TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAgE 5
PAgE 15
PAgE 7
PAgE 17
Music News ......................................3
January Scrapbook.......................13
Album Reviews..............................19
PAgE 11
DEtRoit
Volume 2 • issue 1 • January 2016
WRitERS: terry Canter • Bob Cheesman Corrina Drost • Rem Fields Rachael Lamb • Dawn Lemay Shobha N. Lizaso • Scotti Moore Victoria Rapp • Derek “D-Unit” Samp Liz Stokes PhotogRAPhERS: Chris Balow • Joe orlando Steve Sergent
Club Calendar.................................22
Event Calendar................................23 PUBLiShER/EDitoR: Neal Nachman
DiRECtoR oF SALES & PRoMotioNS: Liz Stokes gRAPhiC ARtiSt: Neal Nachman
DiRECtoR oF MULti-MEDiA PRoDUCtioNS: Kenny Moore oPERAtioNS CooRDiNAtoR: Scotti Moore LEgAL CoUNSEL: Shobha N. Lizaso
EDitoRiAL iNqUiRiES: editorial@fullaccessdetroit.com
PUBLiShED By: Full Access Magazine • 4211 E. Busch Blvd., Suite D • tampa, FL 33617 313.936.0750 (Detroit office) • 813.400.3110 (Corporate office) • 813.200.3916 (Fax) © 2016 ALL RightS RESERVED • No part of Full Access Detroit may be reproduced in any form by any means without prior written consent from Full Access Magazine. ViSit US oN thE WEB @ www.fullaccessdetroit.com
Motley Crue's Vince Neil: 'The Dirt' Film Expected for Next Summer The Mötley Crüe story – copious sex, hard drugs and a Hollywood hair-metal ascent to stardom – will hit the big screen in Jeff Tremaine's Dirt, based on the band's 2001 autobiography. In a recent Q&A with Las Vegas Magazine, Crüe frontman Vince Neil says the movie "should be out in the summer of 2016," Blabbermouth reports. Tremaine, directing based on a script from Rich Wilkes and Tom Kapinos, announced his involvement two years ago. The project was acquired by Focus Features in January. "Making music and making movies is two different things," Neil told Las Vegas. "We're involved in it, but … we just got a new script about three or four months ago, the rewrite of the old script, and it's way, way better. It's such a great script.… It does stay pretty close to The Dirt, so if you've read The Dirt, it's really something to look forward to." Neil added that it's "gonna be strange" seeing an actor play him in the film. "It's funny, I saw the table read of the last script," he said. "They have these different actors playing each person, and even just the table read of the script was weird when the Vince guy was talking.. He laughed. "It wasn't the guy that's gonna play me, but it was just kind of weird hearing somebody say your words. It's a bit of a trip." Mötley Crüe have spent the second half of 2015 on the road with their "Final Tour," which culminates New Years Eve with a concert at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Janis Joplin's Psychedelic Porsche Brings $1.76 Million at Auction Janis Joplin's psychedelic Porsche sold for $1.76 million Thursday night at RM Sotheby's "Driven By Disruption" car auction in New York. The iconic vehicle – a pearl-white 1965 Porsche 365c 1600 Cabriolet decked out with a kaleidoscopic Flower Power paint job – was expected to bring between $400,000 and $600,000,
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CNN reports. Joplin purchased the Porsche secondhand in 1968, and Big Brother and the Holding Company roadie Dave Richards painted the iconic "History of the Universe" mural, which features images of the band members among butterflies and jellyfish. Joplin owned the vehicle until her death in October 1970, and the Porsche has been displayed at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the past two decades. "Janis drove everywhere, all around San Francisco and down to Los Angeles when she was recording there," Joplin's sister and biographer Laura told Sotheby's in the auction listing. "Wherever Janis went in the car, her fans recognized it. When she parked it and returned, there was always at least one note under the wipers." The "Driven By Disruption" sale also included a 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, which sold for $14.3 million, the highest price ever paid for a British car at auction. Amy J. Berg's recently released documentary Janis: Little Girl Blue chronicles the singer's early life, ascent to rock stardom, heroin addiction and musical legacy. The film features narration from Chan Marshall (Cat Power) and interviews with Bob Weir, Clive Davis, Melissa Etheridge, D.A. Pennebaker and Dick Cavett, along with Joplin's family, friends and bandmates. Ace Frehley, Paul Rodgers, Night Ranger to Headline Rockfest 80's A celebration of hard rock's big hits and big hair will take place next spring in south Florida at the two-day Rockfest 80's. Headliners include former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, Bad Company, Free and Queen singer Paul Rodgers and Night Ranger, who are best known for power ballad "Sister Christian." The festival will take place at Markham Park in Sunrise, Florida on April 2nd and 3rd. Ratt, the Romantics, Warrant, Cinderella's
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Tom Keifer and Geoff Tate are some of the other acts to be part of the nostalgic lineup. Firehouse, John Waite, Lynch Mob, Autograph and Slaughter will also perform. More acts to be announced in 2016. The bands will be playing more of their classic hits for fans over the two-day show. "Rockfest 80's is a project over a year in the making," the festival's producer Larry Offsey said in a statement. "We are excited to launch our brand and create a true South Florida rock festival event." Tickets for Rockfest 80's will go on sale December 21st. More information can be found at the festival's official site. Last year, Ace Frehley released his first solo album in five years, Space Invader. He was also inducted alongside Kiss into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in early 2014. Paul Rodgers released a new solo LP, The Royal Sessions, last year, when he sang soul and R&B hits by Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding and others. As for Night Ranger, the hard rock band released their 11th album, High Road, in 2014. They were also referenced during an episode of Parks and Recreation last year, with Yo La Tengo playing a Night Ranger cover band called Bobby Knight Ranger. Moonstone Music Festival Set to Debut Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1 in Orlando, FL Headliners KISS and Def Leppard will lead the charge of the inaugural Moonstone Music Festival, set to debut April 30 and May 1, 2016 in Orlando, FL at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. The preliminary talent line-up will include full sets from Kansas; Flaming Lips; Vintage Trouble; Sebastian Bach; White Buffalo; Scott Stapp; Super Blood; Raven Eye, and others, all set to appear at the multi-stage, live music celebration featuring six unique performance areas. Moonstone will showcase more than 100 acts--inclusive of music and comedy--with the full festival bill to be revealed in the coming weeks.
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Thge Moonstone Music Festival will stimulate the soul, delivering positive emotions, passion, party and celebration for festival goers all while paying homage to the Rock Gods. The outdoor weekend-long event is timed to take advantage of the perfect weather that Florida offers at the beginning of the U.S. festival season. From the minute attendees enter the transformed Central Florida Fairgrounds, they'll be met with a colorful, atmospheric festival site and they'll be engaged in a stimulating layout offering a variety of entertainment options featuring rock music of all genres, comedy, side show attractions and live art, along with an astounding variety of food offerings and an eclectic market place. Ticketing packages include Early Bird Moonstone General Admission: $179.00; Early Bird Rock N Roll All Nite VIP package for $590.00 (includes access to multiple VIP areas and unlimited sponsored beverages within VIP areas, exclusive priority entrance, FREE VIP on site parking, exclusive multiple stage viewing, shaded and relaxed lounge seating); Teen Pass [1017 only] $127.00; Lets Get Rocked VIP Package: $ 1500.00 (all VIP amenities, plus meet the Promoter With an Exclusive Private Tour of the Festival, Attend a VIP Early Access Private Event Friday, April 29, with Special Guests, Exclusive Access to the Stage Right Club Includes [Your Choice (1) Lunch or Dinner, Exclusive Private Bathrooms, Souvenir Festival T-Shirt and Lanyard]); and Rock The Boat VIP: $6,400 (All Lets Get Rocked VIP amentias, plus the ability to dock your boat at the Moonstone Custom Built Stage Two Slip, two VIP All Access Weekend Passes, plus the ability to purchase two Tag Along Passes: $500.00 (each two maximum); Additional details including information on payment plans can be found here. Please note: children Under 10 are FREE (one per adult).
Detroit’s Largest Music/Entertainment Magazine
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For King & Country, The Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, have accomplished winning two Grammys this year for “Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song,” “Messengers,” featuring Lecrae and “Best Contemporary Christian Music Album” with their 2014 release “Run Wild, Live Free, Love Strong.” I recently had the pleasure of talking to one half of the dynamic duo, Luke. They are about to embark on their Winter Jam Tour, which kicks off in Charleston, West Virginia at The Charleston Civic Center on January, 2nd 2016. Luke stated “Yeah, we were on Winter Jam, five years ago. It was our very first tour as a whole. So it was four years ago, but five Winter Jams ago. Winter Jam kind of marks the beginning of For King & Country in a roundabout way. I mean, you go out and you make an album and you tour and enjoy it and everything. But until you can really get in front of a lot of people, it's really difficult to figure out, are you connecting? Are you moving the needle? I mean, what are you doing here? And we owe a lot to Winter Jam for really putting us on the map and introducing us. That's how you get introduced to people. But that's what we're so thankful to Winter Jam for.” They are not just musicians! They are
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by Marissa Puckett
budding Filmmakers with a Feature Film being released in 2016. "We love the arts," Luke laughs a bit. “That's the truth. We love film. We love music. We love all of it. And one of the things our oldest, well, not our oldest brother but our older brother, Ben, is a film director. And so we have had different ideas floating around for a long time about what it would look like to write and film a feature film. We filmed it in Albuquerque and it's probably going to be coming out in the fall of 2016. It's called "Priceless." And so we've written a song that goes around these themes. And the whole idea of the film comes from one of the things that we talk about at all of our services we say to women. ‘Hey, culture says that you need to talk, dress and act like you're worth nothing more than a penny, but we believe there's a God who says that you're priceless.’ And we thought, we say that at all of our shows. It's one of probably the most impactful things to a lot of people that come to the shows. We thought, ‘Okay, what would it look like if we were to put some visuals behind that? What would it be like if we were to write a film surrounding that concept?’ That's what we've done and that's what we're excited to have coming out in 2016.” Luke continued, "So to have even an opportunity
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to make a film, I mean, how many people get to say that they've been able to have the opportunity to do something like that? I think we're tickled to death that we get to do these things. I'm thrilled that we're presented these opportunities.” What is your favorite song to perform? Luke said, “My favorite song for me to perform right now, I think it changes, it's like picking your favorite child, it changes from time to time.” He laughed and quickly said, “I'm just kidding. But songs are a little bit like that. When you perform them, it changes just because you get tired of performing one, and you're excited to play something new or whatever. There's so much hard work and effort put into songs. And that is very much like it, that there are certain songs that just pull you in. And one song that we're performing now is called ‘Run Wild.’ That's the title track of the album. So we're going to open our show with this on Winter Jam. And the thing about "Run Wild" is it took us about three weeks to write that song. And I'd never ever, like literally, the next hardest song was probably a week. I've never spent this much time on a song in my entire career.” "So what do you two have planned for the future?" Luke said, "Well, Winter Jam is obviously the foreseeable future. And after that, in April, we're going to go out and headline our own tour for about a month. And then we'll start to get into the summer festivals and fairs and things. And in the middle of this is when we'll probably start working on a new album. Our albums are very difficult to write. So we're not necessarily emotionally ready for that yet. (laughing) But, I think at the beginning of the year is when we'll start looking at, okay, what does it look like if we were to start working on some new music? And then in the fall is when that film comes out. We will also do a tour called "Priceless" to support the film and
just draw attention to all that sort of stuff. The issue with being an artist is that your life is basically planned a year in advance. So I'm pretty sure of what I'm doing for the next year." I asked, Are there any foundations or charities that you're fond of or are working with? Luke said, “One of the organizations that we work with, which is a child sponsorship program, is called Compassion International, and we work with them very, very, very closely. They're probably one of our chief partners in all that we do.” You can learn more at www.compassion.com." You can find out more information and tour information about For King & Country at www.forkingandcountry.com, and on iTunes and Google play. Luke said, “We're on all the socials as well. And I would like to think that we're relatively easy to get a hold of. We take our social media very seriously, and that's probably the primary spot that people can connect with us. You can see For King and Country on the Winter Jam Tour, which kicks off in Charleston, West Virginia on January, 2nd 2016. For King & Country will be coming to the Palace at Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills on January 31st, along with co-headliner Matthew West, NewSong, Red, Lauren Daigle and Crowder.
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We are hiring advertising reps throughout the state. Call Liz Stokes at 313-936-0750
For King & Country will be performing at the Winter Jam at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, along with co-headliner Matthew West on January 31st. Showtime is 6 p.m. Tickets are still available. Full Access Detroit
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John Michael Montgomery, with more than 30 Billboard hits under his proverbial belt, songs like “I Love the Way You Love Me,” “I Swear,” “Be My Baby Tonight,” “Sold,” and many more have earned him his title as a balladeer – but he’s much more than that. “I didn’t want to get painted into the corner as just a balladeer, because I spent years in the clubs honing my skills, and I was able to sing everything from the sad love songs, to a Bob Seger song. I can even sing a ‘lil Bluegrass if you want me too. Plus, I didn’t want to do concerts of just slow songs. I didn’t want my fans to be sleeping half way through the show”. The ballad, “I Love the Way You Love Me,” was his very first number one record, and solidified his place as one the great balladeers “You know every singers dream is to have that signature song, and I really thought it would be that song. And then I found ‘I Swear,’ and it became an even bigger hit. I was like ok, that’s’ a signature song right there.” He grew up listening to a lot of Lionel Ritchie (master of timeless love songs). “I think for me, it was just natural to find songs like that, that touch me the same way his music touched me, and hopefully when I sing them they touch other people the same way. I’ve always treated my songs like a love affair. If i’m gonna spend the rest of my life with
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by Dawn Lemay
a song, I want it to be the right one.” He takes a song that he is considering and puts it in his CD player in his pickup truck, and plays it on repeat, literally listening to it everyday for weeks. “I’m gonna be singing these same songs 25 years from now, and I wanna be able to enjoy singing this song. I want it to stick with my fans.” Formerly, he was a part of family band Montgomery Gentry, with hits like “Where I Come From,” and “Something to Be Proud Of,” he grew up with a very musical family. “We (my brother and I) went straight from high school to the honkeytonks, I got my record deal, and a few years later he got his, ever since then we’ve been doing our own thing,” and so when asked if he would consider a family collaboration in the future. He said most definitely, Yes. “We just haven’t been able to get through the red tape, we have been talking about at least doing a song or two together on a album... He (his brother) has had some bad luck these last 2 or 3 years – divorce, and of course, he just had a child pass away. We are just kinda waiting for the stars to line up directly, I guess.” I know I, along with their fans will definitely be looking forward to that. Asked how the music industry has changed
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over the years, he says, “Nashville is really guilty of trying to manufacture a carbon copy. Like ok, wow that’s working, we need to find an artist just like that, instead of going down a more unique road. I tell people back when I was growing up, we had Johnny Cash, Willie, Wayne and Hank Jr. Everybody had there own style, and their own voice to the music and that’s kinda is what made us (country music) a little unique, where pop has always kind of been guilty of the carbon copy format. “When it comes to music, when you start force feeding someone the same thing. Beefsteak is great unless you have it every single day of your life. I’m really getting tired of steak. I think I wanna try some chicken.” So, he goes on to tell a story of how the music industry was shocked by an unexpected change. “It was all about soundtracks, and that pop country sound. Warner Brothers decided to take a chance on this guy and put out this one song, “On the Other Hand,” Randy Travis and this album as traditional as it could be, stormed the scene and the song single handedly changed the whole format. It became so popular, I could just hear and see the labels going, ‘all these college kids are just eating it up,’ We didn’t think they’d like that? That’s traditional country!” Asked if there were any stories of the way his songs had affected people, he said he has been told that his songs have helped people who were contemplating committing suicide, families that had been separated, and that they’ve used the songs as foundations for important life events. One lady told him that she had used his song ‘I Swear’ for her last 3 weddings. He laughed and said, “You might wanna change songs, maybe find a different song, I’m not sure that one is bringing any luck to you.”
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John Michael Montgomery has had an amazing career, with soul touching songs that make his fans feel the way he did when he would listen to fellow balladeers. I wish him, and his family great success as he continues touring, creating, and performing songs that will last a lifetime. I am personally looking forward to seeing his upcoming tour, a family collaboration, and watching him as he continues to shine.
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by Scotti Moore
With everything the legendary group Lamb of God has been through over the years, only a highly publicized forced hiatus could slow them down, but never down and out. In a situation that would surely dismantle the majority of bands out there, only a strong dedication to each other along with undying love and support from and for an unparalleled fan base, they have released yet another album. The tracks from “VII: Sturm Und Drang” (translates to “Storm and Stress” which released July 24, 2015 on Epic Records) tell of the trials and tribulations and perseverance of a man unjustly imprisoned. And dead set on continuing to share the life experience of not only himself, but the whole band, in which they were forced to endure. With this story told thru their documentary film “As The Palaces Burn” and on the forth coming musical release “VII,” supported by a world tour, I managed to steal a few minutes of time from Virginia resident and Lamb of God guitarist Willie Adler. Growing up with a brother isn't always the easiest thing to do especially when you’re the younger one. So my curiosity has me wondering how the relationship between these siblings being in the same band and on the road together holds up. Laughing at the question, Willie says, “It's good and
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bad. I have my family out there doing what we do, but then we have our deep seeded sort of rivalry. We fight like any other brothers would, but it's great. I wouldn't change it for the world and with that being said we have each others backs.” Obviously, they have had great influence on each other in music, but would he give Chris credit for getting him to this point of his career. “Most definitely along with my wife, who has been the biggest support system you could ever imagine. It has been impactful for me to see Chris do his thing and that spurs me to be on the same level. I look at him and I'm just blown away at how awesome he is, not only as a musician, but as an all around person.” Change is a big part of maintaining success. I asked, what was the biggest part of him that needed to be changed in order to further his career? He said, “I had to get myself into some serious shape, re-evaluate my life on a lot of levels in order to stay at my best. I made a lot of changes. I don't party the way I use to. Being a touring band, you are inundated with so much garbage. It's hard not to get caught up in that lifestyle. As years are added, you leave a lot of stuff behind like the self destructive behavior. I hate to say that it was a sacrifice, because it has been
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such a blessing, but I feel so much better than I have in years. It's about personal responsibility, maintaining a level of professionalism and sense of self.” With not much to compare to other than a few high school projects, his dedication on the musical front has been living and breathing Lamb of God. With 16 years invested into the project, the progression of the band over the duration should be interesting. Excitedly, Willie says, “It's been a whirlwind. We never set out to be who we are today. My brother and I have been playing together forever, so when the five of us hooked up it basically gave us an excuse to drink beer, play loud music and have fun. It's been crazy how this evolved and took off. Just sitting back and looking at it, I have been so lucky. I'll never take it for granted, being blessed with this once in a lifetime situation. Overwhelming is the word I like to use.” After the amount of success that Lamb of God has enjoyed through the years, there seems to be a bit of pressure to continue on that same level not only in the studio, but performing live as well. Even as a seasoned veteran, he tells me that there are still nerves before a show. “I definitely feel it before each show. That happens when the energy starts to build and I'm trying to focus. It means that it's still important. The fans came out to see us perform and I don't want to disappoint them, you feel their excitement, so being nervous is a good thing to build off of.” When there is an upside and a down side is always close by. Being on the road is no different. Traveling around the world and getting to see different things all the time is a blessing and while Willie loves that 45 minutes to an hour up on stage performing, being a family man at heart can prove to be trying. “Having to be away
from family is always tough.” He explains, “Especially when we are in Europe, not having the convenience of being in touch is difficult.” That being said, balancing life's other obligations with the band can't be easy. “It isn't!” Willie says, “The band is bigger than the sum of its parts. It takes priority, if a tour comes up and we have something to do, that's it, no rescheduling. The band takes number one priority. You have to have a strong woman behind you in order to deal with that and luckily I do. I think the other guys are sharing the same sediment. With the prior mentioned time off touring, writing and recording had to become a major priority, but yet a balance is important. “We usually take about a year off to write and record but during the hiatus new material was already in the works. Randy wrote the lyrics to our second single off the new album, called “512” while he was in cell 512 in Pankrac Prison (Prague, Czech Republic). The writing process was really close to what we usually do. Mark and myself got together and wrote guitar lines and prepared them, so when we came together, we had the ideas musically. I will say though, that this time, when we all hit the rehearsal room, it turned out to be the most cohesive effort since “Ashes of the Wake.” Instead of each writing our own songs, it was a collaborative effort.” Adler continues, “In my opinion, this has made the album our greatest collection of music to date, the most diverse. There are moments that will have people shaking their heads like what the f*ck and equal amounts of moments that are just slaying and brutal. This is exactly where all the Burn the Priest fans want Lamb of God to be.” Lamb of God will be performing with Anthrax at the Royal Oak Theatre in Royal Oak, MI on January 28th.
Lamb of God will be performing with Anthrax at the Royal Oak Theatre in Royal Oak, MI on January 28th. Tickets are still available. Full Access Detroit
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Grammy Award winning rock artist Scott Stapp continues to bring his characteristic, introspective honesty and heart for outreach to his musical career. He looks forward to getting back out on the road soon to resume his Proof of Life tour, performing the new album, and playing older songs that his fans know and love. “Connecting with fans, that sharing of energy – the vibe that’s created through music – that’s really what it’s all about to me.” During this tour, he hopes to continue raising awareness about mental health issues and the National Association of Mental Illness, through his campaign called “Up from the Ashes.” He approaches this from a deeply personal perspective, because he’s been battling some of these issues throughout his life. “The biggest thing I’m trying to do is to break down stigma and get people talking, because when people are talking, and people aren’t afraid anymore, they’re more apt to reach out and ask for help.” He’s concerned for those suffering from untreated depression, untreated anxiety, untreated PTSD, untreated bipolar, and a multitude of other mental health issues. Scott specifically addresses bipolar for those who have someone in their lives that they see in dark depression or in manic episodes, having mood swings, and for families dealing with troubled teenagers, when they can’t pinpoint what’s wrong, but they know something is definitely wrong. “I really want 15
by Rachael Lamb
to educate and give the proper materials out, so people know what to do and families know how to intervene and help those that they love. And the same with friends, too. I always say it takes a village, to give individuals the love they need, and sometimes that love means intervening in their life when they can’t help themselves. It’s really a group effort.” Scott recommends checking out the NAMI website to find resources and information about what this organization is doing to educate people about mental health. “There’s support, and there are numbers you can call if you’re seeking help or looking to help somebody else. It’s really pointing people in the direction where they can get the most respected help and information out there. So we’re just spreading the word, and allowing the organization to continue providing the help and information they provide.” The person whom Scott credits with the most profound impact on his life is his wife, Jaclyn. “She’s been not only a source of inspiration, but also at times a reason to keep fighting. She’s shown me tremendous love and compassion at my darkest times. She’s held our family together.” He referenced Jaclyn’s work through the family’s nonprofit CHARM (Children Are Magical) which helps children, underprivileged youth, and families in need, and has recently added a mental health component, also. “She’s a hero to me. There have been times when she really had to put on the ‘big boy pants’ and
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carry the family when I was sick. I’m forever indebted to her and have such tremendous love, admiration, and respect for her. I’m grateful to God every day that she’s my wife.” Scott’s faith has molded every aspect of his life. “In terms of shaping my career, my personal journey in trying to ‘find God,’ so to speak, definitely influenced my music, came out in multiple songs throughout my career, and connected with others. Faith was a huge component in why Creed had the success that it had. In terms of my personal life, faith has been the glue that has held my wife and me together. You know, that shared faith, that mutual faith has held us together through very difficult times. It’s also been there for me during times before I met my wife, when I was at my darkest moments and felt so alone – the only thing that I had to turn to was my faith, and it was there to comfort me, to show me love when I wasn’t lovable.” Scott says that faith has given him something to reach for and has been there to help guide him whenever he lost his way. “Many times we lose our way in life; every time, I look up and rediscover my faith. Faith has influenced my career and my life in more ways than I can even articulate.” Regarding being part of Creed, one of Scott’s favorite things was the authenticity of the music. “How real it was: four guys fighting for a dream, putting their heart and soul into creating music that they believed in and that came from their heart. That’s something we did in all four of our records and something I think was very unique and special, created between the four of us.” Scott’s biggest challenge has been learning how to handle success, and how that can impact relationships with friends and family. “With success comes ‘Yes people.’ In the entertainment business, when you’re having success, you can be surrounded by a bunch of people who tell you what you want to hear, not what you need to hear. And that can lead to a lot of pitfalls. Of course, in the entertainment business, especially in Rock ‘n’
Roll, there’s the pitfalls of the classic ‘Sex, Drugs, and Rock N’ Roll’ – that can definitely be a path leading to a lot of problems. All of those in that list, I’ve had to deal with and fight to overcome. Unfortunately, I learned many lessons the hard way.” He describes that lifestyle as a narcissistic, self-absorbed existence. “While it’s happening, you’re not thinking about consequences, and you don’t think it’s ever going to end. It’s not until you get to the other side that you realize that’s what it was. It can get confusing, because interwoven with success and accolades, everything that you do, right or wrong, is validated – it’s right. At the end of the line, in hindsight, you realize how hollow it can be, if you’re not using what you’ve been given for good.” People of significance in his life, friends he respected, pointed out some pitfalls to avoid along the way and offered guidance. “Hopefully, I’ll be given opportunities, and when those opportunities are presented, I can be that voice for up-and-coming artists and entertainers, sharing with them my experiences. Scott readily admits he’s still figuring out how to achieve balance in life. ”I’ve recently gotten to the place where I understand the importance of balance. It’s something that I think we all have to navigate and keep in the back of our heads. Proper balance is the key to longevity. It keeps us from either ruining the good things in our lives, or dwelling on the bad. It’s definitely a work in progress for me.” His newest album Proof of Life, Scott describes as being full energy, mood, and real life experience that he’s excited to share. “I felt like I had gotten to the end of a long and difficult road in my personal life. I had another bump in the road, facing manic depression and bipolar disorder. The album really means more to me now, then a year ago. I’m eager to share this album and everything that it means in terms of coming out of the darkness and into the light.”
Scott Stapp will be performing at the Machine Shop in Flint, MI on January 29th. Advanced tickets are available for only $25. Full Access Magazine
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In a soft and mesmerizing Venezuelan accent, Jessica Pons, of the hard rock band Red Calling, described the band’s journey and the fresh excitement about their new album, which was released November 13. “This album is us,” Jessica shared. “It’s our feelings – it’s a very personal album.” This is their first full-length album. After touring locally for years and releasing 2 EPs previously, they are now venturing into new territory, seeking to enter the mainstream music industry. As independent artists, they have enjoyed the freedom to write their own material and to record at their own pace. But it's also tough trying to get exposure as independent artists. So they're sending the new album to various labels and hoping for the best. “We're thinking, let's see what happens,” she said. “If something comes up, we’ll try that.” They will also continue promoting their music through online videos and on social media. “The Internet is really nice for an independent artist,” she noted. When the band first got together, “It was like a Latin rock band, a 70s band, back in 2010,” Jessica said. The four of them— Jessica Pons, Javier Pons, Luis Pons, and Destiny Covault, met through mutual
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by Rachael Lamb
friends. After playing for 9 months, they decided to stay together and started playing hard rock in February 2010. “All of us, despite the fact that we were not from America, had a lot of influences from American music – you know, American rock, British rock – and that’s why we decided to do this.” The band members “clicked” right away. ”Having a band is like having a marriage,” Jessica explained. “We have different personalities and all that, but we get along really well. We have the much-needed chemistry that you need to have as a band. Once you find the right people, you don’t want to leave. A lot like a marriage, like finding the right mate.” The members of the band are great friends. Though they see each other every week for practice and on weekends for shows, they usually spend holidays together, like a family. “It’s funny, because you would think that we would want to get away from each other. For the past five years, we’ve practiced every single week, on Mondays and Tuesdays, and sometimes Wednesdays, if we have a break.” The four really enjoy being together and always spend New Year’s Eve as a group. What does this type of synergy look like
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during performances? “On stage, it’s beautiful,” Jessica said. “Most of our players are multi-instrumentalists. The guitar player plays the synthesizer, and the bass player plays the synthesizer too.” Jessica plays the guitar and piano and does the vocals. Fun facts about Red Calling include the bass player and guitar player being siblings. Jessica mentioned also that their drummer is a female. “She’s awesome. She’s a great musician; very humble; she’s great at playing percussion too.” Each member brings varying musical influences to the mix, including Radiohead, AC/DC, Korn, Deftones, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and many others, and these have converged to create Red Calling’s own unique style. “We’ve been growing; we’ve been evolving musically,” Jessica stated. “If you listen to our early EPs, you can tell. It’s part of life -- growing, experimenting, and changing.” Jessica described it like this: “Hard rock is the foundation, and then we just add layers.” With two synthesizers in the band, their music has electronic elements and has been described as “electrifying and unpredictable.” “The writing experience, most of the time, is just us jamming and recording, and then I just put lyrics on top of that. The guitarist starts with a key and we start playing. So it flows really naturally when we’re playing or jamming together.” Regarding their hits, Jessica mentioned that “Let Me Fade” is one of their most popular songs, with a deeply personal meaning for them. That track is included in their new album. They started recording two years ago, and it’s been a long process to save up the money and find a great recording studio and producer. But it’s been great to have the full, professional recording experience. The band has toured mostly in Florida during the last five years, making
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connections and sharing what they love with their fans. They have performed in two summer festivals in Ohio, the biggest being Rockapoloosa, in 2013. “There were nineteen thousand people – it was beautiful,” Jessica shared. “We had the chance to play with national acts.” Now that they have a full-length album, touring nationally is an exciting possibility for the near future. It’s one of their main goals for 2016, along with trying to get signed on with a music label. How can a band stay motivated for all these endeavors when they have other jobs and demands in life? “Playing the guitar, playing the piano, singing –it’s a need for us.” “Seeing that people like our music is a great motivation. We’ve been playing for five years, and we have great fans, people who follow us all around Florida to different shows, spending a lot of money in food and gas. It’s great to see that people get to love our music to that point. That fuels our need to keep playing and writing music and recording it.” Jessica has been playing since she was fifteen years old, when she started a female rock band in Venezuela with two other girls. “It’s been a huge part of my life, playing live,” Jessica explained. “Live music is something that lasts forever. It’s a beautiful experience.” Of her band members, Jessica said, “They’re very talented musicians, great people. It’s a blessing to play with them and write music with them,” Jessica said. “We’re normal people – nothing special. We just love what we do.”
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Prince HitNRun Phase Two NPG gggff by Terry Canter
“Can I get a kiss?” Prince moans on “Stare,” near the middle of the second volume of the singer’s HITNRUN series. The famous guitar riff from 1986 single “Kiss” follows the lyric in a gesture one might suppose is meant to be glib, a joke we are all in on. Instead, it provides a disappointing look in the mirror, a transparent comb-over for an artist seemingly out of ideas, left only with the chance to do a version of himself. In fairness, it may be impossible to become famous in America without becoming somewhat self-conscious. This reflexive quality is, after all, the very basis of fame: you, artist, seeing yourself through the eyes of millions. Iconic artists eventually descend into the echo chamber of selfconsciousness, making art that seems to say, “This is something I would say” or “This is something I would sing.” The result is something affected, a bizarre dumb show of the artist performing some earlier version of their identity. The weirdo quality of Prince, backed by his prodigious output, attempted to navigate the problem. At times, it appeared, he wasn’t particularly aware of his listeners at all. Turning himself into a symbol received much press, but even a cursory read of the rebranding revealed an artist trying to deny his very existence. How could he see himself if he wasn’t there to see? But HITNRUN Phase Two is all too aware of itself. On Prince’s fourth album in the last two years, his once limitless capacity for musical ideas appears here as flight from some invisible enemy, the midlife crisis that prompts someone to wheeze, “Actually, I’ve never felt better” when they look like shit. “Don’t you wanna take a bath with 19
me?” he sings on “XTRALOVEABLE,” against a backdrop of dystopic synths and packaged horns. Its sensuality is as unappealing as the arrangement. The punky “Screwdriver” should have been left for the Lenny Kravitz B-side collection where it might belong, and the chorus (“I’m your driver and you’re my screw”) sounds, somehow, more lecherous than inviting. Likewise, the slow-driving “When She Comes” roots itself in a graphic double entendre amidst the appearance of a frankly unbelievable accordion. This is Prince doing Prince, a cut-rate version of his once iconic fecundity. The most compelling moment on the record arrives first — and even that isn’t particularly compelling. Prince, the former symbol (on a few levels, in fact), treads into political discourse with “Baltimore,” a protest song of sorts. HITNRUN Phase 2 arrived on Jay Z’s Tidal service in the same week that a Baltimore judge declared a mistrial in the case against William Porter, one of the six police officers charged with killing Freddie Gray. But even these inauspicious circumstances offer no special depth to lyrics like, “Does anybody hear us pray for Michael Brown and Freddie Gray?/ Peace is more than the absence of war” and “We’re tired of crying, people dying/ Let’s take all their guns away.” In a year where Kendrick went HAM with a line like, “You hate me don’t you?/ You hate my people, your plan is to terminate my culture/ You’re fuckin’ evil,” and Killer Mike screamed, “It’s us against a motherfucking machine,” performing in St. Louis on the night Darren Wilson wasn’t charged in Michael Brown’s killing, it’s hard for the campy, four-on-the-floor beat of Prince’s “Baltimore” to register on the political Richter scale. If anything, the glossy, nearly musical theater schmaltz of “Baltimore” feels a bit dishonest, a plea from Pollyanna in a time of war.
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Rock and roll, like sex and political activism, can be something of a young man’s game. This calculation is surely a cold, and maybe unfair, reality. Aging in the spotlight is especially fraught. While Prince is raging against the dying of the light, there exists no graceful innovation on HITNRUN Phase Two. Instead, Prince presents only an aped version of his one-time vitality. Babyface Return of the Tender Lover Def Jam 33332 by Terry Canter
There was a time in the ’90s when R&B transitioned from a largely adult-oriented genre of music to something that was aimed towards a younger demographic. If I had to try to pinpoint the exact moment, I’d put the onus on the inclusion of Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose” on the Batman Forever soundtrack. Ever since then, it’s been a gradual descent into markedly less sophisticated material for the majority of the genre’s output. 2015’s most popular R&B song, The Weeknd’s “The Hills”, albeit a great track, is about escaping the friend zone for a few drunk booty calls, which is surely less than relatable for a large cross section of the adult R&B-listening population. After a 10-year break from releasing solo material, Babyface is back to rekindle the flame of ’80s and ’90s maturity in R&B, with an album so rich with legitimate emotions that it feels like sitting next to a warm hearth after years in the cold world of artists like The Weeknd and Drake. Return of the Tender Lover isn’t necessarily a return to form for Babyface, but it never really set out to be one. There’s an earnestness present throughout the entire record that helps to capture that old-school sound that Babyface helped craft during his time as the biggest producer in the genre. In the lead-up to Tender’s release, Babyface referred to the album as “unapologetic R&B,” and there’s truly no reason that
anyone should be apologizing for it. Songs like “We’ve Got Love” and “I Want You” are so overwhelmingly vibrant with studio instrumentals and high production quality that they feel personal on the very first listen. The warmth that is inherent in these songs gives them an immediacy that few other R&B singers and producers have been able to capture. Within the first moments of “We’ve Got Love”, a backing piano and saxophone intertwine to create a sound that will have you nodding along whether or not you want to. By the time Babyface’s effortlessly velvet voice comes in, it’s evident we’re in the presence of a seasoned vet. Despite the gap in his résumé, this record feels like a victory lap for Babyface. His legacy has long been defined, but that doesn’t mean he has to stop polishing his sound. With minimal feature assistance (El DeBarge and After 7 both show up for a track), Return of the Tender Lover is largely a solitary affair. That gives Babyface the chance to prove he’s still got it after all this time based solely on his own merit, and he shows and proves that with aplomb. “Exceptional” recalls some of his work with Boyz II Men, with a slow-burning guitar lick that weaves in and out of the background while a simple drumbeat builds a bed of music for Babyface to effortlessly float over. “Your love is exceptional, worn of a heart of gold/ It fills me up to my soul, then my cup it overflows,” he croons, forgoing the longing lyricism from his 2014 collaborative record with Toni Braxton, Love, Marriage, and Divorce. There’s a tonal shift from that record to this one, the bitterness of a divorce record forgotten in favor of the overwhelming positivity of an album born out of a sense of contentedness in a relationship. With a seemingly renewed energy, Babyface is back in business with two records in the last two years, and Return of the Tender Lover sets the table for an even bigger return to the public eye forthcoming.
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Crofoot Ballroom • 248-858-9333
1 S Saginaw Street, Pontiac, MI 48342 ______________________________________
Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15
Jan 16
Jan 17 Jan 18
Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 23
Jan 25 Jan 30 Feb 4 Feb 5 Feb 6 Feb 8 Feb 9 Feb 10
Thirteen Cadillacs Lights Austin Walkin’ Cane Sam Hooper Group Here We Harbour, At The Hands Of Victims, A War Within, Of Athens & Spect The New Salem Witch Hunters & New Planet Trampoline The Park Brothers Stone Soul, Jet Set 216 & Noah Peele Zusha P.Stoops D12, G-Unit, Bizarre, Swift, Kuniva, Young Buck & Josh Fred Eaglesmith The 89x Homies Smooth Hound Smith Fifth and Main & Jon Bugg oldboy The Peach Kings & Lawrence King Alvin Youngblood Hart
Diesel Concert Lounge • 586-725-3914 33151 23 Mile Road, New Baltimore, MI 48047 ______________________________________
Jan 8 America Anonymous Jan 9 State the Odds Feb 19 Soil, Flaw & Beyond Threshold
the Magic Bag • 248-544-1991
22920 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, MI 48220 ______________________________________
Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 16 Jan 23
Eddy Clearwater Bob Margolin & Tosha Owens Live The Who & Tales of Cream Robert Gordon
the token Lounge • 734-513-5030
28949 Joy Road, Westland, MI 48185 ______________________________________
Jan 10 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 23 Jan 29
Harlow Warbringer & Enforcer Nile Pure Price New Day Revolution, Dying For A Living & The Malcontent Jan 30 Finders Fee Feb 5 The Creeping Chaos, Vicariant Spiral Crush & Concrete Angels Feb 6 Hate Unbound, Kilbury Unit & From Blue To Gray
Attention Bands & Venues: Want to be listed here, Contact Scotti Moore at (313) 626-3600
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JANUARY
Martin Lawrence
Fox Theatre, Detroit
Jon Pardi & Brothers osborne
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
Martin Lawrence
Fox Theatre, Detroit
Maia Sharp
The Ark, Ann Arbor
Muse & X Ambassadors Joe Louis Arena, Detroit
Patti LaBelle
Soundboard, Motor City Casino
Bob Saget
Royal Oak Theatre, Royal Oak
orgy & BobaFlex
Harpo’s Concert Theatre, Detroit
Eddie Money
Caesars Windsor, Windsor
Chrome Sparks
Blind Pig, Ann Arbor
Arnez J.
Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit
g-Eazy & A$ap Ferg
Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit
Kaki King
The Ark, Ann Arbor
Warbringer & Enforcer
The Token Lounge, Westland
Dan Bern
The Ark, Ann Arbor
Nile
The Token Lounge, Westland
Chase Bryant
Coyote Joe’s, Shelby Township
Carnage
Royal Oak Theatre, Royal Oak
three Dog Night
Andiamo Celebrity Room, Warren
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Matthew Dear
Blind Pig, Ann Arbor
Mountain heart
The Ark, Ann Arbor
the Stylistics
Andiamo Celebrity Room, Warren
taken Aces
The Token Lounge, Westland
Vance Joy
Caesars Windsor, Windsor
Lisa Fischer
Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor
Elle King The Majestic Theatre, Detroit graveyard
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
Lamb of god & Anthrax
Royal Oak Theatre, Royal Oak
Nathaniel Rateliff
The Fillmore, Detroit
Scott Stapp
Machine Shop, Flint
Ryan Bingham
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
Protomartyr & Rebel Kind
Blind Pig, Ann Arbor
City and Colour, Richard thompson, yo La tengo & the oh hellos Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
31 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6
Joan Baez, Joshua Davis & Alan Doyle
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St Andrews Hall, Detroit
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Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
Alessia Cara Snoop Dogg
Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit
For King & Country, Red, Matthew West, Crowder, New Song, Lauren Daigle & Sidewalk Prophets
Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills
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Billy gibbons & tyler Bryant
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
FEBRUARY
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Fox Theatre, Detroit
Pell & Daye Jack
The Shelter, Detroit
Liquid Stranger & Au5 The Grasshopper, Ferndale Jo Koy
Soundboard, Motor City Casino
Janet Jackson
Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills
Chris young & Cassadee Pope
Royal Oak Theatre, Royal Oak
grizfolk & Max Frost
The Shelter, Detroit
Beacon & Natasha Kmeto The Majestic Theatre, Detroit Samantha Fish
Callahan’s Music Hall, Auburn Hills
gallagher & Artie Fletcher
Andiamo Celebrity Room, Warren
tracy Morgan
Caesars Windsor, Windsor
Never Shout Never, Jule Vera & Waterparks
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
Breaking Benjamin
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
Davina & the Vagabonds
The Ark, Ann Arbor
grant-Lee Phillips
The Ark, Ann Arbor
King
Pike Room, Pontiac
Freakwater
The Ark, Ann Arbor
Skizzy Mars & P-Lo
The Shelter, Detroit
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Rayland Baxter
The Magic Bag, Ferndale
the Whispers
Soundboard, Motor City Casino
Reel Big Fish & Suburban Legends
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
Marianas trench
The Fillmore, Detroit
Bobby Brown, 112, tank & Mint Condition
Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit
Chaka Khan
Music Hall Ctr. Perf. Arts, Detroit
Jim Norton
Royal Oak Theatre, Royal Oak
R. City
The Magic Bag, Ferndale
State Champs, Neck Deep, & Knuckle Puck St Andrews Hall, Detroit
Katt Williams
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit
St. Lucia The Majestic Theatre, Detroit Aretha Franklin Caesars Windsor, Windsor
Lolo
Pike Room, Pontiac
Jeffrey osborne & Atlantic Starr
Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit
Peabo Bryson
Andiamo Celebrity Room, Warren
Floetry & Lalah hathaway Fox Theatre, Detroit
Mike Stud
The Crofoot, Pontiac
Buckwheat Zydeco The Ark, Ann Arbor
Black Sabbath & Rival Sons Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills
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Fetty Wap & Post Malone
The Fillmore, Detroit
Future & ty Dolla $ign
Fox Theatre, Detroit
Lee DeWyze
The Magic Bag, Ferndale
Lotus
Royal Oak Theatre, Royal Oak
Bill Engvall
Caesars Windsor, Windsor
Blake Shelton & Chris Janson
Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills
the Floozies & Sunsquabi
Royal Oak Theatre, Royal Oak
Jack & Jack The Majestic Theatre, Detroit Lunasa
The Ark, Ann Arbor
Born of osiris, Veil of Maya, After the Burial & Erra
The Crofoot, Pontiac
Dirt Nasty & Mickey Avalon
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
Wavves & Best Coast The Majestic Theatre, Detroit tommy Emmanuel
The Ark, Ann Arbor
Aaron Carter
Blind Pig, Ann Arbor
Ron Pope & the Nighthawks
Blind Pig, Ann Arbor
Coheed And Cambria, glassjaw & Silver Snakes
Royal Oak Theatre, Royal Oak
Nightwish & Delain
Royal Oak Theatre, Royal Oak
Aaron Carter
Blind Pig, Ann Arbor
Wolfmother
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
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2Cellos
Fox Theatre, Detroit
Kelly Richey
Callahan’s Music Hall, Auburn Hills
Ron White
Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor
Autograf
Populux Music Hall, Detroit
the Who
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit
Logic
Royal Oak Theatre, Royal Oak
il Volo
Fox Theatre, Detroit
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Migos The Majestic Theatre, Detroit Jukebox the ghost
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Jason isbell
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The Loving Touch, Ferndale
MARCH
Royal Oak Theatre, Royal Oak
Bryson tiller
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
Albert Cummings
The Ark, Ann Arbor
Blessthefall & Miss May i
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
Everyone orchestra
The Ark, Ann Arbor
Finish ticket
The Shelter, Detroit
tonight Alive & Set it off
The Crofoot, Pontiac
UFo
The Token Lounge, Westland
Voivod & Vektor
The Loving Touch, Ferndale
Cradle of Filth & Butcher Babies
St Andrews Hall, Detroit
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