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 i ss u e 1 2 ● f r e e
everybody’s favorite local music magazine turns 1!
alex vincent ¤ johnny hell promotions ¤ erik neff pushing the sun
zeroclient
the grey area
plan your next night out with the tcnm flyer gallery inside
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 and its affiliates. Front Page: Amour Other Photo Credits: Stefan Adcock, samanthaphotos.com, Participating Bands and their media affiliates Marketing / Advertising Director: Shawn Ernst Editor/Graphic Design: M Montez Contributors: Johnna Dean, Shawn Ernst, M Montez, Stefan Adcock, Tonya Whitworth Copyright Š 2014 Threat Con Nation, All Rights Reserved
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INSIDE
……………. A N
INTERVIEW WITH AMOUR
Artist: ALEX VINCENT
Q AND A WITH ZEROCLIENT
THE GREY AREA
ASK HELLEN BACK
SACTOWN REVERB
THAT METAL CHICK
PUSHING THE SUN JOHNNY HELL PROMOTIONS FEATURED POETRY
OUT OF BOUNDS: ERIK NEFF FLYER GALLERY ONE YEAR OF LOCAL MUSIC
Meet Amour CJ Pruett (vocals, guitar) left, Jeremy Curlee (bass) middle and Dylan Kirk (drums) right
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ou can call it Indie, Alternative Rock or Acoustic Rock, yet all of those styles can’t fully describe a sound that is unlike anything you have heard before. Amour layers a dramatic vocal style over wistful melody with surprisingly heavy guitar riffs and intense percussion. The whole of each song is molded from varying musical preferences, from light and soulful to edgy and frenetic; creating a unique shape and form that is tempered with lyrics that will take you back to every extreme love and madness you have ever felt. Amour is just one of those bands that can shake you and give you goose bumps when you least expect it. 4 Threat Con Nation Magazine
How was Amour formed?
been through, that’s why we are called, Amour.
CJ - Senior year in high school, Jeremy and I were offered by a theater teacher to do a show performance because she knew we were affiliated with music. Jeremy and I have been friends for a long time, we grew up together listening to the same music and testing out different things so we ended up blossoming into this band so we could play for the school performance which was like a Saturday Night live thing called PGNL (Pleasant Grove Night Live). So after that, we ended up wanting to do something with the music. We had a drummer previously that ended up bailing out and Dylan was always with us because his girlfriend was in our band at first, she ended up moving away but before she did she was trying to teach Dylan to play guitar for the songs. When she was to leave, the plan was to replace her with Dylan but when the drummer left, Dylan said he knew how to play drums and we were like, “what, no way!” He said he knew our songs and could play them on the drums. We decided to try it out and everything just fit perfectly.
Who has been a personal influence for you all individually?
Jeremy - We didn’t even practice, we just went on stage and played it.
CJ - My grandfather, definitely influenced me. He gave me my first guitar, he showed me a couple of chords and after that, I sucked but I was hooked. He lived in San Jose so every time he would come to visit, I would be like, “grandpa check out what I have learned” and I just got better every time so he told me I should learn how to sing after I showed him my band. He was also involved in music but some life changing events halted his success. So yeah, my grandpa was so influential to me. I wanted to do all this for me but I want him to be proud at the same time. Grandpa Phil was definitely an influence.
CJ - So I was like sweet, lets keep playing and that is how Amour blossomed. What is the meaning behind the bands name, Amour? CJ - I knew this was coming Jeremy - Well, CJ is a highly emotional person when it comes to the ladies….. CJ - No, that is not why. It means love in French. It is to show people love, it’s what the world needs. Of course our songs are about girlfriends and love and any artist can do that but it’s also like love for music, pure love, know what I mean? That’s how I like to think of it, pure love, quote unquote. We want to connect to our fans and this is why I wake up in the morning and do this music, I want to grab peoples emotions and ring it out. I want people to know that they are not alone with what they have
Dylan - My dad, I grew up with him banging on the drums and banging on the steering wheel in the car. I just watched him do all that and it just became a part of me. CJ - Yeah Chris, Dylan's dad is awesome, he has been a big supporter, he lets us go in his house and make noise because we had nowhere else to go, he is a good supporter and I really appreciate him. Jeremy - My brother is definitely the reason why I got into music. My dad also pushed me and there was also Mr. Brown, my old English teacher. Mr. Brown always told us, “do what you love and the money will follow” it’s what you love you do and don’t worry about the money. Also Mr. Segal, who’s class I would sit in and play his guitar all day. Other than that, Flea from Red Hot Chilli Peppers is the reason why I play bass, Flea is funky as f*ck.
What is the message behind the song, She Is The City? CJ - What? That’s a throw back, we don’t even have that song anymore. We made certain songs for high school and after we graduated we wanted to do our own thing so we evolved our genre of music. continued
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When I used to come into Elk Grove she would be everywhere, she was literally everywhere, the girl I liked. We grew up in Elk Grove, so it was like she was everywhere I would go, hence, She Is The City. Maybe one day if she hears our music she will know that some of the songs were about her.
where Humble Wolf challenged us to take our shirts off on stage with them, it was awesome and they were awesome, the whole show and night was awesome.
What projects are you guys currently working on?
Amour has a very distinctive vocalist style, was that a conscience effort or did it just happen naturally?
CJ - We were working on an EP with who we recorded Dreaming with and at one of our other shows we were offered a chance to record by another guy who has better equipment. So, we are just working on our EP to give our fans a taste and we are also working on a 11 to 12 track album.
Dylan - The acoustic show at Back 9 when it was me and CJ, that was awesome.
Jeremy - I think CJ’s vocal style just kind of evolved throughout the years of trying different things.
CJ - Ryan Kirkland was my hero, I didn’t know how to sing at all when me and Jeremy were kids, he showed me this band called Between The Trees and it was beautiful. Ryan Kirkland has such an What was the feeling like during your first live awesome voice, I wanted to sing just like him. I show? would watch these update tour videos and he CJ - I was used to performing for high school stuwould do all these practice things on Youtube and I dents so I was already used to a crowd and I am a would do them, I thought it would make me better silly person in general so getting attention does not and it did, that plus 5 years of my shower head bother me. I wasn’t scared about being in front of worked as well. I also support my parents for not people but because it is our music we were pergetting sick of me. forming and we were new here locally, we just Jeremy - Believe it or not we are kind of unique, we didn’t know how people would take to us. are the weird band from Sacramento. Jeremy - My first show was the Humble Wolf show, CJ - But that’s tight though, different is good. I think, and it was great. I was pumped. That’s
reverbnation.com/AmourMusic facebook.com/pages/Amour/317631344914416 twitter.com/Amour_Music 6 Threat Con Nation Magazine
since he was young, which would explain why he is so diverse with his vocal style. When Alex was 17, he flew to California to visit his father and ended up joining the California Air National Guard where he would become a Registered Network Infrastructure Maintenance Technician… say that 5 times real fast. He was stationed at Beale Air Force Base here in California, 8 miles east of Marysville to be precise. After the Air National Guard, he traveled ALEX VINCENT from state to state before he settled in Cameron Park California, where he by chance got the opportunity AND THE WORLD AROUND HIM much of us Tesla fans would kill for, to work alongside Frank Hannon and if you don’t know who that is, then One of the events that went on this summer that I was you cannot call yourself a true Rock / Metal fan. the most excited about was CIP, also known as Within that time of Alex meeting Frank Hannon, he Concerts In The Park. This year, there was a handful got another opportunity to join Frank and his band, of rock bands which is the way I like it and there were Tesla while they went on tour. I guess now that I know many talented local musicians that performed. One this, I will be bowing down to Mr. Vincent. musician that caught my attention was Alex Vincent. After he became one lucky SOB and traveled through That first time I saw Alex on stage was at CIP and I didn’t know what to think. Here stood this young man many states with the all time greats, he would begin to form a band upon Frank’s advice. Since then, Alex that played the guitar like I have never seen before; Vincent Band has played here in Sacramento with his teeth. I’m sure there are other people out countless times as well as Alex doing solo and joined there that can do that but projects with other bands and band members. He also (A) I have never seen it done before in person. had the opportunity to kick off SacTown Rocks, where he shredded like you wouldn’t believe. This young And (B) Don’t steal his thunder. man has pretty much seen what a lot of us wish we When I actually got to meet Alex for the first time, I could, so yes, he has been there and done that and at was blown away again. Most musicians that are as the same time he remains one of the most humble talented as he is tend to have this certain swagger to musicians I know in this town. He carries an them and they have every right. They have to display outstanding attitude and appreciation for all that he a certain level of confidence in what they do, of which has gotten to experience. Alex Vincent, folks, is an most people that are not musicians don’t understand. awesome guy who is nothing but gracious for the Some musicians in this world tend to let that people he has come across here locally. I know confidence swell, which is a no-no in my book. The because he has told me so and of course there are one thing I love about the talented Alex Vincent is he way too many names to mention. You all know who is completely the opposite. I know he is confident you are and he thanks you. because he lets his hands do all the talking when they are grasped around the guitar but I was so impressed Now that you have all gotten a little taste of what it is like to be Alex, go out to one of his shows where you with his whole humble demeanor and musicianship that I wanted to know more about this smooth talking can do more than read about him. Go see for yourself and you will know exactly what is so amazing about badass guitar player. His personality, folks, is so damn vibrant, you can see it shining from miles away. this guy. I mean with a voice like his, how can this guy be Here’s to you, Alex, and may all your journeys end ignored. with happiness. Thank you for sharing YOU with us, the fans. Keep on rocking and remember, we shake hands when saying hello, we don’t jump into each others arms like long lost Alex was born in Topeka Kansas in 1990 with a guitar brothers, knocking people in his hand. Alex started playing instruments at the over and almost getting our young age of 7 (the violin to be exact) later he *ss kicked by the changed to playing guitar. He has also been singing monstrous door men. Threat Con Nation Magazine 7 Aside from him knocking me over and making me laugh every time I see him, I had to pick his brain to find out how in the hell he has become so damn talented. So join me as I take you on a journey with Alex Vincent and the world around him:
teach students the technical and artistic skills necessary to develop their careers. This years winners are a four piece band called The Grey Area. Made up of Robert Anderson on bass, Ethan Bennett on guitar, Tanner Miller, on drums, and Mackenzie Shorter on vocals, and they are kicking their music careers off on the best foot possible at the moment. I caught up with them on a Friday night after the final concert at the Back 9 Sports Bar and Grill, in Citrus Heights. They had gotten together with fellow Stairway to Stardom bands The Affiliation and Colour Zero to perform again for all their friends and family. As people were filing in I sat down with them to chat.
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ince 1980, Skip’s Music has been hosting Stairway to Stardom, which is a competition that lets young musicians from all over the area come out and audition for a chance to form bands with other fellow musicians, get coached by other local musicians and instructors, write their own songs, and even record one of their songs in a professional studio. The winning band gets the chance to record their own 3 song CD, and get 500 copies of their CD printed for distribution. The entire 8-week experience culminates in a concert where all the bands perform their 3-song set live in front of a panel of judges and a live audience, where the winner gets chosen by the panel. Skip’s bills the entire experience as a way to 8 Threat Con Nation Magazine
First thing I wanted to figure out was how they met, and it was a very interesting scenario that they played out for me. Turns out Anderson and Miller knew each other from before. Anderson breaks it down like, “Tanner [Miller] and I were already in a band, and I've known him since 6th grade in [Antelope high] Jazz band”. In addition, Shorter knew Miller and Anderson from when she was at Antelope High as well. Bennett, however, put it straight, “I didn’t know any of these people before [Stairway] (laughs)”. As well, Shorter and Anderson have had extra experience with Stairway, with Anderson being a 4-time participant in the competition and Shorter attending the concert 3 years in a row. The crossing of all their paths has led to them forging their own unique sound. Anderson remarks, “Each of us like different music, so I can’t stick us in one genre…”. From there, I went around the group and had them break down their influences for me and I got a huge variety of response. Anderson told me, “The stuff I'm really influenced by is a lot of Tool,
Primus, and Jaco Pastorius. Miller also remarked, in regards to his influences, “Yeah, Robert and I really like Tool, but I also really like Rush and Dream Theater”. Bennett also remarks, “I’m very open minded musically...For this band I take a lot from Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, and Weezer”. Shorter mentions her influences with a simple sentence, “I love the 80’s! (laughs)...Bands like Devo and a lot of ska. Also, The Killers, Weezer, and Panic! At The Disco. In addition to what they won from Stairway to Stardom, The Grey Area has also earned an opening spot at the V103 Rockfest at the Rio Ramaza Marina in Sacramento on October 4th, the likes of which they are all very excited about. If anything, Shorter exemplifies their feelings by saying, “Hopefully, that show will definitely lead to more opportunities”. As our conversation wraps up, the bands for the night finish setting up. After very solid sets from The Affiliation and Colour Zero, The Grey Area got up to play. From the first note it was a wall of sound and energy that I honestly never would have expected. Anderson and Shorter were literally jumping and thrashing around, with fans of hair flying all over the place. Bennett had the headbanging/ powerstance combo down pat, and Miller was a literal windmill of drum fills and machine grade double bass. It was like a wicked blend of Rage Against The Machine, Primus, Portishead, and Paramore that left my ears pleasantly ringing. If you want to check out their stuff, you are in luck. They have their own Facebook and Instagram, complete with new professional pictures and the latest on their musical exploits. They just wrapped up recording their 3 song EP at Velvetone Studios, so be sure to stay tuned to their Facebook for their music as it comes out. You also would be able to check them out at the V103 Rockfest. Tickets are available for that show on v103.net at $20 a ticket, with Alien Ant Farm headlining the entire show. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to keep The Grey Area on your radar, because the future for these guys is looking mighty bright indeed. - Stefan Adcock
ROCK
ALT
1 walking tall
1 MICHAEL TIFFANY
2 tesla
2 sages
3 daly redline
3 FATE UNDER FIRE
4 zeroclient
4 pilgrim
5 some fear none
5 once an empire
6 restrayned
6 riotmaker
7 arden park roots
7 march into paris
8 a mile till dawn 9 frank hannon 100anarchy lace
PUNK
8 dog party 9 wolfgang vega 100syne faeth
METAL
1 S.W.I.M.
1 in the silence
2 get shot!
2 FallRise
3 boats!
3 re-existence
4 mdso
4 I wish we were robots
5 dead weight 6 Teenage brain
5 kill the precedent
7 the pikeys
6 jack ketch
8 rebel radio
7 plague widow
9 the auxillary
8 odessaphile
100the junk merchants
9 graveshadow 100awoken shadows
Data collected from www.reverbnation.com *Standings as of 09/27/2014
“We really enjoy bringing the tones down to super-clean and then back up to roaring walls of distortion and driving beats,” says guitarist/songwriter/founder Billy Connally. “We don't ever want to become too predictable or be a band that only has one sound. Finding that perfect balance of musicianship and songwriting has always been my passion. Just because I can ‘shred’ on guitar doesn't mean I need to do it all the time. Melody, groove and atmosphere are more important to me.”
A
few days ago, Gene Simmons of the legendary Rock and Roll band KISS made a statement about Rock and Roll that I think is way off. Here is what he had to say, "I am so sad that the next 15-year-old kid in a garage someplace in St. Paul, that plugs into his Marshall and wants to turn it up to 10, will not have anywhere near the same opportunity that I did," Simmons said. "He will most likely, no matter what he does, fail miserably. It's very sad for new bands. They just don't have a chance. You're better off not even learning how to play guitar or write songs. Today's songwriters and creators are more likely to work behind the scenes than practicing and testing their material out on stage.” He added. "The death of rock was not a natural death. Rock did not die of old age. It was murdered."
did not move. I was yelling at them and for the ones that really know me, when I like your music I yell at you. Frontman, Andrew Saman was all tatted up and I was thinking I better get away from the floor because some crazy shit was about to pop off. It was completely the opposite, I was about to pop off with some crazy shit. They totally rocked it. Andrew has a voice that will paralyze you and the only thing you can do is just stand there and listen, or in my case listen and yell.
Billy Connally created Pushing the Sun in 2012. After he released a successful instrumental album, he was ready to get back on stage and show off his talents and he does exactly that in their album House Of Lights. From his brilliantly placed guitar riffs, to his in your face shreds on tracks like their self titled song, Gene blames the professional music industry for their Pushing The Sun, Billy Connally has a way of bringing lack of support and technology, piracy on the internet. this image he has in his mind to life to share with us all and you will walk away with some kind of cosmic Well I have to beg to differ with Mr. Simmons to a cerconnection, it’s called Rock and Roll. tain degree. Rock and roll is not dead and it’s very much alive. I would think that the Bay Area band Johaan Hill joined the band in March 2013, after filling Pushing The Sun would agree. From their brilliant in a few times and because everything meshed so shreds to their subtle but perfectly timed riffs, comwell, he ended up joining the band permanently. Jobined with the bitter love hate relationship from one haan is definitely no stranger to the stage, he has song to the next, Pushing the Sun has a unique forbeen in past bands such as, Static Thought, Forthmula they use to create their music also known as mourning and is currently in another project, Diego's Umbrella. Johaan is like a genius on the bass. I don’t Rock and Roll. even have to be in the band to know that. You can tell I actually had the pleasure to attend a show in August that when Johaan plays the bass, it’s like it talks to that Pushing The Sun performed at and I must say I him and he delivers a force around the band that crewas blown away. From their first song to their last I ates this hard driven sound. 10 Threat Con Nation Magazine
Andrew Saman, formerly of Painted, was brought into the band as the frontman. Not only does Andrew have a phenomenal voice he is also a talented songwriter. You can obviously see that he is reliving each word and each lyric holds a special meaning for him. He has a very energetic presence that will draw you in to feel it all with him. Neil Hagge on keys provides an atmospheric element, keeping true to the roots of what they have always envisioned for their sound with a depth that is a signature of Pushing The Sun. Last but certainly not least, A.J Curtis, formerly of Annex, Starch, and Stagnant. A.J. is a f@%&*@! lunatic on those drums. I was actually watching him at the show August 23rd and he is crazy as hell when beating that kit. On tracks like Tragic Love, you can just feel the energy A.J. puts behind his talents. I have always said you do not want to mess with drummers. Look at what they get to do for 45 minutes, they beat
the crap out of a kit. Why would anyone want to mess with someone who gets a kick out of beating the hell out of something? So Gene Simmons obviously has never heard of Pushing the Sun. Rock and Roll, people, is not dead. It lives inside us all big or small and there will be times that it may seem dead, but Rock is like a caged up animal. Bands like Pushing The Sun hold the keys to unlocking that cage. They release the beasts and if you don’t believe me, let me hear you tell that to Pushing The Sun, who, in my opinion, are well on their way to proving Gene Simmons and all the naysayers wrong. Rock and Roll will never die and it sure as hell will never be noise pollution. Keep kicking ass and moving forward fellas, you have gained a new fan. I thank you for the hard work and dedication you put in to provide us fans with pure energy Rock and Roll from the soul.
Losing A Piece Of The Sun Pushing The Sun’s original bassist, Larry Smith, had a pivotal role in developing the band into what we hear today. Billy Connally describes Larry as a good soul who always thought of others before himself. Sadly, Larry passed last year, leaving his friends and band mates with an enormous void to fill. It is unfortunate that the brightest stars seem to burn away too soon but the light they leave behind remains. The legacy Larry left will be carried in the spark he created with Pushing The Sun.
“
We lost our singer and had a few different versions of bands, sometimes with vocals, sometimes without, but it was always Larry Smith on bass, Kevin Ellis on drums and me on guitar. We took a little break around 2006 and I joined another band called Concrete Ritual- that lasted a few years. Then, in 2010 I released an album on Steve Vai's Digital Nations label and needed a live band, so I got Larry and Kevin back and we started playing together again. Kevin is a family man and ended up leaving because of his responsibilities, but Larry stuck with me and when I contacted Andrew about jamming, Larry came along as well. The name of the band actually came about indirectly from Larry. He played floor keys/synth (think Geddy Lee of Rush who was his biggest influence, in fact RUSH was his absolute favorite band) to add to our sound, and while searching for what would eventually become our namesake song, Andrew turned to him and said, 'man that sounds like you are pushing the sun across the sky!' I heard that and while we were jamming, was thinking, that's a great name for the band! Larry's older brother is Eric McIntyre of Attitude Adjustment and I have to say, music flowed through his blood, Larry was the most talented musician I ever jammed with. Rarely did I have to actually show him what I was playing, we would just jam and instantly have a song. - Billy Connally
Billy Connally. first started playing with Larry Smith (below), back in 94' in a band called, Perfect Circle.
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W
ithin the past few years, local music has made a comeback and has risen out of the dark shadows. Now I’m not saying it was dead, but it was definitely put on the back burner. There are hardly any major labels anymore and new independent ones being born all over the world.
against the bullshit politics and the shady way of venues, so they can shed light on local talent. These people, folks, bust their ass trying to put back in place the missing pieces and I think these people deserve some damn acknowledgement from bands and from venues, who in my opinion should be promoting their own shows to build their own clientele instead of relyWill music ever be the same? Some would say no, ing on bands to do it for them, but that is another subbecause of technology, internet piracy of music is just ject for another article (ADHD sucks people). one to mention that has put a huge dark cloud over local music as well as mainstream. But there are few Johnny Hell Promotions, located in Vacaville Califororganizations that have come and gone in hopes to nia, is an organization created for you, the bands and be the one to shed light on what us crazy kids from to be enjoyed by you, the fans. Johnny Hughes, the the early 80’s to mid 90’s remember as a vibrant city founder of Johnny Hell Promotions, is a guy that loves of music. Sacramento was once one of the top 5 tour- music on top of loving what he does. He finds talent, ing cities for nationals. I mean, look at what was going not just from Vacaville, but from Sacramento as well on here over the weekends. Who could ever forget and he does what any smart entrepreneur would do, the legendary Cattle Club. Some found their first love he networks with people from all over the US and there while others lost their first tooth there. I would some other countries. have to say, other than internet and technology ruinAfter I had time to get to know Johnny, I found out ing what us music boomers miss, I believe politics that his passion is the same as ours here at Threat has taken it’s toll on our city’s local music as well. Con Nation Magazine. He loves music and believes With all these obstacles in the way for local talent, that local bands should have the opportunity to show there has been a huge support system that I am sad off their talent. Since what used to be available as an to say has gone unnoticed by the ones who could po- outlet for bands is no longer available, he goes out of tentially play a huge factor in putting Sacramento his way to help bands. One band in particular was back on the map as the top 5 touring cities for nation- played all over the US on internet and FM radio. I am als, but why do you think Sacramento back then was sure you have all heard of, March Into Paris, unfortuin the top 5? Probably because back then, if you were nately, they are no longer gigging but they were exin a band, and excuse my rudeness, you sucked, you tremely talented and this is what one of their memwould never step foot on a stage here in Sacramento. bers had to say about him: The only stage you would be playing on would be the “The first thing you need to know about Johnny is that one in your garage you borrowed from your sister that he's the most honest person you'll ever meet. And for she got on Christmas with her Barbie rock and roll someone in his business, that's saying a lot. In fact, play set. There are people that, because of their love for music, have created organizations to take a stand 12 Threat Con Nation Magazine
the combination of these two things should be impossible.
tions and other media of that level not showing enough support, groups like Johnny Hell Promotions are here to do what they can by showcasing their talents on his radio show and When my Ex-band 'March into Paris' first startthrough networking with his organization. In my opinion this ed working with his 'Johnny Hell Promotions' young man is a perfect example of what any local ambassawe had a six song EP, a few shows under our dor of music should be. He is a networking machine and has belts, and no internet presence. Within a few no quit in him. He lets nothing stand in his way of what he months, we were getting fan mail from 4 differloves the most, local music. ent continents, doing radio interviews every other week and as far as our internet presence If you love music, then please join Johnny Hell Promotions went, lets just say I felt sorry for any seventh and the rest of us to help take back what was created for us grader doing a web search on WWII for a his- by the bands. Don’t be a part of the herd, be a part of the tory report, because when you typed 'March movement. Let’s take back music as it has always been ours. into Paris' into any search engine the first five or six pages was us. I don't know a harder working promoter. I don't know another person who loves music the way Johnny does. I've been doing this a long time, █ and I've never met another Johnny Hell. I've had managers, PR people, Bookers, other promoters and none of them had nearly as much fire in their bellies when it came to making a band into something more than what they are. I even know bands that aren't as dedicated to their own success as he is, for god's sake! Weather it's a band he loves, his friends, or a band he wants to help out because he knows how hard being in a band is, Johnny is all in. His love of music and his dedication to the local scene on a global level (the local scene on a global level, how fucking cool is that!) is beyond impressive. This guy knows his shit. His work ethic is as real as his love is. He's not in it for the money, or the chicks, or the action. He's in it because he loves music. It's that pure and simple. I'm honored to call him a brother and lucky to have him as a friend.” Eric Davis Guitarist in SpiritAnimal He has also recently had Sacramentos Wolfgang Vega on his radio show, All Around locals of which you can listen to at s4nr.com where he plays all genres of rock. He owns Johnny Hell promotions but also extends his assistance to the online radio station, Station For The Nations Radio as a DJ to help promote local bands from all over. Johnny has also put together a compilation CD with various local artists from all over California on one CD titled, All The Wrong Locals Vol. 1. You can find it at: johnnyhellpromotions.bandcamp.com. In an era of local music making a serious comeback and with all the politics creating obstacles and with local media like FM radio sta-
Featured Poetry -FLY ME TO THE MOONAs we gazed up at the stars that night Feeling the light mist caressing our faces I smiled at you and sang “Fly Me to the Moon.” “No,” you countered as you clasped my hand in yours And rocketed us into the darkened sky. I marveled in wonder as we passed the Moon Her pale face beaming at us in knowing. Your lips brushed against mine as we drifted past Mars His blush deepening as we bid him farewell, And Jupiter winked his crimson eye. But at Saturn we halted and you bowed to me, You twirled me and hummed a waltz As we danced across her graceful rings. With a strike of teal lightning She cried happy tears of crystalline carbon Glittering bright in their mother’s radiance. We halted in wonder as the jewels fell around us In slow, gentle showers of precious stone, Tickling our faces and adorning our hair. Then one fell to my finger and there it stayed, You looked at me with a gleam in your eye and proclaimed, “She says you should marry me.” - Ashira Y Macy
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█ Q and A with the process with him happened so quickly. Cameron - Since they already had songs together, it was basically me coming in here for 2 months straight, going through the process and figuring out exactly what I felt was right; just writing it before I came into the studio, which really saves a lot of time. It was just coming in here and getting through it, getting it exactly how I wanted to do it. I think it came out really awesome, I was really proud of it. James - I just showed up and played (the room erupts with laughter), it’s just a bass, what do you want me to say? it’s simple, I just plug it in and play my part. Why did you use the Latin word, Omnia as your album title?
Individually, what is your favorite track on the new album and why?
Brian- Omnia is a concept album essentially about universal phenomena and how it relates to the human experience. We wanted a title that reflected that scale of the universe and it’s phenomena within it. The Latin word, Omnia means everything and we figured that was a good summary of what we were trying to do with the theme of the album.
Brian - My favorite track is Beyond The Horizon which is the last song and there is a couple of reasons for that. First, I’m really big into Progressive Rock music lately. Extended compositions, off beats, and polyrhythms; anything that makes it a bit more complicated. We wanted a final piece to show that side of us. Not only did we really hit the nail on the head but it conceptually ties in with the first track on the album, which is called, Before the Horizon, it is actually a 2 part sort of thing. You will never hear a lot of themes from the first song in the second one which brings it full circle once it ends.
Other than the awesome art work, what else can we expect from Omnia? Arnold - One of the things we really wanted to do was make this a true concept album and have gapless play all the way through. Some notables that have done that was Pink Floyd with Dark Side Of The Moon and Tool with Lateralus, where the songs flowed into each other and there was no silence. Each song fades into a sort of atmospheric dark sounding background that will go into the next song so it’s this seamless hour and 10 minutes of music. We really wanted it to be a full experience. The album is one coherent concept as opposed to going out single after single.
Cameron - Yeah, we have been able to play them together and it has been awesome.
Arnold - I would have to agree, Beyond The Horizon is a great song. I like how it all came together and it’s a good testament to how well our current lineup of members really gel because that was the last song we put any effort towards and it just all came together and we just loved what was happening. I kind of see music as a dish, you throw together different ingredients and you hope it comes out right. Everything meshed and I just Cameron - It’s great because once you put that sound in love how that song flows. between, it goes from being 13 tracks to one piece of James - I just show up and play, but I do agree with the audible composition that I thought was awesome. rest of the guys. That is my favorite song and not beWhat was the preparation process like for the new cause of what they said about it but because it shows off album? our true diverse nature and what we can do as musicians. It is a challenge to play and I like that because it Brian - I had to invest in a lot of gear. The guy who gives me something to strive for. mixed our album recommended I get a certain kind of mic. We recorded the whole entire album on our own Cameron - Man that is tough because we all agree on 1 except for the drums. Just a lot of rehearsals and trying and I think they are all f*cken awesome but if it wasn’t to work through all the individual pieces that were going Beyond The Horizon I’d have to say Impulse. to go on the album. James - Ok, I am going to go against the grain and Cameron - It was great because we were able to really say Afferent is my favorite. break it down and just finalize and fine tune it all. Cameron - Yeah, because Afferent is a minute and a Arnold - With our writing process, even all the songs we half bass solo (everyone in the room laughs) have played live, we are constantly evolving. We start throwing in new parts or rewriting things here and there What would Zeroclient like to receive from releasor we would think to ourselves, ‘here there needs to be a ing Omnia? breakdown’ so those dummy recordings were the final Brian - Listeners. We hope that people can get out of nail in the coffin and we would all take turns signing off on each other. It was a tedious process but we got the album what we put into it. There is so much in the through it pretty quickly. The toughest thing for us to album, not just the music but conceptually. We spent track and get good quality from was the drums. It rea very long time on every piece and a lot of effort to quired 8 simultaneous tracks, which we didn’t have. put everything we could into it to make it stand out. Luckily, we got some studio time with Pinnacle and they did a phenomenal job recording the drums and Cameron Go To zeroclientmusic.com For A Listen. just killed it. The whole process was smooth, just so solid. Cameron was the anchor to the whole thing because
Dear Hellen: I have struggled with depression (Bipolar II) for as long as I can remember. It ebbs and flows but it’s always present. Until recently, I have just soldiered on, mindful of my depression but taking care to not let it overpower me. Lately it has consumed me. I do not do well on medication – it only compresses the highs and lows and leaves me flat, dull and empty. My friends just don’t understand and I am afraid they have given up on me.
the ability to have an honest conversation about their needs provides surprising benefits. Lastly, don’t underestimate your friends. A little dialogue goes a long way. Make the effort to reach out if you need help and you will most likely be surprised at the support you receive. Thanks for Asking. Hellen
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B.R.
Readers:
Dear B:
It is undeniable that social media has become intertwined in most people’s lives. Facebook, for example, is a great tool to keep in touch with friends near and far. It’s also den of negative and even aggressive behavior ranging from simply sharing too much information to bullying and worse. What do you do when your casual friend posts a rant on a hot-button topic such as religion, politics, gun control or abortion and you completely disagree with their opinion? Do you join the fray and try to explain your position or do you choose not to engage? Have you lost friendships, casual or close, because of the freedom of social media?
Schedule an appointment with your doctor. According to an article in the recent issue of Translational Psychiatry, new blood markers have been found which will enable doctors to identify major depressive disorder (MDD) via a blood test, bringing “mental health diagnosis into the 21st century” and making diagnosis and effective treatment much faster than before. Discuss your options for medications with your doctor. There are many new combinations of drugs that can be tailored to your individual needs.
The Greeks considered mental illness to be an organic problem. However, during the Middle Ages and the destruction of the bubonic plague people’s view of mental illness was changed from natural causes to Tell me your stories at: supernatural forces or evil spirits – conditions that askhellenback@yahoo.com and I will share them physicians of the day were unable to deal with. Dur- in the next issue. ing the Renaissance, conditions such as epilepsy and hysteria were thought to be connected to witches, Random Advice of the Month: witchcraft and diabolical possession. Typically, the “cure” was death by being burned at the stake. MovLet the bridges you burn light the way. ing forward to the 17th century and beyond, people suffering from mental illness were faced with institutions and even barbaric experiments including shock treatments and lobotomies performed in the name of “medicine”. Only in the last 50 years have we seen the introduction of pharmacology, e.g. psychotropics ASK HELLEN BACK to stabilize and improve mood and anti-psychotics to askhellenback@yahoo.com treat disorders such as schizophrenia - resulting in an Hellen Back Facebook improved quality of life. It finally seems “okay” to talk about depression and other mental health issues candidly and openly. To many struggling with depression and mental illness,
Hellen Back Twitter
Threat Con Nation Magazine 15
Be Amazing. Don’t Be A D*ck!
Hi,
Allen Dean. Skin of Saints, Sacramento. That Metal Chick is sick, so I’m lending a hand, or better yet, a couple of horns!
that you forget where and who you are. I have been blessed to have worked with some very level headed players. Yet, there have been a few, who have taken I have been rocking and moshing on all kinds of stag- their hype to an insane level of arrogance. I have had es for 30 years… Holy crap, right? Let me preface this some bandmates in the past that were cocky to a scary level…. You know who you are! miniature rant by stating publicly, The Sacramento scene is one of the most rich, diverse, and communal A local scene, in my humble and learned opinion, is music scenes I have ever had the honor of supporting, and occasionally participating within. In the time I only as good as the collective group of players which have been playing live and loud, I have been witness inhabit the entirety of the talent pool. All of us, with to the rise of rock legends, Tesla, and the birth of the differing styles, tastes, clothing, sets and attitudes Seattle Scene while living in the Great NorthWest. In make up an entire snapshot of greatness. No one band defines a local scene. Perhaps, there are a few every state, every county, every city, every storage unit, garage, basement, and back yard, there are local who rise to the top, but in truth, a big, egotistical fish bands, working their collective asses off to make great makes the pond harder for everyone to swim. There music, or at the very least, create something unique in will always be excited and thrilled folks who support your craft, and your brand. They will tell you how order to piss off those douchebag neighbors!! amazing you are. They will let you know how deeply you touched their souls with your abilities. And this, in And in every state, county, city, etc, there are ’those’ my opinion, should humble a musician, not provide bands; the ones who have something special. A shredder for a guitarist. A singer who can wail. A drop firewood to the burning ego. Sure, everyone can get dead sexy bass player. A drummer who should be just carried up in the wave of back slapping and high fives giving clinics all night long. People from all over come after a particularly smoking set, but remember, that to see these kick ass players show the rest of us how set could have been just as horrible, had circumstancits done. Every region of America has a different level, es been different. A broken string. Bad tubes. A singer and different type of badass, all amazing in their own with a cold. So many ways for sh*t to go south. These right. I have seen these dudes in so many places. And are the times that should, hopefully, give us all a bit of clarity. An opportunity to tell ourselves, and our bandI watch. Listen. Enjoy. mates, ”No one is famous until they are truly famous.” Then, inevitably, it happens. Some Little Fishies turn into Big Fishies, and start filling up the Little Pond with There is nothing wrong with Being confident. Self assured. A great promoter of your music and brand. But their immense egos. In my opinion, this can be the I feel, one falls off the rails when they take their configreatest downfall to any local artist; becoming small town rock gods in their own minds. We have all seen dence to a level where they feel they are better than any other hard working local, who bust their asses them. Bands who believe the hype that is spread trying to carve out a niche in the market. about them. Bands who refuse to play with ”certain” other bands. Bands that puff their chests out, look down on the new up and comers, or worse, sabotage So remember, little fish, and take it from an old fish; them. The bands who demand ridiculous payouts, be- being badass is something to be immensely proud of. cause of ”who they are” and bands who generally be- Just don’t be a d*ck. lieve every inebriated patron who tells them their set - That Metal Husband rivaled that one time they saw Megadeth in 83…. Because I’m an old dog, I do get asked by people from time to time, what my opinion is. Even though I’m a nobody, it always flatters me, and one opinion I impart without fail, and often is: don’t be so badass
**Wishing you well, Mrs. Metal Chick. TCNM loves you!**
█ TCNM OUT OF BOUNDS
Threat Con Nation Magazine 17
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TCNM Electronic Editions are available at http://issuu.com/threatconradio