Krashcity Magazine Issue 9

Special thanks go out to: Rob Lane and Anzi Destruction for letting us take awesome pictures.

Bob Gruen, Carmine Appice, Pamela Des Barres, Val and Acid from Fashion Bomb, Lariyah Daniels, Rick Stitch, Chip z’Nuff, Ben Christo, George Thorogood, and one of the coolest rockers around; Sebastian Bach.

Very Special thanks go out to: Frontiers Records, Sarah Field and Richelle, Carise Yatter, Leah Burlington, Joanne Sheldon, Acey Slade, Star Mafia Boy, Jeremy White, Reckless Love and The Hard Wires.

Thank you to our staff for all the hard work you do and above all thanks to our loyal fans who make us love doing what we do and that’s delivering the best of Krashcity!

“Give us a read and we’ll rock your world” Agnieszka & Brandon

There is a growing movement sprouting up in cities across the United States. People are coming together in scheduled gatherings to exchange insights into their experiences. They are sharing thoughts, observations, feelings and ways to effect change. They are looking to the past to understand how we have come to today and how we can determine our individual tomorrows. No, I am not talking about the Occupy movement. I am referring to the expanding network of writing classes led by author, actress, ordained minister (yes!) and last but definitely not least rock & roll guru, Ms. Pamela Des Barres. The members of her growing alliance of students are known as Pamela’s Girls. Ms. Pamela travels from city to city helping women (only –sorry guys!) learn to hone their writing acumen in a series of three or four 12 minute assignments in groups of 10 or so after which we read aloud. Topics range from what we observed on the way to the meeting to past regrets or our first apartment. It is a joy and awakening to stir our creative juices as well as hearing what the others have to say. Everyone has a story. Plus it is a safe haven. What is expressed in Pamela’s group, STAYS in Pamela’s group. Sometimes there is sorrow. Sometimes there is release of pent up anger. Frequently there is humor. Friendships are formed. Unities are forged. By the end of each session we feel as though we are less alone on life’s path. Oh to have been Ms. Des Barres back in the day on Sunset Strip when Jim Morrison would sleuth around the vicinity of the WhiskeyA- Go- Go after a late night of gigging, once he “woke up and got himself a beer”. Pamela kept company with all of the familiar names that roll off of the tongue when we think of Rock Royalty, as well as many Hollywood’s up and comers of the day such as Melanie Griffith, Sandra Bernhard, Don Johnson, bad boy Dennis Hopper, Frank Zappa (for whom she worked as a nanny for Dweezil and Moon!) and Sylvester Stallone (with whom she screen-tested as his romantic interest).

Zappa produced Pamela's band, the GTO’s, often referred to as the first all-girl groupie group. GTO stands for Girls Together Outrageously. Everyone wanted Pamela to be part of their circle, and they still do! After my friend Anne Raso clued me into the Ms. Pamela’s Girls movement by suggesting I join her for an upcoming writing group, I can understand why. She is a delightful, warm, insightful and spiritual woman; beautiful on the outside and inside. If I had a band I would have wanted Ms. Des Barres to Be “With The Band” so as to bask in the warmth of her sunny disposition. Plus she is one heck of a talented writer. Her breakthrough novel , “I'm with the Band” was published in 1987 and, while the mammoth effort sprung from the ashes of an acting career that never quite took off (she ceremoniously burnt her press kits when she decided to move on) it thrust her into the limelight with talk show appearances, endless book tours, interview after interview. Three more non-fiction books followed. Take Another Little Piece of My Heart: A Groupie Grows Up was published in 1993. Rock Bottom: Dark Moments in Music Babylon was published in 1997. Let's Spend the Night Together: Backstage Secrets of Rock Muses and Super groupies was published in 2007. Ms. Pamela Des Barres had found her calling. Her works draw you in and engulf you with every detail, emotion, every observation, all the texture -- pain, joy and disappointments all wrapped into one big sushi roll of a THIS IS MY LIFE book. One thing struck me as I read her works. She is rather conservative. Popular, YES!, but conservative in her views and family values. Yes, that is right.

Once she met and married her husband of 14 years in 1977 Michael Des Barres, her key focus was on her family. The couple has a son, Nicholas Dean Des Barres, 33, who lives in Japan and works in electronic animation.

I’ve said enough. If you want to know more, you’ll have to read Ms. Pamela’s books.

I suggest starting with “Take Another Little Piece of My Heart A Groupie Grows Up” Her official website is http://www.pameladesbarres.net/

creative muse and remove the fear of self expression. The women who wind up in my workshops are usually musicloving dolls who have read my books and have their own tantalizing tales to tell.

KCM: Do you have a specific process to evaluate what people have to say?

Here is what Ms. Des Barres had to say regarding her network of writing groups.

KCM: What prompted you to start a writing group?

Pamela: I often took writing workshops through the years to keep the creative juices flowing and during the last one about 15 years ago (Moon Zappa recommended the teacher) I realized I could be teaching it myself! So I thought about it for awhile and took the plunge 12 years ago. I was actually as nervous as the students in the beginning. We learned together.

KCM: Where was the first one and how many people attended?

Pamela: I taught in L.A. at my pad for years before traveling to teach. There were 8 or 9 in my first bunch of groovy gals. I invited men at first but soon realized that women were hesitant to express themselves fully with a fellow in the group.

Pamela: I just listen. My only rules are 'don't think, don't cross out or erase, and don't censor yourself.' And there is no qualifying when you read aloud to the group. You can't start with, 'Uh, this sucks, but here goes..." Own your words and thoughts. Express them proudly. When people realize there is no judgment or 'critique' they loosen up and divulge pent-up issues, problems and long-held beliefs that may be holding them back. It's a very freeing feeling, and quite a relief. Also very empowering. The women always find kindred spirits in the group. Lifelong friends are made.

KCM: Are you completely nonjudgmental regarding what is expressed - i.e. does "anything go" or are there any ground rules as to what one can express.

Pamela: I listed the 'rules' above. Anything goes. I do not look for proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. I want openness and candidness.

KCM: Will the groups continue to be women only?

Pamela: Yes. I have attempted to get some men's groups going but not enough are willing to step up.

KCM: Do you keep an eye out for special talents and so as to help them progress further?

KCM: What would you define as your MISSION STATEMENT for your expanding network of writing groups?

Pamela: Yes, I have nurtured many gifted writers and done some editing as well. I think we all have a book or two in us, we all have important stories to tell, and lessons to share. All lives are worth 300 pages. (Or more)

Pamela: I call my workshops 'Groupie Therapy" because the assignments I give are often memoir related and very cathartic. The mission is to free the

KCM: You are an established writer having published several books about your life experiences. Do you plan a book regarding your involvement with your network of writing classes - perhaps with the names changed?

Pamela: I'd like to do a reality show based on my writers and their lives and work and how it all intertwines. One day I'd like to publish a book with my writers' most scintillating work. No name changes! They constantly amaze me and themselves by what pours out. I am told create a safe space for selfrevelation.

KCM: What do YOU get from hosting these groups?

Pamela: I just love seeing women open up and expose their hearts and souls, I LOVE my girls like my family. I have had women in L.A. who have come to workshops for years. And several who come in and out of class. Many have become my close friends. I have the same girls in class in New York, Portland, Austin, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Seattle, over and over again. They bring new students and it just keeps growing.

I am teaching my first workshops in San Francisco, Memphis, Rome, Paris and London next year!

KCM: Who would you say is YOUR favorite author?

Pamela: I have a few. Walt Whitman is a god to me. I love anyone who is banned. Break down barriers, shake it all up, change the status quo...Henry Miller, Kerouac, Steinbeck, and I love Stephen King. I am his groupie. I love Dylan's "Chronicles." I would marry him tomorrow.

KCM: First off, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me.

Chip: You're very welcome.

KCM: Glam rock seems to be making a little bit of a comeback, what are your views on that?

Chip: Well, a lot of the bands from our era have made some really good records, and because of MTV playing all our stuff back in the 80's and 90's, it seems to have left an indelible mark with a lot of kids and you know as well as I do that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree so if your parents were listening to this stuff, chances are that you heard it and are familiar with it. And I just think it's made a comeback cause it's only natural. Like Clyde Davis, he says "When it's 20 years old, it's new again" KCM: The genre of music that you played, the kind that was selling out arenas and how it is making a comeback. Maybe not the same way, but it's still pretty cool.

Chip: Well I just seen Guns N' Roses a couple weeks ago and it was jam packed there. Only a couple guys from the band are the original members. If you look out at there now you'll see all the different bands performing live with maybe one or two original members at the most. It's the songs that are gonna catch every ones attention and a lot of these bands are doing pretty good. And I believe in consolidating. I think that you're gonna see consolidation in the future where you're gonna see three, four big bands in a row playing. That's how it was back in the 50s and 60s they put three, four bands out there together on tour, and people would get more for their dollar and I think that's the way it's gonna be.

You still have festival gigs like Lollapalooza, will always be big out there because there's so many different bands on there and it's a three- four day event. But just the everyday one-day shows I look to the future and see a lot of different bands playing together, I think that's gonna be a big difference right there.

KCM: How was the Guns N' Roses show, did you enjoy it?

Chip: Ah it was great! I got a chance to go and hangout with the guys at the end of the show as well and I was surprised they played for over three hours it was a powerhouse show. Picked out some great songs, and Axl sounded great.

KCM: That's awesome. You tend to miss those 1213,000 packed shows in arenas cause a lot of shows these days are done in venues where they're trying to get at least 300 people in the door, and sometimes it doesn't happen so you think back "wow I really miss those REAL concert days when you're about to tailgate in the parking lot then just enjoy a huge show.

Chip: Well the festivals now they do have the tailgating. Enuff Z'Nuff played last year at Downington Download Festival in England. And there were tons of bands..Aerosmith, AC/DC, Five Finger Death Punch, Stone Temple Pilots. Aerosmith was fantastic by the way. Michael Monroe, Y&T..it was all the rock bands from that whole era. Lamb Of God, Megadeth. It was really, really good. Those festivals you're gonna see 50 -60-100,000 people at those shows. But when you're playing clubs out there, I believe in the Weekend Warrior. Instead of getting in a van or getting in a bus where you're gonna go into debt considerably because it's so expensive, I just believe going out there, going on a tour 3-4 bands and wing it, take it to the streets like the old days.

KCM: If Enuff Z'Nuff THEN had to be put into a category, where do you think it would have fit in?

Chip: Well we're kind of an old school band. We grew up listening to The Beatles, Queen..a lot of English stuff. Badfinger and Mott The Hoople, Bowie and Sweet and Led Zepplin, The Who. It was a lot of those English bands that we were excited to hear their music cause they weren't from here and we didn't have the everyday access to them, I think that's what started us off and we were always compared to The Beatles and everyone would say "Stay away from that word" but you are what you eat. We love that

kind of stuff. we love melodic rock n' roll, but we love to play it aggressively. We have a lot of songs out there and everybody wants to hear 'em, as we do too.

We don't put a record out unless we love it, and if it trips our trigger for the test of time then we will release it. Speaking of releases we have a brand new album coming out next year. It was out this year but only in Europe and Japan. We just signed a deal with Cleopatra Records and we will be putting that out next year and Lee from Ozzy will be playing on the whole record with us, we're very excited about that. Want everybody to hear that record and hopefully we will go out and support that album with a tour in conjunction with that record we are releasing Enuff Z' Nuff Anthology 44 songs, and that will be out the same time next year.

KCM: That's exciting! I know you're looking forward to that. I'm looking forward to that!

Chip: Thank you Fiona KCM: You're welcome. So, You guys rocked a really unique style, were there any fashion influences or did you guys just throw your own thing together, how did that work out?

Chip: Well we had nothing back then when we first put the band together, those bands that were considered glam rock, flamboyant that we were gonna be lumped in with, and those were bands like Guns N' Roses and Motley Crue and we found ourselves with Poison and Whitesnake, it was a very eclectic time right there. MTV was only playing stuff that was real over the top, real fashion conscious. They weren't playing guys in jeans and t-shirts, although Def Leppard wasn't too flamboyant but they weren't considered the same genre as Enuff Z'Nuff and maybe we came out a little bit too late, but if we came out a year earlier or two years earlier, we might not been lumped into all that because we weren't as street as those bands when it came to image. But musically I thought we stood the test of time and we felt our songs were strong. And the band had a look cause quite frankly, we had no money so we were putting together any kind of outfits we could find in our sisters closets. Christmas tree ornaments, whatever was colorful. I'm not sure it was the best idea, but it was what it was. And MTV and the label seemed to grab the bands that were flamboyant, so we came out of the box with the lipstick and make-up, and real colorful only because we thought that's what everybody wanted. It really didn't fit with our music, but with that being said we were happy that people got a chance to hear our songs because of the look. And sometimes you don't get a second chance with a first impression. People listen with their eyes instead of their ears.

KCM: I thought it was cool, I thought you guys looked great. The music was great. You guys pulled it off very well.

Chip: Thank you. No, I'm certainly not making any excuses at all I'm just telling the truth. If I had a book, that's exactly how I would say it. Sometimes you get caught up in what people are into, the image and it's more exciting than the actual story, which are the songs. In our case we've always had our peers giving us thumbs up and embracing our sound and our music. And here we still are after all these years, losing a couple band members, But Donnie and I still hung in there and now we are touring again. Due another record, and have five releases for 2012, looking forward to a long and prosperous career. This year playing live shows once again, and working on every single tour I can get my hands on. I want to play shows and play these songs.

KCM: That's great. And that was actually my next question in reference to losing band members.

What was it like to have to go through numerous musicians while you and Donnie have been the main ones in the band?

Chip: Nobody gears up a band for failure, and we had such a great run. With Ricky Parent and with Derek Frigo and all the videos, performances and records. But everything moves on and Donnie and I have been able to carry on and perform these songs, and go out and make records still to this day and we're very, very blessed I must say. And luck with preparation meets opportunity we've certainly worked hard. You do the work, everything else usually follows.

KCM: What was your greatest moment with Enuff Z'Nuff?

Chip: Too many to count hun, too many to mention to be honest with you, but off the top of my head you always pick the ones where you play huge shows where you play for 60,70,80,90 thousand people. Whether it's opening or closing it doesn't matter. Those huge crowds are exciting.

But off the top of my head Howard Stern Show for his birthday party, got a chance to play with Peter Wolf from J. Geils Band. And the times we did David Letterman were always terrific too because when you're on TV you get the chance to reach tons of people. That's what it's all about, getting your music out to everybody.

The recent most exciting thing was in 2010, Downington Download over in England with Aerosmith, Stone Temple Pilots, AC/DC it was just sickening, so great.

KCM: Ok, so let's talk a little bit about Adlers Appetite. How did you come to join Adlers Appetite?

Chip: Actually it's funny, a long time ago we met up I didn't know he was a fan of the band. At one time when Vikki Foxx left Enuff Z'Nuff back in like 1993 I think it was, we talked about calling up Steven and getting him involved to work with Enuff Z'Nuff, but he wasn't in that frame of mind, he wasn't ready at the time to do that. However, 10 years later, I run into him in Las Vegas we hit it off great immediately, he asked me to come down and play a show with them, I learned the songs in a day, did a gig out in Las Vegas with him and before ya know it, I'm on an airplane going to South America playing shows doing all the Guns N' Roses sets.

KCM: Wow! You had to learn all those songs pretty quick, huh?

Chip: Yeah, that was no big deal. When those guys recorded the songs they were 20,21,22, they were young kids and they were full of piss and vinegar and here we are now double that age and we're trying to play those songs with the same reckless abandonment and the same personalities that they carried on those records which was very difficult, so it was a challenge to try and get those songs to sound like Guns N' Roses. But I thought everyone seemed to like what Steven and I were doing. I'm real happy, I love playing with him.

KCM: Did you hope that Adlers Appetite was going to be a long term gig for you?

Chip: I was hoping that we would make a record together. We recorded a 3 song EP with Fred Courey from Cinderella producing, and Anthony Focx who does Aerosmith and Buckcherry.

Thought it was really good and then management wanted to take it a different direction. So, that's all we did was put the 3 songs out. But playing with Adler, everybody loves us together, he's a solid rock guy. Although he went through a lot of trials and tribulations with his band and his life, at the end of the day he's a real citizen and I love him to death and I hope they get inducted into the Hall Of Fame. I'd love to see him get that last opportunity to bask in the sun after all these years of being shunned.

KCM: So you still do maintain a good relationship with him then?

Chip: Absolutely! He just texted me the other day telling me "I miss my Chippy" KCM:*laughs* Chip: Very, very close. Right now he's just relaxing and enjoying the love and respect that Guns N' Roses have recently acquired especially with this nomination. It's quite an honor.

KCM: What was the reason why you left Adlers Appetite?

Chip: Different directions, that's all. We weren't fighting or anything. My mother got real sick, I came back to Chicago to visit my family. And then management, which is his brother called me and said they wanted to take a different direction, so I wasn't interested in that, I was interested in making a record with Steven that would be a lot of the same lines of what we grew up listening to, which were bands like Zepplin, and Queen, ELO, ya know rock stuff, the melodic stuff. The stuff that we grew up and cut our teeth on. And management thought it would be a new metal version of Adlers Appetite. So it was just a matter of musical direction, different direction. And an opportunity to go back out with my band Enuff Z'Nuff and play shows. I didn't realize how many people wanted to see us til I put this back together again.

KCM: It's a great feeling, huh?

Chip: Certainly nice! It's always nice to be wanted. And I enjoy going out and playing these songs that Donnie and I created. This is really special for us. We deserve to go out there and play, there's no reason why we shouldn't. We're gonna go out and play weather it's for 300 people a night or 30,000. There's gonna be a lot of action, getting our music in all the stores and we're going to be playing a lot. We never broke up, we just took a little time off. I think it's going to be a great tour. You'll be at the show!

KCM: Absolutely! If you guys come anywhere around here, yeah! I would love to see you guys play again.

KCM: What would you say your strongest album was?

Chip: Strongest album, that's really hard to say but the first three really set the tone for us because they're on a major label, reached a lot of people, and that was when MTV was playing videos of bands, so If I were to pick one of those three records, I would have to say the second album "Strength".

KCM: If you could work with any producers in the future, who would you like to work with?

Chip: I like Rick Rueben, he does the Chili Peppers stuff. I love Andy Johns he did the Led Zepplin, Van Halen stuff. Andy wall is terrific, Anthony Focx. There's quite a few of them out there that I really like.

KCM: Dogs or Cats?

Chip: Dogs. I don't have one, but I love 'em. They have a lot of personality. And that goes a long way in life.

KCM: Chicago or Los Angeles?

Chip: Chicago is a great city. It has tons of music, tons of culture. So many different personalities and characters.

Not only great music scene, but great for sports too.

Cubs, Socks, Bears, Blackhawks it's wonderful. I’m very loyal to Chicago. Love visiting LA, wonderful weather. But I'm more Chicago. But if I had to pick my favorite city in the world, it's New York.

KCM: If you had any superpowers, what would they be?

Chip: Hm. *long pause* Super powers..Cure for cancer, end world poverty, help the sick...I’d like world peace,that would be great.

KCM: I'm not going to take up anymore of your time. So this is pretty much over, but would you like to say something to your fans out there ?

Chip: I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays, along with their families. May the best thing that happened to you last year, be the worst thing to happen to you this year. Peace.

KCM: Short and sweet *laughs* Chip: *laughs* KCM: Great. Well I really appreciate you taking the time to do this for KRASHCITY, we all really appreciate it and we wish you Happy Holidays and we hope your tour goes well. Is this just a small tour that you're on right now?

Chip: Yes, Just doing a couple dozen shows then our U.S. tour starts March 2nd with Lynch Mob. KCM: Ok great. We wish you all the luck and will be talking to you soon.

Chip: Fiona, thank you for talking to me, you have a lovely Holiday season as well.

KCM: You too, take it easy Chip.

Chip: You too honey, bye,bye.

I had met Val back in July of this year at Trash Fest USA in Philadelphia and we hit it off right away. He sang Zombies “Dragula” in the all-star band at the end of the night and I was impressed by his front man ship. Apparently Chicago is not only famed for its pizza but quite a few bands as well, one of them being “FASHION BOMB” Although in the car and on a speaker phone is how this interview went down but it was a double treat as Val was driving with Acid so I got to speak to them both.

KCM: I read that you got your name from a Eurythmics song?

VAL: That is true.

KCM: What does “FASHION BOMB” mean in the content that you’re using it in?

Are you really into fashion or something? (Both cracking up) VAL: Actually when we first started we were little more industrial. We played with HANSEL AND GRETEL, MARILYN MANSON all that stuff and because we started off little more industrial we really wanted a unique sense of style. The song” Fashion Bomb” has these Vampirish over tones; it’s a little more gothic which is what we were. So it embodied what we were feeling and what we wanted to do. We just wanted to make a statement with our own look. So that’s kind of where it came from.

KCM: I love the title of your first album “Devils to some, Angels to others” It’s really creative. So who’s the main writer in the band?

VAL:

Well thank you. We all do, we all write.

KCM: So who’s into Edgar Allen Poe? VAL:

Ha,ha,ha..I like Edgar Allen Poe.

KCM: I sense him in some of your stuff?

VAL:

You do?

KCM: Yes… VAL:

It’s possible.

KCM: Actually listening to both of your albums the best way to describe your music would be industrial but I don’t think it really is. When I hear a melody going with a groove it’s not really industrial plus you have a real voice that you use when you sing and you don’t scream your ass off. If you had to describe your music which music genre would you put” FASHION BOMB “in?

ACID: We have some rock and metal in what we do maybe with a sprinkle of industrial. I think of it as somewhere between metal and rock. It’s definitely organic.

VAL: We fit into a lot of genres; I think we could play with whole bunch of different people. When we toured with “EL NIÑO” recently they started out as nu metal but their fans have really embraced us and really liked what we were doing too. I really think we can really cross over into different sub-genres of rock and metal.

KCM: I think you could also open up for someone like David Bowie because I hear a lot of 80’s influence in your music…

VAL:

He is definitely an influence, how could you not have him as an influence?

KCM: Your latest video “The Meek” what was that experience like?

ACID: It was a lot of work. We did it with Matthew Van Howe and with Anthony Adcock doing the production design. We basically put our heads together and came up with whole bunch of crazy ideas and we said” Let’s see if we can do this?” and figure it out how to do it. There was a lot of learning new techniques as we went along. There were some difficult shots in there.

KCM: How long did it take you to complete it?

ACID: We did a lot of work ourselves so it took a few months to wrap up.

KCM: What message are you trying to convey in that video?

ACID: I would prefer to leave it to the interpretation of the viewer. It would be kind of interesting to see what it evokes for people.

VAL: What do you think?

KCM: I not only watch the video but I also hear so many different sounds and bands while watching it that I really don’t think about it when I watch it. I just enjoy it. I do enjoy the dark stuff and this video is a bit hypnotic and inspirational for me.

VAL: I think we’re all in touch with our dark side both you and us. So that’s a cool thing.

KCM: If I were looking for inspiration to write I would watch “The Meek” and draw a lot of inspiration from it.

KCM: You just played St. Luis, MO? VAL: We did, we played “POPS” and had a great time. We had a really nice crowd, good reception and now we’re going back to writing.

KCM: Are there a lot of rock fans in Missouri?

VAL: Yeah. St. Luis is a really good town for metal. They have really nice venues and we always enjoy playing St. Luis.

KCM: Get your butts out to the East Coast.

VAL: We’re planning on it.

KCM: You should try out for M3 in May in Baltimore that would be interesting.

VAL: Well we don’t mind being the odd man out.

KCM: The new album “Visions of the lifted veil”, who came up with that title and what does that mean” VAL: Visions of lifted the veil” if you take the Greek word “Apocalypse” it’s kind of end of the world theme, apocalypse, Armageddon and we wanted to give you some visions from that.

KCM: So what’s next for you?

Val: Yes we’re getting back into writing. We’ve got skeletons of some really good songs. We’ve played couple of them on the road to test things out and then who knows? Maybe another album or EP. KCM: I’m going to get a little personal with the two of you. What’s the one thing that you would say you’re not very good at?

VAL: Water skiing (Laughter) KCM: Can’t picture you doing that.

VAL: Yeah me neither. I’d burst into flames when I get out in the sun.

KCM: What’s the one thing that you would say to your twin self?

ACID: It’d be fun to write and jam with a twin. It’d be fun to have copies of me running around.

KCM: If you were painters and you painted the famous “Last Supper” who would you put in it??

ACID: Us! Actually if you open up our first album the album art it’s the last supper. We did it ourselves. We put ourselves as Jesus and the disciples. I’m not sure which disciple I was supposed to be. I look concerned in that picture and Val was Jesus.

VAL: Yeah I have the God complex!

KCM: Who would you ultimately like to share the stage with?

VAL: Well Bowie would be outstanding; I can’t picture a better concert then that.

KCM: Who else are you inspired by outside of music?

VAL: Great thinkers. Stephen Hawking, Hunter S. Thompson, George Orwell, Emily Dickinson and deep thinkers who have interesting things to say and have interesting views on life in general. We are more into the more cerebral stuff.

KCM: If you were a deadly sin which one would you and why?

VAL: I would be Wrath, because whenever things don’t go my way I feel like being the Tasmanian devil around whatever building I’m in. I do have a slight vengeful streak.

ACID: I think Lust is probably having the most fun or maybe Sloth? I have a lazy streak that I battle.

Photos Courtesy of FASHION BOMB

I recently had the opportunity to speak with a Rock-n-Roll Legend who's respect for those who came before is equal to his successes. George Thorogood is a working man's musician. His career has not brought him the type of finances that would allow him to opt out of performing live for long periods of time. Thank God he loves his work. I was taken by his almost religious belief in what George Thorogood does and who he is. From the age of 16 he's known exactly what his sound should be. He knew what would work. His new collection of music is called "2120 South Michigan Avenue" on Capitol/ EMI Records. The CD leans heavily, and is a tribute to, the catalog of Chess Records, the pre-eminent blues label founded by Leonard and Phil Chess, whose legendary address is the title of the album.

With veteran producer Tom Hambridge, who won a 2010 Grammy for his work on Buddy Guy’s Living Proof album, he is calling upon the ghosts of the past to create a homage to the record label and artists that are at the core of his musical influences and inspiration. In talking about his long time fellow road warriors, The "Delaware" Destroyers, he speaks like a boss about those involved in his business. When asked how is the relationship with your long time players and himself these days , the answer was direct and to the point, "They are obliged by their financial necessity" But, before you consider that a cold statement, I will tell you that Mr. Thorogood, CEO, Chairman and Head Honcho added,

"We gotta go out and work".

George Thorogood’s mark on music history is undeniable. There isn't a bartender that would deny that sales of adult beverages increase greatly once a George Thorogood song comes on the jukebox. His "Hail Hail Rock-n-Roll" Traveling Church has given' him some interesting moments. "Touring overseas in the late 1970's we stopped in Switzerland. We were doing some promo thing at a hotel and I needed a break. I took a walk around the place and stopped into a banquet hall where a disco band was playing. After all it was the late 70's. The band broke into, "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer". That was somethin'". George Thorogood's love for the music of Chess Records is well documented through his own catalog. He's covered and recorded songs,18 times to be exact, by the label's artists on many occasions. The songs of Elmore James, Bo Diddley & Chuck Berry are the fuel for the Thorogood tour bus. "I've met Chuck Berry six times. Sometimes, there was conversation.

Other times, not really" George Thorogood is a very matter of fact person. Likable, accessible and busy in his head plotting his next move.

"When I finish an album I'm already thinking of the next one". His ego is such that he doesn't have time for bullshit. He's gotta work. On the rare occasion that he can get out of his personally crafted world to hear someone else play music, he enjoys seeing the best of the best.

"I'll go see someone like McCartney. He's a pro who knows what he's doing" . Then he added, "If I get the time to see a performer, it's gotta be good".

It's interesting the people George Thorogood holds in high regard, because they are his business model. Artists like Chuck Berry, Paul McCartney, Bo Diddley that were driven from their artistic inception and that formulated an agenda without concern for opinion. Such are the seeds of success. And only the best will do on "2120 South Michigan Avenue", his bow to the label of Kings like Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry to name just a few. That is why Thorogood invited, harmonica legend, Charlie Musselwhite to assist on two of the CD's cuts that needed the respectful level of harp player that the tracks called for.

Mr. Thorogood knows the formula that works for him. He knows that his meat and potatoes come to him by what He and his Destroyers do on the road. "A live band is what we are. No comparison in the studio". With that, I can say that George Thorogood's albums have always had a live feel to them. There is an energy in those infectious grooves that are tried and true. There is no mistaking his sound when it hits you. In your car you turn the radio up and press your right foot a little harder when switching through the dial and hear a Bo Diddley drum beat and George singing with a vengeance, "Right on Josephine. Baby, Right on.....". There is a truth there for any lover of Rock-n-Roll. Thanks to songs like, "Josephine" and "Bad To The Bone" he has managed, through his own focus and direction, to create an indelible stamp on music history. His talents rely squarely on his knowing exactly who he is and exactly what he needs to do to accomplish his goals.

Although George Thorogood will bend the road a bit while creating new projects, the path under his feet is undeniably his. Every step is thought out so he knows where his foot is landing. For this working journeyman there is no room for mistakes. The songs on "2120 South Michigan Avenue" are a continuation of that path and will lead his fans with surety and confidence to the next alter he'll be preaching from.

In parting, I asked him his advice to young performers and he offered this, "Never watch the movie "Spinal Tap" before a gig. We did that once and everything in the movie happened to us.

Couldn't find the stage, backstage food was a mess and stage techs went nuts trying to fix equipment issues. So don't do it". When asked if he still loves playing, he said, "Always have and always will". With that, it was time to say goodbye.

After all, George Thorogood's‌‌... Gotta

Go To Work.

It was barely 7.00 inthe evening when the heart of Madrid, began to fill Metalheads at the Heineken Club. The reason was none other than to see the Heavy Metal Queen, Doro Pesch.

It was no surprise to see people of mature age and fans of Warlock Era mixed with teenagers at the same time. With amazement I watched a Mother crying and tearing up her own ticket because her young daughter was not allowed to enter for not being of legal age. The situation reminded me of myself ten years ago, when I came to the same club with a fake ID to see the legendary Doro. No tears or torn ticket here. Leaving old stories behind, the lights went out kicking off the Earth shaking “I Rule the Ruins” off of the legendary Walrock album Truimph and Agony. As the band kicked into “Fight for Rock” the beginning of the concert was absolutely awesome with the Queen of Metal captivating our Spanish city. The night continued to rock with songs from the last recent album The Night of the Warlock and it intertwined with songs like” Burning the Witches” and “Burn it Up” a song that was later used as an anthem for an American football team “Dusseldorf Rhein Fire” and the audience was wrapped with flames by both songs at the Heineken club. The emotional moments and memories came in which the German Goddess didn’t forget to include the recent loss of the unforgettable Ronnie James Dio Rainbow, Black Sabbath) to whom she dedicated the emotional cover of the song “Egypt” and together with the classic ballad “Fur Immer” she demonstrated that there’s a promise that will be kept forever in the sound. The night could not end without over the top celebration when the German songstress displaying her perfect Spanish shouted “ Madrid sois de puta madre”. We are the Metal heads that together with powerful songs like “Hell Bound” and “Touch of Evil” brought us the rush of speed; in which only the metal masters of the 80’s know how to do. It was time to say goodbye, and here came the legendary “All We Are”, a ground breaking video that swept MTV in the 80’s. This still continues to remind us that rock is not an image, not a closed group. Rock is made by each and every one of those who make it possible; The dream of music is the message that will live forever.

Anzi Destruction the energy driven singer from STEREO JUNKS and later on SALVATION, has embarked on a fairly new solo career by releasing a pretty kick ass album called” HIGH CLASH MOTHERFUCKER” and I jumped at the chance to catch up with him in his favorite city and that’s non-other then New York City.

KCM: Anzi tell us a little bit about your solo album, when did you actually start working on it?

ANZI: I started writing a few songs for it while still playing with STEREO JUNKS so that would be around 2008/09. We already played a bunch of songs with STEREO JUNKS but the initial idea for this album came while I was with them and I finished it by myself.

KCM: Are you going to tour with the same guys you wrote the songs with? Are you keeping the same line up?

ANZI: Yeah, right now it’s me, Mikki Kunttu and Vesa Wahlroos but we played England last summer we had Ben Christo from Sisters of Mercy on guitar and Miki Peltola from Vanity Ink on bass.

ANZI: I think the next album will come out as a solo effort but I’m not sure. First I had STEREO JUNKS and they broke up then I had SALVATION and they broke up so I didn’t feel like having a third band so that it can break up in a short period of time.

KCM: What are your plans for the near future?

KCM: A lot of people from bands do solo records and become successful so maybe that’s ANZI: We are playing some dates in the U.K. what you are meant to do. in December of 2011 and then we’ll see.

ANZI: I write songs and perform, that’s what KCM: How far are you planning on taking I was meant to do. I love it, I like it, If somethis album, are you looking for a record deal? one likes it that’s great tp. Fame does not make me a better artist.

ANZI: Record deals are really hard nowadays because the music business is so down with sales. If it’s a big record company then you have a good reason. It’s actually better to have your own record company then a promotion team and management.

KCM: Will you be making any videos for songs from this album?

ANZI: I think we’ll make videos for the next album which I already started writing. The album will come out in 2012.

KCM: Is that your goal to put out an album per year?

ANZI: That’s a good start yeah. I don’t know what’s going to happen after the next album because I don’t have any plans right now. I’ll just do one thing at a time.

KCM: Are you going to continue just as a solo artist?

KCM: The question that everyone wants to know is if you will play the States?

ANZI: I will play the States…I hope. I somehow believe that this type of sound will be good for America.

KCM: Tell me one thing that no one knows about you?

ANZI: I spend time in the forest with my dogs every week. I have a big rope and they pull me. I have two Dobermans.

KCM: One thing that you are terrible at?

ANZI: I’m not a good swimmer (Laughs) KCM: Who are some of your idols?

ANZI: I have people in my life that I have met and of course from the 70’s punk rock and Stiv Bators and stuff like that. I’m doing the same as my idols I’m continuing and carrying on the next level of music.

KCM: What do you do in your down time when you don’t do music?

ANZI: I like to spend time with my family and I like to run around with my dogs.

KCM: Do you have a favorite movie?

ANZI: My favorite movie is the very first Psycho.

KCM: The original?

ANZI: Yes from the 60’s.

KCM: Do you like Vampires or Vampire books?

ANZI: I never really met a Vampire (Laughs) and I’m not a good reader because I can’t concentrate. It’s too peaceful.

KCM: What’s your favorite food?

This cover is red and the next one is going to be blue. I made the album in the middle of a forest in a barn; I actually built a studio there. The sound is not that big there’s not so much of reverb it’s a simple sound.

KCM: So you can get as loud as you want to when you’re in a middle of a forest.

ANZI: Sushi..

KCM: Favorite drink?

ANZI: Water. Orange juice is good and Diet Coke.

KCM: Favorite city in the world besides New York?

ANZI: Yeah I can.

KCM: Is it true that Santa Clause lives in Lapland, Finland?

ANZI: Yes that’s true. I’ve seen Santa many times.

KCM: How far is Santa town from Helsinki?

ANZI: I have to say New York because it’s my favorite.

KCM: What’s the one thing that you have not seen in New York but would like to?

ANZI: I would like to go to clubs and see bands. I have not that done that yet on this visit.

KCM: The artwork for your album how did come about since it’s pretty cool.

ANZI: It was this guy named Neil Davis he also did graphics for PRODIGY. When we were talking about this album he said that he could do the artwork so we went with it.

KCM: It looks kind of futuristic.

ANZI: Yeah, it’s exactly how the album sounds you know.

ANZI: I think it’s about 800 or 900 kilometers. Helsinki is south and Lapland is all the way north so you can fly there from Helsinki.

Lapland is a beautiful place; we played there a few times. There’s reindeer on the highway and there’s lot of nothingness.

KCM: Have you ever been to Japan?

ANZI: I’ve never been there but would love to go. We’ve had some discussions about booking gigs in Tokyo. The STEREO JUNKS bass player was from Tokyo and I always wanted to go. He also played on a few tracks on my solo album.

KCM: Who are some of your favorite current bands?

ANZI: That’s a tough one. I listen to a lot of music every genre. I don’t just listen to one type because it gets boring.

KCM: Any cool bands in Scandinavia?

ANZI: PENDULUM from England, they are drum and bass more of PRODIGY style electronic stuff.

KCM: Where’s your favorite place in London?

ANZI: Camden.

KCM: What would you like to say to your fans?

ANZI: Don’t worry be happy!(Laughs) You are Free to enjoy.

“HESSLER” the wild child from the windy city of Chicago is hard to miss with their 80’s metal inspired sound and a singer hotter then donut grease, but there’s more to Lariyah Daniels then most people know and just in her mid-twenties she can put most people to shame with her accomplishments. Read on and see if maybe you will get inspired.

BY: ADNEY SID

KCM: You are such an inspiration for young women, who inspires you to reach your goals?

LARIYAH: Oh, thanks Adney! Glad to be a role model :) Well, I get my inspiration from many sources. There are definitely icons that play a big role in my life, but I think that once you give yourself some goals and you are determined enough to succeed, with your hard work and constant progress, all you need is the belief in yourself and achieving them.

KCM: How do you do it all? Modeling, singing, personal training, competing in bikini contests and winning numerous awards…How do you do it all?

LARIYAH: There was so many more things that I would love to do, but I simply have no time for them, so I think that bikini competitions are my warm-ups, music and fitness put together is my ultimate superset, modeling and acting are my cool-downs :) It gets hard to keep up with them all, especially that every part of it requires a lot of work and time, but honestly ... this is all me and I cannot lie. Music fulfills my soul and mind while fitness is my passion and work, not even mentioning the physical benefits of it, but to be honest with you, if you manage to do it all - go for it - you live only once. Live it as you want to. If I believed in afterlife I'd probably slow down a little, but since I don't - gotta lead the high life. Rock'n'Roll, right? :)

KCM: You also have degrees in Psychology and Sociology? You are every girl’s nightmare and every guys dream‌What advice do you have for young girls who are going after their dreams?

LARIYAH: Now you just made me blush! Yes, I do have a degree in both, both its only AA degrees. You dug it out right though! Back in Poland I wanted to be like Mother Theresa I suppose :) I worked with mentally ill, people with different lethal diseases, with autistic children and paranoid people, but I noticed that after 3 years of practice I started hurting as I was them being in such pain, which was wrong because you should help these poor guys and leave all the stress and sadness at work and not bring it back home. Unfortunately I cared about their fate too much, tried to help 24/7, solve any problems possible, worked charities like crazy, and I was just soaked in losing my own life. Till today I am a warrior if it comes to charity work and I admire what people do for those that need help, but it was not my path. Nevertheless, I've learned tons from those years which help with dealing with a lot of problems, difficulties and definitely let me become a better person. What advice? I'd say chase your dreams no matter what. You will hurt, you'll hurt others, but that's the law of survival. Sometimes you have to decide what's better, and nobody else can make that decision for you. Take the chance, take the risk. Always. You might fail, but if you didn't try - you'd never know if it wasn't worth it!

KCM: How did you meet Igz and ended up in HESSLER? LARIYAH: Igz is actually my cousin from my 3rd aunt's side. We found each other in the US after 23 years. Sometimes even people from Europe have to go to States to renew the bonds.

KCM: From all the things you are involved in if one thing really took off as a career which one you would hope to be? The modeling or singing?

LARIYAH: Is that a serious question now? Adney, please... isn't it just obvious?

KCM: How did you manage to become such a fan of 80’s music when you were born in the 80’s?

LARIYAH: I always liked this music because my dad kept playing 80's hair bands when I was little. In my teenage years I actually listened to much darker music, such as Goth metal and rock, industrial, electro, black metal, power metal and Goth punk. When I went to my Technical University (majoring in Architecture) I was surrounded by more 'happy' people , and I think that my roots came back at some point.

KCM: Name some things you are not good at doing in everyday life?

LARIYAH: Dusting and watering my plants. Also in staying focused on one thing for a longer time (referring to studying), which unfortunately is very necessary.

KCM: If Hessler had a chance to perform with your dream band, who would that band be?

LARIYAH: Huh. That's a great question. When I was younger I was in love with Skid Row (with Sebastian Bach). A couple years ago, I'd say MOTLEY CRUE or GUNS’N’ROSES (if they were performing as the original band with Axl and Slash together) When I wasn't with HESSLER I'd say NIGHTWISH with Tarja Turunen, when I joined HESSLER, I'd say Doro Pesch, but.. you know what... I think that being with these crazy guys made me change that opinion. HESSLER is my dream band and performing together as one cannot describe this feeling. It's like being invincible :) I don't need any other band to make me feel this way because it's simply impossible :) All the big names bands had their time. Now it's time for HESSLER to reach the sky.

KCM: If you had a drink named after yourself, what would that drink be called and why?

LARIYAH: As my last name suggests: Jack's Evil Sister - premixed original recipe :) 5oz. Jack Daniels, 2oz.of coke, 1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract served on the rocks.

KCM: What are the three essentials in your everyday life?

LARIYAH: Oatmeal, toothbrush, and my cell phone.

KCM: Name three places in the world that you would like to visit?

LARIYAH: 1. Egypt - about 6 cities that are close to each other (Cairo, Sakkara, Dashur, and a few more) 2. Greece - Athens and Sparta 3. Italy - Rome I love ancient history and ancient art - part of majoring in architecture ;) KCM: What do you think makes a powerful woman?

LARIYAH: Oh man... I don't really know. I have to say genes, because a lot of traits I got from my parents, like courage and being so adventurous. Also, once you taste a drop of a success, you want to drink a whole glass of that deliciously poisonous elixir. You crave for more and more, and push harder and harder to get to the point where you want to be at.

I have my moments of sorrow, but then the next day I realize, that there is no time to waste for all that sadness, because the clocks ticks and there's no point of wasting another day for nothing.

KCM: If you had a chance right now, what would you tell your 15 year old self?

LARIYAH: Oh hell... too many things... Well, I'd definitely tell myself that even though my mother died when I was a little child, I cannot blame myself or anyone else for that loss, that life goes on. I'd tell myself to stop nagging our local priest and asking him million questions about the religion leaving him speechless or pissed, so he doesn't have to kick me out from his class that I was forced to attend (till I said enough). I'd tell myself to stop listening to CRADLE OF FILTH and MARILYN MANSON so much, because I'm getting more depressed because of that. I'd eat healthier for sure (can you believe I was 30 pounds heavier?) . I'd definitely continue to learn to play

piano. I'd tell myself to stop being so mean to my step-mother, and giving her such a hard time.... I'd tell myself to do lots, .. .but you know what? I am glad I didn't do it as I think would be ideal. That's what created Lariyah... all the pain, all the fear, that's what made me strong. All the memories and happenings left that amazing images that are always with me. My youth gave me so much, made such a huge impact in my current life, that no matter what - I'd never replace it. I did many things wrong back then, but I never regretted any of them. So to the point of this question - I'd say - You go girl!

KCM: What three qualities in a guy are important to you?

LARIYAH: Passion, manners and adventurous nature.

KCM: How did you and Igz end up in a Pepsi commercial?

LARIYAH: Well, he ended up on the floor trying to break the table, and I stole the can of Pepsi ;) hehe. That's a good commercial. Love it. Anyways, I was featured in a few commercials before and the film makers had a great idea to future us in that spot. It's called 'Music to My Mouth', and they thought we were a perfect match for that, so I guess that's why they chose us to make it work.

KCM: What are you looking forward to in the next 5 years?

LARIYAH: To continue exploring the world, that's all I can say. 5 years is KCM: ” Bad blood”, is an excellent work, but is it EP or LP? And are you thinking of releasing album#2 with as high quality as your previous work?

LARIYAH: “Bad Blood” is considered as our EP. Our new album is in progress right now. We expect it to be done by the end of the year, and mastered and published right after the New Year’s Eve. “Bad Blood” is a great kick starter for HESSLER, but the true spirit and the real power of HESSLER and the new sound with definitely make a huge difference.

From previous members, there is only Igz Kincaid, Marcus Lee Cox and I. Now we are happy to have much better musicians in the band - Erik Michael on bass and the one that I should say is a founding father of HESSLER, just like Igz, who came back - Frankie Snakes on a guitar. We are tighter than ever, we sound much better, deeper. My voice improved big time. I even got a memorable compliment from one of our fans who said 'LD, your voice got nasty delicious'. So yes, it sounds promising, but as good as it sounds, it will be delivered. HESSLER is our baby, and we make sure our kid is raised badass. We all learn on our mistakes and we put a lot of effort to progress each time. Frankie and Igz are working every day on the tunes, we practice it very often, we all come up with

different ideas and put it all in one to create a perfect mix. You'll hear it soon.

KCM: At the moment you are working in the U.S. but do you plan to tour in the future in Europe?

LARIYAH: Absolutely. That's a plan for the next year, in fact. Obviously it is hard to break it through, but I know we'll make it sooner than later. The truth is that there are tons of modern hard-rock bands in the market, but none of them sound like HESSLER. We get a lot of feedback that we bring 80's back to life - the spirit of the rock culture that was huge back then.

That's why I'm ecstatic to show that HESSLER has something different to offer. That music for us it's not just to make it, but to live it. Our songs are not written by some songwriters, we are our own producers and we make the music as we want to, as we feel it, and we see it. I think that comparing to the US - Europe AND Asia are much more developed in this stuff.

They have that passion, they understand, they love it, they come to concerts and you can see this enjoyment. You can feel their enthusiasm and that's what keeps you going even further. We are definitely going to Europe. Soon!

What defines words more than their implication.

The intention behind the use of words more than the flat text that gives a launching pad for their space in the room. This is how I need to begin so I can convey what I experienced at BB Kings, New York, last night seeing The Johnny Winter Band and Andy Aledort & The Groove Kings.

The big showroom at BB Kings is a church.

You can feel it when you're in the room. The stage is a pulpit that glows. The beer is cold enough and the food is adequately edible, but the room is where the believers come to stand witness to the vibe that emanates off the walls. Now, I can do my best to describe the experience on 42nd Street just off Times Square that night.

Opener Andy Aledort is a Master Preacher.

A guitarist supreme that anointed the room of followers in the role of the righteous Baptist, taking riffs from the Holy Testament of the blues and stating them with power and reverence as only one who knows the truth can.

His performance with long time band The Groove Kings left no doubt why we all were there. Pulling from the musical scripture according to Freddie King, Albert King, Johnny Winter himself and others, including Aledort's own composition, “Do You Have A Sister�.

Andy Aledort and The Groove Kings defined why we came and told of what was to come.

He left the stage only after knowing we were fully consumed and ready for what was to follow. The label of Guitar God is given to the few whose creative artistry and level of talent are above and beyond those of meer mortal players. And the word God is defined as a supreme being. In this context, Johnny Winter is a God . In the world of blues guitar he is an innovator. A player that is incomparable to other Gods of his ilk. A mythical spirit with great presence and angelic appearance that welcomes you to the fold. And although Johnny is not a young God anymore, I am here to say without reservation, that he still owns that lofty title. His performance was grand and big and powerful and other worldly.

His hands were fast and his licks hit their mark like a hammer on this night. His voice contained the growl that others can only imitate. All was right and in place without concern. Bolstering his legion's faith, without the need to renew.

Johnny Winter's band of musical arc angels, supported not only their lord but the room we stood. They are the strong heart that pumps blood to the muscles of Johnny Winter's musical abilities. The band consists of Guitarist and noted Producer, Paul Nelson who stands just off Johnny Winter's right hand. He is a player who has earned his position on the alter with Winter as a musician and a friend.

The Rhythm section, with Scott Spray on Bass and Vito Liuzzi on Drums, are the rock foundation that allow all that is musically presented by Johnny Winter to never falter as he lifts the room above it's earthly space and closer to the heavens.

To see Johnny Winter live is to have your senses connect with history. A living legend that should be valued for his contributions past and present. One day, time will dictate a change that will not offer a chance to see Johnny Winter perform again. 'Til then, he is giving all he has to offer to all who care to listen. And like one feels after walking out of church with a good sermon in their heart, I felt different, better, for going. So, you see, to just say I liked the show would have been flippant without intention or definition of my words. What I witnessed was something much more.

Johnny Winter and Andy Aledort are in residency at BB King's, New York and perform regularly to adoring fans of blues music. Tour dates can be found on their web sites. www.johnnywinter.com www.andyaledort.com

Rick has toured the world with ADLERS APPETITE, and worked with Gilby Clark. He just put out a brand new CD with HOTEL DIABLO so find out what else he has on his plate as this guy likes to get things done and that has to count for something……..

KCM: Tell us a little bit about LADY JACK. RICK: We started in 08 in Hollywood and we’re an all original band. We got our start on the strip and STEEL PANTHER let us open up for them and then we played the Sun Set Music Festival.

Then Gilby Clarke from Guns’n’Roses came to one of our rehearsals, he liked what he heard and we ended up working together. He produced some of the tracks.

KCM: Having this band now, what made you also sing for ADLERS APPETITE?

ideas he knows what we like and vice versa.

RICK: Actually we rehearsed at the same place and a mutual friend of the band had called me and asked me to come up for a weekend. I agreed and that weekend turned into two years. It was a favor for a friend but it was also a good experience. I obviously knew the guys in the band, we jammed and then things just kept rolling.

KCM: Well that’s what he said; that once all of you got together everything just clicked and the songs kept on coming.

KCM: So being in two bands LADY JACK and ADLERS APPETITE you managed to get involved with yet another band and that’s HOTEL DIABLO. RICK: I played with Alex in ADLERS APPETITE, we always wrote music together and when he ended up going back to QUIET RIOT it was time for me to work on LADY JACK and somewhere in between the time just freed up. I didn’t leave ADLERS APPETITE to start a new band. With Alex it just happens so easy there’s no pressure you know.

With ADLERS APPETTITE a song would take time to record but with HOTEL DIABLO when we make a decision things just get done. It all goes very smoothly that’s why things get done so fast.

KCM: With HOTEL DIABLO what made you work with Gilby Clarke? He had nothing but good things to say about you guys.

RICK: I worked with Gilby on LADY JACK and I guess once Alex and I were done with ADLERS APPETTITE he heard that we had a new band and he caught a wind of that and now he really likes Alex too. He really respects the guys in the band and invited us to his studio and after we tracked the first song we realized that all five of us have a great chemistry. We click; he’s like the fifth member of the band. When working on

Rick: It’s an exciting time because things are happening fast and each song is sounding better and better.

KCM: I know you’re performing around L.A. a lot but will you expand?

RICK: Yeah, we’ve got offers to play Europe it’s just all about scheduling. It’s just finding the right time. We’ve also talked about doing a U.S. tour.

KCM: I hear that you’re also a graphic designer?

RICK: Yeah, I kind of just got started with bands that needed artwork for their websites. You can hit me up for T-shirt designs too. It’s a hobby and its fun. It seems like there’s a lot of people in need out there.

KCM: How can someone get in touch with you regarding that?

RICK: If it’s for artwork they can go to www.Rockstarpixel.com or they can hit me up on my website there’s a contact form. www.Rickstitch.com you can get a hold of me (Laughs) KCM: What’s something that you’re not good at?

RICK: Hmmm….Some people say I’m a pretty terrible driver (Laughs) I scare the shit out of people when I drive.

KCM: What sort of things inspire you to write, does art, etc.?

RICK: Life experiences. When something happens in your life that changes its course then there’s a point where it comes out of you to write. If I’m happy the music will sound like that and when I’m not then that’s what the music is going to sound like. When it comes to music other bands are inspiring too.

KCM: Do you find it easier to write music by yourself or in a group?

RICK: It depends on who the group is..(Laughs) I know on my own I can write a song without a problem. Also when I work with Alex and the other guys in HOTEL DIABLO I know we can write together. It depends on the collaborative effort. I’ve worked with other great song writers and its gone both ways you know.

KCM: What’s one of your favorite places to hang out in, anywhere in the country?

RICK: There are so many but Texas is always fun.

The East Coast is cool too. I just like traveling, so if I’m somewhere where I’ve never been before, I’m going to like it.

KCM: What’s the one place that you traveled to that totally inspired you, whether it’s the people, culture, etc.?

RICK: Definitely Amsterdam, the people were really good and the shows were awesome. The overall vibe is pretty cool just traveling around the place. I thought France was great too even though other people had mixed emotions.

(Laughs) KCM: What’s the strangest thing that a fan has either given or offered you?

RICK: Actually at one show I had a fan rip my wallet off of my chain. People are crazy, it happens. They have little too much to drink and they want to party. It’s when they show up with photos and drawings of you and your pets and stuff.

I find that interesting.

KCM: When do you think the next LADY Let's just say the fans got to see more JACK album will be complete? than they expected. I remember there beRICK: I would hope before Christmas 2011 I ing a cool breeze that night..(Laughs) don’t see why it wouldn’t happen, then it’s just a matter of the avenue we would take. KCM: Who are some of your Idols?

If it’s going through a label or would be independent. That can always hold things up RICK: Bill Gates it’s someone who inspires me. People like that are inspiring, people too. who consciously are making a difference.

Growing up would be people who wrote KCM: So there’s touring in store as well? stories from their heart like Johnny Cash, RICK: Yeah just a short run; it might be two someone who does not compromise. weeks here and two weeks there.

KCM: So do you like country music?

KCM: Out of the current bands out there, RICK: Growing up my Father would play a who do you like? lot of different styles but he would put on RICK: I’ve always been a big fan of Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison. More reAVANGED SEVENFOLD. There’s a lot of elec- cently a friend of mine who is a huge tronic music I like. I think there are a lot of country fan one night when we were bands to choose from right now so there’s hanging out he played me some different country songs and I started playing some not a one band that I like. country. It was something new to me.

KCM: What advice would you give some- You need a break from rock so that’s why I do a lot of electronic stuff because it’s body going on the road for the first time? completely different. Country was a nice RICK: Keep an eye out on your health. little balance. It’s interesting to see how Partying is always good but if you’re a country music has changed throughout singer you can’t be getting fucked up every the years. single night you know. Just get lots of rest I KCM: Do you have a favorite country artthink health it’s a big deal. ist?

KCM: What are the three must haves on the RICK: Jimmy Johnson is one of them; I road? really like him because he is a bad ass.

RICK: I pad, I phone, funny DVD’s like “Step Brothers” well not in particular that one but you need to have something that everyone has in common and you have a good laugh and hmmmm more stuff I can’t say in an interview.

KCM: What was your Spinal Tap moment?

RICK: (ADLERS APPETITE) we're playing an outdoor show and during the last song the crotch of my pants split right open. It was the beginning of the last song in the set and there really wasn't much I could do about it.

KISS “Alive” was one of the first records that I bought and it literally blew me away, I remember that my friends brought it for me on original vinyl and cassette from Andorra (a small country near France). The joy that filled my mind when I held it in my hands can hardly be surpassed in the future by the acquisition of other musical works.

Everything on this album is great, from the cover to the last of its songs. From the beginning with the famous presentation which leads to “Deuce”,” Strutter “and then the masterful “Got to Choose”, through “Firehouse”,” C'mon and love me” and “She”... I love all these classics. I love them. This was the closest thing to a KISS show that I could see and feel because at that time it seemed like something impossible to see them play in my country.

What great songs...” Watchin' you”,” Black Diamond “and “Cold Gin” ... A whole sonic orgy that ended with two of the most party songs that have ever been made: “Rock & Roll All Nite” and “Let Me Go Rock & Roll.” I sincerely believe that KISS “Alive” is one of the most authentic records of the four make upped New Yorkers. In fact, I think it's one of the most authentic records of the Rock & Roll history.

This album began construction during the aftermath of the demise of the Beatles in 1970. The members of CCR were grooming themselves to take over the Fab Four’s throne. John Fogerty was even quoted as saying ,”I want John, Tom, Doug and Stu to roll off people’s tongues like John, Paul , George and Ringo.” Up until this point Creedence had been pegged as a “Singles” band which was at the t i m e f ro w n e d u p o n b y t h e "enlightened” music listener), considering their previous album Cosmo’s Factory, which was also recorded and released in the same year as Pendulum, had 6 top ten singles on it and out sold the beloved Beatles.

Creedence had planned to do things differently with this album. Instead of the standard two and half to three minute songs, they constructed a few carefully crafted jammy type anthems. Another departure from the Creedence formula is the absence of John’s guitar solos. Instead John opted to fill those wholes with organ and saxophone. This was to be the last album produced by John Fogerty as unbeknownst to him a mutiny had begun amongst the other members of the band. This was also the last album that Tom Fogerty would be a part of.

Tom would leave the group a year later to pursue a solo career and breakaway from the alleged tyranny of his younger brother. Remarkably by today’s standards, Pendulum was recorded in a month. All the tracks were played live in the studio, and then John later to overdubbed horns, piano and organ. The opening track, “Pagan Baby” starts off with a

Fogerty-esque country lick and quickly takes off into a chunky hypnotic rhythm.

John’s vocal attack on this one is astounding, full of grit and laced with attitude. By definition a pendulum is a weight suspended by a pivot so that it can swing freely. The next track “Sailor’s Lament “ does exactly that ,“swings freely” with drummer Doug Clifford acting as the pivot. It’s a mellow breezy number with a haunting chorus. J. Fogerty plays organ on this one and takes the lead on saxophone.

Track 3 ,Chameleon starts off with a chorus of horns played by J. Fogerty reminiscent of Motown. He also takes the lead again on saxophone. If one were to listen to this track without the vocals you would think you were listening to the Funk Brothers rather than some scruffy looking Berkeley boys in flannel. “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” and “Hey Tonight” both reached the number 8 position on the billboard charts that year , giving Creedence a total of 9 Top 10 songs in a single year. “Rain” was another song featuring the great J. Fogerty on the Hammond B3 organ. Two minutes and forty seconds of greatness. This song could have easily fit on their previous album the aforementioned “Cosmo’s Factory” as it falls into the category of the 3 minute or less hit song that CCR had so easily crafted in the past. “ (Wish I Could) Hideaway” is melancholic number that eases you into a mood of comfort with J.F. again at the helm behind the B3 organ. As soon as you are completely in the realm of relaxation , your auditory nerves are jolted by the intro of “Born To Move”. J.F.”s horns and organ playing are masterfully delivered. The absence of the signature Fogerty guitar solos are not even realized because his attack on the B3 are done so well. You could close your eyes and think you were listening to the great Booker T.

“It’s Just A Thought” dips into the realms of gospel. Lyrically and sonically this is a superlative hymn. Each song in this album is able to capture a mood and take you into CCR’s world. This track is no exception. Pendulum sends you on a dynamic journey, pulling you down into a feeling of comfort and then waking you the f**k up with up tempo rhythmic chunky rock ‘n’ roll numbers like “Molina”.

The hook is infectious and immediately to attaches itself to your hippocampus and burrows it’s way into the nucleus accumbens.

The finale of this is album is “Rude Awakening,No.2”. A nearly six and a half minute instrumental for the acidically enlightened and hallucinogenically aware. I often feel the compulsion to strap on a pair of headphones and listen to this album in its entirety, maybe 2 or 3 times consecutively. When this album was first released in 1970 critics viewed it as a disappointment. I’ve never been one to see eye to eye with those who are in the field of criticizing art. Pendulum IS a work of art and to me it stands the test of time. It never acquired just recognition because Creedence chose to break away from the confines of their own formula. Commercial success does not make a great album. Great music does.

Jeremy White

I thought this night would never arrive! After constantly listening to their CD’s for ten long years I was elated that I would get to see D-Generation play in their old fashioned punk rock way. I arrived at the venue just in time to squeeze to the front of the stage. The place was packed to the rafters and the fan anticipation was angrily lingering in the air.

The stage begun to fill with smoke as the dark lights kicked in to the thundering sound of guitars to which Jesse Malin appeared out of nowhere looking more like an accountant then a punk rocker from the old New York scene. The band kicked into “Degenerated� and the room was filled with loud screams of hungered fans.

After saying a few words to the audience Jesse took over the crowd with “ Capital Offender”, “Stealing Time”,” Helpless” and “Cornered” As I was barley being able to turn around I could see every single person at the venue singing every single word in perfect tandem with the band. By the time they started playing “Guitar Mafia” what seemed to be one of the audience favorites Jesse was now completely shirtless with sweat covering his upper body which was more like how I remember them. Memories came flooding back and not just for me as the people up front were creating total chaos by body slamming each other.” Vampire Nation” came on and you could see the stillness of fans as Jesse jumped off the stage and dragged the microphone cord over peoples heads towards the back of the room stopping at the back bar for a shot of whiskey.

Time seemed to be passing faster then I wanted it to as I enjoyed every crumb of mayhem created by the crazed fans. As the band transitioned into “Frankie” which is one of my favorites, people around me jumped up and down like wound up monkeys. The lights dimmed down and the guys left the stage but I knew this couldn’t be the end. Every single person in that room yelled “D-gen, D-gen” and pumped their fists in the air. There was a three song encore after all which started with “Waiting for the Next Big Parade” followed by “Wasted Years” in the middle of which Jesse started to kick around huge black trash bags filled with shredded newspaper creating a mountain of newspaper chaos on stage. The show has finally come to an end with the classic “No Way Out” throughout which the audience was covered in shredded newspaper in a true sleazy, down and dirty punk rock fashion. The band signed autographs at the merch booth after the show but the line was way too long and the room was way too packed to wait around. They promised to come back soon and I hope they stick to their promise.

Name: Romerita Caeiro Prates Date of Birth: 04/01/1983 Birth Place: Portugal Height: 5’ 4” Weight: 105 Waist: 24” Hips: 33” Hair: Black Eyes: Hazel Breast: 33”B Shoe Size: 7.5 Tattoos: No Piercings: 7 (ears) www.romerita.com

Current Occupation: Artist/painter/actress What people don’t know about me: What they want to know.

My Ambitions: Paint better, write better, act better.

My Turn-on’s: Intelligent men with long hair.

Turnoffs: Boring people.

My Current Crush’s: Alfred Yankovic, John Waters, Bradley Cooper My Fetishes: Mental masturbation (or masturbation.)

My Favorite 5 Bands: The Swet Band, Die Antwoord, Genocaust, Blood Duster, Otep My Favorite 5 Movies: Pink Flamingos, Blade Runner, Battle Royal, The rise of the planet of the apes, Jessica Rabbit.

Last Read Book: The dream of Leonardo da Vinci.

My Political View: Take over the world and people with my awesomeness.

If I was the U.S. President I would: Legalize all drugs, promote free-market and end death penalty.

My Headstone Should Read: 1983 -

It’s not often that you come across a model who is quite the intellectual and one who doesn’t have to appreciate fine art because she creates her own. Romerita clearly possesses passion for life otherwise none of what she creates would be possible. Read on to find out more about our Portuguese KrashCity Kitty.

By.Agnieszka Wilde KCM: What do you think is your best physical feature and why?

Romerita: I love my hair; I have natural very long and thick dark hair, so thick that I could play to the darkroom in it.

KCM: Name two likes and two dislikes?

Romerita: I like to create things and spend peaceful times with loved ones. I dislike lack of compassion and honesty.

KCM: What is your favorite way to be woken up by in the morning?

Romerita: I prefer to wake up naturally.

KCM: What do you currently do?

Romerita: I do many things: I read, paint, draw, go to college, watch movies, write, model and act in movies (more rarely).

KCM: Name three things that turn you on in a man?

Romerita: I’m attracted to men that can teach me profound things from the soul (for lack of a better word) and also can discuss physics or general science with me.

KCM: What ideas inspire your artwork?

Romerita: My artwork is inspired mostly by bizarre combinations of ideas. As a self-taught artist, I like to combine ugliness with beauty. I like to compose with flesh, blood, flowers, insects, frogs, snakes, birds, ugly people, pretty people, diseases, angels, deformed babies, blue skies, non-sense, etc.

KCM: If you could work in one profession (other than you are in now) which one would it be and why?

Romerita: I don’t have a profession and I don’t want to have one as long as I have a choice. I think that specialized knowledge is a waste of time, unless you are obsessed with something or simply want a stable job. I’d rather wake up by someone slapping my face every morning than spend years of my life working from 9 AM to 5 PM or later. I simply don’t have vocation to be a slave. I want to do different things every day and my interests can change in a minute. I’m too volatile for a profession. I guess that’s why I don’t have any tattoos; they would probably be meaningless in the next day (and maybe even in the next minute).

KCM: You are currently involved with a film, tell us how that came about and when is it coming out to the public?

Romerita: My husband had just recently sold his last feature film Jessica Rabbit to Troma.

After throwing around a few ideas, he had decided to collaborate with his old high school friends to make a movie called SWET (Soaking Wet Entertainment Tonight). There are so many characters and plots, it’s hard for me to explain, but it’s a horror satire about the music industry. I play a character named ‘Madame’ who is a pop-star; she is a satire of Lady Gaga and other pop stars and appears to be an evil entity of some kind. It’s fun, and has a very, very dark and offensive sense of humor. I’m also collaborating on the story and wrote two original lyrics for the Madame’s album ‘I Shit Candy’. We want to finish and release the movie on December 2012. You can check out for any updates at: https:// www.facebook.com/swetthemovie KCM: If there was a drink named after you what would it be called?

Romerita: The Iconoclast.

KCM: What’s your favorite city to live in and why?

Romerita: I have only lived in two different cities so far; in Tucson, Arizona for the past 3 years and my hometown Montemor-o-Novo in Portugal for most of my life, this one is my favorite only by its beauty. But since I’ve been in the U.S, I’d like to live in L.A for artistic reasons.

Japanal Tap There is a condition that some rock musicians are afflicted with.

Whether it’s acquired or just developed, it isn’t really known. In fact, not a lot of information is available because this particular condition isn’t openly discussed. You could say it’s kept in the dark. So while drug addiction, alcohol abuse, sexism and even bigotry are worn on the sleeve and even seen as badges of honor in rock n roll, there is one dark secret band guys don’t talk about but we are only as sick as our secrets!

And maybe…maybe…I can be of service to other musicians and humanity in general by breaking the silence on a condition that affects literally hundreds of musicians daily! Somewhere in the world right at this moment there is a musician about to take the stage. And he is suffering perhaps alone, unless his band mates share the condition, which has good and bad points.

Good in that they are not suffering alone but bad in a sense that this condition will strike both people at the same time and both will be seeking relief simultaneously - thinking only of themselves and not the comfort of other sufferer (or sufferers) that could be experienced at the same time. It can make an ugly situation stink or even more.

Ladies and gentlemen, the condition I’m talking about is P.S.S. (the dreaded Pre Show Shit).

I’m here to tell you about one of the worst cases of P.S.S I’ve experienced. My band Trashlight Vision was on a European Backyard Babies tour where there was a 5-day gap on the tour in which we filled in with a quick jump to Japan.

Trashlight Vision took a Japanese band called D’spairsRay on their first U.S. tour and they were returning the favor. A quick side note, it’s not often that an international touring band DOES return these kinds of favors just due to the logistics, which are a fuckin’ nightmare. DR to this day remains as one of THE coolest bands that I’ve toured with. They kicked ass live every night and on stage were they’re total rock stars but off stage they were very gracious and humble. I love touring and I love Japan. And TLV, although volatile at times, was made up of old friends and I couldn’t wait to share the experience with them. What makes Japan so special to me is that at first glance, you could be in NYC but upon closer examination, it’s like another planet. Strange contrast. One of those things is the toilets.

For going #2 you have 2 options. The first, which you don’t see a whole lot are basically just holes in the floor you squat over. To us westerners, it’s pretty gross- though it’s supposed to be better for your health. The second option is a normal toilet BUT from there you have a few varieties. You have your normal old John Crapper toiletno frills. But from there, you have heated seats, seats covered in plastic that rotate after each use so your never sharing butt sweat with the previous pooper, ones that washes the front of your underside, ones that washes the back of your underside, ones that have a heated coffee cup holder next to on the right side so your coffee doesn’t get cold while you take care of business (..ok..I didn’t SEE that, but I’m sure it exists..and if not..one can dream…sigh..).

Show day is the usual running around of press, signings, photo shoots, etc. We got to the venue in Tokyo, the famous Shibuya AX, to find it sold out! Quickly sound checked and prepared for the show.

All the amenities at the venue are first rate as are most things in Japan. The dressing room is sparkling clean with not a marks of graffiti is to be seen, amazing food spread, label and venue reps are all at our disposal to our every whim you may have at that moment. Ya have to savor these moments in rock n roll as you actually feel like you ‘made it'. Finally the time has come to take the stage. D’spairsRays road crew, who were cool enough to pull double duty-teching for us as well as DR, came to the dressing room to walk us to the stage. We are standing at the side of the stage and as the lights go down and the smoke fills the vast auditorium the crowd begins to chant, ‘TLV! TLV!..’ adrenaline starts to pump in your veins…and then..something else starts to pump in my bowels. DAMN IT! I had done my hair, make up, vocal exercises, listened to some Kiss CD’s, stretched-

I was totally ready to rip apart Tokyo like Godzilla on an espresso IV but I had forgotten one important step. The PSS. I quickly take the first step. Admit I am powerless of the PSS. I can’t hold it back. It will win. It won’t be pretty. Next, I ask for help. Rather demand it. I try to explain to our tech the situation I am in and the seriousness of it..but try to explain a PSS to a non-musician, non-English speaker! Fortunately, our translator was nearby and saw the panic in my eyes..the terror..

I was quickly whisked off to the headliner’s dressing room as it was closer, and shown their toilet which, fortunately was not occupied.

What happened next was a blur and details that are unimportant. It’s possible that like many traumatic experiences I’ve blacked it out but this I DO know: This commode was one of the MOST high tech commodes my buttocks had ever graced. I remember nearing completion of the task at hand and hearing our intro song begin. Then pounding on the door. I HAD to get on stage NOW. In my panic I pressed the first button I saw thinking it was the ‘flush’ button, and felt a sensation that was completely new..though not necessarily unpleasant..but new! Warm water being jetted at my ass! The door pounding, the shouting, and the intro rolling…I press the button next to it thinking it was the off button and have yet another first! Warm water washing my front! More pounding at the door and ½ way though the intro and water sports and it’s not ending! I think, “How about I just jump up and slam the toilet seat down…but what if the remains of my movement get sprayed all over the room?!?

What do I do?!?”, “..Acey-San! Please, we must be the schedule of time!” said one of the venue staff. The rock n roll gods must have smiled on me as suddenly the spraying stops! I jump to my feet, pull up my pants, water dripping down my leg and run to the side of the stage. My band mates and guys from D’espairsRay all waiting to do the rock n roll high five completely unaware that I had just had my first intimate relationship with a toilet.

Sounding just like he did 20 years ago, Sebastian Bach impressed fans at Irving Plaza on November 10 to promote their latest album, Kicking and Screaming. The former Skid Row frontman exploded onto the stage with heart rendering energy and soaring vocals, staying true to his Hair Metal roots, at the same time heralding a harrowing homecoming (say that three times fast)! Starting off with Skid Row’s Slave to the Grind, the tall blond moved about the stage with incredible energy, turning his microphone cord into a lasso during the refrains, and performing some compelling death metal head-banging maneuvers. Take that, “Mother-Truckers”!

Keeping the memory alive with about half the set list-worth of Skid Row songs, 18 and Life gets underway as the uprising of cell phones and lighters call to a sea of reminiscent fans.

Bach invites the crowd to “jump up and down” during Stabbin’ Daggers (Bobby going heavy on the drum solo), offering-up American Metalhead to the victims of 911, while Monkey Business took us back to a time immemorial once more before the encore. Further testing the sparkling pure acoustics at Irving Plaza was Bach’s greatly talented backup band, namely Nick Sterling, lead guitarist who sang harmony in the (dare I say gorgeous) track I Remember You. At that moment I turned to a crowd for what I found to be an overwhelming sense of gushing and intimacy over an old favorite -Bach’s unique high octave range gracefully falling upon the heads and hearts of his enraptured audience.

Since they didn’t start until 10:30, I caught the opening bands, Cashmier and Going Dark. Cashmier, a classic 80’s style metal band who warned us all that New York was “gonna hear some noise!” Vince Albano, lead vocals for the band added the right amount of toxicity to a sound that I can best describe as a combination of led Zeppelin, AC DC and Sammy Hagar all rolled into one.

The talented Dean Santa on lead guitar made it ok to serve up a Framptonesque “talk box” teaser, unless it was clever whammy bar handling. I’ll have to get up on stage with them next time to find out which it was. The noise blast was made complete by, massive drums and bass guitar. For those of us who wondered why some of the fans were teens in pj’s, it’s because Going Dark, a boy metal band ranging in age from 12-15 from New Jersey made their NYC debut after Cashmier. But….don‘t be misled – they delighted fans young and old, starting off by covering Police’s Synchronicity (although I couldn’t help but shy away when junior belched out the word “crotch”!). A good night for the youngsters, it was refreshing to see into the future of heavy metal. Sebastian Bach had the stage for about an hour, before launching an encore consisting of 3 tracks including I Remember You which was ‘delicately’ introduced to us all, as the moment just before he rushes off the stage, but not without our “fix” for this power ballad. It was an evening to remember as NYC’s Union Square district welcomed back metal’s beloved bad boy, ‘Kicking & Screaming’.

http://www.sebastianbach.com

Coming from Queens, NY are our first winners Of the

Fresh Meat Band Competition

W. Waldo - Guitar & Vocals / Brad Alba – Lead Vocals Sam Harris – Bass Guitar / Sam Lee - Guitar / Russ 'Bus 'Brazello - Drums Stiletto is a young band with a big outlook on their lives in music. With as much positivity as this band carries with them, they have the ability to accomplish the goals they set up for themselves. They promise their fans a great show, and with drive and direction, I have no doubt in my mind, they wouldn't deliver those commitments.

KCM: First of all, I want to congratulate you guys on winning The Fresh Meat Competition.

Stiletto: *All* Thank you!

KCM: You're welcome. I wish I had a sound effect of applause, but I don’t so hey ya!

Stiletto: *All* Laughs.

KCM: How and when was Stiletto formed?

Waldo: March 8th, 2010.

SAM: The band was basically formed through 9 million coincidences that just kind of worked out in the best way. I know a guy I was playing with for a while, and somehow got connected with these guys after a pretty long time of looking for guys to play with. They had a bassist already, and I wasn't told this. I went to the audition with him. He was auditioning for a singer. I'll let Waldo take over.

Waldo: I was playing with Russell and Sam a long time, and we were hanging out auditioning people. This guy bobby and Sam came to the studio, we had our first rehearsal and it was just pure magic. But later on we ended up firing Bobby and Brad came along about a year.

This guy bobby and Sam came to the studio, we had our first rehearsal and it was just pure magic. But later on we ended up firing Bobby and Brad came along about a year.

Russ: Yeah, the exact same thing Brad said but the main one for me is Zepplin. John Bonham is just my hero as well as a lot of jazz. I just like all kinds of music, even punk ya know? Yeah, that's mine.

SAM: For me there are two bands that stick out that drive me to do everything, New York Dolls and Motley Crue. I really got started listening to Kiss, that was my first band that made me wanna pick up a guitar, pick up a bass, anything. A lot of what Nikki was saying on those songs spoke to me in a way that nothing on paper, or coming thru my head phones hit me. Ya know he was talking about a lot of things I was thinking about when he wrote "Nikki" and that definitely drove me and then at the same time Dolls, there's just something about those songs, something about Johnny Thunders guitar that puts me in a place that nothing else does. So if it could be two people that inspired me, would be Johnny Thunders and Nikki Sixx.

KCM: If you could open up for any band; who would it be?

Waldo: My dream would be Aerosmith; they are at the most important point in their career. They’re about to put out a new album, tour the states this summer. I know it’s probably going to be the epitome of their career, and their entire lives. I would just give anything to be a part of it.

SAM: It would be The Stones. Pretty much everything we do, every band we love, we take influences from everybody. It all dripped down from The Stones. The Stones are the guys, those 70's and 60's albums are untouchable. To be a part of that legacy, WOW! They have dragged across the entire world and you can't get much higher that. In my opinion they set the standards for every single thing in rock and roll. The Stones have played the biggest part. To be able to say “I've played with them”; I know we'd push then to be better. They would hear us and say, “What they are doing is still alive”, for them to say that about us, would be remarkable.

KCM: Have any of you guys had a Spinal Tap moment?

SAM: Bobby who was originally in Stiletto, big talker this one. Always getting us the best gigs in town, and yeah, we'll be playing for so many people *sarcasm*. So he comes to us, our second show and goes "I got us a gig at a street festival, it's gonna be big; tons of people sponsored by my school. Stage outside, tons of people"

We arrive, there is no stage, there are no people, no, scratch that, there is a stage there's no adults. It was like a carnival for 5 year olds. The band before us, were like 4th graders. We're there in our leather, and it was hot as f**k, and I think we got about half way through the first song until they pulled the plug. They were getting noise complaints and shit.

Waldo: We topped Spinal Tap. SAM: That's not a good thing. In our defense, it was funny to see these parents rip their kids away from the barricade within 30 seconds.

Waldo: Yeah, they kicked us out. Like half way through our set. They told us our guitars were too loud, they kept telling us to turn them down. I'm like, are you f**king kidding me. I wound up cussing out the dude in the jazz band, told everyone to suck my dick as I left.

KCM: Where did the name Stiletto come from?

Waldo: While I was looking for a bass player, like pretty much right before we auditioned Sam and Bobby. The band was called Paradox, and we had gone through different names and I know that I wanted to change it after we got this new line up together ya know, new people, new band, and new name. Start from scratch. I was going through a bunch of different names, writing shit down and I think I narrowed it down to three. I went to my guitar player’s house the next day. I don't remember what the other two names were, I said the other two then I was like "Stiletto" there's something about it, especially with the knife. And I also thought it would be funny cause you tell a chick, your bands called Stiletto, her mind's not gonna be thinking about a knife. We get some shit for it, but isn't that what marketing is about? I mean, you know it's like, especially to women.

Waldo: Because we love them. We pretty much all agreed on it and it felt right.

KCM: So you feel it pretty much fits the band?

Waldo: Yeah. It's dangerous and sexy.

KCM: *laughs* Ok. If you have to pick a seventh deadly sin, which one would you pick?

Stiletto band: Can you give us The Seven Deadly Sins? *laughs* Stiletto band: *Talk about the movie Seven. And think of the sins.

KCM: *Gives the sins* Brad: I'm gonna say, Greed. It's like the root of all evil.

Waldo: I'll just go with Lust.

SAM: I'd go with Wrath, because I tend to hold stupid grudges.

KCM: Alright. Are you guys ready for the next question?

Stiletto band: We're ready.

KCM: Most musicians starting out, of course their love is for music, but they have to be able to afford to So, they tend to have small or odd jobs. What are yours?

SAM: For a while there, over the past couple months I was keeping the stop clock at an open figure drawing class in Brooklyn at the Y. And I would time the models, and I got paid per model.

Brad: The first job I ever had was working in a dental office doing book keeping, an d I hated it. And Russ has never worked.

KCM: If you could have lunch with any musician, who would it be?

Waldo: Steven Tyler. But first we would have to smoke a blunt first.

Then munch out. Russ says Charlie Watts. No reason.

Brad: Robert Plant, my favorite singer of all time. And he's a nice guy.

SAM: Iggy Pop. Cause dog food is cheap.

KCM: *laughs* at Harris' choice. That's awesome. Ok, so how would you describe Stiletto?

SAM: In simplest terms, it’s rock and roll's biggest secret that nobody knows about except for us. But everybody will know about pretty damn soon.

KCM: What would you guys like to say to your fans, and your future fans?

Waldo: Umm, it would have to be, we are guaranteeing you the roller coaster ride of a life time. For those who want that, then hop on the love bus with us. If not then ya know. No, No, No, we'll have fun passing you by as we waltz into the sunset. I did not steal that from Paul Stanley.

KCM: Thank you guys so much, for taking the time out to answer the questions and good luck to all of you.

SAM: We have a show with Faster Pussycat March 9th at Ollie’s Point in Amityville NY. Be there or miss out. It's gonna be a wild ride. https://www.facebook.com/stilettoLTD

a better job at organizing the event, although for the weather not being so perfect the turn out was not that terrible.

December 7th stands out in my mind because it was not exactly a night that I wanted to go out. The freezing rain and gusting winds would make anyone want to stay in bed, but because KrashCity Magazine had been involved in sponsoring the show and we keep our word, we had to be there. I was very impressed by “Electric Black Horse”,” Scarlet Carson” and “August Infinity” the Burlesque dancer however was the worst dancer I had ever seen and my friends nodded in agreement. The heart of the show was Kore Rozzik and I have to say that he could have done

Kore Rozzik and his band also performed live and he is as silly on stage as he appears in real life. His set consisted of nine songs but there were only a few that s t u ck in my h ea d .

“Psychological”,”Rock Star” and “Rain Drops and Broken”. Over all the band was not bad but I can’t take them seriously looking at Kore’s silly face and his ridiculous stage antics. Maybe I would have had a different opinion if not for all the bad rumors about him stuck at the back of my head.

This band has potential but the front man should definitely opt for a better version of himself if such version even exists? For me personally the show was not a total washout as a handful of dear friends came out to support KRASHCITY and because of them my night was pirate, and as for Kore Rozzik and his band? I think the band would do better if they had an individual name and Kore upped the anti on his frontmanship.

It is interesting to see how an artist can become engulfed in its creation. This was the case with Van Gogh and encephalopathy and death caused by lead from his paints. Also GG Allin, whose role of a Rock’n’Roll savior suicide led him too far. Do not forget Bella Lugosi, who was buried in his immortal wound layer, believing the prince of darkness. It is also interesting, and much more fun, see how a mascot can be much more popular than its owner.

Aside from Rin Tin Tin or mule Francis, and into areas more suited for this blog, I cannot overlook one of the greatest icons of Heavy Metal: the monstrous Eddie, the most charming star of the metal scene in the last decades.

Unlike other mascots of rock (from the Crimson Ghost Misfits and motorized head of Motörhead), good old Eddie is not only at the height of his hosts but often exceeds levels of charm and mystery. Ok, it's not hard to be more charismatic than Dave Murray, but in the case of Eddie it all goes beyond the simple value of enhancement. We speak of a monster with its own identity, mutant deliriously aggressive and powerful.

Eddie was born a year and a half before Iron Maiden claimed their services, just for the punk revolution of the late 70's. By then, the artist Derek Riggs had just given life to their particular and grotesque anti-hero, a symbol of the times: "I just thought of the idea of youth in those years, seen by many as the waste of society, and embody in Eddie.”

Originally designed to adore the cover of an English Punk album, Eddie's look was typical of a whole Johnny Rotten: short orange hair, lifted into the air, wearing a dirty shirt in the industrial city of the moment. "Setting the character in a city because I wanted to live in the streets, on the corner next door, and not thousands of miles away," argued one interested in translating Riggs Punk discomfort, making it closer and more threatening to society of British bourgeois. An interesting concept that remained in the artist's portfolio for a year and a half, until 1980 Rod Smallwood, Iron Maiden's manager, looking for a sketch that could illustrate the first single from the band Di'Anno Harris and found the picture of Riggs at the offices of EMI. The rest is history. His appearances on the different covers of singles and LP's from the Iron Lady are, mostly, as memorable as enigmatic. Both at the beginning, acting as a criminal Punk suburbs (special mention to the Thatch rite assassination of "Sanctuary"), as pulling the strings of Lucifer himself is the Number of the Beast. Glaring at Icarus in flight or piloting a fighter jet. Lobotomized and chained to a wagon in the middle of the ether or forming part of a pharaoh. Raised from the dead or transformed into a cyborg in not too distant future, it symbolizes an indescribable nightmare straight from the mind of the seventh son of a seventh son. The many incarnations of our protagonist has given rise to hundreds of interpretations perpetrated by the most die-hard fandom, and we have brindao thousands of hours of entertainment watching these mythical folders records for clues to help us unravel some more Eddie enigma.

KCM: How did you end up playing with SISTERS OF MERCY even though you fronted NIGHT BY NIGHT? BEN: I got a phone call asking me to come to an audition and they wouldn’t tell me the identity of the band so I didn’t know who it was for, that’s how it happened.

KCM: You’ve also played with Anzi Destruction, how did you find time for that?

BEN: It was kind of difficult but we’ve had two rehearsals and Anzi send me all the songs and I very quickly had to learn them in two days. Then we’ve had two rehearsals and we did a show. So it was a very quick process but they were very good songs so they were fun to learn. When something is fun you learn more quickly because you enjoy it.

KCM: Which band is your primary band right now?

BEN: That’s a difficult question because although SISTERS OF MERCY is very important to me and I’ve been spending a lot of time with this I also work with my other band and I think next year (2012) I’ll spend more time with that. So there’s really not a true answer there but I love both of these two bands the same but in different ways. One takes up a lot of time with touring and with my band we’ve got an album to finish and we’ll do a little touring with that.

KCM: Do you have plans for NIGHT BY NIGHT in the New Year?

BEN: Yes, we finish our album in January, we release it in February and then we spend as much as we can the rest of the year touring around different places. We want to go back to touring the U.K. and also Sweden, Finland and Norway because we planned on going back to do some shows there.

KCM: Which is your favorite SISTERS OF MERCY song to perform live?

BEN: Both “Logic” and “More”.

KCM: Do you have any hidden talents that you can tell us about?

BEN: That’s a very good question.

I’m an amateur and I have a very small below average ability at acting.

KCM: What’s the last date for SISTERS OF MERCY on this tour and what’s next for you personally?

BEN: December 4th,2011 is the last gig in The Netherlands and then I’m going to go home and get everything ready to finish the NIGHT BY NIGHT album and I’m going to do some Djing maybe in Sweden and Ireland and then straight off to work on the NIGHT

BY NIGHT album.

KCM: Will you be coming back to Spain with SISTERS OF MERCY? BEN: We’ll definitely come back.

We come here every two years since I’ve been in the band. Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao always had a good time. There are really nice and friendly people. The crowds are welcoming and always sing along. I like Spain very much and it’s a really great place to be with any band.

KCM: Thank you for your support.

BEN: De nada.

Check out these sites: http:www.thesistersofmercy.com/ http://www.myspace.com/nightbynightmusic

From KID WICKED to the famed SKID ROW Sebastian Bach has proven time and time again that he is a force to be reckoned with when he graces the audiences from international stages. After a few successful bands and a few successful Broadway shows, and a lot of negative things happening to him in the last few months, Baz rises once again to new surprising heights with his new solo album called�

Kicking and Screaming� Even the toughest critics were left with their jaws hanging to the floor so read on and find out what else he has under those tattooed sleeves.

KCM: Your new album “Kicking and Screaming” is doing really good; do you think that it has anything to do with having someone young like Nick Sterling playing on it?

SEBASTIAN: Yeah he came in with all these great musical ideas and really revitalized my sound. I can only sound like the people I play with and he is an incredible guitar player, incredible song writer and I’m very, very happy to play with him. This will be his first time playing New York City so everybody should come out and check him out because he is a real rock star.

KCM: The production on this album is amazing, how did you meet Bob Marlette?

Sebastian: I met Bob through my management Rick Sales and Andrew Stuart they introduced me to him. He’s produced some great artists like Tony Iommi, Shinedown, Saliva and Halford. So he was a great choice.

KCM: How did you get John Five involved?

SEBASTIAN: He is friends with Bob Marlette and John Five has always been a fan of my voice and he said he would love to hear me on the radio in 2011. John Five is another good guy and I’d like to work with him in the future too.

KCM: These days there seems to be a trend with the mainstream artists where they use a lot of guest artists like Slash and DJ Ashba, what made you not take that route?

SEBASTIAN: All I think about is the song and the music. It doesn’t matter to me who wrote it or who is playing on it. I just want the CD to sound the best it can and Nick plays bass and guitar on most of the demos that we did. I don’t want to have somebody come in and have Nick tell them what to play. Let Nick play it. Maybe I’ll do that in the future but this record was cut as a three piece and I think it added to the tightness of the performances and just the whole over all vibe of the record I think it made it better as a three piece. Kind of like RUSH. KCM: Let’s talk a little bit about the fantastic album cover. Was that mainly your concept?

SEBASTIAN: That was me with a guy called Richard Villa who did the BLACK VEIL BRIDES album cover. I’m friends with the band and I saw the album cover they had and I asked them who designed it because it looks incredible and Andy the singer hooked me up with Richard the artist who did it. A lot of the lyrics have to do with love and lost love and new love and that’s kind of what the album is about and that’s what the cover is about. My girlfriend Minnie Gupta came down and posed as the Goddess Kali Ma with Knives and Dragons and it’s a pretty amazing cover. It looks pretty amazing to me. (LAUGHING) KCM: It does, it sort of reminds me of HEAVY METAL magazine.

SEBASTIAN: It reminds me of KISS “DESTROYER”. Baz destroyer that’s what it looks like to me.

KCM: Your Dad was a great artist; did any of that rub off on you?

SEBASTIAN: Well no, I’m not very good and the only thing I can draw is KISS. I used to draw KISS on my school notebooks. My Dad was so good that I didn’t even want to try. I could never be that good.

KCM: If you could buy yourself the ultimate toy what would it be?

SEBASTIAN: I would love to have my own tour bus. Willie Nelson had his own bus and that would be really cool.

KCM: Hey you never know if you keep going with this album the way you are now, you never know.

SEBASTIAN: (Laughing) that’s cool! I’ll keep it going then.

KCM: You’ve gone through a lot of negative stuff in the last several months but it seems like everything has turned around. The album is great, you have a new girlfriend, and the buzz has been huge about you around the world. What’s the one goal that you’ve set for yourself but have not reached yet?

SEBASTIAN: Touring! I want to tour big places in my solo band. The kind of places that Journey and Night Ranger played like the PNC Bank( New Jersey) Somehow to get to that level it’s what I want to do, that’s a very big goal of mine.

KCM: What’s the one thing that no one knows about you?

SEBASTIAN: My true hair color! (Both laughing hysterically)

KCM: Name one thing you are not good at?

SEBASTIAN: Business, math. I’m not like the Gene Simmons of the band I’m more like the Ace Frehley of the band.

KCM: What’s the one thing you have not tried yet but would like to?

SEBASTIAN: Hmmm…Dear God that’s a good question.( Busts out laughing) I don’t know.

KCM: Did I stun you?

SEBASTIAN: I would like to live with my new girlfriend at some point because I have not done that yet. Maybe you’re thinking of some sport but all I want to do is live with my chick.

KCM: Have you skydived yet?

SEBASTIAN: No I don’t want to do that because I’ve been bungee jumping, I’ve done it a bunch of times. Then I seen on TV the things that go wrong and the rope breaks or the cord gets wrapped around somebody’s neck. I rather just live and not jump out of a plane and shit.(Laughs) KCM: Are you anything in real life like your character in “JEKYLL AND HYDE”?

SEBASTIAN: Yes I am like that actually.

KCM: In what way?

SEBASTIAN: I have different personalities. I don’t have eight personalities but I have at least two.

KCM: I have some Facebook fan questions so here we go: KCM: DJ Angel from London wants to know; “When and if you’re going to tour the U.K.?

SEBASTIAN: As soon as the U.K. asks me. I always get that question from fans but they don’t seem to understand that I’ll play anywhere at anytime. I don’t choose where I play. Bands don’t just call up cities and say” Hey we’re coming to the U.K.” The U.K. has to call the band, it’s the opposite way of what people think it is. I don’t have a magic phone where I can call London England and say “Here I come!” (Laughing) When a promoter asks me to play London then I will play London it’s very simple. I don’t know what to say it’s very frustrating.

KCM: I’ve gotten another question which asks the same thing” Will you play Peru”?

SEBASTIAN: I will play anywhere at anytime if I’m asked. There’s not anywhere that I don’t want to play.(Laughing) KCM: I get it. People gotta want you there they have to request you.

SEBASTIAN: It’s more like the promoters are into this whole nostalgia of reunion tours that’s what really hurts a guy like me. They’ll book FOREIGNER with no members of FOREIGNER. They played these huge shows and I want to be able to do that. I think I have a good voice and I kick ass on stage and I really want to do that. All these promoters from all these towns in the U.K. or Peru just fucking call my management and we’ll come and play.

KCM: People have to make some noise and start requesting you because it’s not going to happen on it’s own.

SEBASTIAN: That’s right!

KCM: Luis from Madrid wants to know;” With which classic band would you sing ultimately and why”?

SEBASTIAN: I’m happy making my own music and I don’t wish I could play with some other band at all. I look at music as a form of self expression so I just don’t really think like that. I’m really happy playing with Nick Sterling and Bobby Jarzombek.

When I watch the video” Kicking and Screaming” That’s who I want to play with.

Maybe as a musician I appreciate people like Randy Rhodes, but then maybe Randy Rhodes and I would have never gotten along?(Laughing) KCM: Igz from Chicago wants to know;” What’s the most unique gift that a fan has given you?

SEBASTIAN: Her name is Jennifer Bush who always came to see me in “JEKYLL AND HYDE” and maybe she’ll be reading this article. When my Dad got sick years later with Leukemia and he was dying one of the nurses at the hospital told me that one of my fans made a donation of several thousand dollars to the hospital.

I found out that it was her and I couldn’t believe it. This was a few years after “JEKYLL AND HYDE” but she found out where my Dad was and that he was sick and made a donation to the hospital. They thanked me and I had nothing to do with it but man that’s a heavy gift.

KCM: Martin from Amsterdam is asking; “Would you ever consider a SKID ROW reunion? What would it take and do you still keep in touch with the original members?

SEBASTIAN: I don’t keep in touch with them. I saw the drummer recently but he got kicked out of the band around the same time as I did so he doesn’t really count(Laughs) For me to be interested in that, I would like to do another record with them if they were into it. I have not talked to them in years.

KCM: But as far as touring with them again, you don’t feel that you want to do that?

SEBASTIAN: No. I wouldn’t want to go on tour in 2012 with songs from twenty years ago. To me it’s like going to see an animal in a cage at the zoo.

KCM: Jason wants to know; “What bands are you currently listening to? And what band would you like to take on tour with you”?

SEBASTIAN: I love the BLACK VEIL BRIDES and their “Set the World on Fire” album and I would love to tour with them. That would be great, and ASKING ALEXANDRIA who I’m going to shoot a brand new video with in about two hours here in L.A. They are another heavy band from England and they’re young dudes. Those are my two favorites. I also like HATEBREED but I think the album “Set the world on Fire” is my favorite new record.

KCM: When you’re old and long gone, what would you want people to say about you?

SEBASTIAN: He was a great singer who kicked ass and left us with a lot of great music.

KCM: Thank you Sebastian it was awesome talking to you!

SEBASTIAN: Thank you Darlin’, it was great talking to you too!

Rob plays in “Teenage Casket Company” out in Nottingham and he also is the owner of Trash Pit records. Some of you might have heard of him and some may have not. He played the States several time and also did some touring with The Bullet Boys. Here’s a closer look at Rob Lane.

KCM: How did you hook up playing with the” BULLET BOYS”? That something I have not known about you.

ROB LANE: The last two times they’ve been to Europe I’ve played bass for them and I’ve done a U.S. tour as well back in 2009. That was simply me getting in touch with a booking agency. I got an e-mail from them after a few months asking me if I wanted to play with the “BULLET BOYS” who were on tour at that time with” ENUFF’Z NUFF” and” FASTER PUSSYCAT”. I had two weeks to learn the set and it was kind of cool that they put their trust in me.

KCM: So you were kind of are like the” Gun for hire”?

ROB LANE: Yeah kind of…I was never into the big guys in the biz like Nikki Sixx I always admired people like Ryan Roxy and Kerri Kelly. These are the guys that played in all kinds of bands but they’re awesome performers and they are the guys I always looked up to. So for me to get on tour with The” BULLET BOYS” in kind of a similar role was awesome. I was a fan back in the day so for me to get a chance to do that was pretty sweet.

KCM: So you we’ve seen a lot of the U.S. then?

ROB LANE: Yeah my Dad lives over there. I used to spend my summers there when I was growing up.

KCM: So in a way you’re half American?

ROB LANE: In a way it’s like my second home.

KCM: So what’s one of your favorite places in the U.S? I know you’re going to say L.A. ROB LANE: I do like the Hollywood area, my wife and I have been there I think like three times. I just like the vibe.

You find new places every time you go over there. I like Texas we spend two weeks there. It’s a huge place you could probably do a six week tour just in Texas. (Laughing) I’d like to spend some more time in New York. “TEENAGE CASKET COMPANY” played there twice. We didn’t get to see much of the tourist stuff.

KCM: How long ago have you started “TEENAGE CASKET COMPANY” and how did it come about?

ROB LANE: Me and Rob Wylde both played in bands around the Nottingham area but we never crossed paths. Then around 03/04 we finally got talking about putting a band together and doing something in the “GOO GOO DOLLS” vein, and there was a band around called” 40 FT. RINGO” They were power-pop with elements of 80’s hard rock which we both loved and grew up on. He brought in a guitar player and I knew a drummer so it all started from there. We all got together in 2004 and the band started rolling and from there we did two or three years of solid touring, released an album and EP. Did two east coast tours and we just kind of got bent out toward the end. I think it was around 06/07 we’ve been working so hard and needed a break from each other. That’s when Rob moved to the U.S. for two years and started “SINS OF AMERICA” but he is back now and we’re kind of putting the band back together and we’re just down to a three piece, so it’s fun in a whole new direction for the band. We’ve got a new CD out on a U.S. label called “JAMSYNC” they are based out in Maryland. They’ve put out a compilation CD which is like the best of the first two releases with new tracks. We’re saying that it’s the end of chapter one. We’ve recorded three new songs and a new video and just bringing things back again. We’ve got the fire back.

KCM: When is the video going to be finished?

ROB LANE: We shot the video a few weeks ago so it’s in editing stages now, but we’re excited about it! It’s a guy from L.A. who lives in Nottingham now that shot the video. It’s got really cool ideas and really cool setting.

KCM: How did you put TrashPit together?

ROB LANE: Trashpit started around the same time as” TEENAGE CASKET COMPANY” did. I did a fanzine before then and started with the local bands first for a few years. In 03 I was trying to figure out who my favorite bands were. I was into the late 80’s early 90’s hard rock bands and nobody was covering this type of stuff so I decided to do it myself. There were a lot of cool bands from Canada like “Robin Black” and “Crash Kelli” They were doing show’s in Nottingham at that time and I just wanted to put them in my magazine. It was a really cool thing to do around that time. I did that for about three years and then the record label branched out from that. We did the first Teenage Casket Company CD on there and put out “The Erotic’s” albums and “Acey Slade” stuff and that kind of thing. It’s quite cool to see how it’s all grown from just a small fanzine.

KCM: What would you say was the highlight for you of 2011?

ROB LANE: It’s been cool to re-invent “TEENAGE CASKET COMPANY” again as a three piece band and see things happening again.

KCM: What was your favorite concert this year?

ROB LANE:” D-GENERATION”. That was an awesome show in London. This one is in my top-ten gigs of all time.

KCM: Who’s the one band that you’d like to go on tour with?

ROB LANE:” VAN HALEN” and “BOWLING FOR SOUP” who are my favorite band in the entire world. We’d love to open up for them drink beers on the side of the stage and sing along for the rest of the show.

KCM: One thing no one knows about you?

ROB LANE: Everyone knows that I like to sleep as much as possible so that’s no secret, I could fall asleep anywhere.

So you’re lucky to get me at eleven o’clock at night because I’m usually out! (Laughing) KCM: Which version of L.A.Guns do you prefer, Phil’s or Tracii’s? I just had to ask.

ROB LANE: Phil Lewis’ version! (Laughing) ROB LANE: Oh I’m sky diving next year actually so that might be a hidden talent I have yet to find. Hopefully it’s a talent and I don’t screw it up. You only get one chance! (Laughing) So that’s my future talent.

KCM: Luckily you don’t go alone…

KCM: What was the coolest place in the U.K. that you’ve played with your band?

ROB LANE: Our favorite place has to be “Junktion Seven” in Nottingham. Tiny club but we had played our very show there and we must have played a dozen times since then. It has a good atmosphere and we’ve had lots of good times there. Nottingham has always been a real rock town but the venues are getting fewer and fewer.

KCM: What are you plans for 2012? Plans for playing the States maybe?

ROB LANE: I hope so. When we played there we’ve had such a good time and we have whole bunch of good friends now. We’re friends with “THE EROTIC’S” and we’d love to do some shows with those guys. I’d like to do some shows in Canada as well. We’ll see what happens with this JAMSYNC release. Hopefully some radio stations will pick up on it and we’ll get some buzz going. Fingers crossed!

I was pretty excited to speak with Bob Gruen the legendary Rock’n’Roll photographer and I think that he is somewhat bit of a photography royalty if you will. He has taken pictures of everyone you can name in the music world, so read on to find out what else this man could possibly be made of??

KCM: How did you get into Photography and how did you get discovered?

BOB GRUEN: I learned photography from my Mother because photography was her hobby and she use to develop and print her own pictures. So even at an early age literally three or four years old she took me to her dark room and taught me how to develop pictures. I got my first camera when I was eight and I would take pictures of a lot of different things. In High school there were sporting events, fires and things like that. I like exciting things. I lived with a Rock’n’Roll band in the late 60’s after High school and they got a record deal around 1969 and I met my first record company when they used my pictures of that band which was called” THE GLITTER HOUSE” and they got picked up by their producer Bob Crew who had them sing the vocals for the movie “BARBARELLA” So after that I met Ike and Tina Turner and that got the ball rolling. One thing lead to another after that.

KCM: Why did you choose to specialize in “Rock” photography?

BOB GRUEN: I get along with musicians and I’ve always been drawn to musicians and artists and people in show business as friends and it wasn’t really a conscious choice but more of “One thing lead to another” I was living with a band, I met a record company, then Ike and Tina. I started meeting more and more musicians and more publicists in the music business and I never really had to seek out any other kind of work because I just started getting busy pretty quickly.

KCM: So you “Fell into it” sort of speak. It was meant to be.

BOB GRUEN: Yeah in the 60’s they had an expression “Tune in, turn on and drop out” and I did. Little did I know that dropping out was actually my road to success and living with a band was going to lead to the rest of my career.

KCM: What was your initial feeling when John Lennon

asked you to be his personal photographer?

BOB GRUEN: Well there was not a specific one day where they said “ We want you to be a personal photographer” But there was a day when I met them and Yoko said that they wanted to be my friend and that they wanted me to come around to their studio more often. I felt very lucky.

Every time I saw John Lennon I always felt very lucky to be able to know him.

KCM: Were you ever star struck?

BOB GRUEN: Not so much in that sense. I met a lot of people like Ike and Tina and Elton John before I met John and Yoko so not really. I’ve learned that even rock stars are people too.

KCM: Who was the most difficult person to shoot and who

was your least favorite?

BOB GRUEN: I get along with most people and I kind of enjoy difficult shoots so I don’t really look at it in a negative way like that. For many years there wasn’t anybody who stood out as the worst person and finally there was the one guy who was so obnoxious but I won’t mention his name because I will not give him the publicity, but I get along with most people.

KCM: Would you say that “Rock “photography is an escape

from reality?

BOB GRUEN: No, it all depends on what your reality is. For me “Rock” photography is reality. It’s my reality. (Both of us laughing) KCM: What knowledge have you picked up from hanging out with rock stars all these years?

BOB GRUEN: No, it all depends on what your reality is. For me “Rock” photography is reality. It’s my reality. (Both of us laughing) That rock stars are people too! (Laughing) KCM: Has anyone ever said anything that had big significance to you?

BOB GRUEN: Yeah from time to time but it’s hard to pin point a specific phrase. I meet a lot of pretty interesting people and they say a lot of interesting things.

KCM: Has anyone given you advice that you listened to?

BOB GRUEN: From time to time…Yeah...

KCM: Who has the most creative input in a photo session, the band or you?

BOB GRUEN: Depends on the band... (Laughter) Sometimes it’s the publicist, sometimes it’s the singer’s girlfriend, but a lot of times it’s me. I try to make suggestions but I don’t really tell people what to do. I prefer to have patience and let them do something naturally and try to capture that when it looks good.

KCM: So you don’t have any visions set in your mind when you go to a photo shoot?

BOB GRUEN: No, quite often I have not met the people so I don’t know what they gonna want to do until I get there.

KCM: How did you feel when making the transition from film to digital?

BOB GRUEN: I’m pretty comfortable. I’m more interested in a getting the image and sending it out to the media for people to see. So I’m not really concerned with the artistic details of film or digital. I’m more interested in the image.

KCM: What are your favorite tools of the trade when shooting live?

BOB GRUEN: Well I like my Cannon 5D Mark 2 or Mark 3 something like that because it has really fast auto exposure and auto focus and that helps me a lot.

KCM: Have you ever gotten crappy pictures because of the lighting?

BOB GRUEN: Often. Its crappy lighting for photography but it’s great for show business. (Both laughing) You’re not setting it up in a photo studio it’s a stage show so you have to make the best of it. I try to make the best of it.

KCM: Is there a way to get around that?

BOB GRUEN: No. KCM: Who is your personal favorite rock star to shoot right now?

BOB GRUEN: GREENDAY. KCM: Why? BOB GRUEN: Because they’re really fun and exciting and they’re very creative.

KCM: Why did you choose Debra Harry to do the introduction in your latest book as oppose to somebody else?

BOB GRUEN: She is a friend, she was willing to do it and I thought she did a good job.

KCM: What are your interests outside of photography?

BOB GRUEN: I like to ski and eat well.

KCM: What is your favorite place in the world?

BOB GRUEN: Favorite is probably New York City. Then I have a couple of favorite escapes outside of New York. I like to go to Tokyo and Sao Paulo in Brazil and Paris.

KCM: Is Paris really as magical as people say?

BOB GRUEN: It can be if you have friends there.

KCM: What is your advice for up and coming photographers trying to get into the Rock’n’Roll business?

BOB GRUEN: I try to tell people to take a lot of pictures that way they’re bound to take a couple of good ones and then they should edit and only show people the good ones that way people will think that they’re good. Too many people take a hundred pictures and then they put all hundred on their Facebook page. All you see is 95 bad pictures, but if they took those pictures and narrowed them down then all you would see were those five good ones. That’s the difference; it’s all in the editing.

KCM: What goals do you still have for yourself that you have not yet accomplished?

BOB GRUEN: I’d like to make a lot of money…hahaha Rock photography is a very low budget operation.

KCM: Is there a band or a person maybe from the new generation that you have not met yet but would like to meet?

BOB GRUEN: Nowadays, no. I’m sorry I didn’t meet Otis Redding.

KCM: So from the newer generation no one strikes your interest?

BOB GRUEN: Nowadays no because photography changed a lot and it’s so restricted nowadays and it’s not as fun as it’s used to be.

led by Paul Nelson on guitar with Mike Dimeo (Keyboards), Scott Spray (Bass) and Vito Liuzzi (Drums). Johnny Winter's guitar is as distinctive as ever, but the great surprise from the man who has kept the blues "Still Alive and Well" for decades are the joy in his voice. He loves what he does, that is apparent on every track on "Roots" and he's happy bringing it to you. He's lived the blues while playing the blues and on "Roots" Johnny Winter is here to say I survived them too. There's no new ground covered here, but for the good time offered up in the grooves of these latest recordings by an artist whose extensive body of work has given so much to preserve and carry on music he loves, so come join the party and celebrate with him 'cause the blues are in your roots too.

Rated 

Jolly Power Like an empty bottle….again By: Agnieszka Wilde

Seems like these days all the sleaze bands reside in Italy and that definitely rings true for “JOLLY POWER” Their CD “Like an empty bottle…again” is highly amusing and they totally portray all of the has been bands who are no more.

The whole album is highly energetic, melodic and drunkenly happy. If you are a fan of the lost days of sleaze and glam you should definitely check out “Jolly Power” the singer takes sleaze into another level when he performs in a red bikini happily showing off his pubes.

Well now that’s pure Rock’n’Roll!

Rated 

JOHNNY WINTER ROOTS By: John Irizarry

"Let your hair down baby, let's have a natural ball" is the lyric that opens up "T - Bone Shuffle" off Johnny Winter's new CD offering called "Roots". It's a blues party in a jewel case that this blues guitar legend is throwing with some notable friends and you're invited. Produced justly for the occasion by Johnny's long time compadre and band mate Paul Nelson for Megaforce Records, the tracks feature the likes of Sonny Landreth, Jimmy Vivino, Warren Haynes, John Popper, Vince Gill, and Susan Tedeschi along with her hubby Derek Trucks, Brother Edgar Winter and John Medeski. Laying down a solid bed for the festivities is the band

SKARLETT RIOT By: Agnieszka Wilde

Skarlett Riot originates from the U.K and I have to say that its fluff to my ears to finally hear a female fronted band that kicks ass! Chloe Drinkwater can totally sing and her fire translates into their music. The opening track “Never believe it” has grabbed my attention and has to be my fave on this EP. The band has been constantly touring and has received many praises from online music media. If they play in a town near you, be sure to check them out.

You sure as hell will have fun!

Rated 

SWEET VENDETTA By: Marta Kasperek

Personally I’m not a fan of British indie rock, but SWEET VENDETTA was a nice surprise.

The Danes illustrate great old school of classic rock in such tunes as Long Goodbye and honeix.They combine dynamic guitar melodies with typical rock rhythyms.

Their awesome rhythym section holds up the songs and even though they might sound a little drawn in no way are they boring. My attention was caught by a song called Gladly the cross eyed bear. The song stands out lyrically and it’s hyptnotic guitar melody. If SWEET VENDETTA continues in this musical direction, they can easily take over most of the rock radio stations.

Rated 

WILD SIDE

killer lyrics around fuckin life experiences, ridiculous economy, about days with a girl and have always some kind a dumb around her legs like in “Another wolf in the Wings”, or simply days that to feel like going out for search and destroy everything.

All this pieces collection, make this band formed in 2010, Beretta Suicide, an a powerful band, that remember one era when punk was out of trends & tops, just fast, loud & raw sound.

Rated 

Wild Crew By: Marta Kasperek

WASTED SINNERS Unleashed & Dangerous By: Marta Kasperek

The latest EP of Londoners WASTED SINNERS displays not even half of their musical content.

Despite the production shortcomings this CD is full of energy and promises lots of big potential. Catchy riffs, distinctive glam-rock solos and melodic vocals will certainly appeal to fans of hard rock especially since their sound is reminiscent of such legends as SKID ROW and POISON. Visiting their MySpace page has strengthen my conviction in the band and I would be very happy to see them rock out on stage. I hope these guys continue to grow and provide us with good music. Overall I rate the album at 4.5 but because of the production I believe that the CD deserves a strong 4!

Rated 

Wild Side is a young band from Slovenia who play typical hard rock. I have to admit that their songs lack energy and fire and when those two ingredients are missing I can’t get my groove on!

Despite the enormous efforts of the bassist Lea Florjanic and the melodic choruses and solos, the whole album is pretty boring. These guys are young and they have potential. If they put some work in, carve their own style and the front man takes vocal lessons, than maybe then they will have a chance to shine in the European world of rock!

Rated 

BERETTA SUICIDE By: Adney Sid Here comes the EP Beretta Suicide, band based in a strong punk rock lines, remembered a little bit in the idea of the Nikki Sixx line bass/guitar rhythms (not bands).

Like in the opening “To Play & Win” or “Itchy” as really direct tracks, speed solos, fast paced and

DICK DELICIOUS and the Tasty Testicles.

Vulgar display of obscurity By: Agnieszka Wilde

Yes! The title says it all and as their bio says “the band was formed by a freelance gynecologist” from Atlanta, Ga. Did not know that there was such a thing as a “freelance gynecologist” and if there is I strongly urge you ladies to stay away from him! I get that this is supposed to be a comical spin of someone else’s filthy thoughts and experiences but to be honest I don’t get the humor. Yes the lyrics are gross, filthy, objectifying and straight up in your face stupid but it’s not enough to get a squeal of laughter out of me. Maybe they should have their own Comedy Central fifteen minutes of fame to see how things go over, but I predict that this CD will not be a smashing success.

With songs like “Beer, shit, Aids and bad things”, “Ghetto Biscuits” or “A Nazi and a Jew bond over blow” I don’t see them on a weekly countdown. I find this High school like humor quite frankly not all that funny, and not only that but the CD consists of forty songs which bores me to death with the same old crap like diarrhea, vomit and all the other mindless shit in between. I know that this band is trying to take the world by storm by their obscene and sometimes offensive song titles because they want to be noticed. They might have a fan base but they will never be huge and ragging on the” Black Eye Peas” will only make them slide down the success ladder like a slow flowing Diarrhea. For my first comedic review I’m pretty disappointed. Maybe they should have concentrated more on the music and not so much on being offensive, but to each his own. I’m sure there are people out there who will enjoy this.

Rated 

THE DEEP END By: Adney Sid Hard Rock, blues, a lost motel in the middle of desert, tequila, speed riffs, and great taste of ´70, this is the new EP “Can´t Say No” of The Deep End new band in the scene of Melbourne. And the first thing that I had in my mind the first time that I listened them, was Bon Scott!!! Yeah, this guys spit a shot in your mind from the first track “Cant Say No” really close to the guitar sounds of Angus Young

and the great ´70 AC/DC one era that never returned with Brian Johnson.

The halftimes tempos like “Take your Shot Girl”, to start a poker battle and finish with one appetizing stranger in bed after hangover, to the perfect track for finish burn one party like “Don’t Rip me Off” justified this band that support great talents legends like Rose Tattoo. The Deep End is only close to the next Highway to H e l l Rate:

experience they will get better. I’m sure that they will have something more to offer down the road especially after sharing the stage with a band like “PANTERA” I agree about one thing with “HOPE KILLS FEAR” we all need to keep the faith!

Rated 

LOVE AND 38 By: Paulina Stasicka

HOPE KILLS FEAR By: Paulina Stasicka This younger band assembled in New York, mix hope, faith and emotional songs, but are light years away from the Christian rock bands like “STRYPER” They are similar to today’s teen bands like ”MODER DAY ESCAPE” or “ESCAPE THE FATE” There’s nothing original here and there is too much repetition. They have all sorts of messages jumping all over the place but they are certainly not messages of love like say in the vein of the great Jimi Hendrix. Songs like “Surrender” from their EP called “The Secret” don’t deliver too much of fresh news. Maybe a song like “Save me’ can actually be saved by sending the listener an emotional message that is catered for more of an adult audience. This band needs growth but I hope with a little bit more

From LA comes a kick ass band called” LOVE AND 38” They play great sounding music with original hard rock classic lines , but I can say that really it is an eclectic band, because their styles change from hard rock ´80 guitars like “In The End” but with really energetic vocals from Ryan Hudson in the vein of” STONE TEMPLE PILOTS”, or “THE DIRTY” With aggressive vocals of Kurt Cobain, that gives this band fresh 90´ style which a lot of bands have not found at the end of the 80’s and for many of them that was the reason for a break up.

For example in the great “Letters from the Devil” the song is completed by the powerful guitar solos of Krishna, very much in the vein of Slash in “VELVET REVOLVER” and is complemented by the great rhythms of Danny Excess and Daniel Isaac like a killer perfect couple who will shake up the old California with their new self-titled debut EP. Rated 

but the soulful guitar solo ensures the song is very enjoyable to listen to.

Rated 

is look at the past when they are in a greatness of their own.

Rated 

PANZIE “Love and Blood” By: Fiona Lane Ripping into our ears from NYC, is 3 piece aggressive rock outfit Panzie. However, do not be fooled by the name as the first thing that stands out about this band is the crushingly powerful heavily distorted rhythms with metal infused lyrics all served with a side portion of powered guitar solo's. Here is Panzie with their EP "Love & Blood" Angry man -the first track on the album starts off with very crunchy tight driven metal, the assault of lyrics follow after without even contemplating how sensitive you may be. This song shows no mercy the lyrics "I'm gonna hit you" couldn't be more apt, as the vocals metaphorically backhand you, and send you back to your school days. Jezebel - a touch more melodic. As strange as this may sound.. It reminds me off Billy Idol meets Anthrax. With notably punchy drum fills and guitar licks, this song stands out as the strongest song on the EP for me. The vocals lose the all out aggression and become slightly more melodic for this well written song. Ride the blue - as the EP slows into this Type O Negative-esque track, I find myself falling for the simple but effective guitar hooks and steady rhythmic drums. This song is almost at risk of becoming slightly droll at times, maybe because the fast-paced aggression of "Angry Man" and "Jezebel" are still in my mind,

RECKLESS LOVE Animal Attraction By: Adney Sid After the great debut homonym album, the Finnish band returns through the main door.

If “Reckless Love” (2010) was a great album, then “Animal Attraction” is a superio r work.

“Speedin” is an awesome piece followed by “Born to Break Your Heart” with similarities in the vein of Master VAN HALEN, with a really technical guitar by Pepe Salohalme, and they can write, much higher than most guitarists in bands o f t h i s s t y l e .

“Hot” was the first single, commercial anthem in the likes of” Beautiful Bomb”, that will for sure guarantee a party of hard-rock every night, and “Dance” is a perfect mix between Jalle Verne & Hessu in the bass/drums rhythm lines. The mistake that most people make is compare RECKLESS LOVE with the last band the singer was in. There’s nothing more illogical and the two are simply incomparable. Both are great fresh bands, but this one is a better choice for Olli Herman. After all he left CRASHDIET to return to his own band. RECKLESS LOVE are not competitors especially with the master work they display on this CD and with a really technical line of guitar work the last thing they should do

THE KILLING FLOOR By: Agnieszka Wilde

The self-titled album by the Anglo-American quartet consists of clever Ivy League like phrases and memorable, free flowing melodies.

They totally remind me of R.E.M when they first started in Athens, GA. I’m not a fan of alternative rock music; to me it lacks balls unlike a true rock song. Having said that these guys have a marketable commercial sound that I’m sure would be enjoyed by college students. I don’t think the name of the band fits their music. When I hear a name like “The Killing Floor” I wanna hear balls to the wall feet stomping music which this band simply does not have. Overall the album is perfectly polished with melodies and vocals, and these guys are good musicians but it’s just not my cup of tea.

Rated 

VAIN Enough Rope By: Fiona Lane

SEBASTIAN BACH THOUSAND WATT STARE Silver Dimes By: Agnieszka Wilde Christian Martucci is no stranger to the world of music having shared the stage with such artists as Corey Taylor and in 2010 he recruited Pat Kim and Dylan Howard to be a part of his new band. They played as a trio for a while and in 2011 they added Trevor Howard to their camp of Thousand Watt Stare. Their album “Silver Dimes” was released in October of 2011 and I have to say that it’s filled with thousand watts of electricity. “Silver Dimes” is not for people who live on cloud nine and see the world through rose colored glasses. I find it to be exceptionally truthful without the superficial, sugar coated lie’s that exist in today’s society. The in your face vocals backed up by powerful guitars make this album memorable and although I enjoyed the full CD I do have a few favorites which are; “World of Scars”,” New Disease”,” Open your Eyes” and “Taught by Television”. This band is a force to be reckoned with and their music should be heard by all fans of good, genuine Rock’n’Roll. The CD cover itself is a display of art which literally sucks you in to the world of Thousand Watt Stare.

Rated 

Kicking and Screaming By: Agnieszka Wilde

Well, well here’s a complete stunner by Sebastian Bach who clearly hooked up with all the right people on his latest creation, from musicians to the management. If success is measured by personal growth then I’d say that Baz should be as tall as Mt. Everest, because listening to this album you can’t deny that he exceeds the expectations of an avid music lover. Sebastian clearly display amazing array of vocals which blend perfectly with each song and the production couldn’t be better. When you combine a seasoned musician with someone younger like Nick Sterling you get a refreshing power punch of Rock’n’Roll. My favorites on this album are” Kicking and Screaming”, “Dance on your Grave”, “Dirty Power”, “Lost in the Night” and “Wishin”. If this CD won’t be nominated for best album of the year, then clearly the music industry needs to be blown to pieces as my brain certainly was while listening to this gem.

Rated 

The Bay Area underdogs, Vain intravenously inject melodic glam rock spirit straight into the heart of any sleaze/glam/hard rock fan.

Davy Vain and crew's sixth studio album "Enough Rope" emanates all the passion, energy, creativity and versatility that is envisaged from the moment openin g track "Greener" which flows into your ears and turns any non believer into a die-hard. Sticking to their guns with an array of classic 80's hooks and traditional glam rock motifs; Vain also keep things fresh and interesting with elite song writing skills, showcasing Davy's ability to adapt a song to every mood.

Track 2 on the album "Triple X" speeds professionalism adrenaline fuelled sleaze rock with balls firmly to the wall, high octane vocals and mouth watering guitar solo's, I give cartel to anyone who can drive to this song without exceeding speed limits. The duty bound ballad of the album, "Treasure Girl" presents profoundly; playing the part of the heart melting, serene power ballad with calming acoustic guitars, acute leads and euphonious vocals.

The title track "Enough Rope" is a manifestation of exactly why Vain persevere as one of the most appreciated bands in the glam rock realm. . Davy's voice is exclusive with the distribution of being melodic, enduring and truly oozing with talent and professionalism in all departments. Vain will be that one band that I will always appreciate and admire.

Rated 

HIMORA Argue All You Want By: Agnieszka Wilde

SHY By: Agnieszka Wilde

Shy are veteran rockers who originally formed in 1980 in Birmingham, England under the name of Trojan. They have several albums under their belts and their latest release (2011) simply titled “Shy” is a throwback to the 80’s when summers were hot and music was cool. They bring me back to a time when I lived in the south and all you’ve heard out of car stereos were bands like REO Speedwagon and Journey. That’s what this band totally reminds me of. Their songs have strong melodic riffs but are definitely strongly driven by keyboards and highly pitched backup vocals. These guys are seasoned rockers and their music is flawless.

If you like the mid 80’s commercial rock sound then SHY is definitely for you. I’m not really a fan of this type of music but I have to admit that these guys know what they’re doing.

Rated 

Don’t know too many bands out of Oslo Norway that sound like Himora because most of Norway has been plagued by death metal for a very long time. This band is a happy go lucky, hippie like outfit. If you want mild rock while you’re getting stoned, these guys are ideal and if I hadn’t read up that they are from Scandinavia I wouldn’t have known it. There’s no hint of accent in the singing nor are there stupid lyrics meshed up with melodies like a lot of foreign bands have. They sound perfectly polished in an all American way. Some of the songs are light hearted with soulful vocals while others put the funk in your spunk. If you like classic rock, you will definitely dig Himora.

Rated

The STEVE BELLO BAND Go Berzerk By: Agnieszka Wilde

I am a bit perplexed by the New Jersey native Steve Bello Band.

Why would you send your CD to be reviewed by a Rock magazine when the whole album is instrumental? I kept on waiting for the vocals to kick in at some point but they never did and I was left disappointed. My days of listening to Yngwie Malmsteen

and Steve Vai guitar solos are long gone. The songs would be quite good if someone with a good voice picked up the microphone and sang.

After a while it’s hard to tell the tunes apart and everything starts to sound the same. I personally believe that the market for instrumental guitar music is very limited and I hear the potential here if only the right singer came along. To be honest I’m not a fan.

Rated 

BAI BANG Livin’ My Dream By: Agnieszka Wilde

Swedish rockers BAI BANG are a great blend of Bon Jovi, Warrant and Danger Danger. The album is packaged amazingly and not only does it consist of ten pretty good songs it also has a bonus clip of their video “Are You Ready” The vocals are heaven to my ears and the melodies of all the songs are perfectly designed to make you want more. The overall production on this CD is Fuckin’ AMAZING!!

If you want to be taken back to the glory days of glam and glitz you must own this CD. I wish I could recommend a few tracks but I simply can’t because I happen to dig the whole album.

Rated 

BI-POLAR SLUTS Out 4 Dinner By: Agnieszka Wilde

If you want to stand out in the music world today then name yourselves Bi-Polar Sluts. This band hails from Parma, Italy and their sound is really a nice mixture of everything. I hear some classic sounds reminiscent of Zeppelin to some Metallica and everything else in between. Just as I was getting into the melodic “I can’t stand it” I heard the singer’s very high pitched voice and my ears begun to bleed.

Here’s my problem; if I can’t understand a word that you are singing nothing will resonate with me because the high voice overrides almost every song. Except for tracks like” One Day”, “Never trust a woman”, “Vodka& Lime” and “Something to kill the pain” this CD needs a vocal lobotomy. The musicianship is Ace on this album but the vocals have a lot of catching up to do.

CAPTAIN ZAPPED “Heavy for your head” By; Agnieszka Wilde

Capitan Zapped is one of those bands that you’ll love for their awesome music but hate for its vulgarity. The vocals aren’t the greatest but the music totally rocks in the vein of Motorhead, Hell Yeah and a twist of Southern Rock. From time to time I even heard bits that reminded me of Kid Rock. I have to admit that “Shake that Pussy” is a catchy song and I find myself singing it in the most inappropriate places and the video is just as colorful as the song itself and the other tracks that stand out to me are “Another pretty suicide”, “Time Machine” and “Rock and Roll Angels” Pour yourself some whiskey and get zapped by the Capitan himself who used to front Circus of Power.

Rated

Rated 

CJ SLEEZ “Valley of the Shadow” By; Agnieszka Wilde

I have to admit that lately Canada has stepped up on the musical

front and produced some of the better in your face punk based rock bands as is the case of Toronto based CJ SLEEZ. Don’t be fooled by the pretty face, this chick can deliver loud and rowdy in your face songs. I might as well go ahead and call her the Canadian version of Texas Terri except she sings original songs. Her latest CD ”Valley of the Shadow” has some pretty ballsy tunes which you’ll listen to over and over. The album is driven by dynamics and crazy, edgy guitars.

My favorite tracks are “In the Flesh”, “Burnout”, “Dirty Looks” and “Back to nowhere”. This girl is a fireball and you should make this CD your daily morning wake up call. With CJ blasted in your ears there’s no chance of missing a day of work.

Rated 

GREG POLCARI By; Agnieszka Wilde

Greg Polcari has toured with some of the biggest hair metal bands in the 8o’s and I guess he wants to continue on that 80’s wave through the 21st century. All I hear is typical 80’s guitar riffs and no substance to the vocals. Where is the fire that bands from that era are possessed? The vocals are weak and after a while the songs start to sound the same. There might be two or three decent songs on this album but by now I’m so highly annoyed that I don’t feel like even mentioning them.

Greg you’re a nice guy and maybe you should reconsider your style of music, but who am I to tell you what to do? Best of luck with your music…Really…

Rated 

STAINS “Far away from Paradise” By; Agnieszka Wilde

ELECTRIC BLACK HORSE

Hellectrokuters “Rock n roll beggars” By; Agnieszka Wilde

This quartet from France totally reminds me of the band JET, although normally I don’t like to compare bands to anyone. They have that unique sound that not too many bands around have. They are pure fireballs fueled by straight forward Rock’n’Roll and that’s what I love about them. The vocals are raspy and the guitars are rhythmic and edgy as hell. I wish this EP was a little longer as I really like; “ Hey Baby”, “Action”, “My Rock’n’Roll” and for a minute there on the fourth track I thought I was listening to “For those about to Rock” by ACDC….These guys are raw, down and dirty. Everything a real Rock band should be. Rock n roll beggars rocks!!!

Rated 

By; Agnieszka Wilde I came across this band at Kore Fest II and I have to admit that they captured my attention. It’s hard to miss the singers glitz and pizzazz especially these days when good bands come dime a dozen and they all jump on the same boring bandwagon that leads to nowhere.

Their self- titled CD is pretty damn good as well. After hearing it just once “Capricorn Girl” has stayed in my brain for days and “Roses” is another favorite of mine. The seventies flavored “Koke Rock” will have your head bopping for sure and “Rave up” is another feet stomper. Over all this band rocks except for one thing and I consider it a minor hiccup. The front man gets pitchy at times but it’s nothing a vocal lesson can’t cure. His persona and deliverance of songs will make you run out your front door to see them live. This band might just make it to my 2012 list of favorite New York bands.

Rated 

Sweden has more bands emerging in one year then we have snow fall in New York. Stains is a band from Stockholm which shows a lot of promise. They sound young and they remind me more of the younger generation of bands but no less talented. I think with time they could be great. My faves on this CD are “Dirty Little Secret” which has pounding skins and awesome psychedelic guitar sound and “ Bloodlights” along with “Bear Your Cross” These guys are worth checking out.

Rated 

WALKWAY

By Fiona Lane A needle in a haystack, coming from an area of England with a very fleeting appetite in 80's glam/ classic rock. OVERRATED- as the first track kicks in, I find the vocals sound like they need to be freed slightly as at times your mind wanders heavily from the singer who only seems to indulge into segments of passionate singing. The song feels very classic and has great punctuality. The guitar solo is w h e r e i t ' s a t i n "Overrated"displaying great technique and tone. Musically pretty well structured and written vocals just need a burst of power. ALL I WANT-

great intro with good feel, vocals are slightly better just still lacking in the WOW factor. Good song, good lyrics, but some people may find it hard to get into, until the intense guitar solo comes to the rescue. Great potential as a live song. GET OUT- The vocals have improved tenfold on this track but still I find it hard to concentrate on the vocals, my main attention is all on the bone crunching riffs, licks, and beats that Walkway seems so capable of laying down. Having said this, the vocalist just needs to stay clear of repetitive lyrics, melodies and throw in some more variation. The ending to this song is 10/10 love it. TAKE A BACK SEAT Again- Walkway would be much more enjoyable without the repetition factor. This song comes across as adventurous and fun, with melodic outbursts, driven riff and solid vocals, until the end when Walkways old friend repetition kicked in again and made the song feel slightly too long.

Rated 

New York feel with a New Orleans twist, just the way I like it. Star Mafia Boy and his partners in crime Javier Garrido(Bass) and Juanan Garcia(Drums) know exactly what formula to use to create the perfect Rock’n’Roll elixir. Each album expresses different sides of creativity and you know exactly what it is as Star Mafia Boy has the God given talent of handing you his vision on a silver platter. As usual I love this album from start to finish and perhaps the most surprising song was “Get it on” by Turbonegro. This rendition is superb and it adds just the right amount of spice to make this album stand out. Music is a universal language and although in Spanish I recommend this album a thousand times over. Once you hear the first song you will not be able to turn it off, yes it’s that good and it holds a place in a refined class of its own.

Rated 

My favorites on this album are” I like it with the lights on” which consists of clever lyrics and melodic chorus, which gets stuck in your brain accidentally on purpose and “ The movers and the shakers”, ”Surfin’ on Napalm”,” Corporate Guru”, “The Malice in people” and that’s only mentioning a few. The CD has 17 generous tracks, front man who is a complete character and it has the perfect combination of some hard ass feet stomping Canadian meat and potatoes. I have listened to them over and over and I thoroughly enjoy the Canadian chill and so will you! I highly recommend this album!

Rated 

THE BITERS “All chewed up” By: Agnieszka Wilde

Star Mafia Boy “Arkana Cabaret” By; Agnieszka Wilde

Here we go with another brain child from the King of Madrid Star Mafia Boy. His third solo album entitled “Arkana Cabaret” kicks in with just the right amount of awesomeness where I’m unable to hold still. “Reina de las calles” is a melodic song filled with raw vocals and a nice touch of harmonica.

SISTER HYDE By: Agnieszka Wilde

Canadian Sister Hyde knows how to put a satirical spin on things especially in the CD starter “You look better on MySpace” The lyrics are clever and comical and you have no choice but to laugh. I would say that the vocals are not all that great (in my opinion improvement is needed) but all that is over looked in my book by awesome melodies which is what I mostly look for in songs.

I was blown away by The Biters when I caught a glimpse of them opening up for D-Generation in New York City. These guys looked like they stepped right out of the 70’s with a modern twist and that’s exactly what this CD sounds like. These guys are spreading around like wild fire and I can understand why. It’s refreshing to hear someone with actual talent rip up the stages around clubs.I love this whole CD; it has a little bit of Johnny Thunders with a touch of the 70’s rockers SWEET

My favorites are; “Breakin’ your heart again”, “Hold on”, “Otherside”, and “Rock’n’Roll Loser”. I didn’t think they were American much less that they came from Atlanta, Ga. Having to grow up there, I have to say that Atlanta has upgraded its musical talent and the road is paved with gold for others because of The Biters. If you love Rock’n’Roll you will devour “All chewed up” and it’s Rock’n’Roll glory.

Rated 

KCM: Growing up in the same household and you being a little older than your brother Vinny, how did you help influence your brother when he took interest in playing drums?

CARMINE: He saw me playing in New York and being on TV and in magazines and after that he said; “Wow I want to do that too!” I had a set of drums at home and he started playing them. One day I came home he showed me what he was doing and I asked my Mother; how did he learn this stuff because he was pretty good and she said that he was driving her nuts and that he played all the time. I said that we should set him up with the same drum teacher that I went to and so we did. He started at the age of 9 and by the time he was like 12 or 13 he was a really good drummer. He wanted to be like me but in the style of John Bonham and Billy Cobham.

KCM: Over the years how do you feel about your legacy and what you’ve done for the industry and for your career so far?

CARMINE: Well I feel like I’ve done you know….I came up with ideas out of necessity and it’s something that became a staple in rock drumming you know. I’m proud that I came up with all these different things and all. I’ve only had one group play long enough to get to see the super star status of all the groups that were around us at the time and we never did. That is why I’ve always been like a journey man my entire career. Now I compare myself not in talent but in situations to Buddy Rich. Buddy Rich is a friend of mine and he told me at one point that the resemblance

between drummers and guitar players is when they left these bands and they come out they only come out to play five hundred seat places but guitar players go on to play bigger arenas. I play to a thousand seats sometimes but I no longer play big arenas, instead I play places like B.B.Kings. I don’t play big arenas anymore like I did throughout most of my career. . Most of the stuff that I do now is my own stuff like with Vanilla Fudge.

Vanilla Fudge was the kind of band that we didn’t get played on the radio like AOR or Classic rock or CBS. I don’t know why, so we’re stuck in limbo. The fact that we broke up in the 70’s and we didn’t do anything until 87 we did one gig and we didn’t do anything until 99 so all of our fans kind of dissipated. The loyal ones stayed but it’s not in the thousands anymore. So it’s a weird feeling. You make your name big enough and people don’t want to call you to play with you. Most people today don’t want to deal with you because they can get the young guys and they get them cheap. (Laughs)

I did a lot of firsts you know because when I first started everything was brand new. Album radio was brand new, Vanilla Fudge was the first band to have a hit album without a hit single, then that single was seven minutes long, so we were first to do that. Then I did clinics, I sold a book and the next thing I know I had one of the biggest selling books around. Yeah so my career was with a lot of firsts you know. I was the first one to do signature series cymbal on Sabian.

KCM: I wanna gear a little towards something back in the day. You did a recording with Rick Derringer called “The sky is falling” You did a few tours and records with him. Then you wound up playing with Rick, how did that come about?

KCM: Let’s talk about your books. How do you go about deciding what to publish as a legendary drummer yourself? The material for the future drummers that are out there learning and feeding off of you, what makes you put out a certain type of a book together?

CARMINE: I wrote a book in 1971 which at the time nobody else wrote a book. That book has become a classic. After that I took subjects that I thought were interesting and they would read it.

My second book was a double bass book which at the time there were no double bass books. My third book was a rudiment book. It’s called “Rudiments and rock” so every time they read that book they can utilize the rudiments and play in any rock situation. Then I wrote a book about high hats and after that I didn’t write any books for a long time. Then I wrote a kids book because there were no kids’ books on the market, then my latest is a book of actions that I wrote in 1974 that I found in a box in my house. I forgot about it and you know I said it might be a good idea to re-lease it. I got an anthology book coming out on I Tunes and then a book on reggae and a double bass drum book. Now about my career,

CARMINE: Me and Rick were always friends, my brother played with him. When I was going on my own tour to Japan it was called the “Carmine Appice Super Session Tour” We played like the Budokan and a few other places and I had to put like a super star band. So it was me Tom Petersson from Cheap Trick who was a pretty big star, Eric Carmen who was big at the time and Rick Derringer. So we played Japan and when we came back we said we should do something to memorialize the fact that we played together so we did a record called “Derringer and Appice”. When my brother was playing with Rick he was brand new to the scene so me and Rick decided to do something called the “DNA”, we did that record in 82 and it did really well.

Then we didn’t do anything until 2000 “Derringer, Bogert and Appice”.

KCM: Playing with Rick was there ever a time where he would compare the two of you guys? Your brother did this or you did that?

CRAMINE: No not musically.

KCM: Speaking about your brother let’s talk about Drum Wars and how did that come about and where is it going?

CARMINE: Drum Wars was a thing we did as a goof on video originally because everybody would say Appeace or Appice there’s always a first collection that people would ask us.

In 1988 we did a clinic tour together for it and it was very successful you know. So I was right out of Blue Murder and King Cobra and stuff and it was very successful so we decided as a goof to do a video for Drum Wars which included family footage and me as a baby and we started this battle between us and in the end we’d settle everything with a drum battle you know. We sold thousands of videos of that in the 90’s and then recently after Ronnie (James Dio) passed away Vinny was living at my house because he was getting divorced and we started talking about how we should go out and do some stuff together. First some clinics and them maybe some Drum Wars thing. Essentially we did a clinic together up in Albany, New York and that was to experiment and we had like 350 people. So we said “wow this is good they all paid money to come here”. So then we did a little gig out here in the valley just to see how it goes. So we worked up four drum things and we titled them and we played this gig. So then we said “That went well” maybe we should book some gigs. So we booked some gigs on the East Coast and then we did a gig in Vegas. The gig at the Crazy Donkey was packed and then B.B.Kings on a Monday night was packed too. Then I got a call from an agent in Europe for Drum Wars and everywhere we went we had a great reaction and the guy in Vegas wanted to put us in his casino for a couple of nights.

KCM: Of all your tours in history what’s the most memorable moment playing on the road and what tour was that?

CARMINE: I can’t even answer that because there were so many great nights. So many great memorable things you know. Playing with Hendrix at the Hollywood Bowl, playing with Rod Stewart at the Forum six nights, playing London six nights. There are just so many great things you know. I’ve been really lucky to have gone through all the stuff that I did you know. I’m writing a book now, in fact I’m going to London to meet up with a writer who wrote the Nikki Sixx’ book.

KCM: The Blue Stone Project what was that all about?

CARMINE: That was just a friend of mine in Italy. I played on a couple of tracks for him last year and he said how would you like to come over and do a tour of Europe as Carmine Appice, I’ll arrange it all and

pay you X amount of dollars and I said Ok let’s do it.

We did a couple of dates in Italy but I wished the timing was better because I had an injury a torn ligament right of the bone. I had a choice of blowing that out or going out and doing the best that I can. I’m not one for blowing gigs out. So I went and did all the shows and I did several clinics after that too. It was really fun and maybe at some point we’ll do something together again.

KCM: What’s in the works? What are you focusing on right now?

CARMINE: Well I’m going to England and I’m going to play and stay with Paul Shortino, myself and the Spanish guitar player Javier Vargas we did his album which is very well known in those areas and we’re gonna do a tour of Spain and Rome to Ibiza to rehearse for two days which is a gorgeous island off of the Spanish Coast. We’re gonna play there then do nine more shows in Spain and then after that I might go to Istanbul to do a recording with a new cymbal company called” Istanbul Mehmet” that’s releasing the Carmine Realistic Rock Cymbals. Then when I come back we have whole bunch of Vanilla Fudge gigs in Nov/Dec. and that’s pretty much it.

Next year we’re going with the same guy to Argentina and Germany and we’re also doing a new King Cobra album and my book.

KCM: Is there anything else you want to share with the KRASHCITY readers out there?

CARMINE: Yes check out my website Carmine Appice.com I’ve got all kinds of cool merchandise on there. Check out Drumwars.com we got some really cool shots on there some cool video it’s all good you know.