MIXED NOTES SIGNING STORIES
Celebrating
—ANDY MESECHER andym@musicconnection.com
36 Years 1977–2013
ALEX KLUFT
MC NEW MUSIC CRITIQUE SEEN AT NOKIA CENTER
Tidbits From Our Tattered Past
Singer, songwriter and Lenny Kravitz drummer Franklin Vanderbilt was seen rockin’ at the 2013 Guitar Center Drum Off Finals recently. The event was held at the Nokia Center in Los Angeles with KROQ CaboWabo local band finalists. Pictured (l-r): Vanderbilt alongside Ryan Dufford and Jordan Morris of Halfwayband. See MC’s critique of Vanderbilt’s newest demo in the January 2013 issue.
1986—David Lee Roth—Is. #1
CHRIS KENNEDY SPINNING IN VEGAS
CARLOS LARIOS
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino hosted a weekend of parties in Body English Nightclub & Afterhours with DJs Chris Kennedy (pictured), Peanut Butter Wolf and more. The actor and artist made his second appearance at the club on Feb. 1st. For upcoming events, see http://hardrockhotel.com.
DANIEL SIWEK
STEEL PANTHER, *NSYNC; A RARE COLLABORATION
Music Connection’s cover story on the ex-Van Halen frontman found him promoting his first full-length solo album, Eat 'Em And Smile, with his band of virtuosos including Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan. Quipped Roth of his new band setup, "I can get along with anybody as long as everyone shows up. We're gonna make the music and then go on tour forever––that's the program." Elsewhere in the issue, we profiled L.L. Cool J, Charlie Sexton and we picked the brains of major label A&R execs including Ron Oberman, Wayne Edwards and John Guarnieri.
Tap of glam metal—fans aren't limited to young ladies eager to show their boobs. Birthday boy Joey Fatone (of *NSYNC /Dancing with the Stars) got up on stage for a sing-along to Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip—or as Steel Panther call it, "House of Boobs.”
1993—Redd Kross—Is. #24
(l-r): Producer-engineer Ross Hogarth, producerdrummer Russ Kunkel, producer-engineer Nate Kunkel and Focusrite president Phil Wagner.
Record Plant founder Chris Stone, producer Mike Clink and Grammy P&E wing Senior Director Maureen Droney.
March 2013
The inherently indie Redd Kross, who'd released music on as many as 30 different labels, were hoping to break through to the mainstream with their album Phaseshifter when MC made them its cover boys. "I credit indie labels for giving us our start," said Jeff McDonald. "But some were very shady and worse than anyone we've ever met at a major label." MC's club reviews spotlighted the band Possum Dixon, among others, and the concert reviews area featured shows by Robert Plant, Lenny Kravitz and Smashing Pumpkins.
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