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Vol. 39 - No.6 • MARCH 2021 • www.houstonmusicnews.net • FREE

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John Janatsch Second Chances and Making Them Count

Also Inside TROPIDELIC, PAUL ENGLISH, HELLZAPOPPIN, ADELITA’S WAY, JUSTIN FURSTENFELD, DOUG STONE, MANDO SAENZ, CRASH TEST ZOMBIES, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

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Music News • March 2021

March 2021 Hello Music News readers. Well folks, we have good news and bad news from the Governor of Texas. He is lifting the mask mandate and opening all the businesses to 100% capacity. I know this is something that we have all been waiting for, but I really hope everybody uses a little discretion in this ruling. The Virus is still with us. It is not going to go away so quickly. The Houston area has seen just about every new strain of the virus and you can still be re-infected by it. I urge you to please continue with the mask, at least in crowded situations or with people you do not know. Also please sanitize your hands before you enter businesses and after you leave the same businesses. I really don’t want to lose any Music News readers due to improper procedures. Please be safe. I love all of you. We would like all our readers to know about a new “hot” club opening up in Clear Lake City. They’re called The Back Porch Grill and it is one of the nicest clubs I’ve ever seen. It is located at 2416 Bay Area Blvd. If this location looks familiar to you, it’s because it used to be one of the Sherlock’s Pub locations. Those of you who went there will know how to get there real easy. The Grand Opening Night for The Back Porch Grill is this month on March 17th. Performing there will be the popular rock act, Adrenaline, so we plan on seeing a lot of you out there. Check out their ad on page 13 in this issue for all the great bands and events that will be taking place there. Rock On! Music News would also like to invite all of you out there to start submitting pictures to us. If you’re at a club and the band is really good, take a picture and forward it to us at Music News with a caption and a heads up on who is in the picture. If the picture turns out great, then we plan on running it, along with your name as the person who took it. Here’s a chance to get your name in print. Who knows, it might even lead to a job with us in the future. We want to see what you’re favorite bands are, so please let us know. Email your photo to musicnew@airmail.net. Thanks and we hope you will all participate. Now, on to the new issue. In this issue, as usual, we have some great stories and information to pass on to you. Check out stories on John Janatsch and his struggles with Cancer, as well as stories about Tropidelic, Paul English, Hellzapoppin, Adelita’s Way, Justin Furstenfeld, Doug Stone, Mando Saenz, and Crash Test Dummies. Also in this issue are a ton of great pictures of bands performing that were submitted by you, the Music News Readers. Thank you so much for sharing your musical experiences with me and all my readers. I really appreciate it and I know the bands do as well. Keep it up... We would like to see more pictures from you. I sincerely hope that everybody reading this new publication finds something here that they like and I would like to encourage you to let your friends and colleagues know about us. Just look for us every month at http:// www.houstonmusicnews.net. I would also like to encourage you to email us for a free subscription to Rock And Blues International as well. Just email us at musicnew@airmail.net and in the subject line simply put “Sign Me Up” and we’ll email you a copy each month when it is published.

Kevin Wildman Kevin Wildman Editor and Publisher

Kevin Wildman Editor and Publisher Web Address http://www.houstonmusicnews.net Mailing Address Box 1162, League City, TX 77573 Phone 281-650-1953

For Advertising email us at musicnew@airmail.net or call 281-650-1953 For A Free Subscription email us at musicnew@airmail.net and in the subject line put “Sign Me Up Now” March 2021 • Music News

Contents

VOL. 39 NO. 6

MARCH 2021

ISSUE NO. 498

JOHN JANATSCH Second Chances: Making Them Count

14 PAUL ENGLISH

Mild Mannered Jazz Improviso Extraordinaire

Adelita’s Way Perform At The Scout Bar on Saturday, March 20

12 18 JUSTIN FURSTENFELD

ADELITA’S WAY

Justin Furstenfeld Performs At White Oak Music Hall For Two Nights, March 12 & 13

24 24

MANDO SAENZ Performs at The Mucky Duck In Support Of His New Album In All My Shame On April 1

Music News • March 2021

Contents

VOL. 39 NO. 6

MARCH 2021

30 26

12 16 22 35

ISSUE NO. 498

Also In This Issue TROPIDELIC HELLZAPOPPIN DOUG STONE RANDOM NOTES

featuring The Fab 5, Electric Flood, Powerslave, The Skinz, Stargazer/Perfect Strangers, Judas X, Ratt N Roll, Todd Bishop, Iggy Reyna, Tony Vega, Sherree B., The Red, Tone Salinas, CRASH TEST DUMMIES Framing Daniel McClellan, Gray Falls, Bert Wills, Crash Test Dummies Perform Metal Shop, Sonny Wolf, Sadie Mae, At Dosey Doe On March 26 Swamp Hippies, Wellborn Road, Queen Legacy, The ONS,

March 2021 • Music News

John Janatsch Second Chances; Making Them Count Story by Chase West Palms sweaty from nerves and the brutal Texas heat, John Janatsch found himself once again at the mercy of the court. August 20, 2005 would be the day that John’s legacy and passion would be born or be destroyed. As he sat in the defendant’s chair in the Harris County 6 Music MusicNews News •• November March December 20212020

Criminal Courthouse awaiting the judge’s verdict that would either offer him years in a correctional facility or the chance at redemption, he knew one thing; he was tired of his lifestyle. He was tired of the alcohol and the negative effects it had on his body, mentally and physically. Both the prosecution and defense had made their cases and the

cards were stacked against him. He wasn’t scared of prison. If anything, they should have been scared of him. Anyone that knows John knows that he’s not one to back down and has never been one to take the cravenly path. John is a fighter and as Judge Carter began to recite his continued on next page

John Janatsch continued from previous page judgement, John could only reflect and hope. Once the words left the magistrate’s mouth, John remained motionless. Part of him was wondering if he had heard correctly and the other was in utter disbelief. Judge Carter saw something in John Janatsch and offered him a once in a lifetime second chance. Rather than sending Janatsch to an already overcrowded prison, Judge Carter sentenced John to a rehabilitation center with the promise of changing his life for the better of himself and his community. Upon successfully completing rehab and seeing the world through sober eyes for the first time in many years, John had to figure out what to do next. As a kid, he’d always looked up to Houston’s Colonel St. James and the notorious Outlaw Dave. He was even a

member of the Rock101 KLOL Street Team for a stint. John began DJing a local rock radio show and began to fall in love with the music and the people who kept rock ‘n’ roll alive. With the help of friend George Uscanga, he became the host of a popular local digital TV show on GSPTV Houston. While finding his passion in the local music scene and making a name for himself on the airwaves, he found he had another talent that suited him perfectly; making big things happen. John started to dabble in the live local music scene by helping to put together local rock shows for venues around the city. Anyone who has played in a rock band in or around Houston in the last decade knows the name Janatsch. John’s ability to lead fairly, but with an iron fist, his straightforward attitude, and his determination to give back eventually made John a household name in the Houston music scene. John began making waves when he teamed up with Sui Gordon of ‘Pitbulls and Parolees’ and longtime friend and local musician/business owner Lawler James to create Second Chance Productions. Second Chance Productions started inking deals with huge artists that gave local bands an avenue for actual exposure to the public. Second Chance Productions not only brought large crowds to an

underserved live music scene, they also brought charity. John has been the brainchild for hundreds of charity concerts and fundraisers for many members of the local scene and for communities ravaged by disaster. When a member of any local band became ill or lost someone important to them, John was there. When somebody suddenly found themselves in dire straits, John was there. The one thing that most will say about him though is that he wasn’t just there when a concert was needed. On many occasions, John made it a point to personally connect with everyone he ever came into contact with. He wasn’t in it for an “attaboy” or some selfserving altruistic pat on the back. John has been entrenched with these people for better or worse. As Stage Manager Geronimo Alvear remembers “We’ve hosted so many benefits together and he’s helped so many people including myself when my ex-wife suddenly passed away unexpectedly three years ago. There’s no words to describe how continued on next page March 2021 • Music News

John Janatsch continued from previous page much this man means to me!” You could almost say that John was married to his job and everyone that became a cog in that wheel. The production company grew to a level that demanded more and more help. He eventually brought on Kristy Cunningham and Geronimo Alvear to help with the management and production of shows. Every weekend seemed to be booked, often at multiple venues around town. “He taught me how to run a stage and demand the respect that I deserve” remarked Kristy when asked about his role in shaping her skills. The Second Chance team had grown their empire from booking primarily at BFE Rock Club in North Houston to Scout Bar in Clear Lake. Janatsch and team also had a hand in many shows taking place at The Concert Pub North, Acadia, and most 8 Music News • March 2021

recently, The Wildcatter Saloon in Katy, TX which is where John started bringing in the biggest acts of his life. With a large outdoor stage, a side stage, and a more intimately located inside stage, John was able to book touring artists like Saliva, David Allan Coe, Sir Mix-a-Lot,

Marshall Tucker Band, and many more. Business was booming. In February 2020, the venue became home to Kevin Hamlin’s Tune Out Cancer Fest which featured two days of live music, fun, and charity where profits were all donated to Texas Children’s Hospital to help pay for the treatment of children battling cancer. It was at this event that John started noticing that something wasn’t right with him. Working tireless hours on the promotion and production of the Tune Out Cancer 2020 benefit show, John started noticing internal pain that just wouldn’t go away. In typical John Janatsch fashion, he just shrugged it off for a while because nothing was going to stop him from getting the job done. After the pain refused to subside and began to get worse and sometimes debilitating, John finally relented and sought professional help. His doctor performed a routine colonoscopy and discovered that John himself had Colon Cancer. The doctors believed it to be Stage 3 cancer and would schedule surgery the next continued on next page

Photo by Jeff Fasano

John Janatsch continued from previous page month to remove the tumor and hopefully be done with it. Once again, John waited. Of course he was told to “take it easy” leading up to the surgery, but John doesn’t know the meaning of that phrase and continued bringing the music. As the date approached for what could only be thought of as a “less than comfortable” surgical situation, a new disaster reared its ugly head; COVID-19. Not only has Coronavirus been a showstopper, but also due to the high infection rate, John’s possibility for surgery was at risk due to the spreading fear of community spread in hospitals. With a stroke of good fortune and great timing, John was able to have his surgery on March 11th, two days before a big show that he had been eagerly preparing for. John came out of the surgery in pain, but in good spirits. The news he received was not what he had been hoping for, but as previously stated…NOTHING stops John Janatsch. Against medical advice and frankly the advice of any sane human, John attended the Sir Mix-a-Lot show he had been putting together on March 13th, 2020. The show went off without a hitch and John received one of the highest compliments from a national act he’d ever received. The artist gave huge props to John on stage for his work ethic, his production abilities, and his incredible

Photo by Gary Bedford

resolve. Days later, John announced publicly that his cancer was worse than first expected. He was Stage 4. At this point, there was only one

path that gave Janatsch a fighting chance. That chance came in the form of chemotherapy. While doctors and survivors all told John that it would wreak havoc on his body and he’d be out of commission for a while, John listened thoughtfully and did what he does best…he fought. John began chemo in April and instantly became known at the clinic for his schismatic approach to therapy. Whether it was blasting heavy metal music in the waiting room or outright telling the clinicians that he wouldn’t follow their orders, they soon learned who and what John was. As many know, cancer treatment is not cheap and though John’s Medicaid helped some with the cost of these treatments, it never comes without mounds of bureaucratic red tape to cut through. Those who he was always there to support stepped up to help. John has been the beneficiary of quite a few fundraisers to help with his medical costs put on by many of the same people he helped in the past when they needed help. By now, one would think that John Janatsch was done with the business and just getting by day to day. That’s definitely not the Janatsch way. Throughout the duration of his chemo and radiation therapies, John has remained a staple in the music community and a major charitable force to be reckoned with. He has put on fundraising shows for other patrons at the clinic he receives his chemo from. John put on a drive thru concert for HCC students to help aspiring collegiates with cancer afford tuition and in effect continued on next page

March 2021 • Music News

John Janatsch continued from previous page received a scholarship fund from the HCC Foundation in his name. But he’s still not done. John decided that his show days were going to have to come to an end soon, but his days of making an impact were far from over. This past Summer, Janatsch put together a team of his closest friends and business partners to create The Second Chance Foundation. The foundation is a non-profit group that’s sole purpose is to raise funds for cancer patients in need. The board members consist of musicians, business owners, local celebrities, other promoters, and John himself. They have teamed up with Tune Out Cancer to put together John’s final show as a promoter. The event, scheduled for September 1112, 2021 at Wildcatter Saloon is slated to be the biggest and most beneficial fundraising concert the Houston area has seen in years. While John continues to fight for his life and for those closest to him, he will continue making noise in the local scene. John plans to continue booking and promoting shows up till September 2021 and plans to remain active in the music scene through the Second Chance Foundation afterwards. John has come a long way from that tense August in 10 Music News • March 2021

2005. John has not only created a name for himself and his team, he has created a legacy that will last longer than he will ever truly know. John Jantasch took his second chance and turned it into greatness. There’s so much that can be said about this man and his mission. He’s definitely not for everyone. John has a way of stirring the pot that can downright piss people off, which he’s been known to do on many occasions. However John is viewed by those who have dealt with him before, one thing is certain. John is highly respected and will always give it to you straight. He will also always come to your aid if the need

arises and ask for nothing in return. John’s shoes will be difficult to fill after his retirement in September, but Second Chance Productions and the Second Chance Foundation are far from done. Through all of this, he’s maintained his sobriety, made his wife, children, grandchildren, and his community proud. His work will continue and his fight will never falter.

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Tropidelic Perform at The Scout Bar March 21 “Every single second is a blessing if you count them all,” sings frontman Matthew Roads. You can hear the sincerity in his voice; the joie de vivre that oozes from everything Tropidelic does is apparent. When they take a stage, their synergy flows member to member – horns blow, knees kicked high and grins are passed from one man to the next. Almost immediately, it spreads to the crowd, lifting hands in the air as their feet begin to move. The pulse collectively becomes that of one. The six-piece band from Cleveland, Ohio may be far from any tropical islands, but that doesn’t stop them from dishing out an interesting mix of reggae, hip-hop, and high energy funk for audiences across the country. Unapologetically original, Tropidelic has a deep and widespread appreciation for music that can be heard in each note. Some of the members are hip-hop heads, while others are into metal, funk or reggae. Each of these genres lends

Music News • March 2021

something to their collective sound. “We pride ourselves in being original in our musicality and personality as a band,” says Roads, “but also in not taking ourselves so seriously that it ruins the fun.” Quickly elevating themselves in the live circuit, Tropidelic can be found spreading their soulful sound across the country in both intimate venues and music festivals, having shared the stage with and supported such acts as 311, Slightly Stoopid, The Dirty Heads, Pepper, The Flobots and Wookiefoot. Previously, Tropidelic has been featured at Electric Forest, California Roots Music & Art Festival, Reggae Rise Up, Warped Tour and 311 Caribbean Cruise, as well as the host of their own annual Freakstomp Music Festival. Following on the success of their

2019 release, Here in the Heights, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard reggae charts, Tropidelic has released a series of impressive singles featuring guest appearances from Dirty Heads, Matisyahu, Devin the Dude and Shwayze. These singles have amassed over five million streams in 2020, and they are featured on their latest album, Of Illusion, which debuted on November 13th, 2020. Of Illusion was released on Billboard’s number one reggae label, Ineffable Records. Tropidelic has put in their ten thousand hours, and they have arrived on the national scene to the delight of their ever growing and rapturous fans.

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March 17 Grand Opening with Adrenaline March 18 - Latin Night with Shekere March 19 - Breakfast at Tiffany’s March 20 - Turning Point March 22 - Industry Night wih Beggars Inc. March 25 - Latin Night with Rapture March 26 - Mr. Wonderful February 2021 • Music News 13 March 27 - Soundcastle March 29 - Industry Night with Sol Flair

Paul English - Mild Mannered Jazz Improviso Extraordinaire One only needs to meet composer, arranger, and artist extraordinaire Paul English to feel the instant friendliness that exudes from this mild mannered giant within the world of music. A perfect example of someone working behind the scenes scoring or arranging opera for instance and then on the same day teaching music appreciation to a class of rather neophyte music lovers. Mr. English is well known for his intent quest for “the” sound within jazz compositions and he is a superior force to be reckoned with when it comes to not only composing but also laying it down both in the studio and on stage. There is an internal struggle that resides within the man that benefits the listener. His personal quest toward finding perfection within each creation he scores. A prime example could easily be as such - should the embellishment end sustained or with a stinger or perhaps the stanza should include a crescendo just before the denouement within an opera he is creating or perhaps if it is a smooth jazz piece should it end with a decrescendo as if it is distant thunder? Getting lost in composition is nothing new when it comes to extraordinary creators yet on the other side of the coin it is refreshing to learn that this intent behavior that is housed within the man’s soul is limited to creation, arranging, and performance. Paul English is a gentleman to the nth degree, a very interesting persona to say the least and yet his insistence to deliver sincere, heart felt moving pieces dominates his creative processes. In the mid sixties Paul was deeply influenced by, and remains so, by Bill Evans along with such incredibly talented interpretive artists as Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, and Miles Davis. These major jazz influences added to the formation of Paul’s inspiration, inspiration that was residing within which over time has culminated into appreciative high regard from listeners of his music. His first album release occurred in 1981 with “First Taste” and six albums later Paul presented his fans with “Girl in Green”. Today, all of the releases are available digitally online and physically through Amazon. Paul’s live stage performances, either as the key performer or as a valued band member, have been held in such cities as Miami, Detroit, Columbus, and Myrtle Beach. Mr. English is a registered Steinway concert artist and as such performs his acoustic sets with Steinway’s top of the line creations. Additionally, Paul is a member in good standing with The Recording Academy, The Grammys, as well as ASCAP. Paul’s current project is in conjunction with the outstanding songwriter David Harris and features the marvelous tone and range of vocalist Evilena Protektore of Latvia. To learn even more: www.paulenglishmusic.com (photos by Rodney Bursiel) 14

Music News • March 2021

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OPEN MIC EVERY WEDNESDAY HOSTED BY CASUAL HEATHENS Thursday, March 4 - March Music Madness Friday, March 5 - The Sons of the South Band, SoulShine Saturday, March 6 - Wellborn Road, AV8 Band, Via Linda Sunday, March 7- Becoming Sons, Bred4War, Divided Me, Under My Knife, H A T E Thursday, March 11- A Loopy Show With Warriors of Light, Doug Westcott, Myke Miller, Daniel McClellan Friday, March 12 - B.C Binge, The Wee-Beasties, Pig Eye Saturday, March 13 - Metonic, Defiant Soul, Bag of Tricks, Vincikade, Silver Tongue Devil Sunday, March 14 - Michael Koby, John Garcia, Drunk Ned Thursday, March 18 - Mellowship (Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute Band), Iris Lane, Eternal Turtle Friday, March 19 - Texas DeadHorse Parade, The Rotary Phones Saturday, March 20 - Heavy Honeys, Chaotic Justice, Kendall Mason, Iperion Sunday, March 21- Inkblot, The Banned, Newspaper Taxis, Nygma, Alleghany Drive Thursday, March 25 - Razorblade Doom, Sacrament, Help! I am Alive, Friday, March 26 - DJ Jason Pennington, Spennington Saturday, March 27 - Victim, Winters End Sunday, March 28 - Nola Rae, This Side Of Fate, Planet Gears April Thursday, April 1- Patrick Gamble, Jessie Avila, Patrick Hamilton, The Creeps Friday, April 2 - The Guillotines , Tough On Fridays, Skeptik Nation, Bulldog Bullies Saturday, April 3 - Twin Span, Never Cease, Jonathan Portillo, Autumn Leaves Ares March 2021 • Music News

Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Revue Bring Their “Face Your Fears 2021 US Tour To the Scout Bar March 18 by Mr. Bryce “the Govna” Graves This vaudeville freak show of wonder is brought to you by Hellzapoppin’s Ringleader and Producer, Mr. Bryce “the Govna” Graves. Brothers and sisters, you are about to meet a cavalcade of human curiosities the likes of which you’ve never seen before. I will be your shepherd and your guide on a journey of miraculous discovery through the world of the strange, the odd, the bizarre, the macabre and where the most unusual people entertain. We’re mavericks, trail blazers, rebels, rule breakers, outlaws...true uninhibited artists. We deliver our message through sideshow and fuel our art through passion. Named after the most successful Broadway musical and movie from the late 30’s and 40’s, Hellzapoppin is a world renown theatrical circus thrill-show where some of the deadliest stunts in live entertainment are performed to loud crowd-pleasing musical tracks. On this tour I will be unveiling the brand new Hellzapoppin. I’ve spent the past year rebuilding and redesigning the entire show from top to bottom. I can’t wait for you all to see it! I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to introduce my feature performer. His name is Dan Sperry the Anti-conjuror of Magic. This shock illusionist is by far my most favorite magician in the world! He’s known as the Rockstar of Magic. Dan has traveled and performed the world over and with some of the most successful magic shows. Dan has appeared on America’s Got Talent, Fool US with Penn and Teller, Masters of Illusions, Germany’s Das Super 16 Music News • March 2021

Talent and he was the only illusionist awarded the title of “Most Original Magician” on Fox-TV’s “World Magic Awards.” You’ll witness with your own eyes the world’s most amazing half-man Mr. Short E. Dangerously. You read that right, this tiny daredevil is a half of a man cut in half at the waist and walks bare-handed on broken shards of glass while on fire. Shorty is featured in 2 of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not books! Ripley’s also has a wax figure of Shorty in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museums all over the world and he was featured on Ripley’s brand- new international TV show. You may have also even seen him on AMC’s Freakshow! You’ll see the world renown AGT Champion Crossbow artist Mr. Ben Blaque. Ben performs death defying stunts right before your very eyes live on stage. Ben Blaque established himself as the world’s foremost master of the crossbow after appearing multiple times on America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent. His ‘Danger Act’ was one of the ‘Judges’ Favorites’, which propelled him into the quarterfinals, he returned at the request of Howard Stern for the “Wild Card Show”. He performed on international TV, including the NBC show “I Can Do That” and Argentina’s “Susana Gimenez”, the best-selling magic show in Broadway history, The Illusionists! Ben appeared as “The Weapon Master” touring across America, Australia, Europe & South America. Who is this lovely sideshow starlet in this all-star revue you ask? Well, none other

than the mysterious, sultry and spellbinding fabulous woman of enchantment Ms. Willow Lauren. Beautiful beyond desire, and cruel beyond words Willow is a former motorcycle stunt-rider turned international touring sideshow stunt-woman and aspiring illusionist and aerialist. Willow performs the contortion bladebox of death! She not only eats fire, she eats and regurgitates razor blades and she’ll even swallow a lifesaver down her throat and will pull it out of her neck before your very eyes! You will see Willow all throughout the show because in addition to performing her incredible stunts she also assists many of the other performers on their life threatening stunts. Willow is a true dare-devil and is 5 times more likely to be injured on the show than any other performer. She performs death defying stunts as an assistant with the legendary Ben Blaque who will attempt to shoot crossbow arrows around her body live on stage. And if that doesn’t toot your horn, you should see when I throw razor sharp knives around her! He is in my book among the best upand-coming sideshow artists in the world today! I am very proud to introduce Mr. Auzzy Blood on his first ever tour with Hellzapoppin. Auzzy is coming straight from Cirque Du Soleil in Las Vegas and will be performing Sword Swallowing, Eye Socket Weight Lifting, the art of FAKIR and of course his signature stunt where he takes a giant cork screw and drives it right through his face. This stunt is a demonstration of mind over matter and with no blood and no pain! Check them out this month when they perform at The Scout Bar on March 18

guitarist Creighton Bibbs. Bibbs was replaced in 2011 by Robert Zakaryan. Adelitas Way got their name from a very unorthodox source. While on tour on the west coast, their van was pulled over and eventually raided and thieved by corrupt Mexican cops who took all the money the band had, except for the few dollars Rick stashed in his boot. Disoriented and shaken from the experience, the band headed to the first bar they could find to calm themselves down. It was the Adelita Bar. After spending some time in there, the guys realized that it wasn’t just a bar, it was a brothel. Rick ended up talking to one of the girls who worked there and asked her how she could live like she was day in and day out. She explained that it was the only way she knew to support her family in need. Talking to her helped change Rick’s outlook on life and people, and thus the ‘way’ she lived became the inspiration for the name.

Adelita’s Way Perform at Warehouse Live on Saturday, March 20 Las Vegas rockers Adelitas Way found mainstream success in 2009 with the song “Invincible,” which appeared on their eponymous major-label debut and served as the theme song for the weekly World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars show. Standing at the nexus of post-grunge, alternative metal, and hard rock, the band issued two more LPs with Virgin before going the independent route with the release of 2016’s Getaway, which like subsequent efforts Notorious (2017) and Shine On (2020), arrived on the group’s own Vegas Syn label. Adelitas Way is a five-piece rock group hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada formed in 2005. Their first single, Invincible, is the official theme song of WWE Superstars on WGN America, which first aired on April 16 2009. Since Invincible became so successful on the show, Adelitas Way were approached by the WWE staff and asked to write a song for the tag-team Legacy featuring Randy Orton. A New Day was penned and recorded and is now the entrance theme for Legacy. Invincible was featured on the CSI Miami Finale commercials which aired on CBS between May 11 18 Music News • March 2021

2009 – May 18 2009. A New Day is the title track to the WWE’s newest soundtrack, featuring songs from Story of the Year and Adelitas Way. Adelitas Way released their first full-length debut album on Capitol/ Virgin Records on July 14th, 2009. It garnered rave reviews from Tunelab and other music blogs, and sold over 2,000 copies in its first week. The album debuted at #16 on Billboard’s ‘Heat Seekers’ chart, which features up and coming artists. Invincible peaked at number four on Active Rock Radio charts and the album has sold over 12,000 copies to date.. Recent tours with the likes of Shinedown, Sick Puppies, Cavo, Breaking Benjamin, 10 Years, and Hurt have gained the band thousands of new fans. Invincible is also featured on the new Smackdown v. Raw 2010 video game which is in stores now. Founding member and lead guitarist Chris Iorio left the band at the end of 2009. No reasons have been given for his departure, but he has been replaced by former The Leo Project

Home School Valedictorian Formed in the late 2000s by lead vocalist Rick DeJesus and lead guitarist Chris Iorio, the band (which also included rhythm guitarist Keith Wallen, bassist Derek Johnston, and drummer Trevor Stafford) released its eponymous debut on Virgin Records in July 2009, which included the aforementioned hit single “Invincible.” The band’s sophomore effort, Home School Valedictorian, arrived in summer 2011 and featured new lead guitarist Robert Zakaryan after Iorio left the group within five months of their debut’s release. At the end of 2012, writing began for the band’s third album, while only six months later, Keith Wallen and Derek Johnston announced that they were leaving. In July 2013 the group entered the studio with Grammy Award-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz to record Stuck, which was released the following year and featured the hit single “Dog on a Leash,” which peaked at number seven on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Chart. 2015 saw the arrival of the Deserve This EP, and the following year, the band released Getaway, their fourth studio long-player and first outing for their fledgling indie label Vegas Syn. 2017’s Notorious included the singles “Tell Me” and “Ready for War (Pray for Peace),” the latter of which served as the theme song to TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, a WWE pay-per-view event. June 2020 saw the arrival of the driving single “Shine On,” which appeared on the LP of the same name later that September.

Justin Furstenfeld Performs at White Oak Music Hall For Two Nights, March 12 & 13 Best known as the frontman for multicharting post-grunge stalwarts Blue October, Justin Furstenfeld was born in Houston, Texas and attended the city’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He started the rock band the Last Wish in the late ’80s while in his early teens, and they released two albums, 1993’s Rooftop Sessions and 1995’s The First of February. The group disbanded in 1995, and Furstenfeld formed Blue October in 1996 as lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter, with guitarist Brant Coulter, violinist Ryan Delahoussaye, bassist Liz Mullaly, and his brother Jeremy Furstenfeld on drums. The quintet released its debut, The Answers, in 1998 on RoDan Entertainment/ Scoop Records. After signing with Universal, and with Matt Noveskey replacing Mullaly on bass, Blue October issued Consent to Treatment in 2000. History for Sale followed in 2003 with C.B. Hudson replacing Coulter, and a live CD/DVD package, Argue with a Tree..., was released in early 2005, after 18 months of touring. Foiled Their breakthrough album, Foiled, arrived in 2006 and reached the Top 30 of the Billboard 200, going platinum a year later. Yellowcard came in 2007, and Approaching Normal, which peaked at number 13, followed in 2009. The tour in support of the album was cut short due to Furstenfeld’s eventually openly discussed mental health issues. The band came back with two albums in 2011, Ugly Side: An Acoustic Evening with Blue October (recorded live in Austin, Dallas, and Houston) and the darker Any Man in America, which was made during Furstenfeld’s divorce and loss of child custodial rights. After seeking treatment including rehab, the group’s PledgeMusic-funded Sway charted at number 13 in 2013. His first solo album, Songs from an Open Book, was released in the fall of 2014 and hit number 45 on the Billboard 200 while topping the Billboard Folk Albums chart. The live album features an intimate performance with only vocals and guitar, including stage banter with anecdotes about recovering from his family upheaval and substance abuse, and going on mood stabilizers. Resuming work with Blue October, Furstenfeld and his bandmates recorded their eighth LP, Home, which arrived in the spring of 2016, reaching number 19 on the Billboard 200. A year later, he delivered his second solo outing, Open Book Winter Album, another live acoustic LP recorded during his Open Book tour.

Music News • March 2021

Doug Stone Performs at Main Street Crossing On March 26 For Two Shows Doug Stone found his mark in music as a lonesome baritone balladeer, although he was very adept at hard-uptempo country. Doug began at age five learning guitar from his mother an avid singer and guitarist. At age seven he was given the opportunity, by his mother, to open for Loretta Lynn. Life presented Doug a drastic change with the divorce of his mother and father. Doug, as result, moved in with his dad. As his youthful years past, Doug played at skating rinks, local bars or any money making project to help his father make ends meet. In the daytime Doug worked as a mechanic, something else that came to him naturally. Doug had already past the age of 30 when a Nashville manager paired him up with Epic, his first record label. He debuted in 1990 with the single, “I’d Be Better Off (In a Pine Box),” the first release from his 1990 self-titled debuted 20 Music News • Decemberr 22 March 20212020

album “Doug Stone” for Epic records. This album produced a handful of charttopping singles. Following these songs was his first number one, “In a Different Light”. In addition, the single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Song. Both this album and its successor, 1991’s I Thought It Was You, earned a platinum certification from The Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. shipments of one million copies. Two more albums for Epic, 1992’s From The Heart and 1994’s More Love, were each certified gold. Stone has charted –twenty-two singles on Hot Country Songs, with his greatest chart success coming between 1990 and 1995. In this time span, he charted eight Number Ones including: “In a Different Light”, “A Jukebox and a Country Song”, “Too Busy Being in Love”, “Addicted to a Dollar, and “Why Didn’t I think of That” to name a few, plus

fifteen more Top Five singles. In early 1992, Stone found that one of the arteries in his heart was almost entirely blocked. He underwent quadruple bypass surgery and took time off to recover, just as his third album, “From the Heart,” was released. With a gold certification for shipments of 500,000 copies, “From the Heart” included two Number Ones among its four singles: “Too Busy Being in Love” and “Why Didn’t I Think of That.” The other two singles were “Warning Labels” and “Made for Lovin’ You,” at No. 4 and No.6 respectively. One month later Stone released an album titled “The First Christmas.” In June 1994 Stone discovered that he was having breathing problems, which were affecting his singing. Doctors at Vanderbilt University’s medical center failed to find any problems in his throat. A second consultation revealed a lump in his nostril but amazingly it was not cancerous. While Stone was undergoing treatment, his Greatest Hits, Vol.1 compilation was released in late 1994.This album included the new song “Little Houses, “which debuted on the charts in October 1994 and peaked at No. 7 in early 1995. Stone made his acting debut in the 1995 film “Gordy.” “Gordy,” a heartwarming story featured Doug as Luke McAllister, a struggling musician. Gordy paved the way for stone’s acting career and as well featured several of his songs. In 2011 Doug moved on to another movie role, “When the Storm God Rides,” a Thomas E. Kelly film. Always the adventurer, in 2000 Doug suffered a broken ankle and a cracked rib after crashing his ultra-light plane in Robertson County, TN. An experience that would put him back in the studio recording the self-inspired single “Caught Dead Living”, based off of Doug’s “larger than life personality”, and love for living life to its fullest. In April 2012 Doug Stone hit the road again bringing this hits to venues and fans around the country. It also inspired him to go back and pull out all the demo sessions he had recorded over the previous 20 years and in 2014 he released the album “Doug Stone ‘The Demo’s’: 20 Years of Life”. Now in 2021, 30 years, 8 #1 singles, 11 Top 10 singles, and over 10 million albums sold – the singer of timeless country hits like “A Jukebox with a Country Song” and “In a Different Light” is still running the roads hard performing to dedicated fans all across the nation. With a new record slated for release in the Fall of 2021, Doug Stone continues to produce pure country gold.

October 2020 • Music News

radically transformed during the last decade, as gentrification and the streaming music economy take hold and musical preferences change. Yet you can still find him holding court and playing live at old Nashville haunts like Bobby’s Idle Hour.

Mando Saenz Performs at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck On April 1 Texas bread, Nashville-based musician Mando Saenz will perform at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck on April 1 in support of his recent album In All My Shame (Carnival Recording Company). In All My Shame is Saenz’s first solo album in eight years and was produced by (former Wilco drummer / co-founder) Ken Coomer. The end resulting in Saenz expanding his sound into a new sonic direction. Saenz’s vision is evident throughout all 11 songs on the record. In All My Shame just came out last Friday and has already been well received by the press, including outlets such as The Nashville Scene, No Depression and American Songwriter, who called it a “considerable cause for celebration.” For the last fifteen years, Saenz has spent his time in Nashville writing songs that have been recorded by artists such as Lee Ann Womack, Miranda Lambert, Aubrie Sellers and Jim Lauderdale. Saenz also released three folk/countryrock leaning solo albums (2005’s Watertown, 2008’s Bucket, 2013’s Studebaker). However, All My Shame steers Saenz onto a new avenue of his career – one of reflection, past experiences and wisdom. 24

Music News • March 2021

Every once in a while, a veteran artist manages to tap into a new creative wellspring, discovers an exciting sound, and the floodgates open. Such was the case for Mando Saenz on his latest release, All My Shame. On this dynamic new album, Saenz fully embraces his pop and classic rock influences for the first time in his career – while still staying true to his Texas songwriting roots. It’s a bold new statement for the Nashville-based artist, and the culmination of his career as a journeyman writer and musician. “This record was always about making something new as opposed to just being my next record,” Saenz says of the new album, which was produced by former Wilco co-founder and drummer Ken Coomer. “I wanted to take chances creatively with this one, and we knew fairly soon into the recording process that Ken and I were catching something special that was a departure for me but held true to my artistry.” Having spent nearly fifteen years as a professional musician, Saenz knows the highs and lows of the songwriter’s life as well as anyone. He’s seen his industry — and adopted hometown —

Saenz, who grew up in various locales across the US as an Army brat, cut his musical teeth in the Houston altcountry scene of the early aughts, writing in the story-song tradition of Lone Star luminaries like Guy Clark, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Jerry Jeff Walker. His first three solo albums — Watertown (2005), Bucket (2008), and Studebaker (2013) — leaned toward the country-folk stylings of his Texas heroes while sporting an occasional rock tinge. All My Shame retains the sharp, detailed lyricism of those early albums, while confidently moving into the poppier, more melodic realms of Tom Petty, Big Star, Ron Sexsmith, and indie stalwarts the Shins. “I didn’t realize how many other influences I had that would help shape this project until after the fact,” Saenz says. For this project, Saenz, who was one of Carnival Music’s first artists to land a recording and publishing deal, has worked with several Music City songwriters, penning tunes for the likes of Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack and Aubrie Sellers, among others. Regarding his choice of producer, Saenz had worked with the Grammy-nominated Coomer before on various side projects. He knew Coomer had a knack for taking a song, tweaking it, and then catapulting it to another level. Such is the case with standout track “Cautionary Tale,” a tune Saenz co-wrote with acclaimed singer/ songwriter Zach DuBois. “Ken turned the bridge into an unexpected postchorus towards the end, and it might be my favorite moment of the record,” Saenz says of the song, which warns about the hard knocks that often attend the musician’s life this day in age (“I’m just another part of a big machine/ Where lights are bright the streets are mean/ And the talk is smooth when it wants to be/ It’s a cautionary tale”) he sings with unapologetic sincerity. continued on page 32

Music News • March 2021

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Music News • November 2020

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The Crash Test Dummies Perform at Dosey Doe On March 26 The Crash Test Dummies are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. The band is most identifiable through Brad Roberts (vocals, guitar) and his distinctive bass-baritone voice. The band members have fluctuated over the years, but its best known line-up consisted of Roberts, Ellen Reid (covocals, keyboards), Brad’s brother Dan Roberts (bass guitar, backing vocals), Benjamin Darvill (harmonica, mandolin), and Mitch Dorge (drums, percussion). The band is best known internationally for their 1993 single “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” and best known in Canada for the 1991 single “Superman’s Song”. With their clever lyrics and folktinged melodies, the Crash Test Dummies were a perfect rock band for affluent ’90s college students and yuppies. Their first album was a multiplatinum hit in their native Canada, but only gained a small cult following in 26 Music News • March 30 October2021 2020

other parts of the world. Thanks to former Talking Head Jerry Harrison’s clean, radio-friendly production, the follow-up album, God Shuffled His Feet (1993), broke big in the States and, in turn, Europe. The first single from the record, “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm,” became a worldwide Top Ten hit, making the group a minor sensation with their self-consciously bizarre lyrics and singer/songwriter Brad Roberts’ deep baritone. A Worm’s Life followed in 1996, and three years later the Crash Test Dummies returned with Give Yourself a Hand, which found Roberts sharing vocal duties with bandmate Ellen Reid. After a multi-year hiatus, the band returned in 2015 with a tour and the new charity single “Promised Land” which was a collaboration with Marc Mysterio following up his remix of “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm”. The origin of the Crash Test Dummies is tied to the history of two

Winnipeg nightspots, the Spectrum Cabaret and the Blue Note Cafe, owned by Curtis Riddell. In the mid-1980s, Riddell joined with Brad Roberts to form the decidedly less-than-serious bar band Bad Brad Roberts and the St. James Rhythm Pigs. Over time, the band evolved into the Crash Test Dummies, a name suggested by a friend of the band who was in medical school. The diagnostic mannequin, known colloquially as a crash test dummy, was known to the public already by this time. Ellen Reid and Benjamin Darvill became permanent additions. George West, the original bass player, quit and was replaced by Dan Roberts, Brad’s brother. Riddell was replaced by Vince Lambert, who was fired and replaced by Mitch Dorge just before the release of The Ghosts That Haunt Me. After signing with BMG Records in 1991, the band signed with manager Jeff Rogers (Swell). continued on page 32

Crash Test Dummies continued from page 30 In the summer of 2017, the full band, except Benjamin Darvill, reunited for a show in Winnipeg and Brad Roberts went on a tour of South Africa in early 2018. In July 2018, a reunited photo of Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, Dan Roberts, and Mitch Dorge was posted on the official Crash Test Dummies Facebook page, along with the announcement of Canadian Tour Dates for the fall. Throughout their career, Crash Test Dummies have experimented with many different styles and genres of music. These styles include the acoustic folk rock of The Ghosts That Haunt Me, the electric alternative rock of A Worm’s Life, the urban influences of Give Yourself a Hand, and the optigan-based compositions of Oooh La La!. Crash Test Dummies recorded as a full five piece band from their debut album The Ghosts That Haunt Me until Give Yourself a Hand. At this time, the most notable instrumentation of the band’s music included Brad Roberts’

lead guitar, Ellen Reid’s keyboards, and Benjamin Darvill’s harmonica. Another notable element of Crash Test Dummies’ music are the contrasting harmonies between Brad Roberts’ deep lead vocals and Ellen Reid’s backing vocals in the higher register. Beginning with I Don’t Care That You Don’t Mind in 2001, the band’s albums were recorded primarily by Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, and a rotating roster of session musicians. One of the biggest influences for Brad Roberts was the band XTC and Andy Partridge in particular. The band even went on to cover two of XTC’s songs: “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” for the soundtrack to the film Dumb and Dumber, and “All You Pretty Girls” for the XTC tribute album A Testimonial Dinner. Frontman Brad Roberts resurfaced in fall 2000 with a solo album, Crash Test Dude, a collection of acoustic hits from the Crash Test Dummies and

Mando Saenz continued from page 24 The album’s opening track, “Deep End,” recalls late-era Dwight Yoakam with its heartland rhythms, shimmering guitars, and irresistible hooks. “As I Watch You Slowly Drift Away” is a poignant ballad about a love that is slowly slipping away which holds special significance for its creator. “We brought in a harmony singer who I’d never met before and who had never heard the song before,” Saenz says of the recording process for the tune. “We gave her a lyric sheet and let her get to know the song while she checked her mic in another room where we couldn’t see her. We eventually started recording. Somewhere during maybe the third pass, her voice kept cutting out … As it turns out, she was pausing because she was getting a bit choked up emotionally. From then on, the song has had extra meaning to me.” Indeed, it’s a moving moment on a very emotional record. 32

Music News • March 2021

“All My Shame” finds Saenz stretching into more psychedelic pop territory. He also thinks his love of Radiohead may have subconsciously crept into the song’s creation. “A friend of mine told me that ‘All My Shame’ reminds him of The Hollies song ‘The Air that I Breathe,’ which makes sense because that song to me sounds like Radiohead long before Radiohead existed,” Saenz says. “Talk Is Cheap” is another key track, one that wouldn’t sound out of place on a classic ’90s power-pop album. But perhaps the album’s biggest — and most satisfying — surprise is the closing number “Rainbow In The Dark,” a cover of the early ’80s heavy-metal standard by Ronnie James Dio, formerly of Rainbow and Black Sabbath. The song, which was Coomer’s idea to record (“It’s a heavy metal song, but also reads Townes Van Zandt,” he told Saenz)

eclectic covers. It was also during this time that Roberts suffered a serious car crash, almost losing his arm. Seven months later, however, he returned to the Crash Test Dummies circuit to issue I Don’t Care That You Don’t Mind, a brand-new batch of songs written with lobster fishermen/musicians whom Roberts met during his rehabilitation. Late 2001 and early 2002 saw more solo albums from the band’s members (Ellen Reid’s Cinderellen and Mitch Dorge’s As Trees Walking), and the Dummies gradually became more Brad Roberts’ project than a traditional band. A new three-piece unit consisting of Reid, Brad Roberts and original bassist Dan Roberts released the Christmas album Jingle All the Way in late 2002, but limited distribution made the album hard to find. The album was reissued in late 2003 along with a new album, Puss ‘n’ Boots, with Reid and Dan Roberts adding to what was originally planned as a Brad Roberts solo album. The trio embraced a more stripped-down acoustic sound on their next album, 2004’s Songs of the Unforgiven, while 2010's Oooh La-La! proved to be more symphonic. reimagines the metal banger as a sensitive dark-night-of-the-soul ballad that gels perfectly with Saenz’s original songs on the record. “I cry out for magic, I feel it dancing in the light/ It was cold, I lost my hold/ To the shadows of the night,” he sings with a melancholy air, making you feel like you’re hearing the MTV hit for the first time in your life. All My Shame sounds like a synthesis of everything Saenz has learned and loved throughout his musical journey. It merges the old and new, and gives us a fresh, green blast of infectious, melodic rock wedded to his everthoughtful songwriting. “I think this record is more reflective of those influential [pop and rock] artists than my past records, which leaned more to my Texas roots,” he says. “But at the end of the day, I like to think that there’s more of me in there than anything. A Texas folky at the heart of it all.” With one foot in tradition and one in the future, Saenz’s career is a testament to perseverance. And in his case, he just keeps getting better.

Thursday, March 4 - James Wilhite Friday, March 5 - John Calderon Satuday, March 6 - Jay Hooks Sunday, March 7 - Katie’s Jam with Chris Castenada Thursday, March 11 - Live Mojo Friday, March 12 - Keeshea Pratt Saturday, March 13 - Jonn Del Toro Richardson Sunday, March 14 - Katie’s Jam with Jay Hooks Wednesday, March 17 - Open For St. Patrick’s Day Thursday, March 18 - James Wilhite Friday, March 19 - Josh Garret Saturday, March 20 - Chris Castenada Sunday, March 21 - Katie’s Jam with Live Mojo Thursday, March 25 - Bert Wills Friday, March 26 - Eric Demmer Saturday, March 27 - Tony Vega Sunday, March 28 - Katie’s Jam with Mark May Thursday, April 1 - James Wilhite Friday, April 2 - Mike Zito Saturday, April 3 - Ricky Jackson Sunday, April 4 - Katies Jam

March 2021 • Music News

Music News • March 2021

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The Fab 5 Live At Main Street Crossing (Photos by NormaBaiardi) March 2021 • Music News

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Electric Flood at Rockefeller’s (Photo by Danny Lee)

Powerslave at Pub 529 (Photo by Jennifer Schmitz) 36

Music News • March 2021

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The Skinz at The Jailhouse Saloon March 2021 • Music News

37March 2021 • Music News

RANDOM SHOTS Stargazer / Perfect Strangers (Rainbow / Deep Purple Tribute at The Acadia Bar (Photo By Sadie Williams)

Judas X (Judas Priest Tribute) at The Pub 529 (Photos by Tina Rasco) 38February 2021 • March 2021

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Ratt N Roll (Tribute To Ratt) Live At The Pub 529 (Photos by Tina Rasco) March 2021 • Music News

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Rise Rooftop Rocks! Sunday, they held a big tribute show. Pictured above is Todd Bishop performing at Randy Rhodes and at the right is Houston’s own Iggy Reyna as Ozzy. It was a great show! (Photo By John Noel Avalos)

Framing The Red Performing at The Wildcatter Saloon The Tony Vega Band Performing (Photo by Spring Mendiola at Katie’s Bar In Bacliff. 40

Music News • March 2021

RANDOM SHOTS Sherree B. and Tone Salinas performing at the new hot venue in Texas City, Texas City Live Bar & Grill (Photo By Julie Willits)

The Ons Performing at Sharky’s Daniel McClellan Performing At in Galveston The 19th Hole

Gray Falls Performing at The Jailhouse Saloon

Bert Wills Performing at Katie’s In Bacliff March 2021 • Music News

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Metal Shop Performing At The Scout Bar

Sonny Wolf Performing at Katie’s In Bacliff

Sadie Mae Performing at The BFE Rock Club

Swamp Hippies Performing at The Acadia Bar & Grill

Wellborn Road Performing at The BFE Rock Club

Queen Legacy Performing At The Scout Bar (Photo by Carox Rox)

Music News • March 2021