S a c r a m e n t o ’s L o c a l M u s i c R e v i e w tc n m i ss ue 11 ● f r ee
force multiplied bares all with rockality
the pack is coming
dino vidovich cast the clarity and sages
the denver j band ep: a real good book
get ready for terra ferno’s comeback
FIND THE HOTTEST LOCAL SHOWS WITH THE TCNM FLYER GALLERY!
Threat Con Nation Magazine is an independently owned local music news and events publication available on a monthly basis for free. Content is property of Threat Con Nation and its affiliates. We encourage sharing but please ask for permission before using any excerpts or images in other published work via internet or print. Band/artist interviews, submissions, and narrative sections may have opinions and suggestions that are not endorsed by Threat Con Nation. Front Page: A Mile Till Dawn Other Photo Credits: Stefan Adcock, Tell The Wolves, Force Multiplied, The Scales, The Denver J Band Marketing / Advertising Director: Shawn Ernst Editor/Graphic Design: M Montez Contributors: Johnna Dean, Shawn Ernst, M Montez, Stefan Adcock, Tonya Whitworth
ASK FOR YOUR FREE COPY OF THREAT CON NATION MAGAZINE!
CONTACT/SUBMISSIONS:
Follow Us On Facebook! info@threatconnation.com ThreatConNation.Com
Now at participating Dimple Records. Bands can find TCNM at: Sacramento Rehearsal Studios and House Of Hits. Find us throughout Sacramento, Elk Grove and Roseville at various local music minded establishments.
Please feel free to contact us with any press releases, band news, event flyers, love letters, hate letters, original artwork, photos and anything else you would like to share. Threat Con Nation is currently seeking fiction, non-fiction, and poetry that is local music or arts related. If you would like to submit original written work for publication consideration, please include your name, images, and any links/info you would like to add. Advertising is available. Contact us for more information.
A Mile Till Dawn
M
eet the future of hard edged rock. A Mile Till Dawn combines high energy, fast paced and driven music with highly affluent technical skill and knowledge. Judging from songs like Saviors, Surrender and Isolation, you would think this five piece band is comprised of long-standing veterans of the rock genre that have invented a fresh spin on what we know and love, but the truth is even more surprising. Don’t underestimate the power behind their youthful appearance because you just might get blown away. Get ready for a new day of music with: A Mile Till Dawn. AMTD Members: Kate Robinette (Vocals), Colyn Bowman (Guitar), Daren Wheeler (Guitar), Gabe Cheng (Bass) and Shawn Council (Drums). 4 Threat Con Nation Magazine
What brought you guys together to form A Mile Till Dawn?
Colyn: We picked the name, Surrender after a song title.
Colyn: It started with the band program at Rock Inc. Zac Diebels started piecing us together.
Daren: When we had that name, we had a different bass player and we didn’t have Katie.
Shawn: Basically a long time ago in a galaxy far away, I joined the Rock Inc. band program. About two weeks into it, Colyn and I became the original members of A Mile Till Dawn.
Shawn: We were a very under-developed band when we were Surrender and we were in the process of taking off to play shows in the music scene, so we decided to change it.
After maybe a year or two in the program, we had a couple of member changes which led us to Daren joining, which was fantastic, and a third guitarist that we had rotating bass between Colyn and Daren. When our third guitarist left the program, we needed a bassist because we had our instructor playing bass or our guitarists rotating out practicing within the band program. We ended up doing a benefit for Chi Cheng, the bassist for Deftones and Chi Cheng’s son, our bassist Gabe, came by a week after the benefit show because he was interested in what we were doing. Our instructor sat down with our group and thought we would mesh really well and It worked out. It was perfect.
Colyn: We were, Mosh Pit Massacre… Sacrifice the Night… Surrender… Shawn: What people don’t know is when we were Surrender, that was the most recent band name we promoted ourselves as before A Mile Till Dawn but there were a handful of names before that. Colyn: As soon as we picked up Katie and Gabe... Daren: That was the final piece, the final set. Colyn: Yeah, we were done, we wanted to play shows and we wanted to invent the band as a whole set.
Shawn: We kept the music the same but we kept proWe got the core of the band going at that point but we gressing and we put everything into the songs we were creating. We also wanted to be represented by a went through several singers and the band program name we could really own and would catch attention. ended, so we moved to this location, House Of Hits. We did some brain storming and put a lot of thought Slowly, very slowly but surely, we tried to figure out into what would fit our persona and music. where we were going and what we were doing. We fell through with a bunch of singers. Nothing was working out and Zac Diebels, who ran Rock Inc. got in In February, I watched you guys tear it up on contact with us to suggest a kick ass singer that was stage at The Assembly. What do you do to pretaking private lessons with him. She was really inter- pare for a performance like that one. ested in joining a rock band and she was our style Kate: I listen to a lot of pump up music in the car. I and age range, so he tossed Katie’s name our way. listen to everything from really cheesy pop to crazy He said she was phenomenal and he wanted us to weird glam rock. I sing a lot and get way into my head get together with her. Gabe and I played with her about it sometimes, but as soon as I hit the stage, I’m twice over a summer and that was right in the period good. when the band was looking for a new singer. We both Shawn: I’m almost the polar opposite of that as far as told her she should most definitely try out for the timeline. I’m really calm, cool and collected. I try to band. underplay it and then it kicks in as I’m setting up my Colyn: Kate came into practice with lyrics almost im- drums. Sometimes I’ll listen to pump up music. I eat a mediately and we started working right away. As soon lot of junk food. as the pieces came together for the band, we just Daren: I just kind of sit around and hang out and just stared playing shows. We’ve been playing shows wait until we play. since then. Why did you guys change your original name from Surrender to A Mile Till Dawn?
Colyn: We don’t have quirks. If anything, I’d probably grab an energy drink and blast some music around the house before a show.
Daren: Surrender was generic and boring.
Shawn: We all just hang out.
Kate: It doesn’t catch attention.
Gabe: I gather my thoughts, sort of vacate them from my mind and I just relax. continued
Threat Con Nation Magazine 5
Has the age factor created an obstacle for you guys? If so, how have you overcome it? Daren: Maybe with the image we have, people think we are just a kid’s band at first because we are all under 21. Colyn: It’s good and bad though because people think we’re just kids and then when they hear us they think ‘Wow! And they’re just kids!’ Kate: Music is what I’ve wanted to do since I was really young, like 5 years old. I’ve always wanted to be a musician and when I hear people say things like, You’re really awesome! You’re really good! I tell them thank you! But sometimes they throw in, ...for your age and It’s like, eh, because I want us to be thought of as really good no matter what age we are. Shawn: There are a lot of positives associated with the age thing too though. We get to experience a lot of things that revolve around music and we get to learn from older musicians that are friends and mentors to us. It’s so much fun to get involved in that kind of community, but at the same time, we’re also not looked at as complete equals at times. 6 Threat Con Nation Magazine
Kate: I have to stress that there really are positives. There are people who are our friends in this community that joke around about us being kids but for the most part, they totally respect us as musicians and as friends. We have formed great relationships with bands like, Once An Empire, The Alex Vincent Band and tons of others. Daren: We’ve never met a band older than us that has looked down on us. Shawn: And some of them aren’t even musicians. We meet people who are into online radio, promoters and people who work at venues who have gone out of their way to support us. Daren: Photographers too. Shawn: Yeah, and we go to shows just to hang out with these awesome people, which runs us into the issue of not being able to attend 21 and over shows. We were just talking about having to miss the FallRise show because it’s an over 21 show. Colyn: And all those people we have connected with are going to those shows.
Kate: I feel band sometimes because we can’t go and represent our band and ourselves and how much we love and respect these people because it’s a 21 and over show but Daren and Colyn are almost 21. Did any of you have a preconceived idea of how the scene was before stepping into the local music community as a band? Kate: I thought people were going to shun and ignore us because we were so young. I feel so lucky to know all these super cool people and how cool and respectful they have been. Shawn: I remember as a kid, I listened to rock music like Godsmack and Volbeat growing up and I played drums at that time. I knew I wanted to play drums in a rock band and I knew the style I wanted to play. I had an idea of how rock stars are and what that lifestyle would be like but it’s nothing like that now. It’s nothing negative or positive but it’s not what I expected growing up. I didn’t go to local shows and I didn’t know about local music, so I didn’t have the typical personal experience to the scene like other musicians.
it. He’s the coolest guy ever. It’s hard to name everyone. What can we expect off of the EP you guys are creating? Shawn: Kickassness Colyn: We have been playing our 10 or 12 songs for awhile now and some of the songs we have written lately still have a similar sound to the old stuff but we really want to texture and rebuild some of it and make something more amazing. Kate: I think we want to focus on making it a little bit more adult sounding. We are shifting over to a clean slate and we want to write some really raw stuff that still has an A Mile Till Dawn feel to it but will hopefully sound more mature. Shawn: I just want to write music that people will say, straight up, this is great music. We want their minds blown. Colyn: Hands down, I want to keep surprising the people we have surprised already. That’s exactly what I want to do.
Who have been some of your mentors? Shawn: I love everyone in the community that I have met. Everyone has been great people but the people that I feel are good friends are Distorted Nation Radio’s Travis Presley, he is definitely my buddy. My first drum instructor at Rock Inc. was by far one of my favorites. Her name was Jess, she was 5 foot nothing and weighed about 110 pounds but she could hit the drums harder than any dude on the drums I’ve ever met. Gabe: It goes without saying my dad is a big inspiration for me. I have gone to a lot of his shows and when I was 12, I went on tour with him. Seeing him work like that was really inspiring for me and I knew I wanted to do that when I grew up. Also, Nathan from Some Fear None is exceptional. He has been really great with helping us out. I look forward to working with him again in the future. Colyn: We have been helped by a lot of people. I personally have. Troy from So Called Tragedy, Scott from Apple Z, Zack, Josh, Matt and Nathan. There are so many musicians who have taken time out of their busy lives to help us in what we are doing.
LINKS www.amiletilldawn.com facebook.com/AMileTillDawnOfficial twitter.com/AMiletillDawn reverbnation.com/AMileTillDawn
Kate: I know Matt Franks was one to me, he was my first rock vocal coach and he was just the greatest at
Threat Con Nation Magazine 7
“
I recently came to the realization that I want something more, something that would allow me the creative freedom to express the other 95% of musical artistry flowing through me. To express who I am, I'm a guitarist first and foremost but I love to sing, I love to write, I love to drum, I love to compose, engineer, produce, mix and just be an all-around musical geek; as well as a seeker for knowledge and truth, growth and experience. My new projects, Cast The Clarity (Hard Rock / Experimental) and Sages (Pop / Alternative / World) are both no boundaries culminations of all musical, cultural, spiritual, and life circumstances that I've been acquainted with in my journey so far; transmuted into compositions that reflect a little more substance, actuality, and artistry, than what I've been involved with previously.
-M Montez
8 Threat Con Nation Magazine
At the same time, I am still a man in my twenties that loves to party and indulge in my human experience and I can totally relate to music that reflects being in that place. It's all about balance, and Cast The Clarity and Sages are reflections of my balance between the material world and the ethereal world and the journey we're all on together. One love!
I
n early 2013, I attended a Threat Con Presents at Old Ironsides featuring Sacramento’s extremely popular rock/alt band, Track Fighter. The performance absolutely lived up to what you would expect from an acclaimed and respected band, but what really resonated with me was Track Fighter’s guitarist, Dino Vidovich. There is something striking about the way Dino performs, watching him play the guitar feels almost voyeuristic, like witnessing someone completely enthralled with a secret experience. It was then that I became an instant fan. I’m sure he finds performing for people as thrilling as most musicians would but the art of the performance seems to have a more profound impact than simply entertaining a crowd or showcasing his talent. The entertaining part is just a happy side-effect of something bigger.
With over a decade of making music in Track Fighter, Dino has decided to pour some of his lesser known creative endeavors and facets into two new projects. Cast the Clarity and Sages are two very different musical styles with a similar thread that showcases the diversity and immeasurable talent of an artist worth getting to know.
Dino has shared the stage with a long list of artists including big names like Deftones, Papa Roach, Filter, Story Of The Year, My Chemical Romance, Dredge, Thrice, Fall Out Boy, Underoath, Oleander and many more. His professional collaborations and mentors are as equally impressive with big name producers and song writers like Malcolm Springer (Matchbox20, Collective Soul, Shinedown), Beau Hill (Stevie Nicks, Dweezil Zappa, Chaka Kahn, Ratt), We met up with Dino on a hot Saturday afternoon in August. The temperature had crept up to triple digits Michael Rosen (Papa Roach, AFI, Santana, Joe Satriani), Tomas Castanza (Writer at Walt Disney Corp.), but he was in good spirits and happy to trek us to a shady spot along the banks of Folsom Lake. The con- Michael Bayard (Sacramento Symphony, Paul Simon, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra) to name a versation was as easy as talking to an old friend, often erupting into laughter or settling into moments of few. quiet reflection. His calm confidence is infectious, his laugh hearty and his deeply spiritual self tends to To listen to music from bleed over into everything he puts his heart into. That Cast the Clarity and Sages visit: seems to be part of Dino’s charm, to intertwine light and easy with an unassuming wisdom that leaves you reverbnation.com/casttheclarity with interesting possibilities to consider. In other reverbnation.com/sagesband words, he’s an old soul with a young heart.
It was a hot Friday night in downtown Sacramento, and I had just finished enjoying the final night of the Concerts in the Park series. Rather than head home, like usual, I decided to wander on down to Old Ironsides, where a band called Tell the Wolves was playing. I caught wind of this band through their lead singer/guitarist, Leryan Burrey, who I had gotten to know through many of his various projects over the years. I had heard he was involved in a new band now, so I decided to check it out. Winding my way through the throng of people in the bar, I made my way to the front of the crowd as Tell the Wolves was setting up. When the lights finally shifted onto them, they immediately kicked it into high gear from the get go. Backed up by Ryan Griffith on guitar, Zack Davis on bass, and Ian Moch on drums, Burrey and the rest of his band rattled my ear drums with a sound that was like you took Incubus, Circa Survive, and Rage Against the Machine and threw them in a blender. They had the energy, heavy bottom end, and puncturing rhythm that you would want from a rock band, which was highlighted with Burrey’s 10 Threat Con Nation Magazine
soaring vocals, and a stage presence that showed they were throwing their all into the show It was a total package, and I left with a satisfying ringing in my ears. Fast forward to August, and I am catching up with the band again, in their practice space at the back of a rather large warehouse, lovingly named “The Den”. It is the perfect sized square room for any band of their caliber to congregate, complete even with oscillating colored lights everywhere, because why not? The frame of the walls is still visible, but it is a solid frame for a practice space nonetheless. It only serves to add to the ambience of The Den as a whole, in the end. I come in and kick back with the band as they are moving equipment around and sipping on Stella Artois, and the conversation quickly shifts to music and the band itself. Just by being in the room, there is an energy that is palpable and contagious, and before I know it, I am furiously writing as they are feeding me details. Tell the Wolves came about when Griffith and Moch, who were former bandmates, reconnected in mid-tolate 2013 and started jamming again. Over the course
of time, they found Burrey through Craigslist, to which Burrey adds, “I was looking for a band that was really going somewhere.” With those three pieces firmly in play, they set their sights on finding a bass player, which is where Davis comes into play. According to Moch, “Zack [Davis] clicked with everyone the best and stayed...We knew Zack was it...We needed a male model also, and he [Davis] was the best candidate (laughs)”. With this diverse group of musicians coming together from all different walks of life, the musical influences from across the board have coalesced into something that is uniquely their own. Burrey put it best when he described it “Like a Venn diagram for our musical influences”. One man influence they have in common is definitely Incubus, and its divided up from there. Like I mentioned before, Rage Against The Machine is enjoyed by Davis, while Circa Survive and Dredg are heavily enjoyed by Griffith and Moch. Burrey rounds it off with a heavy background in djent and progressive rock (think of very cerebral bands like Tesseract, Radiohead, and Animals as Leaders). Despite this wide range, they have managed to come together and make a full-bodied style of rock that is uniquely their own.
On the conventional side, they are employing a tactic that many local bands do, and its actually pretty simple: going to shows. Burrey and Moch both mention how they have become fans, and friends, with so many other bands in the area, that they are really starting to grow as a band. Griffith even casually remarked, “We [the band] are virgins...Our band is like the room [The Den] right now. Once it’s done, it’s gonna be pretty sweet.” Burrey also goes on to add, “We just wanna build on our other successes and go from there.” And build they have. They are currently working on their first recording at One Eleven Recording Studios, causing them to get excited for the future of both them as a band, and the music scene in Sacramento as a whole. Burrey remarks, “The scene is gonna be built up and we really wanna stick with it...It’s gonna get crazy and we want to be there when it happens”.
With an attitude like that, we can definitely expect to see Tell the Wolves more and more as time goes on. They have shows coming up on September 19th, at Old Ironsides again, this time playing with local band Humble Wolf, which could prove to be a bombastic show unto itself, and on October 18th at The Den with St. Solitaire. For more information, like Tell the Having such a bombastic dynamic under the hood, Wolves on Facebook, where they have snippets of Tell the Wolves is forging their own path through the their live shows and more show info for your viewing local scene in both an unconventional and convenpleasure. Be sure to keep an eye on these guys, betional way. The unconventional aspect is also a pretty cause they may show up where and when you least funny story. Their first show was actually at Sacraexpect it. facebook.com/tellthewolvesmusic mento City College and, according to Davis, came - Stefan Adcock kinda outta nowhere. He says, “My [music] professor was like, ‘you got a band?’ And I told him, of course I have a band! So we wound up doing a soundcheck for the music room...people were actually coming from other classes to see what was going on.” Since then, they have gone on to play shows at places like Harlow’s and, like I mentioned before, Old Ironsides, helping build their local base. Threat Con Nation Magazine 11
F
orce multiplication or Force Multiplied, refers to an attribute or a combination of attributes which makes a given force more effective than that same force would be without it. The members of the Cameron Park, California band, Force Multiplied is exactly that, a force multiplied as each member combines each of their unique talents to create a multiple force. After hearing about the internet based reality show, Rockality, I wasted no time in checking it out to see what the hype was all about. I must say I was impressed. Each episode offers a different insight to what musicians can or may go through in their daily lives on and off the stage. Most people that have not experienced life as a musician tend to think that bands just practice and play at local and out of town venues, but what most people don’t understand is musicians, like the members of Force Multiplied, need a business like mind to progress in their music career. These musicians wanted to bare it all so you, the fans, could see what it is really like to be in an independent band when they’re not backed financially by investors or labels. Sit tight as I take you deeper into the lives of Force Multiplied and Rockality. Force Multiplied was formed in 2011 by the way of Parker Mckee, who is currently the only original member in the band. Parker has a very unique talent that he adds as the front man to the band. Aside from his genius guitar riffs and his godlike abilities on the guitar, he has a wide range of vocal styles that I have never heard before. From one song to the next, he adds a different vocal style that not only captures your 12 Threat Con Nation Magazine
attention but draws you in closer for a more extensive look inside his mind. Tim savage, the bassist of the band has a name that suits him well, Savage. Aside from slapping the twinkie filling out yo mouth he is slapping the bass. Tim offers a thunderous energetic style to Force Multiplied. Just when you think basic bass riffs are coming, he delivers a monstrous shockwave to create a sound more astounding than Thor’s hammer. Steven Martin, the drummer for Force Multiplied, is a force you do not want to reckon with. Aside from his daily nunchuck exercise routine and harnessing his chi, this man is a beast on the drums. Steven has this way of summoning everyone in the room to bring the building down to its core foundation. He has this killer instinct in his eyes when beating those drums that warns you this is his time and if you dare step in his world you better be on your game. Force Multiplied brings 20 years of combined experiences to deliver a force even the gods themselves can’t control. In the first year, the band started gigging. They played 40+ shows, which would explain why they are now an opening act for nationals like Marilyn Manson, The Offspring, Black label Society, and many more. As these musicians bust their ass to make a name for themselves, it will not be too long before they become a household name. Aside from their recording studio business and touring, these motivated musicians have an internet based reality show called, Rockality. The show takes you behind the scenes and into the life of the band as they prepare for touring, practices, gigs and simply everything going on in their lives. There are currently
4 episodes for viewing at rockalitytv.com. Each episode takes you inside of their daily routine and through the motions of being in a band. From the first episode titled Intro to the 4th episode About you, they deliver something that no other reality show delivers, non-scripted emotions. This reality show, folks, is as real as reality tv gets. Trust me, I have a ton of great things to say about Rockality, but it would be more rewarding for you to watch it yourself. Force Multiplied wanted to do something that would set them apart from other bands. After all, isn’t that what bands do anyway? I must say, Rockality was a brilliant idea. As you watch these episodes, keep in mind that they do not have a professional camera crew, it’s all them. They have researched and studied the art of filming to bring us all a more personal look
into their lives as musicians. What was the most impressive thing was the fact that not only are they a gigging band with a reality show, they also own their own recording studio business of which they offer a very affordable package. As you can tell these fellas are busy as hell and one would wonder how they would have time to do all this. It’s simple if you really think about it, they are determined and motivated to create something we can all enjoy of which is the purpose of any musician, to create and present something for everyone to get into. So I ask that you take the time to watch Rockality because they offer something for everyone.
rockalitytv.com
Threat Con Nation Magazine 13
EP: A Real Good Book
happiness in simple everyday acts. Each song, a testament to overcoming difficulties with love for each other and ourselves. In this real good book, each of us is a hero. The band’s mantra, ‘Making music so that others may love’ is the perfect description of ’A Real Good Book’ and the effect it has on the listener. You can listen to and download the EP or check out The Denver J Band schedule of upcoming performances on the following websites.
facebook.com/TheDenverJBand thedenverjband.com reverbnation.com/thedenverjband
What makes a real good book? ….A hero. ….A challenge to overcome. ….A revelation. ….A life lesson. The Denver J Band's new EP: 'A Real Good Book' has everything a real good book should have. The underlying theme is empowerment, a reminder of the gifts we are given and how to find happiness in spite of the obstacles and challenges we all face everyday. The truth is, happiness can't be found in your bank account or in your outward appearance. Happiness waits inside of the little things. The song, 'One Day' is a good representation of that message. The EP is an upbeat mix of acoustic / folk / rock with lyrics that serve up rich imagery of
The Denver J Band is an acoustic jam rock band, founded in 2013 by Singer/Songwriter Denver Saunders and Percussionist Matt Remenar, they were joined by Bassist/Vocalist Grayson Roberts and electric Guitarists DARE and John Marques.
Hellen: I want to divorce my husband. We have separated and gotten back together more times than I can count. Each time we break up he says things will be different and that he will change, but he never does. I can’t keep doing this. Why do I keep going back? Thanks.
my buddy. Should I tell her? Should I let my buddy know that I know? JP
JP: The answer depends on what type of friend you want to be. Do you want to be the silent, complicit friend or the open and honest friend? Stick a Fork in Me – I’m Done Dear Someone may be hurt by your actions. Wouldn’t SAFIMID: Divorce is hard. Change is hard. Get- you rather have it be for the right reason? Would ting caught in a cycle of separating and reconcil- you want to know? I would. So would the majority ing is insane. Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the of people who were being betrayed by their partner. However, it’s possible she already knows same thing over and over again and expecting and is either in denial or biding her time. Whether different results”. People do not like change, which is why it is so easy to return to an unhappy you confront him or confide in her, your relationor unsatisfying relationship. You may be misera- ship with each of them will be forever changed. ble in your relationship, but it’s a familiar kind of Thanks for Asking! -Hellen misery. Studies show that it takes about three months for a lifestyle change to become a permanent part of a person’s behavior. It’s important to Random Advice of the Month: have a clear emotional vision of how your life will None of us are Mind Readers.. be changed for the better. Don’t sabotage yourself by spending more time deciding on the process of making the change rather than focusing on the vision of how your life will improve once that change happens. The key is to keep moving forward. Remind yourself – daily, hourly, every second of every minute if that is what it takes – of the reasons you left in the first place. Have those reasons changed? Thanks for Asking! -Hellen □□□□ Hellen: My good friend is cheating on his girlfriend - who is also a close friend of mine. Ordinarily I would stay out of it, but somehow this just feels different. I figure she will find out eventually but I hate to see her treated so badly by
Ask me your questions about life, sex, love, relationships, loss, work, recipe tips.. whatever. Got something scandalous, embarrassing and/or illegal? Send it to Hellen Back and remain anonymous. askhellenback@yahoo.com Hellen Back Facebook Hellen Back Twitter Threat Con Nation Magazine 15
I
remember some time ago, there was a band that really caught my attention. This band was playing shows all over town and they were gaining some decent momentum when everything came to a halt and the band announced that they were no longer going to be doing shows.
created by Joe with the help from an artist known as “The Industrial Complex” from New York was an all experimental, industrial, and instrumental EP that was well received and played on various internet radio stations globally. Joe also owns the website, www.forestoflostsouls.com that includes haunted house sound effects he has created through the years of his I was a little disappointed, but little did I know that they experience as a guitarist and through experimenting. would be back and they are about to create such a coJoe has gone back to his roots since joining Terra Ferno lossal return, all of Sacramento on September 6th that is and I must say, it is a perfect fit. What Joe offers the in attendance at The Boardwalk will know exactly what I band is this powerful driven force that was not there beam talking about. fore, from his melodic, to the crunchy in your face riffs, After I got word that Terra Ferno was getting back toJoe is definitely prepared to bring you the new Terra gether I had to see if it was true. I received a phone call Ferno. that validated Terra Ferno is in fact back and they have Adam Murray, the bass player for Terra Ferno is the a new line up. man responsible for making the floor shake with his Jeremy Friedlander is now their new front man. Jeremy devastating bass riffs. Do not let Adams subtle look fool is no stranger to the stage, he has been in various pro- you because when it is time, he knows just exactly what jects in the past, the most recent was Ghost Element, a to do when he lays the bass down on you and it feels as metal band from Auburn, California. While Jeremy can though the Richter Scales are about to explode. Adam scream and bring that metal element to the band, he has been with the band since January 2009 and I think can also stay true to their original roots as well as stay his devotion and motivation shows through his prestrue to his own by delivering that alternative/rock feeling. ence. In 2013, Adam was a coach for Stairway To StarI have seen Jeremy perform in the past and I can tell dom, a Music contest put together by Skips Music to you, this guy does not f@#% around when he is on recognize the talent within our youth. It will be awesome stage. I am extremely pleased to see Jeremy with Terra to see Adam on stage again as he slaps his bass and Ferno as I feel he is a great addition. slaps all you with his bass. Another new addition to the band is Joe Decelle, the rhythm/synth/lead guitarist. Joe is also no stranger to the stage. Joe was in his first band in the mid 90’s, Wacked, an industrial / Hard Rock band where he played rhythm/ lead guitar. Digital Trauma, a project 16 Threat Con Nation Magazine
Robby Robbins, that name alone will be extremely hard to forget, sounds like a celebrity name, “What is your name sir? I am Robby Robbins, the drummer for Terra Ferno and i will set your ass on fire!” I have had the honor of sitting next to this man as he plays the drums and
man can he beat the hell out of that kit. Like every drummer, you do not touch their kit, i would say out of every band member there has to be something dark inside of a drummer, think about it. They get to beat the shit out of something for 20 to 45 minutes non stop. Is that really someone you want to mess with? Robby Robbins is definitely not the guy you want to mess with. He seems like a big teddy bear but holy damn have you seen him lay the smack down on his drums? He delivers such a moving force that the ground underneath tries to run from him. As each song ends you can see his facial expressions and his whole demeanor changes, it’s almost like as if he were turning into the hulk.
guitar. He is one of the most emotional guitar players that I have met in this local music community. Justin knows how to emotionally get you, without leaving you in the corner rocking back and forth sucking on your thumb, he lifts you up and brings you to a whole new world,..HIS. They’re back and it would be to cliché’ to say they are on fire, so I will say this, get ready for September 6th because The Boardwalk and all of it’s attendees will wake up the next morning trying to figure out what conspired the night before. The answer will be, Terra Ferno b!tches.
Justin Time, why do all the guitarists have the cool names? This is a man folks that does not know how to quit, when his back is against the wall, he beats that wall with his axe (guitar). This is the man responsible for lighting the fire to create the inferno, also known as, Terra Ferno. When you hear Justin play, you know exactly what he is feeling because you can hear it through his
reverbnation.com/terraferno1
█ Featured Poetry SWAN SONG She drags cherry stain across puckered lips, Orchestra sounding in Overture. The stranger staring back through the mirror, Pale and beautiful like the moon. She takes her leave down the darkened stairwell Straight on to center stage, Crimson curtain shielding her from eager stares. Eyes closed and palms sweating she breathes in… And out. In… And out. In… And as the curtain rises and amber light engulfs her She feels the battered wood beneath her feet Vibrate with pregnant anticipation. Her breath comes out in melodious soprano, Woodwinds painting her a sorrowful scene, Brass ripping at her heart with harmonies, And strings tying her to the spot. A tear forms in her painted eye As her ballad crescendos in climax, And rolls down her cheek At percussion’s final beat. The roar from the audience Falls on deaf ears As the spotlight fades to black. She bids her old friend a watery Farewell. - Ashira Y Macy
Threat Con Nation Magazine 17
Wait.. What? - How many Bands are playing tonight? planned last between 11p to 12am. This means each Band will have a super-short set. Not sure about you guys; but, No Way!...Only a "20-minute quickie set" is Not enough time for me! It's definitely not enough time for a Band to represent their true musical talents across to the audience. – How will the Fans reach any kind of satisfaction from this minimalist set-times?
I've noticed a new approach in the booking process of local music shows lately. It seems like venues are happier whenever they get as many bands as possible in one show. – Does this allow local bands to fully express their talents as well as the ability to share their music appropriately with fans and audience members?
Being around my husband for the last 16yrs or so, I've learned that with gigs, also comes 'The turn-Around Time'. This sometimes goes very quickly and smoothly and other times they can be a nightmare for musicians. – If band A has friends and fans come-up front to the Stage giving up “high-fives” and talking. If Band A is unsuccessful with directing them off to the side-stage for some after show talk. This directly effects turn-around time. Band A can fall behind on time for packingup gear. Also, Band B will be behind on their setup. Time's a funny thing, it just keeps going and going, and doesn't stop for anyone. – So, there's your slippery-slope!
Perhaps, some people don't see any problems with this. However, I've noticed this style of booking becoming a trend. One that's gained some significant momentum. As a fan of live music myself and a supporter of our local music scene; this scares the hell outta me! – What happens if we don't speak up about this? Could our scene suffer ....Meanwhile, Band B, C, D, and E or F, will likely need to play even shorter sets. It's why this booklong-term over this "Seven-Band/Stage-Cram” ing trend sucks, IMO. – Our local scene kicks booking mentality?... ass! And we want to go see our local bands play Let's say that I pay ‘X’ amount of dollars to go see a full sets..!!! a Show. The flyer lists 6 or 7 Bands who are on the line-up. The music begins around 7p and is 18 Threat Con Nation Magazine
-That Metal Chick
Threat Con Nation Magazine back issues and electronic edition are available at: http://issuu.com/threatconradio
ALT
ROCK 1 walking tall
1 MICHAEL TIFFANY
2 tesla
2 once an empire
3 daly redline
3 FATE UNDER FIRE
4 zeroclient
4 wolfgang vega
5 restrayned
5 paul rocker solo
6 some fear none
6 pilgrim
7 frank hannon
7 march into paris
8 criminal rock
8 riotmaker
9 said the shotgun
9 dog party
100a mile till dawn
100the differenz
METAL
PUNK 1 S.W.I.M.
1 in the silence
2 twitch angry
2lIfeforms
3 teenage brain
3 fallrise
4 get shot!
4 plague widow
5 mdso
5 graveshadow
6 The auxillary
6 kill the precedent
7 yankee brutal
7 the alpha complex
8 the pikeys
8 dead in seconds
9 rebel radio
9 odessaphile
100boats!
100jack ketch
Data collected from www.reverbnation.com *Standings as of 08/31/2014
█ TCNM OUT OF BOUNDS
Bio: The Bronx's finest killer punk band. This trio delivers a raw and visceral experience as they take you beneath the surface and into the murky depths of punk rock, all three accomplished musicians provide energy and life time experience making for a new and exciting sound, so enjoy and get to know The Scales. LINKS reverbnation.com/thescales1 thescale1.wix.com/official-the-scales
N
ew York city has been a long thriving home for music for many years. It has been the home of many genres such as blues, rock, jazz, classical and art music. New York is also one of the birthplaces of hip hop, latin freestyle, be-bop, disco, new wave and punk rock. It’s also one of the birthplaces of Salsa music born from a fusion of Cuban, Puerto Rican and Dominican influences that came together in new York’s Latino neighborhoods in the 1960’s. Music author, Richie Unterberger describes New York’s music scene and the city itself as ‘Immense, richly diverse, flashy, polyethnic, and engaged in a never-ending race for artistic and cosmopolitan supremacy.’ Aside from the city’s historic importance, in the development of American music, there are some that feel its status has declined in recent years due to a combination of increased corporate control over music media, an increase in the cost of living and the rise of local music scenes whose success is facilitated by cheap communication provided by the internet.
The Scales, a punk rock band hailing from the Bronx all the way in New York emerged in 2009 to make a statement and they plan on doing that through creativity, skill, and the motivation that keeps them moving. Their music is a sweet combination of classic rock, funk, blues, hip hop, and a complete groove of punk rock for all you mohawk, spiked jacket lovers. They have figured out the missing formula to hypnotize society with their diverse level of musical talents. “She gets What She Wants” a track that offers a taste of classical rock with a touch of funk and with the smoothest transition I have heard in years, they throw some punk in there to complete the hypnosis process. The track, “The Plan” is a fine example as to what these fellas can do, not only do you feel, but you can also hear the diversity they offer. There have been many bands or groups that have tried to combine, rap, hip hop, funk, blues and punk rock all into one song and they did not succeed, at least in my opinion, but that is where the Scales shine. They have created this said formula to properly scientifically place these different genres together to combine them as one formula to create a sound like no other. They have literally created a musical masterpiece.
There is one band out of the Bronx that lives, eats, sleeps and dreams of what they do. They create music from an artistic standpoint and aside from the ever changing music history in New York, The Scales plan You can catch them on facebook, reverb and their on being a part of that changing history. website and the next time you take your private jet to New York, catch them live. 20 Threat Con Nation Magazine
█ Q and A with
What has been your involvement in the local scene in the past few years?
huge library of music business books and stay current on the state of the music “biz”.
For a while, I was involved in several projects locally and then I needed to focus on some family issues at home and narrowed that down a bit.
What kind of mark do you want to leave for people in the local music community?
Other than guitar what other Instruments do you play?
What a great question. If I could be remembered, I would hope for two things. Consistently good music and affiliations and the willingness to help out any other musicians with advice or whatever they need.
Other than guitar, I play bass, drums, piano and sing. Tell me about some of your current projects?
Describe what it is like when you are on stage and people are yelling and going crazy for your music?
I write and license music beds, occasionally I sit in with (ForNeveR vocalist) Adam Page’s project, SixCreating music is my life. Sharing it and having peoes&Sevens and do solo acoustic shows. Primarily I ple relate to it live is just mind blowing. When people am focused on our new heavy rock group, ForNeveR. come up and talk to me about it, I really open my mind and listen to how it moves and effects them. You have a very impressive background, what is next for you? Considering the experience and time spent in Advancing the agenda of ForNeveR. We have some bands tell me the one thing you have learned is a interesting opportunities being weighed out. It’s a pret- valuable piece of knowledge? ty exciting time for our new band. Other than that, just I’ve learned so much about music, business and life staying busy and open. by being in bands. I’m learning more things every day. The most valuable thing I’ve come away with is Do you have a background in music other than to always take the high road. Consideration of the being in a band? people you work with and those who follow your work. Yes. I took lessons on guitar, piano and voice for Do favors without expectation of “pay back”. The reyears. I started out a music theory major in college ward is already there. then changed my study focus to Communication Studies with emphasis on Audio/Video production. I have a reverbnation.com/forneverband
——————————————————————————–————————
——————————————————————————SEPT/OCT 2014
80