we accomplish anything in life. Q: To my ears, it was one of the best album of 2013: great production, great lyrics and a torrent of creativity. Is there a sort of secret formula to write a Yes song? A: Getting in honest touch with the heart and translating that into music and lyrics. Q: I think Heaven And Earth is a perfect title for a Yes album, is there a particular meaning behind it? A: Eastern spirituality and physics alike emphasize that reality is in fact governed by duality. Where there's light there must be darkness, etc. This concept is depicted in the title and visually within the Yes logo on the cover - the jagged lines of black and white contrasting one another. Q: Can we consider Heaven And Earth a concept album?

A: No. However, I believe that no one is the originator of their creative fruits but rather a channel merely for a greater source. So, a grander concept may reveal itself to me, the band, or to the listener over the course of time. Q: What about Roy Thomas Baker? Why did you choose him to produce the album? A: Simply because he makes a mean cappuccino (laughs.) We obviously chose RTB because he's accomplished amazing sounding productions through the years! Q: Some artists said that it’s not easy to work in studio with him… A: A lot of people think that this kind of music is just entertainment, but I think that every genre of music is a form of art. Q: What do you honestly think about it? A: I absolutely agree. Q: I know your albums are first of all about music, but do you think that it could be also a method of communicating a message? A: Yes music has always served as a RELAYER of positive messages. Q: Do you feel that any of the new songs have what it takes to be treated as a

new classic of the band? A: Only time and the collective consciousness will tell. Q: When you’re in the studio do you give any consideration to how you’re going to pull something off live, or worry about it later? A: Yes, we gave great consideration to this while creating and recording in the studio. Q: How similar is your stage image to your actual personality? A: My wife says I sing equally as well at home in the shower as I do on stage. I try to bring my sense of self to the stage in an honest and transparent way. Q: Which are the compositions from the new album that you feel best represent the spirit of the band in this particular moment? A: Each and every composition on Heaven And Earth is equally the direct product of the current spirit of Yes. Q: What has being in Yes meant to you? A: It's a great honor to actually be a member of the band that has always meant so much to me. I want to do everything I can creatively to help and serve them, now and into the future. MRF | 19


artist. ted nugent album. shutupandjam! interview with:. ted nugent interviewed by:. b.mcminn

Focus on:

TED NUGENT - ShutUp&Jam! (Frontiers Records) 2014 sees the much-anticipated new studio release from the Motorcity Madman himself Ted Nugent “Shutup&Jam!”. The album is Nugent first album in 7 years and although 65 years old, the Detroit native still knows how to rock and “Shutup&Jam” is pure Nuge. With a heavy dose of Rhythm and Blues and the trademark big riffs, this is Nugent at his musical best. As the album opens up with the title track, it’s clear it’s still all about the attitude. The album is full on Nugent as the riffs come thick and fast on the outstanding “Fear Itself”, before Derek St Holmes is unleashed on the mike for the funk filled, “Everything Matters”. Even Sammy Hagar makes an appearance on the rockin’ “She’s Gone”. Other tracks of note have to be “I Still Believe”, which was released originally on line in 2011. Even Nugent sense of humour shines through on “I Love My Bbq”, but if any critics dare to say the 65 year old has lost his riff building edge, then they haven’t checked out the excellent instrumental “Throttledown” and the storming ‘Screaming Eagles. Now this where he really sets the fret-board on fire in true Nugent style. A really great return from the Nuge, a modern classic. Barry McMinn (95/100)

20 | MRF


Question: This the first studio album in 7 years, why the gap between this album and “Love Grenade”? A: My life is SO phenomenally exciting, fun, exhilarating, adventurous and gratifying on all levels, God, family, country, careers, that I am able to completely indulge and immerse myself in the annual summer rockouts & thrilling hunting all year, that I run wild with those things that deliriously turn me on. With such nonstop stimuli, it is near impossible to get me in one place long enough to record. Having double knee replacement surgery in February 2014 combined with the gift from God to organize the schedules and availability of my entire R&B&R&R dreamteam, it was the perfect alignment of the planets to finally capture these soulsong masterpieces. I'd call it sheer luck. Q:“I Still Believe” was originally released as a free download in 2011, did you release this a taster to see if the world was ready for another Ted Nugent album? A: Nah, I never tease or test jack diddly. I unleash killer licks, grooves, ideas and songs all the time. The rough demo jam of this tune was spontaneously captured on digital technology right down the road from my TX ranch. I like the sound, feel, spirit & energy of it & made it available on a whim. I figured earthlings needed some fresh killer NugeROCK to satiate the beasts within. Q: Your embarking on another tour bringing the total to over 6500 shows, what keeps you motivated at 65 years of age? A: I didn't invent piss & vinegar, but I have perfected it over the years, still crave the collaborative musical creativity, crave unleashing my killer songs with my killer band to killer audiences everywhere, so the love of the music is more powerful today than ever. Clearly I'm the luckiest guitar player in the world. Q: In 2011 Derek St Holmes returned to the Nugent band after a hiatus, was it great to have the full Funk Brothers band back together at full

force? A: Derek is my MotorCity soulmusic BloodBrother, so it is always a joy to have his magic voice on those original masterpieces he sang on. Killers deserve killers. Q: Did you write all the songs for the album, or did the other Funk Brothers get involved in the songwriting for “Shutup&Jam!”? A: I crave the personal delivery of my musical dreams and visions, so I am very protective of my musical statements. Though I dearly enjoy the team effort on some songs like I have occasionally with my Amboy Dukes, those Damn Yankees and killer musicians I have been privileged to collaborate with over the years, when it says "... Written by Ted Nugent" it is my 100% baby. I'm a songwriter and love it. Q: Sammy Hagar joins you on “She’s Gone”, how did the Red Rocker get involved on the album? A: Sammy & I come from the same American black soulmusic, blues, R&B&R&R school of authoritative music, so our threat to make killer music together was long overdue. Q: Your political ideas are notoriously conservative. Does this fact ever given you some troubles during a show? Has ever happened that some fans booed at you because of your political beliefs or criticized you in some way? A: The unabashed truth and logic of my politics and overall life strongly enhances the overall power of my uppity defiant freedom loving soundtrack and quality of life. There has never been a more defined line drawn in the sand. The best people in the world stand with me, soulless haters are on the otherside. This is sad but necessary till evil people either wake up or go away. I stand stronger than ever and get stronger everyday. Q: Is there a place, in the world, where you would NOT play because of political ideologies? A: No. In those criminal devil hellholes of Nazi Islamist insanity they need my music more

than anybody on earth. I could cleanse their souls. Q: Is there any particularly fun/crazy tour episode you'd like to tell us? A: Far too many to list. Something intensely memorable happens in one way or another, usually many ways every night. My music pushes people to the brink of dangerous over-reaction, and I personally have it down to a science, though purely primal and guttural as it is. We go to uncharted musical zones everynight, people get crazy, woman get naked, children see God and primal urges unleash. It's way too much fun for mortal beings to handle. Seriously. Q: Finally what are the biggest misconception people have of Ted Nugent? A: I doubt there is much mystery or misconception left about me after more than 50 years of nonstop interviews, writings, media and public exposure. Everybody has all the information about me that they need. The goofy, irresponsible, unprofessional, dishonest, antiAmerican agendadriven media has consistently lied about me and made up the most ridiculous stories, but the truth is more than available for intelligent, caring people to seek and embrace. Good people know the truth, goofballs live a lie. I'm good with that. Q: Do you believe rock music is a strong way of delivering a political message or... 'it's just fucking R'n'R, Baby!'? What is your opinion about band that uses their music to promote a strongly politicized message? A: The pure beauty of my music and of me myself is the absolute uninhibitedness and primalscream honesty we gush forth. I hold nothing back and my incredible music eliminates any BS that might rear its ugly head, at which point much decapitation transpires. I believe what I believe and say what I say because I mean it and all honest research and evidence proves that I am always right. I genuflect at the altar of self-evident truth and logic and common sense. No one can deter me, ever. MRF | 21


Barry McMinn: The bands sound and style is quite unique in the world of Metal, how did the whole concept come about to Parody Metal? Hannes: There are enough serious Metal bands on this planet. And metal doesn’t necessarily mean to worship satan and eat babies. You can love metal, but be a happy and nice person. Besides, many of these “wannabe- evil” musicians are real pussies offstage. BM: The new album features your own songs as well as some reworking (not covers) of classics, how do you come up with the ideas behind the songs? H: The ideas come to us, which is very nice of them. BM: Although the album is sung entirely in German, for non-speakers like myself its still a really enjoyable album, why do you think your music crossed the language barriers? H: Like said before, it’s Metal, but it’s happy. To be happy is more fun than to be sad or angry. BM: How have bands in general reacted to the reworked versions of their songs (we won’t mention Rammstien!)? H: All our Cover songs must be permitted in advance, so there are no negative reactions afterwards. But in MAAANY cases we don’t get this permission. BM: Apart from Metal and Rock songs, Pop music has also been given the JBO treatment. Are there any genres you haven’t covered and would like to? H: There are no boundaries and limits for Blöedsinn! BM: What do you prefer writing your own songs or spinning other people’s songs? H: There’s no big difference, if we like a tune, or we like what we have made of it, then it’s as cool as playing or recording an original. BM: Finally will J.B.O be touring in 2014? H: Yeah! We will be touring Germany, Austria and Switzerland in autumn 2014 (www.jbo.de/tour).




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