TCNM Issue 10 by Threat Con Nation

ISSUE

10 ● FREE

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: Highway XII Other Photo Credits: Stefan Adcock, SicPic Photography, Sarah Dubar Marketing / Advertising Director: Shawn Ernst Editor: M Montez Contributing Writers: Johnna Dean, Shawn Ernst, M Montez, Stefan Adcock, Tonya Whitworth, Nathan Giguiere

Join us at Old Ironsides for the last show of our Hot Summer Nights Series. Featuring: Mourning Mountains Wolfgang Vega and Humble Wolf.

CONTACT/SUBMISSIONS:

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.

Highway XII

here is a unique vocal style and unflinching depth to Highway XII. The combination of heavy and melodic, monumental climaxes, and emotionally charged lyrics gives Highway XII the ability to reach in places just under the surface to expose a stark glimpse of our own torments in an exquisitely personal way. With the efforts of four talented individuals, Highway XII makes music that grabs you. Keep an eye out for future performances as they are quickly becoming a Sacramento favorite. Greg Chassey (vocals), Tim Vasquez (Guitar), Dan Tounian (Bass), and David Gray (Drums) talk about some of their past challenges and how the road ahead looks for Highway XII.

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What is the meaning behind the band’s name, Highway XII? Greg- The meaning behind Highway XII is the numerology of 12, the measurement of different things behind 12. For example, there are 12 associated hours in a day, 12 months in a year, and so it’s part numerology with a variable of 12. There are 12 central nervous systems in the brain, the highway to invoking thought is what Highway XII is all about. It’s the road to utilizing the nerve in your brain, along with the numerology of 12 and what it represents as human beings.

vious and just make it better. That is the overall goal because nobody wants to take away Highway XII. We are going to continue and just make it better. Dan- To Dave’s point, we all, when writing, give each other open criticism and no one gets offended. That’s what is going to help get this off the ground.

Tim- For me, the biggest thing is the different influences for sure. Greg’s style of music, Dave’s style of music with Dan’s and mine. There are similarities but there are differences at the same time with the things we listen for when we write. I like that we have versatility amongst ourselves Dan- The name has nothing to do with the actual Highto kind of say, ‘hey what do you think of this sound’ and way 12 that runs through Lodi, California. even though I play a certain way, Dave may hear it differently and may alter the changes a bit to become this kick With having a line-up change, what different variables ass song. For us, even screwing around, we come up with some kick ass ideas. are we going to see from Highway XII? Greg- You are going to see a different shift to the music. Essentially, we came out as a very edgy rock band of which we want to maintain that same edge, but at the same time, just like any artist that grows and progresses from album to album, there are different progressions you are going to hear. I feel with the new stuff there are a lot more melodies, more rhythms, and less sharp accent changes that can somehow come out of nowhere. More stable counts to the music, that’s more from the music standpoint. Not quite as heavy but more melody driven opposed to punch you in the face music. One of the biggest things you are going to see is fast progression and growth to the Sacramento scene because we had a lot of setbacks. Now we are more goal oriented. Everyone is on board and everyone is helping drive the ship. From the growth standpoint, I feel like there are more people joining the surge on getting out there and being recognized as a valuable product from Sacramento. Dan- What is nice is the approach we are taking. Everyone has an even say in what we are doing. There is also a systematic approach to everything we do as well. The key thing here is that we all communicate with each other which is one of the strongest points of band vitality.

With the new line-up, how did it feel to be back on stage? Dan- It was nice to be back on stage, haven’t been on stage since my previous band Train Wreck. We played with Texas Hippie Coalition. Dave called me up late September and asked if I knew any bass players. I could bring up a few, but hey, I can juggle two bands. I started New Year’s day. It was just fate, circumstances, I don't know. It was a blast and f@cken phenomenal mate! Tim– Awe man, it was an anxious day all day. I never played on stage as a guitar player, so I knew it was going to be amazing. All the practice time and stinky sweat in the band room. I was excited for it to be over because I wanted the feeling of finishing the gig and having the first step accomplished. I remember when we were setting up, my leg gave out on me and I was thinking sh*t, so I was going to the bar and getting a drink, thinking ok this is it, this is the show. I remember when we were on stage, I looked at Greg, Dave, and Dan and thought, ‘this is it, this is awesome!’ Dave was smiling as I looked at him and it was perfect.

Dave- It felt insanely good to be back on stage, but not Dave- One of the most important things that I have seen only that, coming from a different band that was entirely being in the local scene for as many years as I have is not different from this one, the way Highway XII went together just fit. It felt f@cken great, all of us were looking at each just the whole cohesiveness of where we are, where we know we are, and where we are going to go, but with eve- other and it was great. The best feeling ever aside from rybody being on board and the versatility of all of us. We having sex of course. all come from different backgrounds and the sheer versa- Greg- For me, it was a lot different. I was nervous, excited, tility of this band is going to blow everything that was precontinued

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and I had this sense of eagerness to get back out. I knew we were going to make some changes, so when the previous members and I separated, it was supposed to be a hiatus to make some changes. All of a sudden things started to snow ball and it was f@cken awesome. Some of the previous members had some life changes, so unfortunately, that was where the band was said to be done and I was like, f@ck that! We worked too hard and I didn’t want it to be the end. So i got in contact with Dave to have him come in and see where it went. I had an eagerness to get back out after going through the changes to show I was not done. When we played at Stuckey’s with the new line up, people were yelling ‘Welcome back Highway 12!’ and it was at that moment, all the anticipation building up to it, the things said on Facebook and everyone giving us praise, but at that moment and we do not know who said it, but it was like, this is home.

With the professional music industry having less main labels available and no scouts, what 6 Threat Con Nation Magazine

would you do to get your music in front of them? Dave– Personally take every avenue and don’t take any field untraveled. It’s been my experience that no one is looking for you. If you are not working to get people to hear it, then you might as well stay in the garage. It is my experience, be anywhere and everywhere. Dan- The music industry itself has changed. The internet and social media has changed everything. You push it on Facebook and all social media, plaster flyers on telephone poles, do the footwork. Greg- I think you can look at it either way. The glass is half full or half empty is the bottom line. Realistically, I think a lot of bands think it is half empty because it’s like it would be great to get help and get signed and have them book your tours and get paid and if that is the case, then yeah, it would be cool. To me what is awesome about it is we have the opportunity to pave our own way of doing it. We put out an album and start selling it. We can pocket

all the money if we push it and do the work ourselves. Has there been any challenges with the new lineup? Greg- I would say, yes. I think any band is going to have challenges. It is hard to have a project that everyone is a 100% satisfied with. To me, what I think is awesome is the fact that everyone throws in their two cents. We even try stuff we've thought may not be right. Everyone is going to have different opinions to it but its not detrimental. Tim- For all of us to get up to speed of the old material. On the back end, we fall on the old material while we work on new stuff. While learning the old stuff to a certain point, with having the new line-up, it was like, man we are doing this again. We are teaching the songs to a new person all over again. Getting up to speed to learn the new material to play shows, which alleviated the

stress of learning the old, to getting past the old Highway 12 cookie cutter stuff because we play differently than the older material. Dave- Really, the only thing being a road block was when Tim, Greg, and I were trying to get up to speed with the old bassist. Dan- Obviously, there are new members in the band and when you fill the shoes of the previous members, you want to make sure you are doing justice to the original sound and also you want to make sure you add your own signature to it as well. For me, I wanted to make sure that my way of playing fits the part. With being in a band, there are all kinds of different personalities and that goes along the side, meeting the chemistry of musicianship, and we are ready to keep hitting the ground running.

LINKS highway12music.com reverbnation.com/highway12music facebook.com/Highway12Music

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Q AND A WITH

nyone that picks up an instrument and sticks with it long enough to become a musician has a unique ambition. However, drummers are an entirely different breed of human. Drummers not only have ambition, but it is as if they were created just for the sole purpose of giving a life and pulse to music. For many, it's an obsession that can never die. Much is the case for Dan Johnson, the drummer for KoRn guitarist, Brian "Head" Welsh's band Love and Death and the currently touring rock/alt band, Red who will hit the stage at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California for the Hallelujah Jubilee on September 13th. Check out Red at www.redmusiconline.com for a complete list of stops on their North American tour. 8 Threat Con Nation Magazine

Dan Johnson What genre' introduced you to becoming a professional drummer? I've loved radio rock, so that's what introduced me to touring:) How has the professional music industry affected you? It's all I'm meant to do. As soon as I got a taste of hitting the road, I knew there was no going back:) What was the feeling like during your first national tour? It was an amazing rush. It was opening for Earshot on some dates through the south. What would you say are some things people do not realize about a touring musician? It's not a 9 to 5 job, it's everything you have ... all day and night from setting up gear, merch, to driving your bandmates right after a gig to the next town all night to do it again. The best. What challenges have you been faced with while making a name for yourself as a drummer? There's always guys comin up better and smarter no matter what, so it keeps you humble and grateful and hungry. And on yourr game 24/7. What is your form of motivation to keep pushing forward? The fact I don't know how to do anything else but play drums ha ha . .I love music too much to think about anything else. Are there any rituals you do before going on stage? Rudiments! On the Vater practice pad for at least 30 min before showtime ...and making sure everyone is laughing and in the right mindset. Aside from being a professional drummer in what other areas do your interests lay? Hmmmm ... maybe just exercising but not really anything but drumming:) At what age did you start taking an interest in drumming? 8 years old, I think. But didn't get crazy about it till high school. What is some of your most memorable performances? Metaltown in Sweden. Rock am Ring. Everything on the Korn tours lol ..but I'm absolutely ecstatic about being in the band RED. It feels great from the very start.

t was another cool March night at Ace of Spades, where I came across Matt Sertich. I was camped out in the crowd at RAW Presents: Awakening, which was an art/music/fashion show put on by RAWArtists.org, and was just enjoying the mass collections of paintings and various, quasi-erotic print pieces when the actual music of the event started. I didn’t see a whole band take the stage, but just one guy, which was Sertich. He sat down at his piano, which also had a synthesizer, drum machine, and a couple other attachments springing out from it. I had a hard time just trying to keep track of what I was looking at, but Sertich calmly walked up, sat down, and began to play. He effortlessly worked the piano while overlaying synth parts and singing. As he kicked into Confide in Me, which was the perfect combo of rainy-day relaxing piano, and soaring vocals, that you couldn’t help but stand back and watch. Time warp to April 29, in the back of Harlow’s patio, in Sacramento, and Sertich has caught up with me to chat. It turns out, that I actually knew of Sertich as far back as 2007 as part of the indie rock outfit, The Generals, and he has been just chugging along with music ever since then. Even prior to that, as a high school student in Sacramento during the 90’s, Sertich has been involved with music in some way. Lately, in regards to The Generals, Sertich simply states, “We [The Generals] are just taking a back seat with that stuff because I am just at a point in my career where I really wanna make it happen… 10 Threat Con Nation Magazine

I’ve been a singer/songwriter and have been doing this for a while, so it just took me a while, and it took me to a point where I can do it...when I was writing this last record [with The Generals] I just started playing the piano and got a lot of good melodies out of it.” As we talk a little more, I try and get a bead on what influences his songwriting and he gave me an interesting perspective, “Just life, man. I’m a real passionate person, so relationships, world conditions… self improvement, loss, just anything really… Musically, though it has changed over the years. Anything from Jim Croce, y’know all that singer songwriter stuff, to Depeche Mode. Even Phil Collins. A lot of European bands [like] The Killers, Coldplay, just a lot of stuff”. These 2 pools of influences combine really well, and the Coldplay influence is fairly evident in Sertich’s ‘Confide in Me’, which I previously mentioned. As we continue our conversation, we delved into why he chose to branch out on his own “I have been playing with the same guy in The Generals since I was a kid...and I got a little anxious because it took so much time...I just started to learn how to play and do it at open mics… I was always kind of a dream of mine because I have always had that passion and drive to really wanna make it happen, and it’s hard.” He even went on to add, “It’s like you‘re in a relationship, for a long time, and you’re just scared, but once you start opening up, little by little, you start to feel better. Once you get that goal in

mind, you just have to keep pushing for it, you know?”.

After our little chat, Sertich took the stage at Harlow’s and delivered his passion through his music flawlessly. People stopped what they were doing Well, his passion has definitely paid off with the reand not only watched, but listened to his music. It is lease of his new 6 song EP ‘The Only Way Out is hard to not have Sertich’s passion for what he does Through’ in early May, which he recorded at the rub off on you a little, whether it be through his muPus Cavern here in Sacramento. He describes it as sic or through just sitting down and chatting for a “more Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel in style”. bit. Through the magic of the internet, Sertich has made his songs very readily available. His EP is Once again, he has his music available on the muavailable for $6 on his Bandcamp page sic mainstays of the internet: Facebook, (mattsertich.bandcamp.com), as well you can catch Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Twitter, and Reverbnation. more of his music on ReverbNation, Soundcloud, Look him up, and see what a good listen can do for Facebook, and eventually, iTunes. As well, you can you. keep tab on his upcoming shows by liking him on Facebook and following him on Twitter - Stefan Adcock, Contributor (@MathewSertich), as well as links to videos and more music. As our conversation turns to the future, he doesn’t shy away from his goal. Simply put, he says, “Doing whatever it takes, just getting out and playing out. I had a hard time doing that with previous bands, just getting out of California and playing wherever I can. I may be relocating to Southern California soon. This place [Sacramento] is still my home, but I would just like to get some more opportunities in any way that I can.” After a quick derailment in conversation (because who doesn’t have a few whacky SoCal stories?), he outlines his end game pretty directly. He puts it right out there by saying, “It’s to change the world with what I want to do. It’s making an impact in the world. I am very passionate about life in general...I am happiest at the end of the day when I can play and make a difference in people’s lives...and I wanna get out in the world and play and see the rest of it. There are so many passionate people out there, and I want to see it.” Threat Con Nation Magazine 11

here was a time not long ago that the music community in Sacramento and other surrounding cities from all over the US saw what I called, The Dark Ages of local music. There were bands performing at venues, but it seemed there was something missing. There was a definite disconnect that seemed to linger from suburbia to the downtown music scene that had all minds alike scrambling together to try to figure out a formula to put back in place what was missing.

dia websites. They go way and beyond what one would expect to show their appreciation for these motivated hard working musicians.

Aside from their 9 to 5 jobs, they go out in the community and bust their butts to raise awareness for musicians by promoting their shows and talking to people to get them involved. They also put on a mixer. You might be asking yourself, what is a mixer? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an awesome idea that they came up with to get venue owners, bands, promoters, and music As years have passed, there have been many industry professionals all in one room to network. groups that were formed. Some have called it quits Not only do they try to raise awareness locally, while others still try to figure out this mystery forthey reach out through networking to raise awaremula. There are organizations like Johnny Hell Pro- ness all over Northern California. motions out of Vacaville, California, v103Rock out When I first heard of Soundz Of Norcal, I thought it of Sacramento California, and many others that was a cool name, but I wanted to know more. I have stood out, but there is one organization that wanted to see and know the people behind the believes through networking and compromise, we name and I wanted to know what they were all the people of Sacramento can come together and about. I talked to different musicians about Soundz form an alliance. This organization is Soundz Of and none of them had one negative thing to say. Norcal. If you have never known a musician, let me bring Soundz Of Norcal was created for the purpose of you in a little closer: I have learned the hard way bringing together the local music community from that musicians do not just accept anyone into their the suburbs to the downtown music scene to colcircle of trust. Each band member has a role aside lectively combine as one with a splash of artistic from their stage performance. What I mean by that taste. Their mission is to bring venues, promoters, is, while bands are not performing on stage, they and bands together. In a city where our local bands are working on being business machines. With are underrated and underappreciated, Soundz Of every business there is a gatekeeper. The one you Norcal brings them to the forefront to help them have to get past first and what I mean by â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;get past gain as much exposure as possible, not just by firstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is not by performing an NFL MVP move of the showing up to shows and commenting on posts on game 360 spin juke. I am talking about, you better Facebook or mentioning talent on their social menot try anything funny. It is not a ploy for them to 12 Threat Con Nation Magazine

disconnect themselves from us. It’s a defense mechanism that they need to have because everything they have worked so hard for has to be protected. I knew that if bands were talking highly of Soundz Of Norcal, they were doing something right for bands. I have heard plenty of people complaining about this or complaining about that when it comes to improving the local music community, but most of those people were not willing to do anything unless they were

provided with some kind of compensation. In a world where politics are shoved down our throats and ignorance has become a fad, Soundz Of Norcal has taken their passion and ideas and turned them into reality. Do they have to do what they do? Of course not, but they do it and it’s people like the ones affiliated with Soundz Of Norcal that this music community needs. I applaud them because they have made a difference and I thank them for that as we share the same passion. Together folks, we can all make a difference. GO TO LOCAL SHOWS AND VISIT SOUNDZOFNORCAL . COM

Humble Wolf's new album Black and White is almost complete but they need your help to finish it. “We have been working on our new album, ‘Black and White’ now for 2 years and the finish line is in sight. We just need your help to cross it. We think that the help of our friends, family and fans we can make our new record a reality. We would be nothing without you guys.“

To help, go to kickstarter.com and search: Humble Wolf HUMBLE WOLF LINKS facebook.com/humblewolfmusic reverbnation.com/humblewolf

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Dear Hellen: I am pretty sure my boyfriend is a narcissist. He drives me crazy but I truly love him and want to be with him now and in the future. How can I make him realize what his behavior is doing to me and to our relationship? Allie



Sets unrealistic goals for self



Sense of entitlement



Easily hurt or rejected

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Exploits relationships

The narcissist’s inflated sense of self-worth hides the reality of a fragile self-esteem and general inability to handle Dear Allie: You can’t. Here’s why. This is serious stuff. Narcriticism. cissistic personality disorder is characterized by an overinflated sense of self-importance, as well as dramatic, emo- Persons who do not live with or work closely with narcistional and frequently passive-aggressive behavior that is in sists usually find them to be stimulating and intelligent and the same category as antisocial and borderline personality superior people. “Positive”, “enthusiastic” and “motivating” disorders. have been used to describe narcissists. Those who live with them or are in close/extended/frequent contact are If, he is in fact a narcissist (and I’ll get to that later), the privy to the underlying negative and problematic behavior. foundation was laid a long time ago. Although the cause is unknown, some of the contributing factors are: "It's not so much being liked. It's much more important to be admired. Studies have shown narcissists are willing to sac An oversensitive temperament at birth. rifice being liked if they think it's necessary to be admired,"  Severe emotional abuse as a child. says Roy Baumeister, a social psychologist at Florida State University in Tallahassee.  Excessive praise for good behavior or excessive criticism for bad behavior as a child. Finally, how to cope with your boyfriend: You can’t fix him.  Overindulgence and overvaluation by parents, fam- However, you can protect yourself from having your emoily members, or peers. tions manipulated. Narcissists are often expert at manipu Being praised by parents and adults for perceived lating your emotions. Love, guilt, fear – whichever button exceptional looks or abilities. works, the narcissist will push it. You will need to accept  Inconsistent or sporadic caregiving from parents. • the reality of his behavior and the effect on your relationLearning manipulative behaviors from parents. ship.  Excessive admiration that is never tempered by Know the truth about his behavior. Knowledge is power. Set realistic feedback. clear boundaries and maintain them. Be willing to fight for Recent research has identified a structural abnormality in yourself and your relationship. the brains of those with narcissistic personality disorder, specifically noting less volume of gray matter in the left Thanks for Asking! anterior -Hellen So, now to confirm or deny your suspicion that Boyfriend is a narcissist. Symptoms may include: 

Expects constant attention, admiration and positive reinforcement from others

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Envious/jealous of others and believes others envy him/her

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Believes others are envious/jealous of him/her

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Fantasizes about success, attractiveness, power, intelligence

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Lacks the ability to empathize with the feelings, emotions and needs of others

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Is arrogant in attitudes and behavior

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Has expectations of special treatment that are unrealistic

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Random Advice of the Month: Remember – It’s not all about you.

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

Denver J Band Jam/Acoustic “The bands mantra, Making music so that others may love.”

reverbnation.com/ thedenverjband

The Scales

Cast The Clarity

Punk/Rock

Rock/Hard Rock

“The Bronx's finest killer punk band.”

“Featuring members of: Track Fighter, Maid of The Mist, and LP Sessions.

reverbnation.com/ thescales1

reverbnation.com/ casttheclarity

‘Falling Star’ I’ve been captivated by a falling star Just outside my reach, seems they always are I believe that she will rise again She will take back all this empty pain And return to heaven, though it’s so far She was much too pure to remain Much too clean to be stained And though I’ll never be With my own eyes did see Her opening eyes for the first time In this mortality And dwelt among us but a short time Left us with memories in sunshine Move from the shadowed faces Walk away from bitter places This one will always be mine A light rises from the surface of the earth As the sun rising to a new birth And the star regains her light While ascending in flight Always will remember, my heart will not forget When the star and I met For it was not the first.

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Why Buy Music? Why Support Local Artists?

the world has been pirated from illegal sites...26 Percent!!

But, wait. We used to share tapes, and dub albums for our friends too. So, what's the big deal? – The deal is, I remember when Napster first came to my attention in a world of 7+ Billion people, 26% of them is one huge several years ago. And, Wow. Kinda awesome! Even f@cking number! Since record companies are all but though it took 26.43 HOURS to download one song, it dried-up fossils, and bands don’t get anything fronted to was still a bit of a rush to get that file downloaded. I found some rare stuff, boot-legged material, unreleased them anymore, this means money. Bands NEED monand imported music I'd never heard of before – So ba- ey. They need to be able to tour. And, the ability to buy merch for their fans to enjoy. dass!! When Lars and his goons sued Napster, I didn’t understand his damage? Why? He was getting tons of new fans; Fans that go to his shows, buy his merch, make them tons of money. I just knew that Danish Twat was a Sissy!! –Then, Napster became a joke. No one went there anymore and for a while everything was kind of dull. But, now Torrent sites are all over, and you can get free movies, whole albums, and all kinds of things, for FREE! Well, how METAL is that? I thought....Quick decision! It's so freakin’ UNmetal!!

We live in a world where most people feel that art, movies, music, and television should be free, or at least dirt cheap. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. However, the real motivation is that we don’t want to pay fat cigarsmoking f@cks who try to make money off the backs of our lovable and legitimate artists. Most bands are required to "self-finance", from the local-levels, to the beginner-nationals. When record industry analysts document nearly 12.2-Billion US dollars is lost every year to piracy. That’s money from musicians, not from record companies. –Just, so very UNmetal!!

I watch how hard musicians work on making music. All those hours, and days, and months spent shaping and transforming their talented abilities into great music that they will hope listeners will love, listen to, and buy. Then, only hope they can cover all the costs of recording and distributing those songs to get it out there for listeners to purchase.

Local bands sweat blood for their art. They get onstage, and for that 30-40 minutes. They have your undivided attention. The cost of getting there can be immense, however. Every penny matters to those who struggle to follow their hopes and dreams. – BUY Music! Locally and Nationally; Pick-up a T-shirt or two and wear them proudly. Support your Music Scene, wherever you live.

I saw how easy it was to steal music. How easy it was to take songs and put them on a CD or any Mp3 player. So, I did some research. Just a little, since ADD prevents me from reading any website that isn’t shiny… The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, or IFPI, estimates nearly 26% of ALL music in

If a band offers up a free song, pay it forward and buy their CD too. Let's all do our best to say “Thank You!” for being such bad-asses for us. Show some love, appreciation with a little of our merch purchasing-power!

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-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 wolfgang vega

3 papa roach

3 FATE UNDER FIRE

4 SOME FEAR NONE

4 once an empire

5 DALE REDLINE

5 Dog party

6 restrayned

6 ffg

7 ARDEN PARK ROOTS

7 march into paris

8 zeroclient

8 wrings

9 long in the tooth

9 syne faeth

100a mile till dawn

100paul Pocker solo

METAL

PUNK 1 S.W.I.M.

1lIfeforms

2 teenage brain

2 IN THE SILENCE

3 boats!

3 havenside

4 Twitch angry

4 the alpha complex

5 dead weight

5 black

6 The auxillary

6 kill the precedent

7 get shot!

7 fallrise

8 yankee Brutal

8 mind furnace

9 md 80

9 dead in seconds

100the pikeys

100boyce

Data collected from www.reverbnation.com *Standings as of 07/23/2014

FICTION

THE NIGHT SHIFT WITH WILSON

"Pulling those heavy ass hoses is no joke." He says with his thick Puerto Rican accent.

I don’t believe him though because his brother came up from Florida for Christmas last year and he had the same beefed up forearms. He’s a taxi driver. GenetShe was either drunk on pure manic happiness or a raging pissed off lunatic. There was no in-between for ics, man. I only pretend to believe him because he’s my friend and it’s not worth the hassle to question a her. No calm spaces for recharging the old battery. I was battling insomnia. I’m always battling insomnia. skinny man with gorilla arms. I suspect the habit started because of her. It was the We met a few years ago at a warehouse running forkonly time I could ever be with the relaxed and less lifts. It was just him and me running those things in overwhelming version of her, what with her crazy circles from one end to the other all day long. We mood swings and all. raced each other when nobody was looking and he I envied her dead sleep. She was beautiful under the purposely cut me off for giggles. There were often near misses and occasional light collisions, but nothglow of the infomercial on tv, curled in her favorite sleeping position. I used to call it "the twist" because ing serious. He had a maniac laugh and it echoed off the concrete walls. I was always shushing him bethe top half of her lay flat on her back while twisting cause that laugh had the knack for getting us in trouher hips to one side. ble. I had to watch my back with that b*stard around. On this particular night, her butt managed to escape I eventually got fired for damaging too much freight the covers. Actually, that happened on most nights and causing a giant chemical spill. The employees and that butt had radar for me. It seemed to point in were running around with rags over their mouths like my direction no matter where I was or how far. It some kind of war refugees. It was complete disorcould probably point me out across town if she fell ganized chaos between the pickers scattering and the asleep while I was away. managers yelling. Everyone was in a panic over some There, sitting atop her left butt cheek was a small pink fumes that would have maybe given you a splitting blemish. I lay wide awake with that thing staring at headache at worst. It was a real sight to see. me. I stared back. That rosy little bump and I became I walked outside, had a smoke and waited to be let go night shift buddies and a scene from that movie while they called in the hazmat people to clean up. about the guy stranded on an island with his volley Did you know pool cleaning chemicals can be damn ball came to mind, so I decided to name my little near tear gas in poor ventilation? Actually, I knew that friend, Wilson. little fact beforehand. I just didn’t give a sh*t. Seeing that imperfect mark on an otherwise attractive Carlos still works at the warehouse and from what I body seemed somehow, important. The thought of being the only man to lay eyes on it made me smile a hear, he's moved up to a lead position now. The guy little and I considered the possibility of being the only that once came careening at me in his forklift, laughliving soul aware of Wilson's existence at all. I mean, ing his ass off on the daily is now the assistant supervisor on day shift. He says after the accident, everywho goes around caressing their own ass cheek to one was eyeballing each other over safety, so he check for Wilsons? I couldn't imagine her doing that started to take the work more seriously. even if I secretly wanted to. “You know that girl’s got problems.” Carlos was That old saying, "You know me better than I know torqueing a wrench under the hood of his car. myself" might not be so full of shit after all. I thought about that for a bit and it was then that I knew I He asked me to help him replace some kind of gaswanted to marry her. ket, but it was just an excuse to have a few beers. It had been awhile since we hung out. I leaned against the garage door and waited for him to ask for another 2 socket. Carlos has huge tattooed forearms and he’s pretty “How’s Mrs. Loony Bin doing?” He pointed at his head proud of them. He likes to make a point of flexing his with the wrench and said, “You don’t wanna marry muscles around women and telling them that he that one.” earned those babies during his time as a volunteer firefighter, but his massive forearms just look freakish “She hates you.” I thought he would get a kick out of that. It was true too. in comparison to his narrow build. 1

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FICTION

“What can I say? I have a way with women.” He tossed the wrench in the lawn, grabbed his bottle and leaned on the garage door with me. “I know what it is, crazies like that are crazy in bed. Am I right?”

Every time she was on one, she would bring that conversation back. The, ‘Why won’t you tell me why you love me’ business. She would rip the bandaid right off and make me see it.

I didn’t say anything. I suppose that was one reason.

The other ugly nonsense and the neediness and the suffocating heaviness increased until I finally lost it.

We were at the pond near her sister’s house when she said, “Why do you love me?”

“She let me go.” I said to Carlos.

She was fishing for compliments again and I hated it. Carlos chugged his beer and said, “Well ain’t that I couldn’t think of one single thing. All I knew was she some sh*t.” was interesting and repulsive all at the same time. I loved her and I hated her and if I told her that I had an - M Montez odd fascination for her that wouldn’t go away, it would have pissed her off. Can that be enough to love someone? “Freak show. You think I’m a freak show just because I’m not blind like the rest of this sh*tty world. Well, f*ck you!” She would say. ARTIST GALLERY

Cheryl Acrylic on canvas by M. Montez

Untitled markers on card stock by M. Montez

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