DECEMBER 2014
FEATURES
22 Up Close and Personal with Michael Allman- Rhonda VanBuskirk 34 An Interview with Nina Antonia-Guido Colacci 66 Interview with BRIAN ST. AUGUST - Alexxis Steele 111 Marlowe B. West Takez Manhattan -Interview with Frank Wood
POETRY 18
POETRY CORNER PRESENTS CHRISTMAS DAY & NEW YEAR’S EVE ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE - Puma Perl
PICTORIALS 6
Donna Nye Pictorial
28
Joan Jett Pictorial-Rhonda VanBuskirk
50
Christmas Model of the Month Laurel Aslaksen
84
Model of the Month - Zoe West
90
Ace Frehley, Chris Wyse & Richie Scarlet Pictorial
94
Fingers Metal Shop Anniversary Party Pictorial
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ARTICLES 56 124
Marie Currie Creations
128
Artist of the Month: Amy Brown Fantasy Art
132
Bongo Boy Rock & Roll TV Shows, Episodes 1036 & 1037 - Michael McKenna
136
Debby Boone, “Swing This” - Michael McKenna
138
Neil Finn “Dizzy Heights” - Dana Saravia
140
Movie Review: JFK (1991) - Jerry Saravia
143
December CD Releases - Michael McKenna
144
Overkill’s “White Devil Armory” - Darkskip One
146
Nickelback’s “No Fixed Address” - Michael McKenna
147
Silent Animal’s “The” - Michael McKenna
148
Exodus, Blood In Blood Out- Darkskip One
150
Neurotic Outsiders s/t (digital rerelease) - Dana Saravia
152
Album Review: Mary Lambert “Heart On My Sleeve” - Dana Saravia
154
Kaki King’s “Everybody Glows:B Sides & Rarities” - Michael McKenna
155
Twelve Twenty-Four’s “Light in the Dark” - Michael McKenna
157
Twelve Twenty-Four Interview with Dirk Yahraes - Michael McKenna
162
Brain Spank: The Lugubrious Liberal Skirt - Michael Wade Douglass
164
Brain Spank: Shaft - Michael Wade Douglass
166
Criss Angel “Mindfreak” - Michael McKenna
Spotlight On: Model Nadine Theresa - Guido Colacci
REVIEWS
COLUMNS 13
Brodian’s Banter-Random Thoughts
14
Roman’s Rants-Merry Ax-Mas
54
Anky-huh Spondy-what? - Stormy Boz
74
Barbell Buzz, Leg Day - Tim Caso
76
Collicio’s Corner - Interview with a Skypunker
108
Positively Energized : My Frankie Valli Story- Scott Brandon
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STAFF Alexxis Steele - Publisher/Editor in chief Guido Colacci - Assistant Editor Elizabeth Brett - Proofreader/Copy Editor Keith Boisvert- Layout/Cover Design
STAFF WRITERS Guido Colacci Suburban Joe Rhonda Van Buskirk The Gypsy Poet Krista Cameron Jerry Saravia Debra Evans Michael Wade Douglass Tony Angelo Sheri Bayne Karen Best Stormy Boz Stewart Brodian Tim Caso
Victor Colicchio Mike Dorn Vera Ferrara-Rone Michael Hendrick Bob Klein Derek Oels Puma Pearl Roman Thomas Richmond DarkOne Skip Rayvin Stites Marlowe B. West Michael “Jacobs� McKenna Guido Colacci
PHOTOGRAPHERS Sheri Bayne Larry Dell Mike Dorn Bob Klein Brian Matus Gary Preis Rhonda Van Buskirk Bill Des Jardins Lisa Koza
VIDEOGRAPHERS Lisa Koza DarkOne Skip Freddy Williams Larry Dell
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Steel Notes Magazine
is a monthly magazine featuring what is happening in the art, music, entertainment, and fashion industry. Copyright is reserved. Re posting is whole or in part on other sites and publication without permission is prohibited. All right to photos belong to their respective owners. steelnotesmagazine.com 4 | Steel Notes Magazine
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Singer/Songwriter - Donna N lights up the C
Nye, Steel Records newest recruit, Christmas Holiday Steel Notes Magazine | 7
Donna Nye
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Brodian’s Banter RANDOM THOUGHTS Even though we are supposed to be in more politically correct times there’s still some racism in popular music. Explaining it is a touchy subject - let me explain. I recently heard a song on a top 40 radio station where a young male black singer is singing ‘my momma raised me right’. Nevermind the poor English - he says ‘my momma raised me right’ - why not the lyrics ‘my PARENTS raised me right’? Popular culture is still promoting the same old ideas that all blacks are the result of illegitimacy (single parent moms). Yet, at the same time, it is a fact that there is a LOT of that in urban African American neighborhoods and some would call showing African American in more wholesome family atmospheres in NOT an accurate portrayal of African American life. It’s one of those things where it’s something that everybody knows but, it’s considered rude to talk about this. But, what I did find embarrassing were some of the same images in the rap music videos shown on MTV even after Barak Obama was elected (e.g.: African American hands in the air while money falls down from above). Then again, whites also have their problems but, for some reason, we don’t hear or see about it in popular culture/music/videos. No matter what crowd you’re in, people are people! It’s always ‘we are this’ or, we don’t do that’. And, it’s not just ethnic groups, Punkers, metalheads, folkies, etc., etc... Do you ever get tired of it?
USA. You’ll see news about things mostly pertaining to news in the USA. Who controls this? Why couldn’t I, for example, when clicking on yahoo see something about German pop music or Egypt’s politics? There IS control over the media! There has to be, or else there’d be too much confusion! Eric Frein, the guy who killed State Trooper Cpl. Bryon Dickson called himself a ‘survivalist’. Typical of some people who try to build themselves up as something they’re really not. Letting people see him studying survivalist things on the internet and so on. They found him, living in an abandoned building, going through dumpsters for food. That’s not a survivalist, that’s a bum! A survivalist can live off of the land - knows which berries to eat, how to trap animals for food, etc... Some ideas come around before their time. The year after the telegraph was invented another device, working on the same principle, made what would be later called a fax! When I click on these news stories that I hate to see or read, such as Kardashian nonsense or the latest wardrobe malfunction, most of the comments are complaints that these stories are posted to begin with. There IS one way to send a message that these stories are unwanted. DON’T CLICK ON THEM!!!
Some people believe that the media is controlled.
Yahoo and the other web pages monitor the number of clicks that these stories attain. If they saw that these stories weren’t being read they wouldn’t bother with them. Post this idea on your web page blogs and get the message out!
In a way, it is. Click on to yahoo, for example, in the
You have the power of the click!
People will say ‘you have to belong or, you won’t be accepted’. You have to wonder what their problems are...
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ROMAN’S RANTS MERRY AX-mas
Roman
Giving the Gift of Music Music is a gift in itself. Music helps you achieve tranquility in a way that nothing else can. It opens up another plane of consciousness that is somewhere between reality and nirvana. Music comes in all kinds of ways. It can be bought or created. And it comes in so many shapes and sizes or formats: an iPod, a radio, it’s on TV. But it doesn’t have to be a materialistic, costly expense. It’s in the background without you even noticing. It’s in the rhythm of machinery that is a part of your everyday life. It’s humming a happy song, or whistling while you work. A bird singing. Maybe it’s even you singing. Like any art, it is a way of showing or expressing your personal uniqueness.
Music From Instruments Surely one of the best things about music is the opportunity to create it, express yourself, and do something original, and one of the easiest ways to do it ¬ if you’re not a bird, or a Diva ¬ is a musical instrument. It can be a guitar, a piano, a horn, a drum...there’s countless kinds of musical instruments. I express myself through a guitar. That is how I feel comfortable creating. I sing too, but not as a priority. I play some other instruments, but have the most experience with the ol’ six string. It has provided me with an outlet and a wonderful hobby, and eventually an actual career doing something I enjoy. So much so that I’d do it for free if I wasn’t being paid. Today I thought I’d give you some tips along the lines of the guitar, and some of it will apply to any instrument. Hopefully it will be as entertaining as educational.
Getting A Guitar There’s a lot of ways to get one: family hand-me-
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downs, a friends’ old extra to borrow, garage sales. There’s stores: on¬line, the local mall, etc. I guess you have to get one somehow to begin, that’s obvious enough. I have a grandson who is getting interested more and more by just seeing them lying around the house. He is exposed through family. I’m careful not to insist he plays them, that keeps it mysterious and magical. When he picks one up and asks, I help. Some peoples’ first experience handling an instrument is through friends. They’re at a party and someone has one. And they’re getting attention. Plus it sounds cool and looks fun. You want that, don’t you! You ask to hold it! I did anyway. Then there’s the garage sale, you see one on someone’s lawn, it’s from their attic. Or they had one and gave up. Or it’s their kids’ who left it behind. This could actually be a treasure if you’re lucky, worth ten times what they’re asking for it. You never know. You’re curious. There are many ways to play a guitar without buying one, but owning one, no matter how you do it, is inevitable to progress further down the magical sonic highway. Many stores sell guitars. A Wal¬mart will have some. A pawn shop. A big enough grocery store might. It wouldn’t shock me to see one in a dollar store. But make no mistake, you get what you pay for. Do you want a functional instrument, or just a noisy toy? This goes for those toy¬-sized guitars in real music stores too...they’re toys. But music stores are your best bet. If you have tried the noisy toys, or the borrowing from family or friends, and are now are serious about learning, or just frustrated, then you need the real tools. And again there are several options, but go to a music store, not a shopping outlet. You need to talk to a human, and you want a place that can back up your purchase. Don’t buy some discounted thing at a drug store because it may LOOK like a guitar, but it
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won’t play like one. This is also the risk with having one handed down to you from family or friends. I’ve had students come in with the old family relic that hung above the fireplace for 30 years. Nobody can play it. I’ll try, but if I can barely squeeze something out of it without, and sometimes painfully, how quickly will a beginner want to give up? And most of the time they quit thinking they can’t do it because they’re a failure, when in reality, it’s not their fault. I can’t play the thing either. So now what? You go to a music store anyway to get it fixed? Music stores hate that. You come in with something that’s impossible to fix, something they would never even consider stocking because they’d be responsible for fixing it, and they’re supposed to make it all better. You’d spend the same amount on repair as buying smart in the first place. Some stores even offer a rental program so you can learn on a used guitar for lessons, get the hang of it, then use part of your payments towards a purchase. So decide on a price range and start with your most convenient music store. Then look at other stores that may offer more inventory, even if it’s a bit of a drive. Be wary of buying online. Do your homework
on¬line. Find prices, read reviews, ask questions and get answers on¬line before you go take up a salesman’s time (they will appreciate that.) Guitar-¬related objects, like strings, straps, and effects are one thing, but be able to hold and feel the actual guitar you plan to buy. Take someone with you who knows how to play, to hear someone make it sound sweet. It’s like taking your mechanic buddy to see a used car you’re considering buying. They should look for hairline cracks, warped necks, know intonation, stuff like that. Use a music store that you can go to for professional advice from a person that’s knowledgeable and friendly. You will be going there again. One last thing I need to mention is the kind of guitar to shop for. Of course this is a personal preference that usually falls into one of two categories: acoustic or electric. There’s an advantage and disadvantage of each. Acoustics are presumably a once-¬and-done purchase...not really, you need picks, a case, a strap... but you don’t need anything electric. The disadvantage is they are often difficult to play, especially an inexpensive one. And they are usually meant to be
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strummed with open chords in the lower position. What that means is you’re not using the whole guitar neck and all it’s available notes, so often they are not even designed to play very well in that area.
Acoustic learning is more limited. And let’s face it, when it comes to a cool factor – a shiny electric guitar wins every time! However, you can’t take your shiny electric to a campfire or a beach party. Get both!
On an electric guitar you have access to all the notes available, and it is designed to be able to use them. Electrics are much, much easier to play, and therefore I like it better when someone uses that as a start. Plus with electrics you can add effects, gadgets, gizmos, and although a disadvantage is you need an amp or amplifier to play it through,
Lessons
that can now be a computer, an iPod, even your phone! And you probably own all that stuff already.
Let’s look at the other options though. There’s music in schools, but not much. It’s sadly becoming less and less, even though the disciplines it teaches, in my opinion, are way more important that knowing the capitol of every state. The higher you go in your schooling, the better the music program, but really you can start much earlier than schools are prepared for. And what musical format they do have must be generalized to fit an entire classroom, not an individual. It’s better than nothing, enough to want to know more, but it’s also a way to be a turn¬off and make you want to never try music at all again. It’s a good introduction, even if it’s learning a Flute¬O¬Phone or a Recorder.
The old school mentality was to learn on Grandpa’s acoustic, and if you do good we’ll consider a better one. But that is often frustrating, no fun, and sometimes even impossible. And the coup ‘de grace was electrics are too loud and too expensive. You should see the big hunk of guitar they tried to give me when I was eight! It was my big brother’s and as big as me. But now electrics are just as cheap. And they are anything but loud when played through headphones. Plus they are easier to learn the entire guitar neck on, which you can always translate to an acoustic. It doesn’t work the other way around¬.
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There’s a lot of ways to learn. You can go on line. You can try and figure it out yourself. You can buy a cheap book and try to follow it. Hang out with your buddies and pick up what you can. The absolute best option is a personal teacher. I am one, so I’m defending my existence here, but only because even though I already play professionally, I still go to a teacher. Super¬-successful pro’s have their own professional teacher. Why? Well, a dentist still needs to go see a dentist, doesn’t he? Seriously, just like Life, Music is a never-ending road. You never finish learning because you’ll never learn all there is to know (although we all know people who seem to be an exception.) There’s a lot of turns and confusion along the way and a good teacher gets you down a straighter road, and faster.
What about online? There’s nothing you can’t get the answer to online! And fast! Wow, how come ev-
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eryone isn’t an expert already? Because there’s only so much of a shortcut you can take and have it all add up. I often get students who are tired of trying to memorize the online quick fixes, and want to know the how’s and why’s of the songs they memorized. That really does help you to learn more stuff faster and more efficiently in the long run. And finally, there’s the old “never took a lesson” phrase that I constantly hear. Oh “Jimi Hendrix never took a lesson.” But he was hanging out with musicians day and night, learning. That was how he was able to get food. No learning, no eating. That was his lesson. And it was daily, not once a week. And it was all day and night, not just a half hour a day (remember ¬or no supper.) Or I have the proud parent who’s kid really does have an amazing gift, and got very far on his own by way of You Tube. Still, it’s just memorizing, and eventually it becomes obvious something’s missing. One lesson I must include, no matter which route you pick, is just interaction with another player. Not a program, backing¬track, Garage Band, Guitar Hero, or “virtual” anything. You’ll never know how really good you are until you get on stage, or in the coffee shop, or even your basement, with a fellow jamming partner, and put your knowledge to the test. But in the end, any way you can learn anything is good. You decide what’s easiest, most affordable, or most comfortable for you.
sell records. Just have fun. Mess around with your friends. Mess around all alone, to feel happy, or sad. Sing a song to your pet, they’ll still like you. Play a Christmas song to your Mom or Grandpa, they’ll LOVE you!
The Future
CONCLUSION
If you send your kids to music lessons and they end up quitting, do you really think you wasted your time and money? No. I quit as a kid, but what I did experience taught me study habits, focus, discipline, and made it easy for me to try again later on when I was really interested and ready to approach it more seriously.
Music is a natural, wonderful gift they can’t take away from you. It’s your creative attempt at that higher level of emotion and consciousness. Get that guitar. Not a guitar game, video, or iPod app. Get a cool guitar and buy cool gadgets to plug into it and create even further. Get someone to teach you how. It’s a spiritual thing. Now have a great Holiday, and a Rockin’ New Year!
Or maybe you took lessons but couldn’t achieve the wonderfulness that your heroes on records lured you into attempting. Hey! You don’t have to
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PUMA PERL: POETRY CORNER PRESENTS CHRISTMAS DAY & NEW YEAR’S EVE ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE Puma Perl
Christmas Eve Day
Her: I’m going food shopping! At Key Food!
Clinton and Madison. 11AM.
Me: (thinking) Who cares? (speaking) Good luck!
Young woman with stroller, addressing young man shivering in thermal shirt.
Her: What do you mean? Is it crowded? Is it crazy? Do you think it’s crazy?
Her: Where’s your coat?
Me: I don’t know. I don’t shop or cook. Sometimes I eat. I’m going for a manicure.
Him: (Mumbles.) Gotta buy one. Her: WHAT?!? Him: Gotta buy one. Her: Where’s the one you had the other day? Him: Sold it. Her: Idiot. Grand Street. 12 Noon. Hipster couple. She’s Asian. They both sound Jewish. Him: Do you think people are nicer in the morning and get meaner in the afternoon? Her: Well, maybe they’re meaner in the morning cause they don’t want to go to work. Him: I’m like totally cool in the morning ever since I stopped working, I’m like, Dude, maybe you had to get up at 7AM and now you’re all pissed off but I got up at 11:30 and then I just sat there for awhile, you know?
Her: Sounds good! Me: Bye! Top Nail Salon, Avenue A. 12:45. Her: Something in Korean. Ipod shuffle: Miles Davis, Drad Dog, Blondie, Sunday Girl, Jim Carroll Band, It’s Too Late… Me: (thinking) Ngoma’s Facebook status update, something about kisses better than chocolate, twice as sweet, you don’t gain weight or rot your teeth…yeah but you don’t buy dildos from chocolate, a Hershey’s kiss never resulted in triple X shit-stained boxers under your bed, never once has a KitKat bankrupted me in Babeland, I have bought not one pair of thigh highs to impress an M & M, neither of my kids’ conceptions were even remotely connected to my consumption of Nestle’s Krackle Bars… Her: You pay now. Home. 4:30.
Her: I know. Awesome.
Darkness.
Essex Street. Half past Clayton Patterson. 12:30.
Lights, across the river.
Her: Hi, how are you? Where are you going?
Doorbell. Come in.
Me: (thinking): Hmm, she looks familiar. Do I know her? (speaking) Hi.
SPIKE TV.
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Star Wars marathon.
barking dogs, it’s quiet now but for the singing
Steak. Coca Cola.
of the air and the words dancing in our heads but
Apocalypse Now.
it’s a tender dance, it moves gracefully almost
Christmas?
silently across the floor, in step with the softest
Who cares.
music of the night, babies dream to it , their
I already have everything I want.
tired mothers hold them as they finally close
I just don’t know where some of it is.
their eyes, they do not cry tonight, in the quiet
Bed. Warmth. NEW YEAR’S EVE PANTOUM
Darkness.
(In memory of Don Cherry)
QUIET NIGHT It’s quiet now that everyone’s gone home and
He always tapped a rhythm on the door
the neighbors are sleeping. Nobody has climbed
Everything he did was made of music
onto a fire escape to curse the sky in drunken
Folks often ran into him at midnight
rage, the disturbed man upstairs is back on
He liked to play his pocket trumpet on the street
his meds, doors are unslammed. It’s peaceful in the apartment down the hall, no police have been
Everything he did was made of music
called to restrain the youngest of five who gets
He stood in front of Charlie Parker’s house till dawn
high and curses his mother, she can go to sleep early
He liked to play his pocket trumpet on the street
tonight and get ready to work another day. It’s quiet in the aftermath of too much food and loud talk, even the cars have stopped honking and are coasting swiftly down the highway, they want to get home too, their drivers are sleepy and radios are low, the wind knows we’re tired and has stopped its nightly howl, there are no sirens tonight, no
It was a New Year’s Eve that she first stopped to listen
He stood in front of Charlie Parker’s house till dawn The weatherman had said that it might snow It was a New Year’s Eve that she first stopped to listen She wore suede boots as if she didn’t care
The weatherman had said that it might snow
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He pulled his hat down against the wind She wore suede boots as if she didn’t care He played a song he said he wrote for her
He pulled his hat down against the wind She wrapped her scarf around his neck He played a song he said he wrote for her She listened for a while, then she danced She wrapped her scarf around his neck He said he’d be back home in just a bit She listened for a while then she danced He always tapped a rhythm on the door
BIO: Puma Perl is a widely published poet and writer. She is the author of two chapbooks, the award-winning Belinda and Her Friends and Ruby True, and two full-length collections knuckle tattoos and the newly published Retrograde (great weather for MEDIA press). She was the co-creator, co-producer, and main curator of DDAY Productions, which mounted shows in various NYC venues. Her newest venture is Puma Perl’s Pandemonium, which launched at the Bowery Electric in 2012 and brings poetry together with rock and roll. The next Puma Perl Pandemonium will take place on Friday, January 9, 7PM at the Bowery Electric Map Room, 327 Bowery @ Joey Ramone Place. Featured guests include Dina Regine with Joey Kelly, as well as poets from Arkansas and Tennessee, our favorite “Hillbillies from Hell.” No cover, no minimum, Happy Hour specials until 8PM.
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Up close and personal with Michael Allman By: Rhonda VanBuskirk I was sitting at the bar, in walks this tall slender man. As he sits down next to me, the juke box starts playing “Midnight Rider”. Before you ask, yes Gregg is Michael’s father. Michael gets a big smile on his face when he hears the song.
RV: Michael, this song leads me right into my questions. I’ve read that you didn’t know that Gregg was your father for years. How did you find out? MA: To understand the “how” you need to know my story. See, I was born just outside of Daytona Beach. At that time my father was a skinny blonde who played surfer music. My mother was a go-go dancer. When my mother found out she was pregnant, her father who was a bank president, and her mother a Librarian, were not happy at all. As a matter of fact they ran my father out of town.
RV: Wow, where did your father end up? MA: He ended up in Jacksonville where he formed The Allman Brothers Band.
RV: Very cool. What happened after that? MA: My mother married a man named Hendrick to give my birth legitimacy.
RV: How did she come up with your name? MA: Michael is after the angel; my middle name Sean is after her favorite Actor Sean Connery, from the 007 movie.
RV: So you thought Hendrick was your father? MA: No, that marriage was short lived. She remarried Daniel Green whom I knew to be my father.
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RV: How and what age did you find out about Gregg? MA: Green was a pilot and when I was about 6 years old he died in a Learjet crash. While I was mourning the loss of my father, my mother told me my “real” father was still alive and his name was Gregg Allman.
RV: How did you handle that at such a young age? MA: Not very well, it took me a long time to understand what all had happened.
RV: That’s a lot for a kid of that age to absorb.
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MA: My childhood was very unhappy. I did have dreams like other kids. I wanted to be a pilot, preacher (yes preacher), chef or a musician.
MA: My mother is still alive and doing great, living cancer free. Living with my dad was overwhelming and I had no idea how to handle it. I felt I failed. He was good to me. He is a great man but not a father figure.
RV: Unhappy?
RV: Do you still keep in touch?
MA: At 15 I started to attend a military academy. To me it was more like a school for parents to dump their kids.
MA: No, not really. Once in a while we may bump into each other on our favorite holiday, which is Thanksgiving.
RV: So when did you actually meet your dad?
RV: That is so much for a young man to go through. When did you realize you wanted to have a band of your own?
How was your childhood after this happened?
MA: In 1983, I was only 17, when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During her treatment I moved in with my dad.
RV: How is your mother now? How did living with Gregg work out?
MA: In the 90’s I fronted The Michael Allman Band. I did kind of expect a few doors to open and opportunities to come my way. I mean, I was the eldest son of Gregg Allman, yet on the other hand I wanted to make it on my own, which is where I still am. Not one thing happened to help me out being
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Gregg’s son.
RV: Have you had the same band for all these years? MA: No, I tried the domestic life. Living in Michigan, I married and had two wonderful sons, Christopher and Brandon.
RV: Was it during this time you found out about your own cancer? MA: No, it was in 2002 when I found out. I was living back here in Florida.
MA: The doctors recently did a full work-up and I remain cancer free. RV: You’re a very strong man Michael. After this happened did you start the band back up?
MA: No, I was a DJ until one night three drunks were thrown out by the bouncer. They came back in with guns and knives and started shooting into the air.
RV: That had to have been terrifying.
MA: Thinking back – yes it was. In hind sight, I should have never gotten involved and try to chase them outside. That was when they pulled a knife RV: What type of cancer did you have? What about and left me with 300 stitches leaving me with a nice reminder scar on my chest. treatment? MA: I had testicular cancer. At the time I literally had no insurance, or any money or assets to sell. I decided to not have treatment. I felt like I had been handed a death sentence so I moved back to Michigan to live out the rest of my days with my boys.
RV: You look very alive for a man who was handed a death sentence over 10 years ago. MA: While in Michigan I tried every possible service I could for help. Public, private, even Medicare and I was refused at every level. Then by the grace of a state health worker, I finally had enough money for my surgery.
RV: How did the surgery go? Did you have to go through chemo also? MA: The surgery went well, they removed one testicle. I refused chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
RV: How are your cancer markers now?
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RV: (Michael lifted his shirt to show me the scars. That’s when I saw the tattoo over his heart of his father. I knew what it meant so I did not question it.) Is this when you went back to music? MA: Nope, I was a carpenter and a house-framer for years.
RV: Alright, so let me rephrase my question. What year did you decide to get back into the music industry? MA: In 2007 I decided to start writing and was in the studio recording my debut album.
RV: Hard Labor of Love, correct? MA: That would be correct. The CD was done on my own label: ALL-Skinn Music Group.
RV: I love the song If Dreams were Money. This was a solo CD right? MA: Yes it was. In 2012 I met Mark Shane and that’s when The Michael Allman Band was formed.
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RV: Who is in the band line up?
100% sure until it comes out.
MA: Mark Shane – guitar, Ronnie Ray-Guitar, Dennis Torpedo – B3 organ, TazSiacca – bass, Kenny Hines – drums, Lonny Sarro – keyboards, Ted Anders – Road RV: (laughing) Is there a theme behind this new CD? Manager and of course myself on lead vocals. MA: Yes. I am an Allman but I am Michael. RV: Are you the main song writer? MA: Mark Shane and I write the songs and the band RV: Very well said. How would you describe your musical style? members write their musical parts. MA: Southern rock/blues with my own twist. RV: Do you have a name for your new CD? MA: Naming a CD is like naming a baby, you’re not
RV: Since I’m sitting here and you’re having a drink
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and smoke, what is your favorite drink? MA: Jack and Coke, always. I have learned when to say when, when to say no, and when to say keep them coming.
RV: I have only a couple more questions kind of off the subject. MA: Go for it girl.
RV: Who was your first concert? MA: I remember that as if it were yesterday. In the early 70’s our family went to see Ziggy Stardust in Detroit. My parents were holding my little sister and I on the railing right on the edge of the stage. I remember this huge hand prop on the stage with Ziggy sitting in the middle singing. We were positioned right between two of the huge fingers.
RV: Now that is a concert of a lifetime in itself. Who were your favorite musicians growing up? MA: The Allman Brother of course, Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie) and Eric Clapton.
RV: Is there anything you would like to do that you have not done yet? MA: Yes, sing on stage with my father.
RV: I sincerely hope that happens for you and for all of us. Is there any advice you would give a new comer into the music industry? MA: The same advice my father gave me….Don’t do it!!!
RV: Any guilty pleasures? MA: (laughing) Many that you cannot print. Proud pleasures are limitless.
RV: Where can fans find your music? MA: http://www.Michaelallmanband.com
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Joan Jett Concert Pictorial by Rhonda Jean VanBuskirk
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Joan Jett Concert Pictorial by Rhonda Jean VanBuskirk
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Joan Jett Concert Pictorial by Rhonda Jean VanBuskirk
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Guido Says by Guido Colacci
An interview of Nina Antonia by Guido Colacci © Guido Colacci 2014 GC: Hi Nina, I have been so looking forward to talking with you, but I was always too nervous and shy to ask for an interview. NA: There’s nothing to be nervous about.
GC: Thank you Nina. Lets begin with how your relationship with Johnny began. NA: I was living in Manchester in a cold-water flat on the outskirts of town and I was a single mom, I remember it as being permanently cold. One day I went into town and I was mooching around a book store and saw a copy of Iggy Pop’s “I Need More’ and I couldn’t understand why no one had written a book about Johnny Thunders. There were so many things I didn’t know and would have liked to have read about him. This was in the period after Gangwar, and there’d been very little press about Johnny especially in the UK, at that time. I started writing notes on this proposed book and managed to get my phone disconnected because I began calling New York Rocker to glean information for the project; no one took me seriously there but I was very naive. photo by John Tiberi
GC: Which would have been what year Nina? NA: It must have been late ‘81 or early ‘82. I’ve learned that everything is about tim-ing. You could say I was lucky but I was also determined. In parallel to my starting the book, Johnny met Christopher Gierke who became his manager and things started to pick up for him again. One of the ideas behind Christopher’s campaign was for Johnny to return to Europe as a couple of labels, including New Rose in France and Jungle Records in London had started releasing stuff. Prior to the phone getting cut off, I rang up Jungle Records where I spoke to one of their directors, Alan Hauser, and he asked me to send him some sample chapters. Next time I spoke with Alan, he said he had a meeting set up with Johnny, and I would I like to be introduced as he was going to be in town.
GD: Wow! NA: You know I’ve been working on a screenplay for a movie about Johnny and it al-most sounds like the journey was too easy but my life was very tough at the time. I had to sell a lot of records to get the coach to London but it was more than worth it. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. What is strange is how everything aligned and fell into place like it was meant to be.
GC: Okay, and from there....
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NA: The first time I met Johnny I could barely speak because he was my rock and roll hero. And Johnny was kind of shy as well. We met at the Ship Pub in Wardour Street. In the 1960’s it had been a really renowned watering hole. Jimi Hendrix had hung out
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there and apparently Jim Morrison as well.
GC: So it was then that you became friends with Johnny. NA: It developed especially once Johnny and Christopher had seen the early chap-ters, Johnny was understandably quite wary by nature but things progressed and I moved to London to concentrate on the book. In a strange way and kind of typical of Johnny, the struggles I was going through kind of opened up his heart. I wasn’t an ac-complished journalist, and was dealing with bringing up a child by myself. One of the first things Johnny mentioned to me was that he’d been raised by his mother and his sister. I always remember he came round to my place and it’s kind of a hard memory to share because I hardly had any food and he was like I’m going get you some groceries, there was that empathy there and of course, he was missing his own children, whereas, I think if I had been from the established music press it could have been a very different outcome.
GC: Yes, I agree. People were coming at him from all over and here he sees some-thing real finally, and that he could identify with. NA: I think it was a more honest and personal relationship, by default. I didn’t have any pretense about who I was but my dedication to writing a book was absolute and he knew that. He didn’t much like giving interviews. I found him to be a man of few words, but what he did say was very important. There was an informal agreement that I’d al-ways get in on the guest list, go to the shows and spend time in the studio when he was recording. I tried to write the book like a black and white documentary.
GC: It is an absolute masterpiece I have to tell you Nina. The reason I’m asking the questions like this is to give people a little background of the book. I believe the back-ground is almost as compelling as the book. NA: It was a journey of trial and error and of
getting to know him. Of course he opened the door to the rock and roll life to me. I’d never been backstage before, I didn’t even know what a guest list was. But I loved music, I adored the Dolls, loved the Heart-breakers, loved Johnny’s attitude and that he prevailed against all odds. I don’t expect artistes to suffer for my sins but there comes a point when being too cushy, like U2, for example cuts you off from reality.
GC: There’s some people that would tell you he could be a nasty son of a bitch at times too. NA: I’m sure he had to fight for his own interests, for survival and I’ve heard that be-fore but all I can go on is my experiences.
GC: I was just going to add that with you, you saw what the real Johnny was like out-side of the music world. You saw the very human side of him. NA: I always remember there was one gig he did in London, actually it was two gigs in one night. I said goodbye to him at one venue and said “I’ll see you at the late show.” And he said “how are you getting there?” I said “I’ll have to get the bus or something.” He said “it’s getting late, I’ll pay for a taxi”, and you saw all these jaws dropping in the room. Someone recently told me they’d never seen Johnny pay for anything but drugs but I saw a different side.
GC: I can only imagine. GC: You know Johnny grew up not to far from where I live right now in Queens so I know what his life must have been like growing up in this area, and being in rock and roll, and being different. I can tell you exactly what he was feeling and he finally found some kind of a home when he finally went to NYC. NA: Did you know Johnny?
GC: I have a recollection and sometimes I don’t even know if it really happened be-cause of things that happened along with it. There was a place in
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photo by John Tiberi
Flushing called the Hurdy Gurdy, and it was kind of a drug hangout, cause right up the Avenue was the Projects where most went to score, and I would swear on my life that I met him and we did speak and went to score, but I can’t get a conformation whether this actually hap-pened or not, even in my own mind, which was wrapped in soft gauze and not reliable at that time. But I did see him perform a few times. The very last time I saw him was at Heat or Hurrah’s. I believe it was ‘80 or ‘81 when he played there with the Heartbreak-ers. I had idolized Johnny since the Dolls but this was different. I no
you are coming from.
GC: Thank you, it’s just I felt a kinship with him being from the same area, and know-ing what I went through being viewed as different. I can imagine that he went through the same exact things and you know when you finally get to the city, you gain ac-ceptance in some form or another. NA: Yeah, yeah, I understand what you’re saying now. I did visit Queens and I’d stay with his
photo by John Tiberi longer was that shy young man, now I felt I belonged, I felt I had undergone every baptism, every rite of passage, every initiation and that I finally deserved to fully be where I was. I was actual-ly recruited one night in Max’s by someone from Heat to be here and I was comped and let in. He said, “you’re exactly the type of people we want here …“Heh heh”, I laughed to myself. After that I kind of retired myself in ‘82 from the whole hanging out and get-ting high, the whole scene. I want to get back to you, I’m sorry.
sister, Mariann. Visiting Queens was like going to Graceland for me, it helped to further my understanding of where Johnny had come from. You can’t divorce a person from their upbringing. Mariann was very kind, as was his mother, Josephine. It was an honor to have met them. Johnny’s an incredibly significant figure. What makes me sad is it’s great that he’s missed, and his music continues, but I wish he could have known how many people really loved him.
GC: That’s very true, and it’s gotten only more so NA: No, no, don’t be, because I want to understand with the passing of time. I know how genuine you are about what you say concerning him and how you in context, because I appre-ciate your art work you feel about him, and some of these people are and I want to understand a bit more about where
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friends of mine and I don’t confront their stories and what they say about him, but there’s such a difference in the way they viewed him and the way you viewed him which was how he actually was. It just makes me sad to think whether they’re just telling these things to make themselves more important, in other words it seems like everybody wants to latch onto Johnny now. There was a time when nobody would lift a finger to help him. NA: I would agree with you, and at the time that I was writing the book in terms of the press here apart from his hard core fan base which always existed, he was kind of viewed as a pariah by the mainstream but what they were missing was incredible rock and roll.
GC: Yes, yes, that’s one thing no matter what – he was a showman, an absolute per-former, an absolute artist in every sense of the word. NA: I guess I must have seen him thirty to forty times.
GC: Wow, you were very fortunate… NA: Out of all of those shows, only one show was not good due to external pressures. But I think what you are saying about him, about the different viewpoints of Johnny, what I experienced was he how he managed when he was here, I don’t know if it was the same in New York. In London there was a parallel universe between the drug using pals and the non-using friends and I was steered away from more contentious situations. Not because he wanted me to sugar coat the account but they could see that I was young and vulnerable. I’m sure the people on the more night side of things might have harsher things to say, but my experience the majority of the time was really good. Also, by the time I met Johnny, in the last decade of his life, he knew how much of a trap hard drugs really were; the bravado had gone at least in this aspect.
GC: Well, Johnny was Italian, and he never lost that part of being protective of you. So let me ask you this, what do you think, there has been so much
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written and so much said about his death, I have to ask, what do you think happened or didn’t happen? NA: Yeah, I keep seeing these wild stories that perpetuate on Facebook, people get kind of ghoulish and it’s very upsetting but there’s an unfortunate misinformed core of folks who seem to get off on gossip and hearsay but they do that with every star who is perceived to have died in ‘mysterious’circumstances’. However, I’ve read the autopsy report, he was very ill, he had lymphatic leukemia. There were traces of cocaine and methadone in his system but they weren’t fatal by any stretch of the imagination. Unfor-tunately, he was in a strange town, New Orleans, and didn’t have anyone around look-ing out for him. These days it seems increasingly hard to suggest that people read things from legitimate sources. Until recently it said on Wikipedia that Johnny was born in Florida! That has now been
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corrected.
GC: I understand…and if I am going to believe anyone, I will believe you. NA: I really don’t want to linger over this point, it’s Johnny’s music that matters most but it’s become a bit of fixation for some folks, especially the fact that Johnny’s room was ransacked. People write stuff on FB like “Why didn’t Johnny’s family look into it?”Mariann did everything she could do, she was heartbroken by it. I mean she was in New York and it took place in New Orleans and the police didn’t conduct a proper inves-tigation and as hard as Mariann tried to find out exactly what went on, the negligence and disrespect of the police meant no one will ever know exactly what happened but the bottom line is, Johnny was ill.
GC: Did you see the movie that’s out now? ‘Looking for Johnny’ NA: Danny Garcia’s documentary, yes, I participated in it.
GC: I have not seen it. It played in Coney Island but I could not travel to see it. NA: Is that far from you?
GC: It’s a good trip for me. I have physical and other issues, to be honest with you and I could not go. NA: Oh, okay, thank you for being so honest.
GC: So you don’t believe there was any foul play? NA: We know his possessions were stolen, that to me was the foul play and there may have been people around that could have called an ambulance or helped him. The biggest tragedy is that Johnny died alone, with no one who loved him. GC: So let me just ask you this and it’s the last I’ll refer to it. Did you know he was ill? NA: The last time I spoke to him on the phone, he said that he was planning to return to London and that we’d catch up then. He may have known but he didn’t say anything about it. It’s terribly sad.
GC: I can imagine, I’m so sorry if I brought up anything that’s painful Nina, I didn’t mean to. NA: The only positive thing about discussing it in an informed way is that it reiterates that Johnny didn’t die of an overdose, he was very ill, it kind of sets the record straight.
GC: So, you’re working on the Bio of Johnny. NA: Yes, the Film Bio Pic, Biopic because now everyone’s got rid of the hyphens.
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photo by Vanessa Lawrence
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GC: I didn’t want you to think I didn’t go because I didn’t want to. I truly did want to go very much so, but... NA: I’m sure people would understand and it’s available on DVD now. GC: Yes, I do plan to get it. NA: Danny Garcia did a really good job and his heart is absolutely in the right place. And again ‘Looking For Johnny’ is another part of getting the history right rather than people getting swept away by disinformation. The truth is out there, you just have to look for it.
GC: I absolutely agree. The more time passes, the more people cite him as a major influence on their own playing, their own music. I can’t tell you the people, and you know, that try to imitate his style of playing guitar. NA: Yes they are legion, but they never will be able to do what Johnny did. It doesn’t matter if they get the same guitar, amplifier or haircut. They’re not Johnny, so they can’t play it the same way. It’s like Hendrix, you can play the same notes on the very same instruments but it will never sound or be Hendrix.
GC: Exactly. So let’s talk ‘From Albion to ShangriLa’ your latest book project for which you edited Peter Doherty’s diaries. NA: ‘From Albion to Shangri-La’ is the first book I’ve acted as editor on. Peter is a very descriptive writer and it was both a challenging and rewarding book to work on. He’s a talented artiste and there are common threads. Peter of course has asked me about Johnny and is genuinely intrigued. I guess for me it’s really interesting because he is only 36 and very English, and yet he appreciates the mythology of it. It’s just im-portant that it feeds down to younger generations. Although Peter, we could say, is from an Indie kind of background, it’s nice to have a different perspective on it. ‘From Albion to Shangri-La’ fits more into the beat tradition of books; it looks at life from a dissident angle and reminds us about creative freedom whilst being
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very lyrical at times. It comes from the same lineage as Alex Trocchi and William Burroughs.
GC: They are both big influences for me. NA: ‘Johnny Thunder’s In Cold Blood’ was partly inspired by ‘Ladies and Gentlemen Lenny Bruce’ by Albert Goldman. I like the idea of the person who challenges society and its norms.
GC: Yes, Lenny was a major influence for me, life changing in fact. Yes, being the anti-hero is part of it and the biggest thing I took away is to always say the truth of how you feel about something and to not hold back regardless of the things that might come from it. NA: Yeah, that’s true and I think that’s where Bruce was coming from. We are sur-rounded now by superficial stars that say nothing except “here’s a selfie”.
GC: I know, and for the life of me, I really don’t understand music anymore. I don’t know what music is like in England right now. NA: It’s just like it is in America, although one can always hope that something will come out and surprise you. Unfortunately a lot of the labels have becoming increasingly conservative much like society. They are on the look out for Big Mac acts, consume, regurgitate. The fact that Adele can be offered £80 million pounds by a single label is simply outrageous. It’s mind boggling and verging on the immoral. I’m not saying she shouldn’t be paid for her art, but spread it around a little, towards new artists, freer ex-pression and channel it towards a society in peril. Imagine how many decent homeless shelters could be maintained for even a fraction of that money or social housing built?
GC: These people are putting nothing of themselves into what’s being put out there as their music. And, I don’t understand as an artist – to put something out there to rep-resent you and not put
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any of yourself into it. NA: The genuine articles are often left scratching at the door unless they crowd-fund. The reason I enjoyed working with Peter is because he seeks genuine expression. These days, trying to find authentic figures in the music industry is very difficult. I also think its why there is a new generation of kids that are genuinely interested in Johnny and understand what it was all about because they’re quite desperate for something that’s real and non-corporate.
GC: I’m not familiar with Peter Doherty’s music. If you could recommend one thing what would it be? NA: His solo album ‘Grace-Wasteland’ is a thing of rare beauty, timeless. All great art is timeless; it transcends fads and reaches for the eternal.
GC: Please tell me your experiences of being a writer? I know many authors and they tell me it’s a struggle. NA: It’s very tough these days, people believe you should live on air. The internet is great in one way but it has given rise to a no-pay culture in the arts whilst mega-corporations like Amazon take a huge percentage on books and aren’t particularly relia-ble in accounting. I believe there is an anti-Amazon campaign at the moment, which I perceive as a good thing. Recently I read about certain groups calling for e-books to be free and whilst literacy and affordable products are vital, the artist also has to pay the rent. Otherwise, and this is true particularly in the UK, it’s only the upper middle classes who will be in the position to maintain careers in the arts which excludes less privileged and more diverse voices.
GC: No one is getting paid any longer. Most do it for free, certainly not for the money but because of their art, myself included. And the other thing is, NYC was a mecca for bands, and writers and performers, but they are closing every and all music venues and poetry and book venues and there is no more off off Broadway.
NA: The same thing is happening here in the UK. It’s a struggle, but we have to hope that the creative spirit prevails and that people keep fighting for meaningful expression.
GC: Real artists don’t do it for the money, they never did. We do it because we have to; it’s just within us to do it. I worry that the lack of opportunities will deter young people from going into music and writing and art and bring their visions to the world. You need an infusion of new blood that could produce the next Johnny Thunders or the next Kurt Cobain. Everything is such a ‘cookie cutter’ style that you have to fit into…does that make you sad? NA: Yes, it is innate and it is what you have to do, with anyone who is genuinely crea-tive, it’s just so much more of a fight these days. I think that kids still dream and what ‘Albion to Shangri-La’ proves from the young people that have made contact to the FB book page is that they have the same need for wonder that we did and Peter inspires that in them.
GC: Yes, there’s not that many and I love that you bring it to people’s attention, and that you also light a fire that sparks people’s interest in wanting to learn and know more about the journey of how we got from there to here. Tell me a little about your New York Doll’s book ‘Too Much Too Soon’. NA: I hold all my books very dear which is why I tend only to be involved with one a decade, quality not quantity; I’ve avoided the corporate mind-set but it’s at a price and put my soul on the line for each title. I’m updating the ‘Only Ones’ book at the moment, as I’ve had so many requests about it and book dealers are charging over the top prices on it.
GC: Well, I think it’s wonderful that you updated and reissued ‘In Cold Blood’ and now you will do the same with ‘The One and Only Peter Perrett’. If not for that, people would never be able to read the real stories and bios, you are putting the book in so many hands and heads of so many people… NA: For me the biggest dream is the Johnny Thunders film happening and the script is with a
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casting director at the moment.
GC: So it hasn’t been cast yet? NA: This whole thing has been a learning curve for me. I know who I would want to play Johnny.
guy standing next to me again and realized that it was Johnny Depp! He’s very handsome but it was then that I knew he wouldn’t be right for playing Johnny. I closed my eyes and tried to channel his aura which sounds crazy I know. He is perhaps past the point of having the sensitivity for such a role these days. None of this excludes a great unknown actor coming forward and knocking all our socks off.
GC: You want to tell or no? NA: Ezra Miller would be my choice, I know Adrian Brody is great, but he’s too tall!! Although I’ve been told angles can work wonders. Al Pacino would have been perfect 30 years ago and Johnny Depp isn’t the right one, despite some people rooting for him, which I understand.
GC: No, he’s not but if anyone could, he might make something of it. NA: I only know this because, talk about fluke or maybe it was divine intervention but I went to a gig last year and I noticed the person standing next to me really looked like Johnny Depp. I returned my attention back to the band, and then looked at the
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GC: And presence. Johnny always had a “presence”whether he was performing or not. Johnny was always the star, no matter what the situation. NA: Yes, Johnny was very special, but despite that presence, the real Johnny was sweet, bright, witty, lots of fun, shy and vulnerable.
GC: Nina, tell me something most people would not know about you. NA: Well, you mentioned earlier about the Beatles – I grew up in Liverpool, although folks think I’m from New York!! I lived on Menlove Avenue which
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was where John Len-non was raised by his Auntie Mimi just up the road, and so in later years, every day this psychedelic bus, the Magical Mystery Tour Bus filled with Beatles tourists would drive by my house blaring the song. You’d hear ‘La la The Magical Mystery Tour is coming to take you away.’ And perhaps it did.
GC: I must tell you, I was so nervous about speaking to you, and I always admired your work and how you carried yourself, what an amazing person you are and so gra-cious, always. GC: Is there any other book that you want to speak about or other upcoming project? NA: No, not really, not at the moment, I’ll know what I want to write when I write it next. It’s really funny you know, I’ve spoken to people and they say “do you not have a game plan”, and I say “what’s one of those?”… http://thinmanpress.com/
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GC: I do that a lot, no one seems to get my “by the seat of my pants” approach LOL . NA: Is there anything else you want to ask, anything ?
GC: Great answer. Nina. Thank you so very much for the interview, for your time and for being so gracious and kind. NA: It’s been lovely to speak to you. https://www.facebook.com/FromAlbionToShangriLa
GC: I always ask, do you have any regrets?
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=2814
NA: I wish I’d been better at math.
“After the interview with Nina Antonia, I had a lot of time to reflect on what we discussed and although I said I would’t do it when we first spoke, I saw Johnny through your eyes and I tried to capture the sensitive, shy, sweet and very vulnerable Johnny in something I did...I felt this very deeply about him and entitled this simply “Johnny” - Guido
As seen on the April 2014 cover of Steel Notes: Natasha NYC Custom Designer clothes Now a specialty for ofMusic and Movie Stars Thanksgiving were called following the victory Thanksgiving Day (Jour de l’Action de grâce in Canadian French) is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Several other places around the world observe similar celebrations. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada. Thanksgiving has its historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, and has long been celebrated in a secular manner as well.
History Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among almost all religions after harvests and at other times. The Thanksgiving holiday’s history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated. In the English tradition, days of thanksgiving and special thanksgiving religious services became important during the English Reformation in the reign of Henry VIII and in reaction to the large number of religious holidays on the Catholic calendar. Before 1536 there were 95 Church holidays, plus 52 Sundays, when people were required to attend church and forego work and sometimes pay for expensive celebrations. The 1536 reforms reduced the number of Church holidays to 27, but some Puritanswished to completely eliminate all Church holidays, including Christmas and Easter. The holidays were to be replaced by specially called Days of Fasting or Days of Thanksgiving, in response to events that the Puritans viewed as acts of special providence. Unexpected disasters or threats of judgement from on high called for Days of Fasting. Special blessings, viewed as coming from God, called for Days of Thanksgiving. For example, Days of Fasting were called on account of drought in 1611, floods in 1613, and plagues in 1604 and 1622. Days
over the Spanish Armada in 1588 and following the deliverance of Queen Anne in 1705. An unusual annual Day of Thanksgiving began in 1606 following the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 and developed into Guy Fawkes Day.
In Canada While some researchers state that “there is no compelling narrative of the origins of the Canadian Thanksgiving day”, the first Canadian Thanksgiving is often traced back to 1578 and the explorer Martin Frobisher. Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean, held his Thanksgiving celebration not for harvest but in thanks for surviving the long journey from England through the perils of storms and icebergs. On his third and final voyage to the far north, Frobisher held a formal ceremony in Frobisher Bay in Baffin Island (present-day Nunavut) to give thanks to God and in a service ministered by the preacher Robert Wolfall they celebrated Communion.
Oven-roasted turkey The origins of Canadian Thanksgiving are also sometimes traced to the French settlers who came to New France with explorer Samuel de Champlain in the early 17th century, who celebrated their successful harvests. The French settlers in the area typically had feasts at the end of the harvest season and continued throughout the winter season, even sharing food with the indigenous peoples of the area. As settlers arrived in Canada from New England, late autumn Thanksgiving celebrations became common. New immigrants into the country, such as the Irish, Scottish and Germans, also added their own traditions to the harvest celebrations. Most of the U.S. aspects of Thanksgiving (such as the turkey), were incorporated when United Empire Loyalists began to flee from the United States during the American Revolution and settled in
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CHRISTMAS MODEL OF THE MONTH Laurel Aslaksen
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Photo credit: Model Laurel Aslaksen Mike55 Photography
Natasha Adonzio
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Photo credit: Model Laurel Aslaksen Mike55 Photography Natasha.a@comcast.net natasha@natashanyc.com US: 973 669 8992
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Photo credit: Model Laurel Aslaksen Mike55 Photography Natasha.a@comcast.net natasha@natashanyc.com US: 973 669 8992 Steel Notes Magazine | 53
Anky-huh Spondy-what? By Stormy Boz What is Ankylosing Spondylitis you ask, a type of dinosaur? Some fancy word? What does it have to do with music? I am going to cover every one of those questions for you and hope to bring awareness as well. The month of October has always been pink to bring awareness for breast cancer. What most don’t realize is that October is also World Arthritis month. Why did I mention that, now, in December? It is simple; Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of arthritis that currently affects 2.7 million adults in the United States. Ankylosing Spondylitis is known as the “bamboo spine” disease, but in reality it is a inflammatory disease and a type of arthritis that can eventually affect any bone in the body, but starts with the spine. Experts used to say it was strictly a man’s disease but it has been proven that more women have been diagnosed with it then men. It causes chronic pain, chronic inflammation eventually causes fusions (bones grow together) in the vertebrae of the spine. These fusions can cause a hump to appear in the upper spinal column. Most patients go through years of doctor appointments, x-rays, experimental drugs and the risk of being called a hypochondriac or a drug seeker because their pain cannot be controlled. Once they are eventually diagnosed, patients go through depression, anger and all the emotions that come with being diagnosed with a chronic disease – but they also experience relief. Relief because they are not losing their minds and their pain and symptoms is real.
for short, was one of those diseases in the dark until one man, finally began to talk about his struggle and battles with the disease in his band’s biography. AS may not have a beautiful spokesperson, but we do have guitar hero, Mick Mars that has graciously told the world about his life with AS, a battle that has made him more human. Mick felt the first pains when he was 19. He had to learn how to deal with the pain he described as “felt like someone was igniting fireworks in my bones” and “felt like someone had plunged a knife into my back”. He would generally use mind over matter in order to work through his pain. It wasn’t until years after Motley Crue had become famous, had sold millions of albums, had their fair share of “paparazzi fame”, that Mick was finally able to put a name to the pains that had been plaguing him for the majority of his adult life. He had Ankylosing Spondylitis. To those who have AS, Mick Mars is a hero. Why? It is simple actually. Mick Mars has a disease that on a good day, you can barely get out of bed without help and medication. Mick gets on that stage and plays his heart out regularly. Yes, he has the money to get the expensive treatments, but he speaks regularly about the various, less-expensive treatments that are non-addicting. The biggest reason he is a hero to people who suffer with AS is because he has
So why did I choose this disease? Well, unlike some diseases, Ankylosing Spondylitis does not have some beautiful spokesmodel hawking medications or awareness on television. AS,
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brought attention to a disease that is invisible and hard to understand. While researching information for this article, I found that there are a few other famous people with AS. Not all are musicians, but here are a few: Ed Sullivan of the Ed Sullivan Show fame; Lee Hurst, a British Comedian; Rico Brogna, MLB player and Mike Stafford, a Canadian radio personality. So, no Ankylosing Spondylitis is not a dinosaur, it is a form of debilitating arthritis and the reason I chose to write about this? I, too, suffer from the debilitating pain that feels like someone is shoving hot rebar down your spine, but more importantly, it is a real disease that has real suffers. None of us can handle a “cold water challenge” to raise awareness like ALS but if one person reads this article and tells a friend about this, then we can spread the word.
Mick Mars – Living With Ankylosing Spondylitis. (2012, January 1). Retrieved November 15, 2014, from http://love-it-loud.com/retrospectives/ mick-mars-living-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ ankylosingspondylitis&p=mick mars pictures ankylosing spondylitis&oid=b34997378bfff0b5c66fe3e87df3f9a3&fr2=sb-top-images.search. yahoo.com&fr=aaplw&tt=ankylosingspondylitis&b=0∋=160&no=5&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11gcd2cqi&sigb=15erdnul4&sigi=12i0r8pk7&sigt=114f3gg8o&sign=114f3gg8o&. crumb=vO72Ilpy6ei&fr=aaplw&fr2=sb-top-images. search.yahoo.com
If you would like to learn more about Ankylosing Spondylitis, you can check out Spondylitis Association of America at http:// www.spondylitis.org. To read first hand stories from suffers from all over the world, check out The Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis http://thefacesofankylosingspondylitis.com. Till next month, keep your head up, feet on the ground and music in your ears!
Stormy Boz
References: Ankylosing spondylitis. (2011, February 3). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved December 11, 2013, from http:// www.mayoclinic.com/health/ankylosing-spondylitis/ DS00483 Famous People with AS. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2014, from http://forums.spondylitis.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=85826
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Marie has been feverishly working to create her latest mosaic masterpieces, since she was last featured as our artist of the month in our July issue. Recently, Marie has created a new “Flying V” series of mosaic guitars, and her one of a kind pieces are available for sale, just in time for Christmas. Own one of these beauties today! Please refer to Marie’s Etsy page for purchasing, and shipping information. https://www.etsy.com/shop/MarieCurrieCreations You can also find her work on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Currie-Creations/283671718404940
Marigold Meet ‘Marigold.’ This stunningly beautiful 19/7 mini-mosaic guitar has a metallic gold back with a black opal front covered in yellow abalone. She just pops with every single addition of vintage pieces, silver, brass and rhinestone. The yellow centerpiece is truly spectacular with hints of turquoise and red coral. Marigold~ mosaic guitar signed by Steve Lukather of TOTO and Marie$200 USD
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Autumn Meet ‘Autumn’…One of Marie’s most favorite works ever! Marie started with a gold back and champagne front covered in metallic gold abalone. She adorns gorgeous vintage pieces, stained glass and crystals. Her centerpiece is simply AMAZING! One of her very best pieces to date!!! Height: 19 inches Width: 7 inches Materials: Wood, abalone, glass, rhinestone, guitar, silver, brass, flowers, beads, vintage. $350.00 USD
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Vogue Meet ‘Vogue’…a perfect piece for those who loved the Gatsby days!!! Marie started with a purple back and a green patina front and then covered her in green abalone. She adorns gorgeous vintage pieces and cameos. Her centerpiece is simply AMAZING! One of Marie’s very best pieces to date!!! Vogue Mosaic guitar Height: 19 inches Width: 7 inches Materials: Wood, abalone, glass, rhinestone, guitar, silver, brass, flowers, beads, vintage, cameos, peace signs. $375.00 USD
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Red Skies Meet ‘Red Skies.’ This stunningly beautiful 19/7 min-mosaic guitar has a crimson red back with a black opal front covered in red abalone. She is also covered in beautiful vintage pieces of brass, gold and rhinestone. The centerpiece is the size of a hand and truly spectacular!!I Red Skies~ Mosaic guitar signed by Steve Lukather of TOTO and Marie! Height: 19 inches Width: 7 inches Materials: Wood, abalone, rhinestone, guitar, brass, peace signs, beads, vintage broaches, cross, musical notes. $350 USD
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Fire~Flying V Series
Meet ‘Fire’ the 3rd in Marie’s limited edition hand-cut ‘Flying V’ series. This one of a kind stunner is 24/10. I started with a fire red back and black opal front covered in red abalone. She is adorned with vintage pieces of brass, gold and rhinestone. The cross centerpiece is truly spectacular!! Fire~Flying V series~ hand cut Mosaic Guitar!
Height: 24 inches Width: 10 inches Materials: wood, abalone, glass, rhinestone, guitar, brass, cross, peace signs, beads. $350.00 USD
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Meet ‘Golden Child’ the 4th in Marie’s limited edition hand-cut ‘Flying V’ series. This one of a kind stunner is 24/10. She started with a metallic gold back and black opal front covered in gold abalone. Golden Child is adorned with more vintage pieces than Marie has ever used on a single piece. Brass, gold, rhinestone, mother of pearl, pearls, angels and more. The cross centerpiece is truly spectacular!! $400 USD
Golden Child~ Flying V Series
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Garden of Eden ~ Mosaic guitar signed by Steve Lukather of TOTO and MARIE! $225.00 USD Only 1 available Overview: Handmade item Height: 19 inches Width: 7 inches Materials: wood, abalone, glass, rhinestone, guitar, silver, brass, flowers, beeds, vintage, cameos, peace signs Ships worldwide from Los Angeles, California This shop accepts Etsy Gift Card
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Atlantis ~ Mosaic guitar signed by Steve Lukather of TOTO and MARIE! $225.00 USD Only 1 available Overview Handmade item Height: 19 inches Width: 7 inches Materials: wood, abalone, glass, rhinestone, guitar, silver, brass, flowers, beeds, vintage, cameos, peace signs Ships worldwide from Los Angeles, California This shop accepts Etsy Gift Card
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Metallica~Flying V Series Meet ‘Metallica’ the 5th and final of Marie’s limited edition hand-cut ‘Flying V’ series. This one of a kind stunner is 24/10. Marie started with a jet black back and silver front covered in black abalone. He is adorned with skulls, crystal spiders and silver and chrome pieces. This piece is just gorgeous!! Metallica~Flying V series~ hand cut Mosaic Guitar! Height: 24 inches Width: 10 inches Materials: wood, abalone, glass, rhinestone, guitar, cross, peace signs, beads, sculls, bugs, spiders, musical notes, snake. $400.00 USD
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ONE OF A KIND MARIE CURRIE DOUBLE NECK MOSAIC GUITAR
Interview with BRIAN ST. AUGUST by Alexxis Steele
BACKGROUND Brian St. August is an inspirational actor based out of Baltimore, MD that is known for Reunion (20100), The Fixer: The Power of Balance (2011), and WNUF Halloween special (2013). Starting at a young age as a musician and writer and after a life threatening health scare, he later set his sights on an acting career after supporting his children’s acting careers – son actor Christopher Kalman and daughter actor Jaime Michaels, who is also a motivational coach. I had the pleasure of speaking with Brian about his career.
Alexxis: Hi Brian, I was watching your clip from the soap – As The World Turns. That was my fav soap, and you were in a scene with my fav actors Carly and Jack… I loved her... Are you still friends with her? Brian: I was friendlier with Cady McClain & Jon Lindstrom. Two terrific people! I wound up arresting them at the end of second episode. John & Cady moved to the West coast. My mother literally raised me on the show. I would come home from school and my mom would say “I am watching my stories.” I heard that for my entire life, and this wound up being an act of God because, when I was cast for the show, I was thrilled because this was the show my mom loved. My episodes were at the end of 2009, and my mother died in March of 2010. So it
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was just one of those things - it was kind of a gift. Alexxis: That is great that she got to see you on her show. Brian: They are such great people- I think that the soap opera actors are the best actors in our business, with the incredible time restraints on them, and yet they bring it – every minute they bring it. I was so proud of them, and they were so great to me, and really treated me wonderfully on set, and I’ll never forget that. Alexxis: Are the actors from the show still on the east coast? Brian: You know, all of us in acting move around so much, I work out of New York, but I go everywhere, and I don’t live in New York, and I think that is the case with almost all working actors now. They go where they need to go to do their business and then they go someplace where it is private and quiet if they can find it. Alexxis: It is a shame that soap operas have ceased being the afternoon gems that they were for so
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many years…
started running from Washington to New York, Baltimore, Philly, then Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Brian: It is something that’s changed I think because Boston, and they have grown unbelievably, NOW of the demographic impact. We don’t have a whole running them from LA to San Francisco. Their lot of moms that are stay at home moms anymore. advertising ploy in their early days was book us and The soaps had their blossoming times in the 50, 60’s you get it for a dollar. The most I have ever spent and upwards, like the Donna Reed era. That was was $45. I couldn’t pay tolls for under $49, so it their thing, and it has changed dramatically, and works out really well for me. now that timeslot is probably more profitable for game shows. Alexxis: Cool! So I read that you had a big crush on Hayley Mills after you saw her in the Parent Trap Alexxis: Yes, there are a lot more game shows and a when you were 13? lot more reality TV. Brian: I actually got my interest in being a singer/ Brian: Well, you know, they are cheaper. They cost songwriter back then as a result of my crush on much less, you don’t have the writers, you don’t Hayley. Yes, I loved her in Parent Trap. I understand have the significant production crews, wardrobe, that actor Kevin Klein was motivated to act by etc. That’s why I absolutely loved the people I was Hayley too. I had a big, big crush on her so I began working with on As the World Turns, they were writing songs, and I was a BMI writer by the time I working together, doing that show every day and was 16 or 17. I was a New York writer for a long time here I am just coming to join them very briefly, and then became more of a Nashville writer because I they treated me like I was a regular cast member, like the lyrical aspect of country music. they brought me up to speed, they taught me gently, and I just loved them, it was the greatest Alexxis: So how old were you when you get inexperience in my life. volved with acting? What sparked your interest? Alexxis: That’s awesome! Brian: For all of my auditions, and everything I do in New York I am usually on the Mega Bus, and I am there in a couple of hours. Alexxis: How long does it take you to get there? Brian: 3 hours and about 15-20 minutes. I study my sides on the bus. Alexxis: Oh do you? That is good; you’ve got that time! Brian: It is quiet, and reasonably comfortable, so I don’t have to worry about it the night before. I am refreshed. I am a morning person anyway for dialog, it works really good for me, and it’s cheap! I can do 5 Megabuses for what I can do for one Amtrak, more or less. Alexxis: What exactly is a Megabus, I have never heard that term, is it something like the two story double-decker buses the British have? Brian: It is a company that is based out of London. Yes most of them are double-decker, and they
Brian: I was in my middle age. Both my kids were very influential on me becoming an actor – especially my daughter, Jaime Kalman Chipko (Jaime Michaels), who is a successful actor, host and motivational consultant. Jaime had her own TV show in high school – Network Underground - and was doing movie reviews on The Education Channel here in Baltimore. Following college, she moved to LA 14 years ago and did a lot of work out there. She does a show for actors called “Motivational Chat” with Actors reporter.com. I used to read lines with my daughter and my son, when they were working on scripts… whether they were plays, movies or TV. They both are theatre-trained actors and I would read dialogue with them. She knew that I enjoyed it, but I had never really acted before. She was doing a movie called Harvesters, it was in 2000. She called me and said “Dad we have a guy that was supposed to play the sheriff and he’s no longer involved… would you be interested?” So I said “yeah sure.” So actually the first thing I did was a principal role in Harvesters. Not great, but it was fun. So I wound up doing a lot of things from that point on with a lot of different people. Of course like a lot of actors do, I worked background and extra work before I
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Investigation Discovery Channel and Destination America Channel almost every other day. We have done so much work with them. Still working at it though, I got a late start. I have a lot of years to make up. Alexxis: Hey, better late than never, right? Brian: It was almost never. I actually got my start because I had a surprise, emergency heart surgery in ‘99, and when I came through it I made the decision that I was going to do all the things that I had not done because I was shy or timid – and this was one of them. It was like a mortality wake-up call. Alexxis: That’s awesome! Are you doing ok now with your health? Brian: Yes, it was one of those great experiences at the time. When I look back at that beginning point now, I have since recorded 2 CDs of songs that I wrote myself, produced myself, recorded most of it myself; all of my acting work… it says I have 34 credits on IMDB… and probably more. If I had died Oct 4, 1999, none of that would have happened. So I look back and say that the things I have accomplished in my life that I am MOST proud of all took place in the 15 years following the surgery.
developed my own set of skills and principal credits. These days, I think I am on television almost every other night. I got a message from a friend of mine the other day that had seen me on Monsters and Mysteries in America. I played a guy by the name of Rick Gwynne and my hair was long, blonde with a blonde mustache, my hair is down my back and I was wearing a hunting hat. Alexxis: Okay I did see that one. Brian: They had to dye my “stache” when they dyed my hair. It’s so funny, you have to understand...I did that role on a Thursday and the same week and two days before I had played Einstein for a coupon book commercial. One was shot in Springfield, MA and the other in Norfolk, VA. Gives you an idea how much we travel. Alexxis: Yes and how different, totally different looks… Brian: Between my son and I, I think we are on the
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Alexxis: I see that you seem to have portrayed a lot of FBI, detectives, sheriffs, those kind of characters. Brian: I am a character actor. Those are some of the more common ones. I did a number of them in the beginning. I have done two western movies. The last one I narrated, that was with Eric Roberts in it, and I was also a principal actor in that movie. So I ride, I ‘m a competent western-style horseback rider Alexxis: I saw that, it said you trained for 5 weeks at cowboy bootcamp to learn how to ride a horse. Brian: That was a lot of fun and it helped a lot. It is important that the horse and rider have trust in a movie, particularly if there is gunfire on the set. Alexxis: So, you’ve become more open to things than you used to be? Brian: In the past I was more eager to rationalize a “no”, then to accept a “yes”, and now that has really changed. So I look at these circumstances, like those two western movies, and look back on it and see all the things that have changed because
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of saying “yes”. My riding up to that point was like riding at an amusement park, you know, you pay a quarter and they pull you on the horse when you are a little kid. But now I am competent on horseback, and I really look at it like riding a motorcycle, which I love. I have been a motorcyclist for some time. I get the same kind of Zen experience out of horseback riding. I would have never found that if I hadn’t said “yes” to those projects. I have done so many different characters, that is what I pride myself on. Plus the voice effects and other things that go a long with it, to me that is where the fun is, the grit. Robin Williams, rest his soul, was a gem of a character actor. Alexxis: I know, it was so sad. Brian: Truly, truly it was a loss. Alexxis: Have you moved away from music to focus more on your acting career? Brian: I played my last gig in 2008 and I have guitars coming out of the Ying Yang; recording equipment , all kinds of stuff, and I went almost a year and a half without opening the guitar case on the guitar I played all over the country. It’s not that I moved
away from it in interest, my other work took up so much of my time. Alexxis: So it wasn’t as important. Brian: To be good in any particular art, you have to put your complete time and effort into it, and right now I just can’t, but I do like to get out and play with some of my friends when they are playing. I’ll drop in and do a couple of songs with them for fun. Alexxis: So right now acting is more at the forefront rather than music for you? Brian: Oh for sure. I was doing pretty well musically when I decided to make the move away from it, but the acting has really taken a big place. And, for me, it is currently more satisfying. Alexxis: Were you a solo artist or played in a band? Brian: Beginning my career, I started playing in a band (The Shoremen), then duets (Brian & Dave Tomorrow’s People, Three Down & The Moose), and finally became a solo artist. I played with my brother Craig, as Three Down and The Moose. We did quite a bit together, and I also played gigs with other people when I traveled. Like Crosby, Stills,
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Brian: Yes it did! Alexxis: Out of all the characters that you have portrayed, do you have a favorite?
Nash and Young; some solo artists can go out and do their own thing individually, then they can come together for short, fun performances with others. I did 130-150 gigs a year for a while, and it gave me the confidence and skills to do what I do now, because I couldn’t do it otherwise. I have very good improv skills now and that really came from that genesis. My kids are college, theater-trained actors … I got my chops in a bar. Alexxis: Well, it’s good that you are used to being in front of a crowd and being in the public eye, and all that. Brian: Yeah, but that’s really only been since after the heart surgery, because when I did it before that, I was like Brian Wilson as a young man. That’s the best comparison of the artist I was from 13. Alexxis: So you were hiding behind your instrument in a way? Brian: Well, I was a writer for the groups that I supported. I recorded and arranged. I was competent in the studio, but playing live, my hands would sweat so much my picks would fly out into the audience! It was maddening; it was a terrible experience. So I really had to overcome an awful lot to get to that place, where I was playing so many gigs, and having a ball and really forgetting all of those bad times. That’s what really launched me to do what I do now, because I could not do this at all, if I did not have that strength and personal confidence in my foundation. It did happen later in my life, but that’s just the way it goes. Sometimes I think it would have been nice if I had done that earlier. Alexxis: It probably wasn’t the right time; it happened when it was supposed to.
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Brian: I play such a wide variety. I do like to play complicated people. I played a character in Reunion, where I had to use a German accent. He was a person who had been separated from his wife back when the Berlin Wall was still there, and for years he thought she was dead, and they wind up reuniting, surprisingly in the contemporary time. I liked playing that character very much because of the accent and I was made up a lot older for that. The westerns are great for me. I enjoy the depth of those. What I don’t like doing are very shallow things. I like parts that really take advantage of my depth. There are some movies that are really good experiences, and then there are some that aren’t. There are some that you really believe that you have been given the opportunity to capture the character, the director has shown faith in you, you have shown faith in him, or her, and you are proud of it. There are other circumstances where you are not. Unfortunately, unless you are an A-list actor that has tremendous control, you really don’t get the choice of those edits, and even a lot of the A list actors don’t get them. The directors take the cuts that they want, and they may not always be the ones that you want. When you are dealing with independent movies, it’s a lot different game then and you can find yourself being pretty surprised by things that you thought you did a pretty good job on. I did an ad that was for a legal service that was shot for Fox News in Baltimore, and that was used locally for the Jerry Springer show for what seemed like three years. I remember when we did this, and we did a number of cuts on it. I was supposed to be this guy working on a loading dock, and I wound up hurting my back. At the very end of the shoot, the director said, “Hey, just for fun, let’s do one really over the top”. So I gave this agonizing performance and I look like I got shot! They wanted me to do something crazy, really over the top, picking up wood and yelling. It was horrible, and that’s what they used. So for 3 yrs, 3 times a day, they played that commercial. I have NEVER used it on my reel and only watched it twice. One of the roles I am really proud of is a supporting role in a very nice independent movie. I played a doctor in Roulette. I am a doctor to one of the three principal leads, and it is a very compelling
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role with a lot of meat in it. It’s not the lead, but it is one I feel really good about. I felt very proud of the role, and it is a great movie. Eric Kristopher Myers wrote and directed that and the acting of the leads was astonishingly great! Alexxis: I saw one of the movies you did was The Fixer. Brian: I had the title role in that: I was The Fixer, my partner, Alfred Guy, had the 3rd eye on his forehead. That was a show that we shot with the expectation that it was going to be shot for TV, and for an adult audience. It was supposed to be a takeoff on a 70’s kind of detective show, and that’s the way we shot it. But over the course of the shoot it changed somewhat. I was ok with the first Fixer episode, but I wasn’t comfortable going forward with the project. It’s a shame because ,I think that as a property it could have done pretty well, but there are many decision makers in this business and not all of them will you always agree with. Alexxis: Sure. Brian: I think my most enjoyable role on the TV stuff, was one that I shot for ID channel, a project called Pretty Bad Girls, Sugar Daddy Issues. That is one of the most popular episodes on ID, not because of me, but the girl who played the pretty bad girl, who was my love interest… Ashley Blankenship… is gorgeous. She was like 24, I think at the time we shot it. It was definitely one of these older/younger relationships, that was the whole idea of it. The quality of the show, the acting, the shooting, the color – everything was just really nice, and at the end she kills me with my own cane! By the way, this episode was directed by the excellent Derrick Borte who wrote, directed and produced “The Joneses” with Demi Moore and David Duchovny. Alexxis: Oh NO! Brian: Who could ask for a better way to go? Alexxis: Brian, is there anyone you would be interested in working with on a project that you have not done one with already?
Brian: The list of special people that I would really like to work with in the future includes Drew
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Barrymore, Dakota Fanning and Olivia Hussey. Drew Barrymore is someone with whom I have always felt a bond... not just in her movies, but her interviews and articles as well. A few years ago, I was scammed by someone who purportedly had set up a meeting for me with Drew. Despite the embarrassment of this experience, I have never lost my strong interest in acting with her in something of substance. Dakota Fanning is simply one of the best actors in our business and has tremendous depth. I would love to play her father or grandfather in a really well written drama. Finally, who in the world would not
want to work with Olivia Hussey (Eisley)? She is truly one of the finest actors in the world and is just an incredible person. To work with Olivia would be a dream come true. Also, selfishly, I believe that when you work with actors significantly stronger than you are, they raise the level of your craft immensely. I have no doubt that I would be an even stronger actor by working with any of these wonderful women.
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Barbell Buzz by Tim Caso
Leg Day Leg day. These are the two of the most important words when thinking about your workouts. My teammates and I used to say that if you only had a half an hour to workout: do legs. You may be thinking “Why? What’s the big deal? It’s just another body-part. Man, you guys were crazy.” While you may have a point with the last part of that statement, consider this: most of your power comes from your legs. Whether you’re playing soccer, football, tennis, racquetball, golf, baseball and practically every other sport on earth, in addition to your skill-level, your performance is largely dependent on your leg-strength. I was speaking with a physical therapist recently, who is both a runner and a swimmer. He was lamenting the fact that, no matter what he tried, he just couldn’t improve his times. He was theorizing that it was because he was “getting old” – at 28!! (Boy, does he have a lot to learn! Hmmm…I just realized that I’m twice as old as he is…). Anyway, I advised him to start squatting and gave him a routine that was designed for the endurance athlete. Guess what? After a few weeks, he told me that he felt like he was “gliding through the water” and his times improved significantly! Leg day. Now, I won’t try to glamorize the unglamorous. I realize that it’s no fun trudging out of the gym after a tough leg workout feeling like the north end of a south-bound cow. And, I understand that it’s much more fun to feel that pump from your tenth set of preacher curls which was preceded by fourteen sets of tricep push-downs. I get all that. However (and this is a big “however”), while you might have the biggest arms on the softball field, you’re going to look kind of funny when your 10-yr old can give you a run-for-your-money down the first base line. Twenty years ago when I was really into softball, I was also really into leg-work. I was the oldest guy on the team, yet, invariably, I was lead-off because I was the fastest player. One game, I came sprinting across the field to catch a pop-fly literally off my shoe-tops – a ball that I had no right to even come close to fielding let alone catching. I got one of the biggest, unintentional compliments when I heard one of the opposing players say unbelievingly “That guy can run!” Leg day. Proportion. Having a balanced physique is literally the envy of most guys – and gals for that matter. Let’s face it, guys: skinny, chicken legs sticking out of your bathing suit do look kind of ridiculous. Developing this balanced physique is not rocket science – it simply takes discipline and hard work. I remember, one day at the gym, a guy came over to me and told me what a wonderful physique I had and that I was “perfectly balanced and had no flaws.” I’ll admit that I was kind of embarrassed and would have much preferred that that compliment came from the hot girl on the treadmill, but that was a very nice thing to say. A large part of having a good body is working all of it – including your legs. Leg day.
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Here are a couple great routines to help jump-start those legs: Routine One: • Leg Press: three or four sets of ten reps. Warm-ups don’t count! Do the three or four sets with your heaviest weight. Do the reps at a moderate pace and be sure to get the full stretch. You will get far more benefit from your workout this way. Be careful not to race through your reps. • Seated Calf Raises. Yes, in my world, we don’t forget about the calves! Four sets of fifteen. Be sure to get the full height at the top and the full stretch at the bottom!
Routine Two: • Leg Press: four sets of five. As before, your warm-ups don’t count. Also, keep your pace moderate so that your legs feel worked. Don’t be afraid to add on weight. • Enduro. Nothing fancy other than the name that my training partner and I made up. This is simply a set of leg presses and it goes like this: 12 reps, wait ten seconds; ten reps, wait ten seconds; eight reps. Done. You should use a moderate amount of weight as this is a great “warm-down.” What fun! •
Seated Calf Raises. Let’s do four sets of ten this time. Be sure to add more weight too!
Routine Three: • Back Squats. I have lots and lots of iterations here but let’s start with just three sets of ten. Make sure you do full squats. This means that the tops of your thighs get parallel to the floor. Consider this the minimum depth you should go. Check out last month’s article for the proper way to do them. • Standing Calf Raises. I wouldn’t want you to get bored so let’s do four sets of fifteen standing this time.
This ought to keep you busy for the next six to nine months! Stretch – always stretch – before you do legs. And remember: if you only have a half an hour to workout: do legs!
http://www.prolifick.com/
Colicchio’s Corner by Victor Colicchio
Merry Christmas readers!
INTERVIEW WITH A SKYPUNKER Marzio Dal Monte is known for his work in the band AVENUE X which featured his wife(lead singer, and guitarist) Dionna Dal Monte, and drummer Marky Ramone. After the break up of AVENUE X, Marzio and his wife moved to Italy and began performing with Dionna as a solo artist. Dionna quickly rose to fame in Italy and soon began performing for crowds that numbered in the thousands. Marzio is also known as the infamous SKYPUNKER. He’s been hired to jump out of airplanes holding signs for Virgin Radio, Red Bull, Marky Ramone’s Pasta Sauce, and often jumped wearing famous Italian designer suits for fashion magazines.
Colicchio: Sorry to hear that. Let’s change the subject. You look upset talking about him. (Marzio nods his head in agreement) You skydive for product promotions correct? (Marzio nods his head in agreement) Tell me about Marky Ramone’s Pasta Sauce. Marzio: I would not feed it to my dog. I jumped with a can Red Bull. I opened up and drank it. But Marky Ramone’s sauce I just opened it up and let it fly in the sky. Marky is a great drummer, but his pasta sauce is for Americans, not Italians.
Colicchio: Marzio: Tell me why you jump out of airplanes. Marzio: Why not?
Colicchio: Because you can get killed. Marzio: That is why I do it. You cannot appreciate life unless you face death. My best friend was killed from a fast landing.
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Marzio: No. I have a baby boy now… No fighting, no skydiving, no more tours with the band for now. So I stay home to help my wife take care of our son. And I’m working on releasing singles from her early years. We just released a new single “She Doesn’t Love You” on iTunes. She recorded it when she was 13 years old.
Colicchio: What are your future plans for your music? Colicchio: You are also a boxer and a Mixed Martial arts fighter. How good are you? Marzio: I am a champion fighter in Italy. I love a challenge. I got hurt a few times, but I always won the match.
Colicchio: When did you first get started in the fight game? Marzio: I started to box when I was 5, and Mixed Martial Arts when I was 6.
Colicchio: You must be in good shape. Marzio: Skydiving and martial arts require a lot of training, and a healthy diet. Eating healthy is not easy in Italy. Our culture revolves around food.
Colicchio: Good food like Marky Ramone’s pasta sauce? Marzio: (laughs) Did you know that Marky Ramone was best man at my wedding? He was a big fan of Dionna’s music.
Colicchio: What does your wife think about your skydiving and fighting? Marzio: I taught her how to skydive, and fight. She has won every match so far.
Colicchio: Are you still jumping, and fighting?
Marzio: From the time we met, Dionna and I have been recording and touring in America, and Italy for more than two years. Now Dionna wants to take time off to stay home with the baby, so no tours this year. But we will go back into the studio in March for pre-production of her new album. The album will be recorded here in Italy at Death SS studios in Frienze, and also in New York. But for now we stay low key. Dionna is very famous here. She goes to the market, they ask for autograph, take pictures, and ask for her autograph. She does not like that when she is with the baby, so I stay home, watch the baby and she goes to the market. Then I cook.
Colicchio: Sounds like John and Yoko when they had their first baby together. Marzio: (laughs) Yes. But we will start performing concerts again next year, Greece, Indonesia, Spain… She has lots of fans around the world. She has worldwide distribution in 36 countries, so who knows how far or how long the tour will take.
Colicchio: Who are your distributors? Marzio: For the AVENUE X album it is Belgium Label Music Avenue, and for the album DIONNA the EARLY YEARS it is the Indonesian label SEVEN SKULLS.
Colicchio: The interview was suppose to be about your skydiving, but seem to direct towards you wife. Marzio: As a fighter, and Skypunker, I have been
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interviewed so many times, I’ve been in newspapers, magazines , television, and movies. I am bored of it. My wife is my new interest.
Colicchio: Well thank you Marzio, it’s been very interesting. Marzio: Anytime. Ciao.
David refused to go into the studio. “I’m a street performer. Bring the studio to Washington Square Park.” Electra did just that and recorded the album “Have a Marijuana” live. The album was released in 1968 and featured a POT PLANT on the cover. The album was banned, but as soon as the ban was announced, kids from across America ran out to buy before it was pulled from the shelves. It sold millions. THE DOORS were also on Electra Records, and David was out selling them. Electra Records immediately booked a tour for David. Once again David refused Electra’s request. “I’m a street performer. Bring the tour to me.”
The Pope Smokes Dope and so does David PeeL On a side note….Marzio’s wife, Dionna, recently recorded a re-make with David Peel of his controversial song THE POPE SMOKES DOPE. The song was produced by John Lennon, and released on Apple Records in 1972. It was David’s 3rd album. Dionna and David released a video of the song which was filmed at a Marijuana March in New York City. Check it out on YouTube. David Peel was always known as a street performer. He along with his band, THE LOWER EASTIDE, performed every weekend in Washington Square Park. They drew such large crowds that Electra Records offered them a recording contract. David signed the contract and Electra booked studio time.
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David was a true musician of the times. There was a worldwide HIPPIE philosophy that all kids shared. There was communal living, sharing weed, clothes, ideas and life. It was one for all and all for one, and all together now. All you need is love. But David always felt that for Rock stars it was all we need is money. David took exception to all these rock stars that claimed to be “of the people, by the people”… To him it was not “of” it was more like fuck the people. David use to go into a rant at the beginning of the performances. “If the rocks stars are one of us, why do we have to pay so much money to see them play? I have a million selling album but I play for you for free. Crosby steals your cash and runs. Creedence clears your wallet. Joan buys ass with your money and you get Rolled by The Stones.” John and Yoko Lennon happened to be walking in Washington Square Park while David was performing and became immediate fans. The rest is history.
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David Peel, John Lennon & Yoko Ono
David Peel & John Lennon
David Peel
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David Peel
Marzio Marzio & Marky Ramone
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Marzio & Dionna
Peel Park
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Marzio & Dionna
Marzio & Steven Tyler
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MODEL OF THE MONTH ZOE WEST
photography by: Alan Ottenstein
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Zoe West, 24, is from Upstate New York and has
been modeling and acting full time for five years. Her skill and elegant beauty have propelled her to her current status as one of the most sought after models. Her popularity has resulted in her adding New York City to the places she calls home. She has been featured in national magazines, including Penthouse (“Go West”, March, 2014) and has worked with some of the top photographers in the industry. Zoe says, “I enjoy collaborating with men and women of all skill levels, as long as they are serious
Alan Ottenstein has devoted himself to creating
Fine Art with human portraiture. He brings twenty years experience with film, digital photography and videography. His photography and writings have been published in a variety of books and magazines, including scientific journals. His films have been aired on local and national television.
about improving. I give 100% in every shoot, I am gratified when I see that my efforts have helped a new photographer realize their own visions.” She is also willing to give advice gleaned from her years in the industry to beginning photographers during a shoot. She explains, “I know from experience that the only way to improve is to hold true to your standards and constantly critique your work.” More of Zoe’s images, along with her contact information, can be found at https://www.facebook. com/zoe.c.west?fref=ts, and on her Model Mayhem site.
Alan goes on to explain “most of my life I’ve been drawn to capturing realistic images of people and their lives. Now I’ve taken on a bigger challenge: producing images which stir up emotions in the viewer.” He is accepting custom assignments. He shoots every day honing his craft. More of his work can be seen on Model Mayhem and on his Facebook pages.
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MODEL OF THE MONTH ZOE WEST
photography by: Alan Ottenstein
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PHOTO’S SHOT FRIDAY NOVEMBER 21ST AT THE WOLF DEN IN THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO,UNCASVILLE, CT
ACE FREHLEY WITH CHRIS WYSE & RICHIE SCARLET PHOTOS BY ROB RITTENBERG
ACE FREHLEY,CHRIS WYSE & RICHIE SCARLET PHOTO BY ROB RITTENBERG
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ACE FREHLEY & CHRIS WYSE PHOTO BY ROB RITTENBERG
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ACE FREHLEY & CHRIS WYSE PHOTO BY ROB RITTENBERG ACE FREHLEY,CHRIS WYSE & RICHIE SCARLET PHOTO BY ROB RITTENBERG
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ACE FREHLEY & ROB RITTENBERG ACE FREHLEY & CHRIS WYSE PHOTO BY ROB RITTENBERG
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Photos from the Fingers Metal Shop 31st Anniversary show, hosted by Fingers, WBAB’s heavy metal DJ. The show featured performances by Killcode, Doro, Riot and a “jam session” including Jay Jay French & Mark Mendoza from Twisted Sister and Mike Orlando from Adrenaline Mob. Virgin Steele’s lead vocalist David DeFeis also performed a few songs.
by Brian Matus
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Mike Orlando & Jay Jay French
Backstage with Mike Flyntz from Riot & Fingers
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Killcode
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David DeFeis of Virgin Steele
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Fingers on stage with Don Van Stavern from Riot Riot
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Riot
Riot
Riot
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Doro
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Doro
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Doro
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Doro
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Doro
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Doro
Doro
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Positively Energized by Scott Brandon
Scott Brandon
MY FRANKIE VALLI “STORY”
It all started back in the late 1970s, when I was about 3 or 4 years old. I loved hearing my mom’s audio cassette, whose first track was the song where that lady sang the elongated high pitched calling of the name Sherry. My mom actually had two copies of that cassette, and they were both, unfortunately, ruined in some way. I am still trying to purchase one online and present it to her one day. The tape was called Story, and it was a greatest hits collection by The Four Seasons. It wasn’t until a few years later that I learned the aforementioned lady was actually lead singer Frankie Valli, the same man who sang the title song to Grease, which was my favorite movie and album. I made this discovery on my mom’s 45 of Let’s Hang On, whose label (Phillips Records) listed the artist as “The 4 Seasons (featuring the ‘sound’ of Frankie Valli)” From here, I was hooked. I started shopping for more Frankie Valli records, and enjoying his amazing talent as it emanated from my stereo speakers. In 1982, PBS aired a concert of Frankie that my mom and I watched together. I audio recorded the broadcast by placing a tape recorder in front of my TV speaker, and I used to play that tape over and over again. When I was about 12 years old, Frankie graced the stage at Lehigh University’s Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, PA and my mom took me to the show. I was very surprised to go, because before the concert date, I had done something wrong, and my mom grounded me from anything related to Grease. During the show, when Frankie sang that song, my mom leaned over, and jokingly reminded me, “You’re grounded!”
Recently, on October 30, 2014, Frankie performed at The Sands Event Center in Bethlehem, PA. I was pleasantly surprised, as in recent years, Frankie seemed unable to hit those high notes like he once did, in the concert footage I had seen. But after seeing footage of a 2013 performance a few months before his October 30 appearance, I knew his original talent was back. Man, was I ever right! Frankie gave an absolutely stellar two hour performance. Before leaving the arena, I was fortunate to get close enough to the stage to shake his hand. I still hope that one day I will get to meet and talk with Frankie face to face. Since my wife doesn’t happen to be a Frankie Valli fan, I enjoyed this most recent performance with a very good friend. The same friend who joined me for a theatrical screening of the movie Jersey Boys, which gave me even more insight into Frankie’s career, as well confirmed things I already knew about him. Sadly, health issues prevented my mom from attending Frankie’s October 30 Sands performance. I really believe it is thanks to hearing Frankie Valli (and all of my mom’s “oldies” records) at such a young age that I developed such affection for music of all eras and genres, especially the Rock & Roll Era. And it all started with the “Story” of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.
Frankie’s music is something I never outgrew over the years. In fact, due to the particular stereo mix I have, Sherry is still my sound check staple when I’m setting up for a DJ gig.
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Editor’s note: “After this article was submitted for publication, the author succeeded in finding a cassette of The Four Seasons “Story” online, and will present it to his mother this Christmas.”
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Interviewz with
FRANK WOOD
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MBW: Hey Frank ... I see you everywhere ... You were my first guest ... on my first monthly Steel Notes Magazine guest co-host gig ... with Rew Starr and her famous NYC Underground Live Stream REW & WHO SHOW ... Where I was over-powered by you and Rew’s obviously very familiar shtick together ... Hey ... Give a kid a break ... Y’all know I’m the new kid on the block ... Ahaha ... No ... but really ... You were overly informative without even being asked any questions ... so ... I get the message, Frank Wood ... You are a very very busy busy man with a jam packed over-booked agenda and I gotta say I am “Mucho impressed” ... You got a killer funny personality ... Que Bizzarro ... You got a lot happening ... and I really dig your non-stop energy ... I have been trying to get a hold of you for a while now ... What was all the commotion going on with you last month and what is happening right now in the ever whirling world of Frank Wood ??? FW: ha ha yeah ...I was getting ready for my BUSY SEASON! HA! My Birthday was coming up and we were putting on
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“THE 9 DAYS OF WOOD!” That’s 9 Shows in 14 Days at 7 Different Clubs with Over 50 different bands from 3 Continents! It’s to celebrate 59 Years of ME and the bands that put me where I am and the people who enjoy them! Here is what my schedule was like: Starting Nov. 2 at OTTO’s with THE SLUT JUNKIES, DICK JOKES, JENNIFER BLOWDRYER BAND, THE DEL RIOS, ANNE HUSICK & FRIENDS and DJ ROB NITRO b/w and after the bands! Day 2 (11/5) THE MARLIN ROOM at WEBSTER HALL with PURPLE PAM & THE FLESH EATERS, GAGGLE OF COCKS, LUCIFER JONES, BLK VAMPIRES, THORNES, CRACKED ALICE and DJ ROB NITRO b/w and after the bands! Day 3 (11/7) at HANK’S SALOON with LENNY KAYE (PATTI SMITH GROUP), celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his 1st gig in a band joined by THE HIPP PIPPS, THE PURSLAINES, THE BLOODSHOTS, RED GRETCHEN, LANNIE FLOWERS BAND and THE NIHON!
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Day 4 (11/9) back at OTTO’s with DANNY’s DEVIL’s BLUES, GOTHAM ROCKETS, PUMA PERL & FRIENDS, THE CYNZ, LOST CAUSE and DJ ROB NITRO b/w and after the bands! My Actual Birthday was 11/11 (Day 5) and my band, FRANK WOOD & HIS NYC ALL-STARS BAND, played at BEAST OF BOURBON, an AWESOME BBQ joint in Brooklyn! 11/12 was Day 6 at BOWERY ELECTRIC with ADVENTURES IN BLUESLAND, THE LORD CALVERTS, THE CRINGE, THE BLACK CATS NYC, VOODOO FUZZ BOX, COSMIC RAY and DJ TWIGG THE WONDERKIDD b/w and after the bands! Day 7 (11/14) DELANCEY BAR with SEA MONSTER along with BARNEY RUBBLE & THE CUNT STUBBLE, CRUSHER, LICE, DOLLAR STORE RIOT and DJ ROB NITRO b/w and after the bands! On Saturday, 11/15, at GRAND VICTORY BAR in Brooklyn with JOEY KELLY ALL STARS, THE CATHOLIC GIRLS, FELONY BEBOP CLUB, THE BROCCOLI HEADS and DJ ROB NITRO b/w the bands!
and we topped it all off with Day 9 (11/16) at OTTO’s with ANDY SHERNOFF (THE DICTATORS) and FLACK BLAMINGO. THE BAGHDADDIOS, DIRTY & NAUGHTY, JEPH SAPHIN, THE NASTIES, DJ ROB NITRO b/w and after the bands! and a Very Special “SOFA KING” WILDE JAM to end the evening!
MBW: Has anybody ever told you that you look like Santa Claus??? FW: Never! ... Ha!
MBW: For outsiders ... who are unaware of the incredible New York City Underground Music Scene ... I would think you are the right person to describe Otto’s Shrunken Head ... Just a peek into the every hour, every day, every week, consistent awesomeness that evolves in and around this otherwise (sorta) secret jamming and rocking out heavy hideout ... I know you play there every Sunday Nite ... and Rew does her show out of there every Wednesday evening ... but ... that is just a drop-let in the ole bucket-let ???
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The BEST part is that all the Different Crowds mix with each other and play nice!
MBW: Tell us about your music ... what do you play ... What type of music would you call your stuff ... and do you have any recording information and studio stories that you would be interested in sharing with us??? FW: My band, FRANK WOOD & HIS NYC ALL-STARS BAND, is a cover band doing Old-School FUN ROCK’n’ROLL tunes that you like to Dance and Party to! It was all LUIGI “BABE” SCORCIA’s idea and I, reluctantly at first, picked up the ball and ran with it!
FW: OTTO’s has been around for over 12 years now! NELL, STEVE and PAT are the owners! I’ve been doing shows there since the 3rd month they were open! EVERYONE is WELCOME at OTTO’s! First Saturday of Every month is SURF NIGHT with UNSTEADY FREDDIE - the ED SULLIVAN of Surf Music! ALL Surf music ALL NIGHT! 2nd Saturday is TIKI BOYS which are old school LES types playing OI, SKA, PUNK, GARAGE and anything they want. The Last Saturday of every month is THE MIDNITE MONSTER HOP -Rockabilly/Psychobilly! This is Ground Zero for this music in NYC! There are comedy nights, COPYCAT NIGHT (All cover music), Trivia nights basically – Something for Everyone!
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I’m the Lead Singer (for lack of a better word) but I am backed by the BEST MUSICIANS in NYC! 2 Guitars, 2 saxes, bass, drums, keys and THE WOOD NYMPHS (my back up singers who are so HOT, you can barely hear me!)! T.J. JORDAN (WOUNDED, LOURDS and...) and KENN ROWELL (BAGHDADDIOS) on Guitars, DANNY RAY (MAD JUANA, JESSE MALIN and...) and CHUCK ‘RAVEN’ HANCOCK (MURPHYS LAW and...) are the Sax men, MIKE LINN (GRAVEYARD SLUT, DIRTY & NAUGHTY and...) on drums, KEVIN SHAW (THE BMTs, HUDSON DUSTERS and...) are joined by THE WOOD NYMPHS - CHRISTA McNAMEE (RIPE), SARAH MALINDA ENGELKE (SUPERMAJOR and...), CYD SILVER (SNAKE MONSTERS) and LAUREN DRAGON (RED DRAGON)! Over the years (Going on 5 now) I’ve been lucky to have a lot of my friends join me at one time or another – SAMI YAFFA (HANOI ROCKS, NY DOLLS, MAD JUANA), MATT LANGONE (THE WALDOS and...), ROBERT AARON (DAVID BOWIE, WYCLEF JEAN, MADONNA and...), DAVID WHITE
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(STUMBLEBUNNY, THE HOLLIES and...) and the list goes on and on! It’s a lot of fun and we do it basically for ‘shits & giggles’! I’m trying to list them all on a fb page called: FRANK WOOD & HIS NYC ALL-STARS BAND!
MBW: I have met a whole lot of super talented and fun people and personalities at Otto’s ... and there is this whole really amazing family that emanates there and about ... How would you like to run off a list of some of these family members and tell us who does what ... Would you mind, Mr. Wood??? FW: I’ve already mentioned the owners, STEVE, NELL and PAT, but the bartenders and Security and staff are THE BEST! Some of the current bartenders are NELL, TRACY, LAURIE, MISCHELLE MEOW, ZOFIA and a bunch more over the years! Security is headed up by FATHER VINCENT, JIMMY, JESSE, myself and some special guests! There are so many different promoters – UNSTEADY FEDDIE, MIKE MORTICIAN, EVEN XEROX, and the list goes on! And there is REMARKABLY Little to NO DRAMA amongst us.
MBW: I first met you with Natasha Adonzio ... I had arranged with Susan Alexxis Steele and Steel Notes Magazine to film an interview with Natasha at Otto’s Shrunken Head ... Alexxis had a film and video crew sent there ... You were at the door ... It was freezing outside ... but ... Natasha and I had to do the interview out front of the club in our full length winter coats because it was too noisy and crowed inside ... I was extremely ill that day and practically crawled to get there ... but ... that’s Show Bizz ... That was last winter ... Ever since then you seem to appear everywhere I go ... Like the Cheshire Cat in Alice In Wonderland .. I would like to know what your intentions are ... Where does Frank Wood hope to get to???... FW: THE GRAVE and retirement, not necessarily in that order!
MBW: Not necessarily the answer I was looking for, Mr. Wood ... but I like you ... I can see that underneath you are really a sweet and beautiful person ... I notice things like that in people ... I can also spot a lugworm a mile down the beach ... I got a real charge out of you when we did that Rew & Who episode on July 2nd ... You were talking about selling some Chimpanzee teeth necklaces ... So fitting ... Like Voo Doo ... for a place named Otto’s Shrunken Head ... Will you please tell our readers this hilarious story, Frank ??? FW: A friend was clearing out his storage unit and had a bunch of Taxidermy stuff from Moose antlers, Gazelle horns, Stuffed Animals and CHIMPANZEE TEETH! He has a house in BRAZIL and these teeth were from a MACUMBA SHAMAN/PRIEST/WITCH DOCTOR, whatever you want to call them! He went to Africa and got the teeth from Dead chimps he found in the wilderness and made necklaces out of them! I sold those to the 1st two people I showed them to!
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MBW: Mind blowing !!! ... Dr. John and The Mind Trippers would be nuts over one ... I really wanted to catch your show in Brooklyn at The Beast of Bourbon ... What a terrific venue ... As a singer/ song writer I happened to be jamming with a great new guitarist I’d met named Brooklyn Trippe who lives just blocks away from Beast of Bourbon and we ended up there last Saturday night ... New York Junk and The Waldo’s played ... Best freaking Rock ;n Roll vibes since Max’z Kansas City, man ... How did it go ??? FW: FRANK WOOD & HIS NYC ALL-STARS BAND played BEAST OF BOURBON on my Birthday, November 11th. We did 2 sets It was a FREE SHOW. The BBQ there is Out of This World! The BOOZE is SPLENDID and my Band is A LOT OF FUN! We will also be doing a SPECIAL, JAZZED-UP, CHRISTMAS Set on Sunday, December 21st at OTTO’s SHRUNKEN HEAD! We will be having our Annual KWANNAKUHMAS Party! Everybody pigged out and were dancing off those pounds they ate!
MBW: Do you want to tell us what the hell a KWANNAKUHMAS Party is??? FW: KWANNAKUHMAS is a celebration of KWANZA, HANNUKUH and CHRISTMAS!
MBW: ... and are you playing Beast of Bourbon again??? FW: Probably in March!
MBW: I can relate to you because I was a roadie as a teen ... I even held Ginger Baker of The Cream’s bass drum down because he beat them so damn hard they wanted to run off the stage ... That was at the Whisky a go go ... I had to lay on the floor on my belly and grip the drum’s leg tightly as that madman sweated to the Sunshine Of Your Love ... I understand you started out as a roadie for a whole lot of awesome bands and worked your way up to where you are a star yourself today ... What were
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some of your coolest experiences ??? FW: Working Security with the GRATEFUL DEAD, SANTANA, ROLLING STONES, THE WHO, SHIT! There are a LOT of COOL EXPERIENCES: The NO NUKES CONCERT at what is now the WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER in ‘77 or ‘78 (I can’t remember all the exact dates) with over 250,000 people! I was with JOY RYDER & THE DAVIS RYDER BAND! THE WHO at SHEA STADIUM with THE CLASH and DAVID JOHANSEN! THE GRATEFUL DEAD, MARSHALL TUCKER BAND, NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE at ENGLISHTOWN, ANY of the over 50 times I either worked security or just went to see SANTANA, ANY of the shows at the old BOTTOM LINE! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
MBW: I would like to know about you and your affiliation with the mysterious Otto’s Shrunken Head ... I feel there are spirits there ... Maybe its Rew ... Is she like clairvoyant or something ... For awhile I thought Otto’s was your own club ... I would also like to hear more about that amazing girl, Rew Starr ... who gives all kinds of cool and wacky people the opportunity to have their ... (as Andy Warhol put it) “15 minutes of fame” ... You two go back awayz ... How did you two end up so tight ??? FW: We met when she booked a GOD’s LOVE WE DELIVER BENEFIT at a club I was running. We worked well together and hit it off! We did over 10 years for that charity with both of us booking the bands and me shaking down, I mean soliciting donations for what was the best raffle in Rock’n’Roll! She also got me to do more charity work for HALE HOUSE, SAFE HORIZONS and more! She has a HEART OF GOLD and she keeps trying to drag me out of my path to HELL by helping those less fortunate than we are!
MBW: Yes ... I think Rew is just about due for an enormous change ... I love to observe when the table turns and people get what they rightfully deserve ... be it good ... or bad ...by the way ... I
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always end up asking my guests this question ... “ If I could grant you three wishes ... what would they be “ ??? ...
A talented female partner-in-crime! Anything else? Just let me know!
FW: Unlimited, HASSLE FREE access to the BEST WEED around! Unlimited cash to help others with (And to party with)!
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To all those who may have been endlessly taken, and overwhelmed, by The Doors ... as I have been ... since the very beginning of time ... itself ... I would love to share these most awesome moments ... which I feel I have been so privileged to experience ... My long time comrade, Mr. David Kramer, who was directed to me because he was doing a documentary on Jimi Hendrix ... when a mutual friend at the infamous Chelsea Hotel told him “You need to go see Marlowe B. West because he has Jimi’s jacket and wrote a book ... called Go West ... about how he got it!” So David found me and interviewed me and my cousin ... Marquise de la Lillibridge ... We told him our intensely interesting story ... We have been great friends ever since... ... On November 27th David Kramer presented Jimi Hendrix’s 70th Birthday Tribute at BB King’s Jazz & Blues on 42nd Street in New York City ... He put me on the VIP list ... The place reeked Jimi Hendrix ... His dynamite soul filled the air and everyone’s ears, minds, guts and hearts ... BB’s was jam-packed and rocked it’s brains out ... Amongst the roster of awesome guitarists, singers and other incredible performers ... There was Robbie Krieger of The Doors ... Naturally they saved Robbie for the grande finale ... Grande was hardly the suitable adjective ... My God ... There was this awesome line up across the stage .. like a ring ... Robbie was the diamond ... He started out doing some of Jimi’s mega hits ... which was utterly phenomenal ... and then ... beyond my most ecstatic expectations he played three Doors songs ... Talk about “Heaven” ... You just had to be there ... I tried like hell to get an interview with Robbie ... He was reluctant and said, “Maybe next year!” ... What? ... So this is all I have for now ... Hope you enjoy ... When the music’s over turn out the light ... Cheerz ... MBW ...
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by Guido Colacci
Gorgeous Model, Nadine Theresa Age: 27 Sussex County, NJ www.NadineTheresa.com Photographer, Alan Ottenstein, film, digital photography and videography. Creating Fine Art with human portraiture. His work can be seen on Model Mayhem and on his Facebook pages.
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http://www.prolifick.com/
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ARTIST OF THE MONTH AMY BROWN FANTASY ART About Amy Brown I started painting Faeries in 1992. I’d always been interested in them, but had never considered them to be a career option, until one day when I was not quite twenty-one and working in a small art gallery. My boss asked me to paint something to fill an empty frame that had been sitting around. I asked her what I should paint and she said “I don’t know, paint a Faery or something.” So I did. Three days later, the piece sold. So I painted another. It sold. And I painted another. It sold too. You get the picture. I began painting Faeries whenever I had spare time. Rapidly I became more and more drawn to painting them. They demanded it. The years shoved their way past me and I kept my head down; painting, painting, painting and not paying much attention to the rest of the world unless I absolutely had to. It was like the Faeries had taken control of me and were pushing me to paint their portraits and perhaps to let the world know they are watching. After selling prints and originals at street fairs and in local shops for a few years, I opened a website and began selling my work online worldwide. From there my business took off with a mind of its own. A little more than seventeen years later, over 1300 paintings completed, and a history of licensed products longer than I can count, I am still trailing behind helplessly as the Faeries drag me on in a seemingly endless rampage. My passion to paint is like a living creature inside me. All the ideas in my head churn and beg to get out. I’m driven to get them onto paper and out of my head as soon as possible. The characters move and speak in my mind. Snippets of stories flit through my mind while the paint dries. The quicker I can push their essence into the paper with my brush and banish them from my head, the better. Once I’ve conjured one creature, another is waiting impatiently for its turn. Gradually the Faeries have evolved in meaning for me... something more than the typical definition of Faeries being winged girls flitting around in the woods or at the bottom of the garden. They are often wise, majestic and beautiful. Sometimes they are terrible and cruel. They embody grace, mystery, wonder and miracles as well as despair, trickery and desire. Wings can be a symbol of freedom, enlightenment and spiritual growth; or power and strength. Horns and antlers hint at ageless wisdom and grace in some Fae and malice and cunning in others. Feathers signify free spirits or a dark and mournful nature. In the Faery realm, all things become possible and not all is what it seems. My goal in my work has always been to capture a moment and offer that moment to the viewer to weave his or her own story. I want each piece to whisper, taunt and tickle a reaction out of you.
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My paintings always speak to me. What will they say to you? Things I Like: (I reserve the right to change my mind about any of these at any given time) Artistic Influence: Brian and Wendy Froud, Michael Parkes, Stephanie Law, Alphonse Mucha, James Christiansen, Tony Diterlizzi, Daniel Merriam... and too many others to list. Inspiration: books, art, movies, music, dreams, nightmares…you name it. Inspiration is everywhere. Color: RED. Music: Loreena McKennitt, The Smiths, Neko Case, Abney Park, Adam Hurst. Movies: Heavy Metal, Labyrinth, LOTR, Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, The Fantastic Mr. Fox. TV Shows: (many of which have been canceled, I am so depressed): Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, X Files, Farscape, Firefly, Battlestar Galactica (new version), Castle, Fringe, Bones, Smallville, Supernatural,
Dr Who (w/ David Tennant), Pushing Daisies, Red Dwarf, Tin Man. Books: The Imajica, Someplace to Be Flying, Airman, The Magician’s Elephant, Sisters Grimm series, Inkheart series. Hobbies: Gardening, Korean Ball Jointed Dolls, collecting Butt Freckles (yeah, you heard me). Mad Passionate Crush: Orlando Bloom (someone lock that man up before I hunt him down. Wait a minute, is my husband going to read this?) and Lee Pace (be still my fluttering heart, ever since Wonder Falls.) Misc Facts: I have been painting faeries since 1992, no formal art training, am older than I look, left handed, married with 2 children, hate to cook, like to stay at home, do not like attention, can’t stop buying clothing, and usually get up before the sun. Tools of the Trade: Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors, Arches Bright White 300lb hot press watercolor paper, Pigma Micron ink pens, PITT Artist Pens, Prismacolor colored pencils, Winsor and Newton Gouache, Daniel Smith Series 23 watercolor brushes, table salt, isopropyl alcohol, mechanical pencil.
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AMY BROWN FANTASY ART
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PRE-REVIEW by Michael “Jacobs” McKenna BONGO BOY ROCK & ROLL TV SHOW Presents INDIE MUSIC VIDEOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Episode 1036
Bongo Boy Rock n’ Roll TV Show presents Indie Music Videos From Around The World is a TV show series that features indie music videos from talented international artists for broadcast on real TV. Their 30 TV Channels syndicated distribution with 8 major cable companies is now in its fourth year of production. The TV show can be seen by more than 4.1 million people across the USA. Each episode is also distributed via Go Indie TV Roku channel and always online at www.bongoboytv.com The show is produced by Grammy Member/Garage Rock Guru Gar Francis and musicologist Monique Grimme. A complete list of dates, times, areas of broadcast and TV stations can be found on their website. TV Episode 1036 – Premiers on Channel 9 in Nashville, TN Saturday at 8:30pm December 6th. This episode will rotates till December 15th on 30 TV channels across the USA and can be seen 24/7 on www.bongoboytv. com. NYC’s Jann Klose’s “Make It Better” opens with a nice taste of urban-reggae married to an acoustic guitar and clean vox which sets the scene for a realistic story about issues we are exposed to in our daily lives. The rhythmic changes in the chorus are refreshing and energetic, love the hook! “You and I can make it
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better and help us cross that Great Divide”. The instrumentation used consists of stand-up bass, violin, accordion, acoustic guitar and a sit-on rhythm box that is way cool. Awesome track! Music Video Director: Yael Shulman www.jannklose.com From Switzerland comes NazB with “Boomaye” that features his Nigerian-flavored hip-hop sound melded perfectly with pulsating rhythms as African dancers gyrate with electrifying moves and a sound that is very infectious. Director: Matteo VDiva Fabbiani www.nazb.com Cali’s LifeSize music video “Thin Air” has a very eclectic sound that is accented by his baritone vocals and heartfelt lyrics. Also, the ladies are HOT! Director: Scott Marshall www.lifesizemusic.net Odyssey, hailing from New Zealand, gives us “1st Impression,” a music video that is electro hip-hop in the mold of Daft Punk and is highly energetic and slick sounding. Director: Time McInnes and Odyssey www. yourmum.co.nz “YoYo” by New Jersey’s Joey Evans is a fun sounding track that is very pop/country in flavor that could crossover into a few different formats. Director Joey Evans www.facebook.com/pages/ Joey-Evans/484143761730080 From Minnesota, The Hamilton’s “One Last Thing” is rock in very simple, pure form that is refreshing to listen to. The acoustic strings are solid. Love the lyrics and the ending, WAY COOL! Director: Greg DeLiso www.thehamiltonsmusic.com Hailing from Tennessee, Dre Hilton’s “Yes I Can Can” just touches me to see artists appealing to children and influencing these young people in a proper way. This is a powerful message telling the children they can do anything they put their minds to....AWESOME! Director: John Jordan www.drehiton.com Finally we have promo spot from The Crab Bubbles, “Fool For Your Love” which is a very 60’s retro go-go tune that elicits memories of Hulabaloo! Their upcoming single soon to be released on Bongo Boy Records. Check it out, you’ll be amazed at the talent presented here, WELL DONE!
For Ad Space contact Alexxis Steele 610-871-1886 Advertising@steelnotesmagazine.com
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PRE-REVIEW by Michael “Jacobs” McKenna BONGO BOY ROCK & ROLL TV SHOW Presents INDIE MUSIC VIDEOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD EPISODE 1037 THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL The Bongo Boy Rock n’ Roll TV Show presents Indie Music Videos From Around The World is a TV show series that features indie music videos from talented artists from around the world for broadcast on real TV. Their 30 TV Channels syndicated distribution with 8 major cable companies is now in its four year of production. The TV show can be seen by more than 4.1 million people across the USA. Also each episode is distributed via Go Indie TV Roku channel and is always 24/7online at www.bongoboytv.com
Produced by Grammy Member/Garage Rock Guru Gar Francis and musicologist Monique Grimme. A complete list of dates, times, areas of broadcast and TV stations can be found on their website. TV Episode 1037 the Holiday episode will premier Saturday December 6th in Brooklyn and the 5 Boroughs of NYC on Ch 34
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TWC, Ch 67 Cable Vision, Ch 82 RCN, Ch 42 Verizon at 5:00pm. Also this episode will air on December 9th (Tuesday) at 10:30pm in Manhattan on Ch67 TWCm Ch85 RCN, Ch33 FiOS. Starting December 15th through December 31st this episode will be in rotation on many channels across the USA. Our first band hails from Union, NJ and are labeled as a Garage/Punk band The Accelerators. They have recorded a holiday single, “Santa is Coming to Town” that is an upbeat fun track complete with dancers with a Hula-Hoops that is destined to become a classic. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Accelerators/12211049 1132320?fref=ts They are from England, but make their home in San Francisco. Matthew Edwards and the Unfortunates track,”The English Blues”, has old-country charm which appeals to the listener in a very heartfelt way, Well Done! Directors: Matthews Edwards & Peter Locke. www.facebook.com/pages/ Matthew-Edwards-and-the-Unfortunates/143750939005979 From the Big Apple, The Atonomic present their single “Are You Up For It” that has that signature “Rock of the 80’s” electro/pop sound. This 3 piece band has that nice full sound due to the dual synth keys and electronic rhythm tracks. NICE! Directors Nadda Kanchanagom and Mitch Steinberg www.facebook.com/ atonomicmusic Be Boys from the Alpine heights of Lausanne, Switzerland gives a deep, emotional performance with their single “Beneath the Bridge”. Michael Resin’s vocal range is incredible! This alternative/pop act is lying in wait to strike the vein of gold! Director Michael Resin. www.facebook.com/beboysofficial From Italy, Frankie Doc’s music video, “Don’t Stop Me When I Play” is a combination of Euro/Electro/ Techno-Pop that would fill an American dance floor in the first few seconds, would love to hear a remix of this! Director Ruben Sanchez www.facebook.com/pages/Frankie/436162563081011 John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” is nicely performed as a parody by Bruce Lev from Arizona entitled “Jewish Guy”. This is hilarious and will have you going bananas. Director Bruce Lev. wwwfacebook.com/BruceLevMusic From the Left Coast and the state of California, The 99 comes out hot and heavy with “Do You Wanna Go” that asks “if it is a fantasy or is it reality”. You decide! Director Alvin Harrison www.facebook.com/RTIA1 www. artistecard.com/alvinharrison From New Jersey, Jackie Kringle & The Elves, aka members of the 60’s garage rock band The Doughboys, featuring Mike Caruso, Gar Francis and Mike Scavone present their holiday music video “ Let’s Have A Rockin Christmas”, with characters Jackie Three Fingers, Jackie Kringle and Jackie Jawbone that are a blast to watch...the story line and the cartoon-automatons play acting ROCKS! This is destined to be watched for years to come. Director Monique Grimme www.garfrancis.com Don’t miss this show, the music is fantastic and you will be mildly surprised at the talent presented here. www.veroconcepts.com
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REVIEWS by Michael “Jacobs” McKenna DEBBY BOONE “Swing This” This extraordinary lady has done it all in one way or another. The recipient of 3 Grammy’s and 7 nominations has performed in several Broadway Shows, Las Vegas, the Boston Pops, National Touring Shows, which include the 50th Anniversary of Rogers & Hammerstein’s “King and I” as Anna and had a record setting Billboard #1 song for 10 straight weeks, is proof enough for this writer that Debby is more than the real deal. Talented as well as stunningly beautiful, Debby’s first love, music, evolved from exposure to her father’s performances at an early age. “Swing This” is the result of all that exposure during her childhood years to the culture which existed in Las Vegas during the 60’s era. This CD contains 14 tracks which include many recognizable timeless classics that John Oddo arranged with the exception of 2 cuts. “Sway” is a 1953 mambo instrumental song by Mexican composer Pablo Beltran Ruiz. The most famous English version is one that Dean Martin recorded in 1954 and the English lyrics were added by Norman Gimbel. This horn heavy classic featuring John Fedchock on trombone is expertly performed by Debby. “That Old Black Magic” is a 1942 classic Glenn Miller Big Band number that has a nice retro/mod sound that Debby gives her happy, peppy vibes a chance to expand. “More Than You Know”, which was made popular by Billie Holiday, sees John Oddo’s precise keys enhanced by Debby’s heartfelt down-deep vocals. Frank Sinatra’s “I’m Gonna Live Until I Die” picks things up with a burst of refreshing energy and Aaron Heick’s slick sax work. Staying with the Sinatra family, Nancy’s “These Boots Were Made For Walking” features the signature guitar riffs and cool sax that has this tune jamming complete with vocal changes that made this a classic. WELL DONE! “Cry Me A River” is a jazzy blues ballad made famous by Julie London in 1955 that Debby dives into to give this a nice smooth sound. “Sing, Sing, Sing”, composed by Louis Prima, has strong identification with the Big Band and Swing Eras and is recognizable by its pounding percussions, vibrant horns and peppy swing sound that is done to near perfection in this performance. Debby exercises those lungs bigtime! “I’m Waiting Just For You”, which was performed by her father Pat Boone, is a nice tribute by Debby that would make any father proud. George Rabbai’s trumpet does some serious talking! “Everybody Loves Somebody” made famous by another member of the Rat Pack, Dean Martin, sees Debby go down deep with expressive feeling as she takes this down a notch with ease. “Get Me To The Church On Time” from the musical “My Fair Lady” is an upbeat tune that to which Debby does justice. The effects are precisely placed for emphasis. The timeless classic “Mack the Knife” makes me envision this talented lady on stage just belting this one out! HOT! Theolonious Monk’s jazz standard “Round Midnight” is done with such precision and projection that makes this one of the CD’s best! “You and the Night and the Music” hails from the Broadway show ‘Revenge With Music’ that has a nice jazzy flair which Debby nails perfectly. “Be Careful It’s My Heart” from the 1942 film, “Holiday Inn”, is superbly done with deep inner feeling that touches one from beginning to end. Debby makes this Irving Berlin number shine!
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It’s not often one gets to experience so many timeless classics superbly performed on one CD, this is one of these times. This talented vocalist follows in her father’s footsteps and takes things up a notch with this effort. All aficionados of jazz, big band and swing will enjoy this collection. WELL DONE!!
http://www.natashanyc.com/
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REVIEWS by Dana Saravia Neil Finn “Dizzy Heights” album review One of the most gifted and versatile songwriters of his generation, Neil Finn has been steadily writing and performing since he began his career by joining his older brother Tim’s band Split Enz in 1977. Though he’s still more often to be found in band situations, from Enz to the worldwide hit group Crowded House and often collaborating again with Tim as the Finn Brothers, he went it alone for “Dizzy Heights”, his latest release and third solo album. Recorded with members of his family, including his wife Sharon and two sons, Liam and Elroy, it is a striking and ultimately intimate LP. One of the most lyrically dense and musically experimental albums of Neil’s long and prolific career to date, it is a musical puzzle box that continues to unfold even after many repeated listens. “Dizzy Heights” contains the kind of songs that may not grab a listener as a whole immediately, but instead have bits and pieces – a phrase here or a melody there – that settle into your brain and that you’ll likely find yourself thinking about when you least expect it. Not an album of the straight ahead brilliant pop that Neil is best known for, though some of the songs on the album have taken those elements to their bare bones to create what is heard here. Each side of the album appears to have a theme with Side One’s being the trepidation, hesitation, and hope of moving forward in life, especially when confronted with the possibility of falling in love with either another person or with life itself. The imagery of jumping, falling, and flying are heavily present throughout Side One, metaphors that are familiar and well used to illustrate the vulnerability and progression of losing oneself in a new relationship, accepting the loss of control and the ultimate feeling of joy and freedom that can bring. “Impressions” is the aptly titled opener. With its haunting vocals and experimental backing track, it serves as an excellent introduction to the album. Immediately followed by “Dizzy Heights”, well-chosen as the title track, as this song features the more traditional songwriting style for which Neil has become best known. This tune makes immediate impact and features a gentle melodic chorus that will likely be stuck in your head after the first listen. Track 3, “Flying In The Face Of Love” expertly continues Side One’s journey. The lyrics “show what you’re made of, what you’re afraid of, you’ll have to leave the comfort of shadows” expertly detail finding one’s way back from overcoming grief and loss, be it from a breakup or a death. Followed immediately by “Divebomber”, an experimental, rather stream-of-consciousness piece that explores the fear at the beginning of a new relationship, leads into the song “Better Than TV”, which features some of the most powerful lyrics on the album. “Those old familiar thoughts can’t
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hurt you anymore” and, perhaps my favourite “don’t die wondering” and “at the end of the world, it’s just you and me” beautifully describe the feelings of making peace with being vulnerable and connected to another person. Concluding Side One is the latest fan favourite “Pony Ride”. A fun rock track that starts with propulsive drums and contains the lyrics “no way I’m leaving this pony ride”, it’s an inviting song about enjoying all of life’s experiences, letting go and enjoying life itself. A powerful and perfect way to close out the first album side. Side Two’s theme of isolation and the continued search for ways to overcome it and feel a genuine connection in this modern era of technology starts off with “White Lies and Alibis”. The lyrics “this hell is not of my making” and “do what you can to survive”, while written about a specific situation, can also be applied to the prisons of society’s enslavement to technology & the expectations to keep up as well as the continued search for our individuality and true identity and the freedom that brings. Another standout track, “Recluse” follows. A delicate melody coupled with descriptive lyrics that discuss the fear of living, because of both the fear of the outside world that the news and media choose to bring into our consciousness as well as the fear of others’ judgments. Lines such as “I dreamt that Jesus had a gun” and “I think Howard Hughes would love to be on the internet” are smart and memorable, providing observant commentary on our current era. “Strangest Friends” celebrates the freedom and relationships found through creativity, while “In The Blood” (co-written in part by Neil’s sons Liam and Elroy) explores the exhilaration of family bonds and remaining connected in spite of the passing of people & time and the knowledge that even our own time here is fleeting. “Lights Of New York” is the gorgeous closing track, featuring a soundscape that expertly captures the overnight atmosphere in NYC and lyrics that find beauty and comfort in the city and its sights. Though “Dizzy Heights” is a departure from Neil’s usual pop straightforwardness and may be more difficult to fully get into, please stay with it. The sometimes hidden melodies and storytelling both draw you in and, in having to give what you are hearing deeper thought, make you a part of the journey. The title track references a treasure map and this album could very much be said to contain buried treasure as it is one that through repeated listens will leave deep and lasting impressions on the listener in some unexpected ways. An album of true depth and quality and a pony ride I truly appreciate taking again and again.
photo by Kimberely Marsden
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MOVIE REVIEW by Jerry Saravia JFK (1991) accomplished work, perhaps his most difficult, and certainly his most controversial.
I remember a snippet from a largely forgotten pseudo-documentary called “The Man Who Saw Tomorrow” where Orson Welles, who narrated the film, discusses the JFK assassination as foretold by astrologer Nostradamus. A figure’s outline is shown inside a grassy knoll at Dealey Plaza that could be another shooter and I remember, at the tender age of 11, being both shocked and riveted by such a finding (not sure a second shooter literally hid in a grassy knoll but that is a discussion for another time). It made an impact on me and it was fulfilled one million fold by Oliver Stone’s “JFK,” a three-hour indictment of the Warren Commission’s reports on the assassination of a beloved U.S. President, John F. Kennedy. The film itself is one of the few genuine cinematic marvels of the 1990’s - it is shocking, riveting to the core, blazingly original, exasperating, exhausting and informative with a tremendous macro and microscopic view of the assassination from so many angles that it will leave you gasping for air. It is Oliver Stone’s best, most
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Just how controversial was “J.F.K”? A Washingtonian film critic, Pat Dowell, resigned because the editor would not publish her positive review of the film. GLADD came out in full force to protest the film for its allegedly demeaning view of homosexuals, especially the businessman Clay Shaw (Tommy Lee Jones). However, according to the Los Angeles Times, no member from the group actually saw the film. In fact, GLADD found the film’s shooting script objectionable, including a deleted scene (restored to the Director’s Cut Blu-Ray/DVD) where Garrison would be falsely accused of soliciting sex from a gay man in a bathroom. Furthermore, LGBT activists were outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion attacking “JFK” and “Silence of the Lambs,” which were nominated for Academy Awards, for their unflattering and unsavory depiction of gays in general. Critics excoriated the screenplay in its initial drafts (how did anyone manage to get a copy of the script?) while the film was shooting. Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather and Jack Valenti attacked the film as a series of lies. Rather had been a reporter on the scene at Dealey Plaza back in ‘63 but at the time of the film’s 1991 release, he had not seen the film – yet claimed it was fraudulent. That would be a far more dangerous thing for a journalist to do than whatever inaccuracies are depicted in Oliver Stone’s film. What has proven to be avoided in the discussion of “JFK” is what the film actually entails. Kevin Costner’s New Orleans D.A. Jim Garrison sums it up best – “Let’s speculate, shall we?” That is what Oliver Stone’s film is – a wildly speculative assessment of various conspiracy theories that have
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amassed in the public eye and the literary world since that fateful day on November 22nd, 1963. I do not think Stone addresses the film as truth about who actually shot the President and from what angle. After a while, it doesn’t matter nearly as much as why President Kennedy was killed. Stone, who co-wrote the massively detailed screenplay with Zachary Sklar (both adapting books by Jim Mars and Jim Garrison), begins with Dwight D. Eisenhower’s famous farewell address to the nation about the military industrial complex and leads to feuds and vendettas between Kennedy and the Cubans, Fidel Castro, J. Edgar Hoover, anti-Castro demonstrators, the CIA and on and on. No one escapes Stone’s Wrath of God polemic – everyone in the film who is not on Garrison’s side is a traitor and a villain and, therefore, complicit in the murder of John F. Kennedy. Of course this is also Garrison’s point-ofview, though why he attacked a businessman like Clay Shaw without hard proof remains a mystery (the film reveals in the credits that Clay admitted to having worked for the CIA under oath - that doesn’t mean he was responsible and it is no wonder the guy was acquitted).
Stone’s sledgehammering style shows a headlong urgency and need for a serious wake-up call to the defenders of the Warren Commission. With the help of gifted cinematographer Robert Richardson (who also lensed “Natural Born Killers,” “Salvador” and other Oliver Stone films), the frequent film stock changes from black-and-white, to color, to 16mm, to 35 mm, to strobing the image, create a probing, phantasmagoric, mind-boggling “Rashomon” perspective. Various witnesses who saw shooters at the grassy knoll, who claimed to have seen Jack Ruby (the one who shot Oswald, exceedingly wellplayed by Brian Doyle-Murray) at Dealey Plaza, who saw gunfire emerging from places other than the Book Depository, who saw Jack Ruby and Oswald together at Ruby’s nightclub, and who saw Clay Shaw gathering and planning an assassination with Oswald and various characters such as the volatile, chain-smoking David Ferrie (Joe Pesci) and a male hustler (Kevin Bacon) who believes fascism is making a comeback, create enough doubt that Oswald acted alone. Twice as chilling is Sally Kirkland as a prostitute named Rose, who reported Kennedy was going to be killed (as a witness, like most others, she ends up dead). There are also stellar turns from
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a superlative cast, including Edward Asner as a private investigator and FBI member; Jack Lemmon; Michael Rooker as New Orleans Assistant District Attorney whose loyalty to Garrison fluctuates; Walter Matthau as Russell Wong who first instills doubts about Oswald to Garrison; the unbeatable and uncanny Gary Oldman as the alleged patsy Oswald (the similarities to the real Oswald are beyond eerie) and last but not least, John Candy in an atypical, juicy character role as Dean Andrews, a sleazy lawyer. And we cannot omit Donald Sutherland’s mysterious Mr. X who, in an astonishingly captivating sequence, reveals the apparatus behind the conspiracy and who would’ve benefited from Kennedy’s murder - a coup d’etat that may or may not have been a result of Kennedy’s planned withdrawal from Vietnam. Ending the film is a 40-minute monologue by Jim Garrison as he presents the case in Clay Shaw’s trial of what may have actually happened on that day. It is Kevin Costner’s shining moment in his career - an amazingly layered, nuanced and emotional speech
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that few actors could ever do justice or perform with such conviction. We get all the perspectives, the angles, the possibilities, the half-truths, the lies and the overwhelming sense that maybe we will never know the full story. I’ve admired Kevin Costner for many years but his Jim Garrison performance is one for the ages.
“JFK” has been outlandishly labeled by the late Jack Valenti as propaganda on the order of Riefenstahl’s “Triumph of the Will.” “JFK” is not a propaganda piece - it is, as Stone made clear, a “counter-myth” to the Warren Commission Report. That it is, but it also pinpoints to something grander about the nature of art in general - sometimes, as notable documentarian Robert Flaherty (“Nanook of the North”) once said, you have to lie to tell the truth. In Oliver Stone’s case, you have to lie and invent dramatic situations to get closer to the deeper truth. The truth is we will never know the full truth but we can only suspect.
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RELEASES by Michael “Jacobs” McKenna NEW CD RELEASES FOR DECEMBER
Katy Perry - “Getting Intimate”
Gravenhurst - “Offerings – Lost Songs 20”
Switchfoot - “Beautiful Letdown”
Take That - “III”
Chick Corea - “Friends”
AC DC - “Rock or Bust”
Rigor Mortis - “Slaves to the Grave”
Mary J Blige - “The London Sessions”
Korn - “Take a Look in the Mirror” - Import
She & Him - “Classics”
John Lennon - “Rock and Roll” - Import
Wu-Tang Clan - “A Better Tomorrow”
John Lennon & Yoko Ono - “Double Fantasy” - Import
Taake - “Striden Hus”
Social Distortion - “Prison Bound - 25th Anniversary”
Ghostface Killah – “36 Seasons”
Pat Metheny - American Garage”
The Smashing Pumpkins - “Moments to a Elegy”
Thin Lizzy - “Bad Reputation” - Import
Nikki Minaj - “The Pinkprint”
Thin Lizzy - “Chinatown” - Import
Angels & Airwaves – “The Dream Walker”
Foreigner - “Best of 4 and More” - Import
50 Cent - “Street King Immortal”
Stoic Violence - “Chained”
Lil Wayne - “Tha Carter V”
John Coltrane - “Coltrane Time” - Import
Austin City Limits - “40 Years”
Keith Jarrett - “Facing You” - Import
5 Seconds of Summer – “5 Seconds of Summer”
Chuck Mangione - “Feels So Good” - Import
Willie Nelson & Sister Bobbie - “December Day”
Genesis - “Foxtrot”
Leonard Cohen - “Live in Dublin” One Direction – Where We Are” (Live) One Direction - “Four” Neil Young - “Storytone” Various Artists - “Natural Born Killers” Deluxe Edition - Import My Chemical Romance - “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge” My Chemical Romance - “Black Parade” Death Cab for Cutie - “We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes” - Vinyl Aretha Franklin - “Through the Storm”
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REVIEWS by DarkSkip One OVERKILL - White Devil Armory A freight train rolls in town… You’re tossing rocks as your right next to it… buddy pushes you closer. Intense the rumbling in the night, kinda adrenaline rush you love. That’s what you feel when OVERKILL puts out a new album. White Devil Armory is, as all their releases, pulse pounding and funny. Slayer’s Kerry King has been quoted in recent memory as stating that if the so called Big Four of 80’s thrash were expanded to a fifth member, it would be Exodus – though he’s somewhat walked back from those comments since.
From the Underground and Below (1997)
Exodus is a worthy choice, but far from a bulletproof inclusion. You’ve also got Testament, and yes, definitely New Jersey’s own immortal Overkill. Immortal not just for their legacy of top-notch albums and punchy thrash anthems, but also because they’re one of the few acts of their era to never break up or even so much as take more than three years between albums. That being said, so do they and for a very good reason this release as insane as all, a few harder hitting but very well done and well written, insane arrangements and yet hookish (metalwise) – just unforgettable.
The Electric Age (2012)
Necroshine (1999) Bloodletting (2000) Killbox 13 (2003) ReliXIV (2005) Immortalis (2007) Ironbound (2010)
White Devil Armory (2014)
I’d put it in the top 10 for sure. PICK IT UP, IF YOU LOVE OVERKILL YOU LOVE THIS ONE!! ~~ Cheers, Skip BizR
I’d say pick this up and get it when ya grab your others. I liked this one a lot, after 3 4 listens it had me !! All releases to date : Feel the Fire (1985) Taking Over (1987) Under The Influence (1988) The Years of Decay (1989) Horrorscope (1991) I Hear Black (1993) W.F.O. (1994) The Killing Kind (1996)
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REVIEWS by Michael “Jacobs” McKenna NICKELBACK “No Fixed Address” Nickelback returns with their 8th studio album and their first since 2011’s “Here and Now”. This CD is packed with what one would expect from the band, radio-friendly pop-rock transitioning to light metal. Yes, the post-grunge sound is very evident and the diversity of the CD is laid out in the open for all to hear. The album title, No Fixed Address, was inspired by the fact that the album was recorded in many different places, and they never settled in a single spot. The lineup remains the same with frontman Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger on bass, lead guitarist Ryan Peake and drummer Daniel Adair as they drop this first effort for Republic Records. They are joined on this CD by rapper Flo Rida on “Got Me Runnin Around” a track with funky overtones and get this, a horn section on the track. Lyrics are Bad to the Bone! “Edge of a Revolution” was released as a single in August and is a bit of a departure for the band as the song content is very politicized. “Million Miles an Hour” is heavy guitar-driven rock with hot riffs that has a line that states “10 foot tall and fucking bullet proof”. “What Are We Waiting For” will have radio programmers soiling their pants. “Get Em Up” is a cool party jam full of energy that breaks down at the ¾ point and just slams you against the wall. “The Hammer’s Coming Down” is deceptive as it starts softly and just explodes. The up/down changes are way cool! “Miss You” is so pure pop that the peeps at I Heart Media will cream all over it! ‘I miss you so much...’ This is a ladies track all the way. “Sister Sin” is a rhythmic retro/mod sounding track. I like the line ‘hanging here by a thread, hearing voices inside my head’. I could have sworn that Queen’s rhythm on “Another One Bites The Dust” was playing when I heard the first couple of minutes of “She Keeps Me Up” this is def 70’s retro! “Make Me Believe Again” could be another track that lights up the airwaves in short order and “Satellite” is a way cool mid-temp groover. There is plenty to go around here to keep those CHR/AOR people happy for a few months. I give this CD a WELL DONE!
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REVIEWS by Michael “Jacobs” McKenna SILENT ANIMALS “THE” This band emerges from the underworld ready to rock with their very unique combination of rock, experimental, progressive and avant-garde storytelling which makes one want to bounce off the walls.
“Good Morning, Log In” is totally out of the box, love the little kid overdubs! “Pigs” (Alpiar 2) featuring Reality Among Society is hardened urban rock rap that is a fresh change of pace from the commercial crap we hear daily, the pigs snort rock!
This effort is loaded with many different facets that broach many genres and is worth a listen. Well Done! Available on www.bandcamp.com/silentanimals
They like to describe themselves as “The Storytellers of the Post-Apocalyptic Present”. Every song they morph together contains a story that is presented to the listener in either the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person and makes for interpretations that can be different for everyone and yet the same. This limited edition CD contains 9 tracks which turn the brain rock hard instantly and uses percussion to drive the compositions. “Wormwood” has some interesting vocal effects and slick strings. “Online” is way cool, the organ accompaniment lends that extra retro sounding flavor to this 80’s sounding tune. “All the Piggies in a Row” is a head-bashing blast that would do well with mosh pits. “A Nice Day for Doomsday” is an instrumental monster! “The Ballad of Lil Jimmy” is progressive punk style rap that could be in a movie trailer to enhance a movie clip, great effects! “Agnostic Prayer” has a rockabilly flair with vocals that bridges to a 160 BPM break and back again. “Stand Up Comic” has an old time Eric Burdon feel to it, nice!
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REVIEWS by DarkSkip One EXODUS- BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT (2 DISC RELEASE 2014) Although some of my friends dislike this CD, and I understand why in some respects, but having Steve “Zetro” Sousa back with the band felt right and there are some great songs on this effort! I was impressed, but at times as my good friend Rich and I compared it to old Nuclear Assault and he said some weaker vocals, I hear!! Said I… That it’s no “Fabulous Disaster” but at the same time you hear influences from all the other Exodus releases – such as “Pleasures of the Flesh” and “Architects of Fear” and they were some kick ass releases, so I guess we all have our opinions. I myself loved this new CD and strongly advise buying the digi-pack (2 DISK SET). It cost $18 on eBay which is a discount of the $25 list price. Some songs I’m loving were as always track one “Black 13”, “wrapped in the arms of rage”, “Numb”, “Honor Killings” and “Food for the Worms”. Hell, to be honest, I like ‘em all! Those are just a few I replay frequently. Also on the 2-disc set they have a bonus DVD called “Blood Upon the Stage” about the making of this new release blood in blood out and it was a very cool addition to see the DVD. So all in all if you’re an Exodus fan I think this will feel good to hear and has the mix of all past releases and now the proper vocals are back. If you didn’t like the CDs up to A.O.F. then it might not be your cup of blood!!!
EXODUS PERFORMANCE DATES: EXODUS in South America: 8/10 – Montreal, WC @ Heavy MTL – main stage B at 1:30PM 10/1 – Belem, Brazil @ Botequim 10/2 – Brasilia, Brazil @ CEDEC 10/4 – Sao Paulo, Brazil @ Carioca Club 10/5 – Rio De Janeiro @ Brazil Circo Voador 10/7 – Asuncion, Paraguay @ Kop Town 10/9 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Groove 10/11 – Santiago, Chile @ Club Kmasu Premier 10/12 – Antofagasta, Chile @ Rock and Soccer 10/14 – Lima, Peru @ Centrica 10/16 – Medellin, Colombia @ Teatro Carlos Vieco 10/18 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Circo Volador
EXODUS w/ Slayer & Suicidal Tendencies: 11/11 – Oakland, CA @ The Fox Theater (2nd show added!) 11/12 – Oakland, CA @ The Fox Theater 11/14 – Inglewood, CA @ The Forum 11/15 – Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre
Check ‘em out!! Live with slayer and suicidal and keep eyes peeled for a review in next issue of the entire show, on behalf of steel note and myself we hope to see you at the show!!
11/17 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Coca Cola Bricktown Events Venter
Pick up the 2-disc set prior you won’t be disappointed ... cheerz
11/19 – Grand Prairie, TX (Dallas) @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
11/18 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theater
11/21 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Café/Hard Rock Live
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11/22 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle 11/24 – North Springfield, VA @ Empire (just added – EXODUS ONLY) 11/23 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore 11/25 – Albany, NY @ Washington Avenue Armory 11/26 – Bethlehem, PA @ Sands Bethlehem Event Center 11/28 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
11/30 – Upper Darby, PA (Philadelphia) @ Tower Theater 12/2 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre 12/3 – Covington, KY @ Madison Theatre (just added – EXODUS ONLY) 12/4 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre 12/5 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
11/29 – Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
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REVIEWS by Dana Saravia Neurotic Outsiders s/t (digital rerelease)
Originally an album released without much in the way of fanfare or promotion in 1996, this stellar album by Neurotic Outsiders, one of the greatest supergroup collaborations of all time, was FINALLY made available again this summer as a digital download. Featuring Steve Jones, formerly of the Sex Pistols, John Taylor from Duran Duran, & Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum, best known from their time together in Guns & Roses, this is a collection of musicians that on paper might sound a bit odd. However, these guys bring out the best in one another, creating a strong cohesive blend of each of the musical styles for which they are best known. The sense of fun and cutting loose from their usual bands shines through on every track here. From the opening song “Nasty Ho”, you know what you are in for - a solid hard rock album where raunch, playfulness, and sometimes brutal honesty are first and foremost. The third track, “Good News”, has remained a standout for me through the years. Featuring the lyrics “the good news is you’re dying, the bad news is I’m alive”, it’s a raucous fuck-off breakup song that addresses the anger with humour backed up by a crunchy melody.
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The song that immediately follows, “Better Way”, slows things down a bit - it’s about a rocker reflecting on getting older and assessing his experiences, finding his way to the next phase of life. Well written and very relatable, Steve Jones’ skills as a songwriter are on full display here. It also leads perfectly into the next number, John Taylor’s contribution “Feelings Are Good”, a strong, striking piece about regaining an emotional compass after years of addiction. The 8th song, “Jerk”, is by far and away my favourite on this album and should have been a tremendous hit for the band. The music is memorable from the first listen and the lyrics are clever, witty, and just plain fun. Though I always play this entire album at loud volume, this is one track that still finds me turning the stereo up to 11. “Union”, another example of Steve Jones’ masterful songwriting, follows. A wistful mid-tempo song that reflects upon his time in the Sex Pistols and that, in spite of the band’s ups and downs and personality clashes, he misses that
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camaraderie and that era. A cover of the Clash’s “Janie Jones” is also included here, followed by the confessional song “Story Of My Life” and closing out with “Six Feet Under”, a high energy, fast-paced song co-written by Duff McKagan. For an album nearly 20 years old, this not only sounds as fresh, smart, and urgent as it did then but still blows away most new releases.
long, I hope that this re-release will find that being corrected not only for the band, but for listeners looking for some solid hard rock from a true rock supergroup. If you missed it the first time, don’t let this amazing album bypass you again- it’s a knockout.
Though Neurotic Outsiders as both a band and an album have been woefully ignored for far too
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REVIEWS by Dana Saravia Album Review: Mary Lambert “Heart On My Sleeve” (Deluxe Edition) Mary Lambert is a 25-year-old singer/songwriter from Seattle. Until now, she has been best known to the general public for her guest appearance on the Macklemore & Ryan Lewis gay-rights themed single “Same Love”, a double platinum hit in the United States. Mary is set to become better known with the recent October release of her full length debut album, “Heart On My Sleeve”. The album starts strong with the lead off track “Secrets”, a charming and humourous confessional featuring sparse instrumentation that allows the words to stand out. The lyrics are funny and honest - the song feels like a new friend talking directly to you, bravely introducing herself, warts and all. Mary’s spoken word background is apparent in this song, as well as on the inclusion of “Dear One”, a passionate, pleading spoken word piece that serves as the third track on the album and gives the listener an idea of the emotional rawness that is heavily present throughout. The LP’s fifth song, “When You Sleep” is both delicate and sweet and is very reminiscent of “Little Earthquakes”-era Tori Amos. One of the most striking tracks on the album is the cover of Rick Springfield’s 1981 hit “Jessie’s Girl”. Though it’s been covered a few times before by women, Mary’s version is unique. Her choice to present this as a slow ballad brings out a sadness and longing that wasn’t overtly present in the original or the covers that followed. A bold and surprising choice, very well done. “Heart On My Sleeve” is one of the strongest songs on the album, it makes perfect sense this was also chosen as the title. Featuring confident singing, powerful lyrics and a good melody especially in the chorus, this is the track with the biggest hit potential. A song with this much depth and honesty would be truly welcome on the charts.
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The album’s closer “Sum Of Our Parts” is moving and uplifting. Lyrics like “We are, we are more than our scars, we are, we are more than the sum of our parts” are unflinching, addressing overcoming adversity and the hope found after walking through the fire life throws your way. It is a very encouraging song and is by far my favourite on the album. Even the weaker songs on this disc, “Chasing The Moon” and “Wounded Animal” have the seeds of potential and show a songwriter of promise. Overall, this is very strong for a debut album. The deluxe version of “Heart On My Sleeve” closes with an alternate version of “Sum Of Our Parts” with the lyrics slightly rewritten to include all listeners in its message. It’s an excellent way to wrap up the album and by the time you get to that track, you feel that the young lady who earnestly introduced herself with the first song is now your friend. I definitely look forward to hanging out with Mary and her music in the future.
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Magazine Revolution Steel Notes Magazine | 153
REVIEWS by Michael “Jacobs” McKenna KAKI KING
This CD is an absolute masterpiece! It is a MUST LISTEN! I give this a hearty 2 THUMBS UP!!!
“Everybody Glows: B Sides & Rarities” Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, Kaki can only be described as someone that is not into “cherished beliefs or venerated institutions on the grounds that they are erroneous or pernicious”. Her dynamic free thought processes are diverse and distinctive, and this is what gives Kaki her edge when it comes to her expressive “one of a kind” music that has been described as a “genre unto herself”. Uniqueness is her mantra and governs this thought process which allows her creativity to shine. Her 10 year career has seen her sharing the stage with acts like Timbaland, The Mountain Goats and The Foo Fighters. This exposure, combined with other projects including movie soundtracks, has opened up Kaki to a following of fervent, devoted music lovers worldwide. This CD is a look deep inside of her head and those unique thought processes over a span of time which produced these tracks in a way I can only classify as totally indescribable. It is that good! “Tunnel” is a masterpiece laced with just the right measure of accompaniment which has Kaki manipulating the frets on her signature Adamas guitar to perfection. The 2004 track is totally “out of the box” remarkable! Featured here are outakes from previous recordings, demos, live stuff and songs that just never made the cut at the time. Listeners will marvel at how she has become more polished, and how those minute changes that are heard here, have manifested over time. You will be able to follow along with very precise liner notes, her individual song descriptions and experience, and be able to feel what Kaki has over the years.
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REVIEWS by Michael “Jacobs” McKenna TWELVE TWENTY FOUR “Light in the Dark” It’s the most wonderful time of the year and what’s better than a 15-track CD loaded with awesome rocking Christmas music? Nothing that I can think of at this moment. Why? Because the windows are rattling, I have a hot cup of Earl Gray tea, snow is on the ground and this reviewer is a rockin’ at about 110db! The TSO tribute band is on and I’m sitting here listening to the closest thing to perfection that is on disc. Twelve-Twenty Four is the type of band that makes you a believer before the first song is finished. Their attention to detail, unbelievable talent and their intricate recomposition of the classics can only be described as masterful! When I reviewed their first CD “Miracle on Rock Street” back in 2010, I had described their music as “clean, crisp rock and roll with ELO sounding orchestration on favorites that you will instantly recognize”. Today I would say “it has the hardness and creativity of Rush combined with the finesse and perfection of Pink Floyd”!! Believe me, there are very few I would even venture to describe in that manner out of respect for those musicians! “Light in the Dark” has 15 tracks that are all very different but so alike that once you’re caught, you won’t get away! “Praise” starts with spoken word from Kelsey Barnes backed by musical effects, which sends shivers down one’s spine. The explosion of sound that follows with “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” just blew me clear across the room! The title track, a Twelve-Twenty Four original, “Light in the Dark”, features Frank Gruden’s precise manipulation of the keys which enhance Kyle Segarra’s crisp vocals and are backed up by Lenny Kucinski’s awesome guitar riffs. “Winter” is just totally ‘out of the box’ cool! It gives me the feeling of sitting in Radio City Music Hall listening to a 100 piece orchestra! “Winter Heart” features the golden pipes of Bobbi Kucinski as she puts some deep feeling into this track.
This could end up being a holiday staple on the airwaves! “In Excelsis Deo” features the vocals of Jason Santos as he nails this classic. “Funeral March” also features Jay Santos, this time on guitar, as he projects the full feeling of the songs meaning. “Revelation” is another spoken word piece from Kelsey Barnes about the Old Testament Revelations 21-4 parable. “This Day Forward” has dueling vocals from Bobbie Kucinski and Tanisha Redding that mesh beautifully together. The piano outro is AWESOME! WOW! “Only One True Path W3K2K12” is a masterful recomposition of “We Three Kings” that defies description! The string solos left me speechless! Perfection at its finest! “The Lull” has Kevin Reilly, front and center, with some piercing vox that are beyond belief. “Illuminations” dedicated to the late Andrew Collinsworth, brings me visions of certain Irish viola masters in the manner and style that Christina Barnes emulates with total precision. WELL DONE GIRL, YOU ROCK! “Awakening” taken from John 3:16 is very well done by Kelsey and the accompaniment of the keys and back vox add so much to this. The classic Christmas favourite “Joy to the World” has Kevin Reilly belting out crisp, clean vocals and manipulating the frets that is way cool. The key solo rocks as well as the acapella back vocals from the ladies. The final track “Christmas Miracle” shows the acoustic prowess of Jason Santos and Tanisha Redding’s beautiful pipes which mesmerize the listener. It is so hard for me to describe what I have just heard. It is not often I find myself at a loss for words. Only by listening to this CD will one be able to validate my description and experience. This CD is a holiday MUST LISTEN!!!! I think only one word can be used to describe this effort...... INCREDIBLE!!
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Dec 5 Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe PA 8:00 PM Dec 6 Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe PA 8:00 PM Dec 7 Mt. Carmel Parish Center, Pittston, PA 7:00 PM Dec 12 Tunkhannock High School, Tunkhannock PA 7:00 PM Dec 14 Newton Theater, Newton NJ 7:00 PM Dec 18 Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown PA PRIVATE Dec 19 Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown PA 8:00 PM Dec 20 Dallas Performing Arts Center, Dallas PA 7:00 PM Dec 22 Berwick High School, Berwick PA 7:00 PM Dec 23 Pine Grove High School, Pine Grove PA 6:00 PM Dec 26 Mahanoy Area High School, Mahanoy City PA 7:00 PM Dec 27 The Cutting Room, New York City 7:30 PM Dec 28 Danville Area Middle School, Danville PA 6:00 PM Dec 29 Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem PA 7:30 PM Dec 30 Wiltsie Performing Arts Center, Hazleton PA 7:00 PM 156 | Steel Notes Magazine
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TWELVE TWENTY-FOUR INTERVIEW
enough to take the time from his busy schedule to answer some questions and give everyone a preview of what’s to come this holiday season.
You can call them a tribute band, because they try to be like the bands that gave them the push to with Dirk Yahraes do this, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and on a smaller By Michael “Jacobs” McKenna scale, Manheim Steamroller, but they are also a very talented group of musicians who put forth The season is now upon us, the decorations are their own original compositions and identity which going up, the presents will start popping up under makes them unique. They are the Mid-Atlantic the tree, the snow will start falling and the music...... region’s original and longest running recreation of YES, THE MUSIC, will invade our ears. the Trans-Siberian Orchestra which is now in its 13th season. Today, I am talking to a member of a band that tours only 7 weeks in November and December, but their music lingers on throughout the entire year. Dirk Yahraes, the talented bass player from the TSO- Michael: I don’t know if you remember, but this is inspired band, TWELVE TWENTY-FOUR was gracious the 2nd time I am writing about the group?
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Dirk: Yes, I remember vividly that you were the first to review our debut CD “Miracle On Rock Street” that gave the band a big lift that lasted through the entire tour in 2010.
Michael: I will also be reviewing your 2nd CD “Light in the Dark” for this upcoming issue...Are there any differences compared to your debut CD? Dirk: Our 2nd CD tells more of a story...as a holiday and concept CD,”Light in the Dark” musically illustrates a journey that begins from a state of promise and passes through a valley of darkness. The journey ultimately finds a path out of the darkness back to an awakening. Throughout the journey, Twelve Twenty-Four emotionally tells their story through a creative blend of instrumental and vocal arrangements.
We keep the show balanced by the fact that there are some TSO songs that cannot be replaced and must be included in each show. Our 2 ½ hour 2014 show will include about 6 new songs that we are excited about!
Michael: I see the band prefers more intimate venues compared to the larger arenas. Does this help the musicians connect better with their fans? What is your favorite venue? Dirk: Yes, we like to interact with our fans many different ways and see the expressions on their faces. It gives us a hearty lift and makes the night so much easier and smoother. My favorite venue is Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University which is where I first saw the band I eventually became a member of. I also like some of the old theaters that have been restored such as The Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, PA and The Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, PA.
Michael: I understand you have some tracks in the box for your upcoming 3rd CD that is due in 2015. Will it be comparable to the first two or will there be a departure to inject more originality and individual Michael: This is your 13th season, are there any interpretations of the classics? surprises planned? Dirk: The CD is currently on hold as our main focus is now on the tour. Yes, There will be some more originality injected into this CD as we tap each of the members talents to achieve that special sound.
Michael: The original idea for the band came from George Houseknecht in 2001, does he still have a connection to the band? Dirk: We still see George occasionally and we all acknowledge that without his foresight we would not be here today. He was the driving force behind our birth.
Michael: Basically, the band stays true to the classics, but you like to add that personal touch and flair to each song. This tends to make your music memorable and recognizable to your fans....Can we expect any new twists this season? Dirk: We like to mix things up a bit, change is good!
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Dirk: Every year, we update our set lists, staging, lighting scenes, etc. to keep the show fresh and engaging for the audience. This year is no different and you never know what might happen on stage. Right now, the excitement factor is very high, we will be more engaging as this is an awesome opportunity for all of us to interact and have some fun.
Michael: The band is closely connected to regional charities and has raised 10’s of thousands of dollars for them. Do you find this to be a major motivating factor? Dirk: This is the season of giving and it is the bands way to give back and Pay It Forward. We welcome the chance to help those in need. We gave proceeds from our first CD to Earthly Angels Autism Foundation and we do a free show for the White Haven Center annually as they have clients who deal with a myriad of issues. Our sponsorship for shows range from high school band programs, the local YM/YWCA and Fire Departments as this money goes
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to see that they do not take advantage of this wonderful interaction.
Michael: Could you give me an idea on how you get everything fine tuned for the tour?
back into circulation to benefit local communities. It is something we are very proud to be involved with and honored to be a part of.
Michael: You like to interact with your fans closeup, give me a little taste of that? Dirk: We do what is called a “Meet & Greet� at every show which allows all members of the band to come out meet with you up close and personal, give autographs, have photos taken with our musicians and shake your hand. It is a very humbling thing that we love to be a part of after each show. I do know that a lot of acts do not do this and it is sad
Dirk: We have a place in Pittston, that we call our home away from home where we make all the stage props, go through full stage, sound and lighting setups and run thru the show in its entirety numerous times. This includes stage and clothing changes as well as special effects that need to be setup and checked for safety. This is the most hectic part of the tour, the preparation and fine tuning. We have 16 performers which include a 4 piece string section with 2 violins, a viola and a cellist; 6 vocalists, the youngest being 12 years old and a 6 member core band of guitars, keys, percussion and bass. We also have a support crew whose numbers vary for each date, 2 trucks and at times a tour bus which we use for far away gigs only, everyone usually drives to the gig!
Michael: Kirk, I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with Steel Notes Magazine. Dirk: NO, I would like to thank you for the opportunity that we have had to do this interview. I know the band will be anxiously awaiting to read this and it will give them such a boost that I cannot begin to describe it, once again, Thank You!
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by Michael Wade Douglass
The Lugubrious Liberal Skirt
Grow the fuck up.
Guess what pisses me off.
And yes, your vote counts because the more you vote, the more your vote counts. If voting didn’t count there wouldn’t be such elaborate efforts to suppress it. Efforts that are breathtaking in audacity. Hundreds of thousands of women and minorities disenfranchised because the bastards understand they cannot possibly win a fair fight. Get used to the idea of choosing between the lesser of two evils until the majority of progressives show up at the goddamn polls every time.
It’s a rhetorical question. Precious liberals who quake at the very notion of Obama being anything less than the liberal messiah. I am sick of this shit. I criticize our savior and pantywaist liberals piss themselves over my abhorrent blasphemy. I’m an apostate. A stranger in a strange land. Instead, all you hand wringing “liberals” waste time and energy on indignation over the latest birther conspiracy theories. Like the idea that Michelle Obama was born a man and therefore cannot be the mother of the first daughters Really? Without a doubt if these people appear in front of you in the streets, take the time to piss all over their shoes. But otherwise, pay them no mind. Grow up. He’s part of the machine. When it comes to the military industrial complex, he is but a cog. When it comes to America’s overt and unchecked aggression around the world, Obama doesn’t dictate policy, he merely manages it for public consumption. If he screws it up, liberals are perceived as soft on terror and law and order and we suck in the mid-term elections and risk the general. Because the fear has been mismanaged. The President of the United States manages perception and expectation. He does not dictate policy. Policy has been the purview of oligarchs and plutocrats for decades before our current commander in chief was even born. Get over it.
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Consistency. When this happens, we will be heard and change will occur. But you don’t show up. Even though we are the majority. People who care, people that want economic equality, people who want justice, people who realize how pointless perpetual war is, are the majority. Not just in this country, but across the globe. It’s far easier for the opposition to manipulate the stupid than it is for our side to inspire the intelligent. It’s so much easier to fool a man than it is to convince him he’s been fooled. Organizing liberals is like herding cats. We are a nation at war. It is what we do. We have spent all but a few decades of our entire history doing exactly that. We spend more than half what the rest of the entire world does on it. Like a trillion dollars a year. Really. That’s sick. We could cut our “defense” budget in half and solve poverty, homelessness and infrastructure. We could provide free health care and education for every single citizen. Other countries do it all the time. They pay for all that. Because they don’t make war their main business.
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But we don’t. Because we are led to believe we should be very afraid. Does that sound like a profound addiction to violence to you? An abominable addiction to fear? Is it any wonder that we are perceived by the rest of the world as a country of loud-mouthed assholes? We have earned that distinction by killing inordinate amounts of people all over the goddamn planet for our entire history. Even our own from time to time. It was quite convenient. We really are badass. It’s not Obama’s fault. But it is his problem. It is our problem. He’s not handling it particularly well these days. Neither are we. We don’t win wars anymore. We fight them. We start them. The two longest wars of our history are our two last wars. Obama pisses me off because he’s in his second term and he’s not refusing any of it. He won’t do it. He’s polite. He’s respectful. Reasonable. Qualities I confess I admire. But I can’t stand it anymore. He’s being as much in the face of insanity. He could lead. He could roll the dice and risk it all. Say what he thinks and force what he knows. But he won’t. He may just be our last best chance before we have a third world war. But he won’t. I can’t stand it. We the people, have to make him. That’s the way it works. That’s the way it always works. It’s the way it’s always worked. Otherwise we just start bombing the shit out of brown people again. Like we are now. Tens if not hundreds of thousands will die, many of them innocent civilians and when it’s all over, it will be way more fucked up than when we started. It’s not
like it hasn’t happened before. Over and over and over. Every goddamn time we do this we succeed in only making it worse. And then, we just must go in and clean it up yet again. We just must. Yet again. Yet again. Over and over again. And the scary thing is this, that’s the idea. This is what your leaders, your elected representatives WANT. So some of you liberals get all fierce and brave and block me from your pages for broaching the subject. For being unpatriotic. For being less than American. For pointing it out. Cowards. You endorse aggression because of fear. Fear of ISIS or Ebola or immigrants or Islam. I seem to remember a time when liberals were pragmatic and I’m pretty sure it coincided with conservatives being stupid but sane. The evil elite count on your confusion, your disillusion, they count on it, they have come to expect it. The stupid are always certain and vote with conviction, the well informed always have doubts because they are intellectually responsible by nature and are confused because they are open minded and just plain curious. So they end up sacrificing the good for the sake of the perfect and throw their weight and vote behind some ridiculous goofecock like Ralph Nader. You people really chap my ass. Get a grip liberals. You are the difference. You are the majority. If you just show up and vote consistently, you get able bodied employment, the ability to compete in a global market. All of it. No more slack jawed morons rewriting textbooks in Texas to promote creationism in classrooms, no more revocation of a woman’s right to actually vote or dominion over her own biology. No more banks preying on you with egregious policies and interest rates. No more flammable tap water and carcinogenic air and soil and food. All of it because that’s what Americans want, and if Americans vote, we can have it.
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Think about that. You will never get everything you want. But if you don’t show up and participate, you will only get what you don’t want. You will only get what horrifies and disgusts you. Like now. And it will be no one’s fault but your own. This blog is dedicated to my facebook friend Lizzie Borden who passed just the other day at the ripe young age of 76. I will miss her fierceness and wit in defending common sense, compassion and her ardent defense of humanity. She was a beautiful fish in a sea of cynicism. May she rest in peace and may her family be comforted by the fact that she always took the high road and never feared to tread and resist in the company of those who would forgo decency for avarice, to battle against those who would forsake love for power. She was a gorgeous human being. Drinks for my friends. http://www.brainspank.org
SHAFT It was all over before the shouting when county prosecutor Robert McCulloch opted to actually try the case before a secret grand jury as opposed to simply and traditionally allowing the matter to be tried in a public court of law. The fix was in from the start. Not just a stage set, but the entire drama enacted beneath a proscenium already tainted with a protracted history of racial animus endorsed and facilitated by regional cabal. McCullough made a conscious decision to forego the proverbial ham sandwich.
advocate for the defense of Darren Wilson as he did to discharge his statutory obligation as county prosecutor. He did not charge, nor did he recommend. He orchestrated behind closed doors. He took it upon himself to prevent a legitimate trial for an undisputed homicide. He eschewed transparency. Was there even a whiff of justification for the use of deadly force? Was there anything at all in exculpatory in terms of lethal threat or the absence thereof posed by Michael Brown? None. I can’t help but consider these concepts and ideals to be central, vital and thoroughly unimpeachable in the pursuit of justice in any case where a boy is left to die bleeding in the street. Shot to death. Unarmed. From over a hundred feet away by a policeman who suffered a swollen cheek. Where in McCulloch’s press conference was there any mention of these things? I didn’t hear a goddamn word about them.
It doesn’t take a hundred days to determine whether to try a white cop for shooting an unarmed black teen to death six to ten times from well over a hundred feet away. It does, however, take that long to construct an elaborate trail of distortion and obfuscation to justify the complete exoneration and immunity from any future criminal prosecution and consequence of a white cop who shot an unarmed black teen to death from well over a hundred feet away.
McCulloch was thorough, articulate and reprehensibly derelict.
Robert McCulloch labored at least as much as an
I predicted this exact outcome months ago.
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I watch the chaos and violence unfold tonight on my television and it’s hard. Hard to reconcile my heart and my head. It’s so senseless. So useless. These businesses burning have no dog in this hunt. The destruction is being visited on the innocent once again. That’s some irony right there. Most people won’t understand this. They’ll see it for the crazy that it is. It breaks my heart. It breaks my heart because there’s a part of me that genuinely understands. There’s a part of me that just can’t bring myself to blame them.
merely crazy. It is desperation. It is the realization of a hollow futility. When hope and justice are revoked by institutions, when the people who are led to believe they can trust and rely on them see them end in vapor, a profound vacuum manifests in that wake.
What most people won’t understand, what so many Americans simply cannot relate to, is that this is not
Drinks for my friends. http://www.brainspank.org
It is this that we now bear witness to. Michael Brown was executed for adolescent hubris while being black in a town where he was only guilty of not knowing better.
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CRISS ANGEL “MINDFREAK” Live in Easton PA By Michael “Jacobs” McKenna In what has to be the booking coup of the year, Criss Angel will be deviating from his Las Vegas/major arena tour dates schedule and will be coming home to Easton, PA to perform at the Historic State Theater. Why? Criss Angel has family roots and ties to the Easton area that run deep. His father graduated from Easton High School, his uncle was a member of the Easton Fire Department and his grandfather owned The Crystal Restaurant in Easton. Hell, Criss once stood on the stage at the theater when he was being mentored by Lehigh Valley filmmaker Lou Reda in 1991 for promotional pictures. Criss acknowledged the State Theater’s history and community connections from his past. This will be his homecoming! During the interview, to talk one-on-one with with a feeling of awe.
many of us had a chance Criss and we all came away
Criss stated “that I and gratified that I will dream of performing at to coming home”. He humbled and amazed made this all possible. in my heart.” When he tionship with his father, shaken as he related in his arms in Easton. that we saw the real all deeply.
cannot be more rewarded be achieving a lifelong the theater. I look forward also said “he was honored, at the turn of events that Easton has a special place looked back on his relahe was visibly moved and how in 1998 his father died It was that very moment person and it touched us
Criss then talked about where he stated that the limits to be the think about what can be done. The most they’re all special to
his career and the shows “ I push the envelope to best I can be. It makes one be done and what can’t inportant thing is my fans, me.”
When I asked Criss if he had something special lined up for his home coming, he stated “there will be a close-up session including a feature with 6 hanging swords that the audience will determine which one will drop”. He will also be doing some amazing things from the “Lord of Illusion”, Mr Houdini. He also gave us all a peek into what is coming with a new show he is working on called “Supernaturalist” which will debut sometime in June 2015. He also stated that he would welcome a return trip to the city that holds so much meaning and history for him. For me, it was a once in a lifetime event that I will remember and will look forward to the real thing when I can sit down and talk with him and observe his awesome talent.
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The Rew & Who Show 168 | Steel Notes Magazine
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