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Mark Biggs Kosmic Kolors- Pictorial Interview by Alexxis Steele Lez Zeppelin - Tribute Band Series by Michael McKenna Steel Notes Magazine attends Gala of the Year with Alexxis Steele and Victor Collichio
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Empowering Young Minds With Music by Michael McKenna Beach Boys Concert Press Releasese by Michael McKenna Bongo Boy TV - Episode 1046 by Michael McKenna Hacked - by Leland Maurello Cindy’s House of Style with Angie Bowie by Cindy Colon The Originals Music Series Pt 1 by Michael McKenna The Originals Music Series, Pt 2 by Michael McKenna Randy Bachman “Heavy Blues” Press Release by Michael McKenna Headkrak - Careers in the Music Biz - Interview by Johnny Spice
ARTICLES
COLUMNS
4 Rockin’ Facts by Thomas Richmond 24 Colicchio’s Corner “Laugh, Killer, Laugh” 54 The Whirling Worldz of Marlowe B. West - Serpent Queen Interview - Pictorial Interview
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REVIEWS 32 33 34 35 62 63 64 65 68 69 70 74 75 76 78 82 84 85
The Glitch Mob - “Love Death Immortality” - CD by Michael McKenna Groovitude - “Pinstripes” - CD Review by Michael McKenna This Way to the Egress - “Great Balancing Act” CD by Michael McKenna Mike Geroni - “Song for a Grave Digger” CD Review by Michael McKenna Governing Murphy “Mirror” EP review by Michael McKenna Whitney Payton - “Fear of Falling” EP Review by Michael McKenna The Fault in Our Stars - Film Review by Jerry Saravia The Split Squad “Now Hear This...” Music Review by Dana Saravia Subway Surfers “Karmageddon” Music Review by Jerry Saravia Natural Child “Dancin’ with Wolves” Music Review by Dana Saravia Brian Setzer “Rockabilly Riot! All Original” - Music Review by Dana Saravia Our Saving Day “The Ageing Process” Single Review by Michael McKenna Mike & The Mechanics at the Sands Event Center by Mike McKenna Bob Seger Ride Out Tour - Concert Review by Rhonda Jean VanBuskirk Lez Zeppelin - Tribute Band Series by Michael McKenna The Fab Faux Tribute Band Series Review by Michael McKenna Red Hot Chilli Pipers - Concert Review by Mike McKenna Sleater-Kinney & Lizzo Concert Review by Johnny Spice
ADVERTISERS
5 Bil DesJardains 7 Gary Preis Photography 7 One Mic Entertainment - www.onemicent.com 7 ProlifickRadio - www.prolifck.com 7 Sands Bethlehem Event Center 7 Vision Bar 9 Allentown School of Rock 11 www.VeroConcepts.com 11 East Coast Kulture - www.EastCoastKulture.com 12 Visage Tokyo - www.visage.cc 13 Big City Theater Iaston Style 26 Attractions Hair Salon 27 Natasha NYC 36 Bongo Bay Records 37 MayFair Festival of the Arts - Mayfairfestival.org 53 Positively Energized Disc Jockeys 71 GBC-GivingBackCorporation.com 74 Brian Lemburg Photography 81 Frozen Art Photography 82 Lisa Koza Productions 83 Lehigh Valley Music Vault 83 Playboy Energy Drinks 86 SteelWavesRadio 89 MusicFest Bethlehem PA Aug. 7 - 16th
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STAFF WRITERS
STAFF Alexxis Steele - Publisher/Editor in chief Guido Colacci - Assistant Editor Frederick JerantProofreader/Copy Edito Elizabeth Brett - Proofreader/Copy Editor Keith Boisvert- Cover Design www.steelnotesmagazine.com
Social Media Facebook: /SteelNotesMagazine
Johnny Spice Cindy Colon Guido Colacci Suburban Joe Rhonda Van Buskirk The Gypsy Poet Debra Evans Tony Angelo Sheri Bayne Karen Best Stormy Boz Stewart Brodian Tim Caso
Victor Colicchio Mike Dorn Michael Hendrick Bob Klein Derek Oels Roman Jerry Saravia Thomas Richmond DarkOne Skip Marlowe B. West Michael McKenna Guido Colacci Nikki Palomino
Twitter: @SteelNotesMagazine Google+: Steel Notes Magazine
PHOTOGRAPHERS Sheri Bayne Larry Dell Mike Dorn Bob Klein Brian Matus Gary Preis Rhonda Van Buskirk Bill Des Jardins Lisa Koza Alan Ottenstein Gracie Thorpe
VIDEOGRAPHERS
Steel Notes Magazine wants to hear from you! Please reply to: commentary@steelnotesmagazine.com If you would like your to submit your cd for review consideration, please reply to: mike.mckenna@steelnotesmagazine.com Please “Like� Our Facebook page! www.facebook.com.SteelNotesMagazine
Lisa Koza DarkOne Skip Freddy Williams Larry Dell
Steel Notes Magazine
is a monthly magazine featuring what is happening in the art, music, entertainment, and fashion industry. Copyright is reserved. Re posting is whole or in part on other sites and publication without permission is prohibited. All right to photos belong to their respective owners. 4 | Steel Notes Magazine
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Rockin’ Facts by Thomas Richmond
1977, Hall and Oates started a three week run at
No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Rich Girl’, the duo’s first US No.1, not a hit in the UK.
1983, Duran Duran went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Is There Something I Should Know’. Their first No.1 and their eighth single release. The group were on a US promotional trip on this day, where they were greeted by 5,000 screaming fans at an in-store appearance in New York City.
1994, Soundgarden entered the US album chart at No.1 with ‘Superunknown’.
2000, Phil Collins won an Oscar at the Academy
Awards for Best Original Song with ‘You’ll Be In My Heart’ from the Disney animated feature ‘Tarzan.’
2000, Santana started a two-week run at No.1 on
the UK album chart with ‘Supernatural.’ The album went on to win eight Grammy Awards including Album Of The Year, Record Of The Year (for Smooth) and Song Of The Year.
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http://www.prolifick.com/
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EMPOWERING YOUNG MINDS WITH MUSIC *Part Three*
By Michael McKenna
“M
usic gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”
This quote by Plato describes what happens everyday in schools and places where young minds are encouraged to be creative and unique! Music is the tool that speaks a universal language that everyone can understand. One must incorporate music and physical movement to engage those students in the learning process. Listening to music and audio-books will help develop a student’s reading and comprehension skills. Recently I read about Patti Smith and her philosophy about nurturing young people with music. She said, “The tools are there, technology democratizes self expression, these must be utilized in their daily lives. What matters is that these young people know what they want to do and then pursue it. She goes on to say,” Each generation can say that theirs was the best and worst of times, but now we are in a different place. It’s a pioneering time because there is no other time in history like now! It’s an age of access where everyone can post a poem or a lyric, write songs, and post videos to the internet. This is an awesome tool that I didn’t have when I started my career.” The possibilities are endless for our youth to pursue a music education that will enrich their lives
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and mold them into contributing members in the community. This generation of young people are the new pioneers of what is to happen in our future. The complexities of this are just surreal! Our young people have the beginnings of a new renaissance that could explode with the introduction of new technologies. But, one must remember to go back to the roots of how and where the groundwork was laid for them to achieve and succeed. It is in these simple steps that will be the building blocks for their individual talents. I firmly believe that a multi-sensory approach helps young people to learn and retain information they are taught. I believe that a listening center will increase a student’s reading levels. A CD player and audio visual materials also provide the student’s with fun and exciting activities which help them to displace stress and feelings of insecurity or not being good enough. Sometimes interaction on a plain old black or white board achieves these goals. Schools across the country, like The Schools of Rock, are using this approach and achieving very positive results. All of the above have a purpose as they foster self-expression and positive life choices that empower young minds with music! People in previous generations should take note of what and how this is all unfolding and become a part of a young person’s dreams and ambitions, it could take them a long way!
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BEACH BOYS CONCERT State Theatre Center for the Arts - Easton, PA Press Release by Michael McKenna
For an iconic group that has come to symbolize surfin’ in the California sun, the Beach Boys never seem to take time away from touring the entire country to do just that. With over a half- century of iconic music and concerts under their belt, the Beach Boys return to the State Theatre, riding the wave their Capitol Records release, “Sounds of Summer” (RIAA certified triple platinum with over three million in sales and climbing), and its companion “The Warmth of the Sun.” The latest success marks a resurgence in Beach Boys interest that has again rocked the world. Show time is Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $55/$50 and can be purchased by visiting the State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton Street , Easton or by calling the theatre at 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132 or online at www. statetheatre.org. Patrons can take advantage of the limited availability of a “Club Kokomo” VIP Pass and hang out with The Beach Boys in their intimate pre-show meet & greet (a rock-n-roll “Hall of Fame” style immersion into the band’s history), then walk with the Beach Boys to their exclusive sound check as they warm up for the evening’s main performance. The package, available through an outside vendor, includes a photograph with the Beach Boys, an autographed VIP Pass and tour program and a complimentary drink, among other perks. The Beach Boys are led by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, who along with Jeffery Foskett, Randell Kirsch, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill and Scott Totten continue the legacy of the iconic American band. Love, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is lead singer and a founding member of the group. Mike wrote the lyrics to The Beach Boys’ first song, “Surfin’,” released in 1961. He then co-authored eleven Top 10 singles in five years with cousin Brian Wilson, a string of hits including “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “California Girls” and “Good Vibrations.” The period
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between “Good Vibrations” (1966) and the Beach Boys’ biggest selling hit, “Kokomo,” (1988) is one of the longest spans of time between number one records in history. This feat demonstrates the ageless, timeless appeal of the Beach Boys. In April of 1965, Bruce Johnston initially replaced Glen Campbell, who was filling in for Brian Wilson on the road, as a “temporary” Beach Boy. Almost immediately, Bruce completed his first recording with the band, “California Girls.” In his first year, Bruce recorded three Beach Boys albums between April of 1965 and May of 1966: “Summer Days, Summer Nights,” “The Beach Boys Party” and “Pet Sounds.” In addition to his classic recordings with the Beach Boys, Bruce participated as vocal arranger and vocalist on Elton John’s “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” in 1974, and as vocal arranger and vocalist on Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” album in 1979. Averaging more than 150 shows per year, the Beach Boys have found that their music is the secret to staying young and they are freely giving out that secret at hundreds of venues across America. They would prefer to be on a beach somewhere but they have no problem bringing the beach to you. For more information on The Beach Boys, visit www. thebeachboys.comFor more information or to purchase the VIP package please email thebeachboysvip@organicamediagroup.com or call 877-606-9222.
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An evening with
Jesse Cook
Thu., March 5 - 8 PM
The Piano Men Starring Jim Witter
A musical journey through the 70’s featuring the songs of Billy Joel and Elton John
Sat., March 21 - 8 PM
Vince Gill
Wed., May 6 - 7:30 PM
Home of the FREDDY© Awards
Fri., March 13 - 7:30 PM
Revolver & Beatles’ Favorites Featuring the Creme Tangerine Strings & Hogshead Horns
Sat.,March 14 - 8 PM
Danny Aiello
With Joe Geary and The Guys Special Guest:
THE BRONX WANDERERS Sat., April 18 - 8 PM
Dion
Sun., July 12 - 7 PM
The Beach Boys
Wed., April 22 - 7:30 PM
Fri., Nov. 20 - 7:30 PM
Click this ad to purchase tickets, memberships and gift cards, visit www.statetheatre.org Or visit the Box Office at 453 Northampton St. in Easton 1-800-999-STATE (610-252-3132) Fees Apply.
gallery State Theatre Center for the Arts
TICKET PRICES DO NOT COVER ALL PERFORMANCE AND OPERATING EXPENSES. Please become a Member of the non-profit State Theatre and help secure our future.
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BONGO BOY TV EPISODE 1046 - “We Are All Winners” Review by Michael McKenna The Bongo Boy Rock’n’Roll TV Show presents indie music videos from around the world with seven indie music videos by international recording artists that will be featured on television with national distribution. Included in this episode are two indie music video contest winners. The contest was sponsored by Steel Notes Magazine and Bongo Boy Records and promoted by ReverbNation to 1.2 million musicians earlier this year. This episode will also be available on Go Indie TV Roku channel this summer and 24/7 online on Bongo Boy TV’s website. Updates are available on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/bongoboytv A complete review by Michael McKenna will be published in Steel Notes Magazine and Nine4Five Magazine. The first winning music video is by Canadian born artists, Palaye Royale, who can be described as a fashion/ art rock band. This act features Remington Leith on lead vocals; Sebastian Danzig on guitars and keyboards and Emerson Barrett on drums and percussion. Their music video, “Get Higher,” is a powerful rocker destined to make waves in indie circles. The track was independently released as a second single. Music video director: Harrison Sanborn – A Parliament and Palaye Royale Production. Website: palayeroyale.com/ facebook.com/palayeroyale
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The second music video winner is Van Wild, a southern blues/rock/pop project by half-Canadian, half-American singer-songwriter, Yasmine Van Wilt. Her music video, “Cherry Tree,” features her awesome vocals and beautiful smile combined with a pop-flavored back beat. The single placed in the radio chart at #64 on the Activator charts with MediaBase. It’s also on 150+ stations and in closed circuit TV loop at a number of stores (Macy’s, Steve Madden American Eagle, etc) and hotels (Four Seasons, Caesar’s Palace, etc). Music video director: Raquel Almazon. Web Site: musicbyvanwild.com/ facebook.com/pages/ Yasmine-Van-Wilt/191494827570661 Hailing from Texas, Rawboss, with his latest music video, “Pieces”, featuring Jeal Johnson, raps about the world and the changes he wishes would happen -- while trying to shake the street life that he can’t seem to escape as he promotes his positive message to capture minds, both young and old, as a social activist and as a role model in society. Music video director: Superior Dave. Web Site: officialrawboss.com/ facebook. com/officialrawboss Swedish Celtic folk artist, Deborah Henriksson, originally from the Morristown, New Jersey area brings us her latest music video. “Calling” is from her new album “Traces”. The music video features beautiful shore lines with angelic spiritual vocals. Music video director: Mats Nyman Website: deborahhenriksson.com , facebook.com/deborahhenriksson Originally from Surinam and now hailing from Utrecht in the Netherlands, Ritesh Djarrel Raghu, also known as Rdjarrel, is an R&B/neo-soul, rap producer/singer-songwriter who blends romance and heartbreak soul ballads with urban sounds that have a Jamaican feeling to them. His music video “All The Time” features the beautiful international model, Anna de Pagter. Music video director: Rdjarrel. Web Site: rdjarrel.com, facebook.com/RDJARRE Hailing from Oakland, California, is Waheed and the Resistance (W.A.R.) where they are recognized as one of the most unique acts in the rap/hip-hop genre. Their music video “XrtaClip” brings reality to the television screen as they talk about guns, crime, ideology and social issues. Music director: Sean Compton. Web Site: myspace.com/waheedresistance, facebook.com/pages/Waheed-And-the-Resistance/115048991869916 Returning to the show is Chicago recording artist, Sarantos, and his brand new music video, “A Child’s Mind.” It’s a mid-tempo pop tune that expounds how innocent and pure a child’s mind truly is. One-third of all profits from this song will go to the group, Feed My Starving Children. This has to be one of the most touching songs featured to date. Music video director: Sarantos. Web Site: melogia.com, facebook.com/ Sarantosmelogia This is one of the better show segments that I have seen from Bongo Boy TV. They keep getting better every month. Your band could be here next month! The Bongo Boy Rock n’ Roll TV Show is produced by Gar Francis and Monique Grimme and is fully funded by sponsorships from all the indie musicians and their affiliations in each episode and Bongo Boy Records. Bongo Boy TV produces and distributes the Bongo Boy Rock n’ Roll TV Show which spotlights indie music videos from around the world in the USA, The UK and Canada. Each episode broadcast on television on cable networks such as: NBC Universal Comcast, Cablevision, Time Warner Cable, Verizon/FiOS, RNC, Charter Communications, AT&T and Suddenlink at prime time in the USA. The show can also be seen Go Indie TV Roku Channel. There are currently two broadcast regions which an artist can place their music video for rotation. For info: submit@bongoboytv.com
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Hacked - by Leland Maurello
HACKED
OOPS! They did it again... Brief by Leland Maurello If you have been to our website in the last couple months, you may notice - it’s not there! Initially we thought this was some form of harassment, but it turns out it’s a very widespread threat. However, do NOT be alarmed, this ‘hack’ will in no way affect YOUR computers. Apparently it’s some Turkish militant group that’s trying to call attention to itself like some bratty tweenager. This hack has hit many sites, the individual websites are just collateral damage. In fact - the origional attack was intended for THE GOVERNMENT OF GHANA - and took down most of that government’s official websites. Full articles about this are here... http://www.firstdigitalghana.com/government-of-ghana-website-hacked/ And here ... among other places http://news.peacefmonline.com/pages/news/201501/229566.php
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Colicchio’s Corner by Alexxis Steele
Victor Colicchio is a new York based actor, screenwriter, and musician. As a screenwriter Mr. Colicchio is best known for his screenplay SUMMER OF SAM directed by Spike Lee. His acting credit include, Bullets Over Broadway, Goodfella’s, Inside Man, Brave One, Soprano’s, numerous television appearances on Law & Order, and NY Undercover
Greetings readers, I want to share with you what
was the most exciting day of my life. As you know from the March issue of Steel Notes, I took a trip to New York City to promote the magazine on the Rew & Who show in Manhattan. It was raining hard all day, and traffic was slow. I feared that this was an omen. I feared that the total day would be a bust. I finally arrived at Otto’s Shrunken Head( A Tiki/Dive Bar) located on East 14th Street. Rew films all of her show there. The interview went well, and when it was over, we decided to get something to eat. The rain was pouring down as we stood on 14th Street waiting for a cab. There were no cabs in sight. A limousine had stopped at a red light, and I wanted to jump inside and get out of the rain. I joking held out my thumb as if to hitchhike. What happened next completely blew me away. The limo’s back window rolled down. I heard a voice asking “Where you goin’ honey?”. I looked inside the limo, and was stunned to see that it was none other than Sean (Puffy, P. Diddy) Combs. I don’t remember telling him where I was going. I don’t even remember getting into the limo. All I knew that as if by magic, there I was inside limo, sitting next to Sean Combs, with a plate of shrimp, and caviar in front of me, and a glass of champagne in my hand. Sean told me he was hosting a fundraiser at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue. Mr. Combs was hosting the event to raise money to aid in the survival of the last remaining white Rhinoceros on earth. Sean is an animal lover, and not an animal racist. (LOL) We arrived at The Waldorf; I thanked him for the lift, and started to look for a taxi. “where you goin? Join the party. Have some fun tonight”. My knees were shaking as we rode the private elevator together. The elevator doors opened, and there was this magnificent, spectacular, glamorous ballroom. I spotted several celebrities before I even got off the elevator. Everyone who was anyone was in attendance. One of Sean’s hit songs was blasting from the sound system. We made quite an entrance together. Mr. Fashion, and Ms. Funky. Funky but sheik, strolling down the red carpet arm in arm. The King and Queen of the ball. I don’t want to bore you with all the details. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so turn the page and let the pictures do the talking.
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Sir Elton John
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steelnotesmagazine.com P. Diddy
Bette Midler
Daniel Craig
Woody Allen
Katie Perry
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Denzel Washington
Frank Sanatra
Andy Warhol
Frank N. Stein
All The Spice Girls
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Ginger Spice
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James Brown Jimi Hendrix
Jerry Garcia
Janis Joplin
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Sarandon
and by the way
APRIL
Lenny Kravitz
FOOLS! Some nice lads from Liverpool
Marilyn Monroe
Bella Lugosi
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Lou Reed
Nicholas Cage
Notorious BIG
Salvidore Dali Sharon and Ozzie Osbourne
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Colicchio’s Corner Hi, readers! I hope you enjoyed our April Fool’s joke. I know you are aware by now that there never was a party at the Osbourne household. The photos were taken at Madame Tussaud’s wax useum in New York City. The whole thing was a lark. Even the article “written” by Alexxis was a lark. I wrote it. We planned this for months just to give our readers a laugh. And speaking of laughs, onto my next article… LAUGH, KILLER, LAUGH Many of you are aware of a film I worked on titled “Laugh, Killer, Laugh,” starring William Forsyte, Tom Sizemore, Bianca Hunter, and yours truly. Directed by Kamal Ahmed, it opens in theatres on April 24th. It would be unethical of me to review this fantastic, ground-breaking, well-written, brilliantly directed, and superbly acted film. I will let you judge for yourself. Go see the movie and give me your reviews. For info go to our website, www.Laughkillerlaugh.com Plan your visit to New York City on April 24th. Visit Tussaud’s wax museum, and then meet at the theatre for the world premiere of “Laugh, Killer, Laugh.”
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http://www.attractionsmodels.com/
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As seen on the April 2014 cover of Steel Notes: Natasha NYC Custom Designer clothes Now a specialty for 1622. Music and Movie Stars Days of Thanksgiving were called following Thanksgiving Day (Jour de l’Action de grâce in Canadian French) is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Several other places around the world observe similar celebrations. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada. Thanksgiving has its historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, and has long been celebrated in a secular manner as well.
History Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among almost all religions after harvests and at other times. The Thanksgiving holiday’s history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated. In the English tradition, days of thanksgiving and special thanksgiving religious services became important during the English Reformation in the reign of Henry VIII and in reaction to the large number of religious holidays on the Catholic calendar. Before 1536 there were 95 Church holidays, plus 52 Sundays, when people were required to attend church and forego work and sometimes pay for expensive celebrations. The 1536 reforms reduced the number of Church holidays to 27, but some Puritanswished to completely eliminate all Church holidays, including Christmas and Easter. The holidays were to be replaced by specially called Days of Fasting or Days of Thanksgiving, in response to events that the Puritans viewed as acts of special providence. Unexpected disasters or threats of judgement from on high called for Days of Fasting. Special blessings, viewed as coming from God, called for Days of Thanksgiving. For example, Days of Fasting were called on account of drought in 1611, floods in 1613, and plagues in 1604 and
the victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588 and following the deliverance of Queen Anne in 1705. An unusual annual Day of Thanksgiving began in 1606 following the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 and developed into Guy Fawkes Day.
In Canada While some researchers state that “there is no compelling narrative of the origins of the Canadian Thanksgiving day”, the first Canadian Thanksgiving is often traced back to 1578 and the explorer Martin Frobisher. Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean, held his Thanksgiving celebration not for harvest but in thanks for surviving the long journey from England through the perils of storms and icebergs. On his third and final voyage to the far north, Frobisher held a formal ceremony in Frobisher Bay in Baffin Island (present-day Nunavut) to give thanks to God and in a service ministered by the preacher Robert Wolfall they celebrated Communion.
Oven-roasted turkey The origins of Canadian Thanksgiving are also sometimes traced to the French settlers who came to New France with explorer Samuel de Champlain in the early 17th century, who celebrated their successful harvests. The French settlers in the area typically had feasts at the end of the harvest season and continued throughout the winter season, even sharing food with the indigenous peoples of the area.
http://www.natashanyc.com/
As settlers arrived in Canada from New England, late autumn Thanksgiving celebrations became common. New immigrants into the country, such as the Irish, Scottish and Germans, also added their own traditions to the harvest celebrations. Most of the U.S. aspects of Thanksgiving (such as the turkey), were incorporated when United Empire Loyalists began to flee from the United States
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Cindy’s House of Style Welcomes Author/Musician/Style Icon
Angie Bowie
You can check out all things Cindy at Cindy’s House of Style on Facebook This month Cindy’s House of Style welcome’s author/musician/style icon Angie Bowie. Watch for her collection of poetry, “Fancy Footwork,” coming soon. House of Style: What is your beauty regime? Angie Bowie: Soap and water, vitamin e crème as a moisturizer, sea breeze as an astringent. Olive oil and sea salt mixed to a paste in the shower with steam for a deep clean. If it’s a warm climate, I walk for an hour outside every morning, and if it’s inclement I row for an hour two or three times a week
HoS: What beauty products can you not live without? AB: Vit e crème, olive oil and sea salt. Retinol creme if one gets skin damage, and ivory make-up to repair under eyes and patchy skin color. Clear BRIGHT PINK or RUBY/DALI colors lipstick. For shows or photo shoots, a collection of powders and brushes to do all the tricks we learned from the make-up artists -- something like Bare Minerals powders and brushes to provide a smooth reflective skin texture HoS: I have never seen a bad photo of you! What is your secret to taking such great pictures? AB: You are very kind. I think the trick is to be prepared: ensemble, accessories, hair and make-up. Then think good thoughts and wish folks the best. Focusing on others tends to lighten the cares of deep introspection. Remind your friends to check with you before they post photos of you. If the pictures are out of focus or blurry, they are fine as souvenirs -- but not necessarily as published images.
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your least favorite things? If you do a photo shoot, make sure you work with someone who knows what you want before you start. Realism and unattractive poses do not do much for sales or republishing….. But sometimes one can make something bizarre work for you! There are NO rules and MANY EXCEPTIONS! What works for some may not work for all.
AB: That’s playing into a torturer’s hands. I am against anything hurtful or unkind, disrespectful or deceitful, undignified or humiliating. I will never be more specific. HoS: Tell me about your style. What are your go-to pieces?
One of my favorite things is a scheduled life style in the city and a chaotic lifestyle at the beach and ocean.
AB: Style is such a wonderful word, is it not? My style is free-form, like street theater. Style should be invisible while it’s happening, and memorable once it is filed in the experience library. Style should be recalled by others and never noticed by the one considered stylish. Selfawareness is the death of style. Innocent enjoyment and pleasure in life contributes to fashion style. Hats and shoes, I own at least 18 or 19 little black dresses and then on the other hand, I love color and so every colorway in complete outfits! Love those standout accessories -- black- and-white swirl sunhats a la Yoko and all the other distinguishing fun.
Another of my most favorite things -- I love to travel by ship and train more than anything. I have lectured on two Cunard ships; as a child, every three years we took four ships and overland trains through Europe to return to America for three months. I need to travel when I am feeling very creative. The changing sights fuel my vision and the words become exponential as the weather and the places change randomly but consecutively.
Swimming, cooking, entertaining, writing, acting, taking photographs around the world of all the inspiring lands the clothes…to enjoy these rich experiences are the reason fashion is a universal language; a place where we all can applaud the excellent finish to a speech, a symphony, a collection of art, an aria, a poem, a theatrical work, a comedian’s swan song, an athlete’s triumph. We shine in fashion when our adrenaline pumps us on to victory. Our clothes shimmer as we wear them to the last drop in our enjoyment on reaching the finish, casting the spell, performing the trick or writing the book or sonnet.
HoS: What are a few of your favorite things? AB: Good food, my love partner M. and my children Stacia and Duncan; our cats, George and Bittsie. Animals, talent, great architecture, cultures and places that are fluent in all the arts. A cosmopolitan environment where we can hear different languages and marvel at the brilliance of international beauty, fashion and interests.
HoS: What are a few of
HoS: What perfume is your favorite? What scent are
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you currently wearing? AB: Carolina Herrera, and I wish I could find Fracas and the original Miss Dior. Alfred Sung is great for daytime HoS: What is in your purse? AB: Three writing/scheduling pads, poems, perfume, a lap-top, a phone and a see-through bag full of makeup! Oh, and gloves, shades and a hat in the winter and sun glasses and a hat in the summer! Keep up with Angie on TheAngieBowieBarnettShow on www.blogtalkradio.com.
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The Glitch Mob “Love Death Immortality” Review by Michael McKenna
Coming out of the L.A. bass-driven beat scene, The Glitch Mob, a 3 piece band, has released its sophomore effort, “Love Death Immortality”. This collection is the followup to their successful debut release, “Drink The Sea”, which was a bit calmer and more reserved. Their music has been described as “Glitch Bop”because of all the computer-generated effects which sound like the machine going through its death throes. This effort dwells on the recognizable, but the difference is very noticeable from the debut’s pulsing, headbanging music that garnered them a wide fan base in the dance/ electronic genres as the band found its soul and path to follow. The new CD is made up of derivative, aimless brostep and electro-house that revolves around some sort of a half-hearted remix of tempo experimentation and the same identical synth rides they used on their 1stCD with electro-house material that’s faceless and boring as hell! The band has become stagnant in their creativity and is resting their laurels on the previous effort. Don’t get me
wrong, they are a very talented bunch of musicians, but maybe they need to follow the model of Above & Beyond in the way they keep progressing, not regressing, with each new effort. The CD opens with “Mind of a Beast”which gives us mindless, repetitive sequencer parts and that dance hall punchy bass-line. “Our Demons” brings a dark side to this effort as they talk about tough love and its consequences. The vocals are spot on! “Becoming Harmonious”is a metallic-sounding tune that features the melodic pipes of guest vocalist Metal Mother. Sister Crayon lends her angelic vocals on the track, “Beauty of the Unhidden Heart”,where she is the song as the repetitive back beat continues. “Can’t Kill Us” could be a soundtrack for a horror movie on SciFi, even with it’s many rhythmic changes. “Skullclub” contains some weird cyber-electronic computer voice which booms out,“We are the wild ones..” The track, “Skywatcher”, is more prog-rock, but with that telltale thumping Euro/Techno beat and a arena-rock type feel. This CD is just a rehash of the past with the exception of a few talented vocalists. The band seems lost and needs to progress forward and reinvent themselves in order to compete with those who are already doing so in this tight genre where creativity rules. Sorry, No recommendation here!
http://www.natashanyc.com/
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Groovitude “Pinstripes”
Review by Michael McKenna Groovitude has received many accolades since their inception in 2008 and has performed at some of the region’s most coveted venues. Catchy lyrics and driving riffs are what sets Groovitude aside from other bands. They play a solid mix of originals and classic older songs amped -up with a modern flavor -- which keeps the audience asking for more. Their original music sounds like rock with a heavy blues influence, with pop overtones, and a touch of Dick Dale surf. Every one of their originals is highly unique and can be told apart instantly. The band’s music is like an artist’s palette, blending the sounds of bands like AC/ DC, ZZ Top, Grand Funk Railroad, Peter Frampton, George Thorogood, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Green Day. Their 10-track CD, “Pinstripes,” opens with “Rock ‘n’ Rollin It,” a killer tune that sees the band fire up the heat from the door. “Underage Rockin’” talks about their early years and the way they started their long trek with their music. The guitars, both Ryan’s bass and Kris’s lead, kick ass! “If She’s Armed, Then You’re Dangerous” has more of an alternative feel in the mold of Green Day, while
“Hard Workin’, Hard Rockin’ Man” sounds a bit like ZZ Top-meets-George Thorogood -- and they jam hard. Ryan Dailey kills it on bottom. “Sunshine Fades Away” has a nice classic-pop sounding retro/ mod feel that’s very refreshing! One of the best! “Risky” is a bit “out of the box” as the band takes a different path on this number. “Waiting for the Train Wreck” has that signature Groovitude Blues 2.0 hard-rock sound with banging bass lines and Ian’s slamming percussion. “Something You’ll Never Know” is a mid-tempo rock ballad that opens into a rocking lyrical masterpiece. Awesome! The title track, “Pinstripes,” gives it up with ZZ Top riffs from the door that sets the energy level for the entire track. The power output levels are definitely in the red on this one! “Fast Cars, Loud Guitars & Women” documents Mike Geroni’s life at the drag strip with the cars, guitars and yes, those hot, bad women! This track has a nice vintage Rolling Stones vibe to it Another bad-ass release from these young Valley rockers! Their music will kick yer ass nine ways to Sunday and leave enough left over for the following week! This is a MUST LISTEN! I give this a Rockin’ 2 THUMBS UP!
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This Way to the EGRESS “Great Balancing Act”
Review by Michael McKenna Formed in 2008, This Way to the EGRESS is a 6-piece
accordion-led ensemble hailing from the Lehigh Valley area. Since their birth, EGRESS has tried to find a box in which they could fit themselves. However, finding a box to fit six members playing accordions, tubas, electric guitars, trombones, pianos, and drums, would require a rather large box. So, they think “out of the box” when they move back and forth doing what they do best -incorporating elements of punk, Balkan, klezmer, blues, reggae and jazz/ragtime with a smattering of Americana folk/rock, creating a genre-defying sound that P.T. Barnum would be proud of. Yes, they are not your ordinary run-of-the-mill band; their music is eclectic and unique and sets them into a genre all by themselves. One would have to be very creative to put a tag on that one! The band was founded in 2008 and is made up of experienced and very talented musicians. They include frontman “Tyrant” Taylor Galassi on vox, accordion and cello; “Saddle” Sarah on vox, piano and violin; “Krispy” Zach Martin on percussion and glockenspiel; John “Toobie Doo” Wentz on vox and tuba; Jaclyn “the Kid” on guitars and banjo; Joe “Bone” Lynch on backing vox and trombone and “Easy” Chet Sullivan on backing vox and trumpet. The CD was produced by Roger Greenawalt, whose credits include Iggy Pop, Branford Marsalis, Joe Strummer and Philip Glass.
bit of the Beatles’ sound made famous on “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” “Tarantella” starts with a Roman cafe feeling that morphs into an island sound, and comes back at you with the tarantella. I love the lyrics about the composer who wakes up with zombies sleeping under his flat’s floorboards and who then come alive to dance with him! Awesome! “You’ll Never Know” takes things down with a bit of a rockabilly guitar and piano and lyrics that tell a mad story. “This Side of Jordan” could be a piece for a gypsy-based traveling play. “Devil’s Breath” sounds like a dusty trail song a cowboy would play and sing. I would love to hear a harmonica in this too! “Rogue Trip” tells a bit of a grim story of driving in the hot desert sun, but has an upbeat rhythm driving it. Nice! “Not Around” has a sound that one would hear in and around New Orleans. “We Won’t Go” could have been done in one of those depressed towns in Central Russia by a bunch of Cossacks slopping down the vodka. The CD closes with “Lucy” -- just a fun toe-tapping tune that keeps you hooked from start to finish! I would like to hear this in a packed roadhouse. This collection of musicians and their unusual choice of instruments just makes you want to grab this and listen to it when you need a daily lift. You will be in a different place rather quickly, that is part of life’s great balancing act! This CD is a MUST LISTEN! I give this an awesome two THUMBS UP!!
This independent, self-released CD will drop to the public on May 19th, 2015. This 12-track CD opens with “This Way to the EGRESS – Let’s Not Pretend” and kicks things into high gear with a gypsyesque sound that morphs in some Balkan, enhanced by a trombone solo that is so cool! There is a little bit of everything here! “So It Goes” is an accordion-driven number which has an Old World European feeling to it. “Earworm” has a bit of a sinister feel to it in the intro that segues into a fast-paced fun number with a cool storyline! “What Do Ya Want” makes one want to start seat-dancing. The composition has a
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Mike Geroni
“Song for a Grave Digger” Review by Michael McKenna
Mike Geroni is an accomplished singer/songwriter and acoustic rock artist, hailing from the southeastern region of Pennsylvania, who enjoys writing and playing his original songs and also a wide variety of covers ranging from Americana, blues, rock, alternative, and yes, punk! The covers give him a better feel for the musical tastes of others, and at the same time, awaken his creative juices when he puts pencil to paper or just picks up his guitar to get a feel for his next piece. In putting together this effort, Mike decided to go back to his roots and reflect on his personal life. In other words, he wanted to throw out the book and get a new vision after going through some deep personal issues that changed his ways of looking at things. His early punk leanings drove him with a newly ignited passion. With influences that include the likes of Green Day, Social Distortion, Blink 182, Bryan Adams, Simon & Garfunkel, Tom Morello & the Nightwatchman, and Bruce Springsteen, his creative juices began to flow into what became the
9-track CD, “Song for a Grave Digger.” His musical prowess is evident on this effort when he plays his rhythm and lead acoustic guitar or his unique cigar-box guitar which emits an awesome sound! His lyrics tell a story of pain, obstacles he overcame and other hardships he endured. “Run Away” opens with a ‘60s style Rolling Stone guitar riff that mixes a cool retro/mod sound with powerful vox and Miles Harti’s killer guitar work. “Pressurized” has Green Day’s influence written all over it! KILLER CUT! The title track, “Song for a Grave Digger” has some awesome lyrics that give you the vision of being right smack in the middle of a graveyard. The changes throughout this track are done to perfection! Love the outro! “This’ll Hurt Like Hell” holds your attention from start to finish. Ian Burke’s simple percussion work is way cool! “Dead End Road” pins you to your seat from the door. This track takes a traditional harder rock stance with an upbeat smash sound. “Tear Down the Detour Signs” is def a ‘90s sounding rocker with an anthem-like rhythm beat that ignites the explosion, and harmonies that are tighter than a you-know-what. BANGING! “Fighting To Be On Top” should make programmers in the rock/alternative formats soil their shorts to be the first to play it! This track should be the first single! SHIT HOT! “Counting Sheep” sees James Frank pushing it to the max on the bottom as he sets the pace for this number, which features the line, “...all this stress takes a toll right on my brain, I think I’ve gone insane, You think my life is a piece of cake...” “I’ll Never Forget” sees Mike Geroni taking a walk back to his past memories with this heartfelt acoustic track. Sometimes, I get to review music that is so-so; sometimes it’s very good,. This effort is just indescribable! Every single song is strong, well-performed and well-produced. If you get the chance to hear him live, I would drop everything and go see this show. This CD is a MUST LISTEN! I give this effort a hearty TWO THUMBS UP!
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www.MayfairFestival.org www.Facebook.com/MayfairFestival
Bluegrass Fest Blues Fest Folk Fest Country Fest Jazz Fest Plus, featured concerts 2 outdoor stages 1 indoor stage 100+ Artist Booths Fine Art Gallery Children’s Hands-on Arts Center Food Vendors Mayfair Festival of the Arts, now in its 29th year! May 22-25, 2015 Steel Notes Magazine | 37
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DUPONT/HOUSE OF COLOR Airbrushing/fabrication/work on all makes.
Restoration/welding/bodywork and molding, metal flake is so hot now! The color stands out like nothing else, and can be solid, or the base for other graphic’s on top and clear coat-
ed. Candy colors: Purple, Orange, Yellow, Rootbeer, Electric Blue candy. Transparent color over silver or gold base paint or over metal flake is the hottest looking paint at high noon or moon light, when it comes alive with beautiful diamond effect! Skulls, flames of any style, marble solid colors, and metallic’s,. I’ll consider trades for work, and I’m interested in Harley or Triumph parts or bikes or Honda mini bikes or parts in any condition or even a car or parts.
that old car , it was one he bought for 100.00 to resell, back then they were practically worthless. it is really something how that was, not any more, Ha! A.S. When did you start putting your ideas into Action?
INTERVIEW WITH ARTIST MARK BIGGS A.S. When did you first get interested in your craft? M.B. I liked bicycles, mini bikes and go karts as a boy and loved junkyards with my dad getting parts for 55 and 57 Chevys around 7 years old. A.S. What inspired you? M.B. I was always a Gearhead ever since when I was 6 years old, and I said to my dad could you race this car as fast as it will go? We tore down a Michigan road with no exhaust on this blue ‘55 Chevy and I loved it’s screaming sound and my dad looking at me with us both very excited about beating on
M.B. I tried to build cars off the street, in the 80’s then saw a 57 Chevy in the paper for $4500.00 , so I went to see it and got it for $2700.00. It was a bare shell with some good parts, in a barn in Northampton, PA near the Roxy. I learned a lot from that car. I rented the barn it was in and paid the guy for the car. I gradually progressed from then, I sold that car and my ‘56 Panhead Harley to buy my house, then built the shop in the back with car lift and spray booth for my hobbies. A.S. Where is your shop located? M.B. My shop is located at my house 1335 Oakwood Drive Bethlehem Pa. 18017 A.S. What does your work entail?
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M.B. I’m a motorcycle custom or factory painter/ repair/restoration fabricator. I weld, give advice, and I try to be practical about direction and cost involved before anything. For most of the year, It’s only a hobby, and my projects unless something comes along. I trade services and have a great time with my friends in these bike and car projects, so I enjoy what I do, and it’s what I will do till the end. Long term projects are valuable at finish and it takes foresight and commitment for one person to see it through, so that in its self was an adjustment since most want things done in a short time or will not invest in it. I’ll have $20,000.00 invested in a car that is later worth only $45,000.00, but, it’s a hobby I love, and profit is faster and easier on other things. As long as I’m building assets that can be liquidated
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or traded it’s nothing but positive. I’ve learned so many things from a lot of people, I should write a book, lol! A.S. What type of materials do you like to use? M.B. I use Dupont or Glamour USC clear urethane, House of Kolor in many colors and Candys, Sata spray guns and Iwata and a few types of airbrushes. I’m now learning the software for a plotter vinyl decal and stencil cutter and I’ll be custom painting motorcycle fuel tanks I’ve collected over the years to display in my shop and on line along with metal signs with types and styles of flames, skulls and suggestive combination idea’s.
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A.S. How long does it generally take to finish a project? M.B. There is a one to three week processing time depending on condition and details and part count. A.S. What is your pricing structure? M.B. Price for example would be tank and two fenders one color $500.00 from strip to finish and buff, anything added is extra. A.S. What are your long term goals? M.B. My objective is to try and stay healthy and do my hobbies as long as I can. It gets harder every year, and things change so it’s best to save up for hard times and only invest in things that generate income. A.S. Where can people find you ? M.B. People can locate me on Facebook or on Craigslist under motorcycles, then under it in services, then Kosmic Kolors motorcycle paint. I am not a business or looking to be open to public, so I’m by appointment only. I’m only a hobbiest , and some jobs help me fund my projects. I am the singer/ bass player, fronting my band Gearhead, which is a 3 piece Classic Rock/Punk Rock band, playing songs that are not played by everyone else on the scene.
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BONGO BOY TV
EPISODE 1046 - “We Are All Winners” Review by Michael McKenna
The Bongo Boy Rock’n’Roll TV Show presents indie music videos from around the world with seven indie music videos
by international recording artists that will be featured on television with national distribution. Included in this episode are two indie music video contest winners. The contest was sponsored by Steel Notes Magazine and Bongo Boy Records and promoted by ReverbNation to 1.2 million musicians earlier this year. This episode will also be available on Go Indie TV Roku channel this summer and 24/7 online on Bongo Boy TV’s website. Updates are available on our Facebook page, https://www. facebook.com/bongoboytv A complete review by Michael McKenna will be published in Steel Notes Magazine and Nine4Five Magazine. The first winning music video is by Canadian born artists, Palaye Royale, who can be described as a fashion/art rock band. This act features Remington Leith on lead vocals; Sebastian Danzig on guitars and keyboards and Emerson Barrett on drums and percussion. Their music video, “Get Higher,” is a powerful rocker destined to make waves in indie circles. The track was independently released as a second single. Music video director: Harrison Sanborn – A Parliament and Palaye Royale Production. Website: palayeroyale.com/ facebook.com/palayeroyale The second music video winner is Van Wild, a southern blues/ rock/pop project by half-Canadian, half-American singer-songwriter, Yasmine Van Wilt. Her music video, “Cherry Tree,” features her awesome vocals and beautiful smile combined with a pop-flavored back beat. The single placed in the radio chart at #64 on the Activator charts with MediaBase. It’s also on 150+ stations and in closed circuit TV loop at a number of stores (Macy’s, Steve Madden American Eagle, etc) and hotels (Four Seasons, Caesar’s Palace, etc). Music video director: Raquel Almazon. Web Site: musicbyvanwild.com/ facebook.com/ pages/Yasmine-Van-Wilt/191494827570661 Hailing from Texas, Rawboss, with his latest music video, “Pieces”, featuring Jeal Johnson, raps about the world and the changes he wishes would happen -- while trying to shake the street life that he can’t seem to escape as he promotes his positive message to capture minds, both young and old, as a social activist and as a role model in society. Music video director: Superior Dave. Web Site: officialrawboss.com/ facebook.com/officialrawboss
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Swedish Celtic folk artist, Deborah Henriksson, originally from the Morristown, New Jersey area brings us her latest music video. “Calling” is from her new album “Traces”. The music video features beautiful shore lines with angelic spiritual vocals. Music video director: Mats Nyman Website: deborahhenriksson.com , facebook.com/deborahhenriksson Originally from Surinam and now hailing from Utrecht in the Netherlands, Ritesh Djarrel Raghu, also known as Rdjarrel, is an R&B/neo-soul, rap producer/singer-songwriter who blends romance and heartbreak soul ballads with urban sounds that have a Jamaican feeling to them. His music video “All The Time” features the beautiful international model, Anna de Pagter. Music video director: Rdjarrel. Web Site: rdjarrel.com, facebook.com/RDJARRE Hailing from Oakland, California, is Waheed and the Resistance (W.A.R.) where they are recognized as one of the most unique acts in the rap/hip-hop genre. Their music video “XrtaClip” brings reality to the television screen as they talk about guns, crime, ideology and social issues. Music director: Sean Compton. Web Site: myspace.com/waheedresistance, facebook. com/pages/Waheed-And-the-Resistance/115048991869916 Returning to the show is Chicago recording artist, Sarantos, and his brand new music video, “A Child’s Mind.” It’s a mid-tempo pop tune that expounds how innocent and pure a child’s mind truly is. One-third of all profits from this song will go to the group, Feed My Starving Children. This has to be one of the most touching songs featured to date. Music video director: Sarantos. Web Site: melogia.com, facebook.com/ Sarantosmelogia This is one of the better show segments that I have seen from Bongo Boy TV. They keep getting better every month. Your band could be here next month! The Bongo Boy Rock n’ Roll TV Show is produced by Gar Francis and Monique Grimme and is fully funded by sponsorships from all the indie musicians and their affiliations in each episode and Bongo Boy Records. Bongo Boy TV produces and distributes the Bongo Boy Rock n’ Roll TV Show which spotlights indie music videos from around the world in the USA, The UK and Canada. Each episode broadcast on television on cable networks such as: NBC Universal Comcast, Cablevision, Time Warner Cable, Verizon/FiOS, RNC, Charter Communications, AT&T and Suddenlink at prime time in the USA. The show can also be seen Go Indie TV Roku Channel. There are currently two broadcast regions which an artist can place their music video for rotation. For info: submit@ bongoboytv.com
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The Originals Music Series – Part 1 By Michael McKenna
I had the opportunity to finally get a break from all the work that has been tying me to my keyboard and get out and see one of these original music shows. I would have to say, “Why didn’t I do this earlier, I was missing some great music!” Two original based bands, each Thursday night, have been giving it up on stage performing their unique, creative, rocking sounds that shows me that venues for this music is sorely needed in the Valley. Fans can thank two very dedicated ladies who bill themselves as “Fire & Ice”and have established themselves as a vital part of the Lehigh Valley original music scene. Amy Danner and Tracie Lovett in partnership with Casey Conrad at Chicago/Gravity put their creative juices to work to make this series happen. Why, I ask, hasn’t someone thought of this before. Granted, there are a limited amount of venues big enough that can afford the costs associated with bringing in live acts, paying for the advertising and also the costs of sound. Self-contained acts have a distinct advantage, but the costs are sometimes prohibitive. But those venues with a house system, like Gravity, have a clear advantage over their competition in what they can offer and budget. Veteran rockers, The Dave Goddess Group, with two new members, tore it up with their party rock tracks which featured tight old school guitar riffs, cool hooks and Dave Goddess’s powerful vocals that had the crowd in the palm of their hand. They played tunes from their debut CD, “Something New”,and some new ones from their latest EP, “Blown Away”. They then put the icing on the cake with the classic Valley rock anthem, “I Got Wheels”. Way cool! Mike Roi and The Secret People anchored the second part of the show by blasting off with an explosive sound that kept its energy throughout the entire show. Playing selections from their debut CD, “Dog St.” and their latest CD, “Phoenix”, Mike Roi’s powerful pipes were in force on the title track, “Phoenix” and also “Dog ST.”where the crowd was totally entranced by his stage presence. Future Thursday’s promise to be in the same mold as the one I witnessed and I will endeavor to be there to support these Indie acts. I always have said that without Indie music, there would be NO free-minded creativity and some of these talents would not be heard by the masses if it was not for venues and programs like this one. KUDOS!Long Live Indie Music!
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Dave Goddess
Tom Brobst
Mark Buschi
Gary Gipson
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Mike Roi
Craig Martyn
Mike Roi & The Secret People
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Tom Brobst and Dave Goddess
Mark Buschi, Chris Cummings, Dave Goddess
Glen Radomski & Mike Roi
Mike Roi & Dan De Chellis Steel Notes Magazine | 49
The Originals Music Series – Part 2 Review by Michael McKenna
It was cold, but that did not deter a hearty crowd who was looking for an escape from what was outside to the heat that was generated inside. Two original based bands, each Thursday night, have been giving it up on stage performing their unique, creative, rocking sounds that shows me that venues for this music is sorely needed in the Valley. Fans can thank two very dedicated ladies who bill themselves as “Fire & Ice” and have established themselves as a vital part of the Lehigh Valley original music scene. Amy Danner and Tracie Lovett in partnership with Casey Conrad at Chicago/Gravity have put their creative juices to work to make this series happen, and Part 2 of my series is no different than the first part. Two original kick-ass rockers, MindMaze and Beyond Eden, took the stage and literally shook the house to the foundations. The crowd, on their feet the entire night, was full of kinetic energy! MindMaze kicked things into high gear from the door with rocking jams that set the tone for the entire evening. Sarah Teets, with her fiery long red hair, projected her powerful pipes throughout the venue in a way that hypnotized everyone instantly. Her brother and bandmate, Jeff Teets, electrified the crowd with slamming guitar riffs, solos and backing vocals that opened people's mouths in exclamation. Rich Pasqualone on bottom and back vox was just totally down and dirty with his pounding rhythms and Kalin Schweizerhof on skins laid it on heavy with slamming rides that were out of the box cool! The band performed some tight originals from their LP's with an attitude that is seldom seen and was so full of energy that it actually raised my blood pressure! The back half of this rocking double bill saw Flexitone recording artists, Beyond Eden, also kicking up the energy levels to amazing heights. Jen Miklus, on keys and lead vox, mesmerized everyone with her golden vocals that sent chills down my spine. Travis Thierrin was literally bouncing off the walls while giving it up bigtime on his bass, gave a nice fat, bottom sound. Brandon Skylar's slamming manipulation of the frets was a sight to behold as he laid down riff after riff with the ease of a practiced professional. Last, but not least, Truk Bennett, just kicked his kit into the next county so that his percussion actually moved my dinner around to a new spot on my insides. At this point I was ready for another 3 hours of music madness, but alas, all good things must come to an end. I know that quite of few of the fans that were there would agree with me wholeheartedly. Future parts of this series promise to be just as good as this night was. See you there!
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Beyond Eden (BE)
MindMaze (MM)
MindMaze
Rich Pasqualone & Jeff Teets (MM)
Sarah & Jeff Teets (MM)
Kalin Schweizerhoff (MM) Steel Notes Magazine | 51
Jennifer Miklus & Brandon Skyline
Turk Bennett (BE)
Jennifer Miklus (BE) Travis Thierrin (BE)
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Marlowe B. West: Ladies and gentlemen and children of all ages ... This promises to be a most phantasmagorical interview ... I am your
ringleader ... Marlowe B. West ... and now ... Here ... After waiting an eternity ... With the utmost patience and anticipation ... I beckon the sound of trumpets ... A boisterously long and loud drum roll ... As skirted barefoot Egyptian ushers roll out the lapis lazuli and gold carpet ... and the curtains rise on the center stage ... She dances like Shiva there before a Pyramids of Giza backdrop ... Slithering and glimmering in her own hand- embroidered, beaded and sequined, stitch witchery raiment ... emblazoned with snakes and grapevines and magic symbolism ... The Serpent Queen herself ... Miss Trullee Fike ...
Say
something wonderfully magical to our readers here at Steel Notes Magazine and to the world, Miss Trullee...
Trullee Fike: Oh! Listen up out there! Don’t let your dreams die. Tell the people who say “grow up,” to “put it where the sun don’t shine baby!” We reinvent ourselves continuously, like the serpent that bites its tail. Over and over, what we are is who we are, who do you want to be? Well.... DO IT! MBW: On that note ... my dear Trullee ... I understand that you are reincarnated from a previous time and place ... I find this curiously interesting and must say that I find your recollections fascinate me ... It is always comforting and reassuring to converse with someone who is
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subject to such harsh and narrow minded scrutiny for speaking of such untold truths from deep within your very being of existence ... I, myself, have on numerous occasions, hazily re-experienced the unmistakable déjà vu of two distant past lives ... One distinctly soggy and foggy ... the musty mildew smell of a basement flat somewhere in England ... The other comes briskly alive when walking barefoot on a cold marble floor ... which triggers a familiar vivid memory ... I am taken back to Egypt where I am led to lie naked upon a cold marble slab and covered with a sheet ... the memory is similar to that of a doctor’s appointment ... there’s always this fragrant opulent atmosphere ... suggesting royalty ... I don’t care what response I might get for sharing this because I treasure the unspeakable pleasure I receive being capable of awakening these thoughts and feelings
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within my consciousness ... Please feel free to speak on this subject and tell us what mysteries lurk behind your unbelievable ancestry ? TF: Egypt, bright beneath a burning sun. I remember the scent of lilies and children laughing. We call them Easter lilies now and there is almost no scent at all, but then they were wonderfully sweet. I was a child and played with Pharaoh’s children in gardens as beautiful as any garden this side of Paradise. I loved the tall sycamores with their fig like fruit. We always whispered that the Goddess might still be there and not banished. I loved the dancers who could snap their fingers in time to the music and move so gracefully. We hid behind the linen curtains, quiet as mice, to watch. There were other times there, some in poverty, some in better situations, time and time again. Then there were times of England. I was the daughter of a well-landed gentleman who favored the Yorkist side; but he was wise and married me off to a friend whom he knew favored the Lancasterians, thus saving our family. Smart move for those days. I became mother to his daughters, only slightly younger than I, but I gave him a son. I was an actor once, and once a dancer, and once I wrote bad poetry and died from lung disease. I had money and I was poor, the 1880s were scary in Arizona; back in England, the ‘20s were good times. I remember I was called Christabell, and had two brothers David and Peter. I used to dream of them. London in WWII. The sound of sirens still makes my skin crawl. Then in 1941 I turned up here! Still having dreams of bombs falling.
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MBW: How did you acquire your most befitting title as the Serpent Queen? TF: Ah, yes. Ye old Serpent Queen. In the ‘60s, of course, everyone had different names.There was Elephant Man, half-a-million called “Hobbit this” or “Hobbit that,” and I liked snakes. I had brass cobras all over the house and Egyptian statues everywhere. It just seemed to happen, and when we moved to Hollywood it was me. I had serpents on my boots, my vests, my earrings and again, all over the house. I still do and now I live in the desert where I always longed to be. Listening to my records from the ‘20s on my Victrola and drinking sweet wine from my hand-blown goblet. Life is good. MBW: La dee da! ... I know you are a witch! ... I have witnessed a curse you put on a certain someone using three black crow’s feathers and some sort of cree-cree bag ... and ... I saw it backfire ... seriously ... Actually I really dug it ... I won’t name any names but she had it coming ... Would you care to speak openly about the occult ? TF: Well really all I did was to turn her nastiness back on her -- she really did have it coming -- and I just made it so that as long as she kept doing what she was doing, she would seem to have two left feet every time she tried to dance. She got the message and it stopped, simple as that. I usually only did love charms and dream readings. I still do, but seldom now; there is just no time and the herbs for love charms are hard to find here in the desert. It takes weeks to make them and everything has to be just right, even what you think while you do it! MBW: ... and astral projection ... You guided me through one of the most cosmic experiences of my life ... I was flying ... like Peter Pan ... Arms outstretched high over Los Angeles ... It was dreamy and free ... I was as one with the breezes ... When I abruptly found myself tugging arm- over-arm along a waist-high golden rope down the center of Fountain Avenue ... You giggled when I described this to you and were so delighted to inform me that I had succeeded in astral projection and that the golden rope was similar to the umbilical cord connecting my astral body to my physical body ... You added that had I not completed my return to my physical body; when I did there was a threat that another spirit could anxiously take over ... I never did anything like that again ... but would like to know how you know so much about such things, meditation etc. ? TF: Astral projection. Hard to do and can be dangerous! Meditation, however, is very good for you, and can make life much more pleasant. Almost every
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Zappa
Morrison
religion uses it in one form or another. Once you find your way it’s all the more wonderful. As for how I know about these things, books! I spent hours in the old LA city library, learning everything I could, and I still read at least three books a month. I’m a major bookworm. MBW: I have been, and always will be, an avid, diehard fan of Jim Morrison ... since day one ... I must admit I felt a bit doubtful about a lot of the things you would say when we first met ... Like your past lives and your being a witch and especially about your being friends with our beloved Lizard King ... and I thought you were so full of baloney when you would go on and on about your friend “Jimmy” ... that is, until I saw your incredibly beautiful photographs ... and then I had to look into your bottomless ancient eyes and realize that you ... my dear ... are truly extraordinary ... Please go on and tell my Steel Notes Magazine readers all about you and your god-like friend ... the immortal lead singer and songwriter of the Doors ... The uber legendary Jim Morrison. TF: It was an odd thing meeting Jim, I had never even heard of the Doors. I got a phone call from a friend. She was in a panic, she had tickets to a concert at the local high school and her ride got sick. It was Whittier and the Doors were playing with the Standells and the Coasters in the school gym. I said OK, I can get my husband to drive you. Oh, you have to go with me, she said, I can’t go alone.
Cher
So there I was in a high school gym, with everyone in neat little chairs in neat little rows like nice, neat little boys and girls dressed in their nice, neat school clothes. Teachers walking up and down seeing to it that everyone stayed that way. I was wearing a poncho, beads and bells, I stayed in back and leaned against the wall; it was a friendly wall and, my dears, there
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Morrison
Morrison was no way I was going to sit down. I was not a nice little girl. I watched, I listened, it was a good show.
Then the Doors came on and I knew these guys were different. Even before they began to sing there was a ripple in the air, I looked up and there he was. I walked right up the middle aisle to the front passing the irate teachers and looked up into Jim’s eyes. He was not your everyday rock and roll singer, he was a force of nature and I was stunned. A girl next to me said “I know him, want to meet him?” I certainly did! A week or so later, I took my first photos of him at the Fantasy Fair. I’d been taking photos of other bands for a long while but Jim was the wildness and I loved the wildness. MBW: Lovely ... Got anymore Jim Morrison stories? TF: Stories? I got to the Doors office one afternoon and found that Jim had gotten a video camera; he was so jazzed up he started running up and down the street filming as he went. “Show me some of your photos!” he said, grabbing me and spinning me around. I had a few wallet shots and showed him. “Is that all?” he said, and he pulled me to the sidewalk and started tickling me. “More! You need more!” I couldn’t stop laughing. Later he said, “I like them, all but that one. I look drunk or stoned or something.” MBW: Will you kindly please tell our readers about some of these other awesome photographs?
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Tiny Tim
Alice Cooper steelnotesmagazine.com
The Chambers Brothers
John Densmore (TheDoors) TF: The guy in white is John Kay, the lead singer in Steppenwolf. Here is one of Frank Zappa. It’s light because it was shot in a very dark room. The Whiskey. The next one is Alice Cooper at the Newport rock and roll festival. Would you like Tiny Tim? One of the Door’s John Densmore on the drums. Chambers Brothers. I have Cher and a bad one of Jimi Hendrix. MBW: No such thing as a bad photo of Jimi Hendrix! ... How about more Jim Morrison stories ... Huh? TF: Let me look into the past on my trusty crystal ball. All is cloudy and grey. Uh ... Here comes some static. A patch of light. Ha-ha. The Doors were going to play Bakersfield. So we drove up there. We spent the night with a friend of my sister Lacy. Then the next night we went to the concert. I’ve lost all the film from that night except one shot, but... we went to the party afterward. One of the girls started popping out with the F-bombs and Jim told her there were ladies and children so to can it. It was getting late so we said goodbye and headed to the old blue Corvair. Bill followed us out and said he’d gotten a room for us. Jim said it was too late to drive back to LA. It was a place called the Cactus Motel. So we headed to our room and on the way ran into Jim sitting on the floor outside his room. He said, “They threw me out!” So we took him to our room. There were six of us so it was a bit tight. We dumped Jim on one of the twin beds and he wanted a beer. So my husband, Ken, went and got him some. He took one drink and fell asleep. Lacy covered him with her jacket and we all turned in. We were like sardines, on the beds, on the floor. Next morning Jim woke up, threw the blinds open and woke us all up. He wanted breakfast! So we got breakfast in our room. Jim also had two Bloody Marys. I told him about my stories. I’d just started them. He said he was the King so we asked what the King wanted. He
wanted to go on a picnic! He rounded every one up and said we should all meet at the Kern River. He kidded Ken about our old blue bus. Then asked if I could leave the cameras for the day. Like a fool I did. We went down to the River and a bit later Jim came running down the trail with wine bottles hanging on his belt, yelling “Where’s Annette, where’s Bobby?” like it was a beach blanket movie. The band, Comfortable Chair, was there now and a lot of his friends and followers too. By then half were half dressed and some nude. Everyone was swimming or wading. Jim jumped into the river and went to the other side, but when he tried to climb out his pants kept making him slip. So he took them off. There he stood. Beautiful on a rock, stark naked. Later he asked if I’d gotten photos. I said, “No, you said not to. “ He said, “Next time don’t listen to me.” So that’s the story. My little sister wrote about it for a school paper. The teacher was not thrilled. It was a wild trip. MBW: My cousin Marquise de la Lillibridge came to Hollywood with Group Therapy ... which had come from NYC to Hollywood to play the Whisky a Go Go... There you were photographing the bands ... Your awesome photographs were splashed on the walls in a dizzying slide show of rock stars ... Do you have any memory of that night ? TF: I do remember that night. It was an enchanted night. I had been up in the light show booth with John and Jerry, then came down to do photos of Group Therapy. I do believe that is about the time I met you and the beautiful Marquise. It was all strange and so perfectly right. I was sure I’d known you forever. From somewhere, somewhen, I could swear I caught the faint sweet fragrance of Egypt in the air. MBW: How about the night you invited us all out to your gorgeous home and we ended up having a séance ... I will never ever forget it ... Wondering what, if anything, you have stored in your memory of that ?
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TF:Hey! That was an awesome séance. Awaw came in and gave us all great advice and, after, we sat and talked for hours. You gave me the best advice. You said I just had to move to Hollywood. MBW:Which you did. Damn! ... But you are leaving out the best, most intensely unbelievable part ... Let me refresh your ancient memory, my dear ... It was you, me, Marquise, Tommy and Gerry of the band Group Therapy ... You led us into your innermost chamber, lit some candles and had us sit around a table ... You then told us to take off all of our jewelry and place it in a pile in the center of our circle ... You said in order to enter the spirit world we had to remove our material possessions ... Then we held hands ... You chanted awhile and then stopped ... the candlelight flickering in your wise eyes as they scanned our faces ... and said, “Someone of us in this circle does not believe and is blocking us from entering the spirit world!” ... so we thought it was over ... A stronger word than “peculiar” is needed here to describe what next occurred ... When your eyes met Tommy’s he sat back and fell asleep ... “Astounding” does not even fit ... The séance was back on ... You said, “If there are any spirits present please give us a sign!” ... a single key on the piano in the empty adjoining room was heard loud and clear ... “Does anyone know someone who used to play piano?” ... Marquise and I looked at each other and in unison said “Nana!” ... Our beloved grandmother had just recently passed on into eternity ... “If we have contacted the spirit of Marquise and Marlowe’s grandmother please give us a sign!” ... Marquise and I joined hands, began to raise them together up, up, up above our heads ... trembling and frozen together ... as if someone had a grip on them ... lifting them ... until it let go and our hands crashed down on the table before us ... scattering all the jewelry ... all that remained beneath our clenched fists was the gold and ruby ring Nana had left to Marquise ... Call it heresy ... Call it what you will ... but ... there is no skeptic gonna ever be able to explain away what occurred that night ...
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Okay now ... So let’s get on with the show ... Please tell everyone about your photography ... You were the most professional photographer I ever witnessed ... The original paparazzi ...You were always there on the Hollywood scene with the most and best cameras and equipment capturing it all for posterity ... I know you had your own lab and developed your own photographs right at home ... Had you gone to school for photography? TF: No, never went to school for it. I just picked up a camera and pointed. I had no clue about what I was doing. I just did it. Remember, few people had cameras back then. They were very expensive and not every kid on the street could get one, so it was an opening for anyone who could get a camera and had the knowhow to get into the shows. I set my heart on doing it and I did. Getting in free everywhere was a gas. From San Diego to San Francisco. The clubs, the concerts, the after show partying. I loved every moment of it. I took photos of everyone who would hold still. I wanted to record it all. I knew it would all go away some day. MBW: Love you for that ... You are still a fixture at the Renaissance Faire ... You are right at home in your custom clothes of that time period ... Your outfits and accessories are always so unique and authentic ... Can you verbally paint us a picture depicting a perfect
day back in time ? TF: I go to all the Renaissance Faires I can get to and now the Steampunk Faires also. I have outfits for all of them. Remember the day you went to the big Renaissance Faire? The perfect day? They were all perfect, Marlowe -- the excitement of getting ready, of driving there and then to leave the so-called real world and entering pure fantasy and to be with all the others who believed in the magic…we were transported into our own world, and it still happens every time! MBW:Indeed I do ... I think my favorite was on Easter Sunday ... I was a court jester ... We had arrived the day before and partied , oh so gala, into and throughout the
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glorious night with the beautiful kind-hearted peasants, the shopkeepers, craftsmen and women, the wenches, the knights and even the royalty ... We all watched the magnificent sunrise together, as we gathered on the mountaintop, and the sky turned purple, pink then yellow into Easter morning ... Do you still have your wonderfully nostalgic blog called Hollywood Hangover ?... Will you please explain to our readers what Hollywood Hangover is, and if and where they can find it? TF: It’s still out there and I am still a part of it. Dee runs it and a lot of people send in their memories to share. The photos are wonderful and the things they bring back into mind are priceless. MBW: Talking about nostalgia ... Do you think you could share your description of “the days”? TF: I’ve said it time and time again! It was a time apart from time. It was a dream come true and a few very lucky people lived it. Think of starting a day that could go anywhere. An art show, a trek up to the observatory stopping for a smoke before heading up Fern Dell, maybe just hanging around in Laurel Canyon with our friends. As night falls the real rush begins, we start at the Whisky a Go Go or Thee Experience dancing, a little
Pamela Courson Morrison’s Girlfriend)
drinking, a few other things, if that was, as they said, your bag. I was never into the other things. I didn’t need them. I was on a natural high all my own. I was living in a dream. After the clubs closed, we went on to a party or an afterhours club, then as dawn came we moved on to the Hyatt House restaurant for a hot fudge sundae watching the sun come up. MBW: Do you have any future plans ... I know you write epic tales and this tired ole world could use some good old fashioned magic to stir things back up again. TF: You, I know, have seen my Belinda stories, where myth and magic come together in another world. In forests where green surrys chirp and the Cree move among the trees, beautiful in their golden-spotted other-worldly forms, where Belinda the Serpent Queen fights to save the human-born son of the King of On, her lifelong friend. Only a human can rule in On, in this magic world the ruler must have none. I’m getting close to finishing it. MBW: If I could grant you three wishes ... what would they be? TF: That I could go back and take more photos, that there were more Faires and that you lived closer!
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Governing Murphy“Mirror” EP Review by Michael McKenna
Their roots are all over NEPA, but they call Bethlehem, PA their home. Why? Because the area offers them an outlet for their many talents and creative originals. These rocking musicians have unleashed their own refreshing brand of rock, incorporating many different sounds and influences into their own original sound. With influences like the Beatles, Pearl Jam, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue and Alice in Chains, it’s easy to see what motivates Governing Murphy to become an all-original act. The members include Wally Govern III on guitar and lead vocals; Ron Murphy’s slamming lead guitar; Andy Stewart on bottom and vox; and Bill Caufman banging on drums and vox. This 5-track EP opens with “Mirror,” which has a mid-tempo alternative sound that harnesses the guitar work and percussion in a perfect marriage of sound. The vocals and harmonies are spot on! “Nickel & Dimed” comes at you hard as nails, with wailing high-energy riffs. This head-banging tune evokes memories of some of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s jams. The solo just kicks ass! “Into the Night” slams you into the damn wall from the door! This powerful rocker is full of everything one would expect to hear from a hard-rocking metal band and then some Awesome! “My .44” has a retro/mod sound that takes the best of the ‘60s and mates it with today’s hard-rockabilly, guitar-driven garage sound. This track is a killer cut! “Succubus” gives you that Texas-style, Southern-rock, hard-driving guitar, heavy rhythm -based sound all in one package. How cool is that? This EP is ‘out of the box’ HOT! This is a MUST LISTEN! I give this TWO THUMBS UP!
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Whitney Payton “Fear of Falling” EP Review by Michael McKenna Once again, this extremely talented lady has graced us with her superb musical prowess on her highly anticipated new EP, “Fear of Falling.” This solo rap/hip-hop artist from eastern PA has the ability to project herself in ways that will make you stand up and take immediate notice of her messages in her music. Her grasp of social issues and addictions affecting society today will slap you upside the head and hold you captive in each of her tracks on this awesome EP. She will let you have it with both barrels and be able to walk away with that signature smile on her face. This 5-track EP opens with “Welcome Back” (beat by Matthew Thorsen) that comes at you strong from the door with a powerful anti-drug message, opening with “the beast” talking to the addict, saying, “I need my pills.” The drug dreams she talks about are the addictive voices that drive those to do what they do daily. “Everyday,” featuring Caskey(beat by Ali “A MAC” McGuire), sees Whitney saying, “ Grinding everyday... It’s my life, I’ll live it and do things my way..” As she looks forward to the future, she wants those doors to open for her. Caskey does this track mucho justice! “Loner” (beat by Ryan Cain O’Donnell), opens with a sinister-sounding backbeat that enhances those telling lyrics perfectly. Many peeps will be able to relate to this lifestyle as they fit the mold Whitney projects here. “Really Wanna” featuring Cryptic Wisdom (beat by Ryan Cain O’Donnell), cites the frustrations and stress that Whitney experiences daily in her career. Cryptic Wisdom gives it up with a mad descriptive path that an upcoming artist should follow. “Do you really want the fame, is it really worth pain, yea, I really gotta know…” LOVE THIS JAM! The final track, “Better” featuring Carolyn Marie, (beat by Ali “A MAC” McGuire), talks about choices that one makes in their lives. Whitney nails it on this track as she exposes the lives of those caught up in addictions of drugs and prostitution, how they affect families and individuals, lives they can’t take back. The video of this track is explosive! The best track on this EP, hands down! AWESOME!! The beats are dope, big time! Why this lady is still in the underground perplexes me, she should be blowing up the music scene and signed to a major label. If this effort is any indication of what’s to come, Whitney is about to turn heads and take names doing it! This EP is MUST LISTEN! I give “Fear of Falling” my highest ranking. .... A STANDING OVATION!!!
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The Fault in Our Stars (2014) Film Review by Jerry Saravia (Pseudo Film Critic, amateur filmmaker) It is hard to fathom that any single soul out there would not be even remotely moved by “The Fault in Our Stars.” Although I am not a fan of dramas about terminally ill people (and are there fans really?), “The Fault in Our Stars” digs a little deeper than most by focusing on the personalities of young adults who will not let illness rule their lives. Shailene Woodley is the highly caustic 16-year-old cancer patient, Hazel Grace Lancaster, suffering from a terminal thyroid cancer that has affected her lungs. This means she has to carry around an oxygen tank, and attend support groups where the sponsor plays guitar and keeps a rug woven with the image of Jesus handy. Hazel needs more from life than to discuss her cancer with strangers and she finds a far more supportive hand with a group member, Augustus Waters (Anser Elgort), a teenager who lost a leg to bone cancer yet has the most beatific smile I’ve seen from a young male in ages. Augustus walks around with cigarettes he never lights, consistently texts Hazel and is persistently aiming to be to more than friends. Augustus looks at the world with optimism, trying to make it a better place. He helps his own friend, Isaac (Nat Wolff), who will lose both eyes to cancer and whose own girlfriend has left him due to this malady. Augustus also wants to share his love and compassion for Hazel (Saying “okay” to each other becomes their code for loving each other), even opting to get her to Amsterdam to meet the author of a book she consistently re-reads, titled “An Imperial Affliction” and written by a reclusive author, Peter van Houten (Willem Dafoe). TV movies of the week used to primarily focus on the alienation of disease and how it affected a family. There were great TV movies back then and
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some good theatrical ones that did not treat illness with sentimental inclinations or any sanctimony; TV’s “An Early Frost” about AIDS and, likewise, “Philadelphia” with Tom Hanks, come to mind. “The Fault in Our Stars” pushes further, which is a refreshing change from the norm. The film looks at real human beings who just happen to be afflicted with terminal cancer -- the love story between Augustus and Hazel works independently and is treated honestly. If the film had been about these sweetly innocent lovebirds only, it would work like a charm. The terminal cancer aspect is simply treated as a hindrance in their lives, something they work past to give validity to their own lives while looking ahead. That is what makes “The Fault in Our Stars” such an endearing miracle of a movie -- love is something to be cherished and held in high regard. It is not resolutely about cancer. I found little fault with “The Fault in Our Stars,” and that is remarkable in this day and age; some movies about young people can be a tad superficial. Not so with this film, and that is because of the extraordinary cast. Shailene Woodley is an actress that might give Jennifer Lawrence a run for her money soon -- Shailene is an actress of sublime restraint who shows amazing sympathy without trying too hard. Anser Elgort is one of those mature teenagers who can smile and show empathy with a mere glance or gesture -- he doesn’t try too hard either. What is doubly amazing is that these two fantastic presences trounce Laura Dern and Sam Trammell (who play Hazel’s parents) and even the titanic Willem Dafoe. The movie is a solid, three-hankie tearjerker, yet it never sentimentalizes nor softens the drama. Watch it with tissues handy. It is going to be “okay”.
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The Split Squad “Now Hear This...” Music Review By Dana Saravia -- Life long rock & roller, music critic and Girl From Baltimore Once upon a time the term “super group” was coined to describe a collaboration between musicians best known for playing in other well-established bands. The Split Squad is one of those super groups, combining the talents of Clem Burke from Blondie, Michael Giblin from Cherry Twister, Keith Streng from The Fleshtones, Eddie Munoz from The Plimsouls, and Josh Kantor from Jim’s Big Ego (as well as his day job as the organist for the Boston Red Sox). The band’s bio describes them as a “perfect storm”, which is an apt description of their album “Now Hear This...” which catches lightning in a bottle. The guitars that start the title track, “Now Hear This,” immediately grab attention and when the drums start, it’s impossible to resist the urge to turn the stereo loud and get swept up in the song. The second number, “Touch & Go”, is a song where the backing vocals and chorus alone show the experience of the group both as songwriters and musicians. The next song, “She Is Everything,” is one that’s been pleasantly stuck in my head since I first heard it. A strong melody and sweet lyrics combine to make this one of the best power pop songs I’ve had the pleasure of hearing in a long time. A fantastic cover of the Small Faces’ classic “I’m Sorry, She’s Mine” is next, making for two songs in a row of absolute joy. These are contrasted nicely by “I’ve Got a Feeling”, which gives voice to being
stuck in a depressive rut and trying like hell to break out of it. Lyrics like “I know that sinking feeling all too well” and the chorus “I feel like the devil’s in my mind/I feel like I’m no longer mine” and a bridge that expertly expresses those feelings with both the playing and effects… it’s brilliant. “I Can’t Remember” is a classic song about lost love. Both the lyrics and the instrumentation have a ‘50s feel and is well-chosen to close out the first side of the album. “Feel The Same About You” opens side two. Another power pop gem with easily relatable lyrics about breaking up, paired with an incredibly catchy melody, this will have you singing along by the end of the track. So good, even Cheap Trick at their best would be jealous. The next track, “Superman Says,” cleverly uses the character to help illustrate the weariness of the pressure of trying to meet everyone’s high expectations. Lyrics like “Superman says, I’m tired of this town/Superman says, it’s bringing me down” and “I’m sick of this getup/ And all I want is solitude” are paired with gorgeous instrumental interplay. From the strong drumbeat that starts the song and continues driving it, to the dual guitar and piano accents, it is an example of how truly talented and skilled musicians can create a powerful soundscape without being showy or dragging it out -- the song is just under 2-1/2 minutes long and the band makes every second count. The third track on side two, “Put It Down,” brings another blast of energetic power pop and it’s followed by “Tinker Taylor,” the most hard rock
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song of the album. Featuring some amazing fine fuzzed-out guitar, this song is one more example of how each musician in this band brings out the best in the others and really shows just how super this super group can be. The song heads directly into the next, “Hey Hey Baby.” With its fun vibe, easy-to-sing-along lyrics, and its danceable beat, this is a song that must get the crowd on its feet in a live setting -- a ton of fun packed into two minutes. Followed by a cover of “You’ll Never Change,” -- a song best known from Betty Lavette’s early ‘60s recording -- the Split Squad’s version is uniquely theirs. The band allows the music to build to a slow burn, backing lyrics such as “Don’t promise me nothing if you can’t stick to your word/Don’t blame me for something that you claim that you heard”. The theatrical lyrics not only draw the listener in, but the music behind them is so expertly done that it sounds like a film score. The album’s closer, “Messin’ Around,” has a bright and hopeful feel with lyrics to match. From the opening lines “I tell you something, I know I don’t
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fit/You got another thing comin’, if you think that I’ll quit” to the chorus “I feel alright, I feel OK/I get shot down, but I find a way/You can try, but not today/’Cause this time, I’m not messin’ around,” it’s a song that can remind someone enduring some of the tougher times in life that they can get through it. The Split Squad’s “Now Hear This...” is an excellent album full of rich, melodic songs that should be heard now and often. A super group of this caliber is rare and one with songs this strong is rarer still. I hope this album will be one of several by this group -- they are not only super, they are unique and bring something special to power pop, garage rock, and real classic rock & roll. The Split Squad is playing some upcoming live dates on the East Coast through the summer. Like and check their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ TheSplitSquad for continued updates and tour dates Album available on vinyl, CD, and digital download Photo credit: Mark Weiss
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Subway Surfers “Karmageddon” Review by Dana Saravia
The Subway Surfers are a true punk rock band. They play real rock & roll with no frills, raw power, and a dash of sly wit and humour. Since hearing their scorching 2010 LP “Three Chords and a Mission”, I’ve been eagerly anticipating their next full-length release. “Karmageddon” was more than worth the wait. The lead off track “Hypocrite” is also one of my favourite songs on the album. A blast of energetic snarl, lyrics like “One set of rules for yourself, another set for everybody else” and “Telling people what to do, but it doesn’t apply to you” express the righteous anger often felt by many at two-faced authority figures. The many current stories detailing abuse of power by those in charge make this song that much more timely. It’s one that frequently crosses my mind when watching the news and it captures my frustration perfectly. Next up is the title track “Karmageddon”. From its opening lyrics “In the future, there’ll be no future, The Empire never dies, We all Love Big Brother, And we’re all policemen”, this is a song that draws the listener in immediately. Based on “The Invisibles” comic book series by Grant Morrison (who is given co-writing credit here), this track’s lyrics and frentic pace both expertly describe and deepen an appreciation for the books for those who have read them and would easily spark an interest in checking them out for those who haven’t yet. The third song is a cover of The Dictators’ “Who Will Save Rock & Roll”. The Surfers’ version not only keeps the pissed off tone of the original, but also brings the resigned sadness just under the surface more to the forefront as well. By also slightly changing the lyrics, this version puts their own experience and personality in the mix, further making this cover something special. “Whip It Around Girl” is next. With lyrics including “her favourite colours are black & blue”, it’s welcome fun and an all too rare song for roller derby competitors and tough ass girls everywhere. Two spirited covers of beloved punk classics, The Ramones’ “Rockaway Beach” and The Undertones’ “Get Over You” follow. They are always a joy to hear and are a great fit here. Those covers lead into the next original on the album, “Fear In My Heart”, which has an angular, caffeinated
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pace that accentuates the song’s lyrics about having fear and paranoia overtake everything in life to the point of not really living outside one’s own walls, both figurative and literal. The next song is “Chinese Rocks”, the oft-covered classic, probably most familiar to many listeners from Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers seminal “L.A.M.F.” LP. This song has more than held up and maintained its impact over the years, helping make this cover an accomplished and appropriate addition here. “Nada Dada (aka The Choppy Song)” follows. The fifth and final original composition of the set, it’s also another of my fave songs on this album. Giving voice to those periods of frustration and ennui in life with straightforward lyrics like “Can’t pretend that I give a damn” and “It’s been done and I’ve seen it before”, it’s a perfect expression of who cares and fuck it. An honest and relateable song I turn up loud whenever I’m feeling like that & I always find myself smiling by the end of it. A solid grooving cover of The Stooges’ “Loose” leads into the album’s closer, a cover of the Sex Pistols’ “Great Rock & Roll Swindle”. I can’t imagine a stronger track to close out this set. Not only is this a well-chosen cover, but it finds the Subway Surfers adding their own lyrics, helping to truly put their own twist on this classic. In fact, this is one of the best covers I’ve ever heard on a record. The band maintains the tone of the original song and interjects some superb wit and humour that not only adds to the lyrics, but makes me laugh out loud every time I hear it. It’s irreverent, smart and unique and leaves me wanting to hear more every time the record ends. Absolutely the perfect way to end this album and leave listeners looking forward to the next. I know I can’t wait, but in the meantime I store this CD next to my stereo. I listen to it often & I’m sure anyone adding “Karmaggedon” to their collection will do the same. VERY highly recommended. Available on CD and as a digital download at www.cdbaby.com
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Natural Child “Dancin’ With Wolves” Review by Dana Saravia
I’ve been a fan of Natural Child for a while. Their brand of bluesy, boozy rock would have been at home in the early 70’s alongside The Faces and “Exile On Main Street”-era Stones. “Dancin’ With Wolves”, Natural Child’s latest full-length effort, builds on that tradition while bringing a stronger traditional country flavour to the forefront. The album’s opener “Out In The Country” has a laid back groove that perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the set. “Don’t The Time Pass Quickly” immediately follows and is my favourite song on the LP. A catchy melody with lyrics like “I lost my job, I don’t care...As long as there’s a bed, I got somethin’ to do, ‘cause I just wanna make love to you” - it’s saucy and instantly memorable. “County Hippie Blues” rides along on a slow burn rhythm and contains the wise lyrics “Don’t misunderstand me, you better take a second look, don’t go judge the cover before you read the book”. The LPs fourth song “Firewater Liquor” features a tight groove and lyrics about drinking that are mixed a little back, which helps add the atmosphere of getting drunk in a dimly lit bar. Side Two starts opens with “Saturday Night Blues”, a standout track that’s an instant attention-getter and the song I’d recommend to anyone wanting to hear Natural Child or this album for the first time. A faster-paced tune with more of a rock flavour that would easily sound at home on their earlier LPs as well fitting in here, it’s easily accessible and lyrics like “Played on my guitar ‘til I broke the string, nothing’s going right, so I’ll just sing” help make it charming and relatable. “Rounder” follows it up. Sounding like a real country song, like one that would be at home on the radio next to Willie Nelson or Waylon Jennings, both the music and lyrics are in the traditional country vein, something that’s becoming sadly scarce in a world where Taylor Swift and Florida Georgia Line can be classified as “country”. The next song, “I’m Gonna Try”, is a slow, mellow song about breaking up with an lover who doesn’t feel the same. The narrative lyrics draw you in and it shows the band’s growth in that aspect of their songwriting as well, a very
well done song in every way. Immediately followed by another example of Natural Child’s songwriting maturity, “Nashville’s A Groovy Little Town” is a song about exploring the town Nashville during a layover between flights and deciding to stay. It can also be read as a smart metaphor for the band’s current direction, as this album has not only allowed their country side to be more prominent, but they’ve also added a pedal steel guitarist and a piano player permanently to their line up. Their growth as artists can be heard fully on “Dancin’ With Wolves”, the final track on the album. It’s a slow song with reflective lyrics that beautifully closes out the LP. Although Natural Child doesn’t really bust out their garage rock side on this album, their build on that foundation and growth into a different sound is interesting to hear. The melodies are more quiet and subtle than what I’ve come to expect from the band, but they remain true to themselves and the added new dimensions to their sound are organic and have brought new depth to their songwriting. After listening to their prior full-length 2012’s fantastic “Hard In Heaven” again immediately before this one, it could be said that “Hard In Heaven” is a Saturday night LP and “Dancin’ With Wolves” a Sunday morning album. I definitely look forward to seeing what they’ll bring to the rest of the week. Available on LP, cassette, CD, and digital download from Burger Records
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Brian Setzer “Rockabilly Riot! All Original” Review by Dana Saravia - Life long rock & roller, music critic and Girl From Baltimore Though he’s spent years successfully performing, recording and experimenting musically, including mixing rock with other musical styles such as classical, swing and big band, Brian Setzer is once more returning to his rockabilly roots. His new album, “Rockabilly Riot! All Original” is exactly as advertised. It was recorded live to tape and from start to finish, a much welcome testament to the power of organic rock & roll. The handclaps and chant that start off the album’s opener “Let’s Shake” and also includes some Killer-style piano, it’s a high energy celebration of the roots of rock & roll. With lyrics that include “let’s get real gone”, it’s an irresistible invitation that could also double as the theme of the LP. The intro alone to the next number “Rockabilly Blues” calls to mind the fire and sound of the young Stray Cats, Brian Setzer’s breakout band. The song being recorded live shows beautifully and also serves as a great representation of what a live wire act they are on stage. “Vinyl Records”, the song that follows, is a love song to rock & roll and the special power of a record collection. From the memorable guitar riff that opens the song and lyrics like “This time I’m gonna let it be heard...just a little louder”, “When the next big thing has come and gone/Just remember you can always put on/Your vinyl records”, this is a standout song that expertly captures that feeling of being passionate about music. “Lemme Slide” is next up. A fun song about cruising in the car and adventures around the neighbourhood, it features strong storytelling and more fine boogie-woogie piano playing. Brian’s talent for witty lyrical storytelling that immediately captures attention is evident throughout the album and the next two songs, the sassy rhythymic “Nothing Is A Sure Thing” and the mid-tempo break up song “What’s Her Name?” are excellent highlights of his gift for that.
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Side two opens with “Calamity Jane” a song that highlights what a tight, talented band this is. The high quality of the musicianship is noticable and the vocal harmonies in the chorus are fantastic. “The Girl with the Blues in Her Eyes” follows. A slower paced song that looks upon a lost love, it contains the lyrical gem “Lost in those if onlys/There was nothing left to say” -a short, succinct line which aptly describes a universal experience. “Stiletto Cool”, a song of admiration for a bad girl, rocks like crazy. The upright bass that drives the song sounds amazing and will be a real groovin’ crowd pleaser in concert. “I Should Have Had A V-8” is next. A very cleverly titled ode to classic cars, the song goes between a familiar melody from American folk music and a rocking original, making it innovative and memorable from the first listen. “Blue Lights Big City”, a slower paced song with a mournful melody that expertly captures the deep feeling of sadness when two lovers paths take them separate ways. With the closing song “Cock A Doodle Don’t”, Brian saves one of the best for last. A fast paced, hard rocking song with plenty of witty farm based double entendres, it’s a total blast. The guitar sounds inspired, the lyrics are funny and the song is overall fantastic. The perfect choice to close out the album. Speaking as a fan of Brian Setzer’s since the first Stray Cats album, this album was a joy to hear from start to finish. The songwriting here is top notch and the musicians in this band work together to create a full, authentic rockabilly sound. An excellent LP that I play often and very highly recommend. Available on vinyl, CD and as a digital download Brian Setzer will be on tour with George Thorogood this spring and summer. For tour dates and updates, please visit http://briansetzer.com
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Randy Bachman “Heavy Blues” Press Release By Michael McKenna Randy Bachman, the force behind rock anthems such as “Takin’ Care of Business,” “Let It Ride,” “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” and “American Woman,” will be releasing his brand-new album, “Heavy Blues,” on April 14, 2015. The Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Guess Who founder, who feels like he’s found a new lease of life at the age of 70, sees himself going back into a power trio mode with this new effort. The album promises to be full of powerful, energetic sounds as well as those signature Bachman originals that he is so well known for. “Heavy Blues” was produced by Kevin Shirley (AC:DC/Iron Maiden/Rush) and features the rhythm section of Anna Ruddick on bass and Dale Anne Brendon on drums, who along with an a little help from his friends, lend some awesome guitar solos on the LP. Guest musicians include Neil Young, Peter Frampton, Joe Bonamassa, Robert Randolph, and the late Jeff Healey.
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Bachman will be touring extensively in 2015, with the first dates starting in April. His first single from the LP will be “Oh My Lord�. Steel Notes Magazine will be doing a review of the LP.
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Our Saving Day “The Ageing Process” Single Review by Michael McKenna These talented musicians call Sheffield/Chesterfield in the UK home and, from what I have heard so far, have what it takes to make some heads turn. Their music can be labeled as pop/rock/punk, but they have so much more going on with their music. Their harmonies are tight, they give you lots of hooks and bridges and -- if this recording is any indication of what’s to come -- they are on track to make some tidal waves. The band members include Josh Feeley, songwriter and vocalist; Jonjo Caton on guitars and vox; Dexter Whitely on bottom; Sam Hutchinson on guitars and James Umney on skins. These five players put out a full sound that just can tear the roof of the house when cranked to about 130 dB. Their debut single, “The Ageing Process,” opens with pounding high-energy percussion and slamming guitar chord progressions which accent the powerful crystal clear vocals and matching harmonies perfectly. The hook kicks it up into the next level as the rocking guitar solo just pins you to your damn seat! WAY COOL! The renaissance of garage punk is taking off both here in the States and across the lake as our cousins are embracing the sound with cool creativity and exposing everyone to their talents. This single should do well in multiple genres and formats. WELL DONE!
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Mike & The Mechanics at the Sands Event Center Show Review by Michael McKenna
As he made his 2nd stop on his 2015 US Tour, Mike Rutherford said, “We are back and back in a big way! This is our first time back as a group in 20 years and we want to show America that we can still rock with the best of them!” And back they were as they jammed out to a 90 minute – 15 song set, which saw them perform a few of Genesis’ classic standards as well as the hit songs that made them big in the late 80’s. Mike has surrounded himself with some very talented and experienced players. Gone are vocalists Paul Carrack and the late Paul Young, but they have been replaced by Andrew Roachford performing Carrack’s music and Tim Hower on Young’s rock songs. The perfect blend of these two powerful musicians was evident as they tag-teamed each other throughout the performance doing the R&B and rock parts. Drummer, Gary Wallace, who has been a staple of the group for some years and two other new members, Andrew Drennan on guitars and Luke Juby on keyboards, kept things tight and very professional sounding. The show opened with “A Beggar on a Beach of Gold”, from their 1995 LP, and had a bit of that Genesis keyboard sound to it. The audience clapping along, recognized the song straight away. “Get Up”, from the “Word of Mouth” LP, kept the energy flowing as Andrew Roachford led the vocals with that R&B flair. “Silent Running”, a recognizable hit from the mid 80’s, gets everyone seat dancing and singing along in unison. “Another Cup of Coffee” rocked out with a heavier sound that showed me the band was tight and really enjoying themselves. “Seeing is Believing” and “Trying to Save” followed in short order with that Genesis flavor. The crowd became more energized when they performed the 80’s Genesis classic, “Turn It On Again” which, note for note, was done to sheer perfection. “Over My Shoulder”, “Nobody’s Perfect”, and “Cuddly Toy” had them clapping along! Mike Rutherford turned into a bit of a salesman offering CD’s, B sides, T-Shirts and the Genesis video to everyone on their way out! Now everyone was waiting for another biggie! They were rewarded with the Genesis hit, “I Can Dance” which saw vocalist, Tim Hower, nail this down perfectly. They quickly followed up with “The Living Years”, which was arguably the high point of the show. The crowd was over the top and gave them a rousing Standing O! Not to be outdone, “ALL I Need Is A Miracle”,which included some timely audience participation that as way cool. Tim Hower worked the crowd with the touch of a perfectionist and had the audience eating out of his hand! The band left the stage, you know how it’s done, and let the crowd work themselves up a bit before returning. But what would they do? The first strains of “Word of Mouth” had everyone on their feet and the band praised us for being such a great audience! Mike asked: Would you like us to do some solos?” The crowd said YES, and each band member played a short solo piece after being introduced by Mike. All this time, the crowd keep the rhythm going. Andrew Roachford plays a little of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”, then it’s Mikes turn with Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” he’s amazing!!! Gary Wallace’s drum solo is fantastic! And predictably, the crowd goes wild! What an awesome gig! The band takes their final bow, the crowd is off the hook wild! Mechanics equals, if not beats, the former version of Carrack and Young! Look for more from this talented lineup in the future.
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Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band Ride Out Tour - Amalie Arena Tampa Florida February 5th, 2015 Concert Review by Rhonda Jean VanBuskirk
Seger a life time resident of Michigan
(his voice much like their winter weather, are both rough and roaring) started preforming with local Detroit bands in the 1960’s. His band has have a few different names thru the years, (Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System) in 1973 the Silver Bullet band was born. In 1975 “Live Bullet” double album catapulted them into rock history. Which I’m sure most of the packed house of 13,000 + fans at the (Amalie Arena in Tampa Florida) remember. Promptly at 8:30 the 15 (including Seger) piece band took the stage. Pumping his fist in the air and making the victorious “V”, he unknowing transported an older crowd (already yearning for years gone by) back to teenagers from the 70’s and 80’s. With his hair as silver as the Bullet Band, Seger sported a black shirt, blue jeans, tennis shoes, and not 1 but 3 black bandannas (at different times during the concert and encores) and threw them out into the crowd. Second song of the night was “Roll Me Away” in which Seger did his signature move, (back to the crowd) clapping his hands and shaking his booty. During the show, Seger went back and forth from no instrument to the guitar and piano. Taking time out to explain the inspiration for some of his new songs. “The Fireman’s Talkin” “This song is about my
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brother in law, who is a fireman in Phoenix Arizona. Every year he tells stories of fighting fires, he an EMS and rescues people. He is a good man, so I wrote it about him”. He stated with great pride. Best story of the night was about “Hey Gypsy”. “About 20 years ago my wife and I went to an Eric Clapton concert. He had just released his album Journey Man, which we both really, really loved. About 45 minutes into the show, um, he brings out Stevie Ray Vaughan. They started playing “Before you Accuse Me” (which was on that album, an old blues song) and traded guitar solos. I’ll tell ya, for me personally, it was the greatest guitar hero moment I ever heard or saw. It was so amazing. I went back and saw Eric and Stevie after the show told them how much I liked it. Then 3 weeks later Stevie died in a helicopter crash in Milwaukee. About 6 years ago I was thinking about him, I said you know I want to write a song that Stevie might have liked or even written himself. It’s just to honor his memory.” Cutting himself short as you could hear an emotion in his voice. Before “We’ve got Tonight” Seger explained: “I wrote this song back in 75/76, and it was my mother’s favorite song, so that’s enough reason for me to do it every night” Seger introduced “Travelin Man/ Beautiful Loser” a hit from 1975 off Live Bullet and after the song it was the perfect time to introduce the members of the Silver Bullet Band.
Afterwards saying “I’m a lucky guys and I love them all” steelnotesmagazine.com
Then, what we had waited all night for….out of the sea of blackness comes the high pitched wail of Alto Reed’s saxophone. Sending chills and waves of goosebumps throughout your whole body, a sensation like no other Seger song. You know right away, it’s sing along time. Tampa may be by the Gulf of Mexico, but the Amalie Arena turned into an ocean of fans standing, singing, and swaying to “Turn the Page” They played 20 songs (including 2 encores) for a solid 2 hour show. Seger (69 turning 70 in May) must have been running on pure adrenaline. I applaud him for giving us all he has at every show. Could the Motor City man really be retiring? All I know is that the album and tour are named Ride Out, and contain the song “All the Roads” which Seger wrote as a tribute to his fans. Setlist Roll Me Away Tryin’ to Live my Life without You The Fire Down Below The Devil’s Right Hand Mainstreet Old Time Rock & Roll
The Fireman’s Talkin’ Come to Papa Her Strut Like a Rock Travelin’ Man / Beautiful Loser All of the Roads Hey Gypsy We’ve Got Tonight
Turn the Page Detroit Made Encore: #1 Against the Wind Hollywood Nights Encore: #2 Night Moves Rock and Roll Never Forgets
Bass: Chris Campbell, since 1969 Sax: Alto Reed since 1972 Keyboards: Craig Frost since 1980 Drums: Don Brewer Lead Guitar: Rob McNelley Backup Singers: Shaun Murphy, Laura Creamer, Barbara Payton Saxophone: Keith Kaminski Trumpet: Bob Jensen Trumpet: Mark Myerly Trombone: John Rutherford Fiddle, and Mandolin: Deanie Richardson Guitar, Keyboards: Jim “Moose” Brown
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TRIBUTE BAND SERIES
An Interview with Lez Zeppelin By Michael McKenna
They call themselves “The world’s first she-incarnation and leading purveyor of the music, power and magic of the legendary British rock group, Led Zeppelin.” Hailing from New York City, these 4 powerful musicians have gained worldwide critical acclaim for the musicianship, passion and gender-bending audacity they bring to the stage with the music of Led Zeppelin. Each and every year since their inception in 2004, they continue to deliver an awesome live musical experience that not only exceeds expectations, but serves as the authentic female counterpart to one of the greatest rock groups of all time. Lez Zeppelin is: Steph Paynes, Shannon Conley, Leesa Harrington-Squyres and Megan Thomas. I recently had the opportunity to talk to the founder and lead guitarist, Steph Paynes, about the band from its inception to present day. Michael McKenna: Steph, I know how the band came to be born, but in your own words, take us back to the bar and the time frame and chain of events that led up to the band’s formation. Steph Paynes: At that time, the power of music was
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making itself known. It was a crazy thing and we forged ahead because we had faith in what we were doing. The complexity of the music was challenging and mind-boggling. Our first gig was kind of scary, being ladies and all that -- there was this unknown factor, acceptance. We knew that we had stepped through a portal and our intense focus was a big thing for us the first time we went onstage. MM: I’ve read some of the early press the band received from Spin Magazine in 2005, where they hung the label on you, “The most powerful all-female band in rock history.” How does the band live up to that lofty status? SP: I’ll never forget that moment, because it was a turning point in my life. My girlfriend had picked up the mag and was reading it to me as she walked to my house over the phone. As a former rock journalist, I was initially very much aware and was waiting in anticipation to see the article. That quote changed the band’s career! We, as a female act, had taken music that was revered, and begun to expand the aspect and scope of what we were doing and what we were going to do in the future. That article was a big catalyst.
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MM: You released your debut CD in 2007 and followed up with the second in 2010. Are there any plans for another? SP: We were going to venture into “Led Zeppelin II,” but touring has bitten into that and we had to shelve the project for the time being. We are working on a live video and some other things like new original songs and also adding more theatrical visuals to our productions. MM: You use a lot of the Old School instrumentation and equipment in your shows. Does this make a difference? SP: We enjoy using the original equipment and instruments that was the thing back in the day. It gives the band an authentic sound and you get a great feel for the music without any guitar distortion that you get with modern gear. An occasional hum sometimes is present, but that was a big part of what was happening in those days and it fits well with our sound.
MM: I know you dislike the term “tribute band” but would a description like “inspired by Led Zeppelin” be more appropriate for how the band portrays itself? SP: It’s hard to describe it. Tribute is not the right word for what we do. Yes, Led Zeppelin does inspire us, but we are interpreters of their music and we try to honor the sound that they have given us rather than copy it. A tribute band is one who tries to simulate to exacting standards the band they are
trying to emulate. MM: You are not like those other acts that play note-for-note, but instead you like to inject your own originality, riffs, rides and some creative bridges into your music. Is the band comfortable with this improvisation? SP: That’s where we take a ballsy lead into the next level. Led Zeppelin was mainly a live band and played 3-½ hour shows and improvised a lot; in the live spirit of the group, they played with a passion. We try to get closer to the real thing, the live part of their shows, which is what the essence of Led Zeppelin was. It is the spirit, the passion, the power and the transcending of what they were. MM: I understand Jimmy Page is a fan and has seen your show. Where and when did that happen? SP: He wanted to see us for a long time, due to the good things that he heard about us. It was in London, England. He came to see the show and then spent an hour with us backstage after the show. He said, “This is how it’s done, the passion, the being in the moment”. We also talked to him at the after party for the film debut in NYC which was another amazing encounter. I told him, “It’s really hard being you!” He was very upbeat, moved by that statement and laughed at the comment in a cool sort of way. MM: You have a large fan base that follows you and is into the original band. How have these fans related reacted to your shows? SP: They have embraced us wholeheartedly because of the level we play at. We are not a novelty act,
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the kitsch name, etc. We do not impersonate them, we occupy their artistic personalities and that is something they like and respect us for. MM: What venue stands out as the most notable in the band’s history? SP: Bonaroo in 1973! It was an amazing experience, one that I will never forget. We played opening night at midnight before 20,000 people; the pressure was mind-boggling! We were escorted on stage and those fans just started to scream at the top of their lungs, it was a madhouse. It was a very intense and powerful moment for us. We even did something that is rare for a festival -- an encore! The promoter was very impressed by us and the press we received was tremendous. MM: What advice would you like to give to aspiring musicians who would follow in your footsteps and do the type of show you are famous for? SP: First of all, you have to go back to the Old School way of playing. This means using some of the early equipment and not using a lot of the new technology. When a musician creates things in the moment, it can be a magical experience for the audience. The fluidity, passion and dialogue on stage are the highest forms they can give. MM: What can we expect to see and hear at the Sellersville Theater on April 12th? SP: We might play some new stuff and it may be a bit different than the last time we played there. There may also be some surprises!
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The Fab Faux
State Theatre Center for the Arts - Easton, PA Tribute Band Show Review by Michael McKenna
One
usually goes to a tribute concert and expects to see lots of flash, smoke and mirrors and effects to cover the band’s deficiencies. One does not expect to hear perfection! That is what this reviewer was subjected to during their show. No tricks, no costumes, no flashy light shows, just sheer musical perfection. It is very clear to see why they are so far above some of the other Beatles tribute bands that are touring. The Fab Faux treat the seminal music with unwavering respect, and are known for their painstaking recreations of the songs they perform. The Fab Faux tackles the Beatles’ most demanding material, live onstage, in a way that has to be experienced to be believed.
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The show had the excellent Crème Tangerine Strings, and the Hogshead Horns which featured Tom “Bones” Malone from the Blues Brothers and renowned trumpeter Jim Hines. The core of the band is composed of bassist Will Lee on backing vocals, Rich Pagano on drums and vocals, Frank Angello on rhythm guitar, synth and vox, Jimmy Vivino and his golden voice and multi-instrumentalist Jack Petruzzelli. They opened their show with a performance of the entire “Revolver” LP that the Beatles made famous in 1966. “Taxman,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Love You Too,” “Here, There and Everywhere” led into “Yellow Submarine” (complete with megaphones) that had the audience singing along in unison to
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this fun number. “She Said, She Said,” “Good Day Sunshine” and a couple of others filled out the set. “I Am the Walrus” pinned me to my seat as I witnessed an amazing full-sounding re-creation of this classic that brought the crowd to its feet! The band also performed “Doctor Robert,” a track not released in the US, in a 5-voice harmony, which was totally spot-on. This set the stage for “Got to Get You into My Life” which rocked the house and had the crowd wanting more but would have to wait for the second set. The second set featured some of the Beatles’ better-known numbers like “Please, Please Me,” “Tell Me Why,” and “Nowhere Man,” all of which were done to absolute perfection. “Here Comes the Sun,”“Ticket to Ride,” and -- a crowd favorite --“Rocky Raccoon” brought heightened applause from the audience. The band took a small pause and told everyone how much they liked playing at the State Theatre and that they considered it their second home and how much they look forward to coming here every year. The legendary horn man Jim Hines played a trumpet solo during “Penny
Lane” which was just plain awesome and saw the band give it up on their 5-part harmony. Another standing O! On the next track, if you closed your eyes, you could swear you were listening to the real thing. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was a high point of the evening, as Rich Pagano nailed the vocals and made me proud to have been in attendance. The 10-minute guitar solo by Jimmy Vivino was phenomenal and the addition of John Lennon’s voice brought a tear to my eye. “I Wanna Be Your Man” followed in short order. What can be described as one of the hardest Beatles numbers to perform, “I Am the Walrus,” saw Rich Pagano once again nail the vocals. The band’s instrumentation was so precise that they left me in shock after hearing how perfect it sounded. Next up, “Oh Darling,” had the ladies swooning in the aisles and bouncing to the beat. The band then took a line from “Sgt. Pepper” that said, “You’re such a lovely audience/We’d like to take you home with us/We’d love to take you home...” to end the set. The encore featured a medley of “A Day in the Life,” “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Everybody’s Got Something to Hide, Except Me and My Monkey” that closed the evening’s performance. The Fab Faux have the hardest job in the history of R & R and they pull it off damn well. If you have the chance to see one of their shows, I suggest you take it and enjoy the music done with class, perfection and supreme talent!
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Red Hot Chilli Pipers State Theatre – Easton PA Review by Michael McKenna
What happens when you take a rock band with a lead guitar, bass, drums and keyboards and then add a barrel snare drum, a 4-piece quad tom set, congas and, yes, 3 bagpipes? You have the makings of a well-rounded, very talented award-winning act that can take music to a totally different level of excellence! The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have that unique ability to take classics to a whole other level with such expertise. Not only are the Red Hot Chilli Pipers excellent rocking musicians, they have so much fun with themselves on stage and they also encourage the audience with cross-talk and participation. The audience was filled with fans of the band and also quite a few parents and supporters of the Liberty High School Grenadiers, who opened the show and performed with the band. The Grenadiers opened with several rousing numbers that energized the partisan crowd immediately. They were well choreographed, very tight and just amazing! The State Theater darkened and in an explosion of music and light, the featured act took the stage with a medley of tunes that included an original, “Insomnia”, ZZ Top’s “Gimme Some Lovin”, an Irish folk song, “The Silver Spear”, and a piece of Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water”. I was impressed when they had the tag-team competition which featured each of the bagpipers teamed up with the lead guitarist, then bass guitarist and the barrel snare drum, each doing dance parts to win the crowd’s favor. It was fun to watch! “Everybody Dance Now” by C&C Music Factory got everyone to the point of seat dancing which then segued into Savoy Brown’s “Hellbound Train”. “Amazing Grace”, featuring Laura Daugan, was angelic as she put her all into this heartfelt number. The band
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dug deep into the past for a classic that has Scottish and Irish traditional roots with “Croftinloan Times”. Coldplay’s “Fix You”ended the first set with a rousing rendition of this rocker. But the best was yet to come! The 2ndset opened with a popular bagpipe number, “Highland Cathedral” which has been proposed as the Scottish National Anthem! That was followed by a British folk number by Rory McLeod which started the crowd gyrating again in their seats. The best part of the show was at hand as the band geared up with some drum fanfare which brought out The Liberty High School Grenadiers back on stage, this time to perform with the band on a medley of Gary Numan track, “Cars”and Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal”and also Swedish songwriter Avicii’s “Wake Me Up”! The partisan crowd by this time was roaring in appreciation and gave them a rousing mid-set STANDING OVATION! This is a rare occurrence in a live setting! Those young people were exceptional! War’s “Low Rider” was a big hit with the sold-out crowd as was King of Leon’s “Love Somebody” coupled with AC/DC’s “Long Way To The Top” followed by an awesome rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing”. The final song of the night, Queen’s“We Will Rock You” shook the house as the sound and lights intensified to its highest peaks. Another STANDING OVATION! The encore brought the band back out to perform their original track, “Crooked Bridge” from their debut CD much to the fans delight. What a wonderful show! The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have made me a believer of this awesome talented show.
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Sleater-Kinney & Lizzo at Terminal 5, NYC, Feb 26, 2015 By Johnny Spice Johnny Spice currently resides in New York and is highly anticipating the Mac McCaughan / Flesh Wounds show May 16th at Baby’s All Right in NYC.
Sometimes, when you get a chance to do something you never thought you’d be able to do, the anticipation of that moment makes it impossible for the actual moment to measure up. But Sleater-Kinney’s Feb 26th performance at Terminal 5 was not one of those moments. It was more than any fan of the band could have ever asked for. From the opening notes of “Price Tag,” the band showed everyone in attendance that this was not going to be time for nostalgia; this was going to be a call-to-arms to rock. Over the course of their 23-song set, the band showed that eight songs from the excellent new LP, “No Cities to Love,” fit right in alongside the fan favorites that made up the remainder of the set.
end of the line for them, they made sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Also on the bill this evening was Lizzo, an artist that I hadn’t heard of before seeing her. After watching her perform, I can say I’m glad I had the opportunity to see and meet her now, before she’s the big star she is destined to be. Lizzo brought an energy and showmanship to the stage that had the whole crowd going crazy. During her show-stopping number “Batches and Cookies,” she and her DJ Sophia Eris donned aprons and threw packages of cookies into the crowd, pulling them from the kind of baskets you would have expected Little Red Riding Hood to use. If you have an opportunity to see her I can’t recommend it enough. Check out her debut LP “Lizzobangers” and remember, Johnny Spice told you about her.
Highlights included a blistering performance of the title track, “No Cities to Love,” “A New Wave,” (one of my faves off the new album – featuring a video starring the Belcher kids from Bob’s Burgers), and the main set closer, “Jumpers.” Planned Parenthood was also in attendance, giving away the things that keep us all safe at night (something the band thanked them for), before closing out the show with the best version of “Dig Me Out” I’ve ever heard. Over the course of the evening Sleater-Kinney put on the kind of show that will hold us over until next time, and if “No Cities to Love,” and this tour are the
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Careers in the music biz
(that don’t actually require any musical ability)
By Johnny Spice
Most of us dream of being music superstars, but most of us can’t string together enough guitar chords to join the Dead Boys (a band I love). There are still plenty of cool jobs you can have in music. Let’s talk to somebody about theirs...
Headkrack The Rickey Smiley Morning Show/Dish Nation Johnny Spice: What is your exact job title? Headkrack: Media personality. I co-host the Rickey Smiley Morning Show and Dish Nation on FOX. JS: What are the duties you perform in a typical workday? HK: The day begins with me compiling all of the stories that piqued my interest the day before and figuring out which ones my listeners would be engaged in the most. From that point, I run the board (which keeps us on the air), all while searching the Internet and social media for additional content to add to the show. Basically, I keep things entertaining and fun while sharing news. JS: What is the hardest part of your job? HK: There are a couple things that are hard about my job. For starters, getting up so early. It’s actually possible to oversleep and miss work entirely (even though it hasn’t happened yet). Also, sometimes the music choices are a little tough. There are some good joints and some awful joints; both get played at nauseating levels of rotation due to the current landscape of radio. Being a music enthusiast makes it very tough, because I’m aware of the many other great artists and records that are out there that don’t get any love due to “politics” and such. When you look at any other genre besides hip-hop, there is pretty much a continuous pool of great songs which will be future oldies. The last 15 years have produced a lot of songs with very limited shelf life. It’s gotta change, not necessarily for enjoyment’s sake, but for the preservation of the genre as a whole. I feel a majority of what’s showcased makes a large portion of people not respect hip-hop.
JS: How did you first learn about this type of job (schooling, mentor, practical workplace experience, etc)? HK: I’ve always been a fan of radio. I grew up on New York radio, and listened to the major contributors (Frankie Crocker, Star and Buc Wild, Ed Lover and Dr Dre, Wendy Williams, Red Alert, etc.). When I was a kid, hip hop was being slowly integrated into radio, which allowed me to see two things I have a passion for come together organically. JS: What type of schooling would you recommend for someone who wanted to go into this career? HK: For radio, life is the best schooling you can possibly have. You have to really go outside your social comfort zone and become an expert in all fields of news and pop culture. The more you experience, the broader your world view. JS: Now, even though this is about jobs that don’t require any musical ability, you do have some. Can you fill us in about your current musical projects? HK: I’m currently working on two music projects. One from my group, the Bodega Brovas, entitled “L.G.A. (Loaded Guns & Alcohol)”, and my solo project, “The Rain Maker”. JS: If I got into the passenger seat of your car right now and hit the eject button on the CD player, what would I find? HK: A randomly put together mixtape of songs that put me in a good mood. It could go from Kendrick Lamar, to Chuck Mangione, to “The Touch” by Stan Bush. (Only real nerds will know that song without Googling it). I’m all over the place.
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Hey, happy April, And we wish you happy May Flowers!
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