Steel Notes Magazine February 2016

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FEBRUARY 2016 P6 TOM’S ROCKIN’ FACTS P10 INTERVIEW WITH KIPP ANGEL BY ALEXXIS STEELE

STEEL NOTES INTERNATIONAL CORNER: P23 ARTIST OLIVER MESSAS P30 MUSICIAN LUCA CERARDI P32 ROME AND SICILY PICTORIAL BY MICHAEL CORRIERE P46 THE ROCK N’ ROLL FASHION CORNER BY JOYCE KEASBERRY & MONIQUE GRIMME P51 PRESS RELEASE: MUSICIAN SARA JAMES P52 JOHNNY’S JUNCTION P56 ARTIST LISA DIETRICH P63 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: TONY ANGELO BY JENNY CAT P66 DATING HORROR STORIES BY JENNY CAT P68 NAMM 2016 BY TONY LEPRE

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P79 CLOCKS AND CANDLES BY SCOTT SAXON P84 POSITIVELY ENERGIZED W/CHLOE LATTANZI BY SCOTT ABER P89 MARLOWE B. WEST TAKEZ MANHATTAN: JOFF WILSON P99 MARLOWE B. WEST TAKEZ MANHATTAN: INGRID RUDEFORS P104 WHY THE BEATLES PART 1 BY NOAH J. GAMBINO P108 INTERVIEW WITH ACTOR JOHN LORETTO BY THE GYPSY POET P116 “POWER TO THE PEOPLE”-THE DANA GAYNOR BAND BY JENNY CAT P118 MUSIC REVIEW: REBEL MISTRESS-”RESTLESS MINDS” BY DANA SARAVIA P119 MUSIC REVIEW: ANTONY IRVIN-”SPOKEN LIFE” BY JENNY CAT P120 MUSIC REVIEW: BONGO BOY TV-”OUT OF THE GARAGE VOL.1” BY DANA SARAVIA P121 SINGLE REVIEW: HIZRETURN-”TAKE MY HAND” BY DANA SARAVIA P122 ALBUM REVIEW: INCHES FROM SIN-”BRIDGEWATER TRIANGLE” BY DANA SARAVIA P124 FILM REVIEW: WHIPLASH BY JERRY SARAVIA P126 FILM REVIEW: THE NIGHT WILL FALL(2014) BY JERRY SARAVIA P130 BONGO BOY ROCK N’ ROLL TV SHOW, EPISODE 1071 BY DANA SARAVIA P133 CHANNEL LOUNGE BY BRANDON JONES P134 ALBUM REVIEW: KING DIAMOND-”THE GRAVEYARD” BY SCOTT SAXON P136 ALBUM REVIEW: KING DIAMOND-”ABIGAIL” BY SCOTT SAXON P138 ALBUM REVIEW: IRON MAIDEN-”THE BOOK OF SOULS” BY SCOTT SAXON P140 FILM REVIEW: STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS BY SCOTT SAXON P144 ALBUM REVIEW: RUSH-”CLOCKWORK ANGELS” BY SCOTT SAXON P145 ALBUM REVIEW: SLAYER-”REPENTLESS” BY SCOTT SAXON P146 KISS DEBUT TURNS 40 BY SCOTT SAXON P148 ALBUM REVIEW: MEGADETH-”DYSTOPIA” BY SCOTT SAXON Steel Notes Magazine | 3

STAFF

Alexxis Steele - Publisher/Editor in chief Guido Colacci - Assistant Editor Mick Reynolds- Proofreader/Copy Editor Keith Boisvert- Design/Layout

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STAFF WRITERS Marlowe B. West Dana Saravia Jerry Saravia Guido Colacci Rhonda Van Buskirk Sheri Bayne The Gypsy Poet Mick Reynolds Noah J. Gambino Kelly Mitch Tony Angelo Victor Colicchio Mike Dorn

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TOM’S ROCKIN’ FACTS Thomas Richmond 1964, The Searchers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Sonny Bono song ‘Needles And Pins’.

The group’s second UK No.1 had originally been recorded by Jackie De Shannon.

1969, The Beatles with Billy Preston, played their lunchtime rooftop gig on top of the Apple building on Savile Row, London. Lasting for just over 40 minutes it was the last time The Beatles performed live.

1973, After recently changing their name from Wicked Lester, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss made their first appearance as Kiss at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York.

1975, The Bee Gees begin recording ‘Jive Talkin’, which became their second US chart topper and No.5 UK hit. Barry Gibb’s inspiration for the song came when his wife commented on the sound their car made while crossing a bridge over Biscayne Bay into Miami. She noted, “It’s our drive talkin’.”

1976, UK Music weekly Sounds readers Poll Winners included; best album ‘A Night At The Opera’, by Queen, best single Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, best band went to Queen, musician Mike Oldfield, female singer Maddy Prior, Steeleye, Span, new band Rainbow, bore of the year The Bay City Rolle

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INTERVIEW WITH KIPP ANGEL

By Alexxis Steele

I had the pleasure of catching up with Las Vegas born , musician, actor, entrepreneur, and trainer, Kipp Angel about what is going on in his world!

AS: Kipp, How old were you when you got interested in music, starting to play drums and guitar?

KA: I was about five or six years old, when I started.

My father was a piano player, so I kind of picked the piano up, I played by ear ,and from there everything else fell into place.

AS: Okay, so you started early, and do come from a musical family, since your dad played piano!

AS: Did he push you into learning an instrument and

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practicing every day?

K No, my father never pushed any of the kids, and there were seven of us. He said, if you are interested, I will back you, but I’m not going to push you into anything, except something you take interest in. Then he was always there, always backing you, making sure we had the best of equipment. He also made us appreciate everything we got and stay humble.

AS: Very good!

AS: Did you start out then with drums?

KA: Yes I did. I played drums for a year, then I got interested in all instruments. So I played piano, then

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drums, then guitar, then bass. I was so intrigued by all aspects of the music biz from the piano, and I was really bad because I wanted to take things apart.

AS: That seems to be a male type of thing AS: Is it safe to say that Gibson was always your brand choice since you were a child?

stadiums now.

AS: As far as drums go, what is your favorite style of kit? My own line of drums I sold back to a company in Japan in 2010, but I was lucky enough to get endorsed by several major drum companies. My

KA: That was the very first guitar I received from my dad, and I still have it, although I looks like it has been through a war zone! It is more of a sentimental thing for me. Gibson has always been my go to guitar, I love Gibson’s. I love playing the custom Les Paul’s, and the custom Flying V’s.

I was very fortunate to just recently get a full endorsement with Ogre guitars from Seoul Korea.

AS: Very cool, we have a new international writer from Seoul Korea, and he was telling me about the heavy metal scene there.

KA: It is funny that you mentioned that because the heavy metal scene overseas is huge, especially in the European countries.

AS: Yes I have heard that.

KA: The music business as we knew it is no more, nor will it ever be that way again. Nowadays independent artists can do anything a record-company can do, and it’s hard work selling and promoting yourself. In my opinion , today there is no real support in the U.S. for artists like there is overseas.

Whether it is big artist, or local, the young ones are the future, and we have lost 5 prominent figures.

AS: Yes I know it has been terrible all the musicians we have lost!

KA: Of course the two biggest blows to me were Lemmy, and David Bowie. I have known Lemmy for years. When we first met we were not talking about music. He talked about how healthy I was, and the business should have taken my road of no drugs, no drinking. A lot of people don’t know how intelligent he was. He said when I die, or Motorhead goes, there will be a big hole that nobody can fill. When I have left I know that I have done my job, putting out music that will stand the test of time, and I truly believe it. There is no one to replace them when they go. There is only a handful of bands that play

go to drum now, when I go behind the kit is Trick drums. They are so innovative, I love everything about them.

As: Do you have a preference on what instrument

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you prefer to play one instrument over the other?

KA: I am always going to be a drummer at heart.

That’s my drug of choice. When I am doing my solo project, I like to be the person out front doing vocals and lead guitar. I can tell you this.. I will never leave Excel drumsticks. I think they make the best stick on the market. I have endorsed a lot of stick companies, but when I hooked up with Tori in 2006 with Excel drumsticks, I have not to this day found a stick comparable to theirs.

AS: So you like them better than the Vic Firth?

KA: Way better than the Vic Firth. That’s my opinion.

I was once told by a wise drummer that if you are breaking sticks, you are not playing correctly. I played one pair of his sticks for a solid year. When I finally broke them I had come up off my drum stool in mid-air during a drum clinic, kicked my cymbals, came back down and knocked it down, did a rim shot on my snare drum, and after a year, broke one of those sticks.

AS: Do you do still do drum and guitar clinics?

KA: No, not anymore, I don’t have the time, but that may change in the near future with this endorsement from Ogre Guitars. Besides being a musician, I am an entrepreneur and create things in fitness, food, wine, beverages. This month I have two moonshine liquors coming out, my sauces, spices, marmalade, jams and rubs. As you know, my coffee line is out, with 192 flavors in the Kipp Angel Death Head gourmet coffee line. Every day I have got something new that I am putting out.

AS: That’s great, and you said that Walmart is going to carry some of the products?

KA: Walmart is starting to carry our line of coffee, and we are waiting on the go to for Sam’s Club, and Walmart for the sauces, marmalade, jams, and rubs.

I will tell you this.. After the moonshine is released, the apple pie 90 proof moonshine, and the peachy cream 90 proof moonshine, all of those will be in local ABC stores.

AS: Very cool!

AS: Going back to the music, who were your musical influences, in the beginning?

KA: This will probably blow a lot of people’s minds,

but my first musical influence was Ted Nugent, then to Kiss, The New York Dolls, to The Stooges, Cheap Trick, and a lot of the old school stuff. especially Nugent. He has that Alpha male style, and I am an Alpha male. He had this raw Motown Rock sound that he made his own.

AS: So from then until now?

KA: Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, Kane Roberts, I really dig his stuff. Mark Slaughter when he was with Vinnie Vincent. Right now I am listening to a lot of Ramstein, I am into a lot of industrial metal, to pop rock metal.

AS: Is there anyone that you have personally performed with?

KA: There was a small place on Industrial Blvd., here in Las Vegas called Sha Na Na where players would show up between one and two am. I went in one night on a whim, and I had no idea at the time when I was asked to play brushes on a snare drum, that I was playing with B.B. King. I liked the funk groove going on, and there were a lot of others there as well that probably were prominent blues players. I wished I would have had a camera or taken video of that solid forty five minutes that I could have shown my kids.

KA: I did get a call from Vinnie Vincent after the Invasion band broke up with Bobby Rock, Dana and Mark disbanded, but I never returned the call.

I thought it was a conflict of interest to do that because I am very loyal to my friends, and business associates.

AS: Ok, cool, so switching gears a bit, when did you start bodybuilding?

KA: I started bodybuilding at ten. My mother’s brothers were always health nuts, and her younger brother was always lifting weights. It intrigued me to see him lifting those heavy weights. I would try to mimic him, so my father bought me my first set of weights and I started working out. There was a local gym in Las Vegas where all the stars trained. If you were anybody in showbiz, music, movies, this is where you trained when you come to Las Vegas.

The owner George, Steve Reeves, all of the old time bodybuilders, they were all in the Mae West

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clan. They were her bodyguards, and I think George may have had a brief affair with Mae West. When I was 14, no women were allowed in his gym, it was strictly for men only, and George was adamant about that.

KA: George let me work there even though I was not of legal age. My dad was not the kind of father to say you better not do this or do that, about drugs, alcohol or anything that was going to get you into trouble, but he would say before you do something like that you better think about it first, and if you did do it, give us a call to come get you.

George liked that at an early age, I showed a lot of discipline. Both of my kids, Jordan who is turning 17, and Chazzy, who will be 8,both get up the same way, work out, play music. They have their video time, but they are both home schooled, and they have picked up these habits watching me.

AS: Those are good habits to have!

KA: I would like to think it is, and it has opened up a lot of doors, but I am not going to push them into anything that they don’t want to do. So many people have said to me that Chazzy is going to be the next Tommy Lee, knows how to play a crowd better than I do, and he will tell you- “I’m a chick magnet”, and was born to rock!

AS: So it is safe to say that staying fit has always had a big importance in your life?

KA: Absolutely! I look at it this way, you only get one shot in this life, and it’s not a take, and your only guarantee is that one day you are going to die.

A lot of people that I liked were dying from drug overdoses, and heroin overdoses, and alcoholism, and I couldn’t understand why you would work so hard to get to that place of success, and you’d kill yourself over drugs, and addiction. When I was in high school and college I was sort of a loner, but from time to time when I would go out with friends that wanted to go to clubs, I would be the designated driver. I am in this for the long haul. When I am in my fifties, I want to look in my twenties, when I’m in my sixties, I want to look thirty, and in my seventies I want to look 40. If being fit and eating right doesn’t help it then I am going to visit every plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills!

AS: I saw pictures of you, did you do modeling too?

KA: I did modeling for a sportswear company in Las Vegas. I was lucky enough to have a manager at the

AS: Hahaha That is cute!

KA: We contacted Dilana, and sent her a message that he is going to be her next drummer, and she said, “Oh my God, I will love it!” We told her that the next time we are in Los Angeles, and she is playing at The Whisky, we are going to bring him in and let him sit down and play with her.

AS: Going back to your bodybuilding, did you train any of the stars?

KA: I trained Max Baer from The Beverly Hillbillies, and also his wife who was a porn star. Bobby Rock and I trained back when he was with Vinnie Vincent. Other clients also that I am not at liberty to say, because they are high profile in the music business and the movie industry that have been with me for decades. I still continue to tweak their diets, and routines via the internet, because between everything I do with my own music, and my lines of products, I just do not have the time to train them in person anymore.

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time, Bob Rothwell and Gold Industries Productions, which was the big fitness industry in Las Vegas that kind of took me under his wing. He said I have never seen a kid as young as you, with the drive for success, and discipline as you. I remember photo shoots that we did and the photographers were Peterson Publishing was my publishing company at age nineteen and we did several posters in black and white. I love black and white shoots. Bob said this kid can turn on stardom or turn it off at a blink of an eye. You can put him onstage and he can turn that rock star persona on, and come off stage and be the most humble kid in the world. I was always grateful for every opportunity that was given to me.

I had a lot of friends in the entertainment and movie industry, and I was lucky enough to get little parts in movies. One of my ex roommates, Chaz Whitman, is a Don Johnson lookalike who did some stuff for Miami Vice. He and my ex-fiance’ opened up a lot of doors for me in the movie industry with some speaking, and non-speaking parts. I did a couple of Oreo cookie commercials back in the early nineties too. I never turned any work down, even if it was at a bar modeling clothes.

AS: What was the driving force that gave you the idea to start your own business?

KA: Again, it is being creative, and of course there is financial gain is always foremost. I am the kind of person that can’t be satisfied with one thing. I have to constantly be doing something. I’m a workaholic, a creative-holic. My brain doesn’t shut off. If I see something that I think is going to make money, and something I want to do, I can’t go at it half-assed. I have to go at it full-blown guns blazing, put everything I got into it, and watch it happen. With the sauces and stuff, being a vegan, I wanted to give something to the vegetarian world, but yet to the carnivore world too. My thing is to keep moving, because I love being an entrepreneur businessman, and showing people how to make money. A lot of people do not know this, but early on I started day trading. You can make a lucrative living by investing in day trading. I love seeing the face of my family being able to give them anything they want. I am a giver. Being able to give to someone and see their face when you give them something unexpected is unbelievable.

AS: Getting back to music, what are you thoughts on how the music industry has changed since you first got started?

KA: Back in the day you could get by with just your look.

AS: What year did you start professionally doing music?

KA: Back in the early eighties. One thing I am proud of is I can thankfully say that I never did a “Pay for play” because I refused to do that. All the clubs here in Las Vegas like Paradise Alley, Calamity Janes, The Joint, we had our own Sunset Blvd scene just as great as Los Angeles in the eighties. I refused being in some of the bands I played with in the eighties, From Raven in St. Paul , and others, a lot of these bands that I played with said” well you can pay to play” . My response was, I am not playing for beer, I am a professional and this is what I want for being here tonight, and you would think that I would get kicked out of these clubs. Being a non- drinker and non- drug user they respected that, and they would pay me. You try to be the best and dominate what

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you do.

AS: Did you have your own bands, or were you in other bands?

KA: I was in other bands and had my own band on the side. The thing that I did, because nobody can do it better is, I would do everything myself, laydown vocals, mix it, lay down drum tracks, mix it. Lay down bass tracks, guitar, everything, and it was all me. They would ask, who is in this band, and I would say just me! You had two choices, you could hire guns, or you could put it out underground and sell the product out of your car, and sell it anyway you could sell it like word of mouth or your friends.

The only one I felt that was like me was Bobby

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Rock, who was also into fitness. For me, if we had a cattle call to hire guns out to play to promote something I did, one of my first things was if you have substance problems or alcohol problems, you do not need to be at this cattle call to audition for this band, because if you get in the way of hurting me making money or my music, you will be wasting my time and your time. It is up to me to make the decision, if I want to allow that into my life and the answer is no. I have had one hell of a run in life and I’m still having a hell of a run and I love it. Don’t get me wrong, am I a saint? Absolutely not!

AS: Well you are a very positive person, not negative.

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KA: I will not allow that in my life! With that being said I have had to deal with my own personal demon, which is Panic/Anxiety disorder. I have two books that will be released soon on this, and I have been backing up the release dates on them because there is so much more material I want to put in.

There are so many people that have it that don’t even realize it.

AS: Yes, because they are using drugs and alcohol as a buffer to self-medicate.

KA; One of my best friends is my booking agent, Mary Langley out of Phoenix Star Rising booking.

Mary has dealt with Panic/Anxiety disorder for about as long as I have. Believe me, that can take the strongest Alpha Male and have you cuddled up in a corner, shaking like a leaf from the fear of dying, the fear of you going crazy, or mimicking a heart attack. Like you said, some people self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. Myself, I learned every coping mechanism, self -taught mechanism, took a 12 week program from Lucinda Bassett, Attacking Panic & Anxiety Disorder. What it boils down to that anyone who tells you that there is a cure for that, they are complete idiots and they are lying. There is no cure. You can manage it.

AS; Yes, it can go into kind of like a remission, depending on your stress levels.

KA: Yes stress can manifest it, and it will come out of nowhere. Things like overexertion, caffeine, AS: Lack of sleep.

KA: Everyone always asks me- Do you still get nervous when you crawl onstage? I am a wreck before I go onstage, to the point of nausea horrible feeling, but once I hit that stage and play the first note, I am a camera hog. If I am on the drum kit, I am going to

slap you with the drum stick. If I am out front as the lead singer or guitar player, I want all of it. With that being said, I can walk off stage and have a full blown panic attack and cancel a meet and greet, and just want to get to my safe place. There is no safe place.

It is being able to take a deep breath. You can’t beat yourself up. For some people stress does not affect, and others it extremely affects. Doctors wanted to put me on medication, but I refused. Funny thing is if I went to the studio or the gym, it would go away, but as soon as I got back it would start again. So I spent a lot of time in the studio. My best therapy has actually been my dogs. I trust them more than I trust people!

AS: Many people feel that way too!

AS: Do you have any music being released?

KA: I have my Black Sun Hollywood cd being released in June, so I will get a copy out to you. It is punk rock raw, stripped down in your face rock with a Cheap Trick /Stooges Vibe. I truly believe that rock needs something it hasn’t had in a while, which is a swift kick in the ass to get it back where it needs to be. I miss the days of MTV, the video music industry, and people promoting music, and everyone having a good time. I won’t lie to you, when Grunge came in, I truly hated that stuff. There was nothing about that music era that I cared about, and I really loved Lemmy doing what he was doing being true to his roots. You have to re-invent yourself every so often, every couple years, every decade to keep from getting stagnated.

AS: Absolutely!

KA: That is why I continue to do what I do. I’ve got some really great companies I endorse for that I’ve stayed loyal to for years. Again, going back to Mr. Lee and Davey Kline from Ogre guitars,

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I’m in awe of that because they are so ahead of their time, with everything from their pedals to their Transwing guitar that I will be playing. It is so futuristic where the future lies for the instruments that we will be playing, and the hardest thing for me will be giving up the Gibson stuff. I never had an endorsement from Gibson, but have been playing them exclusively for years and get discounts on the guitars that I bought. It is a bitter pill to swallow, because it has always been a part of my image, and part of my brand. So again, I am re-inventing myself.

I don’t think that the music business will ever be what it was. With my music I am in total control of everything, I won’t sign rights over to anything but I do have two songs that I gave to Fozzyworld, which is an online gaming community, two of my songs they will use instrumentally which is Archangel Michael, and Archangel Gabriel. On Fozzyworld gaming website, which is a huge gaming website in Honolulu Hawaii,that is something that I think that the music industry is going to be. You are going to have to promote, sell, and be your own business person. I don’t think it will ever go back to the way it once was, with everyone getting record deals, because some musicians are lazy, and there are some that really work their butts off with making things happen. Zakk Wylde putting his own guitar and audio line out, that’s my thing I hope to accomplish somewhere down the road with Ogre. That is one of the reasons I took the full endorsement with these guys.

dream to it’s fullest every single day. It’s good when you get to meet great people that do things in the music industry, interviews, articles, your own music, staying positive, and supporting local music.

I truly believe that if there had been more women in the business side of music, it would not be in the mess that it’s in today. I truly believe that, women have more of a grounded concept, and are better at managing financial things better than men do.

Women in the music industry are few and far. They are more business savvy. I have been so lucky in this business, again just to name a few-Ogre guitars, Impact Picks, Chris at Holy Boards, Rock n Roll vending, Hot picks, these people have all been very good to me. My future plan is to have my own line of guitars and pedals.

AS: Well that is great Kipp! Where can people hear and purchase your music and products?

KA: https://soundcloud.com/kippangel https://myspace.com/kippangel https://www.reverbnation.com/kippangelblacksun AS: Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to speak with me Kipp!

KA: Thank you!

AS: So your future plan is to just keep creating?

KA: keep creating, keep putting out good music, stay underground scene because it is loyal, it is always going to be there, so if it happens from that, I will embrace it. Getting these books out, hoping they help people. Getting these sauces and drinks out to people, and the coffees, hoping people love it. It is standing on its own and I have only had it out for three months, it’s been really, really cool doing that. The future plan is to open up a place, whether it is a club, bar, or what not that local musicians can be paid to play. If they are good enough, and they audition, then they deserve to get paid!

AS: They sure do!

KA: To give back! I’ve got to live the dream as far back as I remember, and I’m going to live that

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Olivier Messas BIO: What is an artist ? What makes an artist ? Cézanne said « Art is the revelation of an exquisite sensitivity”. While observing Olivier Messas’ paintings, one can but only be intrigued by colours and compositions that belong to him only and it is probably by exploring his story that one can hope to unveil, a bit more, the mystery of his truly original universe, one that calls upon sensations that are as much sensual as they are spiritual.

Olivier Messas was born on the 22nd of January 1977, in Hô-Chi-Minh-City, Vietnam. At the age of two, he left for France with his family. They arrived in Marseilles and then moved to Lyon where the young boy spend his childhood and teenage years.

Olivier was the oldest of five brothers and sisters.

His father was a house painter, this was a source of dreams for the small boy who believed his father to be... an artist !

This was probably a sign of fate. As it is for most Asiatic families, the most important was to blend in easily and successfully, without any fuss, in a new land of which they did not speak the language or know the cultural codes. Luckily they quickly found friends and were helped in this transition. Olivier’s’ family then gave all they could to their children and allowed them the opportunity to fulfil their destiny. Olivier’s vision of life is strongly fuelled and linked to his family values: a mixed culture, self-will, an opened mind, self respect and of the others, solidarity, spirituality but also to his cultural roots: Buddhism and French culture make a mixed family, thanks to his French grand parents from the region of the Vosges to whom Olivier will always be strongly linked.

It is all this which gives Olivier his balanced mind and energy in life! As he became a teenager, Olivier sensed the need to loosen his link with the straight line of the education he received. In Asiatic culture, parents are very present while Olivier, was very early an independent individual. He also however had to face family responsibilities setting himself as an example for his brothers and sisters . He decided to follow

www.artoliviermessas.com an academic training to be an accountant and graduated. However, he saw that his studies were not what he wished to do : he aspired to something else, something which he had carried with him for a long time.

It was time for him to set his path, to “become what one is » to quote the famous Nietzsche. He left the comfort of his family home and began a second life. His mind was set and the perspective of his life began to change. His character grew and his personality showed its’ true colours, more outlandish, more dashing… He studied anew in the universe of fashion and creation probably deriving from the activity of dressmaker of his mother. He lived three years of daring activity and creativity from which his artistic personality came to grow.

He moved to Paris and quickly found himself in the fashion “milieu”, a job which he loved and where he could bring the richness of his origins but also his dreams of colours, of shapes, of patterns… He was even part of the international launch of a brand of clothing...

Life in Paris brought many opportunities and universes which changed, once again, the young mans’ perception of the world and of society. It was during many trips and journeys thanks to many encounters with much varied personalities and culture, that he found a new equilibrium between a certain spirituality and true pragmatism.

As time went by, he deepened his taste in painting and defined his style : bright colours, an inspiration derived from nature, strong straight lines on large canvases. His painting reflects his personality in life : optimistic, colourful, joyful, structured, also unpredictable and generous.

Now that you have a few keys to his universe you can now discover Olivier Messas’ style, you can now dive into his paintings as you would enter the Mekong, as the sun goes down, at the magic moment when nature and art are one, when no questions need to be asked.

Olivier is living now between France and Germany and he is exhibiting in 12 galeries in Europe.

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Olivier Messas

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www.artoliviermessas.com

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Olivier Messas

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photo by Sheri Bayne

Olivier Messas

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INTRODUCING INTERNATIONAL MUSICIAN LUCA CERARDI, ITALY Luca Cerardi started playing drums in 1993 when he first started High School, although a little late despite the fact that he grew up in a musicial family. He played with his former band Merendine Atomiche/Merendine from 1995 to 2015, when they finished the adventure in heavy metal music. As a drummer with them he had the opportunity to explore everything in the music business producing a demo tape, a tribute album (Metallica), a mini disc, four full length albums and many video clips.

He is currently endorsed by Vic Firth drumsticks, Evands drumheads and Paiste Cymbals. Since 2015 he has played with heavy rock band Not Over Yet with his sister Giulia, whom he recorded the first record back in the day with Merendine Atomiche/ Merendine. They already recorded a single with Blaze Bayley on vocals and Luca Princiotta on guitar and produced a video clip due to be released in 2016, planning to enter the studio for the first album in May.

Luca toured North America and Europe and collaborated with many musicians in the metal scence like Jeff Waters, Chris Caffery, Anders Lundemark, Jack Frost, Luca Princiotta and Blaze Bayley. He also supported bands like Motorhead, Testament, Symphony X, Agnostic Front, Entombed, Trivium, Fozzy, Doro Pesch, Krypteria and many more.

Luca has been teaching drums for the last four years , with a view on not only the instruments ,but also on the history of drumming and genres. He also teaches about the music world from a garage start to a professional tour and the way to live it with the right mood and feeling together with band mates. Handling all that in life that needs to be

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faced to be become a drummer.

Outside of music , he has a bachelors in History at University of Venice in 2004, a master in multimedia education at University of Padova in 2006, and now he is really close to reach the bachelor in philosophy at University of Padova. For the last four years he has worked as astaff member of a philosphy group of research in Peschiera del Garda, Verona (Italy).

Luca Cerardi www.lucacerardi.com

Linked on this passion for human studies, he loves nature and animals, so as a hobby he likes to grow plants, fruit trees and more producing his own food.

This year he plans to obtain a boat driving license to finally sail, because of his deep love for earth and sea.

Luca has agreed to come on as a staff member for Steel Notes Magazine to represent Italy, not only in music and entertainment, but other subjects he has studied as well.

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FEBRUARY INTERNATIONAL CORNER FEATURE PICTORIAL ROME AND SICILY

by Michael Corriere

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Monique Grimme & Joyce Keasberry

Joyce Keasberry with music by Gar Francis and an introduces Septimius The Great.

I always agree with the statement that Fashion and Music are great partners. Both support each other on creativity and uniqueness. Throughout the centuries and cultures, fashion and music have always been together. From the early days of tribe dancers dressed in their colorful native fashion outfits to today’s current fashion runways in Milan, Paris and New York; Fashion and Music go hand in hand and form a creative expression visually as well as audibly.

The Rock n’ Roll Fashion Corner will demonstrate each month the direct link between Fashion and Music by highlighting artists, designers, songwriters, and musicians.

Our team is always looking for the great Fashion and Music partners.

This month, The Rock n Roll Fashion Corner is making its debut with fashion contributor and designer Joyce Keasberry. Joyce was born on Sumatra (largest island in Indonesia). She moved to Bandung (capital of Indonesia’s West Java province) with her mother and brother due to a horrifying life changing event. Her father was captured by the Japanese; resulted the death of her father in Burma.

Due to “Cold War” situation becoming so critical, it

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was hard to stay, so they moved again and settled in The Netherlands. It was 1958 and Joyce was in her late teens.

Joyce has been always creative with fabrics and made her own puppets and dolls growing up. She learned knitting, which allowed her to create her own dresses when he moved to The Netherlands.

She started to design dresses with unique fabrics that she was able to buy at great fabric stores in Rotterdam. Being creative and talented with fabric made it possible for Joyce to afford a great fashionable wardrobe on a low budget.

In 1995 Joyce went back to school for a 3 years study of Fashion Design at the Mode-Academy Marja Van Riel. Joyce learnt the foundations of Fashion Styling, Pattern Making and Fabric Applications.

Marja van Riel Mode Academy is a University located in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Her study was intense and Joyce graduated with flying colors, literally.

During the time attending college, she started to work on collages and photography to create her own world on paper.

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Today Joyce uses her camera to store her designs and creations of her dresses. She works with all kinds of materials and fabrics which she finds in boutiques, flea markets, fabric stores and in second hand stores.

Joyce Keasberry prefers “The Hippy Style, ...Flower Power.. With a romantic accent..... a little Naughty... but never Vulgar.. Always with a feminine aspect... ...her own style is a mix created with all these aspects applied....

Now, you may be wondering where is the Music connection as you learnt more about Joyce Keasberry; the Indonesian little girl that fled Java and created her own world in The Netherlands. So let me continue and demonstrate where the music is becoming Joyce’s partner in her creations of fashion here at the Rock n’ Roll Fashion Corner.

I studied Fashion design in The Hague, The Netherlands. I moved in 1984 to the USA with my family and we settled in New Jersey which is close to New York City the Fashion and Rock n Roll Mecca of the World. Lucky me! As a TV producer and record label executive; I work closely with talented songwriters and recording artists. Songwriter Gar Francis and my business partner, released in 2014 an EP called “Shine On” which represents his music of Power Flower, Peace and Love, 60’s Garage Rock style music. His release nicely sets the stage for “The Hippy Style” of Joyce Keasberry.

When I saw Joyce’s photos and her modeling her own creations a few weeks ago, (did I mentioned already that Joyce was born in the 40’s?); I saw immediately the link between her fashion and Gar’s songs of his EP “Shine On” and specially the song “I’m Still Alive” caught my attention.

Gar Francis is a prolific songwriter that produces “music designs” in form of songs. His Power Pop, Garage Rock songs are heard on radio shows like the Underground Garage Radio show on Sirius/XM Channel 21 hosted by Steven Van Zandt (Sopranos), as well as Teenage Wasteland on WFMU hosted

by Bill Kelly just to name a few. Joyce Keasberry creations and the perfect song “I’m Still Alive” are each other’s Fashion and Music partner in this issue of Steel Notes Magazine.

To demonstrate this visually and audibly to you; I produced a 35 second video clip. This mini music video currently broadcast on Television in Season 5 Episode 1071 “Measured Notes” | The Bongo Boy Rock n Roll Show.

Watch Joyce Keasberry and hear Gar Francis song “I’m Still Alive” https://vimeo.com/151878956

The Rock n Roll Fashion Corner’s would like to introduce recording artist Septimius The Great from Baltimore Maryland USA – This International award-winning music artist and entertainer fuses Music and Fashion into an amazing sound and stage

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show. His song “Iam Fashion” was created out of his experience as a fashion model, fashion show coordinator and fashion show producer. It was written to inspire everyone’s inner fashion diva/divo and to feel good about yourself. The music video was created to bring the visual aspect of a vintage but futuristic edge to the song which is all about fashion, beauty and self-esteem by seeing and saying “Iam Fashion”.

Septimius The Great music video “Iam Fashion” broadcast Bongo Boy Rock n Roll TV Show in Season 4 Ep1065. https://vimeo.com/144128462 (Iam Fashion is the 3rd Music Video)

song and help create a bold statement for this up and coming artist.”

In the next issue of Steel Notes Magazine, The Rock n Roll Fashion Corner will feature Septimius The Great and his fashion and music connections in detail. Joyce and I are always looking for other fashion designers and talented recording artists and link them together, if this interest you let us know by contacting us via info@bongoboyrecords.com Look us up on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ rocknrollfashioncorner

Steel Notes Magazine reviewer Dana Saravia wrote in her review: “I am Fashion”. Mixing pounding EDM beats with lyrics that show both his confidence and style, Septimius creates a fashion forward club track. The video’s scenes of models in constructed cutting edge couture walking the runway fit the

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Press Release: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCVGS3LKfVMrONHUhNIiJdBQ

Sara James is a 15 year old musician. As

the founder of the Sara James Music Foundation, Sara believes that all children, regardless of economic ability,

deserve to have the gift of music accessible to them as long as they are as inspired and passionate about it as she is.

Sara is a vocalist, and also plays the guitar and keyboards. When she is not performing, Sara spends her time practicing, listening to music, and is in the beginning stages of writing some originals. Her favorite bands and musical influences are Pink Floyd, Coldplay, The Fray, Fleetwood Mac, John Mayer and Ed Sheeran.

Sara currently plays in 2 bands and also performs a solo acoustic set.

On top of having performed at some of the most famous venues in South Jersey and Philadelphia, Sara has played at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Sara James Music Foundation is a 501c3 charity created by a young musician named Sara James from Southampton NJ. The sole objective of this foundation is to make professional music lessons accessible to low income children who are also inspired by music and share her desire and passion to play. Sara performed more than 25 concerts last year to raise money to create the foundation and award scholarships. The organization has hosted two annual regional talent shows to help fund the scholarship program and currently planning their third showcase. The scholarships are awarded to talented students who come from low income families who wish to pursue individual and group music lessons. They can include vocalists, guitarist, bassists, drummers, and keyboards. The award is good for one year of free weekly lessons, which will culminate in live group performances.

The application link is available for print on the Sara James Facebook page www.facebook.com/ SaraJamesMusicFoundation . Any potential applicants should read all pertinent info before applying to make sure they qualify. If you or someone you know would like to apply, print the application, complete all sections and mail it to 3 Independence Way , Southampton NJ 08088.

Contact sjmf@comcast.net or visit SaraJamesMusicFoundation.org

The foundation is looking for anyone who would like to serve on the board or get involved to help support children in their music goals.

She had the privilege of playing with the American Hitmen, and has opened up for several regional and local legends such as the Flaming Caucasians and Don’t Call Me Francis.

“Music is not what I do, it’s who I am” -Unknown

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N O I T C N U J S ’ Y N

JOHN Introduction of myself

I think the results of our differentiation is that I deprived her of most of the nutrients while we both spent nine months in solitary confinement. My siblings and I all have a loving relationship with each Greetings my friends, other, just like the Brady bunch. My sister Susan, who was second oldest, passed away from cancer This is my very first article with Steel Notes Magazine and my first topic will give an introduction back in 2012 at the young age of 47, I miss her dearly. The rest of my siblings and mama still reside to you about myself. First of all, I would like to in Atlanta. My real father passed away when I was thank SNM for giving me the opportunity to check 16, also from cancer. this off of my bucket list and that is to write for the very best magazine, Steel Notes Magazine.

My mother named me after one of her favorite singI love to write about anything and everything.

One of my heroes is Lewis Grizzard. If you haven’t read “Don’t bend over in the garden granny them taters got eyes,” I highly recommend you do. Lewis Grizzard was an American writer and humorist known for his southern demeanor and commentary on the American south. One of my favorite quotes of his, “The game of life is a lot like football, you have to tackle your problems, block your fears and score your points when you get the opportunity.” and, “I don’t think I’ll ever marry again, I’ll just find a woman I don’t like and give her a house.” I enjoyed reading his column daily and often wished I could write like him. I was heartbroken when he passed away in Atlanta Georgia in 1994.

I was born Johnny Ray Gibbs in Atlanta Georgia in 1966. One of seven children with two sets of twins in the family, five girls and two boys to be exact. My younger brother and sister are twins and I myself have a twin sister. You couldn’t tell just by looking at us that we are twins, I am 6 foot 1 and she is 4 foot nothing. I may be exaggerating a bit; I think maybe she is a little taller than that... Just a tad bit though.

I have hazel greenish brown eyes and she has very dark brown eyes, almost a freakish black color. I call her chocolate drops and sometimes doo doo eyes depending on the climate of the season. I decline to say what she calls me.

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ers, the late Johnny Ray. I didn’t know who he was until the internet became available and I was able to find out who Johnny Ray really was and let me tell you, it is uncanny how much he and I both have in common. First of all, we are both handsome, we are both songwriters and singers with the exception that I only sing in the shower. I tried singing in public once and got booed off the stage...twice!

One thing I find pretty weird is that Johnny Ray and I are both also deaf. Today I am 70 percent deaf. I can hear somewhat but not all that great. Johnny Ray lost his hearing while he was in the boy scouts and he and his fellow scouts were playing some kind of game called blanket toss. I can’t imagine anyone losing their hearing playing with a blanket but it happened to Johnny Ray. Johnny Ray became almost deaf in both ears after surgery was performed on him. Nevertheless, he could still sing. At one time I thought maybe he was my real father because mine was never around. Was mama hiding something from me?

I spent my early years in the 80’s bumming around like a hippie. I have lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach, and Atlanta Georgia for the most part. I would hop around those states like the Bermuda Triangle. Spring breaks in Ft. Lauderdale, Summers in Myrtle Beach and Winter’s at home in Atlanta with mama. I did that until 1988.

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In February of 1988 I was in a serious car accident that almost cost me my life. I was driving home from Penrod’s on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale and blacked out at the wheel. Alcohol was not a factor because I only had two beers that night and believe me I can hold my weight. I suspect that someone slipped a mickey in my beer as I went to the restroom. That was a big problem in the 80’s. Good thing is no one else got hurt or was involved. Just me and a palm tree.

After I woke up from a drug induced coma three months later, I had a hole in my throat from a tracheotomy. The accident left me with six broken ribs, a broken left collarbone, a broken sternum and a partial fractured neck. I am lucky I wasn’t paralyzed. I still hurt to this very day especially when the weather is bad. I can tell you when it is going to rain but I cannot tell you when a tornado is approaching.

I wish I could, I could save countless lives. I would be a hero.

I recuperated at mama’s house in Atlanta, which took almost one year and after that, I decided to take a different turn in life and acting on impulse, moved to Houston Texas.

I always heard that Texas was the land of opportunity so I packed a small bag of clothes and without saying goodbye to anyone because I hate goodbye’s, hopped a greyhound bus in downtown Atlanta and made it as far as New Orleans. I only had enough money to get that far so I had to hitchhike the rest of the way.

I found my way to the greyhound bus station when I arrived in Houston and kept my clothes locked up in a locker and washed up in the restroom. I did that as long as I could until they kicked me out. I picked up odd jobs around town such as cleaning people’s yards and dishwasher and cleaned tables in restaurants at night. I got fired for taking the tips meant for the waitresses. I had no idea, I thought since I was the one cleaning the tables, then I deserved the tips. I used what very little money I earned and got cheap hotel rooms to sleep in when I could.

Sometimes I had to sleep wherever I could find a place to sleep whether it be homeless shelters, hallways of hotels, unlocked parked cars, or on the streets. Winter nights and no place to sleep was pretty brutal.

Things started to look up and the years in Houston has been good to me. From 1989 to 1993, I had struggled tremendously but I did manage to go back to school at night and earn a GED. After earning my GED, I took a few basic classes at Houston community college and later on San Jacinto college. I took the bus or walked wherever I went because I did not yet have a vehicle. I lived in a tiny garage apartment I rented for 150.00 a month.

I stocked groceries on the shelves at the locals Apple trees grocery store from midnight to 6 am in the morning. One day I was walking past a garage sale and saw a lawn mower for sale for 15 dollars so I purchased it. Starting with my landlord’s yard to earn money to help pay my rent and buy food, I soon had the next door neighbor and the next and the next as customers. Before long, I had almost 30 customers right there in my neighborhood. I pushed my lawnmower wherever I went. You would expect to see that from teenagers but not from a 23-yearold. I didn’t care, I did what I had to do to survive.

After a year I saved up enough money to buy a truck and better equipment.

In 1994 I met my future wife at a birthday party and six short months later discovered that I was going to be a father. Sam, my wife, told me that I had to quit the landscaping business and get a real trade because we were going to have a baby. I tried my hand at several trades until I settled on becoming an electrician. I chose that trade because I once dug up a garden at a customer’s house and hit through a live wire that was feeding a small lamp post in their front yard and as I watched the owner repair the wires, it fascinated me. I did get shocked by the way.

Today, 22 years later, I can proudly say that I am a master electrician and own my very own business called Lighthouse Electric company. My wife is a Nurse practitioner and we have three lovely daughters. I have a son and granddaughter that live in Norway. I don’t get to see them too often and miss them terribly.

I always enjoyed writing poems and in 2008 had my first book published called, “Restless Hearts,” a poetry book. A good friend of mine, Tom Grogan, from Myrtle Beach, who also happens to be a musician told me that some of my poems would

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make great songs. I didn’t know a chorus from a bridge but he taught me all that and now I can proudly say that I have written seven great songs, five of them can be found on YouTube. you can look those up under my name, Johnny R. Gibbs. The songs are only demos that I put together and have various singers. (I can’t sing remember) My songs are also getting some pretty good feedback. My goal is to maybe someday get a songwriting contract.

I am still trying to get George Strait or Blake Shelton to record a couple of my country songs that I had written. George is now retired so now it is entirely up to Blake Shelton. I am running out of luck here. If you think you got what it takes to record my songs, then go for it. Just whip up a contract and pay me a million dollars in advance then we are all set.

Well, that is just about all you need to know about me right now. I could write a whole book about myself that would make the New York’s best seller’s list but for now let’s just settle for the best Magazine, Steel Notes Magazine.

Until next time, Peace and love!

ARTIST Lisa Dietrich

Is a level II Reiki practitioner, that infuses herself into her “Spirit Art” with Universal healing energy.

Artists move the world. As a visual artist, Lisa is passionate about three types of movement: Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual. Formerly a ballet dancer, she now tries to convey a sense of physical motion on 2 dimensional platforms. Together with painting, manipulation of color, and layering of various themes of soul searching, her goal is to communicate a message of love, abundance, and hope, as well as to encourage emotional and spiritual healing. The art pieces that express these movements have been gathered together as “Spirit Art”.

In addition to “Spirit Art”, she is also interested in Editorial/Book illustration and Design work. Over the past 10 years, she has worked with groups such as Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins, The Levantine Cultural Center, and The University of Pennsylvania. Though her concentration is in Illustration and “Spirit Art”, her art form has recently extended into Design, such as Letterhead, Business Card, Greeting Card and T-shirt production.

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Tony Angelo: Renaissance Man

By Jenny Cat

from his creative dreams.

As creator and executive officer of Dream Catcher Multimedia, Tony has built an enviable empire as an independent filmmaker. His body of work is vast and includes documentaries, dramas and collaborations with other writers, directors and artists. His latest partnership with EMN Studios is promising and will give Dream Catcher Multimedia a much larger reach including cable tv and Regal AMC Theaters.

Tony often works with up and coming actors and actresses and his stories bring out the best performances possible. Some of his most notable films include, “Gayborhood” and “Discovering Fossils.”

Tony’s latest film project that’s underway is “Casting Shade” and it chronicles the return of a professional actress as she moves back home to a very different South Philly.

Although he is a prolific filmmaker, Tony Angelo is also a talented lyricist and comes from a diverse musical background including, country music, funk, Elvis Costello and Kid Rock. “Hello Each Other” is his latest project, released by Gothic Entertainment featuring music from Chris J. Miller and the single, “Peace (Come On),” which is a slow groove, organ driven taste of reggae.

Mr. Angelo does not disappoint. And if you were wondering what else Tony has accomplished, he is also an author of fine books for children. You can check out one of his publications, “Goody Two Shoes” here http://dreampublishing.biz/books.html.

Recently, I was able to catch up with Bucks County/ Philly Filmmaker, Tony Angelo at a music industry party hosted by Monique of Bongo Boy Records.

Who knows exactly what projects Tony Angelo will create next, but rest assured that you’ll always read about them here and most certainly will see them on a screen near you.

We got to chatting about his most recent projects, future endeavors and about some of his past challenges but throughout it all, it became clear that Tony is as creative as he is resilient.

Tony is a military veteran who served our country during military operations in Grenada in the 1980’s.

Upon his return from battle, he had a tough time finding work and earning a living and spent a brief time without a home. Tony didn’t let that deter him

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DAZED: The Film COMING 2016....Based on the ramblings of Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) during my time with him. All they want is love; but with damage done, they choose a needle instead. From author Nikki Palomino The DAZED Novel Series, Coming Cobain Junk, The Underground Diaries, Blackbird New Haven Publishing Ltd UK and a collaboration with the biggest pot smuggler in US history, the True Crime book “The Gentleman Smuggler” by Steven M. Kalish and Nikki Palomino Available:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_12… https://www.facebook.com/dazed.novel.series/timeline https://www.facebook.com/DAZEDGrungeRockerAuthor https://www.facebook.com/groups/dazedraioshow/ https://www.facebook.com/dazedradio https://www.facebook.com/groups/506370846059672/ Starring: Matt Mercer,Carlos Ramzey Ramirez, Bergandi Phoenix, 64 | Steel Notes Magazine

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Palmer Davis, Ruben Pla, Dave Johansen, cameos Ginger Coyote, Johnny Ray, Avina Richard, Ashley Evans, Alfred Jiminez and more...

Genre: Based on DAZED Novel Series by Nikki Palomino from the ramblings of 3 junkie musicians, most notably Kurt Cobain and why those most disposable should matter.

Directed By: Director,Cinematographer Jason Herring with CBS’ Mike& Molly, formerly Will&Grace American TV. Editor, Director Cinematographer Ezra Spurrier TV and Film FIlm Assistant & Publicist Ashley Evans Music: Brian Kroll “Don’t Play Dead” Release Date: 2016 http://www.nikkipalomino.com/

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DATING HORROR STORIES

BY JENNY CAT

The Dates From Online Hell Not too long ago, my engagement to my ex ended and I was back to being single. He really wanted to live in his parents’ basement and go back to school and possibly date his mom.

I was a newly jaded 28 year old and figured I would give into the appeal of finding a special someone online. I signed up for the free websites (plenty of fish, OK Cupid!) and let me just tell you that YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. DISCLAIMER: I was in no way ready for a relationship and may have openly wanted to punch any man I saw but whatever.

Date 1: Reconnected with a high school mutual crush who saw me the day I signed on to the one dating site. We went out for coffee where he told me he couldn’t find a job as a librarian and he was living in his mom’s basement. He also just dumped a girl because she was “too fat” for him (I was fat at the time). NEXT! Penis pic count at this time: 0 Date 2: The chubby guy who sweat a lot and seemed to like me but couldn’t look me in the eye and kept sweating. He always sent strange texts about eating feces and watching granny’s strip.

Now, he was awkward and drenched in sweat. I drank two beers on his dime and left. He never texted again.

Penis pic count: 0. Other strange texts: 2,000 Date 3: He had long hair like a harlequin romance novel character and giant pecs like Fabio. You’re probably like, why didn’t she go with this one? He dressed like a pirate with big boots and his pants tucked in his boots like he just got off ship. Other than that, he was polite in person but when he said he didn’t listen to music, I knew I couldn’t accept his

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booty (pirate joke) and I split. I did get a collection of penis pics and a pic of him nude with a hat covering his wedding tackle complete with a flame background (think portrait studio gone kinky).

Penis pic count: 5 (from one person) and 1 artistic, sort of nude boudoir pic.

BONUS DATE STORY: Went out with a guy who ordered calamari as an appetizer to share and he proceeded to eat the entire bowl and talk about how much pot he smokes at work. He was also much balder in person and wearing a track suit.

BONUS NOT FROM ONLINE DATING STORY: While I was out on a date (from online) with a kid who said he wanted to kill me to collect the insurance money (he said he was joking) another guy who I knew vaguely from town zeroed in on me. Thinking I was just removed from a bad date by a third party rescue, this smooth talking dude and I met up with my friend at a club nearby where he proceeded to proposition us to have a three some. I declined. He later admitted to having been in jail for armed robbery. In hindsight, I can see why a three some was appealing to him.

The next morning, I deleted all of my dating profiles and decided to take up boxing and motorcycling. I also adopted more cats.

Moral of the story? Online dating is a crap shoot with mostly crap and you can never tell who has been in jail unless they tell you. Also, if you’re a girl doing the online dating thing, you’ll have a collection of penis photos. It’s just nature! I think?

Good luck out there!

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NAMM 2016

BY TONY LEPRE

There are NAMM based live music events all over the surrounding area of Anaheim, California. All types of music styles and genres are represented in these once a year, (sometimes once in a lifetime!) concerts, events and jam sessions. Example 2 years ago, in the Hilton lobby around 11pm, Stevie Wonder came up and basically took over the stage! He had the entire crowd singing with him, men sing this, and women sing that. That was one of those once in a lifetime experiences. Being that music is being played in the area between the two hotels from 10 am to 6pm, and both hotel lobbies converted into live venues, with music playing from noon till midnight, there is never a shortage of eclectic music being played for any and every listener. The surrounding areas concert venues and clubs, host live music every year. Blues, Jazz, Country, Rock, Metal, R&B, Soul, Punk, Alternative, Indie, you name it, there is a concert going on over the course of this event.

The National Association of Music Merchants, (NAMM) event is 115 years old and has been held in Anaheim, California since 1978. This year’s event is projected to have over 96,000 attendees with 1600 exhibitors spread over 813,000 square feet of the Anaheim convention center’s exhibit space.

Both the Hilton Anaheim and Anaheim Marriot are taken over by this event, with nearly 221,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as, live music being performed from morning until late evening, for the duration of the NAMM convention. Hopefully this puts into perspective, the staggering, awe inspiring, immensity of this event.

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The 1600 plus exhibitors range is as eclectic as the music. Every major, minor and independent manufacturer of music related products is there.

Strings, Guitars/Basses, Banjo’s, Amplifiers, Wind instruments, Percussion/Drums, Cables, Audio Interface, Audio/Video Recording equipment, DJ equipment, whatever tools are used in any sense by musicians, songwriters, producers; it is there.

There is also a wide range of Media represented there. Print and Online Magazines, You Tube Music channels, every possible Internet platform. Clothing and Merchandise companies and every part of the support system of the music related industry has a booth. Many of these companies have artists playing, singing, and signing autographs. This is one of the draws of NAMM, to go to a booth and take a picture with one of your inspirations and hero’s.

For most of the attendees though, it’s all about business, building the relationships with the man-

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Thursday, met up with my brother Chris outside the convention hall. We went to Aquarian Drumheads and Percussion (my brother Chris is an endorsed artist) and while he handled his business with them, (aquariandrumheads.com) I went and met my friend Jeff Duncan (Armored Saint, DC4, Odin).

We went to the Blackstar Amplication booth to speak with the west coast A&R rep Loren M and to check out the new HT 100 Metal Guitar Head. (blackstaramps.com) The tone, power and versatility of this 100 watt tube head are amazing! Blackstar amplification has taken over the market of the go to favored guitar amp for all the rock and metal touring artists. They also offer a wide range of guitar amps that fit any need one may have. Greasy spoon blooze, they got it, Country twang, they got it. Old school sounding classic guitar heads, they got it. I highly recommend Blackstar amps for any and all of your guitar needs!

ufacturers and the representatives. Making new contacts, and meeting new people in the industry. It is a networking Shangri-la.

So off to my experiences this year with Winter NAMM 2016!

On Wednesday morning, I got the email notifying me of media badge confirmation, and immediately went to NAMM to pick up the badge. As I was walking from my truck to the elevator, I ran into a friend of mine. She was in a bit of distress as her car wasn’t starting and she was having car trouble.

Not the way anyone wants to start off their NAMM weekend. Helped her calm down and assured her it would all work out, AAA is available. She later thanked me, as just running into me randomly as we did, made her know all will be ok. That was a great way for me to start my NAMM adventure; being of service. I got my pass and went to the media center and listened and observed. The do’s and don’ts, and in-betweens.

Next stop was to meet up with Jim Chen from Audio Images Corporation. He is a full service wholesaler of all things music gear related based out of the bay area. He was at the Aria booth as he is every year. (They have on display the autographed Cliff Burton bass).

Then off to Kirlin Cable. “Kirlin Cable, your final destination for high quality audio video cables and accessories. Kirlin Industries, Inc. was founded in 1997. We are specialized in production of high quality audio video cables and accessories. Our products include instrument cables, microphone cables, speaker cables, multi-track cables, patch cables, bulk wire, parts, accessories, and etc.” I personally recommend Kirlin Cable for any and all, as they have the best equipment and a commitment to excellent artist relationships and customer service. (kirlincable.com)

As we walked around downstairs, we found, Tomsline engineering micro pedals. I had heard of these being the best of the micro pedals. I was not wrong. After demoing some of them, the Tube

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Pusher (booster) pedal was given the big thumbs up! They have a number of amazing micro pedals that I would highly recommend to any n all. Check out their entire line of micro pedals – (tomsline. com)

Then Jeff and I went upstairs to the second floor to ESP guitars. As we walked into the ESP guitar nexus, the awe inspiring guitars and basses jumped off the display walls. Most if not all, of these amazing works of art catch one’s attention. The sensory overload was hard not to succumb to. All I can say, is if one hasn’t played an ESP guitar or bass yet, please do. You will understand the fine craftsmanship and amazing playability of all their products.

They are known throughout the industry for their exceptional artist support and customer relations. (espguitars.com)

In between these stops, we ran into people we

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know. Get a cup of coffee (lots of coffee!) and take the mandatory smoke/vape breaks. There is a lot of walking that takes place. From one end to the other, downstairs to upstairs and all points in between. We met up in the middle of the above mentioned adventure for lunch with my brother.

We saw a close friend of ours who had recently lost one of their band mates, a true brother to all. We exchanged hugs and shared our compassion and sorrow for his and the families loss. Those are the experiences one remembers. Seeing someone you don’t see except when you play a show with them and being able to be there for them as real human being. Later we all met up to part ways. Take the long walk to the parking spot, deal with some traffic and let one’s body relax and heal from the long day of walking, walking some more and more walking.

(And it’s only Thursday!)

Friday met up with my brother Chris, and told him we were invited by our good friends Cynthia and

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John from Madcap Music Review, to come by this booth; Funguy Mojo Box Guitars. We got there and met the owner Christopher McKinney and he said to us, please jam! So we did! Ronnie Sanchez (Groove Sessions) played the stand up box bass, and we got to it. Free style, Improv greasy spoon swamp blooze grooves. We were in bliss, and the bass player that we had never played with before, let alone met, was as high off the experience as we were. We all said, let’s jam in the future! A new musician friend was made! This company makes handmade guitars, basses and percussion instruments out of, well, just about anything! Gas cans, cigar boxes, and they have that swamp country greasy spoon feel and vibe down to a science! (funguymojoguitars.miiduu. com/)

I then took off to try and make some artist appearances that I wanted to catch. Being that there are literally 100’s of musicians playing over the course of this weekend, I mapped out a few that I knew would be possible to get to. Remember, walking, lots of walking, from one side to the other and then some.

Off to Tone Pros. Brad Whitford (Aerosmith) and Derek St Holmes (Ted Nugent) were there signing and smiling for the fans. These two amazing guitar players are the songwriters, co-songwriters of the some of the greatest 70’s rock we ever had the joy to hear! This year they were at NAMM promoting their upcoming album release “Reunion”. They both played the Bonzo Bash on Friday night and the Ronnie Montrose remembered event Saturday night. My suggestion to all who love 70’s classic rock is, go to you tube, type, Brad Whitford Derek St Holmes and you can watch n hear what these two legends are doing now!

Next I went to the Samson tech booth to see Ritchie Kotzen and Mike Portnoy, only to find out that event was cancelled. How do I put this in a formal writing context; I cant, it sucked that it was cancelled. (richiekotzen.com / mikeportnoy.com)

Now it was time to meet up with band mates; Bobby Anderson (vocalist) and Morgan Van Harding (guitarist) from Attack of the Rising. We walked around; running into mutual friends met up with my

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brother Chris (drummer for AOTR as well), and then ran into another old friend of ours, John Gilhooley, free lance photographer, (johngilhooley.com). We all went to High School together and of course took a picture “Old School” to share with all our friends on facebook. Yes we did that. Walked around some more saying hello to whomever we ran into and then it was time for me to get to the Bonzo Bash!

Bonzo Bash founders Brian Tichy and Joe Sutton have put together “BASHFEST: 3 Days of Music and Madness” during this year’s Winter NAMM show.

When asked about BASHFEST 2016, Brian Tichy said, “I’m psyched to bring our celebration events as close to NAMM as you can get them! (twitter.com/ BonzoBash)

I walked over to the M3 Live event center, about a block and half away from the convention center. I wanted to get their early to see Blacklist Union. I wasn’t disappointed! Playing songs off their latest release “Back to Momo’s” and previous albums, they blasted the crowd with their Rock n Roll in your face attitude. I highly suggest checking out their entire catalog! Great no holds barred in your face Rock n Roll! (blacklistunion.com)

Now it was time for this experience called Bonzo Bash. It’s hard to put this into a perspective for those who weren’t there, but I will try. The “House Band”, the Moby Dicks (featuring: Chas West (vox), Brent Woods (guitar), Michael Devin (bass),

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Stephen LeBlanc (keys), Brian Tichy (guitar/drums), are seasoned, touring musicians in their own right. (Whitesnake, Vince Neil, Bonham, to name a few) These guys from the first notes brought the Hammer down and played Led Zeppelin, as any and all would want it to be played. Being that I have listened to every bootleg I could have since I was a kid and seen any and all video/footage of them live, I was blown away and on cloud turn it up to 11 as one could be.

One of the great surprises of the night, was Comedian Bill Burr was co-hosting, emceeing this event! His sardonic and sarcastic humor was perfect for the crowd. One of the many highlights of the evening was; Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) receiving the Bonzo Bash Award! Then he went and jammed some Bonham with the band!!

The entire evening was one amazing kick ass drummer after another, playing John Henry Bonham! A sonic onslaught of Led Zeppelin with guest drummers, bringing it on home. The list of drummers is as follows: Rob Affuso (Skid Row/ Four By Fate), Will Calhoun (Living Colour), Brandon Kachel (Barbarian Overlords), Johnny Kelly (Danzig/ Type O Negative), Dave Lombardo (Dead Cross/ Slayer), Joe LaMonde (NAMM CEO), Ray Luzier (Korn), Dave “Chili” Moreno (Puddle of Mudd), Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Gregg Potter (Buddy Rich Band), Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper), Mike Terrana (Yngwie Malmsteen/ Tony MacAlpine), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake), Franklin Vanderbilt (Lenny Kravitz/ Chaka Khan), Simon Wright (AC/DC/ Dio/ Operation

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Guitars: Beth-Ami Heavenstone, Bass; and Mark Zonder, Drums. This band brought the house down!

Playing old favorites and new songs from upcoming EP (My Kingdom Come), they made the sold out crowd of fans metal-ecstatic! (grahambonnetband. com) What a perfect way to end the night of amazing music for me.

Now its Saturday, which is the most attended day of the NAMM event. How do I describe what its like on Saturday, in a “PG-13”, “fit for public consumption”, context?! Put “Black Friday”, meets outdoor music festival, into a Convention Center and one kind of gets what the experience is like. Saturday at NAMM in my experience is never a day where any business gets done. Its walking around running into people I know, every 10 minutes or so. Being that it takes 10 to 15 minutes to get 20 to 30 feet in a constant state of movement flux, it is evitable that one will cross paths with someone they know.

Mindcrime), Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction, Porno For Pyros, Banyan, the Panic Channel) I would highly suggest, that any and all who want to see n hear what this experience was like, go to you tube, type in Bonzo Bash 2016, and see and hear all of it!! It was a true once in a lifetime experience!

Now it was time to head off to Malones. Graham Bonnet; (Rainbow, MSG/ (Michael Shenker Group) and Alcatrazz), was headlining the NAMM after party at Malones in Santa Ana. I got there in time to catch Scarred playing their brand of scathing Power Metal. SCARRED consists of Ruby Valdes, Vocals; John Toscano, Guitar; George Toscano, Bass and Andy Salas, Drums. They were tight, and brought forth the power and the metal! (scarredmetal. com) Next up was Night Demon. This is a classic metal trio featuring Jarvis Letherby, Vocals/Bass; Brent Woodard, Guitar and Dusty Squire, Drums.

This band delivered! Blistering hard rock metal in your face! (nightdemon.net). Now it was time for Graham Bonnet! Featuring: Conrad Pesinato,

One of the artists I wanted to see doing a demonstration was Dan Sindel at the Sonuus booth. (sonuus.com) I try to catch Dan every year, as what he does with the Sonuus G2M (universal guitar to midi converter) is astonishing! “Dan Sindel is best known for his “Symphonic Guitar” arrangements where he breaks the barrier in multi-tracking techniques with the guitar. Sindel’s recent work has led him to recreating orchestral scores by transposing and transcribing the compositions to fit the guitars tonal range… Hundreds of layered guitar tracks creating a massive guitar “Wall of Sound” which can be heard on his debut recording effort “Marching In - A tribute to “The March King” John Philip Sousa.” So one might get the idea of the why I have to experience what this master of the instrument has in store for this year! Unfortunately Dan had to cancel to due health reasons. He is fine, just letting you, the reader, know this. (dansindel.com - reverbnation. com/dansindel )

So down the aisle from the Sonuus booth was the RME Booth. From the RME booth was this organic soul blues music reaching into my being from, Matthew Wilson and Esh the singer! They were demonstrating the RME Babyface Pro (24 channel 192 kHz bus powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface).

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“Esh - Gaining the majority of her industry experience writing and touring with other artists as a background vocalist, Chicago’s Alt/Rock singer Esh makes a splash taking center stage. Known for her dynamic, emphatic delivery, Esh moves hearts and hips; with her glam/punk rock sartorial style.

In 2010 Esh was blessed to make the top 60 on Fox TV’s American Idol - Season 10. Esh explains, “My own achievements bring me joy, however my true passion is helping others realize their own strength through the songs I sing”. (twitter.com/ eshthesinger) Mathew Wilson “A sincere thank you from the bottom of my heart to the people at RME Audio for bringing Esh and me out to the NAMM conference this past week. It was seriously one of the most enjoyable weekends I can remember ever having and it was all centered around a shared love of music. There was an energy in that room like I’ve never felt before and without RME, I wouldn’t have experienced that. For those of you wanting to take the quality and depth of your live, practice or recording sound to the next level, I would highly recommend giving their equipment a go.” (facebook.com/MatthewWilsonMusic/)

Then the plan was off to the EBS booth. EBS is professional Bass Equipment; Amps, Cabinets, Pedals, Strings, you name it; they have for the professional Bass player. The list of artists that use their gear is too long to list here. You can go to their website and look over the 100’s of player who use their gear. (ebssweden.com) I was there to meet up

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with a photographer friend of mine Tammy Greene.

While I was there, Bjorn Englen, Marten Andersson and Rudy Sarzo were there smiling and signing, and then Billy Sheehan showed up to join in the fun. It was at that time that Tammy and I had a moment to chat and catch up. She was doing her photojournalist thing and we had a few laughs over all the madness of Saturday NAMM. During this time, people I knew were walking by, stopping by and then the “lets take a picture” thing started happening. Which is always a funny thing to experience in the NAMM setting, especially by a booth where professional touring musicians are, doing exactly that. You can see all of Tammy Greene’s extensive photojournalism at: greensoundslensphotgraphy.com.

Now it’s about time for me to start heading out.

I’ve been at NAMM about 5 hours, ran into a lot of friends, walked who knows how many miles in the process and I have to get out of there and get back home to rest up for the show I am playing this Saturday evening. The next phase of the crowd madness takes place, where 1000’s of people are leaving the convention center at the same time.

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Walking to wherever one parked, and that good time experience of traffic lines to exit a parking lot.

Now being that I feel it would be oddly and inappropriately self-serving to overtly discuss the NAMM after party event that I am playing at on Saturday, I will do my best not have it be so oddly self serving.

I take a nap, eat a light meal, load out gear and head to Fitzgeralds in Huntington Beach. Thomas Claxton is a solo acoustic artist of immense talent. I have had the privilege of being on the bill with this musician in the past and he is literally, one of kind.

There is no way for me to express, expound, and or describe the talent this man has. One has to for themselves. I have seen, heard and experienced Thomas Claxton, singing, (and playing on acoustic guitar) Queen’s “Bohemian Raposdy”; it is a memory for life. (thomasclaxtonmusic.com) Snakehead is a great classic hard rock band who kicked out the jams as only they can! (snakeheadrocks.com) Attack of the Rising is the band I was playing in that night and we had a blast. (attackoftherising.com) Next up was the Gutterboys! This band plays fun good time hard rock/metal and they rocked the house (gutterboysband.com). Now my Saturday is over and its time to sleep.

long and successful career in the music and entertainment field, earning numerous Gold and Platinum albums and two Grammys in the process. He was a founding member of the group Steely Dan, a member of the Doobie Brothers and produced records for such artists as Carl Wilson, Nazareth, The Stray Cats and Billy Vera (debut album and #1 Single “At This Moment”). He has toured with such bands as The Stray Cats, Elton John, Julian Lennon and Linda Ronstadt. He has been a studio musician for over 40 years, recording with such artists as Donna Summer, Dolly Parton, Ringo Starr, Barbara Streisand, Carl Wilson, Carly Simon, Stanley Clark, Bryan Adams, Denice Williams, Richie Havens, Nils Lofgrin, Sesame Street, Cher, Joni Mitchell, John Cougar Mellencamp, Freddy Hubbard, Leo Sayer, Burton Cummings, Roy Orbison, The Ventures, Judy Collins, Hoyt Axton, Beach Boys, Little Feat and Rod Stewart, and has composed music for movies and television including co-authoring the original theme for “Beverly Hills 90210,” music for “King of the Hill” and scoring for movies like “Bull Durham”

Sunday NAMM. I did contemplate going. But, I am in too much pain, from all the walking. I never go on Sundays’ due to this is the day to heal. I know of many who only go on Thursday and Sunday, as those are the days where the least of amount of people are there. There are a couple of things I want to mention, that I didn’t get to experience personally, but did take place over the NAMM weekend. NAMM has many different awards ceremonies. Not to take away from any of the various artists, musicians and producers, which received awards over the NAMM weekend, as all of the awards are well deserved. There are two artists I want to mention due to their personal influences on myself as a musician.

The 31st annual TEC awards (Technical Excellence and Creativity award). Skunk Baxter was put in the TEC Hall of Fame. Jeffrey “Skunk” Baxter has had a

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and “Roxanne.” He has been a design engineer/ consultant for Akai, Audio-Technica, Allen & Heath, Fender and Roland for over 35 years. He is currently working on his first solo project, partnering with his long-time friend and associate CJ Vanston and is still actively involved as a guitarist, composer, producer and engineer.

Graham Nash Honored with “Music for Life” Award at 2016 NAMM Show The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) honors Graham Nash with its “Music for Life” award for his 40-years of legendary musical contributions that continue to shape our culture.

NAMM’s President and CEO Joe Lamond presented Nash with the “Music for Life” award during the NAMM Show’s opening Breakfast of Champions.

Nash will headline the NAMM Nissan Grand Plaza Stage with a performance at the close of the NAMM Show’s opening day.

“The fact is that when music is a part of the school program students are less likely to join a gang, less likely to get into trouble, feel better about themselves and get better grades,” Nash said. “So let’s keep music in schools.”

The “Music for Life” award is NAMM’s highest honor recognizing individuals and organizations that demonstrate, support and exemplify NAMM’s vision that the joy of making music is a precious element of daily living for everyone. Previous recipients have included musicians Stevie Wonder, Yoko Ono, Henry and Felice Mancini, Smokey Robinson and others, as well as Members of Congress, governors and business leaders.

Legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with Crosby, Stills, and Nash and with the Hollies and was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame twice.

Among his many accolades, he is also a GRAMMY Award winner, New York Times bestselling author, internationally renowned photographer and visual artist, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth.

peace and social and environmental justice regularly lending his voice to philanthropic endeavors. The No Nukes/Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) concerts he organized in conjunction with fellow musicians Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt in 1979, remain seminal benefit events.

The Graham Nash: This Path Tonight Tour 2016 kicks off the week after his appearance at the NAMM Show. Nash’s upcoming studio album, “This Path Tonight” is set to release April 15, 2016.

In conclusion, I hope that I was able to express the experience of being at NAMM. It is impossible to see, hear, and attend, every event, demonstration, live music performance, let alone attempt to go to every Exhibitor booth there is that one may want to visit. One can make the best of it by extensive pre-planning. The NAMM website offers every event, signing, demonstration, and exhibitor booth location on their website, as well the ability to download apps, which make your planning of whatever one wants to do, as easy as possible. They also provide a fold out map and list of every exhibitor, so one can make their plans as easy as possible.

There are a number of shortcuts one learns over the years of attendance. For parking, if not staying at a hotel in the area, The Disneyland lot is the closest, and still the cheapest, and the trick there is, pull into the Marriot/Hilton main parking entrance and take the roundabout back to the entrance for the Disneyland parking lot. It will save anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes of waiting in a long line.

NAMM 2016 was a great experience for me. I know it was for 1000’s of others as well. I hope you, the reader, have gotten a taste of what NAMM is about, and what it has to offer to any and all who attend.

The creator of iconic songs including “Our House” and “Teach Your Children” is a powerful voice for

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Clocks And Candles

This is the paradise that only you created.

Breathe.

by Scott M Saxon Part One:The Time Thieves

I.

And the night fell empty until the pained morning.

Sometimes silence is not golden.

Alone contemplating the mind racing at a speed of its own velocity, In a race of its own mysterious choosing.

2

Wind whips through tired sandstorms Lazily lifting brittle dust Sand in a bottle Trapped, but Breathing

The Wanderlust has set in For the few For them Movements slow and deliberate

There will be no crown of thorns

Yet delicately cautious.

There will be no celebrations.

Simple quiet reflection

New, Savage lands

Reduce to shadows against water

Spread bare before us “This is home”, the Prophet proclaimed quietly

This is 2 o’clock in the morning

Nodding at the shaded valleys

Before witch’s gather and shamans sleep

“This is your gift”...he spoke Almost in reverence.

Speaking with clear brevity Utterances best unsaid

There is false movement in the

“Behold the dark skies, the cool air that I bring you”, the shadow proclaimed.

Twin hills, new creatures moving In sick spirals.

Falling, turning , as if possessed.

This is the desert.

This is the forest

They are what it is we aim To become

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They are the wrongness of perfection

Longer a shrouded mystery A symbol carved into darkened red

Vaguely outlined in the sky

Clay, marking the earth.

A clock ticks on

And yet, sometimes, the time

A rhythmic , whirring

Can

Gentle rumble

Be far, and dangerously nuanced

Of sound

Kept in constant, perpetual Movement

“We are the keepers of time”

By the hands of time

A set of accurate motions

And the light of a fire

Flailing deeper and deeper

Thought long dead

Into the hours of both day and night

These are the sets, elaborately Staged and full of lustful, shimmering life

The time was never right, just there Hanging as a silent threat.

In the first hemisphere

A countdown to heed

A candle is lit by a dark man

In the forests, the still waters

Begging to meet his inner light

And The brutal desert

There is silence.

It has come time to journey into

One movement, sharp..

Night

To the left Causes drastic action

3

It is noted and properly

Interlude

Cataloged Time, as Essence

Electric cords

Will always move languidly, fluid

Band energy

In it’s gentle pace

Through Strange Curcumstance

The time is near

Taking all liberties

No

With no availing logic

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Three times she knocks

Pre-destined, willful.

Gentle hand blocking the last

Watching it unfold, a Shaman speaks

Sunshine through rigid cracks

Three tongues and Offers prayers and language

None of the bizarre voyagers

Long thought dead

Will ever know of The Lost Path

The time has arrived

The Least Travelled Roads

It has come with no fanfare,

Hidden, only from

No trumpets, no joys

Hollow echoes and strange, waking dreams

But it moves with purpose and snake- like defiance

Gazes stare blankly, Availed of no expressions At broken clocks, always Counting-waiting A never ending cascade Of terrible sounds and New monsters

This is the last highway, The lost America Azure skies, blackened only by slight And hidden from simple view Never wasted, Only captured in a cracked vase Overlooked by the 12 markings That turn circular Forever, in perpetuity Here, in the last place there Will be

Out here, there are only travelers And time...

And The keepers Of All

4

“We gather here the festival of Saints�

Words loudly echo through hollowed Caverns Snakelike movements, Reptilian skin Flash As if glass against the eyes Quick, furtive Never ending carousel of Broad movements in Stolen moments

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Sandled feet move quicker Shimmers of light

In a dusk row shuffle towards

Reflect

Bleak honour and no reward

In gradients Against the sky, upwards towards

“Follow”

The determined

The tall one stated as a

Desert moon

Cloaked, veiled directive guilty of Only simplicity

“All is in order” the Priest said Lowly, hissed under a red velvet

In the shift of time and under the

Hood and slovenly robes,

Clock’s rueful gaze, they move

Dusting the sand as the Order

Patterned yet chaotic

Moves in swift contrition

All but none The last riddle left under a hard, graying

The hand start its gentle turn

Stone

Towards night and the redemptive Evening mist

Here

Desert, alone and boiling

Out in this place

Left in sand torn tatters of

They all will seek shelter

Obligatory movements and crass

And

Proclamations.

Find only Home

The unrest is felt as both real and Unreal

5

Leaving, staying...wanting more With every stolen glance

Time

From wizened eyes

Runs down quickly, Sands Cascade through mettled glass

Coils of electric life pump

It moves blankly, without thought

Through venous cavities as

It does not plot nor rely on

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Human plans nor distant mobility

Time has been no friend.

It just exists, breathes, is.

All is quiet in the darkest if nights, a Mountains grow closer, gaining ground.

Pale and very unsubtle moon

Travelers weary, tired, and broken

Glows

Like brutalized toys.

Above, hammering the group of

Wind whipping into strange frenzy.

Nine.

Journey’s end is nearly here.

http://www.prolifick.com/

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POSITIVELY ENERGIZED WITH CHLOE LATTANZI

By Scott Aber for. When asked what prompted the shift in styles, Chloe responded, “My style is basically all styles. I love deep dark moody music, and I also love up beat dance music. Just like we have different aspects to our personality. the same goes for your personality as a musician.”

It’s a no-brainer to say that Olivia is one of Chloe’s biggest influences as a performer. But Chloe also credits her dad, actor Matt Lattanzi (who appeared as a dance extra in Xanadu, and acted in several movies including My Tutor and Grease 2) as one of her biggest inspirations/supporters.

Anyone who has followed the life and career of Olivia Newton-John has also heard of her daughter, singer/actress Chloe Lattanzi. Chloe has recently re-invented herself into even more of an amazing young lady, with the release of her single You Have to Believe late last year. The song features a chorus which samples Olivia’s hit song Magic, from the movie Xanadu, and was produced by top remixer Dave Aude.

The Billboard #1 hit is quite a departure from the musical style Chloe was previously most famous

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Chloe explains, “(My dad) was the one who played me a wide variety of interesting music growing up, encouraging me to expand my taste and never be afraid to be super far out creative. He really influenced me as a writer and my creative stand point.”

Another hero to Chloe would have to be South African duo Die Antwoord. Chloe says, “(They are) so raw fun dirty and honest that I feel a real connection to where they come from creatively. They are

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never afraid and they make no apologies.” Chloe likes that, as she tends to be a bit of a people

“free” later in her career, Chloe came out in full swing right away as one ballsy broad. But that

pleaser. And she feels that being a people pleaser is not a good thing when u r being creative.

is merely one side to her amazing personality.

Chloe tells me, “There is something so primal about (Die Antwoord’s) style that makes my whole body feel engulfed in sensuality.”

Chloe certainly is no stranger to showcasing sensuality. While Olivia began to get a bit more

Chloe is incredibly devoted to her family, and animals. According to some of her recent online posts, nobody in her family eats meat. And if you follow her on Facebook or Instagram (the later being her preferred platform) you will see what a kind and gentle soul she truly is. You will also

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get even more clues as to what her next project(s) will be. Chloe’s projects come together

and was so much fun to make!!! You will be seeing me in a lot more roles I promise u! Even if u

spontaneously in the studio, so little teases of what is to come are all she is able to disclose.

don’t

Chloe really hit her stride with You Have to Believe at age 29. Very much like Olivia, who was 29 during the filming of Grease. Chloe explains, “I think (that’s) pretty amazing. There is something special about this age and it’s all very magical.” She recently turned 30 on January 17th.

Chloe describes acting as as wonderful release for her as well. She just did a movie with the Backstreet Boys, Nsync, 98 Degrees, and O Town called Dead 7. According to Chloe, “Its a horror film

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want to! LOL I love acting.”

While acting is something she is more comfortable with, Chloe is not shy about admitting she gets quite nervous on camera in real life situations like interviews. She deals with her fears by facing them. “Being afraid and doing it anyway,” she says, is her way of overcoming the emotional stress.

Chloe concludes, “I always end up accepting challenges that I am terrified of. I think it’s really important for my personal growth as a human being.”

All I can say at this point is, “Look out world! Chloe Lattanzi is on her way!”

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th

The Shanty on 19 Presents VINYL PERSUASION

A trio of seasoned musicians doing acoustic versions of the great vocal classics from the 60’s & 70’s Vinyl Era of Rock and the British invasion!

Requests are always welcomed and encouraged!

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Appearing Friday Jan 22 9-12 pm th And Feb 26 9-12 pm

JOFF WILSON

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PHOTO BY ALAN RAND Ladies and Gentlemen and Children of all ages ... My name is Marlowe B West ... I am your Ring Leader ... Some of you may already know me as Marlowe B West Takez Manhattan which is the platform of my original magazine column here in Steel Notes Magazine ... As I considered embarking upon this most prestigious career as a reporter, I had given it a lot of thought before deciding I would make this a personal opportunity to indulge myself completely in the city that never sleeps.

I then set out to bring my readers into the heart and soul of New York City. I relished in the very thought. Thrilled at the righteous possibilities.

Right off the start, I found myself in the most thriving underground rock and roll beehive of the day ... the buzzing Otto’s Shrunken Head ... I t was arranged that I would meet Natasha Adonzio there ... She’s the iconic knockout punk rock designer who hung with and dressed Debbie Harry, Blondie and The Ramones ... amongst scadz of others ...

The interview was really cool, a film crew captured the madness and it made the cover. The place was swarming with musicians and I met them all ... Since then I frequented the place ... once a month I am happy to say I co-host the trending Rew & Who Show which is filmed live stream from Otto’s every Wednesday ... scoping everything and everyone along my merry merry way.

JW:

I have met a lot of outstanding musicians and have already interviewed many of them ... Today; not intending to offend any body else or violating his humble modesty, I call forth the greatest guitarist in New York City, JOff Wilson ...

Music being my life I am always happy to help out other musicians by sitting in with them if they are in a pinch.

The Bowery Boys is a band I started a long time ago with the intent of playing music with whoever is available when I need a member or 5 to fulfill gigs performing my originals and then some. Members rotate or just sit in for a bit.

Kind of like a Salvation Army Band.

I don’t really have any new phases, I am doing what I have always done.

MBW: Please accept my apologies for putting you on the spot like this ... I understand and admire the low key profile you keep ... I respect your privacy and do not want you to feel at all uncomfortable ... As you know, sometime ago I have already conducted an awzum interview with you and your dynamite band The Bowery Boys ... but now ... I would like to single you out ... We see you everywhere now ... not only The Bowery Boys but all over the place with all kinds of other bands ... How about filling us all in on the latest developments of The Bowery Boys and the many other new phases of JOff Wilson ???

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MBW: What’s your favorite style of music ???

JW: I was weened on the Blues but I enjoy most styles of music.

MBW:

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How did you become a guitarist and who, of any, were your influences ???

sounded horrible.

JW:

He also gave me one of his old albums by a band called Ten Years After featuring guitarist Alvin Lee.

My Mother played a bit of piano and loved the sounds of live instruments from a very young age.

I started out playing air guitar on a tennis racket when I was about 7 or so to the oldies radio station the adults had on.

My parents divorced when I was about 5 and my Dad lived in California and started a new family.

My elder brother pointed out that I should turn the strings around and that changed everything.

His guitar playing and his rock and roll persona electrified me. Alvin Lee was the quintessential rock star to me.

Neil Young and The Ramones were also very inspiring to me.

My band opened up for the Ramones just before Dee Dee left. It was a dream come true for this When I was 12 he asked what I wanted for Christmas young rocker. which was weird because he never asked before.

I never got star struck and I am not into the pretenI said I wished to have a guitar, so a box came in tious rock star thing, I simply dig music. the mail and he had sent a toy guitar with 4 plastic strings.

I was used to disappointment by then but my Mother hit the roof. She was so ticked off at him that she bought me a real acoustic guitar the next spring for my birthday.

MBW:

You and a bunch of other local musicians got together and mesmerize audiences when you Life got heavy soon after and after my Mother’s second suicide attempt, my guitar became my salvation accompany the incomparable Puma Perl ... I have mentioned you all before and referred to you as The from pain.

Gods of the Lower East Side ... Would you like to share this experience of poetic ethereality in detail It was a struggle at first as i am left-handed and I

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PHOTO BY ALAN RAND

???

JW: Well, backing up a poet is very easy for me. I try to match the music with the mood of the verse.

MBW:

Picking, strumming, rocking, jazzing, folking, punking. Sometimes mix and matching.

I have recently had the opportunity to listen to some of the recordings you have out there doing your own material ... I would love to hear some recording stories ... What inspired these songs and please tell us if and where these recordings are available ???

It is most important to know when not to play so as to not play over the Poet and stay unobtrusive in the background.

JW:

If it is happy, I play mostly major chords. If it is sad, minor chords. If angry, I used power chords.

My first Experience with a Poet was in Rochester backing up Poet Ted Williams. All the music I played was actually my songs but without the words. I have many songs for many moods. Then I Backed NYC Poet Jim Carroll on his music but at rehearsals we would get down with some stream of consciousness verses and I would make up the music.

I wish some of that got recorded but it didn’t. One of the live shows did however, he had a cold but still rocked it.

These days occasionally backing Poet Puma Perl is very similar. Puma is a great writer and I put her on the same category as Jim Carroll and Patti Smith.

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I have a junk drawer full of unfinished demos and some sound ok as they are as samples of my writing.

I put some of them up on soundcloud.com/joff_wilson and reverberation.com/theboweryboys to give me a sense of accomplishment.

It feels like driving around with a flat tire though so I dream of a day when I can make a real record.

My songs are inspired by life, love, pain, loneliness, happiness, and optimism. To name a few, lol.

I have a new song available on cdbaby called, “Color Me Rochester Grey”.

Yes for a mere buck you can take me home. {:->

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MBW: Are you signed to anyone ???

the distance.

Also, children and underage teens get a chance to experience live shows “under the stars and outta the bars” baby. Yeah.

JW: No, I have never been signed or managed but I am certainly open to it.

MBW:

I have always been somewhat of an underground musician and I think I would like to unbury myself just so I can share my music. I am just the boy next door that writes and plays music, not an aspiring pretentious fame chaser.

???

When I need my ego stroked I pet my cat. She loves me for that.

My Aunt Vivienne would baby sit once and a while and after putting me to bed, she would play the piano and croon.

MBW:

I did not enjoy it very much at the time but it put me right to sleep. In retrospect, she was pretty good I must say.

Throughout the summer months and up until recently you have organized these beautiful phantasmagoric concerts in a local downtown community garden to rave reviews ... Please tell us the remarkable story behind this ???

What is your earliest memory pertaining to music

JW:

MBW: What do you have to say about performing in these local New York night clubs ???

JW: I have a bit of a green thumb and like to garden. My mother was a florist for 35 years so I grew up in that environment.

I became a member of the E. 6th St. and Ave.B Community Garden in the East Village and there is a marvelous stage there. In the nicer weather months I put together shows for the Community to enjoy, also the musicians and Poets I invite to perform there love to be out under the stars and out of the bars. Unfortunately the Bar Scene has a monopoly on live music for the most part and lots of folks don’t care to go in them but love live music. In the Garden shows they get to see and hear some of my famous friends and artist they have never heard of and very happy to discover them.

Playing music under the Stars is magical anywhere but here in NYC it is amazing. A soundscape of music with a background collage of sirens mixed with taxi horn honks and people talking and laughing in

JW: For a musician the Night Club Culture can be very toxic and destructive as we know. The lifestyle has taken many talented artists before their time. In the 50’s and 60’s or so, people all ages could go see a band at a Dancehall of some sort.

As I mentioned before, (with all due respect to my fav clubs), booze took over and that cut out a lot of music lovers from attending shows due to age limits. The good news is that there are some great Night clubs that supply bands with the amps and drums for convenience on all sides. Hopefully the all ages concept will return someday so the kids can enjoy local live music too.

When I write music I don’t consider it for the night life adults, I have the all ages concept in the back of my mind..

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PHOTO BY GEOFFREY NORTHRUP PHOTO BY LYNN CAPPIELLO

PHOTO BY ALAN RAND MBW: Can you tell us about your favorite gig ???

JW: My favorite gig is when I am playing one of my songs and people are singing along with me,

JW:

I am truly honored and flattered to no end.

It depends, I can write about a cloud or a clown at the drop of a hat.

MBW:

But, there are some songs that come through the cosmos of my soul when my feelings are so intense I liken it to giving birth.

What kind of magic occurs for you to write one of your songs ???

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Those are my babies.

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PHOTO BY DAVID PEEL

PHOTO BY ANNE HUSICK MBW: Give us a tour ... describe a typical day and night in the life of JOff in his natural Lower East Side habitat ???

JW: It varies. I drink coffee or tea when I get up. I have a tiny apt. so I get cabin fever a lot. I like to play my guitar in Thompkins Park in the quiet of the afternoon sometimes by the wishing well. I zone out and the people around become invisible as I quietly strum.

I’m a dreamer and the atmosphere can be inspiring.

Sometime a stranger with an instrument will stop and we will jam together.

I have a part time job as a handyman in a bldg as well so after work I like to well…..you know………, play more music.

I also paint but only when I am inspired. I am basically a loner but I am also very friendly and I find some people don’t like friendly, they get suspicious or something so I try and tone it down and go back to my comfort zone being a wall flower.

I am a morning person, I love the mornings. However, simultaneously I am very nocturnal and love the nighttime.

PHOTO BY BILL SHATTO

I don’t sleep as much as I would like to, sleep is very important for over all health I have read.

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PHOTO BY CAROL HALL

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Someday I will catch up on my ............zzzzzzzzzzzzzđ&#x;˜´đ&#x;’¤đ&#x;’¤........ huh...? Oh sorry, where was I?

MBW: I watched you on Saturday Night Live as a Hobbit ... How’d that come about and how much fun was that to do ???

JW: I also do a bit of acting, mostly background for a few extra bucks. I don’t have a television so I don’t watch it.

I got the call to be an extra hobbit on snl and it was a blast.

I saw the episode on youtube, crazy funny, I was surprised to have gotten so much face time as an extra.

I got 50 dollars to be King Louis VII for a show on the History Chanel and a bunch of Law and Order episodes too.

There is so much violence in movies and television, it is no wonder our world is so screwed up.

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We are force fed this crap from childhood. Mary Poppins is actually my favorite movie.

I don’t eat out that much.

MBW:

Also, Mini Tai on Ave. A. I like seafood very much and Mac and cheese with a bit of truffle oil.

Do you have any advice for anyone pursuing a career in music ???

I love Japanese food but I forgot the name of the restaurant on 1rst Ave and E. 10th St.

I love my veggies too. Oh, and I am a popcorn lover too with a drizzle of lemon olive oil and sea salt.

Persue your dreams and visions but stay in school.

I have been known to stuff a half head of lettuce between 2 slices of bread and be very content with that as well.

Education is the most important thing in life besides love, peace, and forgiveness.

I am always greatful for the smaller things in life that we often take for granted.

Don’t beleive the hype. Pop culture can kill you if you are not careful.

MBW:

Don’t aspire to become your idols, let them be passing inspirations.

Tell us about the clubs you have appeared in lately ... Do you have any favorites and why ???

JW:

Keep it real and always be yourself, every one else has already been taken.

MBW: Do you have anything you would like to tell the world while I’ve got your ear ???

JW: Dear world, take a deep breath. Read more books, write more letters, commit random acts of kindness, take care of yourselves as you would your best friends, eat more salads, drink more water, and take me home for about a buck at www.cdbaby. com/jOff_wilson , “don’t follow leaders, watch the parking meters”.

MBW: I always like to find out about new places to eat in Manhattan ... What kind of food do you like and do you have any recommendations ???

JW: I don’t get to play outside the Lower East Side very much so I can occasionally be found playing at The Sidewalk Cafe on Ave. A, or The Bowery Electric, Otto’s Shrunken Head, The Bitter End, and a few more. I will play most anywhere if I am invited.

MBW: If I could grant you three wishes what would they be ???

JW: 1.) l want all the homeless people taken care of, not just physically but mentally as well.

2.) I want to make a record.

3.) A bigger apartment. {:->

JW:

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INGRID RUDEFORS Steel Notes Magazine | 99

Ladies and Gentlemen and Children of All Ages ...

My name is Marlowe B West and I am your Ring Leader ... I am a firm believer in Truth ... cant stand liars and cheats ... “Shout it from the rooftops” is one of my favorite expressions.

Here in Manhattan I have just discovered a new rooftop to shout it from ... that of Ingrid Rudefors ...

Ingrid is the proud author of a brand new wonderful book entitled Meanwhile On a Roof In Chinatown...

MBW: Let’s cut right to the chase here Ingrid ... what would you like to tell the world about your exciting new book ???

IR: My tale unfolds in a New York that differs from the one we see in fancy travel logs. This is a dirty, worn city of the early 1990s, peppered with small bars, sewing sweatshops, mafia bosses and retired transvestites. I think the story is both fun and fastpaced, still including the anguished questions: How did I wind up here? Don’t things get any better than this? One of the reviews called my main character

Alice a middle-aged version of Holden Caulfield from Cather In The Rye. I loved that way of describing her. Also, since I have worked in film for 20 years and made 6 short-films I really played with the film bird point of view perspective here and there in the book.

MBW: Sounds like a lot of fun, eerily dark and intriguing ...

IR: I wrote it while living in Sweden, missing the New York of my very young years. I lived all over The East Village and Chinatown through out the 1980s... So - I had a lot of fun writing from memory.

People ask me how much is autobiographical. I am not any of the characters that are in the book. Not at all. But I have basically been to all the locations in the book. For a brief time I lived in John Gotti’s building on Mulberry street, next to his social club and those locations are very much there in the novel.

MBW: It’s beautiful the way you delve so deeply into the unsugar-coated hard life ... the scenes that are usually behind the scenes ... the stark reality of so many unnoticed lives down the block and around the corner ... a million miles away from all the glamour and glitter I tend to create around myself ...

Marlowe B West Takez Manhattan Presentz an interview with Ingrid Rudefors

IR: Yes. I have always been intrigued by ugliness, gangsters, the underbelly of a city, and I know I’ve been allowed to be there in the corner watching as I look so straight. Blond, proper etc..I am a normal healthy-looking middleclass lady who is looking for whatever it is that is a little ugly and interesting, and I think New York City is a big character in the novel. The downtown version of yesterday. But not the cool club version. More the version of the bums, the illegal immigrants and the quirky characters we all are..

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MBW: Ah ha ... going underground to scope out the underground Who is your publisher ... how did you go about getting your book out there ???

IR: It was published in Sweden in 2011. A group of female film producers I know here in NYC convinced me to do a kick starter to get it translated into English. I had filmmaker Hal Hartley who is a friend as my advisor through the kick starter process.

And the book is now published through the small Seattle-based publishing house Triangle Ranch which is actually run by a fellow filmmaker from my 1990s filmmaker days, Monica Bretherton.

MBW:Ah ha ... an inside job ... how cool ... so tell me a little about the retired drag queens ...

IR: Ha ha. Okay. A bar called BAR is one of the main locations in the book. A real old fashioned Bowery bar. Here works the bartender Amanda and this bar is basically only frequented by a tall Yugoslavian semi gangster bum called Pavel, and two very old Bowery characters - one of them is a small transvestite called Bob who always is very beautifully made up and is very philosophical and concerned with his pretty undulated hair. He and his friend Mel sits in the bar every day. Being a kind of fancier version of those old fashioned Bowery bums of those bars that do not exist any longer.

reached ???

IR: Facebook is the safest place to find me I would say or ask for me at Sidewalk NYC or Otto’s Shrunken Head certain nights. I am usually on the dance floor. You can also, of course, check out the publishers website for the book ingridrudefors.com.

MBW: There you go folks ... We need to stir up some wild interest and activity here over Meanwhile On A Roof In Chinatown ... because I am already dying to see it on the big screen ...

IR: xoxoxoxox Are we finsihed?

MBW:Unless there is anything else you would like to say or talk about ... I guess we have covered the subject pretty well ... What do you have to say to the world now that you have their ear, Ingrid ???

IR: Buy my book, and never ever stop being yourself and enjoy the energy that New York still gives us all.

Don’t grow up !!!!

Do not ever grow up!

This was fun. Thank you Marlowe MBW: I agree ... It has certainly been my pleasure,

I had a bar like that in a building where I lived in Chinatown and we had to get our mail in that bar every day. There were no mailboxes in my building.

So my retired transvestite Bob is somene who watches things from the side, kind of like I used to do.

MBW: Ha ha ha ... I love how you just dragged me in there ... I feel right at home ... and brings to mind some awesome old film where Meryl Streep is a bag lady ... So where can we all get a copy of this book you’ve got us all on the edge of our seats over ???

IR: You can get it at Amazon as an e-book or print book or you can meet me in a bar in downtown Manhattan and I will sell one to who-ever you are directly... as long as its a public bar and they serve good beer.

MBW: Okay ... It’s a deal ... We will have to know how to make an appointment ... where can you be

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Ingrid ... Have a lovely day and give my regards to your brand new hubby, Johan Vipper, photographer extraordinaire ...

IR: 1. Health

IR: I will xoxo Ing

3. Hard-rock-guitar-lessons to all frustrated young men making the wrong life decisions in the Middle East!

MBW: Oh yeah ... Can you please wait another minute ... I know you’re in a hurry for your walk to Bloomingdales ...

2. Wealth

MBW: You are an awesome lady ... ta dah !!! ...

IR: ok MBW: If I could grant you three wishes ... What would they be ???

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IR: Bye Bye!

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Why The Beatles?

Part 1

By Noah J. Gambino The Beatles may have seemed to come from obscurity, but in fact, it took seven long years for them to break through.

Dives and dumps, coffee houses full of layaboubts.

The Beatles often played to indifferent audiences or no one at all.

First ,nothing ever came out of Liverpool except soccer teams, and kinard yanks. Liverpool was a seaport city, it’s citizens hard with an edge that cut like a knife.

John Lennon from Walton, was a juvenile delinquent and was always in trouble. His Uncle George taught him to play the harmonica, and mother Julian the banjo. John loved the guitar and rock n roll was his passion.

John and Paul met at a church social in Walton, where John’s Skiffle band was playing. Paul was in

the audience and was impressed by the way John would make up lyrics on the spot, becuse he never learned the right ones.

He and Paul met back stage and John recognized that Paul had talent. John wanted Paul for his partner and asked him to join the band the next day.

George came from Paul, who in John’s eyes was a child, but had him audition in the top of a double decker bus, and was impressed because George could play a tune, raunchy note for note. You’re in lad, John replied.

This was the core of The Beatles for many years, going through drummers like I change my shorts.` John convinced his school chum from art school,Stuart Sutcliffe to join, after he sold a painting for forty Quid. He bought a bass, he never learned to play very well, and this angered Paul.

John replied “He’s a Beatle Paul”, and last time I checked this is MY band!

George knew a drummer named Pete Best,his mother owned a club where he played. He tried out for The Beatles, they needed a drummer to go to Hamburg, so he was good enough.

So the five of them went over the water to Hamburg,The Reeperbahn, the red light district in Hamburg. Nothing but sex, drugs, and rock n roll.

Two years of this grueling schedule made the Beatle’s tight and full of energy, the krauts would say mak show- As John would boot all of the drunken krauts off the stage, or throw his knife at them, and say “Sieg Heil”, you motherless pigs!

The Beatles by then were wired on amphetamines, and all of them were bouncing off the walls. All the gangsters loved The Beatles and bought them crates of ale.

After about ten months Stewart decided to quit the band, and Paul was playing bass. Stewart wanted to concentrate on his painting. He died a month later from a brain hemmorhage.

John was devestated. The Beatles now done with Hamburg, and were playing in Liverpool at a show, John said- “My best friend died today,he was only 22, but I think he lived 80 years in those 22.

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“Let’s Rock N Roll!”.

audition.

The Beatles showed up at Abbey Road studio #2 in the fall of 1962. They had to enter in the service entrance. “ Let’s see what you can do lads”, as George the Nems record store, about where can I get a Harrison replied- “I don’t like your tie”. George copy of “ My Bonnie” by The Beatles.

Martin was immediately taken by their charm, and believed that alone could sell them. Martin wanted The manager of the establishment, Brian Epstein to hire a professional songwriter, as John replied, had no idea who they were, and decided to see “We do our own material Mr. Martin”. As it worked them live at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. He was immediately taken by their music, and the fit of their out they did have “love Me Do”. Martin agreed to release it, trousers.

By this time, The Beatles were the most popular group in Liverpool. A fan had inquired at

He offered to be their manager but he did say, “Lads there will be some changes.” Then John replied , you won’t be messin about with our music, of course Brian’s ideas was more of marketing them to the world. So they got rid of the leather, and went to the suits.

Brian got them an audition at Decca Records “ Sorry Brian, we’re not interested”, guitar bands are on the way out”. Later this would cost this record exec his job. Nobody wanted The Beatles, but Brian kept pushing their wares. Finally at EMI studios, their A & R guy was not impressed either, but as fate would have it, producer George Martin heard the demo and said “I hear something there set them up for an

but I don’t like your drummer, I’ll hire a session drummer for the record. The Beatle’s were already disillusioned with drummer Pete Best, and sacked him. At this time the final piece of the puzzle was added, and Ringo was the guy, he made the band gel. “Love Me Do” went to #17 on the pop charts.

“Not bad for your first time out lads” said the EMI executive. This was only the start, the pied pipers of a generation were just beginning.

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INTERVIEW WITH ACTOR JOHN LORETTO

BY THE GYPSY POET This guy is probably one of the most energetic people in the world to work with and I cannot believe what an amazing guy he is! John Lorreto has talent all across the board and Tinseltown is talking about him like crazy! Check out this interview with him!

GP: Hello John! Talk to me! You got some great things coming for 2016! You’ve been busy! How are you?

JL: Hello again.. I’m doing great! I am healthy and looking forward to new things, like coming back here with and being in the cover.

JL: Reality check another year, another chance tο start οur lives anew; Τhis time we will leap οld barriers tο have a real through. We will take οne little step and then we will take one mοre, our unlimited pοtential we will totally explore. We will show off all our talents everyone will be Ιnspired; (Whew! while Ι am writing this, Ι am getting νery tired.) We will give up all bad habits; We will read and learn a lοt, all our goals will be accomplished, sigh…οr maybe nοt.

GP: What films have you been in? What’s the difference between the projects then and now?

JL: As for the new year, I am burying the old year and I say. Letters swallow themselves in seconds.

Notes friends tied to the doorknob, transparent scarlet paper,sizzle like moth wings,marry the air.

So much of any year is flammable,lists of vegetables, partial poems.Orange swirling flame of days, so little is a stone.Where there was something and suddenly isn’t, an absence shouts, celebrates, leaves a space.I begin again with the smallest numbers.Quick dance, shuffle of losses and leaves,only the things I didn’t do crackle after the blazing dies.

JL: Hoping for 2016 and entering 2017 for the future. Pieces οf time , new years come, and new years go. Pieces of time all in a row. As we live our life, each second and minute, we know we are priveleged to have everyone in it. Our appreciation never ends ,fοr our greatest blessings: οur family and friends. Ιf we try οur best to be simple and pure, there’s nothing our hοpes and dreams can not cure. Sο, I dοn’t know the value this is worth, but lets all try to be happy and heal Mοther Earth!..

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JL: The roles that I had before where a learning experience and a opener and I’m looking forward to a challenge and more maturity with common sense roles . overall Iam very grateful for what I get..

GP: Who are your influences in the acting and writing world?

JL: Good role models are imperative. They give us something to aspire to, and someone to look up to.

They can motivate us to do great work. So that got us thinking: who are some famous authors’ writing role models? Who most influenced their work? As children, which books did they stay up late at night to read? The results were very interesting. Perhaps they will inspire you. At the very least, you’ll have more books to add to your reading list!

JL: The written word has the power to generate ideas, inspire revolutions, and change the way we view ourselves and our place in history. Nowhere is this power more clear than in the works of the authors on this list. These six I look up as writers changed the world and its writing with their style and beliefs, and the works they created — from fictional epics to philosophical creeds — have had a lasting impact on people and cultures around the world. (And more than a few have won the Nobel Prize to prove it.) Even if they aren’t required reading for an online college course, you should do yourself a favor and check them out.

JL: William Faulkner: One of the most influential authors to ever come out of the Southern United States, William Faulkner churned out a body of work in the early 20th century that took a few years to find acceptance among a wider audience.

Between 1929 and 1936, he released four novels — The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, Light in August, and Absalom, Absalom! — that would define his stream-of-consciousness style and his explorations of morality using characters set in his native Mississippi. He also wrote screenplays for

director Howard Hawks, contributing to The Big Sleep and To Have and Have Not, but it was his literary body of that earned him the Nobel Prize in 1949, which brought him a new level of fame. He’s influenced countless writers from the South and across the country.Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Born in Colombia in 1927, Gabriel Garcia Marquez first made his literary mark as a journalist, during which time he and a few other writers formed the Barranquilla Group to share works and inspire each other. Later venturing into fiction, Garcia Marquez wrote One Hundred Years of Solitude, a dazzling work inspired by his home country and the war he had seen. The book was the author’s first major work to dabble in magical realism, a blending of genres that would color his body of work for decades. He also wrote Love in the Time of Cholera, a non-traditional love story that approaches romance from a unique point of view. His lifelong explorations of relationships and isolation have earned him the Nobel Prize.

Henrik Ibsen: Henrik Ibsen, born in Norway in 1928, is widely regarded as one of the most pivotal figures in modern drama and a founder of the modernist movement in theater. His plays were groundbreaking for the way they frankly addressed social and moral issues of the day with much more directness than Victorian society tended to prefer, turning Ibsen into a sensationalist presence in the theater world. A Doll’s House is perhaps his most famous work from his extensive body of plays, and is memorable for its attack on 19th-century marriage and its anti-feminist trappings. (Like many of the authors on this list, Ibsen’s work became a touchstone for a disenfranchised class of people, in this case, women.) Later works like Hedda Gabler and The Master Builder went even further, eschewing Victorian commentary altogether to grapple with complex moral issues.Franz Kafka: How many writers make such an impact that their name becomes an adjective describing works reminiscent of their own style? These days, whenever a story takes a surreal or horrific turn that highlights the unconquerable complexity of a faceless system, it’s called “Kafkaesque.”The Trial is a harrowing novel about a man persecuted by an omniscient authority for a crime whose nature is never revealed. The Metamorphosis is a similarly disturbing book in which the narrator awakens to learn he’s turned into a giant bug. Kafka’s stories probe the darker and less traveled areas of the human condition, and

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though he was only 40 when he died in 1924 (he starved to death when tuberculosis made eating too painful), his works earned him a reputation as one of the most original writers of the 20th century.

William Butler Yeats: The first Irishman to ever win the Nobel Prize for literature, William Yeats was a groundbreaking poet whose work ushered in that portion of the Celtic Revival referred to as the Irish Literary Revival, a movement in the early 20th century which Yeats and other writers brought Irish writing to a wider audience. His use of symbolism within traditional poetic style inspired generations of other writers. His poem “The Second Coming”contains many powerful and now-famous uses of Christian imagery in its social criticism.

Mary Wollstonecraft: The mother of Frankenstein author Mary Shelley was an accomplished writer and public figure long before her daughter’s novel shook the world. Mary Wollstonecraft, born in 1759, was a pioneering force in British feminism and philosophy. Her most famous work is A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, in which she argued that women deserved as much education and as many opportunities as men, and that for society to regard women as ornaments for their husbands instead of companions was to do them a tragic disservice.

Published in 1792, just five years before she died, Wollstonecraft’s treatise became a cornerstone in the growing intellectual movement to grant women equal rights with men.

the firm’s Celebrity Influence Index.)Among the other actors who command the public’s trust and attention and, as a result, make our list of the 10 most influential actors: box office superstar Will Smith, Academy Award-winner Robert De Niro and humanitarian heavyweight Angelina Jolie.

For the acting world and the ones so I think our big influencers to me are:

James Bailey, an organizational behaviorist and professor of leadership at George Washington University, argues that we often take this one step further and apply what is called the “halo effect” to these stars. Simply put, when we recognize someone has one good quality, we tend to subconsciously assume other good qualities about them.

Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks and George Clooney share more than hefty paychecks and paparazzi followings. These boldface actors also have in common a great deal of influence over their audience like myself.

In fact, 40% of the U.S. population would use the term “influential” to describe Washington, according to Los Angeles-based E-Poll Market Research, which ranks almost 4,500 celebrities on 46 different personality attributes. Thirty-seven percent would define Hanks in this way, and 34% would use the descriptor when referencing Clooney. (To put that in perspective, the average celebrity scores 11% on

But how do people we know little more about than the parts they play on screen have influence over the things we watch, the decisions we make and the people we become?

“Actors and actress are often times confused with the characters they play on screen,” explains James Houran, a clinical psychologist who researches celebrity worship. “Without even realizing it, we very often blur the two.”

Take Hanks, who frequently plays likable or sympathetic roles on screen. Among them: a homosexual AIDS victim in the 1993 tearjerkerPhiladelphia, a slow-talking Southerner in the 1994 hit Forrest Gumpand a heroic captain in 1998′s Saving Private Ryan. The result is that audiences subconsciously substitute his on-screen persona for his off-screen one, which in point of fact they know little about.

In this case, the celebrities have shown a degree of intelligence in their choice of roles. “Because of that,” he explains, “we assume a whole series of other good things about them: they’re good, they’re nice, they’re funny, they’re accessible.”

The bold-face names on our list also benefit from the large amount of time they spend in the public

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eye. In an explanation that is commonly dubbed the “mere exposure effect” or the “familiarity principle,” the more we’re exposed to something or someone, the more pleasing and likable it tends to become.

Scientists argue the more someone like Clooney appears–be it on television, on film or in tabloid spreads–the more his image begins to wear a neurochemical groove on our brain. Long term, that repeated exposure to his image triggers a sense of comfort upon seeing it. The result: The more we see him, the more we like, trust and are influenced by him.

And what very often advances that power is their ability to put the influence they possess to good use.

Jolie, known as well for her global humanitarian efforts as for her movie star status, is a good example. In addition to being a mother of six and an Academy Award-winning actress, she is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the U.N. Refugee Agency.

In that role, she has continually offered her time, money and clout to causes ranging from global poverty to Third-World adoption.

acting world as an actor.

The most recent thing coming up is playing a street dealer in a film by Ezra Spurrier , a contact from Nikki Palomino, a film call the Li a Verments, a western a bad turns good by helping the children.

But also present moment negotiating to go back to work with me Damian Chapa from blood in and blood out,Also a horror film hopefully that I will be in where the director named Oscar by your contact.

GP: Do you have any mentors or anyone who gave you the greatest advice? If so, what is it?

JL: Hands down this question is very easy I want to say my grandfather Roberto Gonzalez he did not have an education like a lot of us because he had to work but being raised by him was amazing..

He thought me. What makes a man a hero?I’ve often thought this through.

It’s someone who is macho?

It’s someone who is true?

No, that is not a hero.

He’s just a simple man.

“These are people who have some gravitas to who they are and their body of work,” says E-Poll Chief Executive Gerry Philpott. “So when they get out there and not just talk the talk but walk the walk, their actions are going to be watched.” And admired.

Always there when things go wrong and who does the best he can.

He lends a strong shoulder To ease the flow of tears

GP: What are your plans for 2016?

He holds high the lantern

JL: For my plan for 2016.,it will be to finally have my scripts seen on the big screen and wishful thinking, receiving a phone call by the end of the year in saying that your film has been nominated for an Oscar to be in the runnings. And most of all wild waiting for that opportunity building clout in the

To drive away your fears.

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His smile was just enough To give encouragement.

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love, and how much I care,is too much to describe.

If you are reading this. .(grandfather) You’ve always been my hero.

You’ve always been my pride.

You’ve always given so much love, And shown what’s deep inside.

My heart is full of love.

And my soul is all delight.

You’re the one who sang me to sleep, and whispered nighty night.

And every day I pray to God, I thank him for sending you, Because you’re the one who wrote me the song, And made all my dreams come true!

That’s the person who has the my most impact in my life.

His frown more than adequate To make one soon relent.

When some had need of guidance His ears he’d freely lend Advice came in abundance You chose, not him could you offend.

He had no need of medals Or glory this is true.

That’s why, dear Grandpa My and Our hero has to be you. I say he one that is my friend,The one that is my guide.How much I

GP: What do you enjoy most about acting?

JL: I enjoy acting because you can be somebody different and being versatile, so I enjoy acting a lot because you can bring spirit to others who are afraid., - hiring them and giving them hope and showing them in different light of life.

GP: What about writing? Is writing something you’ve always done? Or is it a recent gig?

JL: Reading gigs are something new for me.. knowing that I can express my emotions and feelings. At one point I did it only for one thing ,to make my life different,so I wrote thinking it will help me exceed in the acting world. While learning how to write and speaking my mind, I noticed that I can help others and influence others and give them hope and faith

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where they’re missing it at.

GP: Who is one person you’d love to work with on a film and why?

JL: There’s no specific person I’d love to work with, I would love to work with everyone. Basically, there is just no reason why when you love your craft, there are no questions about it, and when you love the art you want to be part of the whole rainbow circle.

itself.. basically just read the paper and look at the news in our daily occurrence of life..

GP: Is there a particular plot in a story you enjoy working with?

JL: Life, truth, drama and laughter..

GP: Who is one director you would love to work with in the future?

JL: Clint Eastwood

GP: What do you want audiences to take away from anything you do in 2016?

JL: The loving and passion and the positive outlook of life. I wanted to take the positive things of life the positive outlook the positive views and positive feelings with a uplifting spirit and faith.

GP: What other places do you want to travel to make films in 2016?

JL: These are my choices Monument Valley, USA

GP: Which one do you prefer more? Is it acting? Or writing?

JL: Strong question... I say acting,and with a why.. with acting you can see the expression, emotion, and feelings along with the message you are reading to memorize from the script.

The Nærøyfjord, Norway Port Antonio, Jamaica Damouchari, Skopelos, & Skiathos, Greece Kane’ohe Bay, Oahu St. Vincent & the Grenadines

GP: What do you hope to achieve from your writing in 2016?

Tuscany, Italy New Zealand Oahu, Hawaii

JL: The nomination for the Oscar for 2017 in giving the world a voice in the ear to listen to give them the hope and faith that they missed out on and never giving the world false hope..

Iceland

GP: How do you come up with ideas in script writing? Is there a pattern you use? Or a formula?

JL: My writing partner and I have the very basic pattern and formula,called life, which life repeats

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“Power To The People” - The Dana Gaynor Band

By Jenny Cat Rocking some stanky blues, The Dana Gaynor Band brings you back to a time where musicians actually play their own instruments. In dazzling form, lead guitarist, Dana Gaynor doesn’t hold back and lets it all hang out on this fourteen song symphony to the low-down and dirty within us all. Here’s my track by track response....

Track one, “Black Moon” has a silky slide guitar with just enough peach fuzz to be legal. The vocals sound like early Jefferson Airplane and give the listener the retro shivers. Complete with B3 organ,

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you’re gonna wanna get sexy with this song on.

Track two, “The Frenchman’s Wife” gives us a creole country vibe with steel guitar and plenty of shimmy shake. A great story is told on how one should not become involved with that Frenchman’s wife. The vocals sound like they’re being recorded with a mouth harp mic and it adds a cool feel to the tunes thus far. Very catchy and practical song, suitable for enjoying a cold beer on a hot summer night.

Track three, “Ghost Train” has a similar guitar pulse to “La Grange” and several other driving blues rock tunes but what sets this song apart is the kick a$$ and haunting chorus. The B3 organ in this song is probably the best I’ve heard in a long time played by anyone in the local scene. It sits pretty without dominating the airwaves. The lead guitar work is smooth and you can feel every note in your bones.

This is one you’ll play when driving back home from your midnight run to Walmart or Target while you pretend you’re returning from the boarder with illicit stuff (who are you kidding? Nacho cheese in a can is not illicit or illegal but we sure can pretend!)

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Track four, “Good Time Feeling” gives just that, a good time feeling. We’re blessed with more B3 beauty and clever countrified guitar licks and they all make me want to ride my motorcycle on a spring day. Simply said, this is a grooving song meant for a biker rally or a Thanksgiving biker run some place warm. Togetherness, baby. Feel it.

Track Five, “I’m Tired And I Want To Go To Bed” is a campfire sing along filled with the voices of the band and some background party noise as if it was captured on the back deck during a smoking session at a party. Between the harmonies, you can hear partygoers saying so and so is an (insert naughty word) and I think the band owes us an additional track of just this background chatter because that was a nice touch to make this album personal.

chill girl so you can tell this song is mighty powerful if it got me riled up!

Track 10, “Road To Oblivion” grooves like sweet molasses and the guitar licks are sprinkled with precision. This song is a testament to the guitar witchery and magic of Dana Gaynor. If I hear one more man say she’s pretty good for a girl, I’m gonna throat punch him.

Track 11, “Rockabilly Billionaire” is a good song for an excuse to dance and gives us a taste of Chuck Berry so if you were trying to have a relaxing night at home, don’t listen to this song because you’ll probably end up dancing with the Mrs., as she wonders what the hell’s gotten into you.

Track 12, “Run For The Money” serves us some slap Track 6, “In The Land Of The Fools Gold” is Motown, bass and sly chords in the vein of “Stormy Monday.”

Another impeccable groove sets up yet an even honey. Horns, groove and that sexy B3. I felt like more delightful guitar solo. This has the makings of buying an old Cadillac with leopard print interior a killer song done live due to the possible jamming and cruising around town to this one and you will opportunities presented by these particular chord too. Despite the sexy groove, this is a neatly packchanges. I won’t dork out on y’all with music stuff, aged political tune about those who are large and but if you haven’t bought this album yet, you’re in charge (if you catch my drift). A tasty guitar solo missing out and you’ll have to go to your grave with reignites the mood and I’m back in my caddy. that kind of regret.

Track 7, “Money City” sounds like a more coherent Grateful Dead tune complete with 1960’s vocal vibe. Track 13, “The Damage Is Done” is a swingy blues The bass line really pops and grooves in this one and complete with walking bass and BB King-like guitar licks, staccato and legato horns that makes me it makes the song exceptionally dance worthy. The think of the Blues Brothers. This is rhythm and blues B3 gets a chance to show off for a spell before the electric guitar raises our vibration. This is probably a done right. killer tune in the live set because it has big time jam Track 14, “Tip My Hat To The Maker” is the stronband potential. gest song on this album (other than “Power To The Track 8, “No More Shadows” has a sinister opening riff between guitar and organ with some close knit vocals and tight bass. Despite the sinister riffage, this song speaks of that deeper spiritual truth about how we’re all connected and that third eye knows all, baby. The slide guitar returns as sexy as ever and it’s right on point. We get the treat of two slide solos and for that, my third eye is thankful.

People”) and could easily be added to free form radio due to its polished sound and catchy chorus.

You can’t go wrong with lyrics like, “I go out drunk and dirty in the middle of the night. I don’t know where I’m going to but I just might start a fight.” If you don’t think that’s poetry then you’re missing out on an eventful life and you could buy this album and live vicariously through these songs.

Track 9, “Power To The People” oh hell yeah! This one opens up with “big money bought the congress, baby.” No one can deny that and someone needs to license this tune to anyone who is going to fight “the man” so the DGB can make some coin and we have an actual GREAT song to sing as we get back what belongs to us...and I’m usually a pretty

The Dana Gaynor Band with “Power To The People” takes us on a guitar and sexy groove soaked journey through the emotions of life. I’d buy it twice just to have one copy in my car and another in my pocket to give to a friend. Do yourself a favor and do the same because I already gave my second copy to my mom.

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Music Review Rebel Mistress “Restless Minds”

By Dana Saravia – Life-long rock & roller, current music critic and Girl From Baltimore

Rebel Mistress is a female fronted band who blend edgy hard rock with melodic classic metal. They sound not unlike if early Motley Crue were fronted by a singer whose vocal style is heavily influenced

by Doro and Lita Ford. And all of that is a good thing. The band’s 2nd EP, “Restless Minds” contains four brand new songs that find the band building and expanding on the fun, reckless early 80s Sunset Strip metal based sound and attitude heard on their debut EP.

& would be an excellent addition to any biker bar jukebox. The third song, “Bite”, begins softly, then breaks into a grinding groove. The drums add tension and drama, often helping highlight the lyrics of this vampire themed love song. The final cut here is “Scream”, which is aggressive and high energy from the start. Singer Marielle Tengstrom brings a fiery unapologetic attitude while singing lyrics about wanting—and taking—her man. Leaves a strong impression and is a powerful way to close out this set.

Though “Restless Minds” is only the 2nd EP from Rebel Mistress, you’d never know it from the sound of the band. They sound confident and polished, as well as bring an assured sense of style and identity to their music. The four songs on “Restless Minds” showcase the group’s willingness to cut loose and be fearless in their lyrics and music. Can’t wait to hear a full length album & will have my drinks ready when they do.

The title track announces itself with a raucous power chord, complete with feedback, and plows directly into a metal crunch that lives up to the promise of the opening. Lyrics like “No stopping ‘til I hit the roof” and the fast guitar work bring a metal party atmosphere that’s a perfect opener to the rest of the EP. The second track, “Let It Rain”, is a true standout. A strong beat backs the opening lyrics “An Irish coffee wakes me up/Some Jack in my Coke to go…Sex On The Beach with someone I don’t know”, as the guitars come in as various cocktails continue to make up some of the very cheeky ****Available as a digital download via Amazon. and clever lyrics to this blast of a drinking song. The com**** beginning of the chorus alone—“Don’t be so whiskey sour, yeah/Every hour’s happy hour” is a winner, though this entire song is big, anthemic rock fun

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Music Review Spoken Life - Anthony Irvin’s Latest EP

By Jenny Cat Bongoboy Records recording artist and Philly native Anthony Irvin is at it again with his newest EP, Spoken Life.

Track one, “Reality” starts with spacious and dreamy instrumentation. Anthony’s vocals soar with pop excellence and the the rhythmic acoustic guitar push this drum-less song further into a dream scape. The words are simple and sound like a friend giving sound advice during hard times about keeping a positive outlook. This is a strong opening track and leaves the listener wanting more.

first track would have added a fuller sound to this song, but overall, it’s one of the strongest songs on this EP. Track four, “The Truth” grabs your ear with a huge sounding acoustic guitar. Once again, Anthony delivers a solid melodic vocal. Despite being an acoustic guitar driven song, it’s a testament to Mr. Irvin’s writing and ability to stand alone without a lush arrangement. This song is a very good reason to purchase this EP. Track five, “Remember” is a strong and decently written tune with a memorable chorus that has a tendency to haunt you. Strong harmonies cause this song to have some serious ear candy. On the arrangement front, it’s an acoustic guitar, drum and bass beginning with electric guitar buildup for a dramatic climax. I would have loved to of heard some of those killer synth pads or keys from the first two tracks in the buildup for additional ear candy, but overall, the song delivers its intended punch. (I think I just really liked those dreamy sounds on the opening track).

“Spoken Word” is a tale of life changes and the journey to living your inner truth. Short and sweet, Anthony Irvin has birthed a worthy EP and I think it’s a must hear for 2016.

Track two, “Lonely Soul” sounds more like a lonesome troubadour rather than a dream and it is a nice transition from the first track as the song is encased in honest vocals and acoustic guitar. The marriage of Anthony’s voice to his words give the listener the actual feeling of loneliness and confusion. Just as bass and drums enter, the song is over and done. From a “read between the lines” stance, one could say this arrangement is a reflection of the deeper meaning behind the song as sometimes things are over before they’ve begun but if I were a betting woman, I would have liked to have heard bass and drums earlier on to carry out the song to a chilling climax, but hey that’s just me.

Track 3, “Shell” opens with a descending acoustic line reminiscent of “Black Bird.” It doesn’t take long for this song to break open with Anthony’s melodic pop voice. Drums and bass fill your ears and your mind with the feeling of breaking from your shell. Some of the keyboard sounds from the

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Music Review Out Of The Garage, Vol. 1

By Dana Saravia – Life-long rock & roller, current music critic and Girl From Baltimore

Being a huge fan of garage rock, I always look forward to hearing compilations that feature a variety of garage bands. Never knowing what you’re going to find, but always hoping it will be something special is half the fun of hearing any compilation. Thankfully, Out Of The Garage, Vol. 1 is fun and then some all the way through with a variety of garage bands each with their own style and presence.

The legendary Mark Lindsay provides one hell of a strong lead off track with “Like Nothing That You’ve Seen”, which also sounds like nobody else. With a seductive vibe and great groove, this track is an instant earworm. The Wee Gees tear it up on the second track with “Ya Gotta Work”.

A high energy blast featuring some fabulous sax, it sounds like a lost 60s gem. It’s impossible not to turn this up and dance. Next up is Rage Of Angels, an all girl garage band that combine the sweet melodies of 60s girl groups with an edgier pop sound. “Nothing To Brag About” (featuring the late John Jennings as a guest guitarist providing some stand out work) is an FU break up song that leaves a strong impression. NJ natives The Accelerators are next with “Take It Or Leave It”. With lyrics like “I love you, but I hate you/I want you, but I don’t need you”, it’s power pop full of swagger and attitude, showing the band at their best. Track 5 brings us “Half A

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Mile Away”, the second song by Rage Of Angels to be included here. “Half A Mile Away” continues in the same style of the earlier song with a bit more musical crunch added. KickBend is next with “Spin”, a song about information overload with a straightforward beat and a dash of humour. The seventh track is “Broken Record”, the latest from The Catholic Girls. Using sparkling vocal harmonies and fuzzed out guitar, the Girls create a memorable pop song about longing for lasting love that’s a worthy addition to their discography and to this compilation. Next up is The Chords UK making a very welcome return with their single “I Can’t Let Go”. One of the original bands of the 70s mod revival in the UK, this song is a knockout with all the smarts and attitude you’d expect and then some.

Zombie Garden Club bring us the ninth track here, “Hey Little School Girl”. With bright organ taking the lead and snarly guitar threaded in, this song has an mid 60s vibe would sound right at home next to Shadows of Knight or Stones from that era and it sounds great here too. The final track of the album is The Satisfactors’ “Sweet Sunshine”. A super

group featuring members of The Grip Weeds and The Doughboys among other well-known and well

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respected garage rock stars, the combination of songwriting and performing can be heard in this track. A blast of sunny summer energy and melodic rock with a danceable groove, this song is well chosen to close out this compilation.

Out Of The Garage Volume 1 is one of the best current garage rock compilations I’ve had the pleasure to hear recently. There were strong songs from a variety of bands and the songs included let each band’s style and personality shine through. An excellent compilation from start to finish.

****Available as a digital download from Bongo Boy Records****

Single Review Hizreturn “Take My Hand”

By Dana Saravia – Life-long rock & roller, current music critic and Girl From Baltimore Hizreturn are back with their latest single, “Take My Hand”, co-written with garage rock legend Gar Francis. The result is a mellow, mid-tempo Christian rock number that doesn’t come across as overly preachy or heavy handed, but hopeful with a welcoming, more inclusive vibe. This is a folksy song that could easily find a place in modern Christian services as well as on worship song stations.

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Album Review Inches From Sin “Bridgewater Triangle”

By Dana Saravia – Life-long rock & roller, current music critic and Girl From Baltimore

Inches From Sin first got my attention last summer with their song “Laid My Heart Out”. The song’s blend of Americana and R&B combined with strong vocal harmonies stood out as unique and natural.

Their album “Bridgewater Triangle” builds on that foundation as the band fuses genres and styles into a sound all their own.

“See You Again” is the album’s opener. A mid-tempo song of post-breakup heartache, it’s a fine introduction to the layered instrumentation and rich vocal harmonies to be found throughout the set. The second song, “Murder”, features a near disco sound backing a strong vocal melody. This number also showcases the gorgeous harmonizing of singers Robert Brewer and Karen Holloway as well as allows each to shine individually by trading lead on the verses. The next song, “Out Of Reach”, pairs a faster paced rock sound with socially aware lyrics regarding the media’s fanning the flames of racism to incite fear while urging listeners to look past that and work together for a better world.

“Move On” adds a pleasant mid 70s radio rock sound to lyrics about moving on to a new life from

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the ashes of heartbreak. “Hold On” is a slower, acoustic song that has a bit of a campfire feel to it with encouraging lyrics about relying on friends to get through life’s tougher times. Guest vocalist Lisa Ewing (of Cadillac Blue) sings lead on “Weight Of The World”. A lovely song with a bluegrass bent and lyrics such as “Fighting all the rich man’s wars” and “Breaks my heart/Breaks my back/All the weight of the world/Keeps coming back” that aptly describe the heaviness of realizing that people continue to allow petty differences to divide them instead of pulling together to create a better society. A strong message in a gentle song, both of the moment and timeless in both music and lyrics. “Laid My Heart Out” , a down-home, folk rock number about finding the bravery to be vulnerable and open with deeper feelings, is next. It also spotlights the band’s fantastic vocal harmonies, as does “Be Good To Yourself” which immediately follows. The rougher edged “Suffering” is next. Though it doesn’t quite gel as neatly as the other songs here, the ambition and willingness to push boundaries and blend varied musical styles the band shows is refreshing. “This Ring”, the song that follows, shows the band at their experimental and original best. Robert Brewer sings lead on this bluesy folk rock blend with richly detailed lyrics about being emotionally, though not physically, unfaithful. The line “This ring burns a

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hole in my finger tonight” is sung with a depth of feeling and longing and helps make this song one of the best of the album. “Hit It One Time” starts out as a song with an alternative rock feel, unexpectedly grabs a stronger beat, then adds a slick, sexy rap (performed by guest artist Jordan Bombadier) to become something that wouldn’t be out of place in a club or on modern urban radio. “Come Get Me” continues the hip hop feel and combines rapped verses with a sung chorus. With lyrics like “I’ve been waiting/Been waiting for you”, this is a memorable and moving song about a father who longs to reconnect with his faraway child who has always remained close in his heart and mind. Strong rock guitar opens “14 Daughters”, the edgiest song of this album. With its water and storm imagery and lyrics that refer to karma and nature, the music and lyrics create a strong blend that’s reminiscent of Hendrix. A daring track that hits the mark and leaves a memorable impression. “I’ve Seen Better Days” pairs an acoustic alternative sound with lyrics about reconnecting with an old friend and finding emotional support in that bond. A sweet song and an appropriate way to close out this album.

a unique sound and style that set them apart.

“Bridgewater Triangle” showcases these elements throughout the album and even on the songs that don’t quite gel, their passion and willingness to experiment shine through and mark them as a talented band to keep an eye on. Inches From Sin are bold, distinctive and unafraid to blaze their own musical path—it will be exciting to see where that journey takes them next.

****Available as a digital download via Bongo Boy Records****

Inches From Sin have a true gift for vocal harmony, as well as

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JERRY SARAVIA AT THE MOVIES: WHIPLASH heart attack.

I can’t tell you when teaching methods in schools changed but I can say that the early 1990’s, the birth of that most distasteful phrase “political correctness,” was the start of when all schools adopted the phrase “Good job” because the effort was seemingly enough. When I went to high school in the 1980’s, a sufficiently good job on your grades usually meant a mediocre grade. A solid B or even B+ was pooh-poohed upon – if I got those grades today, I might be seen as a genius. When it came to art, painting or photography or filmmaking, a good grade was hardly meritorious. What did the student accomplish that could lead to then becoming the future Monet, the future Ansel Adams, or the future Stanley Kubrick? Could their artistic potential be pushed to punishing extremes? That is at the heart of the harsh, furiously entertaining and intensifying dramatic “Whiplash,” a sort of “Full Metal Jacket” depiction on prestigious jazz bands dealing with an abusive instructor who would give R. Lee Ermey a

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How abusive is this instructor?

He hurls chairs at his students, berates them with homophobic slurs, and punishes the drummers to such an extent that their hands are bloodied at the end of an exhausting rehearsal session. The late Who drummer Keith Moon might have thrown a chair at this instructor or set fire to his own cymbals in protest. J.K. Simmons is Terence Fletcher, a notable jazz conductor at the fictional Shaffer Conservatory in New York.

Fletcher is looking for the next Buddy Rich, the legendary jazz drummer with a short temper, but he is of little faith in students whom he considers wimps. As a pretext, Fletcher recounts the story of how legendary drummer Jo Jones threw a cymbal at the young alto saxophonist, Charles “Yardbird” Parker. As Terence tells it, if Parker had simply been told, “Good job,” he might not have reached the depths of his own power of playing the sax – the Bird might not have excelled and perfected his techniques. Salient observation, but does throwing chairs and slapping students help them to excel and go beyond their futile attempts to impress the teacher? I should think not (some current jazz musicians and teachers consider the movie to be a little too over-the-top.)

Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller) is the harangue upon, abused and exasperated drummer who aspires to be Buddy Rich and relentlessly plays Hank Levy’s classic “Whiplash” with great ferocity and passion. Neyman is probably good enough, but Mr. Fletcher sees more behind the kid’s talent. The kid could be great, not just solidly good or perhaps “mediocre.” Fletcher’s abusive tactics are his way of seeing behind the students’ masks, manipulating

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their familial problems to his advantage to get the best out of his students. Neyman himself is not an easy kid to like – he assumes he will be great and has a superiority complex to most of his family. He has trouble maintaining a dating relationship with a movie theatre concession stand clerk (Melissa Benoist from TV’s “Supergirl”) because he has to work as hard as Charlie Parker, sometimes 15 hours a day. His hands bleed and, in one climactic moment prior to a jazz competition, he gets into a car accident and still manages to play, well, just barely while he suffers a head wound followed by a physical assault on Fletcher.

The tyrannical Fletcher doesn’t display many emotions except anger and violence. Every time we see him appear, my stomach felt as if a weight was placed in it and my hands got sweaty. You subjectively feel like Andrew Neyman throughout the film and your blood pressure might go right through the roof whenever he is taunted by Fletcher. J.K. Simmons has a special gift for playing what could have been a demonic, hateful character; he shows empathy and has a powerful charisma that burns the screen with hot vitality. It is no wonder he

won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, his Fletcher is not cut out of the sentimental vein of “Mr. Holland’s Opus” or any other nicer teachers from our cinematic past. The film doesn’t shy away from suggesting that Fletcher’s tactics are not the most instrumental in shaping any talented performer but his insatiable need to find and root out greatness is definitely clear.

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle (based on his own experiences at Princeton), “Whiplash” is not for ordinary audiences and it is not for parents who feel that every kid nowadays should win an award for “making an effort.” It is not an easy film to digest but most great films don’t always make it easy for audiences. There is a respect that develops between teacher and student and the finale, an emotional powerhouse with jazz drumming that has the relentless tempo of the movie itself, is sure to leave you drained. You may not like these two characters but you can identify and respect their search for pushing the limits. Neyman and Fletcher are two characters that will remain in my cinematic crosshairs for some time. Good job, great film.

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Film Review: The Night Will Fall (2014) People not behaving as human beings Jerry Saravia - - Pseudo Film Critic No one can dispute that one of the most horrific crimes of the 20th century can’t easily be forgotten, especially by those who survived to witness it and tell the tale. The Nazi Holocaust is that crime, one which still perplexes me to this day. “The Night Will Fall” is an absorbing and nightmarishly haunting documentary that rivets the attention and shakes your own well-being to the core. It is a devastating

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film that will leave you speechless.

In elementary schools, at least during the 1980’s when I attended, images of those horrific death camps were shown. Most of the world has seen the mangled, emaciated corpses of Jewish men, women and children bulldozed into mass graves. “Night Will Fall” takes a different position – it chronicles the making of these largely unseen, incomplete documentaries, a first-person narrative of the cameramen who were there to film this devastating record.

We first see the liberation of the first death camp to be liberated by British Forces (British 11th Armored Division), Bergen-Belsen, where the soldiers armed with cameras begin to record tantalizing footage.

This footage is useful as not only a public record but also as evidence against the SS officers who participated in this mass extermination. Bodies are seen carried about as if they were inanimate human rag dolls, most of them naked and disposed of in pits and carried into trucks. The British soldiers have no idea of what to make of this, a reality of which can never be shaken off or forgotten. BBC war

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correspondent, Richard Dimbleby, reports on the 30,000 bodies in plain view at Belsen (typhus had killed many, possibly even Anne Frank who did die at Belsen). The towns and villages nearby Belsen have no clue what has transpired though the smell of death, as sensed by the British soldiers, lingers and dominates the countryside. This was not the time for the German folk to be blissfully ignorant.

“Night Will Fall” also documents the Soviet troops who liberated and documented the atrocities at the Auschwitz and Majdanek camps in Poland, a year before Belsen. But what is most astounding is the discovery that the Soviets’ footage was not considered a reliable source by the British, for reasons never made clear. Maybe the British, as with the rest of the world, didn’t want to believe the bitter truth about those death camps. Once the combat cameramen made their way to Belsen, the truth was unmistakable. Also remarkable is that the Belsen footage was to be edited into a film titled “German Concentration Camps Factual Survey” (narrated by the late actor Trevor Howard).

This film would have served as a factual presentation of that bitter truth. Unfortunately, despite the editorial presence of Alfred Hitchcock on hand, the film was never completed and only some clips were shown. The reasons behind it perplexed me: the British wanted to establish an alliance with Germany post-World War II in hopes of combatting a new enemy, Communism. I suppose the last thing the British wanted to do was to be accused of presenting war crimes as propaganda.

Jewish hostages reacting with joy when liberated, some with scalding emotional tears of relief, a relief they never expected. We see empty towers where Nazis had once set their rifles overlooking the camps. We see German residents in droves coming into Belsen, overcome with absolute shock by what was hidden from them. We also see something which I never knew; SS officers helping to dispose of bodies that lay on the ground. We also see how other Jewish hostages are gathered near the stench of death beneath their feet.

“The Night Will Fall” is not as chillingly poetic as Alan Resnais’ “Night and Fog” from 1955 (that film showed the lifelessness of the camps a decade later) but it is a haunting, hair-raising, deeply resonant documentary about what Dimbleby once most accurately said of the SS and of other nations that might practice such atrocities, “People no longer behaving as human beings.”

What clips we do see in “The Night Will Fall” are so stunning, so powerful, so staggeringly emotional that it is hard to watch it without shedding a tear (some living British officers wo are interviewed in the documentary have trouble holding back their emotions). In fact, all Holocaust deniers should watch this because the filmed record does not lie. We see the

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Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show Episode 1071 “Measured Notes” Synopsis by: Dana Saravia—Lifelong rock & roller, current music critic and Girl From Baltimore The Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show presents Indie Music Videos From Around The World, Episode 1071, “Measured Notes”, which premieres Tuesday, 19th January 2016 in Portland, OR on Channel 19 followed by heavy rotation coast to coast via 10 major cable companies including NBC Universal and TimeWarner Cable. All Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV episodes in the series are also available online 24/7 at https://vimeo.com/channels/bongoboytv as well as

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on the Bongo Boy TV website and are also available on GO INDIE TV ROKU for free streaming.

Opening this episode is Emyna The Rock Queen from Sydney, Australia with the video for her song “Rock Queen”. Strong guitar riffs are prominent throughout this rock song accompanying Emyna’s rough edged vocals as she encourages listeners to break away from their routines and find their inner voice. Including lyrics like “I’ve been waiting for a long time/Now it’s time to wear my crown”, this anthemic song especially celebrates women breaking away from society’s expectations to fearlessly express themselves. The video adds to this message as it starts with a girl in school, dreaming of being free to follow her dreams and ends with her standing up and telling her teacher that she will find her way to achieve her goals as she walks confidently out the door.

Video Directors: Zig Parker and Peter Kirk, The Inspire Agency Web Site: https://therockqueen.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/E.theRockQueen Twitter: https://twitter.com/alightedstar

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Next from NJ is Airy Jeanine with her song “Do You”. A modern pop song backed by EDM beats, this is a song about that first love. The lyrics are easily relatable, about being scared of rejection if her crush discovers her true feelings for him. The vibrant outdoors setting of the video helps evoke those bittersweet memories of that time in life and the intensity of those emotions.

Video Directors: Rock Davis and Jay Rodriguez Web Site: https://www.airyjeanine.com

peace and harmony. The video begins with children in a classroom singing the song, then shows families and adults of all races joining in to create a solid visual interpretation of the song.

Video Directors: Craig Raymo and Nathan McMahan Web Site: https://www.craymo.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/craymo.music Twitter: https://twitter.com/craymo

FB: https://www.facebook.com/AiryJeanineband Twitter: https://twitter.com/AiryJeanine

Dulcie Taylor from CA brings us “Not Here, Not Today”. Big drumbeats open this alternative folk rock song as Dulcie’s country tinged vocals sing heartfelt lyrics about standing up for rights and freedoms. The chorus features the lyrics “Here we believe in freedom/Whenever someone tries to take it away/Bless the brave that stand up and meet them/And say not here, not today” as the verses describe the fight for civil rights and the war on terror among other battles both past and present.

The video uses B & W news clips interspersed with colour performance footage to visually illustrate the power of the song’s inspiration.

Video Director: Trevor Lawrence Web Site: https://dulcietaylor.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/dulcietaylor Twitter: https://twitter.com/dulcietaylor11

Tacoma, WA’s Rocky Anderson follows with the video for his song “Rainin’ Bones”. This post-grunge alternative song has a sound not heard since mid 90’s rock radio, with a style and vocal sound very reminiscent of Candlebox when they topped the charts. The video’s imagery of looking for an escape from the darkness adds depth to the song’s lyrics of trying to get past the pain and heartache left from the memories of a failed relationship.

Video Director: Atuanya Priester FB: https://www.facebook.com/rockyandersonmusic Twitter: https://twitter.com/rockyamusic

Closing out this episode is Brazil’s Boni Clyde with “Deal With My Swag”. This pop/hip hop single brings a strong beat and Brazilian flavour to this fun dance club number. The video’s theme of the sharp dressed singer living it up with beautiful models in a limo and the club add to the party atmosphere.

Video Director: Boni Clyde/O Laboratorio Next is Orlando, FL’s Craymo with his latest “One Love One World (We Are One)”. This is a modern dance pop song featuring some island elements with upbeat lyrics that speak of tolerance and of people worldwide coming together to achieve

Web Site: https://soundcloud.com/boniclydemusic FB: https://www.facebook.com/boniclydemusic Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClydeBoni

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Each episode of Bongo Boy TV brings exposure and a bigger audience for each of these very talented independent artists.

This episode has been brought to you in part by The Rock N’ Roll Fashion Corner featuring Joyce Keasberry.

Episode 1071 has also been brought to you in part

by Bongo Boy Records “Out Of The Garage Vol. 1” garage rock compilation now available for digital download and streaming.

Magazine.

The Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show is produced by Grammy members Gar Francis and Monique Grimme and is fully funded by sponsorships from all the indie musicians and their affiliations in each episode and Bongo Boy Records. Bongo Boy TV produces and distributes The Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show which puts the spotlight on indie videos worldwide. All TV episodes are available on their website: www.bongoboytv.com

Bongo Boy TV is also on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ bongoboy

This episode has also been brought to you in party

by Bongo Boy Records recording artist Secret Lie and their new album “Beautiful Wild Rose” available Bongo Boy TV is Real Television on 54 channels across the USA with 2 new regions—New York City now for digital download and streaming. and National.

Sponsorship for this episode has been provided by True Tea Magazine.

Additional sponsorship for this episode has been provided by Gypsy Poet Radio.

Additional sponsorship for this episode has been provided by Steel Notes Magazine and Crankit-Up

Also available on GO INDIE TV RokuChannel for free on demand.

Web Site: https://www.bongoboytv.com

Email: bongoboytv@aol.com

CHANNEL LOUNGE

BY BRANDON JONES Knock, knock. Who’s there? The best kept secret in the world of music, today, and it goes by the name, Channel Lounge. “Channel Lounge is a smorgasbord of metaphoric love songs and think-piece stories capturing intense moralistic emotions and challenging the brainwashed thought processes of the norm”, says frontman, Josh Toney. Channel Lounge’s atmospherically hypnotic lyrics have more punchlines than a Pacquiao stick figure, their defiantly raw guitar snarls have more hooks than a ship full of amputated pirates, and their strikingly fresh musical vulnerability is more groundbreaking than a jackhammer drilling during the tectonic tremors of a scale 5 earthquake.

for teeth while James Hale thunderously thuds & pounds powerhouse populated percussions thumping authoritatively with funky precision on an unconventional wooden crate, or as fans call it, the “Amish Beat Box”.

Toney’s frenetic onslaught of careful articulation is drenched in a velocity that’s often reserved for a cartoon coyote with an Acme firecracker strapped to his back, rocket skating off a cliff, before falling down into a mushroom shaped poof cloud of dust, then waddling off like an accordion with piano keys

If silence was diabetes, Channel Lounge’s abrasive hiccup riff swagger guitar, clanging chunky, upbeat melodic blooms & thorny swerving leads would be the hypodermic needle injecting listeners’ ears with aggressive yet distinctively melodic insulin.

Toney’s meticulously crafted, sharply written lyrics echoes effortless mastery, sparkling charmingly cheeky underdog charisma in a plaintiff breeze & metallic husky gruff tenor thrillingly intact as he spits hot fire like the exhaust pipes of the Bat Mobile, like the scaled lips of Calisse’s Dragons on Game Of Thrones, like Scorpion’s fatality after a flawless victory.

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King Diamond The Graveyard Review

By Scott Saxon Ranking: 4 out of 5 Stars.

StarOriginally released in 1996, King Diamond’s The Graveyardrepresents a departure for the band in two principal ways. The first is that the band moved from Roadrunner Records to Massacre Records, a label responsible for releases such as Theatre of Tragedy’s gothic metal masterpiece Velvet Darkness They Fear. The second represents a shift in storytelling for King Diamond. Up to this point, the supernatural played a prominent role in each concept album. For The Graveyard, Diamond tells an all-too human story that is driven by psychological factors. Although there are supernatural elements in the tale, these are secondary to the psychological elements, and it is perhaps for this reason that his CD is one of Diamond’s more disturbing forays into horror. In 2009, guitarist Andy LaRocque remastered and re-released this classic.

Massacre Records Musically in the realm of progressive metal, the band still manages to evoke some solid speed metal to enhance the dementia experienced by the lead character. Andy LaRocque and Herb Simonson take center stage, crafting some excellent atmospheric pieces that explode into some incredibly aggressive riffs and leads. Drummer Darrin Anthony uses a

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technical approach to evoke atmosphere during the quieter moments and outright aggression when the speed metal takes center stage. Bassist Chris Estes does the same, using subtle grooves to build psychological tension. And then there’s King Diamond, whose vocals are effective at bringing out various psychological states. Diamond also uses keyboards to create a neoclassical atmosphere on some of the tracks.

Much like Abigail, The Graveyard begins with a short, narrative-driven track, this one serving as the title track. The title track features an unnamed character hiding in a graveyard. While hiding, he complains of an intense headache. From his language and demeanor, listeners will know that this character is mentally unhinged. “Black Hill Sanitarium” tells of this horrible mental asylum, where the doctors work not to cure the patients but rather push them more into their deranged states (shades of Diamond’sThe Spider’s Lullabye). In “Waiting,” the unnamed narrator fools a nurse into thinking that he is getting better and is willing to take his pills. When her guard is down, that narrator twists her head and escapes. After traveling through the countryside under the cover of darkness, he makes it to a cemetery, a place he calls “home.”

Unhinged now, the narrator begins to kill random people (“Heads on the Wall”), such as the grave digger and a prostitute. He then takes their heads and places them within his own tomb, where he believes that the heads are “dead but alive” as a result of some type of black magic. Indeed, the narrator believes that if you die in a graveyard and lose your head that your soul lives forever inside the disembodied head. This is the first track also to foreshadow the narrator’s goal: he intends to take revenge on a man who was responsible for him going into the asylum. In “Whispers,” the narrator hits on a plan to capture this man’s daughter, who is named Lucy. “I’m Not a Stranger,” we learn that the narrator was accused of molesting Lucy. The narrator then abducts her and takes her to the graveyard, where he introduced her to his “head friends.”

“Digging Graves” advances the plot, with the narrator telling Lucy that he is digging seven new graves, the headstones of which will read, “Lucy Forever.”

The song also mentions his intended victim, one

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Mayor McKenzie, the man responsible for his internment in the asylum. The narrator completes the graves and reveals that it was McKenzie who molested the little girl and then framed him. The narrator then calls McKenzie and tells him to come to the graveyard or “your Lucy will be dead.” The narrator then buries Lucy in one of the seven graves (“Sleep Tight Little Baby”) and remembers how his own father looked at him when he went into the asylum (“Daddy”), further angering him and pushing his dementia even deeper.

you long after the CD has ceased its initial spin.

Also used to review this album were the vinyl Violet colored LP and the 45 RPM Two LP set.

The vinyl provides even greater sound depth and clarity, with no ‘Brick Walling’ or compression used to master CD’s.

The Sound is fantastic and adventurous in all of the available formats.

Highly Recommended.

In “Trick or Treat,” the narrator forces McKenzie to play a horrid game. The mayor must guess which grave his daughter is buried in. There are seven mounds, but the mayor only gets three guesses.

Poor McKenzie is also forced to dig while blindfolded. The mayor manages to get his third guess right, but the narrator knocks him out and drags his body into his tomb. The narrator then rescues Lucy (“Up from the Grave”), claiming that he is now her daddy.

The narrator returns to his own tomb, where he holds a bizarre trial for the mayor (“I Am”). Finding the man guilty, the narrator begins to torture him. The final sentence is, of course, death. Seeing her father being tortured, Lucy pulls down a chord that sends a sheet of broken glass onto him, decapitating him in the process (“Lucy Forever”). It turns out the legend is true—the narrator’s spirit now resides in his living head. This abomination asks that Lucy take him home with her and daddy. A now demented Lucy agrees, ensuring that the narrator will be with her forever.

Enjoyably twisted and compelling, King Diamond’s The Graveyardis a must-listen concept album that never tires in its storytelling. The shifts in music work well with the shifts in the lyrical storyline, ensuring that both remain interesting and a joy to listen to. King Diamond’s characters are full realized and complex, making it difficult to select a villain in the story. Passionate songs like “Heads on the Wall” and “Daddy” are sure to haunt

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King Diamond’s ‘Abigail’

By Scott Saxon

Originally released in 1987,Abigail is considered by many as one of the top, if not the top, releases ever by King Diamond .Abigail has been re-released several times, with the 25th Anniversary edition in 2005 featuring a bonus DVD. Since then, and what is being used as a review source , is a beautiful Blue

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Deluxe Vinyl LP.

The band recently took the entire album back on tour, boosting it’s relevance.

Abigail is indeed a historic record that will not be going away.

A DVD and Blu-Ray for the show is being released and will be reviewed when released.

Roadrunner Records The lineup for King Diamond remains the same, with the addition of Roberto Falcao, who does double-duty as engineer and keyboard player.

Guitarists Andy LaRocque and Michael Denner reign supreme, setting down some stunning riffs, interlacing rhythms, and blistering leads.

Their approach remains grounded in speed metal, but this time there is a much more epic, slightly symphonic approach. This sophistication comes to the fore with Falcao’s keys, which make the music sound more refined and largerthan-life. Bassist Timi Hansen provides some solid bass licks, which mostly shadow the guitars, and Mikkey Dee milks the percussive bursts for all they are worth, his rolls and fills lined with much more power on this outing.

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Out front is vocalist King Diamond, who this time begins to explore his range. The falsetto is present, but Diamond actually pushes it even further, at times going into the stratosphere. However, Diamond also taps into his lower register, evoking a much more sinister voice that complements his falsetto. The acrobatics he does with this range will leave some breathless—it is truly impressive how Diamond uses his voice as a dynamic instrument that at time contrasts the guitar rhythms and the percussive bursts.

to destroy Abigail once and for all.

Abigail is a full concept album that tells the story of the central character of Abigail, a stillborn child who is hideously evil. The circular story begins with the seven horsemen, whose goal is to drive seven silver spikes into the child’s corpse so that “she may never rise and cause evil again.” The story then shifts to a young couple, Miriam Natias and Jonathan La’Fey, who move into an old mansion inherited by La’Fey. The seven horsemen warn the couple that they should not move into the house, but La’Fey ignores them.

As they begin to inhabit the house, its structure seems to come alive, waking family ghosts, like Count La-Fey. The count warns Jonathan about Abigail, and that the evil entity plans to possess the baby carried by Miriam so that she can be reborn. The count orders that Jonathan kill Miriam to prevent the birth.

5 out of 5 Stars.

The story shifts to the birth of Abigail on the seventh day of July, 1777. The count murdered his wife by throwing her down the stairs, causing her to break her neck and in the process also kill the baby as a result of the fall.

Jonathan lacks the courage to murder his wide, and once Abigail becomes more powerful inside Miriam, has her “mother” throw Jonathan down the stairs.

Miriam does not survive the harsh birth, and poor Abigail is left alone. It is at this point that the story comes full circle, with the seven horsemen arriving

Abigail’s haunting storyline never grows old, and despite the fact that the original music is more than two decades old, it remains as fresh as the day it was recorded. Each track can stand distinctly on its own, but it is the collective that makes the album worth listening to again and again. Try listening to Abigail in the dark on a stormy night and wait for the chills to come.

Absolutely Recommended.

Special Edition Blue Vinyl

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Iron MaidenTHE BOOK OF SOULS REVIEW

By Scott M Saxon

Strap yourself in and say a quick prayer to Eddie as Maiden pull out all the stops – and Bruce gets epic on the piano.

A new Iron Maiden album is always a big event, not least because the band have somehow sustained a startling level of popularity for the vast majority of their three decades.

What is less frequently acknowledged, however, is that since the return of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith for 2000’s Brave New World, Maiden have not only cemented their status as metal’s most revered band but, audaciously, built upon it, becoming ever more dominant and in-demand as a result. Of course, The Book Of Souls arrives amid an additional storm of drama, Dickinson’s genuinely shocking brush with cancer erecting an unexpected and unwanted backdrop of struggle and triumph behind a long-awaited album – Maiden’s 16th – that didn’t exactly need an extra boost.

Completed before their singer received his jarring diagnosis, The Book Of Souls is the sound of a band at the peak of their powers, both individual and collective, and Dickinson’s own performance gives no clues whatsoever as to his then vexed state of health. One might glibly note that this would have been an excellent final statement for all concerned, but it’s hard to think of another band of this vintage that would be capable of sounding this vital and inspired.

It begins with one of two songs written solely

by Dickinson. If

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Eternity Should Fail starts with an eerie, almost psychedelic intro, the air raid siren’s restrained tones floating in shimmering space, before the first of countless towering riffs crashes in. Dark in tone and texture and a dash heavier than Maiden have ever sounded before, its eight-and-a-half minutes rush by in what seems like half that amount, soaring choruses and a typically deft change of pace midway through adding bite to the barrage. Maiden’s recent albums have been notable primarily for the epic and progressive nature of their contents, and while The Book Of Souls certainly saunters down that avenue on numerous occasions, it is also an album that brims with flashes of succinctness. Speed Of Light, Death Or Glory and Tears Of A Clown all climax at around the five minute mark, and all three are instant top-notch Maiden anthems, the shrewd songwriting hand of Adrian Smith making its presence felt and bringing plenty of that off-kilter edge that was sometimes missed during the decade he spent away from the line-up. Meanwhile, both The Great Unknown and When The River Runs Deep speak volumes about the intuitive chemistry between Smith and Steve Harris, their collaborative efforts producing monstrous mini-symphonies for Dickinson to unleash that vein-popping vibrato over.

lar peak on the rumbling sprawl of Shadows Of The Valley and, best of all, on Harris and Dave Murray’s dark and unsettling The Man Of Sorrows, wherein Kevin Shirley’s powerful, unfussy production shines a light on the sublimely organic interplay between these six musicians.

Nonetheless, The Book Of Souls will doubtless be celebrated most for its epics, and if you thought Maiden had pulled out all the stops in the past, you may need to strap yourself in and say a quick prayer to Eddie this time round. The Red And The Black is Harris’ only sole composition here, but it’s one of the most exhilarating and fluid things he has ever written; nearly 14 minutes of interwoven rhythms and riffs, a brief nod to the dramatic thud of Flight Of Icarus here, a dewy-eyed salute to Thin Lizzy there and a healthy slab of mob-friendly backing vocals that must surely mean that this will become an immediate live favourite when Maiden take The Book Of Souls out on the road. The same goes for the title track, an almost ludicrously grandiose and theatrical affair that crams more smart ideas into its ten-and-a-half minutes than any band this enduring should have left in the tank at this point. And if Dickinson could sound any less like a man about to discover a tumour in his throat… well, needless to say that his recovery has been perhaps the least surprising thing about Maiden’s recent history. The interplay between the Three Amigos reaches a simi-

A terrific album, with a special note to Vinyl Buyers-

So far, so brilliant. And yet even the most wildly optimistic Maiden fan might find themselves momentarily gobsmacked by The Book Of Souls’ conclusion. The longest song the band have ever recorded, Empire Of The Clouds is essentially an 18-minute heavy metal opera, replete with Dickinson on piano for the first time and sumptuous orchestral flourishes that add hugely to the song’s cinematic feel. A detailed but poetic account of the R101 airship disaster of 1930, it’s a stunning piece of work and clearly a labour of love for Dickinson, the song’s author, in particular. And coming at the end of such a consistent and remarkable slab of idiosyncratic heavy metal, it poses one obvious question: is there anything that Iron Maiden can’t do? The Book Of Souls suggests not. Given that this sounds nothing like the work of a band nearing the end of their love affair with music, the future may even hold greater wonders.

This pressing comes on a THREE LP, 200 g Black Vinyl Set. While the cover art isn’t the best, at least to me, the inner picture sleeves are amazing.

With the album being spread out over the lengthy span of three heavy weight LP’s, the band’s thunder sounds Truly amazing.

Rating: 5 Stars of 5 A Must Have!!!

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Star WarsThe Force Awakens Review

the thoroughly refreshed feel of John Williams’ exuberant score.

By: Scott M Saxon

The Empire looked all but dead and buried by the time its defeat was celebrated by the heroes of the Rebel Alliance (along with a bunch of funny looking woodsy characters) in Return of the Jedi in 1983.

If the desire was to follow up on that story with some of the same characters and actors, the first priorities for the writers were to figure out how to use the three-decades-older Han Solo, Leia and Luke Skywalker, as well as to resurrect a plausible villainous force.

[Warning: This review contains plot details from the film that could be considered spoilers.]

The Force is back. Big time. As the best Star Wars anything — film, TV show, video game, spinoff, what-have-you — in at least 32 years, Star Wars: The Force Awakens pumps new energy and life into a hallowed franchise in a way that both resurrects old pleasures and points in promising new directions.

But whereas the fundamental touchstones of George Lucas’ original creation remain, in director J.J. Abrams’ hands there is a shift in tone that brings the material closer to the feel of a Steven Spielberg film. Specifically, into an Indiana Jones realm, which is mostly, but not entirely, to the good. Opening nearly everywhere in the world before Christmas, with China to follow in early January, Disney’s debut as the new custodian of Lucas’ baby looks to deliver nothing less than one of the two or three highest-grossing films of all time.

To be sure, any time you can speak of a film’s earning potential as residing in the billion-dollar-plus neighborhood, the main story is to be more often found in the business section than on the arts pages. When the financial stakes are this high, what ends up on the screen can often be judged as much, or more, in terms of commercial calculation than creative achievement. So one of the primary satisfactions of this sharply paced and lively blockbuster is the obvious care that has gone into every aspect of the production, from the well-balanced screenplay and dominance of real sets and models over computer graphics to the casting, a strict limitation on self-referential, in-jokey humor and

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Virtually none of these virtues were managed by Lucas himself when he made his lamentable second trilogy of Star Warsfilms from 1999 to 2005. But Abrams has made his career thus far by honoring his masters, notably Spielberg and Gene Roddenberry, and now Lucas, and he’s got the practice more or less.

In this, one notably feels the hand of Lawrence Kasdan, who shares writing credit with Abrams and Michael Arndt but who also, significantly, co-wrote The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and, perhaps more significantly, authored Raiders of the Lost Ark, the film this new one most resembles in terms of its incident and exuberance. What perhaps goes missing inThe Force Awakens, though, is the key magical element that Lucas slipped into the first three films, that of the Joseph Campbell-derived aspects of myth that may have been the secret ingredient that allowed them to connect so strongly with viewers initially.

Star Wars: Episode VII must and does begin with the familiar Williams musical fanfare and an informational scroll advising as to the disappearance of Luke Skywalker, the rise of the evil First Order and the threat now posed to Leia and the galaxy’s good folk, who must urgently pull together as a new Resistance. In an annihilating nocturnal opening sequence, a new generation of Stormtroopers goes on an indiscriminate rampage while searching for the bearer of a map revealing Luke’s whereabouts, which is secretly held by the roly-poly BB-8, a charming spherical droid that rolls smoothly from place to place and overall serves as a welcome robot reboot from the sidelined (but hardly vanquished) R2-D2.

Battle lines are drawn and good guys and bad are

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readily established. Hotshot pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac, very enthusiastic), a man very much in the Solo mold, is taken prisoner by the Order, which is led militarily by Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), a man whose black mask and filtered speech make him the very picture of a Darth Vader wannabe.

Meanwhile, a Stormtrooper who comes to be called Finn (John Boyega) is so disgusted by the genocide in which he’s participated that he defects to the Resistance. Crucially, Finn forms an alliance with desert “scavenger” Rey (Daisy Ridley), a self-sufficient loner with fearsome fighting and survival skills. Rey’s feisty individualism, assertive physicality and often sweaty, dirty face would make her right at home in a Mad Max film, just one example of how the Star Wars franchise has been toughened up a bit by its new proprietors.

After spending most of the first half-hour introducing the two appealing new leads, Abrams and his co-writers begin deftly weaving together elements old and new. Harrison Ford’s first appearance sends a real charge through the film of a sort that only a revered older star can deliver. A younger character asks if he’s really Han Solo, and when Ford replies, “I used to be,” he sounds a great deal like John Wayne did in his later films where he was paired with greenhorns who presumed they might be able to go toe-to-toe with the old man and maybe even step into his shoes. Fat chance of that, the older man would imply with a caustic glance or acerbic line — and Ford has now aged (much better than Wayne did) into that position of confident superiority; he can still throw off the impatient, action-seeking Solo vibe and isn’t interested in acting old or particularly mature, just capable.

With Luke vanished and Leia grounded, Han Solo now has only Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew, returning) by his side, so he welcomes getting back into action with the likes of the capable Rey and Finn.

If a good part of the task The Force Awakens sets for itself is the introduction and establishment of these two new characters as capable of carrying the renewed series forward, then it’s pretty well succeeded; never once appearing to ask for sympathy or even to be liked, Ridley looks like she’s ever-ready to take on a contingent of Hunger Gamesopponents, while Boyega, perhaps

overplaying at first, settles in as his character transforms from robotic foot soldier to expressive and emotive man.

A looming unanswered question here is how the Dark Side, seemingly so thoroughly vanquished not very long ago, could have staged such a rapid and stupendous comeback: Just as Lucas once did, Abrams uses the template of Hitler’s 1934 Nuremberg rally in his staging of an enormous gathering of the First Order’s forces. At the risk of indulging in partial spoilers, its Supreme Leader Snoke is a larger-than-life, vaguely Harry Potter-ish hologram voiced with deep gravity by Andy Serkis; the full weight of this character’s malignancy and dramatic power will presumably be better assessed in subsequent episodes. On the other hand, Darth Vader stand-in Ren is given a pronounced inferiority complex, a clever bad guy twist that could be taken to interesting places both in the writing and performance.

One of the most novel and appealing characters is a leathery, goggles-wearing old barfly named Maz Kanata (wonderfully voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) who, with her wise and direct talk, comes closest to approximating a new Yoda; once again, there is considerable potential in this figure. On the other hand, an old pleasure is renewed with the brief appearance of a refurbished C-3PO, once again voiced by Anthony Daniels.

As before, monumental battles enacted by enormous, obliteration-capable forces are paralleled by intimate mano-a-mano duels to the death; in this case, the climactic example of the latter is very effective and emotional, something every Star Wars fan of good standing will find entirely compelling. Beyond that, the very ending — more like a coda, really, which was filmed on the extraordinary Skellig Michael off the western coast of Ireland — is wonderful and sets things up perfectly for the next installment.

In the end, Star Wars: The Force Awakensfeels like the work of a very capable student, one who has studied his subject so diligently and thoroughly that he knows what to do and what to avoid, is smart enough to have engaged one of the experts in the field, in this case Kasdan, to work on the blueprint, and to have ensured that another of

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the key contributor to the series’ success, John Williams, would return again after all the years.

The franchise is indeed reawakened, and we already know when to expect several more installments.

Production: Lucasfilm Ltd., Bad Robot Distributor: Disney Cast: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Max von Sydow Director: J.J. Abrams Screenwriters: Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams, Michael Arndt, based on characters created by George Lucas Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk Executive producers: Tommy Harper, Jason McGatlin Director of photography: Dan Mindel Production designers: Rick Carter, Darren Gilford Costume designer: Michael Kaplan Editors: Mary Jo Markey, Maryann Brandon Music: John Williams Visual effects: Industrial Light & Magic Rated PG-13, 135 minutes Rating : 4 out of 5 Stars Highly Recommended!

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RushClockwork Angels Review By:Scott Saxon 5 out of 5 Stars Could this be the very last Rush LP? With this effort, we are certainly hoping the answer is “No”.

Like many progressive rock bands, Rush has a reputation for being cerebral. It’s well earned. Since unleashing its 1976 opus,2112, the group hasn’t exactly skimped on the philosophizing. Beneath the braininess, though, lurks a streak of intimacy. In classic songs like “Limelight” and “Subdivisions,” drummer-lyricist Neil Peart unveils the most vulnerable corners of his soul—even if he couches them in heady verse, not to mention the lilting tenor of singer-bassist Geddy Lee. That chemistry grew complicated in the late ’90s, after Peart suffered two tragedies: His daughter was killed in a car crash, and his wife died of cancer. Peart retreated.

The eventual result was 2002’s distant, diluted Vapor Trails. Rush came roaring back in 2007 with its 18th full-length, Snakes & Arrows. Not only does it rank among the group’s best, it reset Peart’s nervy balance between the conceptual and the confessional. With Snakes’ follow-up, Clockwork Angels, Rush has struck a similar equilibrium. Only this time, the highs are higher, the lows are lower, and the dynamic is even more exhilarating.

Clockwork is a return to Rush’s wheelhouse, the science-fiction concept album. But unlike 2112, it’s written from the perspective of bruised, bewildered survivor.

One the surface, it’s the fable of a young man navigating a steampunk dreamscape in search of enlightenment and escape. The epic geekery parallels Peart’s struggle with one of his long-held obsessions: fate vs. free will. On “BU2B,” Lee layers a searing, passionate vocal melody—one reminiscent of the Rush standard “New World Man”—behind Peart’s aching admission that “I was brought up to believe the universe has a plan / We are only human, it’s not ours to understand.”

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He’s speaking through a character, but the sentiment is vintage Peart. Guitarist Alex Lifeson, whose articulate riffs have been gradually growing in heft since the lean, angular ’80s, lays down a thick mass of muscle.

The overall effect is far heavier and less melodic than Snakes. Not that Clockwork lacks in anthems; “Halo Effect” and “Wish Them Well” ring with triumph, while “BU2B2” reprises its namesake with a wash of urgent strings and tangible sadness. “Life goes from bad to worse / I still choose to live,” sings Lee, giving voice to Peart’s bittersweet resignation. “No philosophy consoles me in a clockwork universe.” The album closes with “The Garden,” a mythic, symphonic meditation on death and determinism that soars from hushed acoustic balladry to lush, piano-led majesty. Where Snakes focuses almost exclusively on straightforward hooks, Clockworkrevives Rush’s hardcore prog pedigree; the title track, along with songs like “Caravan” and “Seven Cities Of Gold,” are built around tricky signatures and Lee’s heavy, contorted grooves. Those rhythms don’t always carry a seven-minute song, but they provide a steely contrast to the disc’s softer lulls and sighs.

In the end, hearts and smarts strike an elated détente.

Clockwork’s simplest and catchiest track, “The Wreckers,” contains some of Lifeson’s most deceptively sculpted playing—and some of Peart’s most poignant lyrics: “All I know is that sometimes you have to be wary / Of a miracle too good to be true / All I know is that sometimes the truth is contrary / To everything in life you thought you knew.” More than 40 years into their career, the members of Rush have stopped taking anything for granted: their success, their talents, themselves. “The future disappears into memory,” Lee sings in “The Garden,” as Peart pulses and Lifeson chimes, “With only a moment between.” Rush has grasped that moment—and ifClockwork Angels is any indication, it’s not letting go of it any time soon.

The other great thing about this CD/LP is that yes, the story stands by itself.

This is testified to by the fact it is also available as a wonderful book (Also available as an audio book), written by Neil Peart and Kevin J Anderson, a renowned Science Fiction Author, with a sequel just released.

Rating: Highest Recommendation.

A Classic Album in every way.

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SlayerRepentless A Review By:Scott Saxon The loss of Jeff Hanneman in 2013 was devastating to the music world. The riffs he crafted with Slayer helped form an entire genre. Thrash took all the energy and rebellion of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest and channeled it into pure rage. Furious riffs and merciless double bass drums set the world ablaze, and Slayer, along with Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth, found themselves at the forefront. Thirtytwo years into their career, they found enough rage to record 10 albums and become rock gods in the eyes of metal fans across the world. And then, in the midst of writing their 11th album, Hanneman died of liver failure. The band would continue, but it wouldn’t be the same. “After 30 years, it would literally be like starting over,” said vocalist/bassist Tom Araya in an interview with Blabbermouth. “To move forward without Jeff just wouldn’t be the same, and I’m not sure the fans would be so accepting of that drastic a change.” Willing to accept it or not, fans and curious listeners alike are about to be on the receiving end of one hell of an assault.

Not wanting to lose momentum, they brought on Gary Holt, the guitarist for Exodus and one of Hanneman’s longtime friends, to play opposite Kerry King. They also welcomed the return of drummer Paul Bostaph for the third time after Dave Lombardo’s firing in 2013. Along with producer Terry Date, the band went into the studio in January of 2014, ready with two fully recorded tracks and one partially written song left behind by Hanneman, and just let loose all the fury and frustration against the circumstances that nearly ended Slayer as we know it. The result,Repentless, is an album with a title that’s “made up, but everybody understands..” according to Araya, and a cover so blasphemous it could only have come from Slayer.

“You Against You” features a pair of wildfire solos that set the album alight. Bostaph’s 12-year absence is easily forgotten as he helms the drums with a stunning level of skill. His shining moment arrives early in the album on “Cast the First Stone”, which finds him seamlessly shifting between a dominant barrage of double bass and hi-hats to marching along with every step of King and Holt’s riffs. Araya’s vocals, while having gained some gruff with age, still underline the unbridled misanthropic rage that has fueled the band all these years.

The incendiary wrath on display here, so unapologetic and infectious, makes this album undoubtedly Slayer’s. “Vices” celebrates violence as humanity’s greatest release; “A little violence is the ultimate drug/ Let’s get high,” Araya notes. Lines like these are the reason Slayer is beloved. Frustration with a world rife with injustice can become so overwhelming (especially if we lose a friend too soon, as the band laments on the poignant “Chasing Death”) that sometimes expressing our innate aggression is the only way to find release. We find our inner beasts in the riffs and the drums and the primal screams and the thrash itself, even if it’s just for 40 minutes at a time. Here, we can let loose with little intention to apologize. As usual, the vinyl sonically surpasses the compressed CD, but again, it is all relative, and all of the versions are great.

Recommended.

Essential Tracks: “Cast the First Stone”, “Vices”, and “Chasing Death” Rating-4 out of 5 Stars

King and Holt’s riffs are fierce and unforgiving throughout, and their steel-clad partnership carries the entire album. “Take Control” begins blisteringly fast, and the song is kept precisely on track with each and every tempo shift by their masterful guitar work.

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KISS Debut Turns 40.

The Dawn Of KISStory. A Look Back.

By: Scott Saxon

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February of 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the debut album from KISS. The 40th anniversary.

The Ruby Anniversary. The eponymous album that started it all, that launched a legacy, that created a brand. The band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, with 28 releases being certified Gold.

But before the lunchboxes, the action figures, the comic books, the caskets, the condoms, and the arena football team..there was just a rock and roll band‌..with the intent of being the biggest rock and roll band anyone had ever seen.

In 1972, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons were in a band called Wicked Lester. The group had a deal with Epic Records and had recorded one album which took a year to record on a shoestring budget.

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Because of the lengthy process the album lacked focus and direction. Discouraged, Paul and Gene disbanded Wicked Lester, got out of their perfectly good recording contract, and set out to pursue their vision. They kept the famous loft at 10 East 23rd Street in New York City for rehearsal space and began the search for like-minded musicians.

Drummer Peter Criss was hired in late summer of ’72 and they began rehearsing as 3 piece but brought on lead guitarist Ace Frehley shortly thereafter so Paul Stanley could concentrate mainly on rhythm guitars.Drawing from a multitude of influences from Alice Cooper to The Beatles to The Who along with bands from the New York scene like The New York Dolls and fueled by raw vision, the band would write and rehearse constantly. They would also develop the face paint for the individual persona of each member, as well as costumes and stage presence.

Word of mouth soon spread fueled by gigs at local clubs like Coventry and The Daisy. KISS had a fledgling manager who got them a record deal with fledgling label Casablanca Records and were in the studio in the Fall of ’73 recording there debut. It was released the following February. It sold 75,000 copies after the initial release, peaking at #87 on the US Billboard Album chart. KISS reentered the studio that summer to record “Kissin’ Time” and the album was rereleased in hopes of generating a hit single, but to no avail. Three songs total were released as singles; “Nothin’ To Lose”, “Kissin’ Time”, and “Strutter” but none would become a hit. The rest… they say….is KISStory.

If you’ve been even remotely conscious on this

Earth for the last 40 years, you know that KISS is a machine that is still ALIVE! and well. Despite the ever changing music genres, despite original members leaving then returning then leaving, despite unmasking then remasking then letting new guys mask, despite trying to put the KISS brand on any piece of anything than can be sold for profit, the band still continues to play arena sized concerts around the world yearly as well as record new music.

I became a KISS fan in ’77/’78. Around the 5th grade.

I am still a fan to this day. I’ll admit, they lost me a little bit during the 80’s, but I will always favor early KISS. The debut album contains, to me, the core KISS classics like “Deuce” and “Black Diamond” as well as the aforementioned songs that were released uneffectively as singles. Many call this album a diamond in the rough and over time the material has circled back around and continues to hold up.

The longevity that KISS has maintained over 40 years is unprecedented and is no doubt fueled by in part by a worldwide fanbase. They have also influenced a vast array of bands and performers from Garth Brooks to Pantera to Weezer, while passing the theatric torch on to the likes of King Diamond and Marilyn Manson. Who can say what the future holds for KISS or what they have in store for us, the fans. They surely are a huge part of American history. And KISStory……is still in the making. Here’s to another 40 years of KISS! Debut Album- 5 out of 5 Stars Highly Recommended!

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Megadeth - Dystopia

By Scott Saxon

Rating :4 out of 5 Stars.

There is little doubt that Dave Mustaine andMegadeth have gotten a bit of a bad rep the last few years. Between albums that diverted from the band’s traditional thrash roots, to line-up changes, to the mega-expectations placed on a man, and a band with such a legendary background, keeping everyone happy is an impossible feat. None of this has deterred Mustaine and his longtime compatriot in arms, bassistDavid Ellefson. With the notable talents of Lamb of God drummer, Chris Adler, and Brazilian guitar virtuoso, Kiko Loureiro (Angra) on board, Megadeth returns with arguably its most potent album in years,Dystopia. There will still be naysayers and loud discord from the metal elitists, but if you cannot appreciate this neck-snapper of an album, which brings the band’s gloried past into present, then nothing Megadeth can ever do would impress you at this point.

product image Dystopia is meaty and powerful right from the opening volley. “The Threat is Real” is textbook Megadeth: A cinematic Middle Eastern intro gives way to a swarming buzz of frenetic riffing. The verses kick in with a trademark chugging bass and a bouncing guitar line. Mustaine delivers his vocals in classic menacing form. This song is an instant weapon in the band’s loaded arsenal.

The title track, “Dystopia”, moves along at a solid clip, unfurling Mustaine’s politically infused lyrics.

The track is equal parts punishing and melodic, and in some respects the song feels reminiscent of theRust in Peace era.

Mustaine continues to set the tone with the buzzsaw aggression of “Fatal Illusion”. Ellefson’s bass

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begins the race and the guitars quickly join in the pursuit. Adler is simply pummeling behind the kit and the song is packed with fantastic solo fills from Loureiro.

The onslaught continues on “Death From Within” and the atmospheric and ominous, militaristic bent of “Bullet to the Brain”. The back and forth dance across the fretboard between Mustaine and Loureiro elevates these songs past their somewhat humble foundations.

A sinister and creeping riff paces the chug-andgroover, “Post American World”, while some eerie and rolling acoustic fretwork opens “Poisonous Shadows” with its Egyptian tone. The latter includes some well-choreographed orchestration that embellishes the darkly twisting and majestic track which also features some haunting vocal nuances from Jordanian vocalist, Farah Siraj. Louriero, who co-wrote the song, also plays piano on the song.

After the instrumental, “Conquer or Die”, the band returns to the gnashing and bashing with “Lying in State”–a crushing bruiser lyrically driven by Mustaine’s social cynicism: “Another day, another manufactured crisis keeping the people distracted– There’s no one playing by the rules anymore, how will history portray us?” While some critics might rail against Mustaine’s sometimes outspoken political views, he hits the nail on the head here.

Dystopia winds down with “The Emperor”, a number that seethes with contemptuous anger–before the album closes out with a cover of “Foreign Policy” from the 1982 debut album, The Record, by Los Angeles hardcore punk outfit, Fear.

Fans who pick up Deluxe editions of the album will also get the tracks, “Look Who’s Talking”, which is reminiscent in vocal delivery to Countdown to Extinction‘s “Sweating Bullets”. They will also get the propulsive thrasher, “Last Dying Wish”.

Fifteen studio albums into the band’s 33-year career, Megadeth has created an album that blends its vintage signature with contemporary touches.

Dave Mustaine and company remain resilient and relevant onDystopia, executing a record with more hits than misses, and some particularly memorable tracks that should become live mainstays. Chris Adler’s deft and weighty performance truly shines

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on Dystopia, and the addition of Kiko Loureiro is an inspired choice which seems to have re-energized Mustaine’s own playing. If you gave up on Megadeth in recent years, Dystopia should remind

you of why they remain one of metal’s most influential bands. Bottom line: The thrash is back!

Recommended.

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