RNR issue 15

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Features

30

Motorboat

Huntress rocking the outside stage

Interviews 10 12 12 14 18 19 22 22 23 24 26 28 28 30

Dave Mustaine 32 Ironaot 32 XO Stereo 33 Metal Madness 34 Downtown Attraction 35 Archer 36 John 5 38 Eluveitie 39 7 Days Away 39 The Winery Dogs 41 Judas Priest 42 Crowbar 43 Stereo Fire Empire 45 Mikkey Dee 46

Write ups Santa Cruz Crobot Hatebreed Suicidal Tenencies Motor Sister Atreyu The Music Experience Smoking Martha Darkc311 Devour the Day Clutch All that Remains September Mourning Count’s 77

30 36 39 40 44 45 50 50 51 52 53 53 54 54

Motorhead Motorboat Louder Than Life Dead of Winter Knotfest Aftershock Taste of Chaos Sublime with Rome Atreyu Queensryche/Scorpions Van Halen Ghost Rhonda’s Kiss AC/DC New Year’s Day

56 Motley Crue 57 Ringo

Industry 58 60 62 63 64 57 65

Cyndie Wade Shops that Rock -Grabbit Drum Courner Music with Michael G Follow the Revolution The Art of Songwriting CD Reviews Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 5

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Editor’s Words EDITOR IN CHIEF Mike Smothers

mike@rocknrollindustries.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR Jessica Johnson jess@rocknrollindustries.com

SENIOR EDITOR Angelica Ulloa

angelica@rocknrollindustries.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Dea Meeks ILLUSTRATOR Steev Moreno

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Steev Moreno, Tony Sinicropi, Matt Upton Jack of Exodus and I on the Deck of Motorboat cruise

This issue we set across our great nation on a quest to set forth our mission from California to Florida to aboard the legendary Motörhead Motörboat and rock the high seas.

Booking a rental van for travel was our first priority. Making a decision on a vehicle as this was to be a family adventure as well finding the right vehicle was important. Our final decision, became a great choice and real money saver with “Jucy.” A green and purple van; Driving reminds you of the Barney song regardless of the color and outlandish marketing this adventurous and rugged van out of Australia, with full mini kitchen and automatic pop up sleeping above the roof was as cool as it gets along with plenty of extra amenities within the van. Made it very useful to enjoy our travel. Thank you “Jucy Co. for making our trip possible.

Our first stop to Arizona a little 6 hour jaunt, down south to visit good

Mike Smothers Editor in Chief Follow us Facebook.com/rocknrollindustriesmag Twitter @RockNRollind Instagram @rocknrollindustriesmag

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friends- makes it nice every year in preparing for the long haul across our great nation. As we start cross country trying to make good time stopping off to visit national sites sleeping at camping sites, made it especially fun in the Jucy. The three of us as a family being able to stretch out your legs and lie down was great.

Our second stop was New Orleans to visit family and take a break off the road for a couple of days and visit the New Orleans culture. Our third stop was Motörboat city where we bored Lemmy’s Motörboat out of Florida headed for the Bahamas. Lemmy didn’t hold back as he also made our adventure as fun as possible by arranging a day off on a private island. After a five-day adventurous headbanging cruise and if that wasn’t enough we steped off the boat heading to our next destination “Louder Than Life” Now this was a great family fun!

WRITERS: Raquel Figlo, Stacey Shaw, Manny Rivas II, Michael G Clark, Peggy Murphy, Julian Douglas, WINJOW, Rob Gainey, Alison “MetalBabe” Cohen, Roger Stoddard, Nicole DeMarco, Taylor Hicks, Laura Chen, Sarah Roberts, Scott Schoenkopt, Toshi Iseda, Sandy Martin, Monni McCleary, Tim Phoenix, Ray Laracuente, Raya Morrison, Justin Ingold, Evlin Lake, Billy Zee, Parker Minor, Wolf Navarro, Daniel Hicks, Miranda “Panda” Johnson PHOTOGRAPHERS: Neil Zlozower, Igor Vidyashev, Chad Lee, Leah Burlington*, Alex Kluft*, Jazmin Monet Estopin, Simi Friedman*, Gonzo Sandoval*, Enrique Nuñez*, Cyndi Johnson, Lan Nguyen*, Doug Gouge, Larry Dimazio, Matt Upton, Graham Denzler, Craig Morse, Scott Dworkin*, Neil Lim Sang, Ramon C Ward Jr. * Photojournalists

Advertising/ Intern Inquires sales@rocknrollindustries.com Tel: 909 289 8872 www.rocknrollindustries.com SUBSCRIPTIONS To order by phone: 909 289 8872 To order online: www.rocknrollindustries.com Check, money order, Credit and PayPal accepted.

Subscribers: Please alert us of any changes of address 6-8 weeks before the date of your move. Rock N Roll Industries is not responsible or obligated to re-ship issues missed because of a move we were not informed of.

Rock N Roll Industries (ISSN 2164-9863 print ISSN 2164-9871 online) is published bi monthly, 34955 Cella Ln Yucaipa Ca 92399. Annual Subscription costs $16.95. Submission of manuscripts, illustrations, media kits and/or photographs will not be returned.

The publisher assumes no responsibly for unsolicited materials. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 9

Megadeth: Dave Mustaine “Founding Father” of Thrash Metal, lets you into his State of Dystopia

By Raquel Figlo

A great deal has changed in the Megadeth camp since our last interview with Dave Mustaine in 2013. Along with their new album, Megadeth has two new band members who have had a powerful influence on the sound of their 15th studio album “Dystopia.” Kiko Lourerio (formally of Angra) and Chris Adler (who also plays with Lamb of God) have replaced guitarist Chris Broderick and drummer Shawn Drover who left Megadeth in late 2014 to start their own band.

Although their previous album “Super Collider” debuted at #6 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart, it received mixed reviews from critics and Megadeth’s hardcore fans (known as Droogies), some saying it lacked the thrash sounds they have grown to expect from Megadeth. With their new album, “Dystopia,” fans will be happy to hear Megadeth going back to their thrash roots with songs featuring aggressive riffage, and lengthy instrumental interludes. “Dystopia” is the album Metalheads have been waiting for that will continue Megadeth’s legacy as thrash metal kings. This new work is reminiscent of classics such as “Tornado of Souls” and “Black Friday” which will not only satisfy the soul of the loyal Droogie, but will also catch the ear of a new generation of Megadeth fans.

In our interview, Dave told RnR that he has never been happier. He says, “Everyone in the band are friends and getting along. Egos are put aside and everyone knows their role.” To hear Dave speak with such enthusiasm will have the fans of Megadeth excited to see the new lineup when they play the Palladium in Hollywood on February 28th. .

RNR: Why did you name your 15th album Dystopia?

Mustaine: We actually had a lot of different tittles for the record. Anyone who knows this band knows that we will move songs around to the very end. For me, I believe the songs can tell you when they are done. Believe it or not Dystopia was called Tyranocide and before that it used to be called You Don’t Know.

The song Dystopia, itself, reminds me a lot of Twelve Monkeys, the old Planet of the Apes, Minority Report, Total Recall, and Terminator. All those movies talk about how totally fucked up the world is, which is where it is heading right now.

It is funny because metal music becomes more popular the shorter the fuse gets on the planet.

Back when “Rust in Peace” came out, we were at that cold world stand off. Where the Russians, the Americans and everybody were saying, “Holly shit! All these missals are going at each other, let s go listen to some metal!”

RNR: What inspired you musically this time around?

Mustaine: I really don’t know. I don’t know if it is a refusal to give up, the excitement of never quitting, the fact that the guitar makes me feel really good, or being able to bring pleasure to people’s lives; there are a lot of different things.

There are some people who would have given up because of the amount of adversity that we faced. I think that is like how diamonds are made: the more pressure, the more beautiful the stone. We have gone through a lot of things that other bands would have never made it through. I think what gives us the credibility in the eyes of the fans is that I have always been very transparent with what I go through with my life and that is captured in the lyrics. Again, 10 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

going back to the other question about Dystopia, if the lyric doesn’t fit right with the song, I will think of something else. The songs have always reflected our lives. In the album Super Collider, a lot of people wanted the record to be faster, and I was like, “You know what? My life is really upside down right now. I am watching my mother-in-law melt from Alzheimer’s right in front of me.” And it was really hard on me and I don’t think if I had a happy thrashy kind of record during that period, it wouldn’t have been legit. It would have been… fake.

RNR: What do the words mean at the end of the song Conquer or Die? Mustaine: It is a scripture. He is saying, “Men will become lovers of themselves. Blasphemous, glutinous.” It is just a crazy scripture about end time prophecy. I am not a preachy kind of guy. I get more shit for being a Christian than Ellefson does for being a pastor. I sit in the seats, he is the dude up at the podium, give him a hard time (laughs). But I just wanted to say something that was like a forecast, a prediction of world times.

RNR: Where do you see the world in 15 years?

Mustaine: I will tell you what, if it will be going the same way it is going now then the world will look a lot different than it does. I think there is a lot of really neat technological advancements that have made the world a better place. But there is also a lot of corruption right now. Good people have to be shaking their heads and just saying, “What the fuck is going on right now?”

You look at these world leaders doing this climate meeting over in Paris and you have 200 of these guys flying private jets to Paris. Have you heard of Skype? Do you know what kind of

carbon footprint they left going to do this thing on climate change? So, there is really a lot of crazy stuff to write about and sing about. If you go back 15 years you will see how information has exponentially developed. So 15 years in the future, God, who knows? For all we know, people will be having babies in tubes! (Chuckles and laughs).

RNR: The new album starts off thrashy, but I hear a lot of melody in the songs like Poisonous Shadows, was this intentional?

Mustaine: Yeah, I think so. The thrashy part is because we love to play that. Kiko has added melody from his Brazilian heritage and his education of all different styles of music. I know how to play one way and that’s the way that I play.

So, when I do something that is melodic, I want it to be believable. As much as I would like to say, “Oh, I know this progression. It’s like man, you don’t even know the name of the fucking scales Dave, so shut up!” But I love to have the music take me away. A really well done song makes you feel like your soul is being kissed when you hear it.

For example John Mayer has the song Daughters. Whenever I hear that song it makes me think of Electra. I am not particularly a big fan of the dude; I don’t particularly think that song is such a terrific song, but it really resonates with me and reminds me of my daughter. I know when you hear a new record, specifically one in our genre, and it resonates with you that’s the kind of thing that lasts a life time.

RNR: You covered the song Foreign Policy

by Fear, staying close to the original sound.

Does this open the door for a MD45 reunion in the future?

Mustaine: I love this band so much right now I have no desire of doing anything else, other than getting ready for tour and making more music in the future. There is such a fun relationship right now with this band. I have texted Kiko and emailed him more in the six months that he has been in the band than I did probably in any given year with Chris Broderick or Glen Drover or any of the guys that were in the band before. We have a really fun relationship. Chris Alder and I have a great relationship. Kiko, David Ellefson and Chris all have a really great relationships.

When you are at this level and you have a super star and you have other stars in the band, there are usually these egos and really weird problems.

We all have this healthy understanding of our roles and it works. We get together and it’s like, “Hey, hello, hugs and stuff like that.” The other

night in Mexico City before we went on stage, Kiko and I were toasting with a glass of wine. I haven’t had a relationship with a drummer like I do with Chris Adler since Gar (Gary C. “Gar” Samuelson) was around. I think because Chris used to play bass he has a little bit of a string player’s mentality, but he is also a leader and Megadeth was his first love. He always loved this band. I think it is neat to see somebody who grew up loving the band, be in it.

following the Megadeth trend of the drum techs who end up playing drums in the band. He has done four shows with us. Two in China and two in Japan, he was great.

and I believe it will till the end of time.

RNR: How has touring changed in the last 30 years?

Mustaine: There has been a lot of changes in technology that has made it easier and more RNR: How are Chris Adler’s passion for comfortable getting in and out of hotels. I Megadeth and his experience as the drummer for Lamb of God influenced the sound of remember sitting in a hotel so long that I hit my head against the headboard and I thought the Dystopia? back of my head was going to get flat. A long Mustaine: He is a really energetic player and time ago we would travel by motor home. Now one of the things that had to change was the sound that he brought tonality wise. It was a little it is different because the band has become RNR: How did you guys find Kiko? Were more successful. Venues are different, people different than what I was looking for because there a lot of auditions or did you have him are different, and security is different. There are Lamb of God has really tight small piccolos picked out? snare. Lamb of God drum techniques are really a lot of rock movies like Almost Famous and Mustaine: There were a lot of people that I reSpinal Tap that are “rockumentaries” that reflect viewed. There was not one audition. We did have quick and fast. With Megadeth, they have to be touring back in the day. I watched Spinal Tap signature powerful beats that can hold a really two guys that got really close towards the end. with Electra the other day and she goes, “Is this aggressive riff over the top. I think his sound in One was too young; the other guy had tattoos everywhere. I am not anti-tattoos at all. Our fans Lamb of God, if you want to get pragmatic about a true documentary?” And I said, “Sadly, this is true!” (Chuckles). have a lot of wonderful pieces of body art of our it, translated into his playing ability. mascot and album covers. But when you are the RNR: You and your band members are pretty RNR: Did Chris recommend Josh Wilbur to guitar player in Megadeth there is an expectation active on social media. How has that affected mix the album? of greatness. You are up there working the front Mustaine: In fact he did, but several people did. your relationship with your fans both posiof the stage having that one-on-one relationship tively and negatively?

He told me, “Man, listen, I will pay for my parts with the fans and I want people to play louder to be mixed if you let Josh mix my drums.” So, I Mustaine: People know I am sarcastic and I than what they look like. I think there is a certain called up Josh and I said, “Do me a favor, when have a wicked sense of humor. I pretty much savoir - faire that Ellefson and Kiko have on you talk to Chris again, tell him he owes you the have one-liners for days. When people try to stage. They are good looking classy guys. Chris money (laughs).” So I told Chris, “You are paying say something shitty about me, if it’s a troll I will and I are kind of like those bad boys that are kind for the mixes right?” He said, “Oh, okay.” I didn’t ignore them, if it is an asshole I will block them. I of rough around the edge, fuckers in the middle. I hold him to it by the way, but at first he thought I think more people get a rise being blocked by me think it works really well. so sometimes I will say you are not even worth did (laughs). I told Josh to give him a hard time blocking, so just sit there and get fucked. But I and he did. Josh is a good mixer. He is a new RNR: Is Chris Adler a full time member of guy, I never heard of him, I didn’t know any of the think the other thing, too, is being able to answer Megadeth? catalogs that he did, but his techniques are really questions from the fans.

Mustaine: I would like to think so. I think he good. Plus he was very open to my suggestions. would tell you yes. I think it is just a matter of With a killer new lineup and eleven tracks of hard I have been doing this a long time so I may not pragmatics, making both bands work out. Our hitting thrash metal that holds true to Mustaine’s be using the latest greatest gear, but I know what goal is to not cause any problems with Lamb of views regarding religion, politics and the future I want and I know how Megadeth should sound.

God. We are all friends; we want what is best of mankind, “Dystopia” could be one of Megafor everybody. Out of respect for Megadeth fans RNR: You are touring all over Europe, are you deth’s strongest albums since the days of “Rust and Lamb of God fans we are kind of just letting in Peace.” But you be the judge. You can pick up concerned of terrorist attacks? things work their way out. I believe it will work Mustaine: No. I think that our lives are pre-deter- “Dystopia” January 22nd via Universal Records. out. Chris will be playing all of our dates in the Visit www.megadeth.com. mined. Whatever is going to happen is going to US North American Tour. We do have some happen? I think that for us, music is a panacea, it To see more of the interview, including thoughts festivals the beginning of next year that he is is meant to heal people and bring happiness and from Kiko, check out the video at www.rocknrollgoing to be out with his other band and not able release in some way shape or form. Mankind has industries.com. to be with us. Drum tech Tony Laureano will be dominated mankind since the beginning of time

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Interview with Erik Kluiber

By Raquel Figlo

When we found drummer Ivan Najor things clicked. We wrote a bunch of tunes and started playing instrumental shows while we looked for a vocalist.

After six months of not finding anyone to sing for us I said, “Fuck it - I’ll do it,” and here we are.

Who writes the songs and what are they about?

For the album, two of the songs are reworks of Pat’s instrumental demos while the other three were written collaboratively at our practice space, one riff at a time. After six months of Since the days when he was the guitarist for jamming and playing out, we stopped writing Gypsyhawk, a lot has changed for Erik Kluiber, who now fronts Ironaut, a heavy doom metal band! music because we got way too far ahead of Earlier this year, I saw Ironaut perform at Loaded ourselves. It was not our intention to write endless instrumentals. Once I took on vocal duty, we in Hollywood. At the time, the band was strictly instrumental and I could tell these were seasoned went back and reformatted our stoner progressive musicians with lots of talent and passion. Recently, metal instrumentals into songs. Pat and I worked together on lyrics for the first three. Once I got the Erik stepped up to the plate as the band’s lead singer and now Ironaut is causing a colossal wave hang of it, I took over and finished the remaining for the doom stoner metal scene in LA. They can two on my own. Pat draws from stoney cosmic overtones and I like to inject dark sarcasm fueled definitely be the next pioneers for the movement

by Facebook rants and coffee binges. and they have a great shot with the support of legendary producer Paul Fig, who is engineering You are working with well known producer their upcoming EP. Ironaut is a three piece band of skilled musicians who play intense guitar solos, Paul Fig who has worked with great metal and rock bands such as Alice in Chains, Huntress, thunderous drumming and dark, disturbing lyrics and Ghost. Tell me about Paul and what was from the mind of the yellow king, himself. the conception of the album and recording of it like?

What is the history of the Ironaut?

Guitarist Pat McHugh had an ad listed for a band Paul Fig is an amazing producer/engineer who I never thought we’d have the chance to work with. he’d been demoing for years called Ironaut. His That’s the beauty of this town. On St. Patrick’s ad caught my eye because of the influences, artwork, and original recordings he posted online. Day this year, I was part of a music video that producer Jim Rota of Fireball Ministry was working

on. Around that time Ironaut was looking to record a demo, I asked Jim if he had a studio to recommend and he said “Yeah, mine.”

There was a good team chemistry between the four of us with Paul at the captain’s chair. That’s important, because time is limited in the studio and you can second guess yourself to death. Paul stepped in when we needed him and helped us make decisions to make sure the album came out right. The dude knows heavy music and isn’t going to let a sub-par performance slide under his watch.

What do you want fans to know about your music before they listen to it?

Some of our favorite bands are Entombed, High on Fire, COC, and The Sword. I think there is a group of heavy music fans who will enjoy what we do. It’s metal with a stoner/doom edge but, at the same time, high energy with solid riffing. Our album should be out and free to stream by the time this interview is printed.

How is Ironaut different from your previous bands?

I’ve never been in a three piece before and there is purity to it, which I find exciting. We thought for a while that we’d find a bassist and a singer, and I’d switch over to guitar like every other band I’ve been in. After a few rehearsals, we found that the three of us made plenty of noise on our own and it was fun. It sounds tight and less people equals less stress! The three of us are all from the Great Lakes region. Pat’s from Chicago, and Ivan and I are from Detroit... Three kindred souls far from home, found together by chance, perhaps in the right place at the right time.

is a hard rock band from Los Angeles who just released their debut EP “The Struggle” on October 2, 2015. The band consists of Cooper Campbell - Vocals / Drums, Justin Whitesel - Guitars / Keyboard, Jon Weisberg – Guitars and bass. I had the opportunity to sit down with the band and ask them a few questions about writing music together and was able to listen to a few of their songs at a press-only acoustic set at the Another Century headquarters.

Hearing them play acoustically really showed their talents as musicians. Cooper Campbell has great vocal range and hits every note to perfection. They sounded like they have been playing together for years, even though it has only been a very short time. I can see XO Stereo doing very well in the 12 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

Do you have a favorite song off the album?

LA rock scene. They have the talent, they have the look and they actually play It is hard to pick a favorite song because so much went into each song. Each song is so different good music! from each other. For example, The Struggle is What inspired the album? formulated differently than Show and Tell, which is We wanted to write music we wanted more in your face! It is high energy and comes off to hear. What inspired the album is shredding. The Struggle is more emotion evoking. the three of us getting together and They are so different from each other it is hard to writing about what we were going pick a favorite. It depends on the mood you are in through during that part of our lives. because each of the five songs you can identify Musically, we brought our own combined with depending on your mood. experiences and The Struggle is the What makes your band unique? result of it. We all write music and the What sets us apart from other rock bands is our lyrics together. We are well versed and writing formula, how we go about forming songs. we make it work. That is the beauty of We take a lot of elements from different styles of having a three piece band that is multimusic and put them together. It is not necessarily talented. Cooper sings and plays the just hard rock, there is some pop and everything drums live, but not at the same time mixes together. You can’t label us into a group, we (laughs). are not hindered by genres, we relate to a wider In the few shows that you played together as range of audiences. We write individually and then a band, how have people responded to your send it to each other. We write what we feel and it music? starts with a guitar then builds from there. We find Great! When we played the Viper Room it was ways to incorporate everyone’s ideas and make it finally a chance to show our family and friends work. It is a very open writing process. what we have been working on for so long. There What’s next for the band? has not been an opportunity prior to that show, so We are looking for management. We just did the we were very excited and happy to play. A lot, of whole record label thing with Century Media. We them were surprised by how polished we sounded are playing shows and building the team and so early on. It was only our second show playing getting ready to get on the road. Obviously, the as a band so there was a lot of pressure, but we five songs on the EP The Struggle is just a taste felt really good about it. We had someone come of what’s to come from our six months of writing up to us and say, “I have worked here for ten years together. Then we will give them everything else and I have never seen a line this long and this and we will find out what we sound like as a new early in the day for a band.” It makes me feel like band.

By Raquel Figlo we are doing something right!

Adam Barnett

XO STEREO The Struggle, is Real

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W

elcome back Metalheads! If you don’t know me by now then wake the fuck up! I’m “TRIPPY THE CLOWN” a.k.a.

“DA METAL GOD” hangin once again with my great pal, “NEIL ZLOZOWER”, at his world famous studio in Hollywood, California. If you don’t know who “ZLOZ” is then WAKE-UP people! Look at any cool rock magazine in da past 40 years, and I can guarantee you will see a photo credited to my good pal Zloz. In every issue of this kick ass magazine, I dig deep into Zloz’s archives and choose my ‘TOP 5’ favorite metal shots that Zloz has taken over the years.

Zloz then shoots the shit on WTF went down during that shoot. Let the metal madness begin!

Let’s go! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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all that red veins and weird fat lookin shit in your face. That’s cool.”

TRIPPY – WTF! I bet Freddy was pissed! I hope he sliced ya with his glove Zloz? Dats WTF I would have done!

ZLOZ – (laughs) No Trippy. Freddy was laughin.

He was amused.

TRIPPY – Fukkkk… Did anything crazy happen during the shoot Zloz?

ZLOZ – No, not really Trippy. The DOKKEN guys are pretty tame other than when George and Don are fighting. I’ve never seen them having any knock-down blown out fights in front of me. I know George was always late to every photo session we ever did, but other than that I never saw the band really quarrel or have any fights or anything like that.

TRIPPY – This next photo rulz!!!! This is too cool that you took pictures of da “SPINAL TAP” fuckers! My favorite British Heavy Metal parody band that goes to ELEVEN. Ha ha ha.. Every time I think I hit the edge of your work Zloz you blast me with more surprises.

These dudes are fuckin hilarious. What was it like shooting these crazy Knuckle Heads?

ZLOZ – That was an interesting shoot Trippy.

It’s funny because that band came out with the movie, and it was a smash success. I think all Rock Stars loved that movie cuz it’s a parody on Rock N Roll itself. The movie came out, and did amazing, and then I guess they came out with the second album. It’s too bad they never came out with the second movie. So the main three guys came to the studio and they were like normal people when they walked in. They’re all well respected actors. When they came in they were pretty much mellow and quiet and everything, but as soon as they put on their wigs and got into their stage clothes, they acted like rambunctious Rock Stars like most Rock Stars act.

TRIPPY – Ha ha ha! Got dat right! Give us some dirt from da shoot Zloz! I know shit went down! Spill da beans fukur!

ZLOZ – The funny thing I remember most Trippy is the guy who’s married to JAMIE LEE CURTIS. He came into the studio and was trying to pick up on my girlfriend at the time who later became my wife who’s now my x wife.

TRIPPY – Oh shit man! You mean da British guy Nigel Tufnel?

Neil Zlozower AtlasIcons.com

TRIPPY: Holy shit Zloz! I did a double take when I went through your insane archives and found this shot of DOKKEN with my favorite villain ever FREDDY KRUEGER! I nearly lost my mind! This photo obviously was taken around da time that one of my favorite movies “Nightmare On Elm Street” Part 3 came out. DOKKEN’s song and music video “DREAM WARRIORS” featuring Freddy was fuckin epic, and constantly winning MTV’s top ten videos every day. No one comes close to playing Freddy like ROBERT ENGLUND! Did Freddy kill anyone at da shoot? Was ENGLUND cool as hell?

ZLOZ – (laughs) Well I guess if that’s the guy’s name. I know him as Freddy, but no, he didn’t kill anyone that day Trippy. I guess it was ‘87’ when DOKKEN was flying high. They were Platinum recording artists. I guess the band wrote the sound track for the movie and either DOKKEN or someone at the label thought it would be a great idea to do a photo shoot with Freddy. They called me up of course cuz I did a lot of work with DOKKEN and the boys. They told me to get my butt down there cuz we were gonna do a photo shoot with DOKKEN and FREDDY. So I went down, and I don’t even remember if it was actually the movie set or a sound stage that they made look like a movie set. It was all set up when I got there, and basically we set up a few different things. It’s funny Trippy cuz they introduced me to Freddy, and I was just lookin at him. I’m a big sushi fanatic, and I was like “Hey Freddy, do you ever go to the sushi bar cuz your face looks like some Otoro”. I don’t know if you ever had Toro before Trippy, but that’s the top of the line. I go, “look at

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 15

his prime. No one could touch him.

TRIPPY – I have tons of fuckurs dat don’t talk to me anymore, but fuk it Zloz! More important our readers need to know the craziest story on Dave cuz I know you have some fuckur!

ZLOZ – (laughs)I have too many Trippy, and I don’t wanna go into any of them. They all involve girls, and sick shit that only a sick mind like yours could picture Trippy except you do it all with little midget girls OR MIDGET BOYS! TRIPPY – (pissed) UGHHHH. FUK U ZLOZ! Im gonna kill you after I get this interview fukface! OK back to business and this next killer shot of TOM MORELLO of “RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE”. “RAGE” was fuckin huge in their hay day. It looks like this shot was taken up on your studio roof.

ZLOZ – Yeah that’s a shot that I did at my studio where we’re sitting right now Trippy, on the roof, at sunset. I think I did that for the cover of a magazine back then. It was either called GUITAR or GUITAR FOR THE PRACTICING MUSICIAN. Anyway, Tom came in and he’s a really nice guy. I really never worked with RAGE that much. They were a phenomenon back in the early 90’s. I worked at one of their shows

TRIPPY – Dats fukin funny! Da beans are spilled! You heard it yourself readers! How was da shoot Zloz?

ZLOZ – We did the shoot, and on a one to ten they were on a ten. The photos were great! The poses were great and then when they took off their wigs and they put on their normal street clothes they were back to sorta old boring guys.

TRIPPY – Ok my next favorite photo! Everyone knows I’m a metal guy, but I chose dis rare photo of DAVID LEE ROTH cuz here you captured a shot of Dave in an element not usually seen in pictures. Here is Dave tryin on wardrobe for the “JUMP” video, which was an awesome video! Looks like a crazy day! Where was this shot taken Zloz?

ZLOZ – That shot of Dave was shot at a sound stage that I believe one of the members of “EARTH WIND & FIRE” owned and that’s where they were gonna do the video for “JUMP”. Dave is a clothing freakazoid, and he’s got a billion outfits to wear. He was just sorta sittin on an exercise mat tryin on different things, and figuring

out what would look best for the “JUMP” shoot.

The funny thing is that was when they filmed the live footage for “JUMP”. “JUMP” originally was gonna be part live footage and a whole bunch of other footage which you can see the other footage in “PANAMA” but after they did the “JUMP” live footage which took about six/seven hours, take after take, after take. They saw the footage and said “This is too good”. “Were just gonna use all the live footage for “JUMP” and all the other stuff that we filmed for “PANAMA”. So the other stuff you see in “PANAMA” was originally filmed for part of the “JUMP” video but never made it to the final cut of “JUMP”.

TRIPPY – Good trivia Zloz. You worked with Dave a lot and you fukurs were tight man.

Was he a cry baby or was he cool?

ZLOZ – He was always great Trippy. A total professional. At one time I considered him the greatest front man in Rock n Roll. When I was younger, I thought MICK JAGGER was the dude and could do no wrong, but after working with Dave from 1984 to about 2005 or six, I thought Dave was amazing. I haven’t really spoken to him in about eight years. Don’t ask me what happened. You can go ask Dave what happened Trippy… Anyway, that was Dave ‘1984’ in to shoot them, but the lighting was some of the worst lighting I ever saw in my life. At a “RAGE SHOW”, they didn’t have you shoot the first three songs. They hired you to shoot the last three songs, and by the last three songs the crowds going ballistic. Everybody’s standing on chairs losing their minds, and then they bring the photographers in, but the lighting still sucked. It was terrible. In this particular shot, Tom came to my studio, and I liked that cuz I had control. We did it on my roof, and that was pretty much it. I did a few other shoots with Tom throughout the years, but I haven’t really spoken to him much in the last six/seven years.

TRIPPY – He’s got some solo records out there Zloz.

ZLOZ – Yeah, I don’t know how many people buy them or how successful they are compared to the “RAGE” stuff, but he’s a really nice guy and a really smart guy too.

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Neil Zlozower AtlasIcons.com

ZLOZ – Yeah Trippy. He had the hots for my girlfriend at the time, but I don’t blame him cuz she was pretty smokin.

TRIPPY – My next favorite metal shot is of da one & only Anne Boleyn! Anne’s one cool chick, and a great pal of mine. She looks hot as hell in dis shot. Not to mention she has a killer metal voice! Actually, I think this is the first chick I ever chose in our top 5 Zloz.

ZLOZ – It could be Trippy cuz there aren’t many great Rock n Roll females in the music industry other than one of my favorite bands in the whole world “THE DONNAS” who haven’t been around for a while. I met Anne Boleyn probably in the early 80’s, and she was fronting a band called “HELLION”. They came in here, and I did a studio shoot with the band. “HELLION” was a great band, and they had some great songs like “Don’t Waste Your Love On Me”. I think “Backstabber” was another one. If you guys have a chance to pick up an album, it’s “HELLLION LIVE IN RIVERSIDE”.

The album is called ‘Hellion - Live And Well In Hell” recorded live in Riverside, California, March 30th, 1984. Great band! The funny thing is, I remember Anne at one time gave me a tape of this performance cuz she knew how much I loved the band. Then ten/fifteen years later, I guess there was a resurgence in “HELLION”, and she came back to me and was like “Hey Zloz, do you still got that tape of “HELLION Live in Riverside”? I’m like, “Of course I do. Why”? She goes “Well I wanna take it to make a CD out of it so I can sell it”. I’m like “Here’s the tape”, and I gave it back to her. It’s a great CD. “HELLION” at their best!

Neil Zlozower AtlasIcons.com

TRIPPY – Hell yeah brotha! Anne fukin rulzzzzzzz… Have you seen Anne perform lately cuz she’s kickin some ass man!

ZLOZ – No I haven’t, and I can’t remember who came up to me and basically they didn’t know I knew her, and they said “Neil did you see Anne Boleyn sing the other night at Jam Night at Lucky Strike? Oh my god she’s like a female Rob Halford”.

Whoever said it was just rantin and ravin over how amazing Anne was in that show.

TRIPPY – I saw her and shes awesome! On that note dats a rap! Zloz I’m a HELLION right now and headin to da RAINBOW to go and get drunk for LEMMY.. You comin?

ZLOZ – No. You know what I gotta do Trippy. I gotta go home and clean up dog shit and piss.

TRIPPY – Sucks to be you Zloz.. Im otta here! Done…

ZLOZ – Double done…

By: Trippy The Clown a.k.a. “Da Metal God” To see more of Trippy The Clown go to: www.TrippyTV.com To view or purchase Neil Zlozowers photos go to: www.Zloz.com

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 17

F

rom the Sunset Strip to San Francisco, Los Angeles based Downtown Attraction have been paving their way through the California Rock scene with their high energy rock and roll antics. Bringing back from the dead an era of straight forward rock reminiscent of the early 90’s with the uprising of bands like the Deftones, Alice In Chains, NIN, and the sort. When gimmicks, fashion, and social scenes weren’t a part of the equation. When there weren’t 1000’s of sub genres, when it was just Rock and Roll. It was all about the music, the energy, and how it made you feel. Their raw musical talents paired with an unbridled energy and performance have been catching attention and building momentum.

Partnered with ESMG (Eat Sleep Music Group) and produced by notable rock producer Mike Clink (GNR , Megadeth, UFO) the band is set to release their debut album early this year. RNR Industries recently took some time to catch up with singer Jack Cash to find out a bit more about the up and coming band and get the low down on what’s to come.

How long have you guys been a band?

Matti and I have been jamming and playing in different bands together for a while. Nothing really stuck before because I was always getting arrested or in rehab. My drug problem was out of control for a while. I want to say it was early 2010, I was fighting a case, and Matti came to visit me in jail. He said, “When you get out, we’re starting a new band, I’ll wait till you get out!” Haha, I was supposed to do 5 years and the judge gave me a “second last chance” as he put it. So I’ve just been working and focusing on music ever since.

Matti brought Marko in on bass and started piecing songs together.

That was early 2011; you could say is when we officially formed Downtown Attraction. Steven Asbury came in on drums in 2013.

How did you come about working with Mike Clink ?

We played a show in San Francisco at the Red Devil Lounge, and met a guy named Billy Zero. He said that he knew Clink (we thought he was joking). He forwarded our stuff, and a few days later Mike emailed me about working with the band.

Working with Clink has been amazing. He really brought out our live performance on the tracks, and really pushed me on the lyri-

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cal content. One of the first things he told me going in was, “I’m not auto-tuning you, so if you can’t do it live it’s not going on the record.” Haha.

What can people look forward to on the upcoming album?

I think rock ‘n roll fans can expect to see what’s been missing from the rock scene for so long. And by that I mean this cookie cutter, post Creed, hair metal wrapped in an affliction t-shirt, that is just as whiny as the emo-goth-metal that stole punk out of the Warped Tour. I say that because everything is so mixed up in the genre. I remember a kid asking me what kind of band I play in and I said “We’re just a Rock ‘N Roll band.” He asked, “Like Nickleback?” and I was like, “NO fucking way! Is that what you think Rock and Roll is?” After the show, he came back up and said “Ok, I’m def into Rock ‘n Roll!”

A lot of the songs I’ve heard from the album seem to have a similar underlying message...

We don’t really have a slogan and a direct message for the band, but if we did, considering my past. It’s in our songs like “Forward Motion” “Don’t be a victim” and “Stand up”. The struggle is everywhere, you just have to take action. Don’t sit on the sideline.

You guys recently released the Music video for the song “New Addiction”, correct?

Yes, we recently released our first single/ video “New Addiction”.

There’s no real concept to the video, just a lot of fun live shots of the band and our friends and The Silent Natives Motorcycle Club.

Those guys were great sports, I told them, “I want to crowd surf and have a mosh pit!”

The live show is really where we shine, that’s the heart of the band right there. We just let loose and come what may, once we hit the stage we own it for those 30-49 min. That’s the only time nothing matters. Whether it’s work, family, band fights (and Matti, Marko, and I definitely fight like brothers!) everything shuts down and DTA ignites. The hours we spend either in rehearsal, writing, and networking to bring the band to the next level, all pay off when the 4 of us hit the stage.

Dylan Rose ARCHER

Enrique Nunez If you could list in retrospective this 2015, what would be your top 5 moments as a band so far this year? Other than me interviewing you...

(Laugh) Other than talking to you again? I can’t imagine a higher honor (and by the way thanks for another chat)! I’d say the top 5 for 2015 has to start with the addition of our current drummer Keyhan Moini. We brought him into the Archer camp in January right around NAMM time and by February 6th he was kicking off our national tour with Hellyeah in Las Vegas. Without his talents and commitment, none of the other moments happen. Secondly would be signing our first record deal with Metalville out of Germany. Then of course the official release of the record. We worked long and hard to make “Culling The Weak” a reality so it was a very proud moment when it finally got released to the world. Another one would be playing Ride For Dime back in August, as it was a huge honor to be included in the Texassized Darrell remembrance for a good cause. And lastly, the 3-month slugfest over in Europe that we just wrapped up... We’ll just call that one extended epic moment all on its own.

Which city, no BS, has been the craziest so far?

Honestly, anywhere in Poland is the most insane, hands down. I know it seems random but the fans there - both in Warsaw and Krakow - are so incredibly berserk you’d think you were The Beatles.

We’ve toured there twice now and is one of the places we most look forward to on future Europe runs because the energy shared between band and fans during the show is like nothing else we’ve had so far. States-wise, I have to give honorable mention to a couple amazing crowds we had with Hellyeah this year - Louisville, KY and Little Rock, AR were both nuts. Flint, MI is a rowdy one as well.

Aorian Stangl

I know this sounds like a generic question because most would reply “the fans, the bands we’ve shared the stage with” but other than that, What has been your favorite part of this tour?

Besides the fans and the bands we’ve toured with, I suppose the best of part of touring for me is just the opportunity to raise your game. You grow with every show, every tour, every performance, and it’s a practiced skill like anything else. You learn more about all aspects of your craft - anything from achieving the right tone in different size venues, what gear works and what doesn’t, how to manipulate the crowd, what order of songs work best for your setlist, everything. The bar constantly gets raised and we get better with every new experience. Archer growing stronger each day, week, month, and year is what I’m all about.

leg of this tour, correct?

How have you guys handled this?

It’s almost insane to be on the road this long despite the fact that you LOVE playing for the fans and making new friends.

The Europe/UK run was 34 dates with Annihilator followed by 19 more with Doro, back to back. Altogether it ran 3 months - our longest touring endeavor by far - but there was no issue, no complaints about it. We were grateful to have the opportunity to play 54 shows all over Europe and the UK and we’d do it again in an instant. Sure, we all missed family and friends quite a bit but at the same time, this is what you signed up for. I don’t understand when guys are complaining about touring but still wanna be in a working band. I wanna say, “What did you think was gonna happen? You’re an entertainer!”

Especially nowadays, touring and merchandise sales is a band’s best money so you better be ready to hit the road!

Talk to us about your new production, “Culling The Weak”. I’m sure the other albums are dear to you as well, but, what’s special about this one?

This album was a huge milestone for the band. We were long overdue for a new release and suffered so many setbacks during the writing period. It felt like we’d never get to the light at the end of the tunnel. So when we finally got there and scored the record deal with Metalville, got Keyhan on board and set the release date, it was almost hard to embrace at first because it didn’t seem real after the arduous process building up to it. But now that it’s out, it feels amazing. We’ve raised the bar musically, professionally, and in every other way and have new music to represent the band of which we are truly proud. It was also an unbelievable experience to work with the one and only Mike Clink on this album. I’ve stated it in so many interviews already but I can’t emphasize enough how fulfilling it was to make the album with him. Maor Appelbaum did a beautiful mastering job with it as well. And a big thanks to Holger Koch and everyone at Metalville Records for helping us release and promote “Culling The Weak”. 2015 was a killer year!

When listening to “Culling The Weak” I could not help it but to me, there’s a resemblance to Megadeth amongst the sounds of the song. I’m sure you get the “Dylan looks like Zakk Wylde”, “His singing is like so and so”. I’m sure it’s not demeaning but just shows excitement to find a band and try to find a niche in their heart where other rock gods reside. (what do you think?)

I welcome all those observations because they are far too complimentary! “Playing like Zakk Wylde” or Out of all the European cities you have visited, “being a young Dave Mustaine” or anything like that which one would you move to if you had to leave is extremely kind and flatter me to no end. Those the US? are my guys so if we’re being associated with legMan, that’s a good one. We spent the most time in ends like that in any small way, I’ll take it. We love Germany so I’d would probably feel most comfortthat music too as fans just the same. So thank you able there. Most people speak English at some to all who make such comparisons. level there, they conveniently use the Euro currency You and (the band) KYNG are, what seems to (some countries still do not), the metal fan base is be to me, a comeback of classic rock sounds very strong, and I can get down with the food and beer offerings over there. City-wise, let’s say Ham- with a hint of nostalgia with a powerful modern approach. I personally like that sound, it’s like burg just because it’s so diverse and I really enjoy ROCK music is returning to its “roots” and the local Beatles history. re-emerging after so many years or experimen32 dates in Europe alone for the first tal “rock” which is not popular nowadays. You

would definitely not fit into KROQ’s playlist.

I actually really dig KYNG. I’d love to tour with them because like you alluded to, it would probably be a great fit. We both obviously draw on the old-school influences like Sabbath but the trick is just as you hinted at - you’ve got to take the foundational stuff you love and pay homage to it while somehow making it feel new and interesting. I don’t want to be a strictly “retro” sounding band. I want to put a fresh face on a classic theme and hopefully advance the genre and the sound best we can.

Tell us about your music toys (instruments), I’m sure many of the fans out there want to know how ARCHER shape their sound.

Well, for me it’s always about Les Pauls and Marshalls. I’ve had the same Epiphone Elitist Les Paul for 12 years now and it has been heavily modified along the way to grow along with me. It sounds better than ever. With amplifiers, I use Marshall JCM2000 tube amplifiers built in England - not the new models being cranked out of Vietnam! I’m pretty minimal with pedals and such but sometimes an old Ibanez Tube Screamer sneaks into the signal chain to juice it just a bit. Our bassist David DeSilva is a dedicated Warwick guy, so he plays 5-string Streamer LX’s through an Ampeg B4R solid state head. He prefers solid state for bass over tube amps. And you’d have to ask Keyhan about drums...

He just beats the hell out of stuff and is always cannibalizing parts and cymbals to make it through a tour so it changes all the time!

You have been together for what...10 years now?

You definitely have shared the stage with some legendary names, like...

Archer started back in high school and sort of evolved from there but once DeSilva came on board to replace the original bassist at the end of 2009, that’s when I tend to make a distinction in my head in terms of direction and growth of the band. We’ve been fortunate to share the stage with tons of acts, most recently Hellyeah, Doro, Annihilator, Black Star Riders, UDO, and Y&T just in the past year. But if we’re including all the festivals and shows prior to 2015 then it adds up. My favorites over the years would be Black Label Society (since I’m a huge fan of Zakk) and being on a German festival years ago with Heaven and Hell. How much bigger does it get than Tony, Geezer, and Ronnie James Dio? Last but not least. What’s the most difficult aspect of “trying to make it” in this business? Or have you made it already? How do you know or can tell if you have or not?

If “making it” just means doing what you love and chasing your dream no matter the cost, then we’re there already. That’s the mindset one should have anyways. But if it means being financially successful enough to live fat and happy, then we’ve got work to do. The reality of the music business these days can be harsh at times, but you just keep pushing because this is what you do. You love playing guitar or singing or playing drums and you do whatever it takes. And when the money comes, great. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel some distinct singular moment of success along the way, but I do know that I’ll be having fun during the entire journey. That’s what it’s all about.

Thanks for having me brother, see ya soon!

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Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 21

Solo Tour

of work but it’s rewarding.

Tell me about tonight…Whats it like playing so close to home?

We had a warm up show in Ramona, CA which is the San Diego area. We did the show and it was great. There’s a lot of stuff that goes on so we wanted a nice warm up show. We got off stage, but then we drove back here so it was like a thousand o’clock when we got back. We’re really looking forward to tonight. The Whiskey…it’s like my home. I’ve been coming here forever. So it’s kinda like just playing in your own living room.

Tell me about how you’re putting this together when you’re having so many other tours to do and your personal life.

Yeah, it’s challenging. You know because I have Zombie. I just got off the road with Rob just a couple of days ago. We were in Vegas and Phoenix… just touring the world, butut luckily, I’ve got a really good team of people that know how to do all that stuff. You always have to be on your toes. It’s a lot

what I’m doing.

Tell me a little about your new gear.

I just got my own signature pack of Dean Markley Strings.

I’ve had my own Telecaster with Fender for a while. It’s wonderful. I never thought I would have anything. I just wanted to be a session musician. I never dreamt that it would be anything like that. I don’t take it for granted at all.

I’m very very lucky to be doing

Tell me a little bit about your new CD that is available now?

It’s a greatest hits but there’s not a hit on it. Its greatest hits for the fans. In the physical CD, there’s a DVD and the DVD is so crazy…a lot of fun. We sold the physical CD only at the shows.

So people could get those before they went on sale at the end of November. I love “tour exclusives,” you know- you can only get them at the shows.

Tell me about Dave’s Music Experience. How did you get involved with that?

Yeah, I love doing things to give back…it’s so important to do things like that because I was one of those kids. You just have to be able to shake hands and listen to what they say. They’ll remember it for the rest of their lives because I did.

Inspiration is important…it’s something you have

to search for. I’m searching for it every day…I love to be inspired by things. It’s hard to get inspired by something but when you can, it’s great. So hopefully, I’ll inspire people along the way.

People also know you for the Country Picking….

Yeah, the Chicken Picking….the Bluegrass…all that stuff. When I started doing the instrumental stuff…I wanted to do something a little different.

Playing all this Bluegrass stuff with this heavy Rock stuff, it’s very unorthodox but people really really dig it. It’s like wearing a Cowboy hat to a Slipknot concert or something. I enjoy it… you know, introducing kids to these different types of music cause there’s so much great music out there.

What would you advise those who are starting with guitar?

I was so obsessed with it, I was like 7 years old…

I’m still obsessed with it. I would play so much that my hand stretched so this hand is bigger than this hand, it’s not the fingers…it’s the part where you reach…it’s noticeably larger than this hand. It’s weird…I would play all the time as I was growing.

How do you deal with being stressed out like if you just can’t play for a day. How do you get back into it?

That’s a great question because that does happen. I make sure that I do play. It does relax me.

It’s like having a blanket. So I make sure that I’m able to play every day. I don’t think I’ve gone a day without playing in like a zillion years. It’s really comforting to be.

-Angelica Ulloa

ELUVEITIE

BY ENRIQUE NUNEZ

You are solely headlining this tour now. How did you approach this challenge?

Chrigel: Yeah, honestly it was a very difficult situation, for everybody, but Epica specially, I feel terribly sorry for them. It was a very difficult decision and we basically had only one day to decide luckily when Epica decided to fly back home, the next day was a day off and we had to come up with a solution. The reality is, you also have to look at it from a business point of view, as stupid as that sounds.

You are a multi-talented musician, you play a little bit of everything, don’t you? (laughs) I don’t play a little bit of everything or do a little bit of everything, just mostly wind instruments and folk instruments, strings instruments too, sometimes mandola or harp or the bagpipe occasionally. My favorite instrument to play is the uilleann pipe, which is the Irish bagpipe, it’s a beautiful, beautiful instrument.

Most people, teens that want to be in a rock band would pick up the traditional instruments.

Bass, guitar or drums, maybe even keys. Did you start with any of those?

Yes, originally I am a guitar player, I have an education in Classical guitar, been playing for about 34 years now. I am not using the guitar always, sometimes I play it for an album but I like to focus on the other instruments.

with the internet to browse and discover new music and youtube it and check out a bunch of new bands and listen to stuff. But in some way, they took the magic out of it. Walk into the record store and just browse for albums, looking at the covers and saying “Wow, that looks dark. Let’s just buy it!”

It was a wonderful experience.

Did you discover any cool bands like that?

Fuck yes! Like this one German band I really liked called Mekong Delta, they were progressive trash, they were like godfathers of such music. They were amazing. I discovered them by browsing them at the store.I like to listen to an album from A to Z, all the songs. It’s the same way our albums are written. I don’t like to just go to iTunes and buy just one song. It’s the same with every generation, maybe our grandparents thought that things we do or did are horrible and not the same as it used to be, not as good. It’s just different, it’s how it’s done today, not my thing, I don’t do it. The crazy thing is, I don’t know how it is in the States, but in Switzerland there are almost no records stores left.

My first album I purchased with my own money was the “Black Album” (Metallica), that was my baby. Did you have any?

I don’t have the original I got, but it was Iron Maiden’s “The Number Of The Beast”. But my favorite album I have purchased Emtombed’s “Clandestine”, I still have it as a CD, the booklet, etc.

Thanks Chrigel for spending your time with us Have you joined the wave of vinyl collection? and kudos on keeping the show going, keep We had to decided to go on or just cancel the tour. Do you have any collection?

Look at the fact of the tickets sales, all the tickets Nah, back in the day I would buy cds and tapes. I rockin’ those winds and hope to see you next time around! were sold and I wouldn’t have been happy if I don’t really own many albums. It is cool nowadays 22 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

Enrique Nunez

Eluveitie may be a name we are not used to and could put our foreign language skills to the test but, being taught how to properly pronounce it by Chrigel (vocalist) was not less challenging when addressing him and trying to properly pronounce both his band’s and his name. Better yet, I believe, is to “take over” and continue a tour when the coheadlining band (Epica) has to drop out of the tour due to an emergency.

purchased a ticket to see these two bands and only go one. A lot of people decided to do that, to get their tickets reimbursed.

We just didn’t want to leave our fans hanging, we couldn’t do that and to make it up we came up with some ideas, made it an extended set, so we decided to add an acoustic portion and some exclusive never-beforeheard songs live.

Raquel Figlo different ways, playing music and writing music, brings the whole band back to life. We could be having a bad day and as soon as we go into the room and start rehearsing we walk out feeling like all the weight has been lifted off our shoulders. You don’t have to be a musician to have this happen. If you are a fan and you love the music you will listen to it, if you love the lyrics you will understand it.

What type of music are you listening to?

Brand Powell: I am listening to Periphery, Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer. I am a huge die-hard Deftones fan and I am glad ISIS did not get those guys in France because I would have been pissed. I think a lot of us are all over the place.

Danny Guzman: I am listening to Nothing More. I am more into post hardcore stuff. And I am trying to bring some of that out in our music.

What is next for 7 Days Away?

Jay Bale: Tonight was our last show of the year.

We are finishing up our album at Lunch Box Studios.

He is a great engineer and we are recording with him and it will be finished sometime next year, we Where are you guys from? don’t know exactly. The band and Sullen Musik are Jay Bale: Brandon Powell (rhythm guitar) and I are going to put our heads together and come up with from Indiana. Our base player Danny Guzman and How did you get involved with Sullen Musik?

Brandon Powell: We started off being an endorsed a tour. It is all in the making at the moment. We are Art Diharce (lead guitarist) are from Riverside, CA. We moved out here from an established band from band by Jeremy Hanna. We represented the clothes concentrating on writing the next album and moving forward. We have played hundreds of shows this already and it was a great match. We worked Indiana at the time. When we got here, we started year and we are taking a break. We have a lot of hard, continued playing our music and Jeremy rocking with these guys and formed a band. We fans anticipating this album and we want to deliver have been a new band for three years and this new approached us about signing to Sullen Musik. We are official signed now and together we are working an excellent album. line up for a year now. on two songs called “Tonight” and “Vengeance.”

Have you ever been on tour before?

What is the writing process like?

Which will be released through Sullen Musik.

Danny Guzman: I have not toured with this band, Brandon Powell: When it comes to writing, a lot of but in our previous bands. I have toured Europe and times Jay will come in with a skeletal structure of a Tell me about your music video for across the USA. But this band has yet to see a tour.

“Vengeance.” song with a catchy hook, melodies and he kind of We have done weekend warrior stuff like we go out Jay Bale: The video we are doing is for the song has in his head where the song needs to go. Then we will come through and do our best to compliment “Vengeance” and it is an anti-bullying video. I have for a couple days to cities like Vegas. But next year a lot of friends that were bullied when I was younger we will tackle that. that vocal structure of that song the best we can. and to see it happen is sad. And todays bullying, We all do a good job when we are together and it What city would you like 7 Days Away to play in? kids are not just being pushed against a locker comes naturally.

Danny Guzman: I would like us to play Germany. anymore, they are being bullied through social The crowds there are amazing and it is beautiful and The song “Back to Life” does it have a personal media and it can really ruin someone’s life and there are die-hard music fans in Germany. message to the band? lead them to suicide. We are trying to show how to Jay Bale: The song can be utilized in a lot of positively approach it if it happens.

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 23

Billy Sheehan of Winery Dogs

By Scott Dworkin

24 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

try it out. It’s probably the thing I consider myself most fortunate to have, is that burning desire to perform and play and a love of it. The rest of my life aligns around that.

Scott Dworkin

F

me in, I’m excited about that. For me to think that I might be doing that to someone else, that’s incredibly inspirational, especially live performance, because I’ve gone to see live shows and it’s changed my life, and think to myself, what Where do you think that comes from? Is that if there’s somebody here tonight, comes out to just the way you’ve been wired? the show and this is life changing ... I get emails I consider myself extremely grateful for however from people that say they came out and they’d that wiring happened. People that haven’t been kind of given up on music and they used to play up on stage, have never experienced it, I wish and they’d abandoned it and now they’re rethere was a way for them to understand what it energized or reinvigorated and re-inspired and was like. I do know people that have been on they’re out playing again because they came out stage that didn’t’ quite get it. It really is just kind for a show and they watched what I was doing. of the way I was wired and the way I grew up I save all those emails in a special folder. It’s and two of the most exciting moments of my life incredible to see. It’s a financial and an emowere seeing The Beatles on television and then tional investment to get into a band. For me, I’ve watching Hendrix play was my first concert I ever looked around in my life and everything I have, saw, those were just incredible experiences. my car, my house, my retirement fund, all the For me to perform live is to touch on, what I saw How do you keep that going after all these stuff in my house, everything I have, comes from there as a kid. years? It’s just so cool to see. somebody buying a ticket, a t-shirt, or a record.

The only source of my income is somebody enGoing in to the second album now, you are I enjoy being on stage, for me it’s the most three established musicians who, again, my joying what I do, so that piles on to this snowball liberating experience in my life. I also consider music to be the greatest art form there is. I think opinion is that you guys have all been in the even more significance when I go up on stage. the philosophers have proven that out way better music business for a long time and seen the That’s why, prior to a show sometimes I’m not business, and you’re doing it because you than I can and there’s a reason why. I believe always available, and I don’t like doing stuff prelove it at this point. the combination of music and then performing show. A lot of the clubs try to make us do a meet That is correct. That is absolutely true. I’m not it live in front of people is quite a mountain of and greet so they can charge people money a rich man but I have enough, I don’t need to emotional satisfaction. to meet us. I always get upset at that for two necessarily work that much, I could probably reasons. One, I do it for free outside after by the I remember a few years ago I got an email from stop now and coast from here on out. To me that bus anyway, so I feel like I’m ripping people off. I a kid and he said, I’ve been playing bass for six would be really a death sentence, because I’ve hate charging people. At Whole Foods a couple months and I’m bored, what should I do? I wrote never been money motivated and it’s never been of kids that work at the local Whole Foods see back to him and said, quit. Quit, man. Don’t do the reason why I do what I do. It really is that me, they always come up, say hi to me. I always it. It isn’t right for you. I’ve been playing for 40 pure job of performing. It’s quite a phenomenon. make sure that I have a pick in my pocket to give some years and I’m still excited to play. I get an to somebody that comes up. That and also I’m When something strikes me, I like it. I dig it. I idea on something on bass and I’m excited to get home and get the thing in my hand so I can hear something that really intrigues me or draws prepping for that show. That’s a big deal for me, ollowing on the heels of their successful self-titled album released in 2013 and subsequent worldwide tour, the Winery Dogs took seemingly very little time off from writing and touring in support of that first album, and released their second album, Hot Streak in October 2015. Hot Streak debuted at number 30 on the US charts and the band quickly set out on the road again for the first leg of a world tour across the United States. Rock and Roll Industries was there to catch and photograph the bands blistering set at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills in early November and was fortunate enough to be able to snag an exclusive interview with legendary bassist Billy Sheehan shortly after the bands last show of 2015 in San Diego.

I want to make sure my hands are in shape and I’m in shape. The tour bus pulls in around noon or one, I’m usually first in the dressing room to set up with my gear. An hour or two in there’s sound check and then after sound check I play about another hour and as soon as the opening act starts I put my bass down and change my clothes and get ready for the show. All that’s kind of sacred time to me. I’m really prepping and gearing up for that moment before I step on that stage. Those two things, that pre-show situation can always be threatened by interruption or other things. I always try to keep that time completely free.

How do you think the US tour went this time around for the second album?

It was just an overwhelming sea of smiling faces.

The last show we did in San Diego at the House of Blues the other night. I hadn’t even thought about the show because the L.A. shows were before it. We got there and these people just roared and roared and roared and wouldn’t stop.

Howling and screaming and applauding, and the band would stop, we’d do two or three songs in a row and stop and they just went crazy. It was like that in St. Louis also, as well as our gig outside of Chicago, they just went crazy. The Dallas show was one of our best shows ever. Denver was crazy, but we still have a lot more to cover in the US too.

minutes ago, they felt it. They feel like you’re up there really enjoying playing together, and in turn they are there enjoying themselves.

They’re just feeding off your enthusiasm and enjoying themselves. They’re lost in the same way you are and that’s what it’s about.

That means a lot to me. I guess assuming there’s some others that might concur with you that means even more to me.

You cannot crush live performance, nothing like being in a room with a band, and anywhere from 20 to 20,000 like-minded people experiencing a live show. There’s nothing like it. It can’t be duplicated by virtual reality goggles, you can’t download it, you can’t fake it. It is a real special As a three piece do you see that the more thing. Some aspects of it, you can take this modpeople in the band, the more pull you get ern performance and you can run tracks and add As far as the new album Hot Streak goes, from outside people, but as a three piece, lip syncing and faking it, but there’s an element there wasn’t a huge space between the two you guys are pretty tight because together albums, do you feel like that ground swell of of that that people in the know understand that a lot. this is not real. That undermines some lack of, support the band had from album number We use the crazy example of the three-legged there’s an actual band really playing, really perone to the new album is continuing? stool. It’s always even (each leg). With a four forming and really improvising. If you’re watching legged stool, one leg’s a little short or a little long Absolutely, we have a lot of people to thank. the notes come off that instrument and you’re and that screws up the whole balance thing. The People like yourself in the press are spreading hearing the voices come out of those heads on Dogs are very much a three-legged stool in that the word. And a lot of fans have taken it upon themselves to spread the word by social media stage for real, that experience really can’t be way. It balances out very well and very evenly. duplicated. It’s the saving grace of the music For some reason, the difference between playing and that helps immensely. We all have somebusiness in a lot of ways, I think. It’s a great body, at least one or two people that run little in a three piece band and a four piece band, thing and It’s a good time. I’ve been playing, I’m it’s not 25% easier, it’s about 75% easier, which fan websites for us, just because they’re fans and they extract stuff from all over the web and pushing up on almost 50 years of live perforis an odd phenomenon. Everything is easier. mance. I started when I was a kid and I like it as Checking in to flights at the airport, luggage, the re-post it and get people that do get this stuff together. It’s quite a team effort. We have a lot of much as ever and I knew when I first started it, hotel, in and out, backstage, dressing rooms, when I was a little kid that this was just going to everything, all the logistics are way easier. Then people to thank. be a blast and I’m glad I was right. creatively it’s way easier too. I can keep my eye The crowd, whether it’s five people or 5,000 on two guys pretty easy. Three guys it’s a little people, going back to what you said a few harder.

RITE THING

WEB SITE

SUCKER PUNCH

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Their latest creation ‘Once More ‘Round the Sun’ is reaching higher than ever before on the charts. There’s no real genre pigeon-hole that can house this beast as elements of traditional sounds and modern metal pounds are seamlessly fused. Grooves during verse and solo contain high-tech creativity and rootsy riffs. ‘Halloween’ brings it back to today.

A sweet, shredding solo takes this tune home with style, sustain, sudden stops and a modulation that blows the crowd away. ‘Bladecatcher’ from Blood Mountain keeps attention on Brent Hinds guitar with Troy Sanders’ synced basslines getting a share of the spot. Brann Dailor shines on kit as Mastodon swings back to the acclaimed ‘Hunter’ with ‘Black Tongue’. At times thrashy, this tune grooves as Bill Kelliher kicks ass on rhythm. ‘Ember City’ excites everyone elementally. High energy busting out of this sure thing brings us to a melodic - even romantic chorus. It’s the last of the new release showcase and another great reason to go get this record.

Leaving the audience with a big bang, Mastodon reiterates the concept concept. Leviathan is the ‘Moby Dick’ concept album and the encore of ‘Megalodon’ and ‘Blood And Thunder’ close out this heaviest of bands, heaviest of shows, heaviest of stories. Toronto is Looking forward to a full-on Mastodon show. Bring it!

And now, the main event!

Redeemer of Souls - over 30 stops; 5 in Canada - after Toronto jetting to Europe; Also Priest’s 17th studio album, released in 2014 - their first album since 2008 - their first without KK. Glenn Tipton explains in our recent interview, “...

Return to what people expect from Judas Priest. I think we acheived it. It’s one of the best albums we’ve done.

Full of energy and we’re very proud of it.” Opening lyrics that grab you - “Welcome to My World of Steel”. As pioneers of Heavy Metal, Priest can preach these words and sing these psalms. After all, they shared rehearsal space with Sabbath back in the day.

Also, KK is missed! Tipton calls it, “Shocking”. He says of their relationship, “It was a shock when KK left! We’ve played together for over 40 years; written some great songs together. So when he left the band it was a shock to us.”

This is a testament to the bands brotherhood and allegiance. Epitaph Tour was introduced as their last, but they forged on.

Halford’s signature ear-piercing-shriek and hell-bent-crouch; reaching within for his most demonic guttural vocalizations, he was right on! His chaotic command of the crowd was clear. He’s boss up on that stage. He points to those at his feet and those in the rafters and the electricity rises. Leading the hoards in call and return, he has this show and this world of steel in the leather clad palm of his hand.

“Dragonaut” “Halls of Valhalla” “Redeemer of Souls” were the freshies.

They were slick and the spotlight popped one Priest at a time, warming all the

blasphemers within the first half of the show. “Battle Cry” and “Beginning of the End” were piped in to open and close the show respectively. Tipton says about the new record and the tour, “We’re thinking of bringing other new ones in like Crossfire - a wonderful passionate song.” The rest of this show satiates the hardest of the die-hards. A nostalgic spectacle of sight and sound; Rootsy guitar; Heavy metal! Tipton: “Playing a lot of the older songs as well. What is very pleasing for us is that new songs are getting people singing along. It means we got something right and that’s not always the case. You don’t always get it right. So, it’s a great feeling of satisfaction when you do get it right.”

Tipton says of Judas Priest fans, “Fans have been fantastic. Our fans have been with us for over 40 years. They’re just part of the show now. It’s not Judas Priest and the audience - It’s the whole thing. It’s an event and they deserve that. They’ve been loyal. They stuck with us through the new wave and punky era when we flew the flag for metal and all the bands were denying the tag. They’ve been with us for years and years and yet there’s a young element in the audience as well now which is great to see.

It’s fantastic! We’ve always loved to play live and we still do. The genuine love of what we do is picked up by the fans and everybody is there to have a good time” Metal by old school definition means it’s all right there in your face - melting it off and blasting off but before your ears bleed you can see the perpetrators inflicting their whim from atop stage and riser. Judah’s Hebrew meaning “praised” literally embodies this gang of Priests.

Judas Iscariot died c. 30 AD, the iconic,

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Igor Vidyashev

Kicking off a show for Metal Pioneers, Judas Priest is a big deal. Well, Mastodon is huge and they’re on the verge of something even bigger that is not Wooly. Mastodon kicked it off with driving sludge, ‘Tread Lightly’. Sarcasm?

This animal has been around for 15 years now and it’s getting closer and closer to the top of the heap. Pounding their way there with raw talent and a brilliant concept, these dudes come to play.

They do not tread lightly. It’s amazing to see, at this speed, the alterations of time and rhythm.

“In many ways, it was a miracle when we found Richie...I don’t know if we’d go on tour if we hadn’t found Richie. To call yourself a great guitar player, you have to be a great song writer; great lead player; great rhythm player; be a great showman; fit in with everybody. It takes a lot of qualities. It isn’t easy,” Tipton boasts.

Richie’s solo that replaced KK’s over the bridge in ‘Breaking The Law’ was his pride and joy. He crushed it as the glowing front row faces melted. The sound was huge. The girders were buckling; the concrete was cracking. Then the Harley revved like distant thunder’s ominous warning. Something wicked this way cometh!

Halford in full riding leathers and a riding crop between his grinders - Epic metal moment! He’s a bona fide icon.

b!||y zee

Igor Vidyashev

infamous disciple of Jesus Christ. It’s not about the fortune; it’s about rebellion - the kind of rebellious independent thought that leads to progress - Progress in ideologies and progressive music.

Conspicuously absent from the current set-list, ‘The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown)’ is evidence that Tipton was raised on progressive blues. Tipton was a progressive blues player and evolved organically into a pioneer of Heavy Metal. It was just a little more ‘Djent’ than the Hardest of the Hard Rock. Thus, creating a sprout whereby many branches of Heavy Metal unfurled. Aggressive attitudes in the simplicity of power chords; Metal like this, to a guitarist, is natural, Tipton tells us: “Playing the guitar...it isn’t difficult to understand the direction to go in as a guitar player was metal really.

It started with progressive blues. You know, I used to play blues in the original bands I was in but I loved the word progression. That was the key to it.

Progressive blues - you take it and you do something else with it, along came Hendrix and people like that. Where did they come from? What they did was astounding. It was great for me. It inspired me to go in the direction I want to go on the guitar and there was never any other direction other than metal.”

Metal Gods or the devil in music?

We’re escorted back to the album that changed the world. Tipton clarifies that ‘Painkiller’ thrust them forward to a life-changing ‘British Steel‘ which, “set-up a turning point and encouraged the changing image to evolve.”

When the cheer inspired by ‘Breaking The Law’ and ‘Hell Bent For Leather’ subsided slightly, the band headed for the wings. Obviously, there would be an encore but 2? So many great songs available to close it out... First encore built around ‘You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ and the second around ‘Liv-

We’ve Got Your Gear

ing After Midnight.’ The aggregation of disciples sings along every word when Halford dangles that mic out overhead, obviously.

Tipton’s a class act. He doesn’t want to confirm the 2016 album officially, but everyone is asking and the rumored answer is yes! He states for the record, “Nobody knows what the future holds.

We’ll finish this tour and then we’ll reconvene there’s a chance it could be on the way. I don’t want to be a false prophet and disappoint people. You never know what’s around the corner ...Metal will never die! It retreats sometimes, but then there’s a spinal cord there.” As your savior of forbidden dissonance in medieval times, the congregation abides by master’s words and riffs. He concludes, “We tried to deal with this album as we’ve dealt with every other Priest album. There’s plenty of lead breaks, but it’s not lead breaks for the sake of it. They’re lead breaks that make the song better. There’s plenty of trade-offs - There’s plenty of excitement there. It’s an ingredient that’s inherent in Judas Priest albums and we’ve carried the tradition on with Redeemer.” b!||y zee

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The change I have seen is people don’t buy records like they use to! You hear people more and more complain about the price of concert tickets and merchandise. It gets expensive because what we do is expensive. If we were able to make more of a living on record sales, than we would not have the issues we have now and touring for eight weeks at a time. On the positive side, I noticed there have been so many trends that have come and gone the last decade. Even before I was in the band, Crowbar has outlived any hot item of the day. You keep playing music that is true to yourself and you don’t try to cash in on something, you will still be in the game. We have fathers, sons, and grandsons coming to the shows. That’s really important. People are not giving up on the bands that they like.

I can’t even keep up with all the new trends. Sometimes, kids

What inspired your writing for this album?

I wanted to write lyrics that are fantastical and epic in nature, while also writing about things that have happened in my life. So when they seem like lyrics about pirates and sword fights on the surface, they are actually songs that reflect very personal feelings and life experiences.

come up to me and ask, “What kind of music do you play?” I always answer, “We are a heavy metal band.” I don’t try and say anything other than that. But, the other stuff, it really doesn’t matter what you call it. If it is good, it is good. It’s only bad when you can tell a band does not have an original idea. I think if you are going to start a band, be original. You don’t have to fit into a certain niche.

We were in Tulsa Oklahoma, and there was a little person outside our trailer who stepped off the curb and broke her leg, she was on a stretcher ready to be taken to the hospital, but she would not let them take her until Kirk came out and signed her album. Her husband was there and of regular size and she would not let him go to the hospital with her. She insisted he stay and watch the show, so Kirk signed all the albums and she went to the hospital.

So, that was part one of the night. The second part, during the middle of us playing a show, all of a sudden a fight breaks out. We said to each other if it gets too out of hand we will stop the show.

Next thing you know half the venue clears out. After the show, we made a joke, the fight was better than the show! Later that night we come to find out in the middle of the pit someone pulled out pepper spray and started spraying everyone. We didn’t realize it till after the show. The night started off kind of strange and ended kind of strange. That always sticks out in my mind. That was my first taste of Tulsa Oklahoma (laughs).

What is it like releasing an album where music is so readily available, and not something that people are used to paying for?

I always bought CD’s growing up and glad it’s our main format. Although, it can be bought digitally as well, It’s not free. It cost’s money to make by our label who pays the bills. A lot of hard work, time, and Tell us about making your music video for money went into making it. If people like Paroxysm? it, there won’t be a problem paying for it.

Mike Holderbeast shot the video. We could tell he had a particular vision for Your lyrics seem to be inspired by sci-fi this video so we just let him do his thing and fantasy, can you go into detail about and followed his lead. It is amazing and a the inspiration behind those lyrics? masterpiece.

My dad really shaped me into being a 28 28 28 Rock Rock RockN N NRoll Roll RollIndustries Industries IndustriesMagazine Magazine Magazine

nerd. He used to buy me comic books when I was a kid. We used to watch a lot of Mystery Science Theater 3000 together, too. When I was a teenager, I tried to pretend I was too cool for that stuff for a while, but in my early twenties I returned to reading comics a whole lot. Writing lyrics has given me an outlet to tell some pretty strange and fantastical stories.

What’s next for Stereo Fire Empire?

The reception to the album has been very positive, and so far everyone seems to like it. The way I figure, the next logical step is to get off our asses and get out on the road.

Photos: Kelly Koolstra-Aplinuyen

The last record, Symmetry in Black, the band wrote together. I joined the band a year or two before we decided to record Severe the Wicked Hand. A lot of the songs were already written before the album was recorded. It was funny because at the time I was living with Kirk Windstein before joining the band. I engineered the demos for that on a four track and played guitar. Before Crowbar I was playing local bands. The one band I had for a while we use to open up a lot for Crowbar and that’s how I got to know Kirk. We had a lot of the same musical influences and we became friends.

SteevMoreno.com

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 29

.. .. t a o b r o t o M d a e Motorh

Motörhead Motörboat along with headlining acts Slayer, Anthrax, Motor Sister and C.O.C and many more….

As everyone a boards the ship and gathers around the main deck, a group photo was taken as Exodus begins the show. We set sail Avast an ocean of wonder making this a start to a most memorable and adventurous monstrosity of rock and roll mayhem. Head-banging throughout the night, eating and drinking the night away- is the best way to get a good night sleep.

The next morning we arrived at our private island which was incredibly fun, if there wasn’t enough head-banging on the boat the Motorboat brings it to the island, nothing better than snorkeling and rocking out to some of your favorite music, now that’s a relaxing day -with private lawn chairs, palm trees, live music, bands off the boat setting the sandy stage and the same all-you-can-eat cuisine was also provided on the Island. The Motörboat was a fun fulfilled time for rock n rollers, the ship’s crew also got involved and participated and head banged to multi performances throughout the adventure upon the high seas.

Smooth sailing was upon (even with a hurricane on our tail) us with a few moments of mist and fog to set the seen. Headlining the Motörboat was Slayer, Anthrax, Exodus, C.O.C Corrosion of Conformity, Motor Sister.

When Lemmy took control of the stage it felt more like he took control of the boat with cast, crue, fans and industry, it felt like the captain was also among the crowd somewhere or at least watching on a monitor regardless of where he was at the time. We rocked the boat and the boat rocked with us, watching legendary legend Lemmy is good for the soul. Motörhead of course cranks it to 11 and drives it right in thus give the Soundman a run for his money. As the band starts rocking, the lights start flashing- you notice the sold out show with fans standing on couches mosh pitting, and rocking to some of the most legendary hard-hitting mainstream that ever was and will be! Sadly it wasnt long after this cruise that we lost the legend Lemmy will always be in our hearts! R.I.P

30 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

Motorhead-Mikkey Tell me about your gear?

I play SONOR drums; I have been with them along time, way over 3035 years Paiste symbols, Evans drumheads, DW pedals and Wincent Sticks from Sweden, which I am part owner of.

Tell me about the flavor of the new Motorhead whiskey, how would you describe it?

It is a single malt whiskey that tastes like BBQ, very strange. It’s a very, very good whiskey and a high quality whiskey produced by a very, very good Swedish company.

We tried it, like we did with all the other products. The wine took over two years to get it where we liked it, same with the vodka. Took about a year and half to approve what we were going to have as a product and the whiskey so here it. It’s a great bottle of whiskey.

Tell our young readers something to inspire them to play music.

Go listen to great bands that should be enough to inspire someone to want to play. This world has so much to offer and throw away the fucking PlayStation controller and pick up an instrument, if they spend half the time on practicing an instrument as they do sitting playing fucking PlayStation they would be great musicians quite quickly.

What is your pre show ritual?

Well because it’s been so far in between shows I really do need to warm up my wrists, not much! It’s not too much just a little, Lemms would be reading a book and I would be tapping away on a pillow or a stool just getting into the swing of exploding out there.

During this interview I had ask Mikkey Dee about the up coming tour for the new album and he had expressed that Lemmy had not been feeling well lately and was unable to rehearse for the MotorBoat Cruise but despite that Lemmy put on a great show, no one could have known it would be his last MotorBoat show and the sold out tour for 2016 would be cancelled. RIP Lemmy, keep on ROCKIN!

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Crobot Tell me about your first MotorBoat experience?

METAL! METAL! METAL! We have done ShipRocked before which was also great! We were proud to be one of the heaviest bands on ShipRocked, where as here we are like the least heavy band (all Laugh) Tell us about your first show on the boat?

The first night we were put up against Slayer and that kinda sucked but I thought it would be worse then it was.

You guys had a good crowd.

We did have a good crowd! And I think it’s because a lot of people that like Crobot aren’t into super, super heavy stuff so it works!

What was it like getting your first album out?

The hardest part was waiting! We had record everything in November and December of 2013 and it wasn’t released Until Oct 2014 of course there are things that have to happen with marketing and clothing, and all that stuff.

Do you have a new album in he works?

I was fortunate enough to stop by our old producers place, he relocated outside of Austin and we had some time off in Texas. We got about 11 songs all demoed out and hopefully we will be in the studio in January.

What gear do you guys lean towards?

Paul-I Play “ddrums” for my kit, “Promark” sticks and “Evans” drum heads.

Bishop- I use “Orange” Amps, “Dr strings” just started using those for guitars, I like my custom stuff. Also pedals “Orange” has always been good to me it is always the amp I would go back to after trying different stuff, it’s definitely a hard working amp!

Albums you want to be stuck on an Island with?

And GO! Paul- I would have to have Zeppelin 1-4 and Deftones the self titled

Santa Cruz

You guys have been on cruises before from Finland, tell me if MotorBoat is any different for you?

Well one thing that is different is our bass player hasn’t shit his pants, which is really good. I think we have better bands here like MotorHead, Slayer, Anthrax and so many other amazing bands. Warm weather, that’s been nice.

You are the only band from Finland on the boat and your fans are loving that, I’ve seen some flags flying.

Yeah we saw a couple yesterday. One of our fans was passed out by the Jacuzzi upstairs.

Every keeps asking if you are from Santa Cruz and well you are not so where did the name come from?

When we formed the band in 2007, Archie kept saying “Dude, we need to call our band Santa Cruz” we were like that’s cool, then I find out he was globe spinning and landed on Santa Cruz. But there are 36 cities named Santa Cruz so one of them, we should have a Santa Cruz tour…. Coming to a Santa Cruz near you!

So if you got stranded on one of these islands, what albums would you want to 32 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

Bishop- I would probably have to go with Clutch Elephant Riders, COC Deliverance and not just because they are sitting right there! (This was right after I interview the guys from COC and they were still sitting at the next table in the lounge) Lyndard Skynd pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd, that would be mine. have with you?

Metallica “Black”, Red Hot Chilli Peppers “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik”, our own album so we could play it to the animals and make some fans!

What’s new?

Heading back into the studio next spring and touring the U.S March, April time. It’ll be really nice. And then hopefully next fall the album will be done and we can just play as many show as we can, all over world.

Any advice for bands just starting out?

When we played with Sebastian Bach in Los Angeles, he said some really good stuff to us. Always do what you love, don’t change because then you want to keep doing it, do what you do and stay true.

Do you see a lot of difference between bands in Finland and the U.S? In Finland, more metal, faster beats, we are darker people as we live in the dark! We only get four hours of light and then it’s gone so I think that comes out in our music.

Any finally words for?

Go check out our band on tour, keep it rocking and see ya next time.

How did you guys meet?

Bishop-Just playing shows Brandon and I had Crobot going, Paul and his brother were in a different band and we just started playing shows around Jersey area together. We just weren’t happy with the other guys in our bands so Brandon and I fired those guys and got Jack and Paul. It worked out great! We knew it would work but it sucked to fire people.

Paul- There was a lot going on at that time too so Jake and I just jumped in to a big pile of shit.

What would you tell young artist starting off?

Paul- Play shows! Just keep playing shows, meet other bands and network with other bands. Especially with the Internet just keep in touch with everyone!

Bishop- Yeah its one of those things, we have played a lot of shows! Especially in the beginning, first few years or so we played shows that only had four or five people but those same shows turned out to be the most important shows! Because, one of those five people was a part of TKO. That’s a good rule of thumb because a lot of people don’t get inspired when they don’t see a lot of people but sometimes it’s the right person at the right time.

Bishop-That’s when you really have to love what you do, in order to get through the first couple of years because you’re not going to play to anyone for a long time.

Hatebreed

This is your first cruise how was it playing on a cruise and what do you think of Motorboat?

Its really fun its even more fun then I expected everybody is really chill everyone can get to see the performers but also just kind of lets them live their life at the same time its very personable obviously we are in the mix with everyone. I thought it was pretty well organized. I’ve gone on the Kiss Cruise every year just as a fan I don’t play on it or nothin’ but I have been on a music cruise but this is the first time preforming I thought it was a great time.

It’s a little different with the boat rocking trying to play?

It is its funny I mentioned the Kiss kruise we had a night were it was really rockin they were up there in their seven inch platform boots, so when I was up there performing last night and a couple nights before that I was going this is band enough I couldn’t imagine playing in the boots but everyone seems to get use to it. Its just part of the venue for a lack of a better term. We had a lot of fun we did out door show last night with people jumping in the pool, well their fully clothed and all that. It was something to

see a circle pit in the pool! It was cool.

Little delays yesterday but it was all good in the end.

Ya, we do have a Hurricane out here as much as the ship is trying to down play that When every bodies phones started working in the Bahamas for the day off every text was about are you ok? Have you seen whats going on where you’re at? But we will get back to port tomorrow and everything should be ok!

You’re a native of Florida so your use to that kind of stuff I am, in other states people are boarding up their houses in Florida we have Hurricane parties where we just stock up our beer and that’s it!

Your last album came out a bit ago and you’re working on a new one?

Ya, the last one came out a while ago about three years so its time for us to work on another one. We are going to be doing that between now and the end of the year. When the record comes out we will tour the world.

Find out more and Submit Your Music at www.creativedefensemusic.com

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 33

Suicidal Tendencies Dean Pleasants How does feel to be on your first Motorboat?

I didn’t know what to expect, I’ve been on big boats before but never longer then a day. Now being here for three days I feel like I live on the boat! (Laughing) It’s been a great experience and everyone has been super cool, all the bands are really nice. I’ve gotten to see some of the bands I’ve toured with before and that’s been really great, catching up.

When you were playing on stage and rocking around in the waves, how did that feel?

We played in the theater downstairs and everything was still and then all of a sudden towards the end of the show the boat started rocking! And ya know we jump around a lot and stuff so I was just hoping I would land back on stage. (Laughing) It’s been some time since SxTx released an album do you have anything in the works?

We do have some projects in the works definitely, not a full album but some new music coming out and hopefully some different artist stuff.

Always working on something, me and Psycho Mike are always cooking something up!

What does SxTx have coming up tour wise?

After MotorBoat we get back to Miami and fly out Atlanta to do ? show, we did New York ? show so now we are doing Atlanta also, we had fun in NY it was pretty crazy. Then we will have three days at home and out to do some shows with Slipknot, Knotfest, stuff like that.

How did this current line up get together?

We got together, lets see… Nico Santora came in around 2012 his first show was Orion fest, we did an Infectious Grooves reunion with Robert, I play in Infectious Grooves and so does Mike Miru. He got the ok from everybody and here he is. In 2008 Eric Moore came into the band.

Robert and I had played in a band years ago before SxTx and Infectious Grooves; we have been friends for along time, he bought me into all this. Oh and the bass player…. I forgot the bass player! Mike Morgan came in he is a friend, would jam with us and stuff, our bass player Tim 34 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

“RawBiz” Williams passed away. It was a tough thing Tim was a good guy but that’s when Mike joined us and we are still working on him, few punches to the ribs here and there straighten him out (laughing) he’s a good guy so it’s a fun thing, ya know being in a band is like being married so we have to learn to live with each other.

How do you think you band has stayed popular over the years, changing gene and band members but still keeping your fans?

That’s a really good question, I think mainly because we’ve always been consisted hard core under ground. We’ve always considered ourselves to be a different kind of band; a redheaded stepchild and also I think Mike is a very smart bossiness man. He really knows how to pick and choose the right things to do that really makes sense for us musically and what’s worth doing, not saying we don’t just want to play music cuz we love it but sometimes ya gotta think should we do that…. And Mike is very good with those decisions and he has a lot to say. The main thing that I notice in this band is we have really touched people with our music, I know music touches everybody no matter what kind it is but I think we have a special bond with our fans. We are very accessible to our fans, we are them, they are us…. Us and them feel that.

If you could only listen to five albums for the rest of your life, if you were standard on the MotorBoat Cruise what would they be?

At least one Prince album, a Dio, cuz that’s what I grew up on. Jimmy Hendricks, gotta have something funky in there, Parliament Funkadelic and some Deftones. I go through moods when it comes to music (Laughing) Any words for your fans?

It’s been great, stay SxTx for life we appreciate our fans and all the support of the band it’s really cool.

I feel privileged and honored it be in SxTx, to be able to have done music all of my life, not that I’m real old (laughing) but for a kid the sat on the couch playing guitar, dreaming to play in front of people and to have been apart of so many awesome bands and being on the this boat playing with so many bands! It’s amazing so thank you to our fans and the people that don’t know us, check us out.

Motor Sister Tell us a little about how Motor Sister came about and how you guys got involved?

Joey- This all started with Scott Ian’s 50th birthday party it was one of his wishes. He is a big Mother Superior fan, which is a band that Jim started years ago and we all are huge fans. The band got to this place were it was defunked and wasn’t playing for awhile then Scott and his wife Pearl said I would love if some how Mother Superior could play my party it would be the coolest thing ever and she basically made it happen, she called Jim and….

Jim- I was honored! It was strange thinking about it, we hadn’t played together for so long that I thought it might not be years before I play these songs again and then all of a sudden it was, can I remember them? So it was exciting for me and Scott gave us a list of 12 songs, said that Joey would play bass and I’ve known Joey for a along time and John ? was gonna play drums. I had never met him but Scott said you’ll love him, it’ll be great. We played the party and it was super powerful, we had a little crowd, they were freaking out and it just sounded like this had to continue but we didn’t know, how or what, were we gonna book a gig…. And then we needed to make it a record because then the record label was excited. We tried to do it in the same spirit, play together in the same room and capture what we had going on while on stage. So we did it in two days!

Joey-Recorded it live, everyone in the same room.

Jim-Yeah we did a song two or three times, get the best take and move on.

Joey-And it just kinda became something we didn’t really think was gonna happen.

Jim-The recording went by so fast I wasn’t even sure how it sounded and then when we heard it afterwards, the rough mixes I was like oh shit!

So how did you guys come up with the name?

Jim-There is a song, an old Mother Superior song

called “Little Motor Sister” and we were looking for a name, something to represent MS and Pearl mentioned that it might be a good name so we thought…. If we took off the little we would still be MS, so that was perfect.

How did you guys end up on the boat?

Joey-Through Scott I’m sure, Anthrax is playing and they played last year. Their agentancy TKO represent us also so I think they just had an opening and since Scott was gonna be here already it just seemed like a no brainier, it’s an honor for us.

How is playing on a boat, rocking in the waves.

Jim-It was in my head, like I was thinking about it while we were up there but I didn’t really feel anything.

Joey-I thought before we went on, we went on at midnight so it was a little a bit late for me any way and so I dunno I thought it was gonna be a little funny cuz when you go see shows at the back of boat you really feel it so I worried it was going to be like that but when you get to the mid part of the ship it’s not so bad there so when we got on stage it didn’t seem like we where on a boat. I mean it was definitely an out door performance it seemed like but I was thinking about being on water.

Have you been out on any of the stops?

Joey-I have the first island went out there it was great and then yesterday we did Nassau also it was cool, a little too cool (laughing) the rum distiller was a bad idea (laughing) Jim-It was my wife’s birthday yesterday and we had planned to go to Nassau and we went done to the bar and people started buying us drinks and we never made it off! But we had a great time.

For people who don’t know you where can they find you?

Jim/Joey motorsister.com, also metalblade.com and we have a FB page and twitter…. When we look at it (laughing) Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 35

e f i L n a h t r e d u Lo ZZ Top, Rob Zombie, Godsmack and Lynyrd Skynyrd headlined Louder than Life festival in Louisville, Ky among the joining lineup included.

Slash, Shinedown (featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators) 3 Doors Down, Seether, Chevelle and Breaking Benjamin take the stage “will make that 3 stages with two connected stages” rockin back to back!

Louder Than Life celebrated their second annual festival held at Champions Park October 3-4 with two days straight of rock n roll, making it easy to attend is the added benefit of being able to stay the night- both RV and pop up camping was made available to make it easy. Nevertheless, before the show it was pouring rain making preprinted real challenging regardless of the rain and muddy terrain following the next day working hard bringing in wood chips truck load at a time fix the problem by day two the attention to detail and, surrounding culture brings a whole new level to rockin environment to rock n roll with devoted audience showing their respect rain or shine set for two beautiful days of rock. Louisville’s rich heritage of over 70 cuisines, craft beer Jägermeister shoots + other vendors Lake Crazy Dave’s Music Experience, where you can get your favorite music gear makes Louded Than Life Music * whiskey * Gourment Man Food Festival a real party!

Atreyu

Dan Jacobs, Lead Guitar

You have a new album called “Long Live”, How was the recording process?

It was really smooth actually, everyone was really excited cuz we had taken so much time off to write for Atreyu again so when we got in the room everyone was jumping on it like meat being thrown into shark invested waters or something ya know? We were just like lets write the friggin shit outta some songs right now! And there would be days we would pump out 2-3 songs!

I mean we work really fast; we have really good chemistry together, specially Brandon Saller (Drummer/ Vocals), Alex Varkatzas (Frontman) and myself. We pretty much write everything, we’ve been writing together for 20 years now so it makes it really easy and yeah very fun.

And what can your fans expected from this album? Anything new or same Atreyu?

It’s kinda like old but a mix of everything, it’s almost like if the old Atreyu came out now. It’s very heavy as far as our singer Alex’s vocals go but we still have the big melodic chorus, epic guitar solos and kinda big stadium, arena rock vibes. It’s almost like our “Black” album or something like that cuz it sounds as big as Metallica’s “Black” album but has the progression like our older music, real core Atreyu fans will be happy.

You can find the album at BestBuy and Target; both are limited additions with exclusive tracks and two live tracks that are only on the Target version so ya gotta buy both if you want to get all the treats 36 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

(laughing) What is your pre show ritual?

Little bit of guitar playing, little bit of whiskey or a beer. Not too much, don’t wanna get drunk before I play but it helps kinda loosen you up, takes the edge off.

Tell me about your merch company?

It’s rock n roll merchandise and craft beer merchandise, we have done stuff for “RockStar” and “Monster” energy drink and we have done stuff with “Kat Von Dee” selling clothing. “Nectar Juice Bar”, “Coldcock Whiskey” and ton of people we do merch for, yeah been doing that for years now. But now we also have this new thing we are doing, called “Pluginz” and what that is basically is a keychain holder rack, picture a guitar head where you plugged in the guitar… But smaller, a mini amp that comes with quarter inch jacks like you would to plug your guitar into, those go on your keys and you plug your keys in so you never lose your keys. You mount it on your wall, we have different brands, ones that are licensed to different amp companies as well as bands.

We have an Atreyu one, working on a Zakk Wyld one and Black label.

We’ve made some for Mice and Men, Asking Alexandria and yeah a lot of collaborations, doesn’t have to be about music but anything related to music.

Any Words for your fans?

Yeah we’ve put out the new album it’s called “Long Live” It’s in stores everywhere, follow us on social media.

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 37

The Music Experience One of the best parts about The Experience is how you guys promote children in music, my daughter was excited to be part of the experience this year at Louder than Life tell us about some of the best experiences the kids got from this year’s festival stops?

The Student Experience has become a huge component of The Music Experience. We now have between 50-100 kids at each festival now.

The kids must be enrolled in a music program.

The program can be in a public school or a private guitar teacher. One of the things I love the most about doing The Student Experience is when I get to take the kids on the backstage tour. When kids see bands on stage, most kids don’t realize there are hundreds of people that go into making sure the band is able to take the stage. They don’t realize this because nobody is telling them. We showcase the Eco-System that is “Back Stage”. We talk with the Site Ops guys, Techs, Sound Engineers, Lighting Engineers, Media Tent, Catering and even the promoters themselves. Two of the promoters have become very involved in The Student Experience. Danny Hayes is the CEO of DWP and Clay Busch is the Head of Marketing for DWP. They actually spend time with the kids and give speeches that really resonate with the kids. You can literally see their lives change in those moments. DWP are the promoters of festivals like Rock On The Range, Aftershock, Welcome to Rockville and many other large scale festivals.

To have the kids meet people at this level is incredibly special.

You have recently started working with Girls Rock tell us about that?

Girls Rock has a chapter in my hometown of Jacksonville Florida. We invited them out to Welcome to Rockville and a few awesome things happened. Once we announced that Girls Rock was taking part in The Student Ex38 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

perience, Lzzy Hale and Shannon Gunz came over to talk with them. They spoke about how great it is to be women in Rock N Roll. It was very empowering to say the least. The instrument industry says something like less than 10% of musicians are female, but in our Student Experiences, it’s about 50%. I know that is a very different stat than our industry says, but that’s what my eyes see, not some excel sheet that has stats from who knows where.

You have brought instruments to festival goers all over the US. Tell us about your 2016 stops and some plans for this year?

In April / May, we will participate in Worlds Loudest Month. The Music Experience will be at Welcome to Rockville, Carolina Rebellion, Northern Invasion and Rock on the Range. The Music Experience will grow in size to over 6,000 sq ft and will have more interactive experiences. We have some new great brands participating and of course, we will be telling some great stories.

Without the help of your awesome sponsors this would not be possible, so we are going to ask you to do a little name dropping, who are those sponsors?

The manufacturers are my RockStars. It’s my job to put them on a pedestal and tell their stories. Our big supporters are ESP, Takamine, Marshall Lifestyle, Marshall Amps, Paul Reed Smith, Dunlop, MXR, Fender, Jackson, EVH, Gretsch, Charvel, Earthquaker Devices, Epiphone, Affliction, Chauvet Lighting, Hercules DJ, Yamaha, Guitar Grip and Guild.

You just revamped the website, let people know where to find you and what they can find?

The website is www.themusicexperience. com and www.thestudentexp.com .

Can you explain what the “Icon” exhibit is inside The Music Experience?

I really love the instrument industry. We have two types of Icons that TME showcases, Artist and Innovator. There are very important people that helped shape the instrument industry, that I feel like are being forgotten. They are being forgotten because their story isn’t being told to the youth or new player. For the Innovators, we have showcased Leo Fender, Les Paul, Jim Marshall and Paul Reed Smith. We will be adding more in 2016. The contributions of the innovators developed the actual sound that built the Rock N Roll Industry. When I used to see a picture of Hendrix, most people saw the player first; however I always saw the Fender and Marshall Amp before I saw the player. I always wanted to tell the story of the gear and the sound. As for Artists, we did the “Dime Icon”, and it was massive. In my opinion, we need new icons. The guys from the 50’s/60’s/70’s we amazing and they are the architects but I want to showcase the new Icons like Dimebag, Randy Rhoads, Lemmy, King and Hanneman, Hammett and Hetfield.

Another new experience you started was Keep Golf Metal tell us about that?

Yeah, Keep Golf Metal is a passion project for me very much like The Music Experience. I love playing golf. After talking to a bunch of friends in bands, I realized there is a lot of folks that look like me, talk like me and walk like me that love the game as much as I do. I wanted to birth a golf brand from inside the music world that embodied the things we love and identify with.

A lot of companies think if they put a skull on a shirt, we will buy it. I wanted a birth a brand that embodies the culture and imagery that we love and marry it with golf culture. I know, it sounds insane, but we will do it!

r e t n i W f o d a e D

Dead of Winter Festival has been Brisbane, Australia’s favorite horror themed music and dark arts festival since 2009. This music festival is best known for celebrating and embracing the darker side of music.

The festivals creators Celine Bedford and Kent Haines have perfected this festival; which features everything from multiple stages of nonstop awesome bands, performance art, R-rated comedy, markets and cutting edge films. It had a jam-packed crowd of metal heads and music lovers that ran smoothly from start to finish. The lineup was just as impressive featuring well known and up and coming bands which kept the fans entertained all night.

Although l didn’t get to see every band some of the highlights were photographing and interviewing: Smoking Martha, Darkcell, As Paradise Falls, Tria Mera, Lagerstein, Kill The Apprentice, Daemon Pyre and Our Last Enemy.

Be sure to check this festival out if ever in Brisbane, Australia. I’ve already seen some of 2016 lineup and its definitely going to be a killer show.

Kelly Koolstra-Aplin

Smoking martha & darkc311

Hey guys what was it like playing the Dead of Winter Festival?

SM: So much fun, we love it. It’s so great to see so much support around this festival, it’s so important to keep the underground rock, punk and metal scene alive.

JD: Dead of Winter has always been a highlight for us, as we’ve been fortunate to play it previous and the response and fun had is awesome.

For us, getting to play with some really cool bands and catching up with old friends is part of the appeal that makes this event so important to us.

It’s an honor and we love being able to showcase what we do.

Kelly Koolstra-Aplin

For you personally what would you say were the highlights of the festival?

SM: From start to finish, DOW is such a well-run festival, the entertainment never stops, when one act finishes the next begins, and the mix of talent is always so rockin.

JD: That hilarious interview we got to do with you was a lot of fun. We’d just come back from our USA tour and were still buzzing, so this event really allowed us to just get out there and have fun. For me, it’s the wide range of bands and personalities in attendance that makes this such a vital event that needs to continue. Getting to play Dead of Winter itself is a highlight and a half.

Tasha you definitely know how to draw a crowd, what’s your secret to connecting with your audience?

SM: You have to truly love and believe in what you are doing and just give it your all.

Darkcell You lads had a jam-packed crowd, what’s your secret to

keeping your audience entertained the whole time?

JD: Thanks so much! There’s no secret. We get out there and have fun.

We love playing our music, and are lucky to have such a loyal fanbase that come and party everytime. We’ll never be that band that stares at their feet or play for themselves or go to be “better” than everyone. We understand, being fans ourselves, how important it is to love what you do, have fun and respect every gig that you play. They all count, and the audience deserve no less than 100% of your energy.

Did you get a chance to see any other bands at the festival? If so who were your favorites and why?

SM:Yes, we always stay for the whole show. The Wrath, Kill the Apprentice, Hobo Magic, Darkc3ll are just some of my faves, they are all amazing musicians and all have so much energy on stage.

JD: Got to see a bit of Tumbleweed, who are always fun, A Breach of Silence are cool to watch, and some of the other bands were all a joy to check out.

If you could play at any other festival in Australia where would it be and why?

SM: Soundwave, as it is the biggest rock festival in Australia, unfortunately there are more international bands on the bill every year then Australian, but that’s what the punters want so that’s what they get.

JD: We love any festival where there’s an exciting lineup and that allow us to get out there and do our thing. Getting to tour Australia with Soundwave last year was one for the highlight reel, and we’d do it again. Made a great impact and felt the love.

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 39

KnotFest

Knotfest once again, left you feeling like you were Stripped, Raped and Strangled!

By Raquel Figlo

This year was better than ever because of the inclusive special METAL taco party that was put on by Affliction Clothing Saturday night. Last year Slipknot played two nights, so it was disappointing for concert goers that this year they only played one show, but the weekend line-up was strong with Slipknot, Judas Priest, GWAR, Korn, Cannibal Corpse, Suicidal Tendencies, Body Count and many more!

Day 1 Only at Knotfest could you wear a clown mask, look like a serial killer and not get questioned by the cops. True fans were running around dressed like convicts in the traditional orange jump suits topped off with Slipknot masks that were replicas of their favorite band member. To wear a mask in the hot San Bernardino heat shows your true loyalty or stupidity. Either way, fans didn’t care; they were having fun and feeling free to express themselves. There were four stages and several attractions to keep you busy when the metal was too much and making your ears bleed.

Something new this year was the fighting dome where characters who were dressed up like it was Mad Max era battled each other to the death.

The street drum show right next to it which featured musicians in war paint beating on everything including cymbals, metal cans and pipes successfully making music. There were venders and record labels selling music and merchandise. There were food trucks, so there was a variety of choices besides the usual pizzas and hamburgers.

Body Count played “Talk Shit and Get Shot” off their latest album and of course the crowd went wild! GWAR, the shock rock comedy thrash metal band, stayed true to their name by spraying the overly excited crowd with gallons of blood as one-by-one they killed each other off. On the main stage, Mastodon played hits like “Mother Load” and “Oblivion.” Their set was flawless and every time I see them I become more of a fan! When Korn hit the stage and played songs from their self-titled album Korn, it brought me back to my teenage years when I was in high school and only a small group of friends and I knew who the fuck they were! Now look at them. It was a nostalgic moment for me that was accompanied by huge pyrotechnics that blasted from near the lawn seats. I slowly made my way up to the front in time to hear Korn play classics like “Blind,” “Freak on a Leash” and “Chutes and Ladders.”

The final act of the night was Judas Priest, a band I could see a million times and never get tired of. At this point, I was dead center in the pit up by the barricade. The only thing standing between me and Rob Halford was the security guard! Judas Priest started their set by playing three 40 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

songs off their last album, Redeemer of Souls. Rob Halford had more wardrobe changes than Lady Gaga. He looked and sounded great! His vocals have not changed in over 40 years! Rob commanded the audience grabbing our attention at every moment. One of the highlights of the Judas Priest set was Rob riding out on a motorcycle belting out “Breaking the Law!” This created a mosh-pit and had me flying into the fence only to have the security guard who was standing in front of me save me from a busted lip from hitting the pavement! “Electric Eye” soon followed and the night ended with “Painkiller!”

Taco Metal Party The night was not over by a long shot. The Taco Metal Party hosted by the “Hispanic Satanic” Jose Mangin took off with flowing beer and free tacos for everyone at the Affliction Clothing after party. This party was invite only and the highlight of the weekend! All the cool metal bands were there, even Ice-T was enjoying a delicious taco! The drinks at the open bar were strong and tasty! I was in love with Satan’s Jizz (a mixed drink of tequila and jalapenos!) which is probably why when I got picked to do the live “Metal Trivia” game, I epically failed. Even Dino Cazares of Fear Factory was trying to help me out, but the alcohol prevented me from remembering a damn thing. We did so bad that they ended the game and started playing metal!

Day 2 The combined stages two and three were going off with dirt in the air, arms waving and mosh pits circling for the band All That Remains who got the early crowd riled up and crowd surfing for hits like Two Weeks and This Calling. Cannibal Corpse was the band I wanted to see.

When they hit the stage a huge dust storm was created by the wailing arms, feet stomping and the pit going agro for “Skull full of Maggots,” and “Stripped, Raped and Strangled.” It was a very hot day, but Rock Star Energy Drink came to the rescue with free drinks of multiple flavors to choose from. You could drink as many as you wanted as long as you stayed in their shaded tent. After cooling off, I re-entered the pit only to get my face melted by Suicidal Tendencies! When lead singer Mike Muir began to sing “Cyco Vision” there was a whirl wind of people spinning, creating a collision of bodies and complete chaos! I can’t believe no one got hurt, but it sure looked cool! Mike Muir jumped off the stage to high five as many fans as he could!

Now for the highlight of night two, the time had come for Slipknot. Their entrance could not be any more fascinating with lights going off in every direction and fire being shot from the back of the stage. I was watching the percussion players constantly rising up on the stage onto a platform and spinning at 180 degrees! Slipknot’s 17 song set kept you wanting more! The theatrics and money that went into production left every fan grinning from ear to ear! The set list included classics like The Devil in I, People=Shit; Before I Forget, Duality, and closing with Surfacing! It was money well spent and another metal memory for the books.

Devour the day

Blake Allison and David Hoffman Since you put out your new album do it but when you have the help of a group of people that have been “Time and Pressure” you have putting out records their entire life’s been on the road, tell us a road it just helps. They have helped us story. afford the record we want to make Blake-Most of them I can’t divulge too much information on. (laughing) and we were lucky enough to have worked with a great producer who is But I think the greatest story for us is… We’ve been a band for two and one of the best engineers that I’ve ever met! His name his Dan Canniff, half maybe three years now and he has done Killswitch Engage and in the process we’ve had to start every Breaking Benjamin album, from the bottom, which is the case him and Ben are close friends. It for every band I guess. We started touring while we had a song on the was just amazing for us to not have to worry, we put it in his hands and radio called “Goodman” from our album “Time and Pressure” and as it trusted him to make it sound how was starting to gain popularity on the we wanted it and he did it cuz he radio we were starting to see people knew… He builds his own gear; most people buy it so he knows knew our music, which was amazing! And then we went and played a how to make it work. There was no festival where it was obvious that the battle with him to make it sound how crowd knew the song. We played the we wanted it; he just knew what we needed. I think if we had gone we whole set and we knew something was happening, it was a great show anyone else it would have been a lot different. with a great response, we had a mosh pit and a wall of death right Speaking of sound, what are the as we were playing “Goodman” products do you like to use? and I was like the crowd is showBlake- David and I play PRS guitars ing us that they like us and ready to and it’s a huge part of our sound. sacrifice their well being. They were Our bass player Joey Walser just singing all the words and knew the switched over to PRS also which parts of the song, they were singing is new for him so he’s been really back to me. That was the moment excited about this new move, he for us when we said ok we got our just picked up these basses and foot in the door! We are a band now! it sounds incredible! We are all It was a huge moment for us. really happy with the product. And Ddrums, we love Ddrums they are David-Not any stories but some strong, I’ve been playing drums for amazing people along the way. about 15 years and had an endorseWe have had so much help on the road with things happening… Vans ment from my previous band so it breaking down and such, they have just made sense to keep them alive made sure we have gotten to shows cuz they make great stuff. Plus for our fans and kept us doing what Sabian Symbols and Vic Firth drum we needed to do so I just want give sticks. a shout out to those people that was Anything else you would like to there for us. tell your fans?

Blake- 2016 is going to be a big What do you have planned for year for us, thank you so much for 2016? supporting us so far and we will see Blake- We have a new record it’s called “SOAR” and it stands for “Suf- you next year. fer, Overcome And Recover”. We’ve David- Thank you guys so much for been working on it for awhile now, your love and support, we wouldn’t it’s our first major label release we be here without you and lets keep have been signed with “Razor & Tie” rocking and rolling. Thank you so which is just amazing for us. Putting much. out a record yourself, well you can Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 41

We have a side project called The Bakerton Group, which is maybe in some ways more of left of field from rock n’ roll, a little more “out there”.

I’ve been to some of those festivals too.

There’s a lot of musical impulses that this band has that can’t possibly fit into the rock category.

Even with the lyrics, the guys are very prolific.

Sometimes I hear a riff and I’d just say that there’s no way I can put words on that. It would be weird. So instead just trashing it, we can find another outlet for it, and that’s what that is.

I’d love to go see that project someday.

You’ve got a tour coming up?

Yeah. February we’re going to go to Australia and then spring/summer/fall, we’re going to do the festivals here in the States and in Europe, and then do a headlining run or maybe support a band in the fall. So we basically more or less know what we’re going to do for the next 12 months.

Clutch

Tell me about the new album that just came out this month. I know you guys have been getting great reviews, and it’s doing well on the charts.

Neil-We charted #1 rock record, and #7 on Billboard, which is pretty gratifying. I don’t think the band’s motivation is to be number one in any other terms than with our fans. We have great fans that support us, and have been for 25 years. To be able to do this now, this kind of defies a bit of stereotype? I think that’s a good thing though.

Tell me about the recording process, anything different than you’ve done in the past?

Or is it kind of the same process?

The writing process is identical. I mean it’s the four of us in the room kicking around riffs. But, this time we’ve really micromanaged everything.

We’ve played them over and over and over again. For once, I actually had all of the lyrics written before I got into the studio. JP was very analytical about the lyrics and changed his beats to complement them. Hopefully it gets translated that way to tape. I think it’s probably the most live, that captures what we do on stage, the songs like we’ve been playing for years. Sometimes it’s hard to do with a song that you just wrote weeks prior.

Yeah, because it doesn’t have that same feeling.

You learn more about it, and then you get more comfortable with the parts. You can toy with them a bit.

You guys are on your own label with this one. Any difference between putting it out yourselves, and putting it out with a different label, do you have more freedom now?

Yeah. We have all the freedom we want, be42 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

Any crazy road stories you want to share?

My threshold for crazy is pretty high. I think we see it every day and don’t even notice it.

People that don’t come to rock shows and see what we do every day and they’re like, “How do you do it?”. For us it seems kind of second nature.

cause we are our own bosses. We decide why we’re going to do it, how we’re going to do it.

And, if something goes wrong, we know who to blame. Usually the relationship between a band and a label is very antagonistic. Sometimes we can be antagonistic with ourselves. Not between us, but in our own conversations we have in our heads. It’s a bit schizophrenic. These days, an artist is in a position to sell their music directly to their fans. I think they’d be fools not to. Why would you involve a third party?

Speaking of third parties, would you guys sign any other bands, or are you going to keep it strictly yourselves?

We’ve delved into it. Sadly, I think we came to the conclusions that selling records these days is like selling water to the drowning. I mean, people have the stuff for free, and we don’t have the capital and energy to do anything other than Clutch. I don’t envy young bands coming up.

It’ll be one thing if they have the right look and following the hot trend of the moment.

It’s definitely changed than it used to be back in the day.

It’s easy if that’s your interest, but with Clutch and the kind of music we like, it’s not common denominator. It’s really hard to have a viable business model. I hate to say it. You’ve got to make money to survive as a business.

Yeah. Sadly to start off, you have to make money another way to put it into the band.

Yeah. Exactly. When you are competing with major labels who have invested/have stock interests in Spotify, we’re just trying to sell a couple thousand records to the right people that’s all.

You guys also have a jam band project, correct? Did you want to talk about it?

So nothing’s hit that mark.

I think we all try to minimize that as possible.

We like to keep the unknown quantities at arm’s length at all times, because this is a very fragile thing, to have these same group of guys for 25 years.

Speaking of which, how did you guys do that off? Because a lot of bands can’t do that.

Personality-wise, we get along well. That’s half the battle, when we put people in a small box for years and add beer. We have fun doing it, and we also understand that it’s not every day that you are blessed with the opportunity to make a living doing something creative. So we treat it very tenderly with a lot of respect. The older we get, the more that increases I think.

So, that’s what young bands should learn.

Yeah, I was no different. You take it for granted.

You don’t really appreciate it. “Well, I’m in a rock band. I’ve got to do a show today.” The attitude I think is sometimes very entitled, whereas now I realize that I had that attitude.

I was the exception to that rule. I was a bit of an ingrate in that regards, but now I’m very grateful.

What is your pre-show ritual?

I do some vocal warm-ups. I think the ritual is just putting on my show clothes from the night before. When I smell that smell, it kind of what sets off this subconscious adrenaline release that it’s now show time. We don’t get together and huddle, really. Everyone does their warmups on guitar, I do my vocal warm-ups and some guitar. That’s about it.

Any last things you want to say to your fans?

Thank you for letting us be a band for 25 years.

It’s been fun.

All That Remains

Craziest tour story…

How is it that you became part of the line up?

We met because I played in a ton of bands at various times and I became their tour manager and when Janie left it was very organic or me to come in because we get along so well.

Tell me about the current album that you are performing on tour right now?

The Album right now is called The Order of Things, its awesome it’s a bit different then the rest of the music we do because there is a lot of hits on it, with a lot of really great song writing, there is a little bit for everyone slow heavy, fast heavy but there is also some really good vocal performance and for me that’s what I really enjoy listening to, I like books and hits I come from listening to Skid Row and Journey and Hall and Oates that’s what gets my attention right away.

You put it on and your toe is tapping its not all about how technical Im shredding this interact part but you just get it, the riffs and its really solid.

Have you changed the parts to make them your own?

I changed some of them for me its more natural to play certain things and to some of it was simpler I added a fun flare and to other parts I keep really simple like Janie did on the record, Its live music it doesn’t have to be 100% with the record.

Have you started writing the new album?

Not yet but just today we started talk about new ideas and its going to be really exciting because for the first time I will get to incorporate some of my ideas and we work together as a team and that’s really exciting because its all about the team effort.

Do you still tour manage now that you are in the band?

No just playing, but got to work with some really cool bands tour managing and fill in with awesome people its been a double life, its funny one of my real good friends Mike Rosenfall he’s a tour account and was just on that show NAKED DATING and he was on that show recently.

So you know him well know…

I do know him well (laughs) he told me that “at some point your going to have to choose” and I never really had to.

Why choose when you don’t have to?

Why choose it kept me busy and obviously now that I’m in a full time band I don’t have time to tour manage even though a generally want to I focus on one thing at a time.

What is your craziest tour story either as a tour manager or in the band?

That you’re allowed to say My old band in 2007 we were on tour with Machine Head and our guitar player at the time long story short playing in Milwaukee the show was over and we were leaving outside to the bus and he got jumped, and when I say jumped I mean hammers and baseball bats I went out to go put my stuff away and my guitar tech running down and goes of my God they got Eric so I run inside and he is laying there with a whole in the back of his head and he was still conscious but it was rough, we had to take him to the hospital we thought at the time it was a gang initiation but where not sure what it was, but it was terrifying.

They took all of his stuff and there is an on going joke, somebody on blabbermouth though in that they stole a bag of jewels from him. I don’t know where that came from but was an ongoing online joke that there was this bag of jewels. That was intense little time period but he ended up going home and taking a medical leave.

What kind of gear do you use?

I have been playing an ESP guitars since 2005, I was with Hartke I was with them for a long time but as I hadn’t been in a band since Devil Driver that was almost three years ago so I played them when I filled in with inflames and Lamb of God. I have GH Audio in ear monitors which are amazing they are unbelievable. Right now I am playing Amga Custom enclosures independent company of Cincinnati they Custom make some of the best stuff I have ever heard in any guitar or bass cabinet I would definitely suggest that any musician check them out. They make everything you name it anything that you want they do A day to Remember stuff, Jeriko, Slipknot. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook ALLTHATREMAINS mine is BUBBLEITIS everyone thinks it says Bubble Tits but its not!

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 43

Aftershock

it as they always do!

Sleeping With Sirens were very popular, I heard lots of young girls screaming and confessing their undying love for singer Kellin Quinn. He has a unique voice that makes teenage girls throw their knickers, modern day Tom Jones?

Up next we had Eagles of Death Metal these guys are true entertainment!

Everyone at RNRmag and Myself are sorry for the loss of their merchandise manager Nick Alexander, Nick was killed during the attack in Paris back in November. He also worked with Sum 41, Forever the Sickest Kids, Underoath and Panic at the Disco. RIP Nick.

Coheed and Cambria are favs of mine and they did not let me down by playing “Welcome Home” (from their album Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness). Watching guitar player Claudio Sanchez play one of the sickest riff know to the rock world on his double-necked white Gibson SG was a first for me and it made my day!!

Janes Addiction had really hot girls on the stage and that’s all I remember… And then in comes Chino!! Deftones are just amazing they always bring it and the whole band can’t help, but trash their stuff!

Last, but not least (cuz this is rock n roll) Faith No more had a stage set up of flowers and the entire band members were wearing white. They put on a tight show and kept a partied out crowd Marilyn Manson hit the stage with his legally We started off the day with The Pink Slips; the going, it’s not easy being the headliner on the build-up, lights, smoke, creepy music and there singer Grace McKagan is none other than the last day of a festival, but they nailed! It was he is!! A fan carrying a huge sign saying “Get offspring off Duff McKagan, Guns N Roses’ bass “Epic.”

Twisted” goes nuts!! And don’t worry he is player (You can watch GNR reunite in April at the Overall, all the bands rocked the ranch, I had a twisted… Giving bass player Twiggy Ramirez Coachella festival in Indio, CA). blast hanging out at Dave’s Music Experience (Jeordie Osbourne White) a nipple twister while Grace is a sexy little lady with pink hair to go with fans and musicians alike, I can’t wait to be performing “Dope Show” (off of the album “Mealong with her band name, who ended her show there next year and you should be there too! chanical Animals” released in 1998) just to prove with fewer clothes than she started with. how twisted he is. Marilyn has been performing As a side note… Camp, camping at a festival is so long he acts like he lives on a stage and is Suicidal Tendencies are always a crowd favorite, the best part!! more than happy to pick a wedgie for his fans, giving so much love and appreciation and killing -Miranda Panda

44 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

Enrique Nunez

Held in October at its new location at the Gibson however he still can’t play a tambourine and Ranch just outside Sacramento, a two-day festi- throws it instead. val of face melting rock!!

Shinedown are always just brilliant, I always love when they play “SimpleMan” and the crowd Saturday Oct 24th the line up was Slipknot, lights up with cell phones, as one huge sing Shinedown, Marilyn Manson, Breaking Benalong commenced. jamin, Seether, Bring Me The Horizon, Black Veil Brides, Clutch, Hollywood Undead, P.O.D., Headlining this amazing day in the sun was SlipSevendust, Pop Evil, All That Remains, Helmet, knot and as the sun went away they brought the Snot, Beartooth, Turbowolf, Art of Dying, Temflames!! Lots and lots of fire exploding on stage, perance Movement, Kill It Kid, Devour The Day, the sound of the bass in your chest can only be September Mourning, Stars In Stereo, Ravenexperienced live with this band. eye.

Slipknot knows how to whip a crowd into a First day band line up was looking hot, some fensey to the point of singer Cory Taylor telling I have had the pleasure of seeing before and people to chill before they ended up in jail, callsome I was dying to see! ing them crazy. Coming from a guy that punched Our friends September Mourning were one of the WWE star Baron Corbin in the face, I think he’s calling the kettle black…. For me the drum kit is first bands to get up in front of a sold out crowd always just a great time, I ran back stage just so and gave us their dark fantasy stage perforI could get a closer look at drummer Jay Weinmance in true form. berg and his ever moving drums! I’m not sure Helmet has been one of my favourite bands for how he doesn’t get sick, going up and down, and some years due to Page Hamilton’s song lyrics round and round, but I sure am glad he doesn’t about fakers and takers, I’ve seen Page and his as I enjoy watching him spin. band live a few times and they never disappoint.

Sunday Funday, Oct 25TH Black Veiled Brides took the stage with a stack Faith No More, Deftones, Jane’s Addiction, of Marshall amps and braved the heat, the shirts Stone Temple Pilots, Coheed and Cambria, All came off and they rocked the ranch!

Time Low, Death From Above 1979, Eagles of Bring Me The Horizon are fellow English peeps Death Metal, Sleeping With Sirens, Yelawolf, like myself so this show was a must watch for Failure, Glassjaw, Suicidal Tendencies, Issues, me, they had so much energy on stage, catch The Sword, Highly Suspect, ’68, Red Fang, One this band if you can!!

OK Rock, Madchild, Neck Deep, Pink Slips.

September Mourning We are here at The Music Experience and our good friends “September Mourning” have just wrapped up a meet and greet session.

Having fun at Aftershock? Tired? Did you have a good time?

We are doing great, super fun and super proud of today’s performance.

It pleases me to see the reaction from “new fans”, I overheard people chatting about how impressed they were with the performance, new fans who have never see you live or heard of you before today. Last time we met up was at the House Of Blues in Anaheim on Easter Sunday, your comic book was still in the works and now I see people walking away from this meet and greet with comic book and cd.

Yes, our comic book is called “A murder of reapers” and what you also saw was the EP called “September Mourning: Volume 1”.

I have been enjoying your EP and also happy for the band to join Marilyn Manson on tour.

Yes, isn’t it amazing and coincidently (points at stage next to us), he is performing right this moment and we can’t wait to join him on tour and share the same stage.

Thank you September † Riven † Wraith † Rasper † Shadou † and Stitch † for spending a few minutes with us and thank you for the Comic book and EP we will be raffling through our website/social media pages to one lucky September mourning fan.

-Enrique Nunez

Taste of Chaos

Lan Nguyen

Taste of Chaos (later replaced by the Uproar tour) was relaunched for a single day stint after a five year absence at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino. One could say that the lineup would've sounded unbelievable ten years ago. Hundreds of fans got a good taste of...for lack of a better word, nostalgia. Thanks in part to the rotating stages, no time was wasted between sets. The lineup included The Used, Jimmy Eat World, Thrice, Dashboard Confessional, The All-American Rejects, Story of the Year, Glassjaw and Finch. In addition to the lineup was a rather amusing DJ set

by Mark Hoppus of Blink 182, Saves the Day, The Movielife, Greek Fire, Adair and winners of the previous days' "Battle of the Bands" completion.

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 45

Count’s 77, pictured on the cover of this magazine, is a powerful combination of tried and true talent. Let’s start with the vocals, Danny “Count” Koker of Count’s Kustoms on HISTORY’S “Counting Cars” who comes from well established musical lineage.

Next let’s talk about the lead guitarist Stoney Curtis. This extremely talented musician has been playing and singing with the world-famous Stoney Curtis Band for many years. John Zito, guitarist heads up the John Zito Electric Jam and plays with the John Zito Band. Barry Barnes, bassist has played in the Stoney Curtis Band for years.

Paul DiSibio played for the John Zito Band before joining Count’s 77. Tommy Paris, a Las Vegas native was lead vocals, rhythm guitar and keyboards for Britny Fox from 1990 through 2007 and again currently since 2015.

To see this band LIVE is an incredible experience. Each and every member of the band puts on a great show. They perform covers from the seventies as well as originals that are diversely individual; A must see!

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine spoke with the band at Desert Moon Productions…

By Peggy Murphy

46 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

How did the band get started and name get created?

loved that same stuff that we came from.

Danny: Count 77 stemmed from the Jon Zito’s Jam Night at my club, Vamp’d. Jon got me to participate. It felt great! I absolutely loved it. Curtis ended up on the same stage with us. It felt magical. Next time we had a few songs that were really tight. Next thing you knew, we were opening for other bands. We originally called ourselves Zito 77. We have a song on the new record called “Summer of 77.” It was a great time to be alive.

Curtis: One of my brother’s friends lived with us. He gave me KISS “Destroyer.” I still have the album that he gave me. I was 9 years old. I just remember looking at this album and going, “WOW! This is a trip!” I was early influenced by Elton John. I can’t remember not playing the guitar. I can’t remember life without the guitar.

Tell me about the new album you guys got coming out Danny: We have our second album coming out. It’s done. We’re hoping for an early 2016 release. It is a continuation of our first album. Early 70s Rock N Roll. We’ve defined our vibe and our sound. There’s Hard Rock, Stadium Rock, Hippie Rock, Freedom Rock. Our influences are anywhere from Bob Seger to The Eagles to Black Sabbath and Blues guys.

It’s a combination of all of this stuff. We’re not a cover band. It’s always been the same five guys. The first record is self-titled, “Count 77”. This record is a growth and continuation that’s more focused. We got better as singers and players. Our focus on what we’re doing is more focused.

Tell me how you each got started playing and what year John: Hendrix, Zepplin, and Aerosmith that’s all the stuff I grew up on as a kid. KISS of course. Sun House. Different tuning. I was about 8 when I started playing. I saw KISS in 1977…I saw Ace Freely and that was it.

Danny: I come from a Gospel music background…Southern and Black Gospel. The Doors/ Jim Morrison have always been a big influence on me. One reason this band vibes as well as it does is because we all

Paul: When I was 9, I got the option for drum lessons or joining the Boy Scouts. I started in church and it just went from there.

Danny: Back then if you want to learn to play a song, you had to play the album. Videos and MTV took away people’s imagination. It took away what your interpretation of the song is.

Can you tell us about some of the projects you’ve done with Count Kustoms?

Danny: The show has been a blessing. The band has been around longer than the television show. It’s been a wonderful marketing tool, 3 years ago it got on the History channel. Some of my favorite clients would be Elvira. She brought the T-Bird that George Barris had done for her movies. Leopard print interior. Looks like a Bat. Very much a prop for the movies. She wanted to turn it into an actual car. I got to do the car for her and it was a Barris car. Got to do a custom guitar for the Judas Priest guys. Got to build a wicked truck for Rob Zombie. It was just absolutely insane! Rob Zombie is such a nice guy! George Lynch got an old Riviera and wanted to make it a Rock Star car. We got to play a show at that reveal. I got a rule in my life….It better be about love or go away. I did some bikes with Dee Snyder. Got a project coming up with him.

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 47

48N Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 48 Rock Roll Industries Magazine

You got a bike in the showroom with a nice Randy Rhoades guitar on it. Tell us about that.

Danny: Some years back for a promotion, we were commissioned to build a custom chopper for Ozzy Osborne. This was long before the TV show. Build it however I want.

At the time, I had an amazing team.

The core members are still with me.

It’s a bike that pays respects to an amazing guy. Back fender is a Flying V. We delivered that bike to Ozzy’s house. Ozzy was not expecting that at all…his jaw dropped. He freaked out…absolutely loved it. Of course we fixed up John Zito’s van!

Tell us about the tour?

Danny: We’ve been all over North America for the past two years.

Canada. Nova Scotia. We’ve been all over which has helped us grow as friends, people, and as musicians and a band. We travel with 8 guys.

We do everything together. We’re with each other all the time. We’ll get there and deliver the goods. We play for 2 hours. No breaks.

If you guys could only pick one instrument, what would it be?

John: Les Paul

Barry: Fender Bass. Give me P Bass or give me death.

Danny: It’s my father’s piano that’s sitting in the hallway over there. It’s on the new record.

Curtis: Fender Stratocaster Paul: I love maple drums. There’s no substitute for wood drums, but it would be my Clear Ludwig Vistalites 1978. They just have this nice pop and get some cool tunes.

Please tell us about your Wednesday nights and what its done for the band?

John: It’s at Count’s Vamp’d. We host this jam. It’s a great opportunity for any musicians. That’s how we got this thing started.

Danny: Being a member of this band. I’m passionate about this. I love my brothers. There’s a team of 8 of us that keep this thing running.

When you leave a show you’ll be smiling and exhausted after.

Any last words?

Danny: We’re all over social media.

Check us out! We start in January hitting the road.

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 49

When you hear the word “Blind Date” it is the definition of an anything could happen moment. If you were at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium this Halloween, local radio station X1039 had you covered on not only having all you could drink beer, but also a concert with a surprise band that you wouldn’t know would

be playing.

…. Sublime With Rome!

On hand at the event before the concert started was a beer fest where many local brewing companies came out and showcased their best beers for everyone to sample as much as they wanted.

This was more of a personal setting for the band as they played with a very light setup for their one hour performance.

They played some of their favorites like Bad Fish, Wrong Way, April 29th 1992, Take It or Leave It, and with an encore played Santeria, which had the entire audience singing along.

It looks like everyone had a great time at the event .

While mingling, you can hear conversations of everyone guessing what band they would dream of seeing play. Guesses of who the secret band that would be playing included: No Doubt, Foo Fighters, Deftones, Alice in Chains, Linkin Park, and many more.

As the beer fest came to a close it was time for everyone to move inside and see if they guessed correctly on what band would be playing.

The radio station was ready to announce who was about to hit the stage and it was

The holidays usually mean time with family, gathering around the tree to decorate with lights, or going on vacation. It is great to say that this Christmas rock didn’t take a vacation as it was alive and well when it hit the House of Blues in Las Vegas.

Headlining the show was Falling in Reverse and co headlining was Atreyu with opening acts featuring From Ashes To New and Assuming We Survive.

Atreyu has been touring heavily since the release of their sixth studio album “Long Live” back in September which has been selling very well; and there is only one thing to say; Atreyu is back!

The Las Vegas stop was the second to last stop for the tour, but that didn’t stop the energy and the amazing performance that lasted an hour covering songs from all six albums. The venue was packed and the unison singing with fans shook the room when the first few notes of “Becoming the Bull” started. The set list also included the self-titled song “Long Live”

50 50 Rock Rock N N Roll Roll Industries Industries Magazine Magazine

off the new album, “Ex’s and Oh’s”, “Bleeding Mascara”, and closing the show with “Do You Know Who You Are”.

The amount of musicianship and fan appreciation with Atreyu is second to none as lead singer Alex Varkatzas frequently jumped down to the barricade or directly into the crowd to sing with the fans, take pictures, and give high fives. In a special family moment, lead singer Alex ends up near the back of the venue to take turns singing with his younger brother Nick who was in attendance. Throughout the show guitarist the energy was flowing as Dan Jacobs and Porter Mcknight frequently tried to top each other with solos, duels, and some great back to back shredding moments so there were plenty of photo ops for fans to capture.

Without a doubt Atreyu has proven once again that they are here to make great music, show fans a great time, and have fun for themselves each time they hit the stage. It’ll be thrilling to see what the guys have planned next!

Queensryche and Scorpions

by Billy Zee

Celebrating 50 years of Rock, Scorpions create a stratosphere of atmosphere. At the same time they hold fond memories close to their hearts. Half a century of the hardest rock from “Lonesome Crow” to this year’s “Return To Forever,” their signature diverse euro style sends messages of love, life and parties! It is time to reflect on a career and in doing so carry forward one of the most recognizable brands in rock.

Hundreds of millions of sales and a single that proudly sits in the top twenty best selling singles of all time.

When Klaus thrusts his microphone in your face, you sing and when he calls the audience for more you give him more!

He’s one of the coolest front men in the business and at this ripe age he just seems sweeter.

Igor Vidyashev

“Going Out with a Bang” is the obvious pick as a show starter it was one of two from the new release called “Return To Forever”. Why not continue to flaunt it? Are they wrapping it up in a pretty retirement package with a new movie called “Forever And A Day” which rockuments their multitudes of milestones. Believe me now, they’ll be around forever. The film, directed

by Katja von Garnier, and “Return To Forever,” came out this year to play alongside the tour. In Toronto, it’s been running all weekend right in the heart of the city.

Good old tunes and only a few new ones; touring their huge selling hits around the world; making new friends and recognizing old ones and bragging about being one of the best bands in the world, ever! They are the leading edge in many ways. “Make It Real” goes back to their silver anniversary bisecting this epic career. By the third song, “The Zoo” turns the crowd into a frenzied heard of wild animals. Yes! The crowd went wild.

After a couple of fan favourites that need the LP duster, the middle of the show is taken down a couple of sprockets.

An acoustic medley peaking with “Send Me An Angel,” was quiet enough to hear the entire amphitheatre singing along. And now for the blast that was felt around the world. The incomparable rock anthem, “Wind Of Change” starts the ball rolling again. As the warm Canadian summer draws its final curtain, this epitome of rock concerts starts to crank it up again. “Rock N Roll Band,” the second brand new tune leads into “Dynamite” and “In The Line Of Fire” thus preparing the eager middle aged party crowd for the killer Kottak Attack.

The drums were hoisted an extra several metres from their already high risers by cables where Kottak could pound down the beats like a ruler of underlings. No Scorps show would be complete without

“No One Like You” and “Big City Nights”.

It’s all too true that farewells are far too brief. Klaus and company scurry off the stage, but hustle back to really give ‘em what they want - besides a dozen song encore. «Still Loving You» fits for the first one and everyone knows what song ended a perfect night, «Rock You Like A Hurricane»!

Mr. Big City Nights! Rudolf stands out.

Sunglasses in the limelight - he dances around and poses like the one in the band who knows it. Ya buddy! You’re a rock star!

Matthias Jabs’ solos seemed effortless.

This guy is still way too cool! Shredding and smiling and he still has eyes for all the ladies out there. There’s nothing to lose and nothing to hide. Scorpions made it!

Congrats on 50, Scorps!

Queensryche opened and release “Condition Human” on Oct. 2. Touring with the celebratory Scorps provides this project with the universal accessibility that it deserves. Queensryche strategically unleashed the ‘Hellfire’ video in conjunction with this visit. “Condition Human” is the 15th studio album and La Torre’s second with Q. La Torre has solidified his position at the front of this band and Wilton doesn’t concern himself with Tate.

They both have new releases and are touring the new material. They do scheme about letting the new front man loose in a percussion partnership too. He’s a big part of the creative process and back fills that signature style seamlessly. In other words, he totally owns “Silent Lucidity” and all the rest. It’s only been official for a little over a year, but La Torre and Wilton have been collaborating since the Tate split in 2012.

That’s all there is to say about Tate. These guys put on a wicked show. Their mix was huge on the vocals showing that they are moving forward with full steam.

What makes the Scorps choose Queensryche for their uber-ceremonious 50th?

Queensryche have been at it for over 30 years with over 20 million sales and they are American. Braving the Friday afternoon rush hour to get down there for the opener was a no brainer. With all the history these guys built, they are worth a visit. It would be outstanding to see them in headline capacity under the full power of the amphitheatre presentation.

Like their headliners, Queensryche perform their ballad and biggest hit smack dab in the middle of the set. Queen Of The Reich ends their time on a complete high leaving the fans squirming for more.

Alas, they will have to wait for “Condition Human.”

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RIP

No more IE Alternative Rock Recently X1039 “The IE’s Alternative Rock” changed formats. It was my home for 17 years. After seeing the disappointment of the listeners combined with my thoughts of always wanting my own radio station, I decided to build and operate a 24/7 local online radio station. I took to my Facebook page to announce it and within minutes saw the response and knew I had made the right decision.

I’m so excited for this opportunity. This station will be an edgier rocking station with some of the favorites from my former station x1039, mixed with music from my metal show” Xtreme X” and a little flavor in-between. Unlike terrestrial radio I don’t have to censor the music, and I can play a much bigger variety. Some of the bands I will definitely support are Pantera, Tool, Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold, Five Finger Death Punch, Metallica, Bullet For My Valentine, In This Moment

and Korn. Some of those bands don’t even get any airplay out here anywhere.

I want to step the game up for our local band scene with a new nightly program called “IE Noize” as well keeping the tradition of “10 O-Clock Tool”. I will also be airing my metal show “Xtreme X” and adding additional new programs as well.

We also plan on doing some mobile broadcasting from events, with clients and at other random locations. This technology has a lot of benefits and we will know how many are tuned in at any given time.

I’m excited to launch this station, help strengthen our music community, form partnerships, and build my dream station.

You can listen anytime from our website www.DirtyRadio.fm or download our Android or IPhone App from the google marketplace.

VAN HALEN

A Van Halen show traditionally starts out with Alex Van Halen (AVH) on the drums followed

by Wolfgang Van Halen (WVH) on the bass and

Alex Kluft then Eddie Van Halen’s (EVH) lighting fast guitar playing, and then out comes front-man David Lee Roth (DLR). As anyone whose seen VH knows DLR has some great karate skills and dance moves so this tour he got his own dance floor which he came sliding out on when the show kicked off. This tour includes 25 songs, 2 of which are from “A Different Kind Of Truth,” The opening song for the tour is “Light Up The Sky,” which leads into one of their biggest hits “Runnin’ With The Devil.” Van Halen played on great song after the next including “Feel Your Love Tonight,” “Somebody Get Me A Doctor,” “I’ll Wait,” “Dance The Night Away,” “Hot For Teacher,” and “Panama.” Before “Ice Cream Man,” DLR told some stories including playing Gazzarris and the sunset strip.

The show included a solo from AVH similar to the one he played on the last tour which is jazz/fusion like and of course a classic EVH guitar solo including parts of “Eruption,” “Cathedral,” and “316.” As for WVH, he does a great job not only the bass playing, but classic Van Halen backing vocals close to those of Michael Anthony’s. DLR has gotten some criticism recently for his voice, but he sounded great and is still one of the greatest frontmen in rock to this day. He’s still got the great dance moves and martial arts movements. How many bands that have been around as long as Van Halen can play a set where the crowd knows just about every song and still has a few great songs that didn’t make the set. Of course the crowd would’ve enjoyed “Atomic Punk,” and “Jamies Crying,” but in a two hour show you can only fit so many songs in and Van played other great songs that were not on the last tour. EVH is known for using a number of guitars on tour, but this time around its 4 Wolfgang guitars, one of which is a

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mini guitar for “Little Guitars.” The other Southern California shows Van Halen played were the San Manuel Amphitheatre in San Bernardino, Irvine Meadows, Sleep Train Amphitheater in Chula Vista. Van Halen is as fierce as ever especially the duo of the Van Halen brothers with Eddie’s lighting fast playing and Alex’s intense drumming.

Setlist: 1.

Light Up the Sky 2.

Runnin’ With the Devil 3.

Romeo Delight 4.

Everybody Wants Some!!

5.

Drop Dead Legs 6.

Feel Your Love Tonight 7.

Somebody Get Me a Doctor 8.

She’s the Woman 9.

I’ll Wait 10. Drum Solo

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

Little Guitars Dance the Night Away Beautiful Girls Women in Love Hot for Teacher “Dirty Movies” Ice Cream Man Unchained Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love Guitar Solo You Really Got Me Panama Jump

Alex Kluft

Friday and Sunday October 2nd and 4th, Van Halen ended their Summer tour. Van Halen is back again and this time playing amphitheaters for a big summer tour. Being in L.A. summer shows at outdoors venues is a great combination. This was Van Halen’s 3rd major U.S. tour since Dave Lee Roth rejoined in 2007 with the most recent being 2012/2013. To quote the Van Halen song, the band is “On Fire.” Van Halen’s last live tour involved a new album “A Different Kind Of Truth,” which picked up where “1984” left off so the last tour included several songs off that album. Before this tour “Van Halen: Live At The Tokyo Dome” was released, but the album did not include new material since their last album so the whole show was filled with hits and songs that had not been performed in years.

Black to the Future Ghost at the Mayan Theater

By Raquel Figlo

gear and slipped into spats and tails. They got into “Cirice,” in which the lyrics are deep in meaning: “Can’t you see that you’re lost without me? / I can feel the thunder that’s breaking in your heart.” To me the song sounds like a love song. Other girls might find this song creepy, but I find it endearing. At one point candelabras were brought out and placed gently around the stage, flickering and creating an intimate mood as the Nameless Ghouls suddenly appeared with acoustic guitars. There is something about them staying anonymous that creates a kind of mystery in ones heart and is intriguing all the same. Their lyrics have heavy sensual meanings to them, Papa Emeritus alluded to this at the end of the night when he stated, “A lot of our songs are about sensuality.... do you know about the birds and the bees?” The fact that you can’t pin point exactly what they sound like is a good thing. Who wants to be labeled anyways? In a time when many bands look the same and sound the same, it’s bands like Ghost that are the pillars of the industry and that will lead the rest to salvation.

I had been waiting to see Ghost since the Unholy/ Unplugged performance this past August when Ghost treated a few hundred Los Angeles locals to a special acoustic performance at Amoeba Records in support of On the heavier side of their set, Ghost played their latest album Meliora. This Swedish rock “Ritual,” and “Majesty” that they played sensation is sweeping the nation and coming effortlessly and for those hard rockers trying for your children through melody and catchy to relate, think AC/DC riffs. “From the Pinnacle spooky guitar riffs! What is it about the youth’s to the Pit” sounds like modern rock songs fascination with corpse paint and Satan that t was Monday night when we were and fits perfectly right into their playlist. I really has made Ghost a huge hit in America? I guess summoned for a divine cause lead by five enjoyed Papa Emeritus III wardrobe change you will just have to find out for yourself the “Nameless Ghouls,” on two guitars, bass, after he left for a brief moment half-way into the next time they come around. drums and a keyboard. Their faces were silverset. He came out without the robe and head masked and Papa Emeritus III was dressed

Chris Loomis

in pope-like attire of black-and-gold robes and a tall pointed miter headdress. It was the “Black to the Future,” tour and it was just days before Halloween. The Mayan Theater in Los Angeles was packed with kids of all ages. If you looked into the crowd you would think it was Dia De La Muertos because every other person’s face was painted like Papa Emeritus III. I have been a fan of Ghost since 2012 when I first saw them perform at the Roxy. I was hypnotized by their retro 70’s classic rock sound and melodic, yet demonic, lyrics!

Seeing their stage presence and theatrics is like attending a satanic ritual, and we are the virgins being sacrificed! Every spot at the Mayan had a great view of the stage which setup was like a church with a colorful stained glass of a man and women and Satan in between them. The main attraction was the dominant costume visuals worn by Ghost in their stage production. Unlike other metal bands they don’t need the pyrotechnics to get the crowd excited. They just need to play.

Ghost opened with bone chilling live organs, and deep electric guitar riffs for the song “Spirit,” which was the first of eight songs performed off the album, “Meliora.”

I

Rhonda’s Kiss

Alex Kluft

Rhonda’s Kiss took place November 3rd at the El Rey Theatre with the proceeds benefitting City Of Hope. The event started with a red carpet including all the performers and celebrities in television and film.

The band was basically Royal Machines (Formerly Camp Freddy) with Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison, Josh Freese, Donovan Leitch Jr with their frequent guests Mark McGrath, and Steve Stevens. Also in the house band was Dave Kushner and Duff McKagan. The special guests joining in were Billy Idol, Billy Gibbons, Kesha, and Juliette Lewis. Comedian Bill Burr gave a short comedy set, emceed the event, and came up and played drums on a song.

The setlist was mostly cover songs with McGrath, Gibbons, and Idol performing their own hits.

“HELLO THERE” (Cheap Trick), Performed by: Donovan Leitch, Duff McKagan, Josh Freese, Dave Navarro and Dave Kushner.

“SURRENDER” (Cheap Trick), Performed by: Donovan Leitch, Duff McKagan, Josh Freese, Dave Navarro and Dave Kushner.

“ROCK N’ ROLL ALL NITE” (Kiss), Performed by: Mark McGrath, Dave Navarro and Dave Kushner, Josh Freese.

“FLY” (Sugar Ray), Performed by: Mark McGrath, Dave Navarro, Dave Kushner).

“DIRTY DEEDS” (AC/DC), Performed by: Juliette Lewis, Gilby

Clarke and Dave Kushner.

“PROUD MARY” (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Performed by: Juliette Lewis, Gilby Clarke and Dave Kushner.

“WISH YOU WERE HERE” (Pink Floyd), Performed by: Jamie Commons, Gilby Clarke and Dave Kushner.

“WHOLE LOTTA LOVE” (Led Zeppelin), Performed by: Kesha, Bill Burr, Gilby Clarke and Dave Kushner.

“LA GRANGE” (ZZ Top) Performed by: Billy Gibbons, Dave Navarro, Duff McKagan, Josh Freese.

“WHITE WEDDING” (Billy Idol), Performed by: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens, Billy Morrison, Duff McKagan and Josh Freese.

“L.A. WOMAN” (The Doors), Performed by: Performed by: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens, Billy Morrison, Duff McKagan and Josh Freese.

“REBEL YELL” (Billy Idol), Performed by: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens, Billy Morrison, Duff McKagan and Josh Freese.

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 53

AC/DC Ended their Rock or Bust tour Monday night at Dodger Stadium. This was AC/DC’s first tour since their 2008-10 in support of their album “Black Ice.” Earlier this year AC/DC opened up the Grammys with “Rock or Bust,” and “Highway to Hell.” Before the tour and recording of the album founding member Malcolm Young had to retire for health reasons, and it was later announced; Young was diagnosed with Dementia.

Young’s guitar parts were recorded by his and Angus Young’s nephew Stevie Young who also filled in for the tour. Original drummer Phil Rudd was on the album, but for legal problems was unable to tour so, Chris Slade, who was AC/DC’s drummer from 1989-1994 was brought back.

If there’s one band that’s been around as long as AC/DC that can do a full on stadium tour, it’s AC/ DC. The first thing seen was the massive stage with with the classic AC/DC devil horns on top, walls of Marshall cabinets and a giant screen on each side as well as a catwalk which was used

later in the show. If that wasn’t enough, AC/DC had a number of giant props used throughout the night. How many bands have one member whose likeness has become a mascot for Rock N’ Roll in addition to being one of the greatest guitarists.

Of course that would be Angus Young, who with his school boy uniform and horns has become not only an icon but a mascot for the band and rock music.

A band like AC/DC needs a grand entrance and the one on the Rock or Bust tour was the perfect entrance. Before show time a 3 minute video segment was shown followed by a major explosion which revealed the band onstage. The first song was the title track for “Rock or Bust.”

Between each song the lights went out for guitar/ bass changes. AC/DC holds a record as one of the top 10 loudest bands, which they still live up to. Of the 19 songs, almost every song is a hit with “Shoot To Thrill,” “Back In Black,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” “Thunderstruck,” “Hells

Bells,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “T.N.T.,” “Whole Lotta Rosie,” and “Let There Be Rock.”

During “Let There Be Rock,” Angus Young gave one of his infamous guitar solos where the middle stage rose up, and then on another part of the stage spun around on the ground, he also used his tie for special effects, and ended the solo on top of the amps.

For “Hell’s Bells,” a giant bell was brought out, On “Whole Lotta Rosie,” a giant inflatable woman came up above the stage and moved around.”

Another iconic AC/DC prop was brought out at the end for “Those About to Rock (We Salute You).

It was none other than the cannons which were on top of the amp walls and were fired during the song. The night ended with fireworks.

There are rumors for a 2016 tour, but nothing certain. If this was to be AC/DC’s final tour they went out in the best way, at the top and sounding as good as ever where other bands of the same era don’t sound like they used to and are playing smaller venues.

New Year’s Day

Red and black are my favorite colors, with such hair color combination, it is hard to miss the signature Ashley Costello look that is captivating many and creating a trend amongst New Year’s Day fans. “The Other Side” tour visited Los Angeles (The Whisky) with NYD as headliners and accompanied by Eyes Set To Kill, Get Scared and The Relapse Symphony, etc.

Members have come and gone and we all know that being a band member is not the easiest situation to be in or project to be part of. Recently, Ash Costello personally called fans who had purchased albums, it was very popular on social media as they (fans) would post their life-changing experience of just hanging up on the phone with their favorite band’s singer.

54 54 Rock Rock N N Roll Roll Industries Industries Magazine Magazine

The stage (The Whisky) seems a bit tight for such energetic female-fronted band that has been working for years now, a decade to be more exact or we can also say “Since the myspace days”. Music, stage setting and wardrobe could be seen as a In This Moment meets Marilyn Manson. Being in the pit, I noticed first hand how serious NYD fans are about this band, let’s just say it was hard to capture such show.

Currently considered one of the most attractive ladies in hard rock, I noticed that fans are both mesmerized and maybe intimidated by her fierce look and talent. A Billboard top 200 release, extensive touring and artist collaborations are a sign that New Year’s Day will be around for a while.

Enrique Nunez

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MÖTLEY CRÜE the FINAL TOUR

ALL BAD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END!

Saying good bye to “The Final Tour” speaks feelings sometimes too hard to explain, but the band had their ways to express their affection to the crowd one song at a time. The Crüe brings you up close with a interactive stage fully equipped rollercoaster that drummer Tommy Lee shows off. He’s incredible creative talent along with Nikki and Vince on movable side arms that swing out to the sides and in front right over the crowd, with Mick on a riser holding down center stage, fire shooting everywhere on stage. If you’ve never had a chance to see the Crüe unfortunately you missed a real rock n roll band with a real kick ass act, bands like the Crüe know how to entertain a crowd. It was great to see the boys appreciate the love as much as the fans felt. You could really feel the energy connected together.

Nikki took his time to let everyone know what the band themselves meant to the fans that supported the guys from day one and in return the fans show their appreciation back. The Crüe showed new direction within their respective performance with Tommy Lee rocking he’s methods of mayhem style music and finishing off long lifetime dream to have a drum rollercoaster.

Alice Cooper was the opening act with guitarist Ryan Roxie, drummer Glenn

56 56 Rock Rock N N Roll Roll Industries Industries Magazine Magazine

Sobel, and guitarist Nita Strauss. Mr Cooper has been rockin the seen scene since the late 60s and is still a real crowd pleaser, not to be mistaken by the the opening act Alice Cooper supported Mötley Crüe with their own full theatrical show, Nita Strauss Coopers newest member (former Iron Maidens guitar player) proved to be and the outstanding performer taking a place of Orianthi.

Alice Coopers latest acts include what looks to be a 12 to15 foot monster walking around the stage, Alice plays the role by interacting changing outfits and going through time as a rock n roll history lesson, with classic hits like “Schools out for summer, “Poison Alice Cooper still proves that he is still on his game and ready for the next round!

The final tour started February 11, 2015 in Kobe, Japan, and ended with three concerts at the Staples Center in the band’s hometown of Los Angeles, California on December 28, 30 and 31, 2015 Set list: Girls, Girls, Girls, Wild Side, Primal Scream, Same Old’ Situation, (S.O.S.) Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) Smokin’ in the Boys Room, Looks That Kill, Mutherfucker of the Year, Anarchy in the U.K. By the Sex Pistols Shout at the Devil, Louder Than Hell, Tommy Lee drum solo, Mick Mars guitar solo, Saints of Los Angeles, Live Wire, Dr. Feelgood, Kickstart My Heart with an Encore Ending their set with of course a power ballad “Home Sweet Home”

Photos by: Daniel Noble

Mötley Crüe’s ending their tour at the Staple Center in Los Angeles California the Crüe’s hometown with three sold out showstopper performances, Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee and Mick Mars prove to still be on top of their game world wide as they pay tribute to there fans new and old. Assumed to be the last tour there still may be a chance they get together for an reunion.

Ringo by b!||yzee

"Music and Lyrics" To rhyme or not to rhyme? Occasionally a songwriter may ask in regard to lyric writing. One hundred percent of the time the answer to that question is a no, unless it fits the integrity of what the song is about. As a songwriter, the story that you are telling is what matters most, regardless of whether you rhyme or not. In addition to the art of songwriting lyrics, there is also the art of singing these lyrics with correct phrasing to convey the proper message of the song, aka the story. The way a singer sings and "breaths” life into the lyrics is the same as what an actor would do to bring life into a script written. So, be mindful of that, as a songwriter of lyrics.

Musically, pick a tone, a format that compliments the theme, or message of your story. For example, in a dramatic, eerie, or darker story, you would not use brassy sharped chords, or higher pitched melodies, or brighter keys. You would pick a key, and chords appropriate to the lyrical storyline. Conversely, a high-energy anthem-type song would not be appropriately matched with minor based chords in a minor key.

Igor Vidyashev

With the exception of an a cappella piece, or an instrumental, a songwriter, or at times more than one songwriter, use lyrics and music to write their complete song. These two elements must harmonize with each other for the song to make sense. Make sure one supports the other and that your story is consistent both musically, and lyrically.

This includes the more rare occasions where there is a key change mid song, or where there is an "accidental," (meaning an exception to the rule). Even in those cases, the lyrics and music must harmonize and complement each other therefore creating a perfect musical union! Remember, your job is telling your story as precisely as you can, using words and music.

-Skye Delamey

A lovely evening under the stars; a regal red neon glow and the big red doors open. Massey Hall, over a century of history was about to shine again. City lights, concert lights and humbly in the spotlight in sunglasses and a beard is Ringo.

Three quarters of a century of history with a moto of peace and love. There was no fanfare; No anthem; and no God Save The Queen - not even Sex Pistols’ version. However, huge history is about to haunt the hall. As a child he went through a lot and he grew up street smart. A once-upona-time Skiffle drummer, everyone knows a Ringo beat. If Elvis is the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and MJ is the King of Pop, Ringo is the King of Drums.

Credibility commonly questioned, Ringo is not only a songwriter and vocalist, but his unique interestingness on a plethora of Beatles music, propagates songwriting credit for percussion. He said. “Life is a great education.” His wishes for a world of Peace and Love are wondrous; His joie de vivre clearly visible; He is the Mayor of Music!

Postcards From Paradise is the tour in support of the recording produced by Starr himself and the song “Island in the Sun” was co-written by all the All-Starrs in the 2015 All-Starr Band.

Celebrating the Silver Anniversary of All-Starrs, these names are currently and continually linked with the greatest names not only in music, but in all celebrity spheres. They get to the point concisely but the overture, a classic old number - Matchbox, by Carl Perkins perhaps because it was his first vocal recording. Beatles Matchbox hit No. 6 on the Canadian CHUM Hit Parade charts in 1964. Rumour has it that Perkins was present when Ringo recorded it. So, there’s the context for It Don’t Come Easy. Television was Black and White 50 years ago. An epic journey few humans dream of experiencing; few ponder its existence. It comes to fruition.

Ringo encourages audience participation to the point where gracious maestro, so endearing to his children, and on bended knee, takes a Sweet Sixteen selfie with a birthday girl fan. The classy Massey Hall audience a sea of smiles, tidal colourful waves and sound swells of the highest fidelity, open ears tingle from the audiorific richness. Glitter and shine floating and flowing to the rafters. Humblest highness takes his pains to acknowledge every engineer and so very complimentary to the historic surroundings and her curators. The acoustics and the majesty of the Hall clearly enchant our hero as his mission to rouse Sleeping Beauty is a success as the dancers take to the aisles. All these All-Stars are amongst the biggest and brightest to have ever graced these hallowed halls. However, any iconic image who has was undoubtedly fast friends with the fabbest of the four - Fabulously funny and friendly - the fortes of Sir Starr. Todd Rundgren incessantly poking at Steve Lukather is further proof that it’s a riot playing in Ringo’s band. Todd stole the show for a while and it’s not clear whether it was due to the fact that he hasn’t lost a beat or that this All-Starr looked like he was a character out of the Yellow Sub animation. A little Lucy In The Sky, perhaps. I Saw the Light sounded like a kid on vox. Well, he bangs the steel drums and other bongos and he keeps poking at Steve. So, it keeps him young. Steve Lukather was outstanding as well. He dawned a half-pajama half-stylin’ unlike Rundgren’s full flavoured jacket. Full throttle

solos are Lukather’s shtick. His lead role on the Toto songs was fortified by sizzling Santana tributes.

Ex-Santana keyboardist, Gregg Rolie introduced the Tito Puente classic O Ye Como Va but Lukather brought that hippie classic into a wonderful Latin fusion with all that jazzy tension and a dose of a Woodstock vibe. Here’s the deal though, the Rosanna guitar solos are worth the ticket.

The Santana songs were highlights. Evil Ways was funky; Black Magic Woman of course into Gypsy Queen really got the place hopping. How do you top highlights? Utopia on earth - Love Is the Answer, Broken Wings and Hold the Line conjure aura via wizardry. This mini set launches the show into another dimension and only Ringo can reach back to poignant moments via his classic Photograph. Meanwhile many of the audience took advantage of the other Beatle performing a block away and only a few nights prior. Conspiracy theorists may have believed that something extremely magical and mysterious may have occurred. As it was we all lived and we got by with a little help from our friends. So now each All-Starr has proved their worth and only Ringo can demystify this vein of monstrous talent and artistry with a good ole Buck Owens ditty, Act Naturally. A liberal limelight lingers in the annexes of the throne-like kit reflecting off two types of brass; To Ringo’s left, the percussionist who never quits; to the right, Bread’s saxophonist Warren Ham - another incredible set of pipes and additional keys. Ham’s input on vocals, keys and sax morphed each number into robust layered creations. Drummer Greg Bissonette held it all together for David Lee Roth for a time. He works hard throughout. Ringo played straight time while Bissonette filled it all in and added flashes of flare and finesse, not to mention the pearly whites.

What Wondery! Beatle beats atop Toto and Mr. Mister rhythms. Each of the All-Starrs had insane vocals; Range, pitch and dynamic perfection.

No doubt they were all short auditions even with the sunglasses on. Is Ringo a Circus Ringleader or possibly your favourite clown? It’s quite the kingdom.

With a Little Help From My Friends has everyone on their feet protesting the finale which is so clearly night. A lot of tears were rolling down the cheeks of smiling faces. Is this how it ends?

Herein, the encore - Ringo emphasizes his message to the world - Give Peace a Chance! In a word – Overwhelming! He may be the Jesus of the drums. He’s certainly a Rock God. Peace and Love, Ringo! Peace and Love, everybody!

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 57

Custom Creations by Cyndie What gave you the inspiration to start your art work?

What was it like the first time you met the star that you had painted?

I’ve been a musician and artist my whole life. As a matter of fact, I’ve been singing professionally in bands since I was 15. I’ve always enjoyed drawing, painting... and decided three years ago I was searching for gifts for my family. I was discouraged when I couldn›t find a unique gift, so I decided to hand paint Christmas Ornaments with their homes on them. I posted a few on social media...and the rest is history. I immediately had a huge response. Shortly after that, I gave painting wine & beer glasses a shot. I think concept of what I do is so well received because it’s so personal.

I paint people, their pets, homes on glassware and ornaments. Keepsakes that can be enjoyed year after year The first celebrity I painted for was Steve Wozniak. Cofounder of APPLE. I now paint for many celebrities and awards shows and the response is always the same... They love the fact that everything is customized and so personal. It’s a gift you can give someone and you know they won’t already have it.

on Bravo...much of my business is wedding glasses, beer mugs for tge groomsmen, wine glasses for the bridesmaids. I paint them in the attire for the wedding day. Always a big hit!The list goes on and on.

Where can people get their own?

They can visit my website CYNDIEWADE.com. I’m also in FB and Twitter:@cydwade You paint more then glasses tell us about some of the other projects you do?

People love their pets...and that became very apparent once my work was seen in LA. I paint so many wine and beer glasses with people’s dogs, cats, horses... I’ve even painted pet pigs and goats. I love it when they send me photos of the pet with the glass. I can basically paint on anything, slated, cookie jars... I’ve painted many guitars and drum kits. I most recently painted a guitar for the ENDANGERED PROJECT a non profit based out of Los Angeles. It’s going to be auctioned off at an upcoming event in 2016.

Tell us about some of the events you have presented at, and the best moment of those?

I was invited to be backstage for three days in the gift suite by “Celebrity Connected” a marketing & Gift Suite Company. Metallica, Kid Rock, Tommy Shaw from Styx...

I had the opportunity to meet everyone in attendance that weekend. It was a trendiest event. From there, I was invited to fly out to LA for the Grammys, and everything snowballed from there. Since that first show, I’ve attended the Grammys, Emmy Awards, MTV MOVIE awards, ESPYS, AMAs, and was even on the Red Carpet for the Oscars last February.

You did all the Sons of Anarchy crew, tell us about that and what they were for?

SOA was wrapping their final season, and I was asked to create custom glassware for the series end party. I’ve actually painted for many TV shows and Movie premieres. SOA, The Young and the Restless, American Idol, Today Show, Tyler Perry’s Have and Have Nots, Ride Along 2 with Ice Cube and Kevin Hart...I painted the wedding glasses for the show VANDERPUMP RULES 58 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

Tell us about some of the your favorite (music) artist that you have painted and met?

I love and have performed all genres of music. The list on musical artists I’ve met in endless and very broad.

Chaka Kahn, Gilby Clarke Gund and Roses, Nuno Battencourt from Extreme, tommy Shaw, Styx, Steve Miller, Metallica, Def Leopard Charlie Daniels, Taylor Swift, Kid Rock, Demi Lavato, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson, Ed Sheeran, PENTATONIX ... Far too many to list.

Chapters: Dallas, Ft Worth, Philadelphia, Chicago, Florida, Nashville and the UK www.ridefordime.org

Custom Hand Painted Glassware & Gifts

WWW.CYNDIEWADE.COM

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 59

tha

t

Shops Rock

Since meeting at the Louder than Life Festival, in Louisville you’ve been very busy. Tell us about the brand?

Well you’re right, we have been very busy. 2015 was filled with a lot of excitement and growth. We continue to connect with the music community by contributing to various benefits and attending festivals like LTL. It was an awesome experience working with Crazy Dave’s Music Experience there. In 2015 we also introduced some new products, like GRABBIT Copper Gear that we’re very excited about, and we are currently engaged in the development of other innovative products. This past year we have partnered with several agencies to start representing the overall brand. We are also a sponsor of the 2016 High School Rock-Off at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. GRABBIT is the brand that musicians of every genre identify with…whether you are a rock guitarist, jazz bassist or metal drummer, GRABBIT is the brand for everyone!

What is GRABBIT, how did the idea for the stand come to you?

GRABBIT began as the first ever cradle type guitar stand with an autolocking mechanism. Using only one hand, all the player needs to do is click in to lock their instrument and click out to unlock. It’s so easy. The idea actually came to me in 2006 while I was at band practice. My guitar player had just purchased a brand new Les Paul. He set the guitar down in a normal stand, you know the kind that has a little rubber stopper at the top? Unfortunately, it was a two handed operation and actually required him to use the other hand to lock in the rubber stopper; which of course he did not. As he turned, his foot got caught around the cord and out came his brand new guitar, right onto the floor! At that moment I thought why anyone doesn’t make a simple stand that locks using one hand.

What makes the GRABBIT stand so unique?

The guitar does not hang like some of the other locking stands. Our unique mechanism locks the neck of the guitar in as soon as you apply pressure to it. When doing research on the market and getting to know what options players really have, I was surprised how many players do not like hanging their guitars. Most players prefer a cradle type stand as they believe hanging the guitar puts too much pressure on the neck and pulls it out of tune. But the GRABBIT mechanism is not the only unique feature. GRABBIT also incorporates a folding cradle and quickly breaks down compactly to fit easily into a backpack or other small bag. And if you look closely we have also slotted places on the GRABBIT fingers for guitar picks.

You’re also a drummer too, for how long?

I’ve been playing drums for about 35 years. I grew up playing everything from Blues, to polka’s with my Dad and of course rock when I got into my teens and early twenties.

Do you think being a musician yourself has helped in building the brand and the business?

I started playing professionally when I was about 16. Since then I’ve had the opportunity to see a lot of gear come and go. Not only on the drums and percussion side, but on the guitar, bass and audio sides as well. The real advantage for me is when musicians complain about gear and or rave about gear. It’s certainly enabled us to develop products that solve problems and common issues for all types of players. I’m still actively playing music, performing about 50 dates a year. That gives me and the company a great advantage.

GRABBIT stands are used in the displays at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and are endorsed by the Rock Hall. That’s amazing and so exciting. Why do they use them?

Thanks, we’re so very proud of that, and thankful to the Rock Hall. What a great accomplishment for the brand. To think that our stands are holding some of rock n’ rolls most prized possessions is truly an honor. The Rock Hall uses GRABBIT for several reasons. The first is the ruggedness of the stand. The Rock Hall is showcasing rock history and can’t afford to compromise safety and dependability. Secondly, it’s so compactable they

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now use GRABBIT in their traveling displays as well. But most importantly, the mechanism that the instrument rests on that triggers the opening and closing will not scratch or scuff the neck of the instrument. During our research and design we made sure this wouldn’t be an issue. We’ve done our homework.

With the GRABBIT family of brands, what do you hope to accomplish?

Well we really hope to cross sell the brand by offering innovative and problem-solving accessories to different types of players. As an example, up until GRABBIT a guitar player would most likely have nothing in common gear wise with a drummer and vise versa. When have you ever heard a conversation between two players like that talk about sharing the same brand? It just doesn’t happen. GRABBIT bridges that gap by allowing players of all types to identify with the brand.

GRABBIT Copper Gear? Explain this new line for us.

As a professional musician I suffered for years with aches and pains. In particular, carpal tunnel. My left wrist would hurt so bad that I often would wrap it in an ace bandage and duct tape believe it or not. Until one day the guitar player I was playing with who also suffered from carpal tunnel gave me a copper bracelet he had been wearing for about 4 months. He said here, wear this. I did and the constant ache that I was experiencing actually went away after about 3 months. The problem was that I was unable to wear the bracelet while I was playing and could have sure used the combination sweat band with the healing qualities of the copper in a compression sleeve that promotes circulation like GRABBIT Copper Gear does. GRABBIT is the only company out there targeting these types of issues for the active musician. There’s a real demand for style coupled with accessories that problem solve. I think we’ve done that and we plan to continue.

Is there a GRABBIT G2 (Generation 2) in the works? What’s different if anything?

Yes there is actually and we’re very excited about it. We’ve made various structural and aesthetic improvements. Our signature colors have always been black and white and the new G2 will represent that.

Why should musicians consider using GRABBIT products and accessories?

GRABBIT is a brand designed by musicians for musicians. Our sole purpose is to make life easier for the players that use our products. That has and will always be our number one objective. Couple that with competitive prices and great customer service and that’s a winning combination.

Where can people buy GRABBIT products?

GRABBIT products are of course available on our website. We have also added 11 new retailers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Folks can simply click on our site to see the nearest store. We plan to continue growing our global network so musicians should check our site frequently for updates. Updates are also available through our social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

If I am a sales agency interested in representing GRABBIT how can I get a hold of you?

They can visit our website at www.GRABBITinc.com and click on the “Sales Reps” tab, or simply send an email to info@GRABBITinc.com.

What advice do you have for other inventors and entrepreneurs?

When an Idea comes to you and you forget about it after a few hours it probably wasn’t a ground breaking idea. If you remember the idea after a few days or even a few weeks, I’d say it’s worth doing some due diligence to see what’s out there. It’s not always about creating something new, it’s about improving the mouse trap. As for being an entrepreneur be ready to work long hours. I’ve worked countless hours on this business.

I always say another word for entrepreneur is sacrifice. Also, surround yourself with people that know things you don’t.

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 61

Drum

Corner Hey Gang!

Welcome to Lesson #4 of The Drum Corner presented to you by the awesome folks at Rock-n-Roll Industries Magazine! I am Sulli your host - and we have an actionpacked lesson in store...I have titled this lesson “To Click or Not To Click”. The proverbial battle of whether to use a click track or not use a click track has been in place since the metronome was invented. Absolute purist balk at the ide...but how modern popular music is composed and recorded proves it is of necessity (a topic to be covered in more depth in our next lesson)!

A lot to cover, so let’s get going!

Check out our youtube @RockNRollIndustries for the video lesson

much tighter the group sounded!

On any decent click track device, you should have the option to set the tempo and time signature (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, etc), set whether or not you want to hear quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, and volumes of each.

Depending on the tempo and the style of song, I normally always have quarter notes (downbeat) with eighth notes over the top. It helps keep the groove moving, in my opinion. A good A click track (metronome) is defined as starting point would be to set the click at a a device that produces regular, metrical comfortable tempo...have your quarter notes clicks - set in a Beats Per Minute (BPM), or and eighth notes running...hit start and just tempo. So, when you see a piece of mudive in. Initially, I would recommend playing sic set at 120 BPM...that simply translates the eighth notes on the hi-hat, 1 and 3 on the into that work being performed at a tempo kick drum and 2 and 4 on the snare. Essenof 120 Beats Per Minute. Simple definitially, the “Money Groove” I demonstrated tion - simple idea...but, this little device can in our first lesson. At first, your drumming potentially cause you days, weeks or months might sound more machine-like and less huof agony if you are not versed on how to man...which is normal considering that at this perform with it. It is important to understand stage you are playing TO the click. Nothing that we should PLAY WITH the click...and wrong with this...it’s a process...it takes time not PLAY TO the click. Understanding this and plenty of rehearsal. However, you will can truly make your path of click track work come to a point to where your internal clock either easy or hard. Although the approach and the external clock (click) will begin workto either scenario is similar...the differences ing together and you will be playing WITH are massive and end results are noticeable the click. Using dynamics within the groove on a grand scale! while playing to the click will add an additionMy introduction to the click was back in 1999 al challenges! As I have preached numerous times, the space between the hits are just as my group, Seventh Rize, was gearing up to record our debut album “Visceral Rock”. as important as what is heard. The click will help you appreciate and understand this fact.

All of my work up to that point was without The reason your groove might sound robotic a click...a naturalistic approach you might say. We built our own studio...utilizing ADAT at first is because you are not comfortable with the space between the hits...it’s fairly machines (the rave at that time) and were working up songs, creating demos, etc. Still easy to hit a drum on the click...it is much more difficult to manage the space between! no clicks introduced although I knew it was coming. My internal clock has always been Ultimately, to conquer this particular goal... fairly solid...timing was of the upmost imporyou must put in the time and effort. As you tance to me...so, I always made sure that the make progress in your work, you will be feel and timing outweighed any flash. That able to play right in front of the click, slightly being said...when our engineer first fed me a behind the click and dead on the click...basiclick through my headphones during a demo cally dancing all around it! Make it a priority session...I was lost. Anger and disappointin daily rehearsal to set aside time for click ment were just some of emotions I felt as I track work. Trust me...down the road... your would begin recording a demo. I might make fellow musicians, engineers and producers it past the intro...a verse...then lose it during will take note and appreciate that particular the chorus. It just didn’t make sense to me...I ability! Whether to use a click or not in a had good timing...watching and listening recording session or live gig may or may not to videos of our live performances were be up to you. It could be a job requirement... proof positive...but I soon learned that was and if you are not prepared - someone else not good enough. I was told by our producer could get the call! that a click would be used for master recordOur “Practice Pad in 5” for this lesson ing and I had some woodshedding to do! centers on the Double Stroke Roll. A fun Just like any obstacle in my life...I attacked rudiment to play that will challenge you it head on. I worked with a click daily... daily! A perfected Double Stroke Roll sometimes for hours...understanding how the metrical clicks and my drumming worked sounds amazing and will have all those within hearing distance turning their heads together. Slowly, but surely, I noticed it in disbelief! Essentially, a Double Stroke Roll became easier and easier to fall in line with the click and how it improved my playing, my is a composed of the sticking pattern of the time keeping when not using a click and how Single Stroke Roll:

62 62 Rock Rock N N Roll Roll Industries Industries Magazine Magazine

RIGHT - LEFT - RIGHT - LEFT Unlike the Single Stroke Roll...the Double Stroke Roll adds an additional hit per hand with a controlled bounce (2nd hit) immediately after the initial hit. So, 2 hits per hand, back and forth that simply keeps rolling. Therefore, you have the following (upper case being the down hit - lower case being the bounce): RIGHT right - LEFT left - RIGHT right LEFT left At first, you might experience some jagged rolls, a missed bounce, etc. Be patient and the more you work at controlling the bounce, the more fluid and smooth the double will sound. This is a great warm-up exercise that can have your forearms burning! It is also an awesome rudiment that can be used on the kit (snare, hi-hat, ride cymbal, etc) to spice things up!

Our Drum Fill of the Lesson is what I like to call “The Upbeat Smash”. When coming up with fill ideas, it’s important to choose wisely...execute a fill that adds energy to that passage of the tune but yet does not get in the way. In a bar of 4/4 music...eighth notes on the hi-hat or ride, 1 and 3 on the kick drum along with 2 and 4 on the snare. We switch the snare hit to the “and” of beats 3 and 4 and the kick drum will add a hit on 4. Add a cymbal crash to hit simultaneously with the off beat snare hit for more explosiveness. A fun fill that is great to accent a vocal line, add excitement to a chorus or possibly help make a smooth transition to a 3rd part of a tune.

Until next time...please check out the accompanying video on the official Rock-n-Roll Industries Magazine YouTube channel for more in-depth coverage of these topics. We love your feedback...let us know what you think!!

I urge you to challenge yourself, practice hard and have fun!

Best, Sulli

What’s up Rock N Roll Industries fans this is Michael G for this issue we're going to be talking about artificial harmonics and harmonics that occur naturally and also altered on the fret board this is how it works, on the guitar there are several places that produce what are called harmonics, here's how playing the string open on your low E string and then lightly touch your finger above the 12th fret, pick the note again and you will create a harmonic the Note will be exactly the same as the one sounded on the each string only one octave higher, you are going to notice the 12th fret Rings really well as a harmonic on any string simply by lightly touching the string.

This also occurs at the 5th and 7th fret you can also go to the 4th fret... and several more, but we will start with the basics... Okay now that you found all the harmonics openly of the strings at the fifth fret, seventh fret.... let’s have some fun now!

Grab a note on the second fret of your guitar let it ring and lightly touch the same string at fret 14.... wow huh? That is what we call a artificial harmonic...keep going play for instance a nice bend on your G string and tap the string exactly 12 frets higher....see where I'm going everyone?

Using this simple trick you can apply different sound and licks to your solos and even rhythm you can tap out an entire cord simply by tapping it out 12 frets above where your fingers are.... what’s even cooler than that?....what were our natural options?...frets 5,7,&12!

Okay now let's try the exact same thing only grab your guitar play a note and tap exactly 5 frets above the note you are playing, this note you should be creating an artificial harmonics there...

Also you can do the same thing play a note and tap 7 Frets above where you are!

Little tip, when you're playing your guitar and you cannot produce a harmonic on an artificial or natural you probably have a dead set of strings and need to change them!

Let's try an example of using a cord, play a normal open G chord and then tap exactly 12 frets above where your fingers are with the G chord you have the third fret witch would transfer to the 15th fret, the B played at fret 14 the three open D, G, and B would be tapped lightly at fret 12, the last note is the high E string which you tap at fret 15....

And that's pretty much how it works anywhere you travel on the fret board you can also produce artificial harmonics tapping at different places....

Try different things see if you could be original and pull off some of the harmonics other people can't Dime was a God of harmonics along with Zakk Wylde, Billy Gibbons, to name a few.... keep playing keep trying these harmonics everywhere on your guitar everyone has them if you have a Floyd Rose tremolo you can dive bomb it hit the harmonic on the 3rd for it and pull it up for some of Dimes greatest ones on the G string... most importantly be yourself, and enjoy the music!

So once again from Rock N Roll Industries this is Michael G signing out and saying keep your strings clean and your riffs mean, I will see y’all at the NAMM show this year, looking forward to checking out all the new gear.... even you can be in Rock N Roll Industries magazine Michael G out!

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 63

Follow the Revolution Building the Foundations

Jason Martin Building the foundations. Most guitar players have to work very hard to develop both the right and left hand.

This is not something that comes over night. What generally ends up happening is that one hand gets a little better than the other and the other one falls behind. This month I didn’t want to neglect the right hand. Most all rhythm comes from the right hand and that’s why your first example is a steady stream of 16th notes. Rather than put all the directional arrows of up and down, down and up or just downstrokes with or without palm mutes I want to leave that up to you.

Try all different combinations! The same goes for the second rhythm example. The Gallup is a technique that can be over used or completely neglected so I wanted to give you an exercise that would show both a reverse gallup and a forward gallup.

Depending on how fast you can do this, I put 60 times through as a time suggestion. You’ll need to practice each exercise for 60 minutes before moving on. The count for the second exercise is 1 and uh, 2 ee and, 3 ee and, 4 ee and.

makes up the “Blues hexatonic” the b5 or in this case, the Bb. Because we will be using this scale to build riffs the rest of the lesson I am simply going to be giving you the scale in open position. The Em Pentatonic is spelled [EGABbBD] or [1 b3 4 b5 5 b7]. It’s going to be advisable that once you learn this, to also learn the other 4 positions around the neck.

Building riffs based on scales is something that can be done by using single notes or power chords, or a combination of both single notes and chords. Listen to Black Sabbath, Pantera or Metallica. A lot of the riffs they generate have tones that are directly pulled from the minor scale or minor Pentatonic Scale. Your first riff is going to start by using a combination of a few of the techniques we have already covered. Ascending in 3 note groups and the Blues scale we just touched on. While you are working the riff, feel free to experiment using your own ideas. Maybe it deserves a palm mute, pinch harmonic, or slight alteration after the 3rd time through.

One of the things that works well The last few columns have been in in music is the idea of Call and the Key of G and this month is no Response. The first example was different. The exception is that we’re ascending, so as a response I chose going to flip our mind into what is to keep the scale and position but known as the Relative Minor taking bring it back descending. The notes us into the Key of Em. The notes are slightly different but use the same making up the Em Pentatonic are idea rhythmically and with the 3 note [EGABD] or [1 b3 4 5 b7]. The notes groupings. that make up the G Major Pentatonic The Modifciation. Now that we have are [GABDE] or [1 2 3 5 6]. Notice our single note riff and the response the intervals are different for each to that, what I’m going to do next is even though they use the same change it up so that the chord changnotes. In the example provided, I would like you to think of the exercise es are essentially in the same spot as ascending the Em Pentatonic and but I’m going to bring in power chords descending the G Major Pentatonic. E5, G5 and Bb5 where the notes The other way you could look at it is would fall in the earlier example but still leaving enough breathing room as “box shapes”. Box 1 will be the Em Pentatonic and Box 2, instead of between the chords. thinking about it as G Major PentaRemaining unpredicatable can be tonic just remember it as Box 2 of the a challenge, so I wanted to presEm Penatonic based on the 2nd tone ent a couple ideas that keep a riff of the scale. There are different box exciting. The first is the major 3rd. patterns for every tone in the scale While we’re going to be using notes which gives you 5 box patterns. that we haven’t used yet, it should The next example, “Traversing the still sound rhythmically similar to the Neck” employs a combination of the previous piece which gives it a sense 5 boxes ascending 3 notes at a time of progressive direction. The second using a triplet feel to get you from the example is going to grab the ear by open low E all the way up to the 12th bringing in the b5 chord which will fret of the high e and sounds great also add notes we haven’t used yet when you’ve got the ability to get it up and create a sense of chaos and disto speed. If you would like to explore chord. It shouldn’t be too hard to see the other box shapes in the Key and that the notes on the A string didn’t everything is starting to make sense, change at all even though the chord try not to hit the note C. The only center was completely different. reason I bring this up is because the The last example follows the first few Am Pentatonic is spelled [ACDEG] riffs but goes in a different direction. and although it’s cool to break the The rhythm is now the gallup and rules once you know them, watch quarter notes which use both a major rd out! You can find the C on the 3 fret rd 3 diad and the perfect 4th. Keeping of A and 5th fret of G by the way. the rhythm for the second measure Since both the Em and G Major Pen- a descending scale using our box tatonics are diatonic scales, I wanted shape from before (add F#) finishes to give you the additional note that the idea.

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Standard tuning

= 120

Right hand warm up 1

Gallup 60x 2

60x

60x

60x

E-Gt

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Em/ G Pentatonic [EGABD/GABDE] 3

3

3

3

3

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0

5

3

3

3

0 0 0 0 0 0

3

0

2

0

2

0

2

2

3

3

2

0

0

2

3

0

3

7

3

3

3

3

3

8

3

3

3 5

5

3 5

3

3 4

4

2

4 2

2 5

5 2

5 2

2 5

5

2

5 2

2 5

Traversing the neck

3

3

3

3

9

0 3

2

2

6

5 3

0

0 2

0 0 0

3

3

3

4

0

3

3

3

10

3

3

5

3

0

3 11

12

3

3

3

3

3

3

3 10

8 7 5 5 0 3 5 3 5 7 5 7

5 7

5 7

5 7 5 7 9 7 9

7 9 7 9

8 10 8 10 12

10 12

10 12 12

9

9

7

7

1/2

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 65

CD Reviews

Mr Creepy

Final Bow

Score 9 of 10

by: Peggy Murphy

Back in the early part of 2014 Arthur Gonzales was working with Shane Gibson, Mike Froedge and Michael G on what was to be, as far as anyone knows, the last recording of Shane Gibson before his untimely death in April, 2014. Arthur recently released the final track of this demo. Oddly, at the time they were working on this track, no one knew just how prophetic the track’s title would turn out to be.

but one treated with respect. I listened to the track several times in awe. Then I put it on loop and played it for awhile. For me personally it was a piece that brought to the forefront just how short life is and how, no matter who you are, when it’s time, it’s time.

I don’t like having my own mortality shoved in my face, but this time it made me resolve to get more playing done and get it recorded, no matter what the cost.

There are no vocals on this track. Good decision there. This is epic left as is, and this track is only one minute, 45 seconds. It is a powerful piece, considering the players involved.

*The ‘string’ effect that you hear on Arthur’s Guitar is produced by a Line 6 Pod HD500 that he set up to sound like an ebow. An ebow was created to make the strings vibrate, thereby sounding like a cello or violin.

This is but a tiny two minute slice of history

Jasmine Cain

Genre (s): Alternative/Pop Rock Band Members:

Jasmine Cain Zach Ballard Benjamin Johnson Kevin BeBout

White Noise

From the first beat of the opening guitar riff on this CD it is blatantly obvious to the listener that Jasmine Cain is not fooling around and that this is going to be a serious run-in with some red-hot rock and roll.

Jasmine does not disappoint. She possesses a powerful sense of her music, allowing it to boldly project through her voice and fingers, proclaiming to all that are listening the depth from which it flows. Her commanding performance is astounding considering that I am listening to a CD and not viewing a live show.

The combined power of this band is somewhat overwhelming. The talent is incredible and the diversity leaves you somewhat breathless and wanting more.

Dystopia

Score 9.7 of 10

This is the fifteenth studio album for the band.

Dystopia was produced by Dave Mustaine and Toby Wright and is under the Tradecraft label, via Universal Music Group.

Track List 01. The Threat Is Real 02. Dystopia 03. Fatal Illusion 04. Death From Within 05. Bullet to the Brain 06. Post-American World 07. Poisonous Shadows

Guitar Shane Gibson (Former Korn & stOrk) – Guitar Solo Arthur Gonzales – Song Writer, Main Rhythm Guitar, String Guitar* Michael G – Counter-Rhythm Guitar Mike Froedge (Former Black Label Society) – Drums

by: Peggy Murphy

Score 9 of 10

Currently from Nashville, TN this rocker has won many awards for her skilled performances writing, singing, playing the bass and the keyboard over the years and deserves every one of them. In addition, Each of Jasmine’s four albums were self released.

by: Peggy Murphy

Dystopia by Megadeth is a perfect example of the band taking a step forward in making their sound much like it was years agoand doing it right! The new line-up is, from all appearances, a hypnotic chemical blend of ethereal proportions! This work of art is due to be released January 22, 2016. Intentionally timed for winter NAMM 2016? I think so, making it a rather genius marketing move. Don’t you agree?

Band Members:

won many awards for her skilled performances writing, singing, playing the bass and the keyboard over the years and deserves every one of them. In addition, Each of Jasmine’s four albums were self released.What I hear in Jasmine Cain’s music is some serious, older style, classic, old school Rock and Roll.

However, what they lay claim to on Reverbnation is Rock / Blues Rock / Pop Rock and on facebook it reads

Currently from Nashville, TN this rocker has

Megadeth

Genre (s): Rock

08. Conquer… or Die! (Instrumental) 09. Lying in State 10. The Emperor 11. Foreign Policy (Fear cover) Megadeth BRAVOMegadeth! I will personally tell you how awesome this is when I see you at NAMM. Every track within this album is good. Some are better than others, but ALL good. My personal favorite? Well, as a bassist, I am compelled to fall head-over-heels for “Fatal Illusion”. I LOVE the opening base line. You will too. This has been a much anticipated release and as far as I’m concerned it’s worth every minute of the wait! I do not want to spoil your joy when listening to it in its entirity for the first time so I am not going to get crazy with description like I do. Enjoy and let the band know how you feel.

Genre (s): Metal Band Members:

Dave Mustaine - Lead Vocals, Lead, Rhythm and AcousticGuitars David Ellefson - Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals Kiko Loureiro - Lead, Rhythm and Acoustic Guitars & Piano on “Poisonous Shadows” Chris Adler - Drums Additional musicians Steve Wariner - Steel Guitar Ronn Huff - Orchestral arrangements on “Poisonous Shadows”

Want to see your band here? Submit your digital press kit to review@rocknrollindustries.com or mail one to the main office.

66 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

(not all media will get reviewed)

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JAS⸀INE⸀AIN⸀⸀⸀⸀

昀愀挀攀戀漀漀欀⸀挀漀洀⼀樀愀猀洀椀渀攀挀愀椀渀爀漀挀欀猀 琀眀椀琀琀攀爀⸀挀漀洀⼀樀愀猀洀椀渀攀挀愀椀渀爀漀挀欀 爀攀瘀攀爀戀渀愀琀椀漀渀⸀挀漀洀⼀樀愀猀洀椀渀攀挀愀椀渀 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 67

68 Rock N Roll Industries Magazine

Rock N Roll Industries Magazine 69