Highwire Daze Issue #137

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AUG|SE P2021

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BRY ANBASSE T TOFF OGHA T , AUDI ORE I GN, BE RNARDF OWL E R: OVE R 25 YE ARS WI T HT HEROL L I NG ST ONE S,CASKE T S,DI ANE& T HE DE DUCT I BL E S, T HEGUI T AR&WHI SKE YCL UB, T HEHARDWA Y , J ADE D PAST ,J OEBONAMASSA,J UNKY ARD,L I T T L ECAE SAR.NOMI NE E ,T HE SWANSONS, WEARET HEBL ACKT HI NGSANDMORE . . .

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

HIGHWIRE DAZE Sponsored by THE SANDGAARD FOUNDATION

Publisher Highwire Daze Magazine A General Partnership

INTERVIEWS with...

Gene Simmons ArtWorks™..................................14 Steve Whiteman of KIX........................................18 Bryan Bassett of Foghat........................................22 Jaded Past..............................................................26 Anna Sentina..........................................................30 Caskets...................................................................34 Nominee.................................................................38 Audio Reign...........................................................42 Bernard Fowler: Over 25 Years with The Rolling Stones Part 2.....................................44 The Guitar & Whiskey Club ...............................48

Editor Ken Morton Managing Editor Danny S. Pasley Senior Photographer Jack Lue East Coast Editor Jupiter Lee Contributors Ken Morton Jack Lue Jupiter Lee James Grover Kim Crain Tammy Greene Joe Schaeffer Erica Vincent

ANNA SENTINA POSTER by JACK LUE.........................32/33 CONCERT REVIEWS The Swansons, Junkyard, Little Caesar, Joe Bonamassa, We Are The Black Things, Attack Of The Rising, The Hard Way..................50

Cover Art by Yannick d’Assignes of Smart Works Intl Cover Photos by Jack Lue HIGHWIRE DAZE 827 N. Hollywood Way PMB419 Burbank, CA 91505-2814 www.highwiredaze.com email: ken@highwiredaze.com

ALBUMS REVIEWS Dizzylilacs, Frozen Tears, Madman’s Lullaby, Phil Martin’s Drive, Post Mortem Superstar, Sandgaard, Skarlett Riot, Taste.............................58 SKETCHES BY THE EDITOR................................................... 8

Copyright 2021 Highwire Daze Magazine

PRODUCT REVIEW BY JAMES GROVER Luthier School Review..........................................10

Opinions expressed within this publication do not neccessarily reflect those of the publisher.

All rights reserved. Nothing may be produced in whole or in part without the express and written permission of the publisher.

IN MUSICAL ORBIT BY JUPITER Steve Whiteman, Touch review.............................12

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Sketches By The Editor Delta Covid Variant Dawn

And so I guess it was way too soon to proclaim in the previous issue that we were now in the Post Covid age. Very far from it. While live shows have resumed throughout Southern California, mask mandates are in effect in many of the clubs - especially in Los Angeles.

Nothing like seeing the mighty Steelheart at The Whisky with friends I haven’t seen in ages all decked out in my favorite skull mask and Metalmessage cap.

It is so great to go to shows again - as I write this column, I have just returned from seeing Cheap Trick and Blue Oyster Cult at the Pacific Amphitheater in Orange County. And at the beginning of the day, I completed a phone interview with the legendary Gene Simmons of KISS to discuss his upcoming art show in Vegas. When you read his interview in this very issue, the outspoken Mr. Simmons definitely had a lot to say about Covid, masks and vaccinations. It was an honor to interview Gene Simmons - this interview was originally to take place in person, but due to the rampant Delta Variant, a phoner was wisely scheduled instead.

With only hours until the deadline, I transcribed our chat and off to the printer this all goes!

What’s in the future for Highwire Daze? In association with the Sandgaard Foundation, Highwire Daze will be releasing a music compilation at the beginning of the year to bring awareness to the ongoing opioid epidemic here in the States and beyond. Other plans include a flight to Birmingham, Alabama, where I will be covering Furnace Fest at the infamously haunted Schloss Furnaces venue on late September. The final issue of the year - our 31st Anniversary edition - will be out midOctober. In the meantime, the website will be updated daily of course, and the radio station runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week playing all kinds of music that we cover here at the Daze. And then there’s The NAMM Show in January 2022, and we will have a booth there!

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Down In Wühan

The”Hit Single” Released World-Wide 12/14/20!

Available Now. Everywhere.

“Short, Sweet, and about the Chinese.”

Available: World-Wide on all major platforms. i Tunes, Spotify, Amazon etc. youtube.com/toneraventunes So as Covid-19 and it’s variants roll relentlessly on, who knows what the future has in store for us all. Some artists are still cancelling shows and entire tours. We live in a world more polarized than ever with absolutely no compromise in sight. For now, I’m just going to listen to my KISS records, keep on living my life, present the readers of Highwire Daze with the very best in music, bring attention to the opioid crisis in any way I can, and continue to work towards the dawn of a better day in a true post-Covid age. Be safe everyone!

highwiredaze.com highwiredazeradio.net issuu.com/highwiredaze August/September 2021

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Product Review by

James Grover Luthier School Review

Many of you know that I am a guitarist and I have worked alongside some of the greatest musicians of all time. Usually I would write on product reviews however I would like to review a bit of my career. Readers and fans alike have reached out to me inquiring how I became a guitar luthier?

After so many years working alongside Kevin Eubanks as a Guitar tech and artist relations specialists I decided that I would like to find a school that offers instrument building.

In 2016 I was curious in learning to build guitars so I did research online and I came across Palomar College which is located in Northern County San Diego in the city of San Marcos in Southern California. I did more research into the school and then I learned that they just don’t do instrument building courses but they offer a lot of woodworking courses such as furniture building, wood carving, clock building and full courses in wood working which is taught by many well skilled faculty.

So I took my chances in enrolling thinking “what am I getting myself into?”... lol, The first class I took was a clock-making class in which is mandatory to learn machine and shop safety. Once you have completed the entry level course you are entitled to take a guitar setup class which is taught by Jeff Scott who is a great luthier and owner of (Illusion ) guitars.

I never imagined that going back to school to do wood working would be so much fun. Here I am some guy who’s been in the music spotlight since my early 20’s and walking into a classroom of the unknown, I felt very welcomed, Some of my classmates in the class recognized me as working in the music industry so they had questions since we all had the same interest as guitar enthusiasts lol. After a few minutes we all warmed up to each other and now we were on our way to many semesters of wood working together in which I made two guitars.

I had the opportunity to catch up with one of my classmates Daron Hornbeek who is a great guitarist. Daron and I met at Palomar in our first semester in guitar making.

Together we learned and milled some of the best guitars one can make. Today Daron and I are friends and we both realize how important this school is in the trade of instrument building and fine wood working.

I do recommend all guitar or woodworking enthusiasts to look into the Palomar College wood working programs.

I would like to thank all my Readers, Fans, Jeff Scott, Jack Stone who have made these courses possible and thanks to all the Teacher Assistance who volunteer to ensure guidance and safety in woodworking programs at Palomar.

Info: www2.palomar.edu Reach James Grover at: https://www.facebook.com/james.grover.311 10

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21 8th, 20 Sept. 1 Go Go isky A The Wh

tch a w & e b S u b s c r iS w a n s o n s The ncert o c M A E L I V E S TrRy T h u r s d a y eve 5pm PST

site b e W r u Visit o

!

In Musical Orbit by Jupiter Jupiter at Highwire Daze Online Crew East Coast Editor

Hey everyone, it’s Jupiter Lee - East Coast Editor. Check out my record reviews here and be sure to add me on Facebook! Link is at the end of my column...

You’re Welcome Steve Whiteman Red String Music I was given the privilege to review the debut album from STEVE WHITEMAN. Thirty five years into his singing career with KIX, STEVE WHITEMAN has released his very first solo album, YOU”RE WELCOME. WHITEMAN has recruited longtime friends BRAD DIVENS, BOB PARÉ and JIMMY CHALFONT to record with him.

Plunging into the first track ‘Easy’, fans will notice a reference to KIX music. No stranger to songwriting, it combines the perfect blend of rhymes and riffs together with a hard rock commercial twist. Track 03, ‘Get The Wild Out’ possesses a tight rhythm section all working as one and you can tell they have worked together in the past. Track 04, ‘Shock’ is one of my favorites. Track 06 ‘Bad Blood’ is a fast, rockin’ tune with WHITEMAN breaking out the harmonica. Next, track 07, ‘Kid Dynamite’ absolutely rocks and has a slightly different edge to it. I found the double guitar lead most appealing. Now with track # 10 ‘Tug of Luv’, I think STEVE WHITEMAN fans will agree that it sounds the most like KIX. On track 11, ‘Do Me Like You Done Me Before’ contains elements of some very early rock and roll influences. Released July 02 2021 the album boasts twelve tracks. Can’t wait for the tour to begin!

ning ominously with classical piano, rock guitar and thunderous drums, yet soon after soaring high lead vocals come into the picture on the title track ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’.

You can look for the video on their website. Track 02, ‘Let It Come’ is more guitar based rock n’ roll. Track 03, ‘Swan Song’ is rather epic. Keyboard driven this time, the song goes through many changes including an extremely nice long instrumental passage with a time signature in 6/8. Probably just a hint too long for some media to stream, but I think it’s one of the best cuts on the record. Track 05, ‘Fire And Ice’; wow, feel like I’m listening to a different band! I really like the way these guys can create a genuineness to their music with such conviction. Everything seems so well thought out and polished. A soundscape of guitar and keyboards open track 10, ‘Scream At The Sky’ and shows the many sides of this band.

Here’s to a bright future for TOUCH! You can follow them by clicking the link below.

www.dekoentertainment.com

JUPITER on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/Jupiter-Lee-173082899386911

http://www.kixband.com/

Tomorrow Never Comes Touch Deko Entertainment Returning after 40 years, TOUCH have a new album. It’s called TOMORROW NEVER COMES. Equipped with outstanding musicianship and production, you will need a full hour to complete this listening experience.

Members include guitarist / vocalist CRAIG BROOKS, keyboardist / vocalist MARK MANGOLD, bassist DOUG HOWARD, and on the drums GLENN KITHCART. Begin12

August/September 2021

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Gene Simmons of

KISS Photo by Jack Lue

Gene Simmons ArtWorks™ The World Premiere At

Animazing Studios in Las Vegas An Interview with the legendary

KISS co-founder of

Interview by Ken Morton - Live Photos by Jack Lue

Gene Simmons - rock legend and serial entrepreneur - may now add painting to his many ventures. In the midst of a pandemic, the music icon would rediscover his love for art, creating over 50 canvases while in lockdown! The grand debut of Gene Simmons ArtWorks™ is imminent, taking place October 14 through 16 at Animazing Gallery located within Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. From sketches to large format paintings, presented will be this other very creative side for KISS fans to discover deep in the heart of Sin City.

In this interview with Highwire Daze magazine, Gene Simmons discusses his upcoming art exhibit, a chance meeting with Andy Warhol that would ignite his creativity, the upcoming KISS End Of The Road Tour about to resume, and a whole lot more!

painting and see what happens?” So, I am untrained. I didn’t know what I was doing. In fact, I used garden tools often to move the paint around, and just all kinds of things that I would imagine most painters don’t use.

During the pandemic, people had time to reflect on different aspects of their lives. How did it feel now having time to reflect on the art that you’ve created over the years?

Well let’s not downplay the pandemic. It was a very sad, often heartbreaking event for the world. People lost jobs – people lost lives. So, let’s not just say, “So, what did you do in your time off?” It was a very, very serious event. Given that, we were very lucky. We sequestered in Whistler, Canada, where there are only about 50,000 people in the whole town. And I had a lot of time on my hands, so I rented a facility – like a factory place. And I’ve always doodled all my life – and I figured “What the hell? Why don’t I just try

Socially later on after I’d finished about 50 pieces, which I liked but I really didn’t think anybody would care – I happened to run into a guy socially in Vegas where I own some property, and he happened to see the art and he said, “Hey, who’s that? That guy’s really good!” I said, “Really?

You like it?” And he goes, “Yeah! Who’s the artist?” And I said, “It’s me!” “You? You? How long have you been painting?” And I said, “I’ve never painted before.” So, a quick friendship started, and he offered to give me my own art show at his place Animazing – which is at the Palazzo Venetian Hotel – October 14th, 15th, and 16th. So, pieces of all sizes and price ranges are going to be up there. And I’ll be there.

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How does it feel to know that your paintings are going to be in the same place where icons such as Charles M. Schulz and Dr Seuss displayed their works?

Well, I don’t know what to say, except that I’m overwhelmed. Some of the stuff is more serious, less pop culture – and some of the stuff is pop culture. Some of my stuff is impressionistic – sort of Jackson Pollock inspired – and some are more realistic. I don’t have a style – I just do what my stream of consciousness mind let’s me do. Sort of like a kid playing in mud – just moves it around the way it feels. So hopefully people understand the honesty and authenticity of it.

Of course, you probably never get nervous performing live in arenas. Do you feel a tinge of nerves doing an art show and showing this side of your talent?

No. Fear has never been – thank goodness – part of my DNA – otherwise I could never get up onstage. You gotta remember that not everybody likes Jesus either – so there’s going to be some folks who are going to have something to say. “Ah, get that clown off the stage!” Or whatever that is. But you gotta believe in yourself really – whether you’re walking a tightrope or getting in a boxing ring. Without that self belief, you’d never get in the ring in the first place. But fear has nothing to do with it. People can like it or not. I like it – and maybe that’s the most important thing.

Tell me about the day when Gene Simmons met Andy Warhol and what that was like.

I was seeing, sort of a world-famous singer – she had TV shows and movies and everything – and was really an icon.

But we happened to be socially engaged. So, she started taking me to parties where I met all sorts of people – Liza Minelli, Nureyev and Al Pacino – you name it – they were there. And we went to Studio 54, and I ran into Andy Warhol. I’d see him here and there – and next thing I know I find myself in the studio watching him paint. Actually, it’s fair to say that he was like a movie director – he was directing other people in what he wanted to see. And so that was sort of one piece of the puzzle that I stuck back there in my mind – “Gee, wouldn’t it be great to paint and create that kind of stuff?” And when it goes for the record, my art – make of it what you will – nobody touched my canvases or my paint brushes. It’s all me! So, if you hate it, blame me! If you like it, just kinda smile.

When KISS was just starting up, how involved were you when it came to art and how inspired were you by the many artists and creative people in New York City at the time?

We were oblivious. We really didn’t pay attention to anybody. And maybe that goes to the heart of the matter, which is if you’re running a race, don’t look over your shoulder to see what everybody else is doing. Just run the best race you can. Be an individual! And maybe that had a lot to do with who and what we were and are. Which is you’ve got to walk to the beat of your own drums. I think it’s fair to say that there’s no other band in the world like KISS. Period.

Although I could name hundreds of bands – name any band 16

– go ahead…

Okay – Mötley Crüe…

Well, clearly a terrific band. But I’ll leave it up to you to say whether they’re reminiscent of anybody else.

A lot of bands have done covers of KISS songs over the years. Is there a KISS cover by someone that you’ve actually really liked?

Garth Brooks actually did a terrific version of Hard Luck Woman on a KISS tribute album called KISS My Ass. In fact, I prefer that Garth voice to the country stuff. On the other hand, he makes a very good living with the country voice, so ignore what I said. (Laughter) In addition to your art show being in Las Vegas, you live or have property in Vegas as well. What drew you to live in basically another city that never really sleeps?

No income tax, no state tax, no local tax and no inheritance tax.

Good enough. So, The End of The Road Tour is back after a hiatus due to the pandemic. What are you looking forward to the most about going back on the road and August/September 2021

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resuming these final shows?

It really comes down to the fans. We are the fans who became the band. And there’s just no feeling like that – being up on that stage - it’s like electric church, you know?

Everybody say “Yeah, yeah!” So, they give us as much as we give them back and forth. And for two hours hopefully, we make you forget about the traffic jam, or that your girlfriend is jealous cuz you’re looking at the other chicks.

When all is said and done, these are the final KISS shows...

Well, it should be, because what we do is so physical. You gotta remember that I walk around with about 40 pounds of extra weight – dragon boots that are about 7-8 inches high – spit fire – fly through the air – physically it’s exhausting, and we shouldn’t be doing it later. If I was in U2 – a great band – I could play guitar and wear sneakers and a T-shirt and stand still.

What do you think it’s going to be like pursuing a life without KISS and touring?

There are other pleasures. I like business. I like making deals. I like creating stuff from nothing. It’s a different kind of pleasure. I mean, if you love steak, then you really love it. And if you love cheesecake, you really love it. But they’re completely different – they’re different kinds of

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pleasures.

Do you have any messages for KISS fans who are reading this now regarding the band and regarding your art show?

Most importantly, you’re not going to be able to come and see the art show if you’re not wearing a mask. I don’t care what you believe in. I’m just not going to give you the chance to infect other people – even if you think the Earth is flat – I really don’t care. It’s become polarizing, and insanity has come in. And people think they have the right to do all sorts of things – but you really don’t. You don’t have the right to smoke indoors – it’s not your right because other people don’t want to smell your shit. You don’t have the right to stand up in a movie theater and yell fire – you don’t!

You don’t have the right to drive a car without a seatbelt on.

You have to stop at a red light – even if you don’t want to.

That’s not a right you have. You know why? Because there are other cars you may endanger by going through that. So, this idea that you have a right – even if you have Covid – to infect other people – is just evil and vile. If it was up to me, there would a law – you must get the vaccine…

For more information about the Gene Simmons ArtWorks™ debut, visit www.animazing.com, email info@animazing.com, or call (702) 785-0061.

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A Poolside Interview with

Steve Whiteman of KIX Interview by Ken Morton Live Photo from M3 Rock Festival by Joe Schaeffer Steve Whiteman spent a good portion of the pandemic recording his very first solo album - and with a little help from his friends, You’re Welcome was conceived. Released on the verge of the opening dates of the current KIX tour, You’re Welcome features 12 absolutely explosive tracks that hard rock fans will want to revisit time and again.

When Highwire Daze checked in for our interview, Steve Whiteman was poolside in a floating raft under the 100 degree sun of Hagerstown in Maryland. Taking the cell phone and ready to rock our conversation, Steve Whiteman discussed the making of You’re Welcome right in the middle of the Covid age, the recent headlining KIX show at the much revered M3 Rock Festival, celebrating the 40 year anniversary of their debut Self-Titled album, and a whole lot more!

First of all, how did the M3 Rock Festival over the 4th of July weekend go and what were some of the highlights for you?

That always feels amazing. It just brings together the huge amount of fans that we’ve accumulated in this area over the last 40 years. Just being able to look out at the end of that night at all these people standing on their feet, and they’re proud that they could call us their homegrown band. And the event itself is the best part of the evening and has been for about the past ten years. It’s the one and only festival that we actually get to headline a night.

Overall, what has it been like to be one of the first bands to tour right after a pandemic?

Well, all of us got vaccinated and we’re following all of the protocols when we fly and everything. We’re just glad to be back out in front of people.

What made you decide it was now time to release a Steve Whiteman solo album?

I’ve been writing songs for probably the last 3-4 years and I just wanted to have them on hand if and when KIX were seriously ready to think about doing another studio record.

And I’ve just been sitting on them. I was sharing them with the guys and really hadn’t been getting a whole lot of feedback. And I just don’t think there’s a whole lot of 18

interest right now in us getting together and doing another studio KIX album at this time. We’ve just got so much work to do – all the makeup shows from the pandemic that we have to do. So during the pandemic, there was really nothing to do. So Jimmy Chalfant our drummer, and Brad Divens were getting together and recording cover songs in the studio – and he just wanted to get some experience in the studio – so he would do some Aerosmith or AC/DC. And one day Jimmy said to him, “You know, Steve is sitting on a pile of songs. Why don’t we get him in here and record a couple of them?” It would give Brad some recording from the ground up. So, I brought my pile August/September 2021

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of songs and we sat and listened to all 12 of them that are on the record. And Brad looked at me and said, “Let’s do ‘em all!” So, I said, “Then we’re making a solo record, aren’t we?” And he said, “I think so!” And it just kind of happened. It wasn’t really a plan of any kind – it just kind of evolved and it just kept getting better and better.

Everybody was enjoying themselves, and getting out of the house was great. Recording and playing music was great.

So, it was therapeutic for everyone.

Your fans probably already know the answer to this, but for people who don’t, is there a story behind the album title You’re Welcome?

Oh of course. I’ve been doing this bit now for the past 7-8 years where after a nice round of applause, you say “Thank you.” And one night, this crowd seemed dead – they were hardly reacting. And I said, “thank you” and I got a little golf round applause. And I said, “You know, the polite thing to do is say You’re Welcome when you say thank you!” And that just got the crowd into a frenzy, and I’ve been doing it ever since. It’s like that way, you know you’ve got the crowd in the palm of your hand – they’re paying attention – they’re having fun – and they’re participating. It’s just my way of interacting with the crowd.

You mentioned Brad Divens. He’s involved with the solo album. He’s also on the Cool Kids album and did a band called Souls At Zero. What was it like reconnecting with Brad after all of this time?

It’s been great reconnecting with Brad. I forgot how great a guy he was. He’s been all over the place. His life has had him jump all over the place and doing different kinds of jobs. And he’s just landed doing front of house for all these really, really big bands, and he’s currently working for Enrique Iglesias – I think they’re going to start back up in the next week or so. With everybody home and being able to reconnect with Brad. Like Brad and Bob Paré – and I’ve been friends with Dean Cramer forever and obviously Jimmy forever. But connecting with those two guys I really feel created a lifelong friendship.

Bob Pare who is involved with the solo album is now in KIX. What did he do in the solo album and is he now a permanent KIX member?

He is until Ronnie Younkins gets better – if and when Ronnie gets better. But we’ve invited him to come in. We nearly invited him to come in a couple of years ago.

Ronnie would go up and down – up and down – he would be good for a while and then he would relapse – and then he would be good for a while. We were always on the fence of bringing someone in. And Bob was ready – as soon as we found out that Ronnie could no longer do shows, we thought it was time to bring somebody in cuz it’s not fair for the fans who come to the shows. Bob was the perfect guy to bring in and he does an incredible job.

And on this record, Bob is probably the reason it sounds so good because for every song that he played on – he played on like 8 songs – and for every song he played on, he knew exactly what guitar to use – what amplifier – what sound to HIGHWIRE DAZE

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use. He’s just that much of a perfectionist. If it were me, I just would have done plugins, you know, but he just had such a better idea. And having Brad being able to play bass on ten tracks – I got to play two. Jimmy played ten tracks on drums – I got to play two. I just want to say that I played everything on a couple of tracks.

Since we have talked about Ronnie, I just wanted to touch on the song Kid Dynamite and the influence behind that.

Obviously, it’s about Ronnie and his problem with addiction. Ronnie was actually helping to write this song when it had another title. It wasn’t originally called Kid Dynamite – and we were writing about what he was going through. And I never did like the title, and I didn’t think the words were explosive enough. So, I continued to work on it after Ronnie left the project – and I needed a title – and for some reason I thought of Jimmie Walker and “Kid Dynamite!” and I thought “that’s a great title,” because onstage Ronnie is Kid Dynamite. There’s no other like him, so I thought that would be the perfect title to tell his story.

And I want to talk about Jimmy since he’s on the solo album as well as a long time KIX member. What was it like working with him on the solo album?

Jimmy was essential in some of the production ideas.

He came up with some really good ideas, where I don’t think he would have probably taken it seriously if it were a KIX album with a top producer. But here he had full reign – not every idea was used by any of us – but he had some really good production ideas – as did Bob and Brad and myself. And that’s why I just gave production credit to all four of those guys, because we all spent a couple of months working on it together. (Please turn the page...)

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Would you like to tour in support of this solo album or are you already playing some of these songs live?

No, we’re not playing them live. The fact that it just came out last week. It wouldn’t be fair to ask KIX fans to listen to Steve Whiteman music when they come to listen to KIX. There’s a possibility of next January or February when Brian goes on tour to do Rhino Bucket shows – if everybody has the free time, that would be the time for us to go out and play the shows and let people hear the music that want to hear just that music. I know that everybody would love to do it, but it would just depend in schedules.

With KIX being around for a very long time, you constantly have anniversaries of album and tours and everything. And you have a 40-year anniversary this year of the KIX Self-Titled album. Looking back on the album, what do you think of it now in retrospect and the fact that it really is 40 years old?

I don’t think you ever stop loving your first album, because it took a year to write it and you got to perform it in front of people before it was actually recorded, and knowing how it went over in those crowds. And I think that album still holds up. I like the diversity of the first two albums – it wasn’t just one genre. Like Midnite Dynamite, we seemed to get harder and just stay in that ballsy hard rock genre, whereas the earlier albums had stuff like Heartache and For Shame and things that would never make a KIX

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album today. Yeah, that album is still very special to me.

What has kept you so passionate about KIX and music since you first started in 1977?

Yeah, but before that I was in local bands before I moved to Hagerstown. I think you’re born with it. I think in some people, there’s just a passion for sports, for music, for acting – and if you’re lucky enough and dedicated enough just to put the work in and do the time, that you can achieve your goals. We probably shoulda coulda done better, but we did what we did, and we’re still doing it, and we’re still happy doing it. I think you’re born with that passion, and I don’t think it ever goes away.

Do you have any messages for KIX fans who are reading this now?

I just hope they give the solo album a chance. Just because it’s not KIX doesn’t mean that it’s not good hard rock music. If they want to pick up a copy, then can go to www.rightrocksportswear.com. I believe the first order of 500 sold out in like two days – they’re on back order now and we’re getting more printed up and getting them out there. Obviously, you could download it from iTunes and Amazon and all that stuff. So, I hope they give it a try.

www.rightrocksportswear.com

August/September 2021

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The World Has Exploded With

“Rock Is God” Classic New ALBUM” Other Classic Taste Albums Available

All Available ON MR RECORDS www.melodicrockrecords.com

8 Days On The Road with

Bryan Bassett of FOGHAT Interview by Ken Morton Live Photo by Jack Lue Legendary and multi-Platinum rockers FOGHAT -- Roger Earl (founding member/drums), Bryan Bassett (lead guitar, formerly with Wild Cherry and Molly Hatchet), Charlie Huhn (lead guitar and lead vocals, formerly with Ted Nugent, Gary Moore, Victory, and Humble Pie), and Rodney O’Quinn (bass, formerly with the Pat Travers Band) -- celebrate 50 years of Rock n’ Roll with 8 Days On The Road, a 14-track live performance now available as a double CD/DVD package!

Jam-packed with classic Foghat selections such as Slow Ride, Fool For The City and Chevrolet as well as a raging cover of the Wild Cherry mega-hit Play That Funky Music, 8 Days On The Road was recorded on November 17, 2019 at Daryl’s House Club in Pawling, NY. Highwire Daze recently interviewed longtime guitarist Bryan Bassett to discuss the just unleashed 8 Days On The Road, the epic Foghat 50 year and counting legacy, his time spent within the ranks of Molly Hatchet and Wild Cherry, and a whole lot more! Read on...

First of all, let’s talk about the new live album 8 Days On The Road. How did the 8 Days On The Road album come about and where did you guys record it?

It came about at the end of our tour last year; we had been playing all year long. We try to do a live recording every couple of years – it sort of sets a marker in our timeline – just something for our fans that have seen us over the course of the year to maybe have a recollection of the shows that we did. And we happened to play Daryl Hall’s nightclub, which is Daryl’s House Shows – which is a fantastic TV show – but this is also a nightclub that he has. And he has an on staff recording team that are just excellent – and it’s a smaller venue which we don’t get the opportunity to play much anymore – so it was very intimate. And just because of the staff on hand and the care they took with sound proofing the building – and they had a video crew there – it just seemed like a great way to end the year and get a product out for our fans.

Foghat is celebrating their 50th Anniversary as a band this 22

year. What goes through your mind knowing that Foghat is now 50 years old, and you’ve been in it for half the time?

Well, I’m going on 22 years and I’m still the new guy. I’m like Ronnie Wood – just been here for a long time. It’s just quite a legacy for Roger Earl particularly – he’s been there from day one. Of course, him, Dave Peverett and Tony Stevens came out of Savoy Brown and added Rod Price and had a fabulous career through the 70’s and 80’s. And to carry on the legacy of the music is fantastic! I met Dave in the late 80’s when he relocated to Orlando, Florida and we became great friends. When Rod retired, he asked me to join the band – and he became my best friend. We had a mutual love of old blues music. Dave was practically a historian – he had all of these 78’s in really great packaging and was quite a collector. So, it was a great turn in my life. I was working in a studio at the time and had a small blues band in Orlando, Florida. And we started jamming and eventually I ended up in the band. They reformed between 92-99 – all the original members got back together for a time, and I spent 7 years in Molly Hatchet. So, when Rod retired, Dave asked me to August/September 2021

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come back, and I’ve been here since 2000.

One of the songs from 8 Days On The Road is a cover of Play That Funky Music – and of course you were in Wild Cherry on the original recording of that song. What does the mean to you that Foghat is paying tribute to your music roots on that song?

It was just something nice that the guys wanted to do. When they would introduce me on the stage, I would do a little one-minute bit of the song. And at one point, Roger said, “Hey, why don’t we just play that?” It’s a big song, and when we play it in the encore, people get a big kick out of it. It was really for fun more than anything. The crowd seems to like it toward the end of the show – so it’s just a nice little tribute to my past and it’s one of those songs that seems to hang around – so the crowd really likes it.

When you look back now on your time spent with Wild Cherry and the albums you did with them, what do you think of it now in retrospect?

Well first of all, we got to play with some of the greatest artists from that era. We were on mostly rhythm and blues tours.

We toured with the Jackson 5 – we did some shows on their last tour. We did a few shows on the Earth Wind & Fire That’s The Way of The World Tour. We did extensive touring with The Commodores. The fantastic Average White Band – we did a lot of touring with them. So, to see those artists in their prime – mostly we opened the shows of course.

But we also played with Santana, early Journey pre-Steve Perry. Just to see those great musicians – when I met Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder introduced me to him – it was one of those brushes with greatness. And to me as a young 20-something and have a song blow up like that, and then all of a sudden be on these great tours was really exciting.

Let’s go on to your time spent with Molly Hatchet. First of all, how did you wind up in Molly Hatchet?

One of the last tours I did with Dave (and his vesion of Foghat) was in Europe and we did it with Molly Hatchet. I got to know them pretty well. Bobby Ingram’s guitar got broken on the flight over from the US to Europe, so he borrowed my Les Paul for the lion’s share of that tour. And we became friends – I became friends with Danny Joe – and we hung out together being Americans in Europe – after shows we would go to bars and drink some beers. So, Danny Joe and I became good friends as well. And when we returned to the States – that was right in the end of ’92, and Dave was getting to reform with Roger and the original guys (of Foghat). We did a show – I think it was somewhere up in the Midwest with Molly Hatchet. And Danny Joe asked me to come on his bus – which I did. And he said “I know you’re going to need a job pretty soon. Would you like to join our band?” And it was like “Yes sir, I would!” So, I basically got off the Foghat bus and got on the Molly Hatchet bus.

And this is a funny story. We drove all the way to Maine for my first show with Molly Hatchet – and it happened to be with the newly reformed Foghat. So, my first show with HIGHWIRE DAZE

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Molly Hatchet is with Foghat! So, I walked into the arena and went into the wrong dressing room – after years of going into the Foghat dressing room. And Roger was in there and he goes “Wrong dressing room mate!” (Much laughter) While you were in Molly Hatchet, the band put out what I think were three of their most underrated albums – Devil’s Canyon, Silent Reign Of Heroes, and Kingdom of XII. Looking back on those three albums in particular, what do you think of them now?

I particularly love the first one Devil’s Canyon. I thought we had some great songs on there – and Bobby Ingram and I had a real great connection guitar wise – and all the guitar harmonies that are part of the Molly Hatchet sound. Plus, we did a lot of touring in Europe which was fun from just a tourist’s standpoint to be travelling all over the country and playing. But that was a very strong band. At the beginning when I first joined, Banner Thomas the original bass player and Danny Joe were still in the band. Banner eventually left and then Danny Joe eventually retired and then passed away.

Those early years in Molly Hatchet were great and I thought we had a great band. And I think they are underrated – of course all the original albums are classics, but to carry on the 23

guitar harmony tradition was really fantastic. From a guitar playing standpoint, it was difficult, but very rewarding, to learn and play those parts live.

So now you are back in Foghat around the year 2000. Let’s talk about that very first album you did with Foghat Family Joules – what do you think of that album and going in to record with them for the first time?

It was great, I think. We had good material on there. I engineered – I engineer most of most of the Foghat record’s these days. But that was my first experience. I had just come out of 15 years working with King Snake Records as an engineer/producer. And so I bought a digital recording setup, and we had a big giant warehouse in Central Florida that a friend of ours owned – it was a massive, cavernous building – and we just set up there live and I set up a recording studio right off to the side all in the same room – and we just starting tracking and putting some songs on. So, I thought it was great. It was really great to do some original music with new guys. Which is why we still record now and why we continue to keep doing new albums of original material. We’re always going to play the hits, but just for our own creative need really, we still like to write and record.

Your previous studio album Under The Influence was abso-

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lutely amazing. Will there be any new studio Foghat albums coming out soon?

We have one in the planning now – in fact, I just bought a new board. We have a studio called Boogie Motel South in Central Florida – it’s a big 10-acre ranch, and we setup the same way we setup the live band in the same room with the recording gear. I think it will be very much like Under The Influence – which is of course tongue and cheek for under the musical influence and not so much under the influence of party stuff. But it’s going to be similar to Under The Influence – we’re going to pull in some old blues songs which is something Foghat has done over the years and rock them up a little bit. And try to get a couple new originals in there and record. We do it at our leisure – we have our own record label so there’s no time pressure. We’re going to start recording very soon and maybe next summer do a release if all things go well.

And do you have any messages for Foghat fans who are reading this right now?

I’d say come on out and rock and roll with us! I think we’re getting to the point now where the venues feel safe, and the musicians feel comfortable. So, it’s time to get our rock and roll back on!

http://www.foghat.com/

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The Wait Is Over!!!

There Back...

And It’s Not Just A Whisper Now!!!

Available ON MR RECORDS www.melodicrockrecords.com

JADED PAST: Rocking New Jersey and Beyond

Interview by Ken Morton Jaded Past is a high energy melodic rock and roll band through and through, presenting absolutely timeless songs that will remain in your head for ages. Based out of the legendary New Jersey music scene, Jaded Past has unleashed Live And On Edge, available worldwide via MR Records. A perfect audio documentation of their much revered live shows, Live And On Edge presents Jaded Past in their finest hour on stages all across the USA. Highwire Daze recently interviewed Jaded Past front man and founding member George Becker to find out more about the making of Live And On Edge, signing to MR Records out of Australia, opening for the likes of Eric Martin and Tokyo Motor Fist, and a whole lot more! Read on...

Introduce yourself; tell me what you do in Jaded Past, and how long the band has been together.

Good Morning. My name is George Becker and I am the 26

Lead Vocalist, front man, songwriter and founder of Jaded Past.

Where is the band based out of and what is your local music scene like there?

Jaded Past started as a project for me in 2011 and based out of New Jersey. The music scene in our area comes and goes and with the recent pandemic situation it nose dived! Now in 2021 venues and opportunities are opening back up.

How did you wind up signing to MR Records out of Australia?

In 2016, I wrote and recorded my second album “Believe” and was searching for a label mainly for distribution. My producer introduced me to a few reps and Andrew McNeice and I sparked a deal between Jaded Past and Melodic Rock Records…. And released Believe. Since that time Melodic Rock Records has been taken over by new management and I have re-signed with them as well to release “Live And On August/September 2021

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Edge” this past February.

How did the Live And On Edge album come about and where was it recorded?

I have always wanted to release a “live” album! I approached my reps at MR and pitched my idea and they immediately said yes given the buzz about our live shows. Jaded Past is a performance band, we love to be on the stage and nothing shows that more than this record! The recordings were done in multiple locations.

One of the cover songs on the live album was Ziggy Stardust

by David Bowie. What made you decide to cover that song and what kind of influence has Bowie had on your music career?

Well, all my influences certainly come through in my performances as well as my approach to my career. I always list Bowie as a high influence but also Aerosmith, Kiss, Elton John, T-Rex, Stones and so many more but you can certainly see the picture I’m sure. I have been performing Ziggy in many ways, many times as a cover but I believe that we definitely capture the essence and memory of Mr. Bowie in our performance.

Overall, what could one expect from a live Jaded Past show?

A Jaded Past show is a raw, in your face, no holds barred rock show. You see four seasoned performers who love what they do and love doing it for you! From opening note to the final good night, the stage is filled with adrenaline, high end rock n roll, melodies, crowd participation and all in all a fun time. Old School if I may use that term. One thing I will guarantee is that you will not be disappointed and if you don’t know us at the beginning, you will know us by the end.

How did Pete Fry and Leo Sabatino from Far Cry become involved with Jaded Past? And have both bands ever played shows together?

Second part of the question first. Not really. Jaded Past and Far Cry both played at Melodic Rock Fest in 2018 but on two separate nights.

Now, the first part of the question. Jaded Past up to 2017 was simply a project run by me with musicians that I knew or would hire to play shows along the way both locally and on the road.

In 2018 after “Believe” started to really show promise all over social media, Spotify and more and I was asked to play MRR Fest in Chicago by my label. I wanted to put together an actual band not just treat it as project anymore. I did an interview with Pete Fry for his radio show and then when it was done, we spoke off air, and I asked him if he would be interested in playing in Jaded Past! Long story short, we agreed to start in Chicago and see if things clicked…. He has been my right hand man since that Chicago gig! Leo was brought in a little later in 2019 but once again, now a solid entity in the Jaded Past crew. Last but certainly not least, later that year in 2019 I recruited drummer Pete Giordano and the lineup was complete. This is now the lineup that tears it up at every gig, HIGHWIRE DAZE

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on every stage, in every city that we perform; it is an honor to play with these three gentlemen.

Jaded Past was supposed to tour with Bonfire in Europe and then the pandemic happened. Did any of those shows happen and/or will the tour be rebooked in the near future?

We were supposed to depart for Europe on April 2 and the announcement to close this country was made on March 11.

Jaded Past was coming off a buzz that we started by playing some local shows and then in Miami at Kruisefest with Ace Frehley and Sebastian Bach. We had the European Tour ready and some other shows after our return with Kix and then BOOM, everything was halted.

I have talked with the promoters and management about rescheduling but at this point it’s becoming more of a rebirth then reschedule. We shall see……

What are you looking forward to the most about your upcoming show with Eric Martin?

On August 21 we will hit the stage for the first time since March 8 of 2020. What we are looking forward to most about the gig is reconnecting with our fans and also gaining new ones. We are not strangers nor are we newcomers so no matter whom we play with or share the stage with we come with 150% raw energy.

How did your show with Tokyo Motor Fist go and did you get to meet or hang out with them at all?

That was a while ago, but as in all our shows it went fantastic!

I have been friends with Steve and the guys for a long time so meeting and hanging with them is a mute point. I always enjoy performing with musicians that bring it to the table; it makes for an all around ass kicking night of rock n roll.

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Since 2011 when I started this project I have opened for so many acts in so many venues across the U.S.A such as Ace Frehley, Sebastian Bach, Cherie Currie, Trixter, Y & T and so many more.

ie’s in Frenchtown, NJ with Eric Martin, Trixter and Ted Poley. Then…. We are seeking out a stream of live shows across the United States for the remainder of 2021 and all of 2022.

If Jaded Past could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?

Well, I will stay in the now; I would love for Jaded Past to be in direct support of bands like Tesla, Skid Row, Warrant and those types of shows.

This train is about to leave the station and embark on its journey. Get on board, you will love the ride! Jaded Past is a rock band, through and through, no nonsense, and no bullshit.

We love to perform at it shows at every show. We need all of your support to get us to the next level, join us.

Neither I, nor my management seeks out shows because of the star power or star struck thoughts, we seek out shows so that Jaded Past can display its talent, songs and energy and grab our seat at the table. Especially to the crowds who appreciate our genre of melodic rock n roll.

Any final words of wisdom?

We appreciate all the support we get from our fans. I personally am humbled every day that you all take the time to listen to my music, come to our shows and believe in what we do.

Thank You!

How close is Jaded Past to recording and releasing an allnew studio album and if close, is there a working title for it yet?

At this point in time I am writing and recording demos for the new record. It would be realistic to say that a 2022 release is in sight. We do have a working title and it is “Mission”.

If you are reading this and do not know about Jaded Past, please visit our official website, take a listen on Spotify and all the other streaming platforms, order the albums, and of course come to see us live!

www.jadedpast.com

What’s up next for Jaded Past?

Well, we will begin with our first show on August 21st at Art-

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Introducing Anna Sentina Interview by Ken Morton - Photos by Jack Lue Anna Sentina is a studio session musician, composer, and touring bass player best known for her work as a recording artist and YouTuber. Her endorsements include Kiesel Guitars, Roland, Boss, and DR Strings. She’s appeared in the play Fame as Lambchops and her YouTube covers have been seen and appreciated by many - including by some of the bands themselves! Highwire Daze recently interviewed Anna Sentina to discuss her bass performances, the YouTube experience, appearance in Fame, photoshoot with the legendary Jack Lue, and more...

Where are you based out of and what is your local music scene like there?

I’m based out of the Southern California/ Los Angeles area.

The music scene here has a strong presence, and I’m lucky to be surrounded by so many great venues and musicians.

How old were you when you first picked up the bass and what was your first live show?

I was 14 years old when I first picked up the bass, and my first live show in a rock band setting was when I was in School of Rock playing Pink Floyd covers at 12 years old. It was one of the most pivotal phases of my life. Before that and continuously while I was in School of Rock, I was performing at classical piano recitals and orchestral concerts.

You have done a lot of brilliant bass covers on your YouTube channel. Have any of the artists you’ve covered ever heard or commented on any of them? If so, what were some of the more memorable ones?

Yes! Metallica, Betraying the Martyrs, Walk the Moon, Spacehog, and Jonathan Wolff are some memorable ones.

I feel so flattered when the artists I admire reach out to me complimenting the videos I make, it’s such a great feeling.

When you look at the amazing numbers you have on your YouTube videos, what goes through your mind?

I feel truly blessed. The number of subscribers I have represents a person who went out of their way to not just listen to my music, but support me and engage with the content I work to make and enjoy creating. It means more to me than I can express in words.

What is your favorite bass of choice and why?

My favorite basses are made by Kiesel. Kiesel is actually the first brand I played where I wouldn’t get a sore back after 30

several live shows in a row, which was a crucial factor for me. They’re custom-made, comfortable, diverse, and really fit to all of my needs and preferences for a bass. My favorite models right now are the Zeus and Icon.

What advice would you give a young musician seeking an endorsement deal?

Be open minded and don’t be afraid to reach out to brands you like. I am so lucky to work with the brands that I do, and I believe I might have started working with them even sooner than I did if I was the one who reached out to them. I wasn’t familiar with a few of the brands who reached out to me initially early on in my career, and they are now some of my favorites. I tried out their products, ended up loving them, and have been using them for several years now.

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Who are some of your favorite bass players and inspirations?

I learned how to slap bass watching Flea videos, so he’s a huge one for me. Some other inspirations include Louis Johnson, Tim Commerford, Geddy Lee, Mark King, and Cliff Burton. They’re all bassists, but they inspire me as a musician in general. Their musicality, technique, and performances always struck a chord with me and helped me become the musician I am today. Other massive inspirations for me include David Bowie, Prince, Freddie Mercury, and Jimi Hendrix.

What was it like playing Lambchops in the play Fame and is acting something you would like to continue to pursue?

It was an unforgettable experience! I initially auditioned for Fame to be part of the backing band and ended up getting the Lambchops role, totally unexpected and even a little scary at the time. I enjoyed acting throughout my school years. It was a lot of fun for me, but I didn’t think about pursuing it professionally. If the right opportunity comes, I would definitely like to act again!

What is your favorite NAMM Show memory and why?

I have so many awesome NAMM memories, but all of my favorites revolve around people. I have several experiences meeting musicians I had admired for years, striking up a conversation with them, and being so pleasantly surprised at how genuinely nice and caring they seemed. Those memories will always be important to me. It’s a nice feeling when you meet someone you admire and you find out they’re more than just musically talented - they’re kind.

first place, and how grateful I am for all of the opportunities I have. I recorded and filmed a lot more than usual. There were moments throughout the ongoing pandemic that definitely took a toll on me mentally, especially in regards to how it so negatively impacted an immense amount of people, but I think I was able to stay creative throughout the majority of it.

I will be so happy to be playing live regularly again, when the time comes. I was able to play a show last week that was absolutely incredible, and I can’t wait for the next one.

Any future plans or events coming up?

Hopefully playing more live shows regularly once it’s safe to do so!

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!

Thank you so much for having me, and for asking great questions!

www.youtube.com/user/Lilchoccarrier www.instagram.com/annapocalypsee/

Metal Babe Mayhem

What was the experience like shooting with famed photographer Jack Lue? Jack is my favorite photographer. I feel so comfortable shooting with him, something that should go without saying but is so important to me. He is so talented and creative, but also incredibly nice and chill. I tend to forget how famed he is! It’s always a blast shooting and being around him.

How did and has the ongoing pandemic affected you and your career and have you managed to stay creative during it?

I think the pandemic really took a toll on so many musicians’ lives in so many different ways - for me personally, it really made me hone in on the freelance studio recording aspect of my career. I was able to dedicate a lot more time to recording in my studio and appreciating it. It made me realize how lucky I am to be able to be a musician in the HIGHWIRE DAZE

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J ACKL UEPHOT OGRAPHY PRE SE NT E DBY

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CASKETS: Rocking Out in a World of Lost Souls

Interview by Ken Morton Leeds-based Caskets is ready to reach an entire world with their dynamic post-hardcore reveries. Their latest album Lost Souls on SharpTone Records is an explosive collection of emotionally charged songs that should enrapture all types of music fans. Highwire Daze recently conducted a Skype interview with vocalist Matt Flood and drummer James Lazenby to find out a whole lot more about this amazing band on the rise. Read on...

Introduce yourself and tell me what you do in Caskets.

Matt: I’m Matt. I am the lead vocalist in Caskets.

James: I’m James. I’m the drummer in Caskets.

How did you wind up signing to SharpTone Records?

Matt: We were talking to SharpTone for a long time before we actually signed a contract. We did an industry show in London at the end of 2018. SharpTone came down to the gig and a few other labels came down and booking agents and promoters and stuff like that. And that’s where we started talking to them. It was a long process – we wanted to make sure we were going to be – not looked after, but they were going to do their end of the bargain, because I’ve heard stories where bands are signed 34

to even well-known record labels and they have not done what they said they would. We spent a long time talking back and forth to them; like what we wanted out of it and obviously what they wanted out of it. And the reason why we signed with SharpTone was we felt they were the best suit to help the band move forward in the future. Seeing all the other amazing bands that sign to that label as well, we knew that we were in good company. In my opinion, it’s the best record label in the world. They look after us so well. Whenever we need anything, they are there for us, so they’re actually incredible, mate.

Is there any overall story or concept behind the title of your album Lost Souls?

Matt: I’d like to say yeah. I’d say it wasn’t intentional.

The songs were written a long time before we decided what we were going to name the album. On every song there’s always a message of having that battle within yourself or with yourself – and sometimes feeling like you are a lost soul within yourself. And every song does it in like a different way. The whole album speaks of despair, abuse, mental health, anxiety, depression, loss – and I think the idea of a soul comes into what each song is about. We just felt that Lost Souls was the title that best described the album.

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Let’s talk about the new single The Only Ones and the inspiration behind that one.

Matt: The main inspiration when I started writing that one – I lost a friend a few years ago – he had a few disabilities and stuff like that. He died really young – and he lived life like to the fullest – I’ve never met anyone who enjoyed waking up every day to live life as much as he did. He knew he wasn’t going to live to old age, but that still sort of didn’t stop him. And that’s kind of where I got the idea from; knowing that you’re going to leave someone or something behind but still try to make the best of a situation. The video of the song isn’t about what I’ve just explained – it’s about something completely different – but it still fits – so I feel like it’s one of those songs that everyone can relate to, but in a different way. I started writing the song with the mind thought of my friend Michael that I lost. But to be fair, a lot of the times, I just start writing – I’m not really thinking of anything in particular. I just start writing lines about what I’m feeling at the time – or things that I want to say in an expressive way. But The Only Ones is definitely one of the songs on the album that is definitely written from a certain perspective.

So Matt, what don’t you select a song from the album and talk about the meaning behind it. Maybe a song you haven’t discussed before.

Matt: So, if I was to pick one, James knows exactly which one I’m going to pick. (James laughs). It would be Hopes & Dreams - basically that’s the only song on the album I wrote myself beforehand. It was an acoustic song and I started writing it about three years ago and I wrote half the song musically – never wrote any lyrics and left it alone for a few years. And then when we were writing the album, we had the mindset that we wanted to drop some songs that people wouldn’t expect to hear on there – and that’s definitely one of them. I finished the song musically and then I started writing the lyrics – and I decided to write about the relationship that I’m in right now – but I wrote it from the perspective of asking my girlfriend what she would do if I fell of a horse or if my life was in absolute tatters sort of thing. Would she be there for me, would she do this for me because I would do it for her sort of thing. Saying it like that, I guess it sounds very sloppy and stuff like that. But it was the first time I’d ever written a song for someone – it’s definitely the most personal song I’ve ever written as well.

To have that on the album is a big achievement for me – I’m really, really proud of it because I wrote the majority HIGHWIRE DAZE

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of it apart from the bass and drums – obviously James did the drums for it. But I did most of the guitar work and the vocals. I’d say that’s the song that sticks out on the album for me the most.

If Caskets could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?

James: Well, you’re going to say Linkin Park, aren’t you?

Matt: Yeah, 100 percent Linkin Park. All day! Every day! They’re my favorite and they always will be.

James: I definitely love Linkin Park, but MCR is up there for me. And Spirit Box at the minute as well – they’re bringing out songs right now and they are my favorite band.

Matt: Yeah, I love Spirit Box. So, the Queen of England invites Caskets to play one song for her at a Royal Command Performance. What song would you play for the Queen and her guests and why?

James: I think it would have to be an acoustic set for the Queen, wouldn’t it?

Matt: What song would I play for the Queen?

James: I don’t know. I just can’t imagine it. I’m going to say Lost Of Echoes…

Matt: I would love to sing the chorus of A Ghost Like You to the Queen right in her face. She’d love it! Are you listening Queenie? Book us! We’ll do it for free!

Has Casket ever played here in the States or plan to do so in future days?

Nothing’s booked as of yet. For any musician who comes from England, the dream is to go and play just one show in America. That’s definitely one of my dreams. We will do it one day 100 percent – we will one day. I reckon we already would have if it wasn’t for Covid.

Do you have any messages for your fans in the States who are reading this right now?

Matt: That we love you and we want to see your pretty 35

little faces. Just please hang tight and we will be over as soon as we can be. And thank you so much for the support. It’s thanks to you that we get to do what we do and why we do what we do. So, thank you and keep believing and keep loving us pleeaaasee!

James: We can’t do it without them and their support.

Just knowing that people in America listen to us still blows our minds! Hopefully we’ll get out there soon and we can’t wait!

Matt: And America is like our top fan base on Spotify at least anyway. You guys absolutely smash that, so thank you so much – it fucking means the world! Honestly thank you!

Caskets are Matt Flood - Vocals, Benji Wilson - Guitar, Craig Robinson - Guitar, Chris McIntosh - Bass, and James Lazenby – Drums

www.casketsband.com

Promoting the all new full length album, "Down In Wuhan" Coming Summer 2021!

2 NEW SHOWS! WHISKY A GO GO THURS. JULY 29, 2021 8PM THURS. SEPT. 16, 2021 8PM

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NOMINEE:

Presenting Their New Album Lowlife and Playing at Furnace Fest 2021

Interview by Ken Morton Nominee is a pop punk indie rock band from Austin whose explosive sonic reveries are sure to impress all types of music fanatics. Presenting songs with a good amount of passion, conviction and memorable hooks, Nominee is set to unleash Lowlife upon the world at large. To be released via Smartpunk Records in September, Lowlife will be out at around the same time Nominee find themselves playing at the legendary Furnace Fest in Birmingham, Alabama. In this interview with Highwire Daze, Nominee discuss the long road to Lowlife, their upcoming Furnace Fest appearance, music influences, Boston Cream donuts, and a whole lot more!

Introduce yourself and tell me what you do in Nominee.

Steve: My name is Steve Flynn and I play rhythm guitar and do some vocals for Nominee.

Andy: My name is Andy and I play drums in Nominee.

Cameron: And I’m Cameron. I play bass and yell.

Where is the band based out of and what is or was your local music scene like prior to the pandemic?

Steve: We’re based in Austin, Texas. The local scene is pretty strong. Andy and Cam are both relatively Texas native and have been in a lot of bands prior to Nominee. So, we had 38

a pretty strong start with some friends and support right out of the gate of getting know people and starting a scene 8 years ago.

Is there any overall story or concept behind your upcoming album title Lowlife?

Steve: When Chris (the vocalist) and I were taking about the formation of the record, a lot of the lyrical content was sort of reflection on ourselves – sort of like what we have to become and subject ourselves to – to try and be full time musicians and working artists these days. Things like our peers buying houses and settling down and having families while we’re sort chasing this artistic dream – putting it before everything else.

So, it was sort of a self-reflective thing.

You have a brand-new song called Wrah Wrah that just came out. Tell me a little about that song and the inspiration behind it.

Steve: Wrah Wrah for me and I guess lyrical with Chris sort of ties along the theme of what we were saying about the album title. If you listen to the lyrics, it’s about not wanting to push off or wait for what we’re doing and still pursuing our creative endeavors and being committed to that. Like being aggressive in a sense and still embodying ourselves as musicians full time.

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What has it been like to write and record new music in the middle of a pandemic and all this social unrest in the world today?

Andy: Well, we didn’t record it during the pandemic. We recorded it – we were in the studio July of 2019. So, the world was still good back then. And so, we did the whole writing/ recording process with our friend Pete at The Gradwell House in New Jersey. Pete was great. We had a really great time doing it and I think we were there pretty much close to a month. But really, when the pandemic hit, it more so affected our release of this record. We were shooting for a Spring 2020 kind of release, and then all of this stuff started happening – so we decided that we were going to go ahead and push it back a year. So, we’ve honestly been sitting on this record for the better part of a year and a half / two years just waiting for the right time to release it so we can hopefully we do some tours – play some shows – and not have it be a risk to ourselves or our fans. We’re just now finally kind of getting there. We have Furnace Fest in the fall which is when we’ll be releasing the album – which I believe is September 24th.

So finally, we have the opportunity to release this thing and to share it with the world – and play some shows – so we’re very excited.

How frustrating was it to wait so long, and have you recorded any other new music in the meantime?

Cameron: On that note, we did put out an acoustic EP with Smartpunk called Outset and that was recorded in the wintertime of 2020 by Chris and Dean – who is our other guitarist and singer. They pretty much single handedly took that on – recorded it here at our house during the pandemic – and then that was released in the Spring.

Andy: And yeah, it was pretty frustrating, but obviously there were bigger things at play. We don’t want to release it and try to do stuff with it when it’s not the right time and people’s health is at risk. But it was definitely frustrating, sitting on it and not being able to share it with many people.

It definitely kind of stunk. And if I’m going to be honest, I started hating these songs after a while because I had listened to them so much myself. Like I’m ready to move and let’s start writing the next record. But now things are back into the swing of it, it’s like falling in love with it all over again. We just played a show last night – our very first show since the pandemic started. And releasing Wrah Wrah – that definitely was a good feeling – definitely made me fall in love with the record again and really getting excited for the Fall.

What are you guys looking forward to the most about your upcoming show at Furnace Fest?

Andy: The performance itself. It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to play a festival like that with so many fantastic band and musicians and artists – a lot of which I have grown up listening to. So, it’s a very humbling and cool experiHIGHWIRE DAZE

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ence – and honestly, I haven’t really even thought about the experience of us playing. I’m way more excited about going and watching – and hopefully meeting some of the people that have influenced my music career my entire life. So very, very excited to be there and be a part of it and watch all these great musicians put on a great show.

Steve: Yeah, the caliber of Furnace Fest and the fact that it’s such a legacy festival – especially with us – a lot of those bands are stuff we grew up on and heavily influenced this band. I think to be opening or among them, if anything, is an honor for us on our progression in kind of where we’ve become.

If Nominee could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?

Steve: For me, I would say a band like Taking Back Sunday. I think they’ve spanned a pretty large career. They’re a band when I was growing up and falling in love with music like we play, it was just something that was very near and dear to me. They put out so many good records and I think they’re a band that still carries to this day. So, I think that we’re getting to be a part of a show that they’re a part of (Furnace Fest) is pretty big for us. I think they’d be up on the list for me.

Andy: I’m kind of torn between Underoath and The Story So Far. Underoath because that was something that really influenced me growing up early in my music career. And then when The Story So Far came about, that just to me really set the bar for musicianship and songwriting in this kind of genre. Underoath and The Story So Far – all of those guys are extremely talented songwriters and performers. And I would lose my mind if I got to tour with either of those bands.

It would be really hard to play it cool and not be a fan boy and 39

ask a billion questions about everything.

Cameron: I think right now I would have to go with AFI. They’re in the same vein of nostalgia – all the same things that Steve and Andy are talking about of bands that have influenced us growing up. I think that over the years they’ve been continuing to put out great albums and evolving as they get older. Their music is reflective of that, and I think it would be cool to tour with a band like that and pick some things up along the way.

If the music of Nominee were a donut, what kind would it be and why?

Steve: Boston Cream or Strawberry Frosted.

Andy: Yeah, Boston Cream!

Cameron: I’m not a donut person. I’m out! (much laughter!)

Steve: I’m definitely a donut person.

Andy: And I’m definitely a donut person!

Steve: Or maybe I would say old fashioned or something…

Andy and Cameron: No! Gross!

Steve: But Boston Cream for sure – not everybody’s thing but definitely a classic – a little understated but packed full of flavor!

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So, what’s up next for Nominee? You definitely have Furnace Fest, but what else is coming up?

Steve: We’re looking at doing a couple of small tours in the Fall that we are not yet announcing but we will be soon. And throughout the rest of the summer the record is still coming out, so you could expect two more music videos and a bunch of other cool stuff coming out from us – summertime merch and some other things too.

And do you have any messages for people who are reading this right now?

Steve: I would say keep your eyes peeled for next year. We have a lot of things in the works and a lot of things planned.

Once the record is fully out and released, and the world continues to normalize itself, we intend to hit the road and be as visible and go to as many places and see as many new faces as possible.

Andy: And we love and appreciate y’all.

https://www.nomineemusic.com/

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THE MADNESS CONTINUES!!

Rock Is Back & It’s Well & Truly Alive...

Available ON MR RECORDS www.melodicrockrecords.com

Audio Reign from Australia presenting Hard Rock for the World

Interview by Ken Morton The mighty Audio Reign released their Self-Titled debut via MR Records last year, a solid album of hard rock tunes that woud begin to bring them a fan base within their home country of Australia and beyond. Not even a pandemic could bring this collective down - they even wrote a powerhouse song about it - which is their raging brand new single entitled Relentless. In this interview with Highwire Daze, front man Jake Fleming discusses their brand new Relentless anthem, opening for the one and only Kip Winger, his day job as a fireman for Adelaide and more...

How long has Audio Reign been together and where is the band based out of?

I’m from Adelaide South Australia and so is the whole band.

Audio Reign was formed in 2011. The heavy scene over here in Australia has changed over the years. The sort of music that we play – there are obviously a lot of fans around in Australia that are major rock fans – the heavy scene around here seems to be a bit more nu-metal or hardcore with the growling vocals. And the music that we play, even though we have a lot of fans over here, there’s definitely people here that seem 42

to love the music. Of course, the pandemic has had a bit of a crushing impact, but I think the heavy scene is getting bigger and growing over here.

How did you wind up signing with MR Records?

We were looking to expand and get some more reach and some more push. Someone asked me the other day about the impact of all the technology we have these days on music and bands. And I said it’s a bit of a two-way sword because yes, all that technology allows you to reach out and do so much more with your music and reach so many more people that you used to be able to do. But on the other hand, there’s so many bands doing it. Yes, you can stretch your wings and reach new fans across the globe, but you’re competing with everyone else as well. And that’s not competing in a band way – we would all be mates if we met and we’re all doing the same thing. You just want to be able to get your head up there and have people hear your music. And for us, as much as we love doing it, the main thing is playing live. We want to get our music across – not so we want to be rock stars but so we could be reach and get over and have our music heard and play festivals and rock out with them all. And that’s what it’s like for us.

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Is there any overall story or concept behind your new single Relentless?

Relentless is a song about making a goal – having plans – moving on no matter what obstacles throw you – and just never giving up. Being determined and being relentless. That is essentially what the song is about. For us as a band though, it was just about our journey and the result of the pandemic on the music industry and the affect it had on us as well. As you’ll see when we release the music video, there’s elements in there where you’ll get the idea about that. We just want to make sure that during all that time, that we didn’t fold – and we weren’t going to – no matter what happened, we were determined to come out of this whole thing on top. And if on top just meant survival, then that’s what it was. But we were definitely determined to come back and be relentless. But the song is definitely written so you can listen to the song and apply it to your own life in whatever struggles, dreams and goals you want to follow. – and be strong.

How close are you guys to releasing a new EP or a new album?

Well, there’s more singles coming out. We’ve been back in the studio again. We just dropped Relentless a few days again. There will definitely be an album in the New Year but there will be an EP before that in the next few months. We’re just talking amongst ourselves with MR Records and just planning what we’re gonna do. But keep following Audio Reign so you could keep up to date with all the latest and hear all the latest.

What was it like opening for Kip Winger and did you get to meet or hang out with him at all?

Kip was great! What a talent! Amazing, and such a long history with Winger as well as the solo stuff. Kip’s a great guy – we met at the soundcheck, and he was great to talk to.

We got some photos, and he was just pleasant with everyone. It was a great show, and we were stoked to be invited and to play that. And it was great for us too, because it gave us a chance to do a bit of an unplugged session, which we very rarely do. It was a really nice experience, and we were honored to be asked.

If Audio Reign could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?

If you ask each one of us, we’d all have different answers.

We are all so diverse in the band. It’s a given that I would have loved to play Woodstock or Live Aid, but that’s being in a festival. But open for someone? Hey, who wouldn’t want to open for KISS? But then again, I’d love to open for Alter Bridge or Stone Sour. But let’s just say KISS right now – the hottest and biggest band in the world!

You mentioned in your email that your day job is as a fireman. Do they know you have a band and how do you coHIGHWIRE DAZE

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ordinate being in two jobs which could have really strange hours?

Actually, it’s very good there. We do 4 on 4 shifts – we have two days and two nights, and we have four off. When I have gigs on, we swap shifts around. If I need to go away, I could get someone to cover my four shifts – I mean I’ve got to pay them back obviously on my other days off. It’s very easy to work with. The guys on my shift at the station – they all know the band – they’re all cool – they’re funny – they call me a bloody Rock Star. They play the clips when we’re at the gym. It’s cool. They’re like another group of brothers besides my band of brothers from Audio Reign – just another family I have and they’re brilliant. It’s one of the busiest stations here and everyone works hard and it’s a cool vibe there. Everyone is really cool.

Do you have any messages for people who are reading this now and just discovering Audio Reign here in the States?

We just want to say thank you for listening. There’s so much music over there in the States and there’s actually so many bands doing this stuff. The fact that we’ve had such great compliments and people following us from all over the States – we’re humbled by it. We’re stoked that they’ve found our music! And keep following us and helping us do what we do, so we could bring it back to you guys. Because without all of you, we are nothing. So, thanks so much to everyone in the States.

Audio Reign is Ashley Lovett (bass/backing vocals), Jake Fleming (vocals/rhythm guitar), Alek Dyrynda (lead guitar), Dieter Schoell (drums/backing vocals)

www.audioreign.com 43

No Stone Left Unturned Bernard Fowler over 25 years with The Rolling Stones

Interview by Kim Crain

PART TWO

A Quadranscentennial Silver Jubilee of excellence, Bernard Fowler has risen to the top of the music chain, back up singing, vocal arranging and performing percussion with a little band called the Rolling Stones: Fowler has worked alongside many Iconic bands such as: Herbie Hancock, Robert Plant, AC/DC, Rod Stewart, Duran Duran, Farm Fur (with Steve Ferrone, Deleo Brothers, Alex Ligertwood),Tack Head, Michael Hutchence of INXS, Ozzy Osbourne, The Peech Boys and the Red Hot Chili Peppers just to name a few. Recording fantastic solo albums with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Charlie Watts.

Fowler has recorded with the Stones on couple of albums you might have heard of : Steel wheels, Flashpoint, Jump Back, Voodoo Lounge, Bridges to Babylon, No Security, Forty Licks, A bigger Bang, Rarities, Shine a light, Stripped, Light the Fuse, Grrr!, Hyde Park Live, From the Vault, and my favorite Sticky Fingers Live.

Singer, songwriter, producer, Bernard Fowler is breaking barriers by gathering world renowned musicians in his own recordings. Fowler well known around the Globe for his inner beauty, electric stage presence, powerful vocals and wide vocal range.

Kim: Bernard your original music has the ability to speak to different age groups and different cultures. What is it about your work that allows you to cross over and make such an impact?

Bernard: Its just my love of music. I love music. I just don’t love one style of music. I like any kind of music that makes me feel good. Or makes me feel something. That’s what I love. When I’m making a record I call on all those things. All those things and all those places that I’ve been, and all those people that I’ve played with. I call up that energy to come together and put it in one project. “The Bura” is a perfect example of that. One track that makes me think of that is a track called, “See you Again”. I was with Robert Davis. I went to his house and he had this track. It was just piano and a drum loop. It hit me so hard, I started to sing right then. I don’t care what I was singing. I just needed to sing something.

My daughters Jr., high teacher is a musician. I had met him 44

Bernard Fowler & Keith Richards. photo credit : Jane Rose before. He was looking for a studio, and I sent them to the studio that I work at. So I go there one day to see how he’s doing, how he’s making out. See how everything’s working out for him. He said, “Hey Bernard, ya everything is good, but there is someone in there that you need to go in and see.”

I said I don’t understand. He said an old friend of yours. He said you probably have not seen him in a while, but go in the studio.

And I walk in, and who’s there? It was L. Shankar! He said, “Bernard its been so long.” I said OMG, I can’t believe this! I didn’t know my daughters’ teacher knew him! He plays the sitar.

And when I was doing that track and putting things together for “See You Again” Once I got Jeff Bova to do the string arrangement, and keyboard arrangement. The string arrangement turned out phenomenal. Then I thought about Shankar. He would be perfect. I called. He sent it back. Between Shankar and Jeff Bova, I was a mess. I sat there and cried there for five or ten minutes. Just the emotion of the track just killed me!

Another example of what your saying about bringing all August/September 2021

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the different music is a song called, “Driving Home To You” which I wrote with Robert again. I was hearing things in my head, so I picked up the phone and called (english guitarist ) Albert Lee! I met him in Dublin maybe 20 years ago. I was there producing a record with Ronnie Wood and we went and saw Albert Lee play. When I got Albert Lee to complete the thought, then I called in Foday Musa Suso, the Cora player. I was on tour with Susa and Herbie for two or three years, so bringing those two guys together on that song is like the Eagles meet Fela Kuti!

Kim: What do you want your fans to feel when they listen to your music ?

Bernard: I want them to feel what they feel. I want them to feel what they are feeling other than what they were feeling when they put it on. I want them to be taken someplace. It doesn’t have to be what I felt when I recorded it. Songs mean different things to different people.

Kim: Out of all the singers in the world, how did you end up singing and recording with the Rolling Stones?

Bernard: God works in mysterious ways. Doesn’t he?

I never thought I would have been with them as long as I have. I am so grateful! It’s been a blessing! Working with the Stones, well, it’s just been incredible. Let me answer your question. How I got there! How I got there was, I was singing with Herbie Hancock and Michael Binehorn and Bill Laswell, who produced Rocket. I ended up singing on that record for Herbie, Future Shock. I went on the road with Herbie. I was his vocalist for that Rocket period.

During that tour I had a break, Bill Laswell told me to go to the airport and get on the plane. I arrived in London, he picked me up. He did not tell me what I was there for. He took me to a house. I followed him into a room and saw a guy on the floor with his guitar.

I could only see his back. He said this is the guy. This is Bernard, this is Bernard Fowler, the guy I have been telling you about. And the guy turned around and it was Mick { Jagger }.

And Mick invited me onto the floor and we were singing!

The next day we went into the studio. Which was pretty surreal. I was walking to the room we were going to be actually working in and here a Beatle walks past me! Paul McCartney walks past me! And so I go into the room and Mick said let’s work on this. He gave me a cassette the night before. I had a four track cassette recorder that I put a vocal arrangement onto that machine. So when he said let’s go and work on this, I said, “wait. Before we do that listen to this?” And he listens and he says, “you did this after you left me?” And I said yes. And he said, “wow let’s do that!” That was my introduction to Mick.

But, a few years after that I had moved to London and I was HIGHWIRE DAZE

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Bernard Fowler, Waddy Wachtel Photo by : Henry Diltz doing Tack Head with Doug Wimbish and Keith Leblanc, Adrian Sherwood, and Skip McDonald. My wife had called and said hey, Mick Jagger has been looking for you! And I said well I’m here. She gives me a number and I call him.

And I’m like, “Mick its Bernard.” And he said, “Bernard, I’ve been looking for you. Where are you?” I’m in England, I mean London. How long have you been there? Anyway he invites me to a studio, and he tells me the Stones are making a record for the first time in 8 or 9 years. So I go to give them a hand on some stuff, and all of a sudden the Stones started to walk in one by one. We kind of hit it off. I’ve been there pretty much ever since. Whenever they are ready to do something, I’m there!

Kim: Fantastic, it could not have happened to a more wonderful guy.

A lot of people say their favorite live album is Sticky Fingers.

What was it like singing songs live on that album?

Bernard: It’s always good going into some Rolling Stones catalog, because a lot of times when they’re creating a show, a set list for a show, there are some songs they have to play. It’s not very often that you’ll go to a Rolling Stones Show and hear an album. You will hear Wild Horses, you’ll hear, Brown Sugar”. You might hear “Dead Flowers”. You might!

You’ll probably hear “Bitch” You might hear Sister “Morphine”. Once in a blue moon you might hear, “I Got The Blues.”

I don’t think we have ever played the entire album. We’ve been in it. Out of it. In it. Out of it! It’s such a great record.

There is so much from that record that they have to play.

And they will play. But who knows, maybe the next time they will give everybody a treat and play that entire album. I think that would be great.

Kim : What is it like to walk into the studio with the Stones?

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Bernard: Well the first time for me was intimidating. It was really intimidating. The first time, I was so new. It was a strange time in the Rolling Stone planet. The gravity pull in the Rolling Stone Planet is incredible. Once you’re in the planet you may be able to fly in the clouds, and up in the sky, but to get out of that gravitational pull and get to a whole other orbit is freaking hard! It got a little more comfortable when my relationships with them became tighter and we got a little closer. The only time it might have felt uncomfortable for me or for us is if Mick and Keith are bumping heads at all you don’t want to be around that. I’m sure it makes everyone a little uneasy so I just step out of it.

It’s so good that those days are over. Those bumping head days are over! Those bumping head days are behind them! The last few years have just been beautiful. On the tour before last...

One of the most memorable things I will never forget was…

Bernard Fowler , Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Darryl Jones Photo Credit : Jini Sachse

Seeing Mick and Keith onstage looking at each other and having a laugh about what’s happening. They were looking at each other. It almost brought a tear to my eyes to see that.

Up until that point I had never seen that. I had never seen that kind of affection shared between them. I have never seen them interact like they do now as a musical family.

This is why they are the greatest band in the world. They have been able to figure out, today I don’t like you, yesterday you didn’t like me, and vice versa. That shit happens, but they know that what they have created, this Rolling Stone world that they created, is bigger than either one of them. And they have been able to put the shit aside and get on with it. Even at their worst time, it may have been very fragile, but they were able to put their shit aside and get on with it. That’s why they are the greatest Rock n Roll Band in the world. Next year will be their 60th Anniversary. It’s never happened before.

And it will never happen again!

Kim: That is incredible! It goes to show, if you can keep your band together, that’s what creates the magic.

Bernard: That’s right. That’s right!

Kim: Bernard you have played in front of millions of fans.

What is the feeling when you get onstage in front of that many people ?

Bernard: Well, right before I get out there I’m hit with a bit of nerve. Maybe it’s just nervous energy. But once I get out there and open my mouth and I sing that first note it all starts to settle, and now I’m home. If the band is cooking, cause I’m only as good as who I’m with. If the band is cooking, oh, now the band is made perfectly. Now I can just lay in it!

Kim: That’s Awesome!!! That’s Awesome!!!

What are some other most memorable highlights of your 46

career playing with the Stones?

Bernard: There are quite a few, but if I had to pick one the most memorable would be…If I had to pick just one of the most memorable it would be Brazil. Cuba was big. Cuba was big, and I’ll never forget that either.

But if I have to pick one it would be Brazil. 1.5 Million people as far as the eye can see! I could not see the end of the people. The streets those few days were so crowded that they had to build a bridge from the hotel over the street to the stage. That is the only way we were able to get on the Stage.

If they had not built that bridge there was no way! There were that many people!

Kim: Was this in São Paulo, Brazil ?

Bernard: No, it wasn’t São Paulo, it was Rio de Janeiro!

Lots of Hotels there. The audience as far as the eyes could see! Millions of people. I have never seen people like that.

The ocean! The amount on ships out on boats! It was breath taking.

Every New Years people gather at that site. That’s part of a ritual that they do. But a concert? To bring that many people out?

One act? One act? This was not Rocking Rio. This was a Rolling Stones show! I don’t think they get that many people at Rocking Rio! That Rolling Stones Show - 1.5 million people. As far as the eye could see! And I am gob smacked!

Kim: I just have to ask one little question about Cuba: Was that an emotional experience knowing that most Cubans have never seen The Rolling Stones in their entire lives.

Bernard: Yes, but I have to say that the year before that my self and Darryl Jones were there. We were playing in an outfit called the Dead Daisies and it was just the year before. We August/September 2021

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had an idea of what that was going to be like. If I’m not mistaken, Darryl and I were the only ones who had ever been to Cuba before. Again, that was just a year before, from what I was told. Just the “Stones “who had been able to pull that off.

They had the date set. Then the date had to be changed. Then Obama was going there. Nobody flies over Cuba when Obama is there! Then the Pope got involved and asked them not to do the show because it was Good Friday. Something like that. They respectfully told the Pope no! If I’m not mistaken you know the Stones do a lot of stuff they would not even talk about. I did hear that they donated all the equipment and hundreds of other instruments they donated to the people of Cuba. All the sound system and everything they donated to Cuba!

Kim: With the Pandemic and live music and touring at a stand still, are you working on any new music at this time?

Rolling Stones : Curtain Call Photo Credit : Jimmy Steinfeldt

Bernard: Yes, I am working on some new music. The drag is that I can’t be with my friends and make this music. I have to do it here, and then go there. I can’t be together with them.

That’s been hard. I have been able to work on some new music. I am working on a really cool project. I would love to tell you about it, but if I tell you I would have to kill you! When you hear about it call me and we will talk.

Kim: Ahhhh! That would be wonderful!

Bernard: This new project I am working on is going to be historical. I think it’s going to blow a lot of my friends away that think Bernard’s a little off! Bernard can be a little crazy! For instance, when I did the spoken word, somebody said, “Only you Bernard! Only you would think of something like that. Only you would think to do something like that.”

So this new project I’ll be working on through the year.

Like I said when you hear about it, “call me and well talk about it.” I’ll tell you all about it! Some friends of mine they thought it was a great idea. I actually got two songs under my belt.

Kim: Bernard Fowler you are an extraordinary artist unlike any other. It is a pleasure and an honor to be able to talk with you today. And I am so grateful! Thank you Bernard for joining me here today for this interview. I look forward to talking to you about your new music. I look forward in the near future to Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of The Rolling Stones in 2022.

Bernard: Yes, Yes, Honor for me too Kim: Thank you so much! Thank you so much!

Lets do it again sometime!

Check out: Bernardfowler.com For more info about Bernard Fowler HIGHWIRE DAZE

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Bernard Fowler & Kim Crain Reach Kim Crain at kimcrain.com www.facebook.com/kim. crain.9231 www.instagram.com/kimcrainmusic 47

The Rocking Return of

The Guitar & Whiskey Club

Interview by Ken Morton The Guitar & Whiskey Club (GWC) has returned, ready to rock their way throughout the music scenes of Los Angeles, Ventura, and well beyond. With an all new lineup and a dynamic just released single entitled Sleazy, The Gun & Whiskey Club is ready to present their well received live shows once more. The band will be opening for The Iron Maidens at the world famous Whisky A Go Go on Octiber 1st - making their return to the Sunset Strip after over a year and a half!

Highwire Daze caught up with founding member Jeffrey Donovan, guitarist for The Guitar & Whiskey Club (GWC) to discuss their reformation and who the current members are, their epic new single Sleazy, returning to live shows at long last, and a whole lot more! Read on...

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in The Guitar & Whiskey Club, and how long the band has been together.

I formed The Guitar & Whiskey Club (GWC) in 2016 and 2020 has seen a major reformation of the band. GWC has all new members (except for myself) and has moved from a fe48

male to male lead singer. The dedication to hard rock remains the same however and many traits that GWC has become known for, like our dynamic stage show, are very much alive.

I will say that each of the new members have enhanced the band’s sound with their own stylings.

Where is the band based out of and what is the local music scene like there?

The current lineup is based in both Ventura and LA counties.

Both counties have a very active and diverse music scene and while the pandemic pretty much shut that all down for a full year and a half, it’s all starting to come back now.

Who are the current members of The Guitar & Whisky Club and what are their backgrounds?

The current lineup consists of myself, Jeffrey Donovan, on guitar. I was raised by working musicians and have been playing since the age of 8. On vocals we have Mark Prudeaux who has been performing since the age of 6 and has worked and toured with a variety of bands. Calvin Meuser is on bass and like most of us, has been playing since he was in elementary school. He’s worked with numerous bands in Southern and Central California. Next we have Adam Ponce on drums.

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Adam is an accomplished studio musician, recording engineer and producer. He is also the drum tech and protege of Simon Phillips.

Is there any overall story or concept behind the new single title Sleazy?

The music really set the tone for Sleazy. After I wrote the music I sent it to our singer Mark and said “here’s the new song....I don’t have any lyrics but it feels ‘Sleazy’ to me.”

Mark ran with that and came up with the lyrics and melody for the song. The lyrics are a glorification of bad decisions and living life to the fullest, and the song revives the sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll lifestyle for both the people who have lived it, and for a new generation of listeners as well.

How close is the band to releasing an EP or album of music?

The Guitar & Whiskey Club has no current plans to release an EP or an album, although it’s not off the table in the future.

What GWC is planning to do is to release a new single on a monthly-ish basis for a while. The music industry is changing and evolving so fast that what worked in the past may not work today. We’re going to give this new strategy a chance and see how it goes.

How complicated has it been to reform the band in the middle of a pandemic?

One of the great things about the current line up is that they are all professionals and have the ability to work from home, so working and collaborating remotely has served us well.

Our latest single, Sleazy, was recorded months ago in three different studios. Things went so well that we never felt the need to be in the same location although we’re all very happy now that things have eased a bit and we can do some of our collaborating in person.

What are you looking forward to the most about your upcoming show with The Iron Maidens at The Whisky?

Being back on a stage in front of a live audience! It’s been well over a year now since we’ve played a live gig and we’ve missed it greatly, seeing real people with real faces will be a treat. We’ve opened for The Iron Maidens before and they are just a wonderful band and a wonderful crew, we’re delighted that this will be our first comeback gig.

What could one expect from a live Guitar & Whiskey Club show?

GWC has always been known for dynamic stage shows and we will definitely continue to deliver with the same high energy. One thing that has changed is our ratio of cover songs to original songs. We may play a cover or two once in a while now, but we have shifted the focus clearly onto our original music.

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If The Guitar & Whiskey Club could open up for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?

I would love to open for Michael Schenker, one of my guitar heroes since a very young age and he just keeps getting better as time goes on. Of course we love opening for all of our favorite bands, which we’re doing one by one!

What has to been like to open for rock legends such as Accept and LA Guns, and did you get to meet or hang out with them at all?

It’s been fantastic. Sometimes you do get to hang out with the members of the headlining act, sometimes you don’t, but everyone we’ve opened for has been extremely gracious and I wouldn’t hesitate to open for any of them again.

What do you hope the rest of 2021 and 2022 brings for you and The Guitar & Whiskey Club?

Being able to give our fans new singles and we hope that the pandemic eases and allows them to attend shows. Our fans are the reward we seek.

Any final words of wisdom?

Be patient and stick to your guns. The music industry is constantly evolving. If you stay vigilant and keep putting your best into everything you do as GWC has, opportunities will present themselves. https://guitarandwhiskeyclub.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Guitarandwhiskeyclub https://www.instagram.com/guitarandwhiskeyclub/ 49

THE SWANSONS THE VIPER ROOM, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA., JULY 8, 2021

Review by Ken Morton Photos by Vic Mendoza of Vicscover Art During the pandemic age, The Swansons has presented their once-aweek live online show, bringing good vibes and terrific songs to an entire world stranded within the confines of their homes.

And now with venues beginning to open up across Los Angeles, Orange County and beyond, it was time for the live, in person, full band experience, and The Swansons delivered the auditory goodness with imagination and flair.

The Swansons are the husband and wife duo of Joe and Angie Finley, unveiling all original alternative country pop rock music that is absolutely inspirational. The curtain opened on the legendary Viper Room stage, and The Swansons kicked off their rollicking set with the almighty BAM! – the title track from their current award-winning album.

There is so much energy and love coming from the stage anytime you see The Swansons live, and this was certainly on display tenfold at The Viper Room now transformed into Swansonsville USA. Their first full band performance back was flawless, and it was wonderful to see a good number of fans and friends in attendance.

Joe Finley plays guitar and delivers the vocals with a ton of passion, optimism and conviction. And Angie Finley is so vibrant and energetic, her wonderful vocals and dazzling enthusiasm illuminating the entire room.

The dynamic duo’s memorable songs and joyful live presentation certainly spilled over and reverberated throughout the hallowed walls of The Viper Room.

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Selections presented in their standout set included Getting Ready, Let’s Talk, Hate Can’t Beat Love, Outsider and more!

In addition to the superb performances from Joe and Angie Finley, The Swansons lineup of seasoned professions included the incomparable Downs Thompson on fiddle, and the dynamic rhythm section of Joe Alfaro on bass and Danny Alfaro on drums.

The Swansons will return to the Sunset Strip on August 7th at the world-famous Whisky A Go Go, providing direct support to The Motels. Live original music has returned to the City of Angels, and it was glorious to see The Swansons back within the wilds of Hollywood-land!

theswansonsmusic.com facebook.com/theswansonsmusic August/September 2021

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JUNKYARD and LITTLE CAESAR THE VIPER ROOM, JULY 17, 2021

David Roach of Junkyard

Review by Ken Morton - Photos by Jack Lue The Sunset Strip is back in business, and what a pleasure it was to see two legendary Hollywood icons co-headlining at the notorious Viper Room. And while their most known songs were released in the early 90’s, both bands have continued to unleash crucial new material – and music fans who packed out The Viper Room on the night of July 17th were about to witness two bands ready rock your world as the pandemic rages on.

LITTLE CAESAR Little Caesar was absolutely amazing, their timeless blues rock transporting The Viper Room attendees out of current Covid-19 news saturation and into a state of pure sonic bliss. Opening with the wickedly rambunctious sounds of Drive It Home from their much-revered 1990 Self-Titled Geffen Records release, Little Caesar instantly won over 52

Ron Young of Little Caesar

the crowd with their dynamic musicianship and powerhouse stage presence. Songs such as Rock -N-Rock State Of Mind, Hard Rock Hell, and Hard Times cemented the deal tenfold, with Little Caesar absolutely enrapturing all those hungry for an epic live show on the Sunset Strip.

In addition to their own wonderful material, Little Caesar worked their magic on superbly inspired covers. Their interpretation of the Aretha Franklin classic Chain Of Fools sent the house into rock and rapture while their raging cover of the Merle Haggard tune Mama Tried at the end of the set was renegade glorious! In addition to the dazzling Mama Tried, other standout selections performed from their current album Eight included 21 Again and Straight Shooter.

Ron Young is certainly one of the most exciting vocalists from the Sunset Strip rock era and beyond, and he still sings with a massive amount of fire and conviction. Each and every member of Little Caesar place so much passion August/September 2021

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into their performances, including Mark Tremalgia on guitar, Loren Molinare on guitar, Pharaoh Barrett on bass, and Tom Morris on drums. Over 30 years after the release of their Geffen Records debut, Little Caesar remains a driving auditory force as well as a guaranteed good time live.

JUNKYARD Junkyard presented a tremendous set that sent The Viper Room spinning, with their kickass in-your-face amalgamation of hard rock and punk still as thrilling as ever.

Opening the show with a brand new single entitled Lifer, Junkyard mesmerized The Viper Room attendees from selections culled from a brilliant and raging career in music. Hearing incredible anthems such as Simple Man, Blooze and Misery Loves Company from their Geffen Records days was just the rock and roll remedy we all needed, and Junkyard unleashed those classic songs in nothing short of an epic way. It was terrific to hear material from their vastly underrated 2017 album High Water manifesto as well, including the rip-roaring Cut From The Same Cloth, the should-be hit single Faded, and the diabolically raunchy W.F.L.W.F. (What does it stand for you ask? Look it up or better yet listen to this song on whatever platform you can find it on! You’ll be glad you did!)

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Vocalist David Roach is such an amazing performer, whose punk rock roots, searing vocals and gripping showmanship are wondrous to behold. Patrick Muzingo’s performance on drums is super intense and exciting to watch – basically this guy is a total beast on the kit! Tim Mosher and Jimmy James shred it all into the hard rock heavens on dueling guitars while bassist Todd Muscat supplies a tremendous low end that goes straight into the heart and soul of the matter. It would be wonderful to see Junkyard on major punk rock and metal festivals all across the world showing the youngins’ in the crowd how to absolutely set the stage on fire. For now, we are all able to see Junkyard present explosive performances in intimate setting like The Viper Room, and there is certainly a lot of magic, power and joy to be experienced for music fans of all ages no matter where this dynamic band plays. As their closing songs states “That’s life in Hollywood,” it certainly is a cause for celebration in this day and age, with live shows back, exiting the venue singing this very infectious song after a rock show for the ages.

Thanks to both Junkyard and Little Caesar for an unforgettable night within the wilds of the Sunset Strip. And now back to the plight of these ongoing pandemic days and rocking the f*ck out to my classic and current Junkyard and Little Caesar records…

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JOE BONAMASSA THE GREEK THEATRE, LOS ANGELES, CA., AUGUST 1, 2021

Review and Photo by Erica Vincent

One year ago, to the date! The Greek Theatre was supposed to host Joe Bonamassa to celebrate its 90th birthday. This, of course, did not happen and was postponed. The wonderful Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California, sits right below the Griffith Observatory and is one of my favorite venues, had its opening night after the long shut down. It celebrated its 90th belated birthday, and what an opening night it was! Almost 5,000 in attendance! It was terrific to hear that many people again.

Joe Bonamassa needs no introduction. The blues-rock guitar prodigy-singer-songwriter has numerous chart-topping albums and songs and is a two-time Grammy nominee (should have been winner, in my opinion). Bonamassa appeared on stage in his suit with a gorgeous 1977 custom Anthony Zemaitis guitar. The crowd stood up to clap and cheer.

Everyone was excited to not only see the guitar virtuoso but to be out of the house and around people. The first notes of ‘Oh Beautiful‘ from Bonamassa and Jade MacRae (backing vocals and Queen of Soul) rang out. The mood of the stands went from excitement to pure awe and enjoyment, and then the blues-rock instruments kicked in, setting the tone for the night.

The heavy funk-rock of ‘Love Ain’t A Love Song‘ followed, showcasing once again Bonamassa’s harmony vocals with MacRae in the choruses, accompanied by his bewitching guitar. Gary Moore’s ‘Midnight Blues‘ wrapped up the first three songs, and my shoot time for this show was over.

Time to put the gear away and enjoy the remainder of the set as the fan for 15 years I am!

I had the most amazing seats I had ever had for Bonamassa. This being the first real back in-person show, combined with fantastic music, the gorgeous lighting, the perfect sound mixing, the fans all together to enjoy something our souls all needed; I cried a little bit. I am not ashamed to say this. Bonamassa spoke to the crowd about his time not playing and the dark thoughts that would come through his head, wondering if music would ever return… If life would 54

ever return to normal… They are thoughts everyone in the music community has all had and still continues to feel and think about with things teetering.

Bonamassa’s set continued with MacRae singing periodically on various songs, Michael Rhodes on Bass, Reese Wyans on Keys, and Greg Morrow on Drums. A few of my favorites were ‘Jockey Full of Bourbon,’ ‘Pain and Sorrow,’ and ‘When One Door Opens.’ But the one track that always takes the cake live is Joe’s acoustic performance of ‘Woke Up Dreaming.’ This song is powerful on album, but live is a whole other level. The guitar shouldn’t still be intact after the passion that is this song! The night closes out with Cream’s rip-roaring rendition of ‘Crossroads.’

Bonamassa has covered this song with many amazing stars. I suggest you look it up. I believe it was 2013 when Bonamassa covered it with the legendary ax-slinger Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society.

Joe Bonamassa is no doubt a guitar legend! There are several upcoming tour dates, and I highly suggest you attend.

Bonamassa is on a whole other level live. His playing is almost hypnotic and healing as you watch him meticulously navigate the fretboard in the most complex of patterns. I look forward to Bonamassa returning to LA for more live performances.

A very special thank you to the staff at The Greek Theatre for a flawless and memorable opening night! A powerful thank you to Joe Bonamassa’s crew; we are happy to see everyone back at it with all you do to make each show so fabulous. And a very very happy birthday to The Greek Theatre; you’ve aged beautifully! Thank you for all the memories you have created, and continue to create each night <3

https://jbonamassa.com/ https://www.lagreektheatre.com/ August/September 2021

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We Are The Black Things The Whisky, July 29. 2021

on the night of August 6th. Their long awaited Bill Metoyer produced album Game Changers had just been released through Weapon Records / Vanity Music Group and it was time to raise fists high and proud in the air and revel in a triumphant night of glorious heavy metal!

Highlights of the set included the should-be massive hit single Opus X, the amazing Island Of The Seven Skulls, and the scorching refrains of Burning Daylight. Attack Of The Rising features impassioned musicians at the very height of their creative prowess, including Mandrake on lead vocals, Tony Lepre on guitar, Billy Sablan on guitar, Mike Risucci on bass, and Chris Lepre on drums and percussion. Attack Of The Rising connected with a crowd that was hungry for metal after a year and a half in lockdown, and the resulting live show would be an unforgettable experience for all in attendance. With live performances this mesmerizing and a terrific new album to back it all up, expect Attack Of The Rising to fully live up to their album title Game Changer in these months ahead.

Review and Photo by Ken Morton We Are The Black Things made their return to the legendary Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip after a pandemic slumber for an absolutely mind blowing performance. Restarting their Down In Wühan Tour dates, the band clearly captivated the locals only audience with their imaginative brand of The Doors meets Lynch Mob artistry. Tone Raven and his crew were on fire, delivering an impassioned performance that reverberated throughout the venue. With bands such as We Are The Black Things in our music scene, the Hollywood rock and roll dream is alive and well. Selections such as Same Old Rock And Roll Song and Serpentina are vibrant to behold. “We are the black things, burned out stars,” Tone Raven mused towards the end of the show - true words to live by and the mantra of this epically underrated collective.

There is magic to be found with the sonic artistry of We Are The Black Things. Watch for their brand new Down In Wühan album to be released soon!

Attack Of The Rising

The Whisky, August 6, 2021

Review by Ken Morton Photo by Tammy Greene

Attack Of The Rising is a long running heavy metal band on our local Los Angeles music scene who have been making quite an impact with their thought provoking music and super intensive live shows. It’s been quite some time since this band has been on stage due to the current age of Covid-19, but Attack Of The Rising and their audience had plenty to celebrate at the Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip 56

The Hard Way

YouTube Video Premiere

Review by Ken Morton As we all await the return of The Hard Way at The Whisky on August 28th opening for Firehouse, the band has whet all our appetites with a brand new music video premiere! Cum is the name of the current single from their Police Brutality manifesto, and the video is just as gripping and hard hitting as the song title would imply. Decadence and debauchery reign supreme throughout the wilds of the Sunset Strip, and the story found within the grim realities of Cum is certain to leave an impact. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll are the name of the game, as well as the consequences that ensue when living the life of excess. The Hard Way founder Eric Jeffreys has always been fearless with his songs and subject matter, giving you hard rock to wave your fist to while subtely reminding us all about the strangenesss, danger, and wonders of this crazy life we all live in! “We’re a long way from heaven, I think you know what I mean,” is the chorus that rings over kickass live footage and a compelling storyline of drugs and prostitution. The end of the video has a PSA: To End The Vicious Cycle Of Drugs and Prostitution, call 1-800-662HELP. (SAMHSA’s National Helpline - call now if you need help!). Amazing work from The Hard Way and Editor Alfonso Estevez! Go to the Eric Jeffreys YouTube channel and check out this very powerful music video!

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ALBUM REVIEWS Leather Coffin Dizzylilacs Self-released single Review by Ken Morton Even since the unveiling of their full-length album Make Like New in 2014, the Dizzylilacs has continued to make new music, issuing one single at a time. Songs such as Hazel, Some Star You Are, and Pretend have shown such a progression in the band’s sound that is absolutely exciting to witness. And now as these pandemic times rage relentlessly on, Dizzylilacs has presented the world with Leather Coffin, and it’s a thoroughly gripping track from the onset. Whether it’s the gloriously moody vocals, the intensive guitar interludes, or the driving rhythm section, Leather Coffin presents the Dizzy boys at the very height of their creative energies.

“I’m possessed, by this Leather Coffin I’ve invited into my life,” vocalist Mark Van Fleet Hoagland muses in the chorus, and one can feel the personal conflict reflected within the intriguing lyrical and vibrant musical content. Mark and his brother Paul Hoagland (on kickass drums) have released another superbly memorable track with Leather Coffin, and it’s one that will truly haunt your senses long after the song spins to its triumphant conclusion. https://www.facebook.com/dizzylilacs

Brazen Whisper Frozen Tears MR Records Review by Ken Morton The timeless melodies found within the realm of Brazen Whisper by Frozen Tears should be all over the worldwide radio airwaves. Expansive, passionate and supremely memorable, Frozen Tears from Australia know how to deliver a hard-hitting melodic rock song, and the seven tracks found within Brazen Whisper are like a sonic love letter to a timeless genre that continues to enrapture music fans everywhere.

The title track Brazen Whisper instantly grips the listener with its impassioned vocals and ripping guitars, devastating the senses with class and conviction. You is dazzling and gripping, absorbing the listener with its vibrant melodies. Hold On Tight is grandiose and relentlessly memorable, like a lost KISS anthem come to ultra-vivid life with its explosive “hold 58

on tight to your dreams” chorus driving into the heart of the matter. Love Can Be Real and Set Me Free continue to show just how wonderfully effective Frozen Tears is with their song artistry. Can’t Stop presents Frozen Tears in sweeping ballad territory and they envelope it so damn well! And be sure to stay on to the end and hear their kickass interpretation of the KISS classic C’mon and Love Me. The core members of Frozen Tears possess a massive amount of talent and imagination, featuring magnificent performances from Thanis Akritidis on vocals and Jon Powers on guitars, keyboards and bass. Frozen Tears enlisted Ty Sims to engineer and co-produce the new album. The incomparable Ty Sims has worked with AOR giants House Of Lords on their last albums and delivers his own magic and intrigue into the Frozen Tears experience. Brazen Whisper

by Frozen Tears is an instant melodic rock AOR classic, and you can bet this one is going to find its way into many a Top Ten when 2021 spins to its high-flying conclusion. https://www.facebook.com/frozentearsaustralia www.melodicrockrecords.com

Nocturnal Overdrive – Part 1 Madman’s Lullaby MR Records Review by Ken Morton Hailing from San Jose, California and signed with MR Records of Australia, the almighty Madman’s Lullaby is ready to rock an entire world with their raging anthems. They’ve opened for the likes of Michael Schenker, Lynch Mob and WASP, and judging by the hard rocking goods heard within the grooves of their latest album Nocturnal Overdrive – Part 1, it won’t be long until Madman’s Lullaby serenade fans on their very own headlining tours.

From the opening powerhouse reverberations of the instrumental Love Rain Down and onwards towards the joy of playing live with Next Show, Madman’s Lullaby instantly hook the listener with their mesmerizing musicianship and impassioned vocals. Drive Me Crazy continues on with the exhilarating melodies crashing into the stratosphere. Love Don’t Come Easy shows how amazingly effective Madman’s Lullaby is when delivering a masterclass power ballad. The rock in your face then returns with the dynamic In Your Mind followed by the astounding Never Too Late showing each and every member of the band at the very height of their creative prowess.

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Absolutely massive, imaginative performances from each and every member of Madman’s Lullaby are found within, including Chris Michaels on lead vocals, Mr. Brett on lead guitar, Luis Barillas on bass, and Eric Arbizu on drums.

With an album as powerful as Nocturnal Overdrive – Part 1, it will be thrilling to see what the band has in store for us with the next chapter of this sweeping magnum opus. Stay tuned because the passion Madman’s Lullaby exudes within their sonic art is insanely addictive and well worth seeking out. https://www.facebook.com/MadmansLullabyRocks

Days Like These Phil Martin’s Drive MR Records

Review by Ken Morton

Imagine the warmth of AOR melodic rock with grand progressive inflections found within, and you are only beginning to uncover the auditory artistry of Phil Martin’s Drive. The perfect soundtrack to travelling the glorious highways of this life we live, Days Like These by Phil Martin’s Drive may only possess six songs, but each selection is a rich and rewarding tapestry. Opening with the should-be hit single Ordinary, this track alone would launch any band into melodic rock greatness.

Inside View is vast and powerful with its insightful lyrics and epic melodies. Not The Real Thing presents a towering sound that is supremely emotional, featuring a gripping chorus that will remain with you for ages. Fuel & Fire will scorch your stereo speakers with its kaleidoscopic soundscapes while You Are Amazing is breathtaking hard rock perfection with its dazzling “you’re my God” inflections. And then closing out the journey of Days Like These is the gorgeously serene Emily, a song of apology and need that should move the hearts of the even the most jaded of music critic.

A member of Janz who were briefly signed to CBS Records in the late 80’s before disbanding, the long hiatus of Phil Martin is now over! And with the unveiling of Days Like These, Phil Martin’s Drive is taking a spin headfirst into the biz once more – and the results should appeal to all types of fans who absolutely demand passion and inspiration within their music! Phil Martin’s Drive delivers, and definitely has released one of the most memorable EP’s of 2021! https://www.facebook.com/philmartinsdrive www.melodicrockrecords.com

Which Witch Wroughts Post Mortem Superstar A Hole To Rot In Records Review by Ken Morton Former members of Willow Wisp continue to leave their impenetrable mark upon an otherwise mundane world. This time it’s Tony F. Corpse’s turn to unleash sonic fury upon the masses, and with the creation of Post Mortem Superstar, the affable musician presents the next absorbing chapter to an audacious music career.

If Mayhem and Joy Division rampaged on an extremely desolate and depraved night, and managed to unleash a child with homicidal tendencies, the auditory intrigue would sound a whole hell of a lot like the realm of Post Mortem Superstar. Just begin to wrap your head around that possibility as you pop their debut album Which Witch Wroughts into the entrails of whatever unsuspecting device you spew your music out from.

Joining Tony F. Corpse on this journey is the wickedly charismatic Krystal Fantom, and what devastating artistry this unholy pair commit. Which Witch Wroughts opens with a visit from The Anatomist, a mind-blowing commencement that retches its way into your blackened heart and soul. Invisible Corpse is gothic rock gone ballistic, and its soundscapes are wondrous to behold. Shotgun Lobotomy slams into your cranium with a feverish intensity while Ululations In The Ether entrances the listener with its somber tales of faded beauty tormented by the demons found within the bitter ands unforgiving passages of days and nights hopelessly gone by.

The Steps Of Time present Post Mortem Superstar at their most haunting and poetic, the depressive harmonics and wistful spoken word and sung reveries spinning into a hallway of tormented madness. And then closing out the Which Witch Wroughts experience is Plight Of The Crying Cadaver, where otherworldly sounds tantalize your senses and leave the listeners aka future corpses craving a whole lot more.

Which Witch Wroughts by Post Mortem Superstar is cryptic and ambitious, displaying an artistry that goes beyond time and genre. Tony F, Corpse rises above the Willow Wisp legacy, and along with co-conspirator Krystal Fandom, delivers a grim masterwork that is destined to thoroughly enrapture and perhaps confound all who give a good listen. www.facebook.com/PostMortemSuperstar

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Addicks To Victory Sandgaard Sandgaard Capital, LLC Review by Ken Morton Thomas Sandgaard is best known for being the rock and roll CEO and founder of Zynex Medical as well as a leader in the fight against the opioid epidemic with The Sandgaard Foundation. He is also owner of the famed Charlton Athletics Football Club, providing an inspiration and drive to the world-renowned organization. With a vibrant passion for music and sports, it was only a matter of time before the mighty Sandgaard would spring into action on the rock and roll front. And with the veiling of Addicks To Victory, Sandgaard has a massive hit on his hands. It’s the pure sounds of adrenaline found within each and every chord of Addicks To Victory, and it’s the type of song destined to be played in sports fields and rock arenas all across the world.

The Sandgaard story has been one of passion and inspiration, and Addicks To Victory is a debut single of grand and epic proportions. Sandgaard and his band deliver the goods tenfold, and it will be super exciting to what other sonic adventures the rock and roll CEO has in store for us. Stay tuned because judging by the triumphant sounds of Addicks To Victory, Sandgaard is going to sweep us all into that euphoric rock and roll state of mind that we’ve been craving throughout these dark pandemic days… www.sandgaardfoundation.org/ www.sandgaardrock.com/ www.cafc.co.uk/home

Invicta Skarlett Riot Despotz Records Review by Ken Morton Skarlett Riot is a UK-based hard rock collective whose music is sure to ignite the great big world of hard rock and metal, especially if their third album Invicta is indicative of greater glories ahead. Jam-packed with inspirational anthems that go straight for the heart, Invicta by Skarlett Riot is destined to be a breakthrough for this epically underrated band. Fans of In This Moment and Halestorm should check into Skarlett Riot and prepare to be thoroughly enraptured by their next favorite band.

From the opening refrains of Breaking The Habit, one notices right away the fire and conviction each and every member of Skarlett Riot possesses. Tracks such as Gravity, Black Clouds and Under Water continue to cement the deal, showing that Skarlett Riot are here to leave a definitive impact on all who give a listen. Combining persuasive clean singing with kickass growls, the explosive vocals found within reign 60

supreme. All the way to the slamming inflections of the tremendously emotional grand finale Human, Skarlett Riot leave the listener inspired and ready to take on the world.

The dazzling Skarlett Riot lineup features the charismatic Skarlett on lead vocals and guitar, Danny on guitar and backing vocals, Tim on bass and backing vocals, and Luke on drums. Skarlett Riot recently announced a headlining tour in the UK throughout the month of November. Here’s hoping we see this amazing band invade the States in the near future, because we all desperately need the rockin’ remedy that is Skarlett Riot. In the meantime, give Invicta a listen and let Skarlett Riot become your new auditory habit you’ll never want to break. www.skarlettriot.co.uk/

Rock Is God Taste MR Records Review by Ken Morton Taste are absolutely legends in the Australian hard rock/progressive music arena, making an definitive impact since their inception in the 70’s. Even now, Taste continues to release vibrantly dramatic music that will tantalize the senses. Longtime fans already know how epic and massive the Taste legacy is. Newer converts who want to check into some truly captivating tunes may commence explorating with Rock Is God, a compilation of some of their amazing later work, now available via MR Records. Yes, the title is rather bombastic, but one listen to any song from Rock Is God, and you’ll be hooked - especially if you crave bands such as The Who, Sweet, and early Elton John. Count this reviewer as a novice when it comes to Taste, and all I can say at this point is “Where has this wonderful band been all my rockin’ life?”

Opening with the deliciously over the top refrains of I Am God, Taste slam into your senses with fiendish glee. Hello Can You Hear Me is positively classic with it’s “you want love, you got it, you want sex, you got it” lyrical content sending the song into the hard rock heavens. Remedy shows how wildly resourceful Taste is when unleashing a powerhouse ballad of cosmic proportions. Rock Is Dead is a rager, passionate and mesmerizing - certainly the anthem for the ages. I Don’t Want To Be Like You shows the mighty Taste getting a bit funky with it, and the resulting track is an all-out triimph.

There’s a whopping 13 songs in all, plus a hidden bonus at the end, showing music fans all across the world that Rock Is God, and that Taste IS one of the most epically underrated bands in the galaxy! Be sure to let these guys Tickle Your Fancy with Rock Is God and watch for new music from Taste coming soon from the one and only MR Records! https://taste-music.com/ www.melodicrockrecords.com August/September 2021

HIGHWIRE DAZE

George Lynch Rock Guitarist of the Hollywood Sunset Strip Scene set to release Seamless, August 20, 2021 on Rat Pak Records

Review by JNR

Mr. Scary of Dokken and Lynch Mob fame. George Lynch has a certain something to his guitar style that’s unavailable to the rest of us, that holds true only in him.

Only in his guitar style,stance,the way he plays, picks and chords etc. He holds those qualities and musical ambition inside him.And in him, and in this day in him rises new attempts of redefining his king style axe guitar playing in 2021 on Seamless.

Artist: George Lynch Album title: Seamless Release Date: August.20,2021 Label: Rat Pak Records George Lynch/Mr.Scary-Guitar Eric Loiselle -Bass Jimmy D’Anda -Drums 1. Quiver The hard groovin’ down home stomp feel rocks this song. A great whistle like quality bringing it home with the grinding outro.

2. Cola The heavy rhythm handed with a funky melody, into the majestic realms, cosmic funky Lynch at it’s finest. Goes alien at end.

3. Tj69 Down home sleeze groove feelin’with a take you for a ride,like a melodic train, and then cascading into fury.

4. Death by a thousand licks The strong fisted rhythm punch coupled with George’s fury and insane string flanging. Tangent orientated giving Satriani a run for his money on this one. A constant thread like needle in the rhythm section is unrelentless.

5. I Think Uber modern almost from a Souls Of We record. Smack dab style solos, break it up into a spacey feel. Great music junk stacks, then Scary blasts furiously, tuning is wild on this one too, lots of effecty stuff, more gain please,the spaceship has landed. The middle dynamics breakdown, connects somewhere in the galactic, in the direction, futuristic, in a cynch, Lynch fun on copious amounts of magic mushrooms.

6. Sharks With Laser Beams Unrelentless rhythmic, with mouth wide open rhythms.Very take you somewhere with a melodic sense of a galaxy in mind. Breaking down into a wonderful place, where it wanted to go. Laser like precision solos to the breakdown rhythm, then takes you home heavy riffing infused in un abandoned solo joy.

7. Octavia The pure beautiful bendy heartfeltness taking you down to a groove place, reminiscent of Mob Town Square. Shoot em HIGHWIRE DAZE

August/September 2021

down groove leads smack around rhythms effortlessly. The grooves really satisfy, anthemic lead lines so memorable that beat stuck in your head,then excursions expand your mind and heart taking you away into the wailing cries. A quiet string section with illuminating leads await there. And in sending it home absolutely soulful lead playing, knocking it home with dips n’ dives along for the ride.

8. Supersonic Hypnotic Groove Thing Big hair, fun rock riff, guitar banging with sic-fi solos blast through the box on this with this groove thing never stops.

Once one lever is down, he lifts another one. Happy gladness exude as it fires on, leaving you senseless and wanting more as it grabs new lead motives driving home, gunslinger classical composition floods the gates, bringing it to absolute mind bend Lead-E Way Road.

9. Falling Apart The sensual feelin’ break it down sense.The blasts to excitement and thrill, with a majestic stomp it carries on. A reminiscent quality in the no lyrics instrument section two, finally breaks away,into got somthin’ to say melodic soul feel,then to quiet,another realm. Says listen.Then the song builds,and sensually rides off with majestical beauty. With the pounding of a heartbeat.

10. Blue light effect A swagger effect, machine song out the gate. And away we go with feeling bluesy notes. Breaks away. No trick playing with fury notes.Wah, Wah, waits then delivers arching the spectrum. Blazing where it goes,comes home around,and bend-e.

11. House of Eternal Return A claw and hammer approach. Sensual to the move lead shakin’ things down,stomps down, then building back seamlessly to another, higher realm. Then turn the switch on and off, and new doors to new civilizations, taking us there. Scary to dome, broken down beautifully. The mood pulls you into his hands.

12. The Weight A twangy country blues diddy, glorious leads the way as they meander to it’s sweet core and back to the riff. Mr.Scary takes you so down n’ funky, can’t you feel it down deep.

Whisle along. Seems to carry the song seamlessly.

Keep your eyes and ears out for George Lynch aka Mr. Scary.

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