Your Music Magazine #82

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Interview: Blueprint .................................................................................................... 8 In The Pit: Rush, Green Day, American Carnage Tour .......................................... 10 Interview: A Perfect Circle ....................................................................................... 14 Skip’s Music presents Stairway to Stardom .......................................................... 17 Interview: Yung Mars................................................................................................ 18 Photo Report: Blank Productions ........................................................................... 20 Interview: Middle Class Rut ..................................................................................... 22 Global Goddess Adventures: Sonisphere, Bloodstock ........................................ 24 Photo Report: Summer Slaughter - WIN FREE STUFF!! ....................................... 28 Norcal Metal Report.................................................................................................. 30 Your Music Olympicks Centerfold .......................................................................... 32 YMO Band Interviews: Killdevil / Hybrid Creeps ................................................... 34 YMO Band Interviews: The Rhythm Kills / Ambient Sunrise ................................ 35 YMO Band Interviews: Jack Ketch / Split Self ....................................................... 36 YMO Band Interviews: Deadset / Twitch Angry ..................................................... 38 YMO Band Interviews: Prevail / Wonderland Syndrome ...................................... 39 YMO Band Interviews: In The Silence / Simple Creation ...................................... 40 Photo Report: Ambivalence’s Final Show.............................................................. 42 Interview: Dr. Drew (CSUMB Recording Arts Program) ........................................ 43 Upcoming Events: Unearth / Rock ‘n’ Arts Halloween Fest ................................. 44 Interview: Pete Schaaphok (Metalfest / Mystic Rage) ........................................... 45 CD Reviews ............................................................................................................... 46 Interview: Exodus ..................................................................................................... 50 Sunset Strip Music Festival ..................................................................................... 52 California Concert Calendar .................................................................................... 61 WWW.YOURMUSICMAGAZINE.COM myspace.com/yourmusicmagazine • myspace.com/yourmusicmagbooking • twitter.com/yourmusicmag

Your Music Magazine • 1515 Capitola Rd. Unit: M • Santa Cruz, CA 95062 • (831) 477-0503 Mike Lyon Editor In Chief - (831) 477-0503 mikelyon@yourmusicmagazine.com

Itay Kapitulnik Editor itay@yourmusicmagazine.com

Jessica Skelton Managing Editor jessica@yourmusicmagazine.com

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Contributing Writers

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Andre Estournes, Jon Hermison, Darien Lomeli, Todd Graham, Rawker Rachel, Ben Baker, Marisa Lopez, Kevin Madness, Danielle Negrin, Numerous, John Lewis, Dave Pirtle, Mat Weir, Matt Young, Barb Rocks Contributing Photographers

Brian Crabtree, Alan Ralph, Caroline Reid, Jon Hermison, Darien Lomeli, Debbi Rotkowitz Interns

Matt Young, Andre Estournes __________________________________________________ ISSUE #82 October 2010 Copyright 2010 Lyon Entertainment Publishing. Your Music Magazine is a registered trademark owned by Mike Lyon. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced in any manner or form without prior written consent of the publisher. Lyon Entertainment and the Your Music Magazine staff is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. Your Music Magazine is published monthly by Lyon Entertainment. __________________________________________________

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Founder of Weightless Records and signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment, Albert Shepard (aka Blueprint), has been in the underground hip-hop world for over 10 years. His works with projects such as Soul Position with RJD2, Greenhouse with Illogic, as well as his own solo albums, have explored various styles of rap and hip-hop while holding true to the roots of both. As he prepares for the “To All Our Friends� tour with Atmosphere, Blueprint takes a minute to discuss the hip-hop/rap industry, his art, and what it means to be an emcee.

By Andre Estournes

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You’re about to go on tour with Atmosphere; what can we expect from that?

I don’t know, I just get out there and try to have fun. I’ll try some new material out and see how it’s received.

What are your plans after this tour?

In the future I know we’re going to have a full Greenhouse record that’ll probably come out early next year, and that’s pretty much done, we’re just taking our time and having fun with the EPs. Prior to that I think my next solo record is really the big thing. It’s called Adventures in Counter Culture and we’re just getting some final things together like art and videos, 7-inches, some remixes and remix contests are being done for it, all that stuff is being turned in now, but the record itself is done so it’s just a matter of setting a date and getting things going.

We saw some things come in that were bigger opportunities, so we decided not to rush it and just let it develop, so that will be either the end of this year or early next year and then I plan on spending as much time as possible promoting that record and doing some Greenhouse stuff as well.

You work with Rhymesayers and Weightless; explain a little about how those balance out.

I don’t know about everybody else’s relationship, particularly new artists with Rhymesayers, because I met Deke and Slug and Eyedea and Abilities when Atmosphere starting touring in ’99. We all were really cool because we had started Weightless around then and they were putting out records on Rhymesayers and my relationship with them kinda started back then when Rhymesayers was strictly AtmosphereOvercast! and Musab and Headshots, so I’ve known those guys for so long that I have a friendship with them. Granted, I do business with them, but first and foremost I have a personal relationship with all those guys to where my relationship with them is a little different…it’s still an artist relationship; when I put out records on them I relinquish pretty much all control over what’s gonna happen and trust in them to do the right thing and guide me the right way. When I do things on Weightless it’s pretty much me doing everything or setting the vision for that.

What is your take on how far hip-hop has come and where it is going?

I think there’s good and there’s bad, you know?

I think the thing that’s better about hip-hop now is that, technically, the art of rapping and the art of doing beats has gotten better. The equipment guys use, the shit they’re saying now, the things they’re doing with the writing now I think is far

superior. But, you’re in a situation now where there’s easier access, whereas back in the day guys would have to really invest a lot of time and money before they could even get into the studio; now you can basically build your own studio for nothing and put out a record for nothing. So, it kinda increases access, but I think it increases creativity ‘cause there’s more people doing it.

So, owning a record label, does that make it harder to find new artists?

I don’t know if it’s necessarily making it harder, I think it changes how you do things. The things we’re doing at Weightless I don’t think have changed a lot for us because we kinda built what we have on a grassroots thing; the touring, making sure the live show is good, putting out records that we feel good about as opposed to putting out a bunch of records all the time, and making things that we feel are really distinctive as opposed to the…I’ll call it the “mixtape mentality” where guys are putting out a lot of music, but not all the music’s good, you know? They just want to put it out because it allows them to be a part of the news cycle and they feel with attention comes other ways to monetize their vibe or whatever they’re thinking about. But, with us, it’s been about taking some time, do some music we feel good about, and if we get to do some shows we get to make some personal connections with fans, and that part has not changed.

How has your style changed and progressed over the years?

It’s definitely changed. It changes as you experience more. When we first started rhyming we were happy just talking about hip-hop stuff and we weren’t necessarily speaking to the people about the common person’s experience and that’s probably the biggest change I see now with our music. We’re rhyming from a place where our experiences are much more vast and we can touch more people because we’re talking about more things that are common. I mean, you can rap about hip-hop or hip-hop things, but a lot of people who are not artists may not be able to relate to that completely. So, I think the biggest change for us is that, and maybe having more confidence about who we are and not being afraid to tell our story.

You’re big on freestyling and it seems like that’s an art that’s almost being lost.

Well, when I first came into the scene, some of the people did see me just battling. Back then that was one of the easiest, fastest ways you could make a name and I was always part of the scene, going to open mics and freestyling, so battling, for me, was a natural progression.

Plus, I was a silly dude, so I could just say 9

funny stuff and it sorta lent itself to my style then. But, I fell back a little bit because I started to see a lot of artists that were known for battling get the perception that they couldn’t make good records…like, the guys that were the pioneers of battling and even the new guys like Jin who’s on Ruff Ryder Records, he was the new “battleguy” but no one even tried to listen to his record and seeing all of those things makes me want to not battle anymore and just become a wellrounded artist who writes good choruses, good verses, but as a person who has spent time in that scene, I think it’s part of being an emcee.

If you’re a true emcee you’ve got to have all of the tools. Some people will say “Yeah, I’m an emcee, but I hate doing shows” or “I suck on stage,” but you’re not an emcee then, you’re just a rapper. And that’s cool, but an emcee can do everything, even if they can’t do everything

well; they can host a show, they can support a DJ, they understand how to talk to a crowd, they understand the live show, they’re good in the studio, they write good songs, they say things that are important and relevant. I think that’s what being an emcee is, it’s all of those things.

Whereas some guys will say, “I don’t want to freestyle” because mainly they don’t want to be embarrassed, they don’t want to suck in front of whoever’s watching because they never really practiced on that. But, to those guys, I don’t necessarily penalize them; I just say they’re not well-rounded as we were taught to be. All these tools you learn being an emcee you eventually have to use. An emcee does everything; they’re not just a little specialized guy that does one little thing pretty good and doesn’t care about the rest of the art.

WWW.RHYMESAYERS.COM

RUSH 8/9/2010 Shoreline Amphitheater (Mountain View)

GREEN DAY 9/4/2010 Shoreline Amphitheater (Mountain View) 10

“In The Pit” continues on page 12!

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SLAYER MEGADETH TESTAMENT 8/31/2010 Cow Palace (San Francisco)

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An Interview with Billy Howerdel

By Itay K. A Perfect Circle have announced their return from hiatus with a five-city, multinight tour slated for this fall!! 6 years since their previous tour, the band’s short tour includes shows in Phoenix (Marquee Theatre), Los Angeles (Avalon), Seattle (Showbox at The Market) and San Francisco (The Fillmore) will be threenight stops with each night featuring one of A Perfect Circle’s three albums played in its entirety (Mer de Noms, Thirteenth Step and eMOTIVe). Las Vegas (The Pearl) will be a two-night outing (Mer de Noms and Thirteenth Step).

What brought about the idea to go back and tour?

You know, time. The way the last tour ended, which was 6 years ago, we set up that we were going to go out and do our solo projects.

I was gonna do ASHES dIVIDE and Maynard was gonna do Puscifer and in between that Tool did a record or two, and then Maynard was gonna concentrate on wine, which he’s been doing and is a pretty big undertaking and has taken this long. We talked last year about making this happen and I’ve honestly just been waiting for a hole in Maynard’s schedule to do it. I’ll adjust and do whatever it takes to try to get this rolling.

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What’s the date that you’re most looking forward to on this upcoming tour? I know you’re doing a few dates where you’re doing an album a night…

The whole tour’s set up that way. So, three nights in each city, with the exception of the last one in Vegas (we’re just doing two shows); Phoenix, LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Vegas. The first night is Mer de Noms, second night is Thirteenth Step, and the third night is Emotive. I’m looking forward to that, just playing the album front to back. It seems easy to write the set-list and doing some of the songs that we maybe wouldn’t have done on previous tours, like extra tracks. I’m trying

to map out on paper how we’re going to make this into a long enough set to have an evening with, so we’re trying to find creative ways to do that.

I heard in a radio interview that you were thinking of maybe going in the direction they did in the 50’s and only releasing singles.

That’s probably Maynard’s quote. I’m still holding on, mentally, to the album idea. I can’t say that I am opposed to making a record, but with the way that this band is set up we’re not going to do some big bang release with a record and then set out on some 18-month tour. So, in that respect, it makes more sense to release a song or two or three than some time will pass and we’ll have another offering.

Even if we’re doing singles or we’re gonna release two or three songs here and there, I still…I put on my producer hat and think, at the end of this, how’s it gonna sound and what’s it gonna be? And it gets trickier; it’s harder to have the foresight to see what 12 months from now a collection of songs that you started now is gonna sound like. The ones you release today and the ones you release 10 months from now, how they’re going to be cohesive and fit together…and maybe they don’t have to. Maybe later on we can take liberties and readjust them and have an album of sorts that’s released after that time. So, we’ll see.

What’s it like working with Maynard?

Well, Maynard at an interview and Maynard at the dinner table are two different people, but, then again, maybe not. I never know how to answer that. He’s a friend of mine and he’s a great musician and Maynard always has a thought or idea; it might be his best or might be his worst, but it’s the fact that he’s unapologetic about the idea is what’s important. And, for someone like me, I approach things from an apology approach, which is not good, but it’s part of who I am. When I started APC I didn’t want him to be involved, I wasn’t even thinking of it, but he approached me because I would probably never ask him because I am a bit reserved or shy in that way and still, even after that, I was approaching people like, “Oh, would you listen to my shitty demo?” I didn’t have that balls out, we’re gonna fucking take over the world attitude…I’ve just never had that. A lot of people in life who have that seem to be very successful, so it’s kind of scary to me that the good thing about hooking up with Maynard is, he doesn’t have that. He doesn’t have an arrogance, he just has an opinion,

and he’s got a strong opinion and he sticks by it. The good ones come in with the bad ones, but if you keep moving forward and believe in yourself other people will follow, and that’s something I think that’s important to note for young and upcoming musicians and people in general, just to be a bit unapologetic for things. I’m trying to tell myself that.

As far as the line-up goes, it’s a little new; how has it been going?

Well, the line-up is the same except we have a new bass player, Matt McJunkins and he’s new to the APC family, but I’ve been playing with him with my new band, ASHES dIVIDE, for a couple years now and I lent him to Maynard for Puscifer, so he’s been playing with him for a few years. Josh Freese, Matt McJunkins, and I just got together for the first APC rehearsals a couple days ago. We’ve done two now, and it was great. The chemistry was there immediately and we were pretty surprised. We went in there with pretty open expectations and we played through Mer de Noms almost front to back and we were just beaming. It felt awesome to play the stuff again and we were just a three-piece; James is in New York working on stuff remotely there, Maynard’s in Arizona finishing up wine stuff and also rehearsing by himself and writing some new songs that we’re thinking of debuting at the shows... I’m really excited, probably more so than anybody about getting this back together.

What started ASHES dIVIDE? At the end of the 2004 Thirteenth Step tour both Maynard and I were gonna go do our solo projects, stretch our respective legs, and go see what we were gonna do on our own.

Mine became ASHES dIVIDE, his became Puscifer. It was just a continuation of writing for me, but the big difference was I was going to be writing lyrics and vocal lines and concentrating on the whole process so it was really like my solo record. Josh Freese played drums on it, but it was a lot of work and it was a learning process for me, it was a different thing to write. But it’s an even bigger thing getting the comparisons to Maynard who is arguably or at least in my opinion, one of the greatest living singers and certainly one of the greatest lyricists alive. So, I had to approach it from, look…this is where I am and this is what I do and this is my voice and these are my thoughts and my emotions coming through and I’m really proud of the way it came out. I think it’s what I had to offer and it was my best offering and I feel really good about it.

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Words and Photos by Jon Hermison Do you have dreams of being a rock star? Are you over the age of eighteen? Then forget about it! We all have had fantasies filled with bright stage lights, screaming fans, autographing body parts, tight leather, the whole world at our fingertips, and at the 30th Annual Stairway to Stardom, founded by Skip Maggiora of Skip’s Music, the teenage participants experienced it all first hand (with a few exceptions). On August 15th, the celebrated Crest Theatre in downtown Sacramento was home to twenty-one bands, with musicians ranging in age from nine to eighteen years old. The hallways were covered with vendors and event sponsors while kids enjoyed the concession stand and the parents enjoyed the stiff gin and tonics. As I made my way to the main theatre, the envy inside grew at an exponential rate. These musicians had it made! A fully equipped stage with eight stacks and amps, a killer drum kit, two keyboards, professional stage lighting, half a dozen camera men filming, a horde of screaming moms, and 96.5 FM - The Eagle’s Charlie Thomas introducing the groups to boot. All that was missing was a bassist in a penguin suite. Oh wait! He was there too!

During the show, each band performed three original songs that were praised by fans and family, and critiqued by ten judges. After their performance, each band continued to a green room to be interviewed, and afterwards entered the main lobby for an autograph signing session. Each participating band competed for a chance to professionally record a three song demo at The Track Shack, and have their songs featured on Sacramento’s hard rock station, 98 Rock.

It being my first time at this popular event, I was a little unsure on how the whole program was arranged and from where these talented little ones come from. Luckily, I ran into a few familiar faces, including Johnny Snickerpippitz, drummer for Arden Park Roots, who helped me out with a little know how. Tryouts are held at Skip’s Music Stores for individuals eighteen and under who want to pursue a career in music to evaluate skill level and music style. After some cuts have been made, the musicians are then grouped together to create three original tracks, and are assigned a music coach for assistance. For eight weeks the band rehearses and attends seminars and demonstrations before their big premiere. “He gets some school credit for it, too” Johnny says, referring to his son, Jayme (15), who participated. “He’ll be able to slide on some classes next year!” Johnny was more than pleased with his son’s performance proclaiming “I said some things that we’ll probably have to edit out for family time, but it was pretty dope.”

Every band had the opportunity to show the crowd what eight weeks of hard, dedicated work sounds like, but only one band took home the victory and this year’s first place prize goes to Back In Your System, a four piece alternative band who performed like seasoned veterans, captivating the audience with funny banter, entertaining solos, and a well choreographed exit. The only item missing from the quartet were high-top Chuck Taylors, then again, maybe that’s what saved them. This event has been praised by Sacramento for thirty years and hopefully thirty more. It inspires young people to follow their dreams and musical aspirations and gives older musicians a reason to retire and stick with listening to vinyl.

To Order the 2010 Stairway to Stardom Concert DVD please call Access Sacramento at (916) 456-8600

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At the magazine office we get hundreds of CDs, press kits and promotional items sent to us about up-and-coming artists. I was going through the pile and one CD called “Santa Cruz or Bust” caught my eye. I listened to the album and was extremely impressed. It was probably one of the first hip-hop albums that I really related to lyrically. The CD is catchy but not cliché, creative, dynamic, positive and speaks of personal life confessions. I could tell that this artist is real, honest and doesn’t put on a front and after listening to the CD multiple times there was no question in my mind whether or not to interview Yung Mars. Born and raised in San Francisco, this young Bay Area artist is starting to create a buzz. Here is a little glimpse into the mind of...

What’s the meaning behind the title to your record “Santa Cruz or Bust”?

I was going down to Santa Cruz with a buddy of mine and I was feeling the vibe of the drive so much that I somehow got inspired to make a record to give other people the feeling of an audio vacation down the coast. My focus was to thematically capture that.

What message where you trying to convey?

The message was to take a little trip, relax, and listen to the music with a little Frisco spice to it. I try and write songs that are universal, that everyone will be able to connect with.

Did you write all the lyrics?

Everything I sang and rapped I wrote. I recorded everything in my house, and then went to my mentor who helped me mix and master the album on a professional level.

Are you currently working on a new album?

Kinda…kinda just working. Our live performance takes the music to a whole new level. I have a live band with at least 5 core members who perform with me live. They are all extremely talented. I believe that there is nothing better than a live band at a show.

Give me three words to describe this project you are working on.

Collaborative, Epic, Flavorful What is your goal in the next year?

To truly have the live set dialed in. I’d also like to do some live DVD with really clean footage including me and a 10-piece band, like an MTVUnplugged kind of video. As I said before I’m working on a few projects, but everything is just 18 percolating right now.

By Danielle Negrin

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1. The Holdup 2. Arden Park Roots 3. Project Felon 4. Benny Benassi

Photos by Brian Crabtree

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MIDDLECLASS NEVER SOUNDED SO GOOD

By Jon Hermison

“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” and MC Rut certainly has nothing to fix. Being a two piece, this Sacramento based rock-duo is frequently approached and questioned if they have any desires to add another member, as if they’re missing something. “If we feel a song needs a bass, tambourine, cello, or anything, we’ll record it, and figure out how we’ll play it live later,” proclaims Sean Stockam, percussion and vocals. Well said. Besides, MC Rut have put in some heavy, long hours of blood, sweat and passion, and now have their debut full-length record, No Name No Color, soon to be in the ears of fans world-wide. From first recording songs just to hear what has been created, to now being a full-blown project, Sean Stockham and Zack Lopez are stoked with the results, and have found no reason to stop a good thing. The band will be celebrating their album release at the Boardwalk in Sacramento on October 8th and I had the chance to chase down Stockham to discuss the madness at hand.

MC Rut is about to head out to Europe right?

Yeah, we leave this Monday. Just getting everything ready and some last minute rehearsal in.

This is not your first time there?

No, we’ve spent a good chunk of last year bouncing back and forth from here and the UK, and then doing a full blown European run that included some festivals in Germany.

Are you doing festivals this time around?

No, we’re just doing four dates with Circa Survive at clubs that hold anywhere from 600-1,200 people.

Festivals are fun - it’s a shit load of people - but I’d rather play in a solid club where you’re one of two bands.

Absolutely man, it’s hard to tell if people are even coherent at festivals. When you guys get back to the States you’re playing the Boardwalk on October 8th. Do you plan on relaxing after that?

There’s all sorts of stuff bubbling around that show.

When we start rolling we like to just keep rolling as long as possible, so hopefully we’ll get back and stay busy for the next couple months ‘cause the start and stop stuff is not fun for us. We like to stay oiled.

Yeah, keep that momentum as long as you can. Back to the Boardwalk, that show is the LP celebration right? It’s the release party for No Name No Color?

That’s what they tell me. It’s hard to believe because we’ve been doing this for so long and never released an album. It should be fun, man.

Is this album sort of the collection of the EPs previously released?

Exactly, it’s the definitive collection of those EPs and the other half of the record will be all new.

A nice surprise for the fans?

Yeah, don’t get me wrong, we had enough material left over and we could have put two whole albums of just old stuff, but that would feel weird. We wanted to put some songs from those EPs that people really 22 liked on the new album and the stuff that we like. I

believe all together it makes for a pretty good record.

How does the song writing process work for you guys? Being a two piece, do you guys hold onto new songs longer to see if they work?

I’ll say 98% of the time the really good songs happen really quick and we record them right away, so it doesn’t give the song much opportunity to evolve. We really like that fresh feel to a new song, I guess that’s why we record right away. You can’t fake that.

That’s an awesome concept, man. Trying to capture that passion and excitement in the track when you first discover it.

I’m saying all this shit now as if we have figured that out a long time ago, but we would record the songs purely so we could hear them. After we started doing that we started to realize how cool of a thing it is.

When MC Rut performs, do people ever approach you and seem surprised for how entertaining of a show it is for only two guys?

Usually it’s a bit of a shock. They can’t believe how much sound we’ve created for only two people, and we like that reaction because we feel like that’s happening on stage and for people to recognize that feels good.

There’s plenty of two-piece bands and I think most of them go for that two-piece, stripped down garage-y sound, but we’re trying to get the sound of an eight piece band, we just don’t have that many friends to make that sound possible.

Making do with what ya got.

That’s all. We just want people to see us live.

On the your album, No Name No Color , the featured single, “New Low,” was also released on a previous EP? Yeah, we released it on an EP because the radio station (KWOD) at the time was here in Sacramento.

We sent it to them to see if they would play it and they ended up putting it in full rotation like it was a hit, and we didn’t have any way for people to get to it so we smacked together a little EP and put it out.

What was that like initially, when it took to

the radio and people were rocking to it?

It was amazing, don’t get me wrong, it was just unexpected and was like “holy shit” and we just wished we were better prepared. It was great though.

It allowed us to play in Sac and have a real audience and it helped us in other states and even outside of the country, so we’re really thankful that KWOD was so supportive.

And now the “New Low” video is finished?

Where did the cinematography/storytelling ideas come from?

When we first made the song, we shot a thirty second home video thing to go along with it, on some railroad tracks and everybody liked the vibe of it. So, when it came time to do a video we were introduced to Lance Drake, whom we quickly became good friends with (a really talented dude and on the up climb) and he came up with this whole concept, and we love it.

It seems to tell a story about all the ways you can die in the hands of others.

I love that people get from it what they want, but I think one key is that we never actually die, and I had to tell my mom that when she was watching for the first time.

The album is around the corner, video is out, release party coming up October 8th at the Boardwalk. You guys are steam rolling.

We’re excited man, it’s been a long time coming and to see it all come together and to get a chance to work with great artists like Lance and Doug, who did our artwork, it’s amazing!

Sweet, thanks for your time man, enjoy Europe.

Yeah man, thanks for talking to me.

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SONISPHERE METAL FESTIVAL Pori, Finland August 7-8, 2010

With an abundance of festivals to choose from, which one would make the cut? The winners?

Sonisphere and Bloodstock. The main reason these festivals were chosen was due to Behemoth being part of the festivities. Of course there were lots of other totally awesome bands, but I was personally looking forward to spending some time with my Polish boys. Getting the word that Behemoth had to cancel both festivals due to Nergal’s health was a total bummer, and of course very concerning; Behemoth was forced to cancel multiple festivals in Europe as well as an upcoming tour in the US. My thoughts are with you Nergal, and I know once you get back on your feet again Behemoth will dominate and I’ll be there front and center with horns intact.

Pori, Finland is situated on the west coast approximately 3 hours north of Helsinki. Historically, Pori functioned as a port city offering trade, bringing in people and goods from all over the world, which sparked the interest of international trade. The Finnish are a culturally interesting breed. Unlike their American counterparts, the Finns are more reserved, exuding a quiet confidence which I found refreshing and something I immediately connected with. You won’t find loud, obnoxious behavior here, but rather people who like to have fun but for the most part can handle their behavior socially in a more dignified fashion than what I’m accustomed to.

Day One: Opening up the festivities on the main stage are Finnish Progressive thrashers Stam1na. Hailing from the Lemi/South Karelia Region, they embody a progressive thrash influence and put on an energetic performance, as well as sing in Finnish, which is a language I have not been privy to understand… yet. Up next on the second stage was Negative, a Glam rock band from Tampere, Finland. They mimic the swagger of Axel Rose and Mick Jagger all while making the young teenybopper Finnish girls swoon. I quickly realized and was amused how much American rock music plays an influential role worldwide. One thing I noticed in Finland was the heavy influence of

STAM1NA

Glam rock not only in the bands but also the style in which the fans dress. There’s an abundance of people who were dressed up circa 80’s LA glam style, imitating Motley Crue, Ratt, Hanoi Rocks, etc.

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Review and photos by Darien Lomeli Adorned with big hair, lots of make up, leather, lace, belts, hats and chains, they are keeping the look alive.

While that phase of metal is long since gone in the US, Finland is still keeping it going. Hooray for nostalgia!

Up next on the main stage was Serj Tankien who is most recognizable as the lead singer of System of a Down. Boasting his solo effort, he stands out from the

SERJ TANKIEN

other bands with a unique sound and an interesting vocal style that I have always liked. Serj’s political and socially conscious lyrics are a testament to his concern for world events and display his mass talents as a songwriter, musician, poet, and performer. Much respect for Serj. Solid musicianship without a hint of similarity like with most bands whom unfortunately all sound the same and have trouble standing out on their own.

Back to the second stage with The 69 Eyes, a Helsinki based rock band with some Goth and horror punk influence. Signed with Nuclear Blast Europe, along with their North American affiliate The End Records, they have made and recorded albums since 1989 and have toured extensively, cementing their status both in their homeland of Finland and in the US. With their latest release entitled Dead and Gone they have a cool, dark, gothic-type rocking sound with a low range vocal style. The festival concluded with performances by The Cult, Apocolyptica, Volbeat, Alice in Chains, and Finnish rockers HIM. Day Two: On with the metal and starting off we begin with Profane Omen, Mokoma, Insomnium, Anthrax, and Slayer. I caught Anthrax’s set, which was entertaining. I remember looking into the crowd and seeing three guys in the audience with Indian headdresses on. Again the Finns love nostalgia. Minus Danny Spitz, they now have

ALICE IN CHAINS

guitar player Robert Caggiano along with the rest of the original line up of Frank Bello, Charlie Benante, Scott Ian and Joey Belladonna. Next up was Slayer. Now I have seen Slayer many times and it’s always a trip how right before they grace the stage, there is an air of evil lurking, a vibe that something is about to happen; I guess you could call it the “Slayer vibe.” Whatever it is, you know something is about to happen. What happened after their set, however, surprised even me.

The weather was nice for the most part hot and sunny with some humidity if you can believe that…humidity in Finland? I kid you not. After Slayer’s set as I was preparing to shoot Iggy and the Stooges, I was standing next to the 2nd stage aligned with the other photographers, waiting for our cue to enter the photo pit.

At this time, some light sprinkles began to fall. Okay, no big deal, so I fetched out my handy plastic bag to cover

my camera equipment. This was immediately followed by an intense down pour complete with hail. Then with almost no warning or preparation, a huge gust of gail force winds swept across the festival like a blow dryer. This particular storm is known as a super cell.

As everyone now is realizing this is no joke and something potentially very serious, I look up and notice that the scaffolding is breaking off and pieces of the stage are swaying in the winds as we are standing right next to it. At this point this is my cue to “run to the hills” (no pun intended). I take refuge in a nearby medic tent to collect myself and dry off my camera. As fast as it came it was all over. A 5-minute storm resulting in 40 people injured and one fatality. After the mayhem was over a somber feeling clouded the festival along with confusion, wondering what would happen next.

As a result of the damage Motley Crue were forced to cancel due to their equipment being ruined. I don’t quite understand that because the same thing happened to Maiden and they played. Iggy ended up doing his set with his guitar player playing an acoustic guitar as all the amps were destroyed. After lots of patience, Iron Maiden performed their set, thanks to Slayer loaning them their equipment and a thumbs up from the authorities that granted an extension of the time they could play. Iron Maiden played a full set to a legion of die hard fans and Bruce made it a point in telling the crowd “I won’t go home until you go home.” You cant get any more metal than that.

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ENFORCER BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR FESTIVAL Catton Hall - Derbyshire, England August 12-14, 2010 Now that I have conquered Sonisphere, its time now for 3 days of metal mayhem at BOA. Situated in Derbyshire, which is centrally located between the three East Midland towns of Litchfield, Burton on Trent, and Tamworth, it’s a fairly large open area that’s isolated and perfect for a festival of this size. Some of the festival amenities include campgrounds, carnival rides, merch booths, food vendors and 3 stages. For the most part it is run efficiently with lots of staff and security that are there to deal with most any problem. Everything you may need or want is available. ATM’s, medics, a recycling tent where you can trade plastics for goodies, a cloakroom, and a camping

OPETH gear store complete with rain boots, which I quickly found out would be a necessity.

To put it lightly, England weather sucks and this festival was no exception.

Except for day 3 where we were blessed with sunshine, Day 1 and 2 consisted of frequent downpours with mini breaks in between, which was not something I was quite prepared for. I braved the rain, cold, and overcast skies and pressed on with my agenda, which was to bring the metal masses back home pictures and a report on what’s happening in metal across the Atlantic. The main stage, called “The Ronnie James Dio” stage, pays tribute to Ronnie himself. Heaven and Hell was scheduled to perform at this festival but in lieu of Ronnie’s passing, they named the stage after him with a moving tribute in true Ronnie

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fashion with everyone representing the horns that Ronnie created. The other two stages were called the “New Blood Stage” and “The Sophie Lancaster Stage.” Sophie Lancaster was a young British girl who was senselessly murdered in 2007 so a stage was dedicated to her as well. This is BOA’s 10th anniversary show celebrating a decade of metal, which humbly started off with just a few hundred attendees and has grown to a crowd of over 10,000 now. With three stages playing music simultaneously, it is imperative that you plan your day. I did manage to squeeze in some time to see a few of the unsigned acts after my 3-song limit on the main stage. With so much to take in and being a stranger in a strange land, (thanks Iron Maiden) I merge into the photo pit with my trusted camera arsenal in hand to begin what will be three 12 hour days in a row of non-stop metal, limited sleep, fatigue, a sore neck, bewilderment, and overall excitement.

I will focus on main stage acts in this write up due to my word limitations, otherwise this review would be 10,000 words long, something I don’t think my editor would like. I could easily write an entire issue dedicated to this festival as there were a lot of bands but unfortunately I can’t pay homage to all of them as they deserve. So in lieu of that, I urge all my readers to go on the BOA website and check out the names of all the unsigned bands, read their profiles, and watch their videos. Support worldwide metal, especially our UK brothers and sisters.

Day One: The main stage acts began with Sheffield hard rockers Black Spiders, south east London quartet Snakebite, Ross the Boss, Germany’s Rage, Finland’s Enseferium, Coventry, England’s Cathedral (replacing Behemoth) Norwegian black metal Gorgoroth, Finnish power metal Sonata Arctica, Sweden’s own Mesuggah, and headlining Day one Stockholm’s Opeth. On the Sophie Lancaster stage I did manage to see Enforcer. This five piece from Stockholm, Sweden were fun to watch, with lots of energy on stage and a lead singer running around non stop bringing to his

audience the kind of in your face energetic hard rock that you just don’t see much of these days.

On the New Blood Stage I witnessed a band called Splintered Soul from the Uk. Boasting a soprano lead singer they have a progressive symphonic metal style with a sound all its own.

Day Two: Another day of metal is bestowed on me and now I am getting the hang of this.

It’s somewhat of an art form to gracefully tie in all the necessities you need to in such small

HIM

representing the US Fear Factory, and headlining day 2, Finland’s Children of Bodem.

So I guess it takes a few days to get the hang of everything. So now we’re on day 3 and well, I can officially say I got it down pat. I even managed to squeeze in some fun carnival rides including the bumper cars (nothing like listening to Slayer while your slamming into other metal heads) as well as a ride on the reverse bungee.

Carnival rides at a metal festival is a tranquil concept indeed. This just reinforces to me how the US just doesn’t quite measure up when it comes to festivals. It’s a shame really. The people I met here at Bloodstock were fun and friendly and, of course, curious about this girl from the US who came all the way to England to see some metal. Hell yes, and I’ll do it again and if they had a festival in Antarctica I’d go there too! These three days swirled around so fast

GWAR

time frames. Everything must be carefully planned and executed with no time to waste.

For example: Being in the photo pit at the right time, hitting the restroom when nature calls, a little thing called eating, squeezing in a drink, socializing, shopping for merch, walking around the festival site, and most importantly watching and supporting the bands. Oh yeah and let’s not forget getting rained on for most of the day, stressing out about keeping my camera dry followed by my muddy shoes, smeared make up, and frizzy hair. It amazed me to this day how I managed this schedule for three straight days in a row. I must be metal.

EDGUY

On with the show. Day 2 Line up Sweden’s Andromeda, Norwegian/German Goth metal Leaves Eyes, UK thrash metal heads Evile, England old schoolers Onslaught, Germany’s Edguy, Death metal titans and Florida’s own Obituary, Finland’s Amorphis, Devin Townsend,

and I am now quickly going into denial that this is the last day of the festival. Just when you are getting the hang of everything it’s almost over and the fun and excitement are now coming to a screeching halt. But it’s not over quite yet!

Day Three: We begin with LA’s thrash metal youngsters Bonded by Blood, Death metal from Long Island, NY Suffocation, Germany’s Holy Moses and Doro, Finnish folk band Korpiklanni, Richmond, Virginia’s Gwar, France’s Gojira, England’s Bloodbath, death metal legends in their own right Cannibal Corpse, and to end the 10th anniversary of BOA, New York’s own Twisted Sister, who did a slam dunk of a performance with Dee Snider killing it on vocals and AJ Pero doing something I haven’t seen in a long time… an old school style drum solo. A great ending to a great festival. Till next year this is Casey Kasem.

Thanks to Adam Sagir for making this happen!

Review and photos by Darien Lomeli

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METAL FANS!! WIN A YOUR MUSIC MAGAZINE PRIZE PACKAGE!!

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Entries with the most correct answers will have a chance to win exclusive YMM prizes!! Send your entries to: lyonent@yourmusicmagazine.com.

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What I’m going to say here may upset some people, but – do I stand alone here in my quest to promote this metal? Maybe it’s just because my native San Jose has become a barren wasteland for live music. Yes, there are bands out there that are diligent and dedicated, promoting the hell out of themselves, their shows, and their friends, but where is everyone else? I can’t even remember the last time someone tried to turn ME on to a band; there are no promoters focused on giving metal bands a stage; and where, oh where, are the venues?

As more and more of them turn away from metal and towards more lucrative formats, we’re left with dives that are basically glorified rehearsal spaces. That’s a shame, because there is so much great music that deserves an audience, deserves to be heard – just a small sampling of which awaits you in the NorCal Metal Report.

By Dave Pirtle Falling to Pieces has announced the imminent departure of longtime guitarist Eric Stewart, who will take the stage with the Livermore-based act for the last time on October 1st. His exit leaves drummer Nick Benigno as the band’s sole remaining original member, and with him goes the last link to the band’s origins as Fellatia (gee, I hope the rest of the band doesn’t get mad about me saying that; musicians can be very sensitive sometimes; I also hope that I’m right). In an interesting twist, however, they have welcomed back former guitarist Erik Ruxton back into the fold, and have been working to get him up to speed on the newest material as well as preparing for pre-production I’ve been waiting for months to hear some positive news and recording of a new disc by the end of the year, with an out of the long-silent Zero Hour camp. Well, it finally eye on a late winter release. happened, even if it isn’t quite what I had in mind. Brothers Jasun (guitar) and Troy Tipton (bass) have reunited with The Bands4Bands organization will hold their 4th annual vocalist Erik Rosvold, who performed on the first two Zero metalfest/canned food drive on October 9th at Memorial Hour albums, in the new project Cynthesis. Drummer Park in Hayward. Bring a metal can and see the following Sean Flanegan rounds out the lineup. Further details metal bands: Imagika, Potential Threat, In the Absence, are sparse at this point, but I intend to get to the bottom Age of Aggression, Mystic Rage, Mudsoc, Levee, of things soon. For now, based on a brief audio sample Colcokt, Feral Depravity, Sarcosis, and Hemorage. posted to their MySpace page (yes, bands do still use The event starts at 1pm, so bring your family and friends MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/cynthesisband), it and join other friends and family for an afternoon of headappears that the band will have those signature Tipton pounding music and heart-pounding philanthropy. tones, but with a more progressive and less metal slant. In related news, there is now hope for those of you aspiring I’ve got some Survival updates for you, both directly and to their level of greatness. Jason has released his second indirectly relating to said band. Guitarist Nick Hooshmand instructional DVD, ‘Progressive Shredoholic 2,’ through is working with “close musical affiliates” on a full-length Chops From Hell. It’s available for purchase through the recording from the band, expected to be completed and latter’s website. released by year’s end. But who knows for sure? Aside from that, Hooshmand’s Motorhead-esque rock band Hollow Earth has been playing around the area and even did some recording back in April, the results of which can be heard on their MySpace page (http:// myspace.com/hollowearthsf - see, told you so.)

They’re planning to head in to record their own fulllength in the near future. As Hooshmand said, “So unless somebody dies, this is what’s going down.”

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No one can ever accuse the members of Sol Asunder of being lazy, as they’ve all been keeping busy while vocalist Mica Maniac is taking care of business with

to divide; they’re meant to get people talking. That being said, all comments and feedback should be sent to norcalmeta@ksjs.org. You’ve got something to say about my comments? I want to hear from you. You’ve got news of your own? I want to hear from you. We’re all trying to build the scene here, so let’s make things happen together.

Top 10 Playlist for period: Origin. Guitarist Brian Kenny has been working on a new project named Lords of Sunset (formerly Crow - http:// www.myspace.com/crowsinblack) with drummer Keith Grimshaw. Guitarist Nate Vennarucci has been working on a new album from Ontogeny (http://www.myspace.com/ ontogenyband) entitled ‘Discord and Disillusion,’ also with Grimshaw, Maniac, and bassist Sam Zuerner - keeping it all in the family, you see. Not to be left out, guitarist Chazz McConnell has unveiled an “instruDJental” project dubbed Nova (http://www.myspace.com/novashreds), along with Anomalous guitarist Max Seeman. Then there’s the band’s eagerly-awaited new acoustic project, which will be known as If Dead Stars Fell and see Kenny on vocals/guitars, Grimshaw on drums/guitars, and McConnell on Zuerner in their usual roles. After all that it’s amazing that I can tell you that Sol Asunder themselves have been working on new material and plan to begin tracking within the next month or so. If I had even a fraction of that collective creativity, I’d be writing fiction instead of reporting the news.

Something Left Unsaid was formed in March of this year, but has only recently come to full realization, and reads like a who’s-who of the NorCal underground: vocalist Brendan McCarthy (ex-Farallon), lead guitarist Patrick Peterson (ex-Gunner), guitarist Billy Hart (Crushdown), drummer Rich Perez (ex-Messiah/Felony), and bassist Tom Eaton (ex-Bomb and Scary/Oblivion). With a demo recording already under their belt and management secured, they’re about to start logging some road miles, including a big show on October 1st at the Pine Street in Livermore with Falling to Pieces, One Less Enemy (featuring Shawn Bozarth of Defiance), Numic, and the live debut of Severed Fifth.

Then it’s off to Southern California for shows at The Key Club, The Palladium, The Roxy, Whiskey A Go-Go, and the Viper Room before heading home for a gig at The Caravan in San Jose on October 14th with PDR. Check out their hard-hitting sound at Facebook, MySpace, and/or ReverbNation – where they’re currently ranked in the Top 5 Bay Area metal bands - and don’t let your voice be the one that goes unsaid.

The views expressed in this column are strictly my own, and do not in any way reflect those of the editors and other writers of Your Music Magazine. My words are not meant

8/1210 - 9/9/10

(NorCal Unleashed airs on 90.5 FM KSJS on Thursday nights from 11pm-midnight. Contact madman@ksjs.org for submission information)

1. Repaid in Blood - One Bullet Shy of a Solution 2. Zombie Holocaust - Strike Force 3. Something Left Unsaid - Memories in Blood 4. V/A - Strong Entertainment Compilation Vol. 1 5. Meris - Abandon All 6. Invection – Derealization 7. Better Left Unsaid - Only the Dead to Witness 8. Death Angel - Relentless Retribution 9. Metal Inc. - Media Bleed Out 10. Sympathy Ends - S/T

QUICK BITS: Mudface has resolved their second guitarist problem with the addition of Ronnie Souza (exLevel 12) to their ranks . . . similarly, Zombie Holocaust has welcomed Jean Poincelet as their new lead guitarist . . . Claymation Horror Show are looking for a drummer . . . the debut EP from Prevail, ‘Eternus Vires Patientia,’ is now available through iTunes . . .

Oakland death metallers Anomalous have confirmed a November 26th release date for their debut full-length ‘Ohmnivalent’ . . . Necrite will release their debut album Sic Transit Gloria Mundi on November 2nd through Flenser Recordings . . . Hatchet is storming back into action with new members Jon (guitar) and Travis (bass) . . . Vicious Rumors return to the South Bay for the first time in nearly two years with a headline performance at the Avalon Nightclub on October 6th with Crushdown, Ikki Crane, and Chamber 7.

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Trevor-Guitar, Josh-Drums, Ken-Vocals,J eff-Bass

Art: Guitar/Vocals, Alex: Bass/Vocals, Mark: Drums

Is this the original Hybrid Creeps line up? Josh: We (Ken, Trevor, Josh) started the band and we recycle bass players.

Ken: We actually started off with a stand up bass player, but now that we’ve gone electric, it gives a harder edge.

Does it give you more freedom in what you can play?

Josh: Oh yeah! Definitely. Ken: We definitely like what we have now. How has the newer version of the band been together? Ken: About six months. Still in the honeymoon stage. Are there any demos out at the moment? Josh: We have a demo out right now, three songs, and we have a bunch of tracks available on Myspace. Trevor: We took on a lot of songs at once, about sixteen, there’s still some of them in the works, but we have the three done. Oh, you guys went to record sixteen songs all at once? Josh: Yeah, we just took the best ones first. Man, some bands create three songs and can’t wait to record them, you guys held on and went in with an overload. Ken: We had the guys time. We did it with Doc Scary’s Lab Works who’s an independent guy. He’s a really cool guy and he does a really good job for what he has. He’s just helping you guys out and having fun with it? Ken: Absolutely. Josh: We actually had a song play on local licks last Sunday, a song called “Open Door.” That’s cool man. 98Rock is the one radio station in Sacramento that still shines light on local music. Ken: Yeah, it’s Mark Gilmore that does it and we’re kind of a punk rock band and it’s cool that 98Rock will play our stuff. Definitely. They tend to stay with that hard rock alternative genre. Were you guys aware the song being on there? Trevor: We didn’t find out till the day after.

Josh: Yeah, we didn’t find out till the day after that our song was played. Trevor: We don’t even know how they got a CD. We guess it was Doc Scary who sent it in. Jeff: Yeah, the Doc sent it in for us. And that song is off of the three song demo that is out? Josh: Yeah, exactly. Ken: It’s also one of the songs that doesn’t really sound punk rock. It’s one of our slower-going songs. The band was kind of thrown on the YMO bill abruptly, but are you familiar with the “battle of the bands” atmosphere? Josh: In all three years with this band, I don’t think we’ve been in a battle of the bands before. Jeff: It’s just another show. Josh: Yeah, it’s another chance to have fun until we take the whole thing. Then it’s serious time! Ken: What I like about it is that you play with different genres of music, it’s not all punk, it’s a good mix.

Alright. You’re playing the October 1st YMO show at the Fire Escape, any big plans for the rest of the year?

Just getting more songs out, maybe tour? Josh: Actually, we’re trying to get on “The Next Big Thing” Tour. We can get votes on that website and if we get enough, we’ll go on that tour. Sweet, www.nextbigthingtour.com, check them out, Hybrid Creeps. Good luck to you guys and we’re waiting for those next three songs.

We are missing the drummer, Mark, yes? Alex: Yeah, Mark Natural is our drummer we picked up about two months ago. He’s from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and he’s all pale. Art: He has a cool accent, he pounds the drums hard, and he’s actually a really good fit with our style.

We’ve gone through a couple drummers and we feel like it’s a new band. Alex: He showed up to our audition with notes and he knew three songs right off the bat. That’s cool man, he came into study and work. Art: He dictated the first rehearsal. Mark Natural is a natural. He’s been with the band for two months, how long has KillDevil been out and about? Alex: We’ve been around for about three years. We’ve been playing shows all around Sacto Art’s my brother and we’ve been playing music for awhile.

We’ll play anywhere, everywhere, money is not an issue, just look at our clothes. Being brothers, you guys share the same passion and similar influences. Art: We’ve been playing along time in different vehicles but it all came together a few years back. Alex: We were brought up on different styles. I’m more old school punk. At least you guys are agreeing on something? Alex: Yeah, it mixes and makes one big ball of fun! Nice, you guys can disagree and be critical of each other and still be fine?

Alex: Totally. Openly. Art: Critical and physical, and still be friends the next day. Three years in the making so far, are there any tracks or demos out right now? Alex: Last summer we came out with a five song EP, it was pretty fun and we recorded with Tony Karate and Eric Broyhill mastered it and we sold out of them. Well, there were some drunken nights where we gave them away. If it goes to an ear, it’s all good. Alex: Exactly! I don’t care if we play in front of thirty or two thousand, as long as two or three people love what we’re playing, that’s all that really matters.

There seems to be a small surge of punk bands in the Sacramento area, have you seen that as well? Alex: It’s starting to evolve, it’s in a little bit of a dry spell. Art: There used to be more venues too: Capitol Garage, Cattle Club…

Alex: I think there’s an underground part of us that are waiting to bust out. All in all there’s pretty good bands in Sacramento, there just needs to be a better source of venues. Alex: There’s definitely people that are trying to do something for the scene and bring it back. There’s a lot of liability and nerdy-ass parents that just want to blame someone else. It’s America man, the land of suing. You guys are playing October first at the Fire Escape for YMO - is there any other places people can find you at? Alex: Yeah, you can find us with Keeping Score and a TBA at the Press Club on a Wednesday night coming up, a couple others, and we’re just trying to help out the all age venues. Sweet guys, thanks for your time and good luck to you.

Art/Alex: Thanks man.

myspace.com/thehybridcreeps Watch this entire video interview

by Jon Hermison unedited @ YourMusicMagazine.com

myspace.com/killdevilbrand Watch this entire video interview

by Jon Hermison unedited @ YourMusicMagazine.com

James-Vocals, Andrew-Guitar/Vocals Chris Guitar/Loops, Joe-Bass/Vocals, Alex-Drums Gavin Graziadei-Guitar, Paul Jones-Drums So you guys are coming from Vacaville right?

Andrew: Yeah! Cow town!

Since you’re in the middle, you had a choice of what YMO you wanted to participate in: SF or Sacto.

Chris: An inconvenient convenient location.

Andrew: Just enough away to be…far away. Is this the first time for a battle of the bands type gig? Andrew: Yeah, for most of us. Chris: I’ve done one previously.

James: And you lost. (Band laughs) Andrew: We’re feeling pretty good about it...we have our lucky underwear on today. They haven’t been washed in about three weeks? Andrew: Exactly! You can never wash the magic underwear. Has The Rhythm Kills had the same line up since its creation? Andrew: We started in 2005 as an instrumental band. We had some member changes and picked up James and formed the songs more for vocals. 2008 is probably when we got things to where we wanted them and could start playing shows again. After the reformation of the band, have you guys had a chance to record some material?

Andrew: Yeah, we’re actually recording with Kevin Prince, from Shine Drums, at OneEleven Recording Studio in Roseville, and he knows how to work with us and does a really great job. We’re going back to the studio to finish our new EP. When are you hoping to release that? Chris: Probably November. Joe: This will be our first EP with all new songs that we’ve created as this line-up. Sweet! That’s the big thing you guys are pushing for before the end of this year and probably follow that with a small tour? Andrew: We’re hoping to do some weekend warrior road trips in October, but work schedules conflict sometimes. Actually Joe and I work for the government, but we can’t tell you what we do. Chris: Basically, my work schedule conflicts. Nice.

Would you say that starting off as an instrumental group has helped mold your sound into something a little more intricate? Chris: Definitely!

Andrew: It has influenced us a lot because we feel like we can do anything we want and make it work. Yeah, when you’re mainly instrumental you’re trying to do more with less and now you have the vocals to help it push. Chris: Yeah, and we all come from various musical backgrounds. I come from ambient noise and too much delay. Alex comes from metal/hardcore and Joe gets our water. Nice, everyone pulls their weight.

Cool, thanks a lot guys, keep us posted on that new EP. Andrew: Will do man, thanks.

myspace.com/therhythmkills Watch this entire video interview

by Jon Hermison unedited @ YourMusicMagazine.com

Katy Horan-Voox, Steve The Pirate-Keys/Vox

Jon Hermison here with Ambient Sunrise, the band used to be called Aphrodite, what prompted the change? Katy: We added a new member Steve, and then we decided the vibe, the sound of Aphrodite wasn’t what we were trying to do. Paul: Steve was very ambient. (Laughs) And he is like looking at a sunrise. Katy: That is basically what our music is like so it works. How recent is this lineup?

Paul: As of yesterday. Katy: It is all really brand new. We have been working together for a few months trying to figure out where we are going to go. Steve: We are all really good friends though, and we are getting together and going with this. So this is not random? Steve: It has been kind of in the works for a minute. Paul: It has evolved where Steve and I have worked on stuff before. As for Ambient Sunrise are there any recordings out there? Paul: Myspace is coming soon. Katy: We are trying to get some stuff recorded hopefully by the end of the month. It should be a good time of the year since fall is coming. More or less what is the music style of the group? Katy: Ambient Sunrise I would say has the progressive hardcore and the pop-y feel to it. We like to mix it up and keep it fresh, where some bands keep it the same; we are trying to mix it up.

Give a little show. Paul: We like them to feel like they are about to have a heart attack and then slow it down. Katy: I am screaming a little bit and Steve is as well. Mixing the cool and relaxed with the craziness. As far as battle of bands, are you guys used to those type of events? Paul: I have done a couple battles of bands, but not with Your Music Magazine.

It is a definitely a fun experience to play a contest. Steve: Whenever you have to step up to the plate. Also with a band as new as you, it is a way to get out there, if people come to check out another bands they still get to see you, a good way to open doors. Katy: And we are ready to open it up. So you guys have and EP coming out at the end of the month and all the web sites materials. Katy: Photo shoots going on. We are defiantly going to do the whole package.

Watch this entire video interview

by Jon Hermison unedited @ YourMusicMagazine.com

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Brad: Vocals/Rhythm guitar - Bruce: Drums Don: Bass - Aaron: Lead Guitar

Garret: Drums - Squeak Jones: Bass Cory: Guitar - Nick: Vocals You guys joined on to YMO last minute but the band has a new album coming out, right?

Nick: It’s our third release, but 2nd full length album.

It’s called Bringers of the Dawn. Squeak: It’s put on by TransMedia Records. Was the recording done locally? Squeak: We recorded everything at a studio in Portland called The Magic Closet; we spent a long time going back and forth. Cory: It wasn’t that long - I did guitars in eleven hours. Nick: Yeah, I did vocals eight hours straight. Squeak: Uh, I did bass for four days. Ha! Where were you man?

Squeak: I was trying. So you have the release party and also releasing the album digitally?

Nick: Oh yeah, it will be on iTunes, Rhapsody, all the major online retailers. And where will the party be? Nick: It’s actually here (Boardwalk). October 1st with Despise Icon and Nightmare in Twilight. Is this the original lineup for Jack Ketch? Nick: No, we started with a different drummer and guitarist about two and a half years ago, and we’ve been with this lineup for a little over a year now. We’ve built more of a family and to us it’s the original lineup because we sort of started at square one because we rewrote everything and went a whole new direction.

So a clean slate? Nick: We figured, why dwell on the past when we could just write something that could express the new lineup? That’s available at the October 1st show? Squeak: It’ll be available for pre-sale as well, you can find it on jackketchkills. com or anywhere on the web. Do you find it difficult to have your own website with the social networking sites out there? Nick: No, Myspace is kind of dying, Facebook is not entirely music, and it’s such a small piece of the picture throughout the world, so an actual website is a base for the whole world to come and see you. Big plans for touring after the album hits? Squeak: Mostly on the West Coast, San Diego, Vegas. Maybe three weeks at a time, hit the road, stay local. Cory: Trying to get more support before we do something bigger, so we don’t go out and stay broke the whole time. Hell yeah, man. Bringers of the Dawn coming out October first, good luck to you guys.

36

myspace.com/ jackketchkills Watch this entire video interview

by Jon Hermison unedited @ YourMusicMagazine.com

Same lineup Since 2002? Brad: Just about, we’ve had some bassist issues, but Donnie’s been with us for…

Donnie: Five years. Aaron: We’ve changed drummers a few times but we came back to Bruce. Brad: Yeah, Bruce is the original drummer and we can’t get rid of this guy.

He keeps sticking around, huh? Brad: Yeah, man.

We’ve had some good bouts; we’ve opened up for some good acts like 10 Years, Hailstorm, and Wednesday 13, which is more of a Goth Rock band. Where would you say the band fits in, as far as genre? Brad: I guess we’re more of Alternative Rock. Aaron: With a little bit of metal. Brad: We all come from such a wide array of backgrounds and influences, so we’re diverse. Well, it’s obvious you’re communicating well on the music level, since 2002 you’re still rocking. Brad: Oh yeah, it all fits. I try and keep the lead singers disease down to a minimum. No Axel Roses allowed! Brad: It doesn’t seem to work that way. We try to run it like a business but you have to have fun. Yeah man, you can’t forget what brought you here. Does Split Self have anything available for people to take a listen? Brad: We have two EPs out right now. Our first one was Live Tragic Diaries, and you can find it on iTunes or Dimple records, and our newest one, Into The Red is everywhere including Dimple. Shooting for a full length? Brad: We just started recording again, we’d like to make it into a full length, but hopefully we’ll have something out before the end of the year. Do you guys have tracks waiting to be recorded? Brad: Yeah, we have enough to put together two full length CDs. It’s an evolving thing. It’s good to have enough tracks that you can play with and you don’t want to slam stuff on a CD just to fill a spot.

Brad: Exactly. The more we write, it just seems the better we get. Bruce: I feel like the songs on a CD should go together. So the collection you have now is it more eclectic? Brad: The stuff we have now is a little darker than the stuff we started at. We had some slower songs but we’ve seemed to have progressed a little heavier, but we’re excited to debut it in a CD form. That’s good man, you’re proud of what you’re hearing. Aaron: Yeah, you’re gonna evolve as a band. Brad: We got a nice little brotherhood going on. Are there any other shows coming up besides the YMO show at Tex Wasabi’s on September 30th? Brad: Actually, we’ve been focusing on recording, so this is a chance to get back out there. But the last CD we released was in November of last year, so we’re looking to get another one out there now. Almost the year anniversary. Brad: Exactly, once a year at least pop something out, a lot like kids. There you go, Split Self, popping demos out like babies! Bruce: Better than popping babies out like demos. Touché! Thanks a lot guys. We’ll see you on the 30th.

myspace.com/splitself Watch this entire video interview

by Jon Hermison unedited @ YourMusicMagazine.com

37

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YMM: This is John from Your Music Magazine and we’re here at The Boardwalk with Deadset. This is the second show for the Sacramento Your Music Olympicks. How are you guys? Jeremiah: We’re great!

YMM: What do you guys play?

Cherokee: Guitar. Billy: Guitar.

Jake: Guitar - I mean bass! (the rest laugh). Jeremiah: I sing. Kyle: I play on the skins! YMM: How long have you guys had this lineup? Billy: Sixteen months. YMM: So, sixteen months for Deadsett. Do you guys have anything coming out? Are you pushing anything for the show?

Jeremiah: We have a CD coming out in the next few months - it’s called Lullabies to Murder By. It should be here shortly; we just got it mastered.

That’s the goal right now. The goal is to be in LA. YMM: So, after the CD comes out, just pressin’ it? Jeremiah: That’s what you’re here for! To help us help you help us! (everybody laughs). YMM: So this is Lullabies to Murder By, you’re first full-length.

Blood, sweat, tears, everything is on it. Do you guys have a digital copy out, like on MySpace? Jeremiah: We have a couple songs on MySpace.

We’ve just been going through lineup changes, so we’re waiting for things to get locked in. You don’t want to stop the momentum - we’re trying to keep it going. Kyle: We’ve done a couple different recording sessions, redoing a couple songs. We did a Pantera cover song that’s really sick!

YMM: Looking forward to seeing you guys!

YMM: This is John with Your Music Magazine, and I’m here with Twitch Angry. We’re here rockin’ at The Boardwalk, catchin’ up with the Your Music Olympicks. This is your CD release party, isn’t it? Twitch: Yes it is.

Eric Soprano: I’ve been in the band for about a day-and-a-half. Twitch: They call me the Donald Trump of punk rockI’ve gone through twenty-seven band members in a year. Max: You mean twenty-nine. Twitch: Twenty-nine. My bad. YMM: So there are a lot of guys fired? Twitch: If they have a bad show, I fire ‘em. Right on the spot. Don’t even mess around with it. YMM: Do you even let them finish the show at least? Twitch: Sometimes I have not… YMM: Well, you already have the parking lot full of people! Are you stoked on the show?

Twitch: We’re headlining. Besides, we’ve played like a hundred and ninety shows in a year! I belong up there. You know what I mean? This is my show. It’s all about me. I’m going to take over the world,; I’m going to the big show, and no one can stop me! Nobody. I’m not even gonna bullsh*t you. Come to the shows, ‘cause I bring it! YMM: You’ve only been together for a year, and you have an album out? Twitch: Yep. We’re signed to Dirtbag records, but we’re gonna leave them. Max: Alternative Tentacles!

Twitch: That’s who we’re looking at right now. We’re going to try to sign with those guys. Dirtbag hasn’t given us nothin’. We’ve got a tour comin’ up in October in Europe and everything else.

We’re the real deal.

myspace.com/deadsett666

myspace.com/ twitchangry

Watch this entire video interview

by Jon Hermison unedited @ YourMusicMagazine.com

Watch this entire video interview

by Jon Hermison unedited @ YourMusicMagazine.com

Justin: Drums, Chris: Vocals, Ed: Guitar Lloyd: Bass, Brian: Guitar YMM: Are you guys all native to the Sacramento Area? Justin: We’re all over the place, and we kinda consider ourselves an East Bay band, but we love Sacramento. Is it kinda hard to get all of you guys together? Justin: We still practice twice a week in our studio in Concord; it’s somewhat centralized but we can leave all of our gear there so it’s less hassle.

YMM: Especially for you, the drummer, hauling your gear back and forth twice a week, I’m sure you have a good size set. Justin: Yeah, I got a pretty big rack. Chris: He’s got a big rack! YMM: Watch out ladies! How long has the troupe been going on?

Justin: We just had our two year anniversary, so the band started in August in 2008. We started the first year just writing songs and building a relationship with each other. So when it came to playing shows we already had about an hour set. YMM: Nice! When the first show came around you guys already had enough for a full length. Justin: Yeah, right now we have about twelve songs, but we’ve had some songs come in and out. YMM: Does the band have any releases right now? Justin: We have a six song EP. We just released it and it’s available on iTunes.

Ed: Amazon and Napster. Lloyd: What’s the name of it? Justin: Eternus, Vires, Patientia. Translates from Latin to Eternal Strength and Endurance.

YMM: Nice, bringing out the Latin. Talented and educated. Justin: I just translated with Google. YMM: For all members being spread out, where do you guys generate the most shows? Justin: East Bay and Sacramento. We love playing up in Sac. We’ve played at Marilyn’s and we have a show at Distillery coming up. YMM: Having a chance to play all around Northern California, do you feel that the metal vibe is stronger in certain areas? Chris: I feel that it’s stronger in Sac...that’s why we like playing in this area. YMM: What are the bands plans for after the YMO show? Justin: Yeah, actually we have a really critical show coming up on October 15th at the Mutiny in Antioch. It’s a showcase for Kim Stevens, who is a rep for Capitol Records. Tickets are $10 and you’ll see five really good bands. You can buy tickets on our website. Lloyd: What’s the website? Justin: www.prevailrocks.com. And the EP is available online or we’re selling it at shows for $5. We’re excited about it, man, it’s the best I’ve ever sounded on a record.

Chris: All two of ‘em. YMM: As long as it’s better, that’s all that matters! Cool guys, thanks a lot.

Todd (Toad) - Vocals, Anthony (Anth0s) - Bass Jeff - Guitar, Daniel - Drums Can I get some background on the band? Jeff: We have been around for just over a year. Todd: Anthony and I have been playing together, for a while. Things started to get bumpy with our old band. Anthony and I wanted to do something different, that’s when we contacted Jeff & asked if he would play guitar for us. Anthony: We formed out of the ashes of a couple different bands that didn’t work out.Jeff: We had a chick drummer for a short while, she bailed in the process of recording, our sound engineer (Daniel) heard about it and asked if he could try out, we gave him a shot and we loved his style. Hes been our drummer ever since.

Daniel: I have been in Wonderland Syndrome for about 10 months now. I noticed that you are based out of Bay Area, yet are playing a lot of shows up in Sacramento area. Do you find a lot of love in Sacramento? Jeff:Yeah!

We do get a lot of love from bands and fans in Sacramento.

Well a lot of love from fans in general. Todd:Yeah, the band For All I’ve Done got us some shows up there and that started a landslide of Sac shows. Anthony: We’ll play anywhere. We love going to different places and sharing our music with new people. You guys have a free EP online, four tracks released in June. How is the feedback on the new album? And are there physical copies as well?

Jeff: We have been getting awesome feed back. Anthony: So far the response has been overwhelmingly good. We give out physical copies at our shows for free. Todd: It’s been pretty psychedelic. I always put a spindle of CDs on the middle of the pit, by the end of the set they are all gone.

Daniel: A lot of positive feed back! Right now we don’t have the funds to publish our CD, but we do burn a crap load of ‘em and just give ‘em out for free. We want to get them to everyone that comes our way. The band is playing the Oct. 1st Sacramento Your Music Olympicks. Do you guys have any big plans for the show? Todd: To play a killer show & take our audience on a musical journey.

Anthony: We like to think we put on a pretty intense show.

Come see us live and we think you’ll agree. We’re going to come up there and do what we always do and let our live show speak for itself. Jeff: What Anthony & Todd said.

Daniel: We want to show the crowd who we are as a band, we put a lot of emotion into our music to back up our personalities behind our instruments. When you come to our shows you will hear the band interact with each other, every note & sound portrays a lot of the moment. YMM: Are there any big plans for the group going into the end of 2010? Todd: We are trying to hit the scene hard, we are trying to reach as many people as we can with our music.

We want to play as many shows as possible. Anthony: We’re shooting for a tour by the end of the year. We want to come rock your town! Jeff: We want to just hit the road, tour, and never look back. Just get ourselves out there to the masses! Daniel: We want to build as many relationships as possible, with other bands, and musicians.

myspace.com/ prevailband09 Watch this entire video interview

by Jon Hermison unedited myspace.com/wonderlandsyndrome @ YourMusicMagazine.com

By Brian Crabtree

39

Josh Burke- Guitars, Vocals Miko Panagopulos-Drums Dennis Davis-Bass Guitar Nate Higgins-Rhythm and Lead Guitars So, how long has this creation been? Zach: Maureen Rhines-Keyboards & Piano We started a little over three years ago. It started with me and my brother Travis. We all Jon here with In The Silence, they play the met in High school and went through some YMO September 30th at Tex Wasabi’s. Can different changes of members, but it has been we start with how long the lineup has been this line-up for about a year and half now. Do like this? Has there been any changes? you guys have anything coming out? Zach: Josh: Dennis and I have been playing in bands We just dropped two singles on Itunes. The together forever. Dennis: Like fifteen years.

Internet seems the way to go now-a-days. We Josh: And we grew up with Maureen, she did put out a CD in May, four months ago, but played with us in a couple bands. Not going to it is better to drop the singles these days and say which, but she just got back from Australia. get a little more money. And that was a full As far as this line up it has only been a couple length back in May? Zach: Yeah that was years. Not even that, Nate joined in June of last a full length from a couple different studios. year. So as of this lineup it is if fairly new?

For the new stuff though we when to a new Josh: We used to be just a three piece. There studio called One11 with a guy named Kevin. was a previous incarnation of this band, but we The sound was just better. Did you take a really didn’t do anything. But this is it. You guys little more time on these tracks? Zach: We played the 2009 Sacramento Your Music actually didn’t. We did it faster. It was like the Olympicks? Josh: Yeah we jumped into that first time we really played together. So, then really late minute, and I think like five people you did the live track recording? Zach: And came. There seemed to be a lot of that last then re-did it again, but we got a better feeling year? Dennis: Well we are a slut for Your Music like that. Are the two new tracks leading into Magazine. Josh: It still was a fun show and we something? Zach: It might end up on and EP are going to do it again. You guys got the show in time maybe early 2011. We are just droppin coming up on the 30th, is there anything them online for now. The last one we just put else going on in the mix? Josh: We are up like three days ago, called Turn Around, and recording right now, so we can put something one about weeks ago called One More Time. new out. We have two songs on MySpace that Do you guys have anything coming out me recorded over two years ago. Nate: I wrote after the Your Music Olympicks show on some new songs. Josh: You can listen to them the 23rd? Zach: We have a Boardwalk show on FaceBook, MySpace, and Reverbnation. on the 9th. It is going to be a huge reggae Where are you guys recording? Josh: We show. Is reggae where you find most of are recording it ourselves. Finally got enough your inspiration? Zach: Yeah, reggae is the equipment to produce a good recording, in this foundation of the band. All types of reggae. day and age rather than spending like sixty-five Roots, ska, you know whatever we all have bucks an hour at a studio when so many people our own different influences. It seems like in the band fuck up make it very expensive to the reggae dub rock sound is coming back. record. Nate: Josh has really put his ear ground The scene seems to go in phases, Hardcore on all of the recording stuff of how to get some took over for a minute, and now that is good tones. The results we are getting out of this dying out. Zach: Yeah it is really coming out of are as good as anywhere I have ever recorded. nowhere. For like the last three years we really Josh: We are looking to get three or four (new haven’t seen that many other bands and now songs) in the next two to three months. I don’t know what it’s going to be called, but when we they are coming out everywhere. get eight to ten songs we will release it.

Zach - Guitar, Travis Drums, G-Rex- Bass Joey- Guitar, Larry- Keys

myspace.com/simplecreationmuzic

40

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by Jon Hermison unedited @ YourMusicMagazine.com

myspace.com/inthesilencemusic Watch this entire video interview

by Jon Hermison unedited @ YourMusicMagazine.com

Factory service for: Marshall/Vox, Mesa Boogie, Fender, Ampeg, Gibson, and Orange.

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OUR SERVICE ROCKS!

Last call with Ambivalence. Thanks to the fans, friends and family, the final Ambivalence show on Saturday, August 21st at The Catalyst Club went off with great success. The fans received the love and support they had given the band throughout the years and also helped raise $1,000 for the Make A Wish Foundation. Be sure to check your local live music listings for upcoming Steller Corpses shows featuring Ambivalence's own Emilio Meneze on the guitar.

Photos by Caroline Reid

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CSUMB Music and Performing Arts Center An Interview with Dr. Drew Waters

Interview by Numerous

Tell us about the program and what it has to offer.

Dr. Drew: We offer a recording technology concentration. It’s comprised of four courses. The first course will be music and computers. You will start off learning the basics of Pro Tools - we start right from the beginning. The only prerequisite we have is Theory courses and the ability to play an instrument or sing. It makes the classes more meaningful. When you come in you know what you’re recording, you can empathize with the drummer and what they’re going through, you can empathize with the singer on the twentieth take, you know what it’s like. Also, you can read music, you can read chart, which just facilitates the whole work flow. That all begins in the first course.

You will learn Pro Tools, Reason, MIDI sequencing and Sibelius. The second course you start off with is recording. I begin by introducing the basics: “This is an SM57, this is a mic cable, this is how you put it in” and at the end you walk away with 5 songs fully recorded. You work in a collaborative manner in small groups of three or four and those roles will change for the next three semesters.

They are going to be the engineer, they’re going to be the producer, the artist, and they’re going to be the tech. And that can even change in the session itself depending on what the needs are per session.

The next course is mixing, in the third course they take everything from Pro Tools, run through both of the 192s into the MTA 980 console. MTA stands for Malcolm Toft Audio, he’s the guy that invented the whole concept of modular board. This is the same model of board that mixed Radiohead’s “Pablo Honey”, and the album “OK Computer”, which is one of my favorite albums ever. He’s also the guy that mixed “Hey Jude.” When the Beatles left Abby Road for a couple of weeks because they were going stir crazy, Malcolm Toft was the engineer of the studio they went to. So, in this course, it’s all mixing; they don’t do any tracking at all. I just give them mixing assignments. In each of the assignments they go song after song after song; the pace is pretty rigorous but I’m trying to teach them, I’m trying to prepare them for working in the studio. They can get extra time if they want, but I’m trying to keep that professional standard high. In the last class they do another full-on album, which means they end up with another 10 songs. Once again it is a collaborative environment, but they are performing, engineering and producing. I require a digital release, a hard release, and an event release.

INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN RECORDING ARTS? Check out the full 15 minute long video interview online at:

WWW.YOURMUSICMAGAZINE.COM

43

THE BOARDWALK LOVES METALCORE! UNEARTH - OCTOBER 13, 2010

BRUTALITY ALERT! Attention Sacramento metal fans: dust off your leather, lint-roll your black tees and exercise those horns because Sacramento’s prime music venue for local and national acts is opening it’s doors to the Boston bruisers, Unearth, and head banging neck pain will never feel so rewarding! Unearth has cemented it’s reign on the world wide metal scene for over a decade, touring with the greats, such as Slayer, Devil Driver, Lamb of God, and a few rounds on the Ozzfest circuit. With four full lengths notched into the bed posts, Unearth is ready for another national tour, playing mostly with local acts along the way.

In addition to witnessing a world renown metal band, Unearth will be joined by four California grown bands, including Sacto’s own, Awaiting the Apocalypse, who participated in the last YMO Sacramento edition. Congrats to them!

What better place to enjoy yourself than at the boardwalk on a school night. You can even bring the kids and introduce them to brutal magnificence, know as Unearth. Johnny Love will be serving up some gnarly metal show cuisine, Claud, the irreplaceable sound guy, will make every noise beautifully distinguishable, and who knows, you might finally enjoy yourself!

Boardwalk has always been there for you, you just haven’t discovered it yet. The Boardwalk is located on Greenback Blvd in Orangevale, CA shortly past Main Ave. -Words by Jon Hermison FOR MORE SHOW INFORMATION GO TO WWW.BOARDWALKROCKS.COM

ROCK ‘N’ ARTS HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

THE AVALON 10.31.2010

REZN is tearing fast and loaded into the Avalon Nightclub in Santa Clara, CA to host the Rock N’ Arts Halloween Festival, an all-day music and art event, on Halloween day, October 31st.

The party starts at 11:30 a.m. and seeps deep into the night, with performances by several outstanding local bands, including Letters Make Words fresh from this year’s Left Coast Live, TrickMechanics from the YMM 2010 Olympics, and headliner Klank, who released their hardhitting studio album Numb…Reborn earlier this year.

“There’s something for everybody,” explains Scotty Shorsher, REZN’s bassist and one of its founding members. “We’ve got rockabilly showing up, alternative, hard rock, progressive metal, and a bunch of other cool stuff. This is not to be missed.”

Live painting by local artist Corey Hicks and others will fill the floors throughout the night, shutterbeast J. Givens will be running photography, and a costume contest with a prize for first place will be happening later in the evening. Also, the participating band that sells the most tickets to the event will be rewarded with an entire day’s worth of studio recording at Freq Lab Recording absolutely free, so be sure to support your favorite act.

The Rock N’ Arts Halloween Festival is open to all ages and everyone is sure to have a good time, so make plans to attend this huge event on the creepiest ghoul-filled day of the year.

VISIT WWW.REZNMUSIC.COM FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT

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Danzig Deth Red Sabaoth Evilive/The End Records For an aging rocker on a slow decline it’s normally a bright move to make a back-to-basics record; they might be awarded with renewed interest from old fans or, even better, interest from a younger generation tapping in to the cyclical hipness of nostalgic rock music. A word of advice if you attempt this album: make good songs.

Let’s crush any illusions about what’s really going on here: The Misfits, Samhian and the first two Danzig albums were great and, since then, he’s been deteriorating one disappointing record at a time for six straight releases and now Deth Red Sabaoth is being made out to be some sort of homecoming.

Musically, Deth Red Sabaoth is dated and uncreative. It sounds like Glen rounded up a bunch of burnouts from a Guitar Center in 1992 and told them to play Sabbath. When it’s not unbearably predictable, it’s unbearably excessive---nice two and a half minute guitar shred-fest, but few are impressed by squeal-y riffs in 2010.

The good songs, and there are three of them, stand out because they allow Danzig’s voice to resonate: the scrappy alternate picking of “On a Wicked Night,” the enduring “Pyre of Souls” and the heroic closer “Left Hand Rise Above” all make room for the ominous howl that characterizes Danzig’s music.

Speaking of Danzig’s voice, I think he finally crossed the bold line that separates “dark lyrics” from “rapist lyrics” on the track “Ju Ju Bone,” saying, “Girl, I think you got trouble/I think that it’s time/Gonna Get My Ju Ju Bone/Take you down.” I can’t be certain if he’s referencing his cock or a bizarre implement I’m not aware of, but in either case he clearly has bad intentions.

So what if I don’t like it, big deal. Give Deth Red Sabaoth to your uncle—the one with the hockey hair who never got married and still cruises for chicks in what used to be considered a “sweet van.” He’ll love it. -Kevin Madness

Swans My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky Young God Strange sounds assail the listener as My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky gets underway; with a starting track that comes in at 9:24 and is riddled with bells, build-ups, brass, and strings, Swans’ latest album showcases a progressing band that hasn’t stagnated despite (or maybe due to) a 14-year hiatus and frontman Michael Gira being 56 years old. They’ve retained their fondness of dirge-like songs

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with complex/strange instrumentation, but My Father… is a more directed and cohesive album than past releases.

When Swans began in 1982, they carved a new direction of goth-folk and now, 28 years later, they are straying from their own beaten path to explore further. Each track has a unique continuity that marches towards some unforeseen destination, one which may involve squeamish situations like burning liars in a pile as a group stands around singing (“Reeling the Liars In”) or eerie harmonies with Gira’s 3 ½ year-old daughter which then transition into doom-laden pianos with howling trumpets (“You Fucking People Make Me Sick”).

What’s truly impressive about My Father… is how effortlessly the music intertwines upon itself, mixing extremely complex instrumentation as Gira’s gravelly vocals act as the delicate thread that will pull you along in the wake of the music. The band plans to be touring often over the next 18 months and, if the tracks on this album are any indication, that promises to offer a must see performance. -Andre Estournes

Montana 1948 Picket Fence Self-Released Montana 1948 just released their 2nd album “Picket Fence” in early July and it’s absolutely brilliant! The LP features 12 well-composed songs with catchy riffs and a driving energy that is refreshing to find. It starts off strong with their current radio single “Final Straw,” which flows nicely into “Don’t Be Too Late,” one of my favorites on the record, whose lyrics inspired the album’s title. I’m also a big fan of “January Jones” and “How to Swim,” both drenched with guitar delays and riffs straight out of the Dredg handbook. I can relate to “One Last Drink” a lot, a brilliant ballad about having one last cocktail together at the end of a failed relationship; it’s filled with ingenious lyrics, including, “I sit I reminisce about the times that I won’t miss.” The album ends beautifully with the hit “Mexico” and the emotionally charged ballad “Nineteen Years.” The musical composition of every song is perfectly matched around Ryan Lafferty’s sultry vocals and cleverly written lyrics, yet it’s obvious that every band member plays an integral part to each song’s arrangement and flow. All around, this album is a rare gem that is hard to find these days, and I love it from beginning to end. I encourage all indie rock lovers to download this album on iTunes; you won’t be disappointed! http://www.myspace.com/mt1948 -Barb Rocks

Careful Oh, Light Sounds Super Recordings Delicate instrumentation and haunting vocals glimmer through the fog on Oh, Light. Acoustic guitars, glittering electronics, and compelling melodies push the listener through folk explorations that are grounded and interesting without being pretentious and unmotivated.

The slow, almost lazy delivery of each track lends to the overall elegance and simplicity of the album while Eric Lindley’s modest and whispery vocals don’t let you sit for too long in absolute comfort.

A different side of indie bedroom folk, Lindley looks into self-image, relationships, and humanity while weaving beautiful melodies and calm, poised instrumentation. On the downside, while the album is elegant and pleasant to listen to, it doesn’t have the same “spark” that other acts within the same genre have. At times the music feels forced and uninspired (“Every Epiphany” and “Carnival”) made more apparent by the standout tracks (“Scrappy,” “Laid or Lain,” and “Turns Out”). However, even without that spark, you’re not left in the dark; Oh, Light is calm and composed through every track and deserves multiple listens and a bit of digging to fully ingest the minute details that are hidden under the surface.

-Andre Estournes

Nonpoint Miracle 954 Records Does anyone remember a song that came out on the radio a few years ago called “The Truth,” talking about governmental and religious propaganda? What about “Bullet With a Name,” that angry soliloquy about a desperate man’s everyday fight to survive? Not many people do, by “mainstream“ standards. The band Nonpoint wrote and delivered them and more, with a style I hadn’t quite encountered up until that time. Their seventh and most recent album, “Miracles,” just hit the shelves, and surprised me as soon as I opened the cardboard sleeve. A huge diorama of burning, war-torn buildings pops up with a spore growing from the embers, welcoming you into the album! The first track, “Shadow” and title track, “Miracle” (which features vocals from Chad Gray of Mudvayne and Hell Yeah), hit you the same way, and the album seldom relents. Elias’ voice is as good as ever, and he shows his prowess and versatility throughout the album. Surprisingly though, this is the first CD from Nonpoint that has moments when I start to drift, as it’s not quite as catchy as a lot of their

previous work. Towards the end of the album though, I found I was banging my head and screaming along again. As much as this album rocks like a Nonpoint album should, there are plenty of melodic breakdowns that come like a moment of levity, and a few songs I’d even call ballads. Some of these moments may be attributed to the replacement of guitarist Andrew Goldman with former Modern Day Zero axeman Zach Broderick. This being his first studio release with the band, Broderick had some big shoes to fill, but made the transition nicely, without changing the entire band’s sound. Produced by “Yep!” studios, “Miracle” has a different finished sound from their previous releases under MCA, Lava, and Bieler Bros. It sounds warmer and more organic- which works for a band with their raw talent. Although not my favorite work from Nonpoint, they’ve put together yet another solid album from beginning to end, including a little surprise about 7 minutes after the “last” track. A closing word of advice though, don’t listen to this album on the freeway, unless you like speeding tickets…

-Todd Graham

Sinn The Original Sinn Nor Kal They say that the best things in life are free, and this may be one of them. “Sinn” released a 15 track album entitled “The Original Sinn,” which has been downloaded hundreds of times and received over 10,000 plays, all within the last year. Within seconds of the first track, I was instantly captivated by his amazing descriptive and storytelling ability. His lyrics seem to flow seamlessly, and are derived from his uncanny grasp of reality. He to speak from his heart, using truth as the fuel to his fire, creating a savage wickedness and darkness. The tracks vary from slow melodic ballads to hard hitting, inyour-face, and driven beats. This is one album you have to get; and that isn’t even the best part. It’s free. Yep, you read it right, it’s absolutely FREE! Get your copy today at www.SIdoubleN.com. And even though it might seem too good to be true, his next album which is co-produced by Hazmat, “The Grape Ape Mix Tape” will be releasing soon, and as you guessed it, will also be available for FREE! www.SIdoubleN.com. -Adam Pierce 47

Street Sweeper Social Club

The Ghetto Blaster EP Cooking Vinyl When he’s proclaiming, “We’re more than a band, we’re a motherfuckin’ social club!” Boots Riley is being metaphoric. On The Ghettoblaster EP, SSSC sounds more like a band than ever before. The guitar is co-active and less dominant, the bass and drums are more essential, but, most paramount, is the improvement of Riley’s delivery which has transitioned nicely from the faded manner he used in the Coup to a more fierce and pronounced recitation that better suits the intensity of the music. While their debut sounded like a project, Ghetto Blaster sounds like a rock band.

Of the three original songs featured on Ghettoblaster, “The New Fuck You” is superlative and features the best hook SSSC has had yet: “Fuckin’ is the new ‘Hey, how do you do?’ and revolution is the new ‘Fuck you!’” “Scars (Hold That Pose)” amusingly showcases Riley’s unique mix of conviction and comedy as he raps about grinding through poverty in funny ways. The title track goes a little limp at the chorus and sounds a little too “Rage-y” (a rare misstep on an album where the guitar work is overall pretty fresh, including a manic outro on the remix of “Prominade”).

The road-tested cover songs on this EP are generally advantageous. Though their take on “Paper Planes” isn’t quite the upgrade that “Momma Said Knock You Out” and their musically organic version of the Riley’s Coup classic “Everythang” is, it still entertains. Just being performed by the politically-minded Boots and Tom seems to alter the context and add depth to the lyrics of MIA and LL Cool J. Why? Because we believe them.

-Kevin Madness Victory In Numbers Killing. Mourning. Love.

Bullet Tooth Records I stand corrected. When I first listened to Victory In Numbers latest release, “Killing. Mourning. Love.”, I thought they were just going to be another milquetoast pop rock band. In a genre so flooded with J.A.B.s (just another band), they surprised the hell out of me. They have a level of musicality seldom found in their scene, and bring some different little tricks to the table. The album starts out a bit mellow, but small piano parts make “Midnight In London” a good opening ballad. Throughout the album, the attention to detail that sets this band apart becomes more apparent. At times, they are able to draw 48 out a little aggression that, to me is reminiscent of

Smile Empty Soul. There are also parts when acoustic guitars grant a clean, bright element to otherwise somber songs; the album is an amalgamation of emotions as the title very aptly suggests. “I Am” is a very lifting track, in contrast to “Do It Again” which carries a totally defeatist attitude. Formerly known as Blue Collar before the tragic passing of their original vocalist Vincent Green, Victory In Numbers or VIN, is a tribute to a fallen brother, with a ton of sincerity in their sound. They have been up and down the block on some big stages, and just came off of a full U.S. tour under Bullet Tooth Records (formerly Trust Kill Records). Give them a listen at myspace.com/ VictoryInNumbers, and look in to their backstory. You just may fall for this sleeper band. -Todd Graham

Word Alive Deceiver Fearless Records Deceiver by Word Alive deserves more than just your attention.

From beginning to end, Deceiver is a brilliantly clever compound of powerful pounding heavy metal and heartfelt melodic harmonies. Each song seems to hit harder that the last one. Ingredients are to include Tyler “Telle” Smith’s amazing technical vocal ability is mind blowing. One moment he may be bellowing gut wrenching rawness, and I the next he is tugging on your heartstrings with a beautiful ballot.

Nick Urlacher, Zack Hansen and Tony Pizzuti join guitar forces bringing a wall of crushing and slashing sound. Justin Salinas is an insane drummer. Seemingly flawless in his conversion of double pedal madness to a light, soft background beat. There’s a new genre of music sweeping the airwaves, and Word Alive may be a frontal force. -Adam Pierce Tess Dunn Darling, Just Walk One Heart Records Santa Cruz songwriter Tess Dunn is fifteen years old and has cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening respiratory disease. It hasn’t kept her from rocking out, writing her own original compositions and hitting stages all over, including this year’s much-attended Warped Tour.

Unlike a lot of today’s younger musical performers, Tess writes her own material on the keyboard and sings along while she plays. The CD Darling, Just Walk shows that and more, featuring guitars, drums, glockenspiel, and even a toy piano! Also featured on the album are multi-instrumentalist and producer Ari Shine, drummer Adam Topol, and accompanying vocalists Adrienne Pierce and Carina Round.

Dunn’s lyrics reflect someone dealing with very real issues, and not only in her health. Her songs for the most part are about love and attachment, things that anyone can relate to.

The music is singer-songwriter stuff to be sure, but so much better! She sings songs about love, and as other articles have hinted at, it’s quite possible that her struggles fighting disease have given her a perspective on life and love that few others among her age group (or older) have been able to attain through traditional inputs such as school, work, and social groups.

Dunn never fails to impress on Darling, Just Walk, her debut release. Buy her CD today and learn more about this outstanding artist at www.tessdunn.com. -Ben Baker

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By Todd Graham Photos by Brian Crabtree YMM had a chance to catch up with members of the one and only metal band Exodus at The Avalon Nightclub in Santa Clara. This was their long awaited return home to the Bay Area, and second to last stop on tour after snapping necks with Testament and Megadeth. The band was having a hectic sound check and dinner-hour before the show, so we decided to get with the latest recruit, vocalist of 5 years, Rob Dukes, and the one remaining original member and lead guitarist, Gary Holt, for a quick Q&A session.

So I’m here at the Avalon, Man Down Productions and Your Music Magazine; I’ve got Rob Dukes of Exodus. So you just got back from tour or what?

Still on it man. We’ve got 1 more show here and 1 more in Reno and we’re done.

Nice. So how was that with Megadeth and Testament?

It was awesome, every night was awesome.

So you’ve been with the band since 2005. How do feel about the writing process, do feel like you’ve taken your place?

Yeah, they’ve let me write some lyrics and it’s pretty cool. I try my best.

So the new album is Exhibit B: The Human Condition. Can you explain the title?

It’s just about how man is the worst thing ever on the planet. We just kill each other. It’s really just how awful we can be as people. There it is right there.

What’s your personal favorite off of the album?

Umm…I like Good Riddance, and I like The Ballad (Of Leonard and Charles) cuz it’s got a moody feel to it, but I like the whole thing. I think it’s one of the coolest records I’ve ever done man.

How is morale with the guys on the road?

It’s awesome man, we’re family. I mean, we fight every now and then, but not this tour. Every

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one’s been pretty cool.

How does it feel to be back in the Bay Area again?

It’s good man, after tomorrow’s show we come back and we are here for a few days. I think I’m gonna go to the art museum and check out some art and then hang out in the city for a couple days - do a little touristy stuff since I’m from New York. That’s it, then we’re off to Japan.

Off to Japan. The Japanese love their metal!

They do, they really do. Then we’re off to Australia and New Zealand.

ROB DUKES

GARY HOLT We’re here in Santa Clara at the Avalon, your home area. How does it feel to be back?

It feels good to be back in California, out of the massive, sweltering humidity of some of the places we’ve been this last month.

You know, back in California everything just feels right.

There’s no place like home. So you guys just put out an album recently - Exhibit B: The Human Condition.

So what is your favorite song on that album?

My personal favorite is the one we haven’t played live yet, Classed Dismissed, because we’re not doing the alternate tuning stuff we did in the studio. That song just rages. I like ‘em all though. I love playing Beyond the Pale, The Ballad of Leonard and Charles, Good Riddance. They’re all good songs.

So, you’re with Nuclear Blast Records now. How are they treating you?

Great man, they’ve been fans of the band longer than they’ve been business partners.

It’s good to be with a label that understands you.

And the recording process - did that go smoothly? It can be tedious sometimes.

Nah, we had fun in the studio. I remember we did the drums in a studio in Oakland, but then we moved and set up shop in a rental house, rented a vacation house, lived there and recorded there for 3 weeks. It was like a summer camp for thrash metal. We named the studio “Camp Crunch.” It was awesome.

That was good times.

Camp Crunch, nice. Speaking of good times, you have the 70,000 pounds tour? Something on a cruise boat from what I understand?

“The 70,000 Tons of Metal Tour.” It’s Royal Caribbean, from Miami to the Caribbean and back, it’s gonna be awesome.

Who are you playing with on that?

Oh, fuck. Amon Amarth, Finn Trollz, Saxon, Uli Jon Roth, Testament, Death Angel, Forbidden. The Bay Area is well represented. Um…Fear Factory, Sonata

Artica, I can’t remember them all and we’re still only halfway through the performing bands.

Is there any band, specifically, that you’re looking forward to playing with?

Uli Jon Roth. Yeah, I’m gonna torture him all over the boat! He’s fucking God. He is our lord and savior.

Haha, so do you have any crazy stories from this tour?

Any debauchery that we could put on record?

No, cuz I’m pretty debauchery free nowadays. I don’t even get wasted. I drink a little every night and get my sleep. Drunken stories, you gotta go talk to Malevolent Creation, cuz those guys get hammered every night. Speak of the devil, there they are (as the MC van pulls up to load in)!

Do you think not partying with the guys every night affects your writing process?

Nah, none of us party too much. We got a job to do. You party every night and get shit faced drunk-well, I don’t like playing with hangovers. It sucks.

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SLASH

By Rawker Rachel Photos by Debbi Rotkowitz

MYLES KENNEDY

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August 26th, 2010 kicked off the 3rd Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival in West Hollywood, the only festival that “Takes The Strip Back!” to it’s roots of rock ‘n roll during the 80’s metal heyday which made Sunset Boulevard the notorious hot spot for musical debauchery. And who more befitting to headline the festival than Mr. Excess himself, Slash!

Thursday was the kick-off day for the festival, and was officially declared “Slash Day” by the City of West Hollywood, with a Slash Tribute event held at The House Of Blues. The event was exclusively “invitation only,” with limited VIP passes for sale, of which a portion of the proceeds would benefit Slash’s charity of choice, the Los Angeles Youth Network. Further down The Strip the other infamous clubs such as The Key Club, The Roxy, The Cat Club, The Whisky A Go-Go, and The Viper Room housed such acts as the 90’s alternative rock band Filter, and The Head Cat which features rock legend Lemmy of Motorhead. Friday saw more bands stealing the stages once again, with such acts as Santa Cruz’s own The Expendables at The Roxy, P.O.D. at The Whisky, and Unwritten Law headlining The Key Club.

Saturday was the main event! Not only were all of the clubs west of Sunset and Larrabee Street packed with nationwide and local acts, but Sunset

<<< STEEL PANTHER >>>

SEMI PRECIOUS

Boulevard was completely shut down through Doheny Drive, with a stage marking each end of the closure “Stage East” and “Stage West.” Stage West was your best bet, with headliners such as the legend himself, Slash, faux 80’s goof band Steel Panther (formerly known as Metal Skool), and another singer who just can’t let go of his former fame, Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins. Stage East headliners were alternative up and comers Neon Trees, fashionistas Semi Precious Weapons, hip-hop staple Common, and “lonely stoner” Kid Cudi. While the outside festival had its madness, there was plenty to be had inside all of the clubs as well. Over 50 bands infested the indoor club stages, ranging from metal up and comers Yeti, rockers Love and a .38, and another victim of the 80’s, former Guns ‘n Roses drummer Steven Adler with his band, Adler’s Appetite.

Slash was definitely an experience to see live. The Legend WEAPONS who wrote one of the greatest albums of all time, Appetite For Destruction, standing, moving, and playing right in front of your eyes was completely surreal. His new band, fronted [but not upstaged] by Myles Kennedy, played new material as well as old Guns N’ Roses during the Appetite For Destruction era.

Kennedy sang surprisingly well in Axl Rose fashion during “Sweet Child O Mine” and “Paradise City”, however his dancing and hip-swiveling did not even register. Slash’s encore was mediocre once you realized it was Fergie who was sent to deliver the “big bang.” Yes, Fergie, the ex-meth addict who peed her pants while performing with The Black Eyed Peas. I updated my Facebook status to place a $20 bet with a friend if she were to piss herself again; I got oneup’ed by $50, but not after I settled the score with $50 cash and a meth rock “for old time’s sake.” Fergie did not wet herself this time, but her lady parts did swallow her chones as she killed it during a cover of Heart’s “Barracuda” while doing one-handed cartwheels.

The real show stoppers of the fest were Steel Panther, a local legend birthed right out of the Sunset Boulevard gutters in hair spray and spandex. Steel Panther is Spinal Tap for the new generation, except they’re actually funny. With their crude humor and 80’s glam, Steel Panther owned the West Stage as they performed such songs as “Eyes Of The Panther,” “Asian Hooker” and of course “Death To All But Metal”, their metal homage to the true genre pioneers whilst “death to Papa Roach, Blink 182, all those fucking pussies sound like doggy-doo.”

The Sunset Music Festival was an overload of rock and roll from every angle, lightly dusted with hip-hop for added flavor. A wild success this year, and for years to come, to “Take the Strip 53 back!!!”

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(2) A.K.C.

Registered

Male & Female

English Bulldog Puppies

contact:

robinpeter04@hotmail.com

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3UPFRONT WILL BE IN THE STUDIO RECORDING A NEW ALBUM!

START A WAR (‘99)

AND JAKE (‘08)

blankmedia

nOTHIN’ 2 LOSE (‘03) LIVE AT FLINGS (‘05)

(RECORDING NOW)

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10/23 Andre Nikatina 10/28 LA Guns 10/29 Lisa Lisa 11/07 The Misfits

Mountain Charley’s (Los Gatos)

San Francisco Cow Palace

10/29 Live 105’s Subsonic Spookfest w/ Moby/MSTKRFT/ Underworld

The Fillmore

10/10 Frightened Rabbit 10/11 EELS 10/12 Teenage Fanclub 10/13 The Script 10/14 Paul Okenfold 10/15 Girls 10/16 The Morning Benders 10/19 Waken Baken Tour- Wiz Khalifa/Yelawolf 10/20 Suicidal Tendencies 10/21 Aziz Ansari- Dangerously Delicious Tour 10/28 K’NAAN 10/29 Built to Spill 10/30 Built to Spill 10/31 Lucha Vavoom 11/01 Ingrid Michaelson 11/02 Gary Newman 11/03 Dr. Dog 11/04 Dr. Dog 11/06 Mavis Staples and Billy Bragg 11/07 Dickey Betts with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp 11/10 Stars

Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View)

10/08 Rascal Flatts 10/16 Jimmy Buffet

Sleep Train Pavilion (Concord)

10/23 Mary J. Blige 10/26 Nickleback

The Warfield

10/01 Kaskade 10/02 Infected Mushroom 10/03 Gotan Project 10/05 Guided By Voices 10/15 Manu Chao 10/17 Hot Chip 10/20 Mumford and Sons 10/28 Celtic Thunder 10/29 Of Montreal 10/30 Kate Nash 11/01 Stone Temple Pilots 11/04 Djavan 11/06 Pepper 11/08 KT Tunstall 11/13 Devo

Regency Ballroom

10/01 Kathleen Madigan 10/02 The Sword 10/05 CocoRosie 10/06 Caribou 10/10 Anberlin 10/11 James 10/12 All That Remains 10/15 Jason Derulo 10/17 Say Anything/Motion City Soundtrack/Saves the Day 10/18 Flyleaf/Story of the Year 10/19 Minus the Bear 10/20 Deer Tick 10/21 Atreyu 10/22 Never Shout Never 10/27 The AP Fall Tour 2010 w/

Bring Me the Horizon/August Burns Red 10/28 UNKLE 11/03 Ryuichi Sakamoto 11/04 Bayside/Senses Fail 11/05 Tim & Eric Awesome Tour Great Job! 11/07 Circa Survive 11/11 Bo Burnham

Club Six

11/05 Your Music Olympicks 11/12 Your Music Olympicks 11/19 Your Music Olympicks 01/14 Your Music Olympicks Finals

East Bay MetalFest

10/09 Memorial Park Amphitheatre w/ Imagika/Potential Threat/Age of Aggression/Mystic Rage +7 more

Santa Cruz The Catalyst

10/07 Tech N9ne 10/08 The Pack 10/16 Ozomatli 10/20 Waken Baken Tour w/ Wiz Khalifa/Yelawolf 10/22 Mishka 10/23 Mickey Avalon 10/24 MURS 10/26 Barrington Levy 10/28 Switchfoot 10/30 Sourgrass 11/06 Ghostland Observatory 11/07 Sublime w/ Rome 11/08 Sublime w/ Rome 11/10 Borgore 11/11 Alkaline Trio

Catalyst Artrium

10/09 A Band of Orcs 10/13 Papagaiyo 10/14 Floater 10/16 South 46 10/23 The Chop Tops 10/24 Wallpaper 10/30 Thrive 10/31 Tater Famine 11/04 Old Man Markley 11/09 The Supervillians 11/11 Rod Piazza

Coasters

09/18 3 Up Front 09/24 Phat Chants 10/01 Redwood Fur 10/02 CID Y (CD release) 10/08 Citabria 10/15 The B-Movie Kings 10/22 Eliquate 10/29 Levi’s Ghost

Britannia Arms (Aptos)

10/02 Twisted Mojo 10/09 The URJ 10/16 Isadora’s Scarf 10/23 Back to Nowhere

10/15 Ploughman 10/21 Reluctant Hero 10/29 BlowUpDollz

Barb Rocks!

10/09 @ Britannia Arms (Cupertino)- Stripped Away/Until We Sleep/Something Left Unsaid 10/15 @ Mountain Charley’s Saloon (Los Gatos)-Ploughman/The Devil’s Sunday Best 10/16 @ Homestead Lanes (Cupertino)- Death Valley High/ California Is Burning/Drop Dead Sixty/Hello Monster 10/20 @ The Voodoo Lounge- (San Jose)- Hell Fire/Rishloo/5150 10/21 @ Mountain Charley’s Saloon (Los Gatos)-Reluctant Hero/TBA 10/23 @ Britannia Arms (Cupertino)- Stoic Nai/Two Left Feet 10/29 @ Mountain Charley’s Saloon (Los Gatos)-BlowUpDollz/The Secret Sons 11/06 @ Britannia Arms (Cupertino)-The Famous/Careless Hearts/Dynamite Truck/The Devil’s Sunday Best 11/13 @ Homestead Lanes (Cupertino)- The Golden Hour/Back Pocket Memory 11/20 @ Britannia Arms (Cupertino)-Everyday Tragedy/TBA

Sacramento The Boardwalk

10/01 Despised Icon 10/02 Ludo 10/07 Tyler Hilton 10/08 MC Rut 10/09 Shinobi Ninja 10/10 Sac Shows Local Music Awards 10/13 Unearth 10/14 I Wrestled a Bear Once 10/15 Track Fighter 10/16 Your Music Olympicks Finals check web-site for Finalists 10/17 Hellfest 10/19 Blood on the Dance Floor 10/22 Mickey Avalon 10/23 Memento Mori 10/24 Horrorpops 10/27 LA Guns 10/28 Plan Mute 10/29 Wesley Avery 10/30 Versa Emergence 11/02 Enter Shikari 11/07 Miss May I 11/08 All Time Low 11/11 Mayday Parade

Arco Arena

10/15 Maroon 5 10/19 Shakira 10/22 Justin Bieber 10/23 Nickelback 11/4 Alan Jackson

The Fire Escape

10/01 YMO Band Olympicks w/ Not Your Style/Wonderland Syndrome/ The Hybrid Creeps/Brightmillion 10/02 Blazing Burlesque 10/03 No Where But Up For The Operator 10/07 In The Eyes of a Mistress Our Endless Obsession Disposition of Vullgarity 10/08 Steel Savior/Serpent & Seraph/Devastator/Siphon Soul 10/15 Brainwrap/Fuhcade 10/17 Ventura/Blame it on the Girl Yes Sir/Asiago 10/22 Take Pride/Last Night In Town/Heartless Nightlife Hugo Stiglitz/Cadence 10/24 Autumn Life Promotions: TBA 10/29 Dirty Filthy Mug 10/30 Fallrise/Bell Tower Sniper Black 10/31 The Lurking Terror/The Left Hand/SKRY/Zombie Video Shoot

Tex Wasabi’s

09/30 Your Music Olympicks w/ Ambient Sunrise In The Silence/Split Self 10/16 Designer Forks 10/23 Choppe Shop 11/0 No Bozoz

Club Retro

10/02 Grand Opening w/ The Paper Melody/Not Your Style/Body Electric 10/09 Lionheart 10/16 Hazel and Vines 10/23 10 After 2

West Hollywood The Whisky

10/07 Los Angeles Music Awards 10/08 Red Snow/Oh So Wild 10/09 Davidica 10/10 Deadlight Massacre 10/11 Lust 10/13 Incite 10/14 Immolation 10/17 Blood on the Dance Floor 10/21 Volsha Starr and Natural Impulse

Key Club

10/08 Warner Drive 10/09 Super Diamond Wayward Sons 10/10 The Spazmatics 10/11 Steel Panther 10/14 Devin Townsend 10/16 DJ Quik 10/17 The Spazmatics 10/18 Steel Panther 10/22 Electric Six 10/24 The Spazmatics 10/25 Steel Panther 10/28 Fear 11/01 Steel Panther 11/04 Front Line Assembly 11/05 Emanuel Gissa 11/06 Mastermind w/ Too Short 11/08 Steel Panther 11/09 Collie Budz 11/10 Swollen Members 11/11 Miss May I

South Bay The Avalon (Santa Clara)

10/01 Best Kept Secret 10/02 Bay Area Bollywood 10/06 Vicious Rumors 10/15 The English Beat 10/16 Armored Saint

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“Authentic Hawaiian Style Plate Lunch!”

1700 PORTOLA DR SANTA CRUZ (831) 479-3299 www.alohaislandgrille.com

•LUNCH LUNCH •DINNER •CATERING •PARTIES •ALOHA SPIRIT ...and more!

OPEN 7 DAYS 11-8pm

(831) 594-2879

$40/song

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