photo by Soupairecat
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BRODIAN’S BANTER
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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT- SINTERVENTION THREADS
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MODEL JULIE WILSON- PHOTOS BY GARY PREIS
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OPINIONS:THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG BY NOAH J. GAMBINO
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INTERVIEW WITH ALISA APPS BY SCOTT SAXON
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INTERVIEW WITH COMEDIAN BOBBY SLAYTON BY SCOTT SAXON
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LISA BOISVERT OF WILDSIDE PHOTOGRAPHY
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JILLIAN KAYE- PHOTO’S BY BRIAN LIMAGE
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TREASURES FROM THE PAST BY JOHANNA’S BOUTIQUE SHOWTIME
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LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT-ROCKING THE VALLEY
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ARTIST REX MAURICE OPPENHEIMER -------------------------------------INTERNATIONAL CORNER
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THE ROCK N’ ROLL FASHION CORNER: SEPTIMIUS THE GREAT
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LUCA CERARDI-LIVING ROCK...LIVING FREEDOM
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ALESSIA BASTIANELLI- CAN WE LIVE ROCK?
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LUCA CERARDI-CITTADELLA
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THUNDER TERRORVISION REVIEW BY COLIN CAMPBELL
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POETRY BY EAST SIDE BILINGUAL POET YVONNE SOTOMAYOR
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JOHNNY’S JUNCTION-BARRY MANILOW IN HOUSTON
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DJ UNANNOUNCED BY BRANDON JONES
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PHOTO MANIPULATIONS BY KEITH BOISVERT OF VERO CONCEPTS
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“SAVE THE HIPPIES” EXCLUSIVE STEEL NOTES MAGAZINE COMIC
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MARLOWE B. WEST TAKEZ MANHATTAN-INTERVIEW W/THE BROOKLYN HORNS
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COLICCHIO’S CORNER-ITALIAN RENAISSANCE MAN
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FILM REVIEW-THE WALKING DEAD(1936) BY JERRY SARAVIA
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FILM ESSAY-STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS REVELATIONS BY JERRY SARAVIA
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BONGO BOY ROCK N’ ROLL TV SHOW, EPISODE 1072 BY DANA SARAVIA
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BONGO BOY ROCK N’ ROLL TV SHOW, EPISODE 1073 BY DANA SARAVIA
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BONGO BOY ROCK N’ ROLL TV SHOW, EPISODE 1074 BY DANA SARAVIA
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MUSIC REVIEW-ELLE KING BY DANA SARAVIA
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ALBUM REVIEW-BONGO BOY RECORDS “BACKROOM bLUES VOL. 1” BY DANA SARAVIA
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CONCERT REVIEW-BY DANA SARAVIA
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THE METAL ZONE BY SCOTT SAXON-KING DIAMOND “HOUSE OF GOD”
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THE METAL ZONE BY SCOTT SAXON-KING DIAMOND “THE EYE”
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THE METAL ZONE BY SCOTT SAXON-INTERVIEW WITH NEW KING DIAMOND BASSIST PONTUS EGBERG
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MUSIC REVIEW-KURT COBAIN “MONTAGE OF HECK” BY SCOTT SAXON
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ALBUM REVIEW-ACE FREHLEY “SPACE INVADER” BY SCOTT SAXON
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ALBUM REVIEW-TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS “GREATEST HITS” BY SCOTT SAXON
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MOVIE REVIEW-DEADPOOL BY SCOTT SAXON
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ALBUM REVIEW-DEPECHE MODE “VIOLATER” BY SCOTT SAXON
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STAFF
Alexxis Steele - Publisher/Editor in chief Guido Colacci - Assistant Editor Mick Reynolds- Proofreader/Copy Editor Keith Boisvert- Design/Layout
www.steelnotesmagazine.com
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PHOTOGRAPHERS Sheri Bayne Bob Klein Mike Dorn Gary Preis Brian Smith Brian Matus Bill Des Jardins Gracie Thorpe Derek Mitch Rhonda Van Buskirk Lisa Koza Alan Ottenstein Larry Dell Harriet Kaplan Brian Limage Ron Shirey Dave Hummel
VIDEOGRAPHERS Lisa Koza DarkOne Skip Freddy Williams Larry Dell
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 Drama D Karma Moonbeam Bob Klein Harriet Kaplan JennyCat Elena Brokus
Scott Saxon Johnny Gibbs Luca Cerardi Brandon Jones Scott Aber Tony Lepre Todd Sobczak Monique Grimme Joyce Keasberry Johanna van der Heyden Nikki Palomino Stewart Brodian Matt Roman Eric Stacy Colin Campbell
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Steel Notes Magazine
is a monthly magazine featuring what is happening in the art, music, entertainment, and fashion industry. Copyright is reserved. Re posting is whole or in part on other sites and publication without permission is prohibited. All right to photos belong to their respective owners.
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BRODIAN’S BANTER MARCH 2016 Stewart Brodian
BY STEWART BRODIAN
It seems there was less than enthusiastic fanfare when on on February 24, 2009, the United States Mint issued a quarter featuring Duke Ellington, making him the first African American to appear by himself on a circulating U.S. coin. The coin is part of the U.S. Mint’s program honoring the District and the U.S. territories and celebrates Ellington’s birthplace in the District of Columbia. Perhaps people were a little too worn out from the ‘first black president’ thing. Ellington was very good to hIs musicians. As the big band era wound down, Ellington didn’t resort to doing combos (as with, say Benny Goodman).
Not the same as they had back in the 1990’s! Some videos were full productions rivaling the efforts of some movie productions. Some videos were so special that MTV would introduce them as a ‘Breakthrough Video’. and, even in the midst of all that, some could be plenty simple. Around 1990, there were two music videos - one was by Journey, the other by New Edition. Both videos had the exact same script!
His band continued to tour for decades.
Each started out with the band members in a bookstore (Journey) or library (New Edition) and all through the video, one band member wanted to spend more time with his girl.
When things weren’t as big for big bands, Ellington paid his band members out of his own pocket.
And, each time, the band would pull him back to hang out with the band.
He is also credited with composing well over 1000 songs.
At the end of both videos, when all seemed lost for the girl, you then see her walking off hand in hand with the band member.
For me, personally, I see him as the first musician to be portrayed as such on a coin.
MTV Only recently have I had a chance to view some of the newer videos on MTV. They’re not that creative anymore. The plots and production are almost as simple as in the early days of MTV. I guess they feel since viewership is down then, there’s no point. Very simple story lines and not much in the way of special effects.
The one thing I appreciate about that is that it shows there was a time where videos weren’t so pretentious. It also proves that there doesn’t have to be different themes between blacks and whites. People are so concerned with political correctness and abandoning certain stereotypes. Why can’t people just learn from history? Study up - it’s been done before. Don;t let people tell you that “You can’t”. The ones who try to keep you back are afraid of what good can come. They’re the real problem!
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ARTIST SPOTLIGHTSINTERVENTION THREADS Owner: Shauna Clarke Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Shauna Clarke Canada, the owner & creator of Sintervention Threads. Check out her Custom hand painted distressed Denim and Leather Rock & Roll inspired designs for stage and street.
Necessity is the mother of invention. Rock and Roll doesn’t follow rules and neither do I When the need for something becomes imperative, you are forced to find ways of getting or achieving it. Growing up and living in a small city in Canada, the availability of Badass, original or unique clothing is very limited. Circa 1984. A 12 year old girl in Winnipeg, Manitoba where life revolved around tight jeans, lumberjack jackets, denim vests, hanging out at the local 7/11, hair bands and boys in hair bands. When you are a teen growing up in a small city, way before online shopping, you had very limited options for acquiring the fashions to emulate the Rock Gods and Video Vamps you lusted after on MTV or in Hit Parader magazine. There were only 2 stores that I can recall in downtown Winnipeg that everyone would converge on to buy their Rock shirts, pins, studded belts and back patches etc. It was then, after acquiring these treasures, that you wanted to do something to stand apart from your friends who had all the same shirts, patches and jeans. It was all about being an individual within a group. Your clothes defining your place within a larger
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piece band. Growing up the daughter of a Dance Teacher/Choreographer and Jazz Musician who owned an operated one of the largest and most innovative recording studios in the city in the 70’s and 80’s, performing was no stranger to me. I attended my first rehearsal and they informed me we had a gig in 3 weeks. I needed a costume... and fast. The only available pre-made costumes were online on eBay and there would be no time to order one so...I bought a second hand-sewing machine and sat down to figure it out.
Invoke the Goddess Designs was born and I became a full time, glitter obsessed costume goddess. Learning my craft, honing my skills and selling costumes all over the world during the next 10 years would further my passion to create more cool and unique items to sell to the masses.
group. Rockers, Punks, Mods, New Wavers and Preppies. We were Headbangers. Life was good. It was the beginning of shredding up, acid washing, sewing on and generally Frankenstein-ing my own clothing in order to stand out among the tight jean, feathered hair, rock shirt, lumber-jacket masses. Fast-forward 15 years. After a satisfying career of continuing to break the rules in the creative field of hair styling, I decided to stay home and raise children. I then found my way to a crazy life as a mom, part-time belly dance student, performer and costume designer. It was here that I would purchase my first sewing machine as an adult.
I was enrolled in a bellydance class and was approached by my instructor to join their dance troupe which included 3 other dancers and a 6
After raising 3 of the coolest kids I know, I further honing my sewing skills making Halloween costumes for many years for my little ‘ghouls’ and a quick little stint in cake decorating, my husband and myself. I suddenly found the time to peruse the friendships and hobbies we had previously enjoyed “pre” family life once again.
The biggest of those hobbies being, our love for music. Enter my muse. My husband of 20 years. My arm candy. He loves to wear great clothes and I love to dress him. He’s a suit and tie by day kind of guy working in a white collar job but... loves to shed the suit and tie and look like a Rock Star by night. I started creating pieces for him to wear out during our new found freedom of once again going to live music venues around the city. He is very particular about the fit of his jeans and I was constantly altering jeans to accommodate his preference and style and then adding my personal creative flare...skulls, flames,
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spiderwebs etc. He would wear these pieces out and requests for custom pieces by local bands and friends quickly followed. During a conversation with one of my clients about how owning my jeans was becoming an obsession, it was said that “an intervention may be in order” to which I replied “quite the opposite, I think. You need to allow yourself to have a little fun. You need a sinful intervention. We looked at each other and at the same moment said “Sintervention” January 2013 Sintervention Threads was conceived. I have had the pleasure of working with many local musicians to develop their stage clothing as well as non musicians who are Rock Stars at heart. I have had my designs cross countries, oceans and continents. My name and my signature style continues to grow thanks my never ending desire to always push harder to be better and to never settle for mediocre. I also have to thank a very supportive Facebook and Instagram audience. the rest of the story...well. Stay tuned!! To get your own Sintervention Threads go to: http://sinterventionthreads.com/ https://www.facebook.com/sinterventionthreads Email: sinterventionthreads@hotmail.com
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WINTER MODEL JULIE WILSONPHOTOS BY GARY PREIS
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WINTER MODEL JULIE WILSON- PHOTOS BY GARY PREIS
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WINTER MODEL JULIE WILSON- PHOTOS BY GARY PREIS
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WINTER MODEL JULIE WILSON- PHOTOS BY GARY PREIS
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Opinions: There is no right or wrong By Noah J Gambino It can be said , we all have opinions. It can also be said that we all have hearts and lungs. But has anyone asked why? The answer is quite simple.. There is no answer. Opinions are basically a matter of taste. The subjects vary from food, beauty, music, etc. The same people who like The Beatles, may not like Alice Cooper, Kiss, or Punk Rock. But that’s okay , as I am sure the people who like fancy French food prepared by some famous chef wouldn’t eat at Wendy’s. Actually there are no opinions, it’s just contrast. Imagine what kind of world it would be if everybody liked the same thing. Taste and styles will always be changing, so I believe we must open up our minds and our hearts. Change is a good thing, we need contrast, we need to respect the other person’s opinion, and the other person to respect ours. Unfortunately, people take opinions on a personal basis, like “If yours is different than mine” it becomes adversarial. Only humans do this, and it’s due to the fact that they can be neurotic by nature. Do you really thing your dog cares what kind of bone your neighbor’s dog likes? Why not ask him and get his opinion!
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American Badass An Interview with Alisa Apps By Scott Saxon Alisa Apps is nearly everywhere, whether it is raising her voice politically, boxing, writing and recording her music herself to keep it pure, and creating an army of loyal fans. Her music delivers a one- two punch aural knockout, and she always delivers on her word. Here are some of her thoughts. HOW DID THE MUSIC COME TOGETHER AND WHAT YEAR DID YOU START OUT? Alisa- I’ve never been into singing other people’s songs – it’s not my thing. From the start, I always needed to express how I felt about things. It started in school with poems and English speeches. I loved it, it was natural for me. When I decided I was going to be a singer as my profession (not a dentist) – it was an APPSsolute must for me to be the writer of all of my songs.
Alisa-My name is my real name. It’s great, isn’t it – Apps. The whole world already knows Apps. I’m the only real App. Not something inanimate, soulless – kinda like mainstream music.
WHO IS IN YOUR CURRENT BAND LINEUP? WHO DOES THE SONGWRITING FOR THE BAND? IT IS A FULL BAND COLLABORATION, OR HOW DO YOU HANDLE IT? Alisa- I do all the writing of my songs and for this record , I locked myself & my producer in his room in the Hollywood Hills for eleven months leaving only for weekends (driving back to Vegas to make some money) ...then returning on Monday night. I and my incredible partner drove 27,000 miles through the desert going back & forth.
WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR CURRENT CD? HOW DID THE NAME COME ABOUT? ANY PARTICULAR SIGNIFIGANCE IN THE NAME CHOICE?
Alisa-Top of the World – and if millions of people hear it, I believe that’s were it will be and so will the
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people who listen to it!
HOW MANY TRACKS? Alisa- A perfect ten!!
WHAT IS THE THEME BEHIND YOUR CD? Alisa-The record didn’t start with a theme but after about the sixth song it was apparent revenge was the air. It’s fight music through and through – to win, to lead, to get tough. I am the alternative to little soppy breakup songs.
WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL “Mission Statement” ? Alisa -It’s simple, it’s what I have been saying every day – We want American Music Top of the World Again. Where do we see Americans making great mainstream music today? We don’t. It doesn’t happen anymore! The music business in America is in the worst state it’s ever been. This country used to be known for its incredible talent – but no one could say that today! The people on the street laugh at Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Kanye West & Co. The music establishment is churning out a succession of inadequate singers producing so many bland, substandard songs. They are all fake, with no real content.
So I have announced that I am the one who is officially challenging these inadequate, and highly overrated (all fake, no content) singers. We are going to Get Music Real again. I’ve spoken to 30,000 people, made hundreds of videos with them – and 100% of the people I sing to want my fight. There is so much passion! This is history in the making. It is very important to make American Music Top of the World Again. England’s kicking our ass.
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DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO TOUR IN SUPPORT OF THIS CD? Any other plans??
Alisa-I’m focusing now on television. I’m working on a television show and in addition I want to do performances on TV starting with late night shows here in the U.S. like Kimmel Live, Late Night with Fallon, etc. and if nice opportunities come up here in Vegas, great. I’m open to all opportunities coming my way. So, you will conquer it all? Alisa- I may have to punch some people in the face to get there – we all know these spoiled rich popstars need a punch in the face! And I’m already getting $10,000 a ticket for that fight. Go watch my
videos on YouTube and on my website AlisaApps. com it’s amazing; the people are taking out their wallets, purposing to me, saying take all of their money- they would pay everything they have to see me knockout certain popstars in the boxing ring. And it will be so easy - these singers are weak. I would love it. Can’t you imagine it, the Garden – Alisa Apps vs Justin Bieber, a once in a lifetime boxing match. And this aint no fake celebrity match,
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We all need victories. We all want to feel confident and strong to go out and make wins! I think this music does that. People have had enough of the depressing, rock bottom, generically produced songs. The people have spoken. And nobody would be stronger on these fools than Alisa Apps. We will get American music back on top – but only I can do it.
There they are. The word’s directly from the upcoming Champ’s mouth.
this is the real deal. No headgear, no bullshit cheating. This Bieber sucker’s dead. His scooter manager or little Mayweather can’t help him now. It’s Mano y Mano ! I’ll drop him like a fuckin rock!
It’s a great time to believe in music again, and to have an artist who not only delivers, but that fans can believe in.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEWCOMERS WHO WOULDLIKE TO BREAK INTO THE INDUSTRY?
Alisa-Don’t do it unless it is EVERYTHING to you – your one and only love. You will give your life to it. You will fall, you will be poor, you may lose everything – then, and only then, will you become great.
WHERE CAN FANS FIND YOU AND YOUR MUSIC?
Alisa-AlisaApps.com, and put Alisa Apps in all major social media sites– but don’t just go there and look around, get involved and sign up and send me a message. I may just get back to you!
Any Inspiring words for your fans?
Alisa-This music I created is inspiring – it’s really something special. People are really liking my new song Victory Lap. Go check it out!
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“An Interview with Bobby Slayton” To start off The Comedy Corner, I wanted to accomplish two things. One was to let readers have a peek inside the world of Stand Up, of which I am proud to be a newer part of, and secondly, to expose readers to some of the great comedians that have influenced me in one way or another.
The first comedian to be profiled is one of those guys that you might not know by name, but you’ll recognize his face. He has been in the business since 1987, and has one of the most solid records of consistently brutal, funny performances. He still tours, and if you get the chance...check him out. It will not be a ‘regret’.
Bobby Slayton came from New York, and to put it mildly...he is intense. His anger has not subsided, and his career has quite a few milestones etched along its insult strewn landscape.
Slayton is known for his intense style of stand-up comedy. He adopts a mixed style of complaining, insults, and personal stories and can be compared to Don Rickles. His influence on today’s generation can certainly be heard.
I was lucky enough, after following his career since age 17, to be given a chance for a brief interview. Whether he is doing stand up, acting, or on radio... Bobby speaks his mind. Here are his quick thoughts. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
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1. Bobby, first, can you say a small bit about what made you want to want to be a Comedian? Bobby: I became a comic because I really wasn’t good at much else than making people laugh.
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2. What did you do before you got your break? Bobby: Before my “break” , I was a bike messenger and clerk in a record store in San Francisco.
3. Who were some of your influences? Bobby: My influences were Lenny Bruce and Robert Klein and maybe a little Carlin.
4. Has the life of a successful comic, and all of the things that come with it..the traveling, the interviews, had any positive or negative effects on your life? Bobby: Traveling had kept my marriage together for 28 years!!
done years ago by my generation of comics and the generations of comics before us. With that said there are at least a dozen younger comics that are amazing. I’ll let people make their own decisions!
10. Do you have any plans for a new CD, any films, etc. that you’d like people to be on the look out for? Bobby: I have no plans except to keep traveling and working at whatever comes up!
12. Bobby, I have to ask.... the obligatory question, lol- What is your advice for anybody starting off in comedy? Bobby: My advice to anyone starting in comedy now is work hard at it and good fucking luck....
5. What are you most proud of, career wise? Bobby: I’m most proud of doing The Tonight Show Bobby Slayton’s Discography includes the following: with Johnny Carson multiple times, and playing Joey Bishop in The Rat Pack Movie. Raging Bully - CD, 1998 6. Bobby, Do you have any regrets? Bobby: No regrets except...maybe I should have studied and worked on my acting a bit more.
I’ve Come For Your Children - CD, 2003
Built For Destruction - CD, 2006 7. What are some interests or hobbies that might surprise your fans? Bobby: My only hobbie is cooking dinner and drinking red wine.
8. Do you have any goals you’d like to still fulfill? Bobby: The only goal I want to fulfill is make enough to retire soon and quit.Also to continue cooking and traveling. 9. Who would you say you like, or can tolerate amongst today’s ‘New Batch’ of comedians?
Born To Be Bobby - DVD, 2010
Be sure to visit Bobby and get the cd’s, tour dates, and anything else you’d like to know at bobbyslayton.com.
A special Thank You to Bobby Slayton for his time.
Bobby: Well, 90% of the younger comics working today either suck or are doing things that were
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LISA BOISVERT-WILDSIDE PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.WILDSIDE.ME | FACEBOOK
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MODEL: JILLIAN KAYE- ST PATTYS DAY GIRL photo’s by Mr. Brian Limage
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Let me introduce myself; my name is Johanna van der Heyden .Born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands where I started my Antique Collection with items passed down through my family when I was a teenager. It sparked my interest in collecting Antiques, by purchasing objects while traveling through Europe which France being one of my favorite countries. Thirty Years ago my husband Ton Van Der Heyden, daughter Monique and I decided to emigrate to America and settled in New Jersey. We were fortunately to ship the entire collection to America. In 1985, I opened a Victorian store which is called Johanna’s Boutique. I started to design and create Victorian Costumes in White Township, New Jersey.
In 2001 I moved the store to Belvidere, NJ and renamed the store Johanna’s Boutique Showtime. I continued to create Victorian Costumes the same year I inherited a Grand Piano made in 1840 by Broadwood and Sons in London. This inspired me to start presenting monthly musical concerts offering a variety of talented local and international artists surrounded by the Antique Collection.
I thank my family for introducing me to the marvelous ‘’Treasures of the Past’’. With each issue of Steel Notes Magazine I will discover some of these Treasures with you. In this Issue you will discover few items.
1. Bronze Angel. We bought the Bronze Angel at the antique market in Paris, The Pious. It was in 1994. Plenty of antiques there, however some items were overpriced but fortunately we found an affordable item. We were in Paris for five days on vacation and we bought it on the second day. I was excited to take the bronze statue home and make the vacation short so I could put her in my living room right away. The nicest part of the bronze statue is that she is called “Refinance”, she carries two coins in her hands. So she never run out of money. The sculpture is by Moreau.
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spoons and plates in the Netherlands. The cups measured the amounts of drinks in taverns. These measurements were highly controlled by the government. It was known that some tavern owners put in false bottom in the measuring cup to cheat the public. In the picture next to the measuring cups there is a pewter decanter, with an attached lid and on the top are two attached acorns. The meaning for acorns on top of the decanter is that squirrels never eat all their acorns at once; so we could learn from this. On the left is a plate from 1920, made from porcelain. It was a gift from my grandmother, the picture resembles good times with dance and party something that my grandmother wished for me.
2. Beethoven I always wanted own the bust of Beethoven. He was bought in America in 2003. It founds its place on the Grand Piano which was made in 1840. Broadwood and Son made pianos with metal frames and one of them was made for Beethoven. Because of Beethoven hearing loss he was happy with this piano, because he could feel the vibrations of the metal frame. So Beethoven found his place in Showtime on the Grand Piano.
4. Alabaster Bust of Lady
3. Pewter Measuring Cups In the 15thand 16th centuries people were using pewter for cookware, drinkware, measuring,
With one of my travels to Ohio with my husband Ton; we went to an Antique Auction. My husband eye caught the statue immediately as he thought it looked a lot like me. So he started bidding and he finally got the final bid. Ton carried this heavy bust to the car. What an act of love.
Alabaster Bust of Lady was purchased in 1991.
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5. Character Dolls In 70’s, when I was still living in the Netherlands, homemade paper mache character dolls were very popular however I never had any of them. Last year I found one on town wide yard sale in Belvidere, New Jersey. I asked the seller where she got the doll from. She said it was sent to her from a relative from The Netherlands. The reason she was selling it on her yard sale was that she never liked it, because the doll did not have a pretty face. She also told me that the doll was more than 40 years old. The doll reminded me about the 70’s and the time when everyone was making them, this was my time to finally own one myself. I purchased her at the yard sale and brought her to Showtime. Where is was sitting for 6 month all by herself. Later that same year I visited my sister in the Netherlands. We went to a thrift store in Rotterdam and there was sitting on the shelf, behind the counter waiting for a permanent home and other doll similar to the one I purchased on the yard sale in Belvidere. The sales person was very surprised that I was interested in buying the doll as no one else had been interest in him before. He was very affordable, so I purchased him right away. When I showed him off to my friends in The Netherlands everyone thought that he was the ugliest doll ever seen. I knew he would be happy with the lady in pink at Showtime. Now they are together after being a part for so many years.
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good idea; as the teapot is silver and with heat can melt! I never used the tea pot anyway, only for decoration. The few little boxes next to it, are silver plated. They are for pills and small items. The gravy boat is from England and is silver plated with a flame burner on the bottom to keep the gravy warm which I use many time for my dinner parties.
6. The pewter dish is made by an Italian artist. It is 24” in diameter. Due to another trip overseas I visited a gift shop on the beach town called Scheveningen The Netherlands. I saw the dish in the window. It was on sale, but the price was still quite high. I really admired the craftsmanship of the dish and I said to myself why don’t I treat myself by If you have a “treasure of the past” and like it purchasing this beautiful piece. featured here in the next issue of Steel Notes Magazine, please contact me at joboutshowtime@ The next item is a purse located on the right in the aol.com or call Showtime at 908-475-1002 and I’m photo. It is a metal purse from Morocco which you looking forward to hear from you. In the issue I will could find around the necks of camels. It makes feature more items of my collection and hopeful noise due to the many bells on it and it as has an one or two of yours. opening on the side. I think the opening is to store salt tablets for the long trips through the desert as htpps://www.Facebook.com/showtimeworks salt keeps the moisture in your body. A good friend gave me this lovely metal purse as she brought it on @showtimeworks her trip to Morocco. Under the purse there is an old Sterling silver tea pot on a warming burner. Of course this is not a
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LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT- ROCKING THE VALLEY Rocking the Valley - The Story A few weeks later, Kindra Rae was brought on board, rather abruptly. Kindra came to the show to watch it from the studio. The guests for that night became unavailable at the last minute. Kindra wanted to know what Stephen was going to do. I decided to interview her.
As I talked to her, I learned this young lady had a lot going for her and offered her the position of co-host on the spot. So, Kindra went from silent guest to co-host of Rocking the Valley in under an hour. She brought an energy that blended well with Stephen’s own form of energy. Because of this new chemisty between these two hosts, the show gained momentum taking it to Rocking Christmas.
ABOUT US Rocking the Valley - The Platform
Rocking the Valley was initially developed to address both the music industry in the Lehigh Valley Rocking the Valley was originally conceived to be a and the Business Industry. Stephen Christopher combination businss and entertainment show, with is an active member of the Lehigh Valley Business newslike segments at the end of the show. The Group and the Lehigh Valley Elite Group. He wantshow went live for the first time in January 2014 ed to put on the air, what these two groups had put with Stephen Christopher as host. Sherry Riamundo into the business world. was the health segment. Sherry dropped from the show to pursue other interests around March of 2014 but remains a fan of the show. As time progressed and new ideas were fostered, Rocking the Valley morphed into having musicians as guests with an occasional performing arts artist. Fourteen shows into the production, the studio was Many of the top performers in the valley were to be moved to the new Epicenter located at 1132 contacted to be a part of the show and all of them Hamilton St. Several delays during the transition accepted. threatened Rocking the Valley with losing it’s momentum. But, the move to the Epicenter brought new life and new opportunity to the show. In one year, Rocking the Valley has adopted a Local Musicians First platform with all activities directed to the benefit of local musicians. 2014 was a fantas-
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The success of this show is due to Stephen Christopher’s dedication, energy and leadership plus the chemistry between Kindra and he when they first teamed up. Right behind this partnering of Stephen and Kindra came the talents of Lucas Lasagna, Frank Porter, and Bethellyn lending their expertise to the mix.
tic year with our year end show having over 1400 online attendees, trending facebook, and all of our facebook stats skyrocketing. 2015 promises to be a fantastic year with many projects coming to bear. We have a staff of excellent people working for your benefit. Like us on facebook, email us if you like.
General direction: The station’s primary focus is the Lehigh Valley and the musicians/ acts therein. We will include independant artists, night club acts, solo, duets, garage bands and such in our playlists. We welcome bands from out of the area to submit their work to us, using us as a gateway into this market. However, we do not actively pursue relationships with other bands or stations outside of the Lehigh Valley as of this time. It is “on the shelf” for now. We do not represent one specific band as an agent nor will we represent one venue.
Affilitations: The station currently operates under the combined efforts of Bethellyn, Kelly Roo, Debi A, and Stephen Christopher. Kindra, Alexxis Steele, Frank Porter, and Charlie Brown maintain loose ties to us and work with us often. Other affiliations include Steve Lombardo of the Jetport, Lehigh Valley Storm and Lehigh Valley Steel Hawks, Tam Santiago, The Lehigh Valley Business Group and Lehigh Valley Elite group.
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ARTIST REX MAURICE OPPENHEIMER Primarily self taught, Rex Maurice Oppenheimer has won awards as both an artist and writer. His writings include many nonfiction books and articles, poetry and lyrics for songs recorded on Capitol and Arista Records. His paintings have been exhibited in a variety of venues and purchased by collectors in the United States and abroad. A dual French and American citizen, he has traveled extensively and lived on four continents. A combination of wanderlust, romanticism and artistic passion propelled him through a checkered past, which included everything from smuggling pre-Columbian art out of Mexico, songwriting in Los Angeles, vagabonding throughout India and across Asia, to living in London’s Belgravia replete with Rolls and chauffer. Oppenheimer had won awards as an artist at an early age, but for whatever reason writing came to dominate his life for many years. The desire to paint, which had smoldered within, blazed forth some years ago when he was living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he met and studied briefly with the Artist Roger Williams. He says he is entranced by the ability of pigment brushed onto canvas to create the color, texture and form of people, places and things in a way that somehow displays and evokes more than just those things. That reveals magic in the ordinary and speaks to a mystical connection, felt more than thought, with those forms. ARTIST STATEMENT: The ineffable echoes through the colors and shapes of the ordinary scenes and objects I paint. The commonplace speaks a mantra of existence and the colors blend a body of reality around an abstract heart. To try and keep it simple, a painting is not a photograph. A brushstroke, a shape of color, can evoke feeling beyond it’s meaning. I like abstract art, and I like representational art. I particularly like when the two meet. I was greatly influenced by the Impressionists. I hope to find the intersection of the unknown and the commonplace, to bring the soul of the mountain to the surface of its stones. From a certain perspective everything is abstract in the sense that it is just shape, color and light. Look closely at a section of an incredibly realistic lace collar painted by Rembrandt, and it appears to be blobs and strokes of paint in different values.
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In painting things I see, I am deconstructing them into shapes of color. Brushstrokes coalesce those color shapes on the canvas to create thoughts and feelings beyond the image we have given a name.
Although his early poems were rather hard-edged, fist in the air, anti-establishment-based rhetoric, which sprang from the
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notion that he knew much more than he really did, or that one could know things he now believes are unknowable, Oppenheimer finally found his voice with a much more solid, if not yet settled, style of verse.
of stars that died nine billion years ago, a solar system with asteroids streaking toward planets, a universe with thousand and thousands of galaxies, and…
Still tinged with the tone one might expect from a poet who has journeyed with one-way tickets on second-class sleepers throughout Asia, and whose education, while enhanced by reading an eclectic range of authors, owes the bulk of its knowledge to the rock and roll streets of experience, his work has been tempered by time and the elements.
These two people, tucking in the sheets, find comfort and contentment in each other’s being. Admiring their strengths and appreciating their foibles, they watch as life’s tempests lay bare an honest core of love, as mysterious as a black hole in space and as ordinary as a smile. Understanding to the depth of their being that faith in each other and in creation can bring them life’s little peace.
It is a voice that sees the cosmos in simple, real terms, focusing on human existence at the intersection of the unknown and the commonplace.
You can purchase Rex’s work of art at:
Where two people share the task of making a bed, surrounded by a city of souls, dreaming, stealing, working, living and dying, by a nation full of torment, aspiration, disappointment and dedication, an earth on which we are just now seeing the light
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Saatchi’s online gallery: http://www.saatchiart.com/ account/profile/299913
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The Rock n’ Roll Fashion Corner Presents International music artist who combines Fashion and Music. From Maryland, USA - Septimius The Great is Award Winning International Dance Music Artist, Entertainer and TV Reality Star who has mastered the fusion of multi genres such as: EDM, Hip Hop, Pop, Rock, R&B and even Opera into his own energetic and unique sound. He incorporates the 3 must haves of a top music artist – Unique Sound, Creative Look and Amazing Stage Show. He pulls inspiration from creative and unique artist such as: Will.I.Am, Black Eyes Peas, Lady Gaga, Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Cee-Lo Green, Pitbull, Flo Rida, James Brown, Frankie Lymon and Jackie Wilson. The name Septimius The Great, is derived from the actual First African Roman Emperor by the name of Septimius Severus who ruled the roman empire from 193AD – 211AD. Severus was most known for creating the famous Architectural Arch of Septimius but also known for being a fearless leader of
powerful and undefeated army which parallels with Septimius The Great’s plan for creating a unique sound and having a massive following. Septimius The Great has recently expanded his brand to network television with the 2015 appearance on NBC talent reality show America’s
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Got Talent and his music videos has been added to rotation on National TV broadcast syndicated TV Show series Bongo Boy Rock n’ Roll TV show distributed by Bongo Boy TV. He also recently won 7 Radio Music Awards, 5 Indie Music Channel Awards and nominated for a host of other awards such Hollywood Music Awards, Titan Arts Media Awards and others. He has traveled the world promoting his brand and music in 35 cities, 20 states, 16 countries over 3 continents and growing. Watch Septimius The Great 2015 appearance on NBC talent reality show America’s Got Talent Video Clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoQQt5W9oZc He has performed in front of audiences in small lounge to large stadiums with entertainers in all genres such as: Crystal Waters, Rupaul, Ultra Nate’, Gov’t Mule, Martha Wash, Peppa Mashay, Chrisette Michele, Jeremiah, Rah Digga, Lil Kim, Wale..... His discography includes his EP “The New Rome”, and his Debut CD “To Be Emperor” and a list of singles. He currently has various projects in the works including his upcoming musical project tentatively title “Septimius Reloaded” under Motivated Artist Making Records and new brand partnerships.
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The Rock n’ Roll Fashion Corner is very excited to have selected Septimius The Great as their featured artist this month. Septimius The Great is the unique sound, the creative look and the amazing stage show all in one presentation. Featured music video “I’m Fashion” which was featured on Bongo Boy Rock n Roll TV Show. https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCWMwBiky1Q
Artist Web Site: http://www.septimiusthegreat.com/ Facebook.com https://www.facebook.com/ septimiusthegreat The Rock n’ Roll Fashion Corner would like to introduce Blues Musician Plainfield Slim from Plainfield New Jersey aka Gar Francis. Plainfield Slim’s stage performance and style are unique and very creative; making statement with each of his live music performances. In the next issue Joyce and Monique will feature in greater detail the different styles of music and fashions of Plainfield Slim aka Gar Francis.
To be featured in the next Rock n’ Roll Fashion Corner contact Joyce and Monique at info@bongoboyrecords.com
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LUCA CERARDI - ITALY
LIVING ROCK …LIVING FREEDOM This is my first article and I immediately thought of writing something about what a rock life means. I accepted to collaborate with Steele Notes Magazines in the days around the death of the great Lemmy Kilmeister, while I was reading one of Charles Bukowski’s books, entitled “Women”. I was also going through a personal mess. In all this I could see some connections between Lemmy’s and Charles’ lives, and I thought “Am I living the rock?”. But what does that word mean? I see many people taking pics with horns up and screaming “rock”. By looking at their lives it seems that rock means living by drinking pints of alchool, smoking cigarettes, consuming drugs and having a free sexual life where chaos is always welcome. I personally had the pleasure to play with Lemmy on the road and yes, I lived and saw all of that with my eyes. So this means that we, normal people, can’t really say that we are living the rock. Come on, we can’t drink all day long, change girl every night and smoke joints forever. We actually have a normal life.
can still live the rock, I want to recall a part of the movie “School of rock”. At a certain point, Jack Black told the young kids that drugs and drinks were not the real rock’n’roll, but it’s about what you feel inside. What matters is the fire that comes from your heart, the soul that screams because it has to say something, all this accompanied by the rhythms of a flying V or a double bass drum. Can this be it? Being curious about what other people think about this topic, I spoke with a couple of friends and I asked them what they mean by “rock life”. They said many things but all were around their inner self, their soul, their life, the way to be, the way to show themselves. None spoke about the classic “rock stereotype”. So, a rock life seems to consist in something more then just smoking, sex and alcohol. It’s a way to scream to the world what we don’t like, what Route 66 - pic by Giulia Cerardi
So when we scream and put our horns up on facebook, what do we mean, if we can’t experience rock in that way? To put aside the idea of that stereotyped rock life and to show that we
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we would change, what we can’t change. It is a way to show the pain we live daily, the punches we receive to our face. We want to scream this loudly with our instruments, voices and with our lifestyle. It is a way to free our soul, to spit out what is wrong and to show who we are with a t-shirt, a chain, a motorbike, long hair and so on…so is it freedom we are talking about? The freedom to simply be what we want to be, freedom to live life outside the box that the system forced us to be in. It is an act of rebellion and an attempt of revolution. These acts and attempts failed in big scale in the past, but they are still alive in our personal souls. It’s true that for some people rock is just what the stereotype shows or a way to make money. They basically use the “rock” excuse just to justify their conduct. They are not true rockers the same way Lemmy and Charles (despite he didn’t like it) were, because what differentiates them is that they deeply understood life and the world we live in. When you get to that level of understanding, you feel surrounded by a big abyss. At that point each person reacts in their own way. We want to live deeply, it doesn’t matter if that means destroying yourself, fight for youself, struggle against family, prejudices, laws, rules, the system. The most important thing is to be free and to live a “simple” life but with a beating rhythm!
Route 66 - pic by Giulia Cerardi
When looking at dictionary.com, this is what I find as the definition of rock : “to dance to popular music with a strong beat,” 1948 (first attested in song title “We’re gonna rock”), from rock (v.1), in earlier blues slang sense of “to cause to move with musical rhythm” (1922); often used at first with sexual overtones (cf. 1922 song title “My Man Rocks Me (with One Steady Roll)”). Sense developed early 1950s to “play or dance to rock and roll music.” Related: Rocked ; rocking. Rocks teady, Jamaican pop music style (precursor of reggae), is attested from 1969” Or “The verbal phrase had been a Black English euphemism for”sexualintercourse,” used in popular dance music lyrics and song titles since at least the1930s”.
Well, we can’t live 24 hours a day like Lemmy and Charles. I mean, we can if we want to, but it’s “dangerous”. They were born for that! That doesn’t mean that we can’t live a rock life. It is in our nature, we need to be free. Not in everybody’s nature, to be fair, in fact many people don’t like and don’t listen to rock n roll. Rock n roll has something to do with people that really are rebels inside, the ones that want a life where they can choose what to fight for and how. They live a daily pain, they need to understand the why of things, they need to discover, to create, to ask, to change. What lives inside a rocker is a dynamic soul, driven by the positive side of chaos.
So rock means movement and sexual intercourse. Again, it seems to me that the word is related to “freedom”, or simply liberty to live your life not the way “they” want but the way it shall be, with passion and love. How many songs in history talked about these topics? Isn’t it a way to scream to the
world that life should be much simpler and easier than it is? How many times did we hear about trips, sex, love, fights, allucinations from the day rock was born up until now? So can we live rock too? Am I living it? I guess we can but we need to answer some questions first: Are we giving a chance to ourselves to be what we want to be? Are we letting our soul free? Do we spit out what we don’t like and what we like? Are we ready to take our Harley and ride across the world? Are we visiting the world and connecting with other rockers? Are we loving? Are we living free and satisfying our sexual life?
“what matters most is how well you walk through the fire” Charles Bukowski
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Alessia Bastianelli - ITALY Alessia Bastianelli
Can we live rock?
After reading Luca’s feature story, I wondered the same question: “can we live rock as Lemmy and Charles?” From a psychological point of view, it would be a very wide argument to make. To be exhaustive, it would also include some sociological aspects and involve looking at social and political issues, probably musical tastes and many other arguments. However, doubtless one aspect arises above all the others: both were artists. This doesn’t mean that if you are not an artist, you can’t live a “rock life.” Rather, the question concerns how difficult is to live a rock life. As Luca writes Rock n roll has something to do with people who are rebels on the inside, the ones who want a life where they can choose what to fight for and how to live their pain. They need to understand the why of things, to discover, to create, to ask, and to change. Inside a rocker lives a dynamic soul, driven by the positive side of chaos.” Thus, I see is a correspondence between life’s artists and the rock life. If, for an artist, “living as an artist” is normal, for those who are not artists, living rock may be a choice. For an artist, the dynamic tumultuousness of feelings and actions are the basis of being an artist. An artist’s sensitivity pushes him to search constantly for new forms and expressive languages. Whatever is the field of interest—music, poetry, visual art, or composition—for many artists, the aim is to express or share what they feel. An artist is often different from most people because his creativity is as important to him as the air he breathes. Creativity involves a leap of imagination into a different world, the creation of a new reality. For the sake of his creativity, an artist uses and develops his senses and prevents them from becoming atrophied by the monotony and routine of everyday life. Frequently, an artist is able to take advantage of perceptions based in his senses, even the smallest ones or those that seem insignificant to most people. When this treasure of perceptions is lacking, he desperately
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searches for it, even by taking drugs or turning to other substances. From a psychological point of view, an artist needs to seek new sensorial stimuli because he is a sort of high-sensation seeker. Usually, an artist’s life and work begin with the shedding of constraints and established rules, since the first step to true creativity entails a dimension of rebellion and transgression. Passion doesn’t ask for authorization from anyone. It’s full, explosive and without constraints in a way that can make it seem offensive or dangerous to some people. In fact, many artists like to be unfocused, to go with the flow. They will often fight for their art without accepting negotiations. Many psychological studies have highlighted the fact that, frequently, artists tend to be both extroverted and introverted simultaneously. The artist experiences greater fluctuations in mood and emotional states. In fact, many of history’s greatest artists have exhibited emotional dysregulation—sometimes to the point of death. Thus, artists are rebels, geniuses and nonconformists and are often reckless in terms of the spectrum of the human personality. Who would be? Probably, many people would be. Many artists lived rock, even when the rock life didn’t exist in the way it does today. One only has to think of Caravaggio, Munch, Baudelaire, Mozart and Monet. The list is endless. Deep down, everyone feels themselves to be a bit as an artist because everyone feels that they are different from others and are unique. This is a distinctive trait of the human being. In addition, many people feel some artistic streak inside them or simply the desire to distinguish themselves from others through their talent. But above all, everybody would like others to recognize them as talented. The hidden desire is to leave one’s mark, since this it is a form of immortality. Deep down, every one of us would be an artist.
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LUCA CERARDI - ITALY
CITTADELLA As I previously mentioned, I’m writing from Italy. How can I possibly not talk about this country at least for a little bit?Travelling IS a big component of a rock’n’roll lifestyle. Travelling means taking a journey through one’s self first, and then through the rest of the world. It’s a way to explore what this universe has to give.Let’s get started then, as there are so many fantastic places in Italy. One of them is where I am from: Cittadella, a small middle age town in North East of Italy positioned in the core of my Region, Veneto.
Translated in English the name simply means citadel, fortress. It’s a place built to defend the main city against its rivals.Cittadella was built around 1220 a.d., hence 2020 will be the year of its 800th birthday. It was built by the Republic of Padova to defend itself against its major enemy: Treviso.This latter built another “cittadella”, named Castelfranco Veneto.We are talking about towns surrounded by brick walls, with four main openings and four bridges that separate the town from the adjacent land. The bricks and stones are still pretty much intact from eight centuries ago. Only a small portion of the walls has been replaced with newer bricks. The material comes mainly from the Brenta river, the most important river in our territory. Part of it also comes from an old castle - built for the tyrant Ezzelino da Romano - located in the small town of Onara, just a few miles from Cittadella. It took 10 years or more for the walls of Cittadella to be complete. During those times, many fights used to take place among small indipendent cities of the North East. Padova - initially a Republic – ended up being controlled by the Carraresi family. They owned the territory for decades, and kept fighting with other cities and families. Cittadella was owned
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by the Carraresi first, then by Scaligeri family (from Verona), and by the Visconti family right after(from Milan). Cittadella was also conquered by the tyrant Ezzelino. He was supposedly under the control of the Emperor of the Sacred Roman Empire, but in actuality he was very much indipendent. His strenght and power were well-known and respected. He used to kill his enemies in one specific tower inside the walls, which now is called “Torre di Ezzelino” (several blades were positioned on the internal side of the walls. Enemies were usually left falling from the top of the tower and by the time they landed on the ground they would simply be a bunch of pieces of what used to be a human body) and has become pretty famous among visitors. Nowadays you can also walk on top of the walls, experiencing what it had to be like to be a soldier, constantly checking the horizon to detect the arrival of enemies. What is now a beautiful and charming town, was then the worst thing to face.
Those weren’t easy times… until things changed. In 1405 a.d. the Republic of Venice became the most powerful city of the Mediterranean Sea. Venice took Cittadella back, as well as many other cities, regrouping a large territory under its control. At that point in time Cittadella became free, and gained access to numerous privileges. Fighting along side Venice surely paid off. Cittadella lived a long period of peace - until 1797. During those centuries, there was only one war. It happened in the first years of the XVI century, when the German Empire, The Kingdom of Spain, Kingdom of France and the Pope decided to attack Venice due to the power it had around Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. Germans wanted to reach the sea and the Pope would have had so much more freedom in controlling Italy, if only Venice could have been beaten. The war went on for ten years and Cittadella resisted,
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even though Germans and Spanish – among others – tried to take it. You can still see the hole in the wall that was made by the Spanish in 1513. As mentioned previously, Cittadella was then enemy-free for more than two hundred years. Things changed again in 1797, when Napoleon and its France conquered Europe.They were able to enter the Republic of Venice, which fell after 1100 years of Indipendence (the longest Indipendent Republic in Europe ‘till now. England will reach 1000 years in 2066). Cittadella became part of France first, and passed to the Austria-Hungary empire right after. In 1866 Veneto became part of the new Reign of Italy, which turned into “one” Italy in 1871. Cittadella got famous one more time during the second world war. The town risked to be destroyed by the nazis, but the people, the soldiers, the “partigiani”, and the priest of the city diplomaticly convinced Germans not to enter the walls. Cittadella went through very scary moments, especially when the German cannons were pointed at the walls, ready to strike. Luckily the Americans - coming from south and west – caught the nazis and defeated them before crossing the border. Cittadella received the medal of honor for resisting them. In 1946 Italy became a Republic, and the north-east of Italy emerged as a strong economic center that empowered the country’s rebirth. After the war, the walls were left untouched, and naturally ended up merging with nature. Things changed in 1992 - with the chaos of “Tangentopoli” - when a new wave of young politicians rose to power. As a symbol for change and in an effort to try to make things right again, the local government committed to restoring the walls, with the objective of bringing them back to their original beauty. This plan was carried out successfully. Now you can appreciate them from inside, from outside, and from above – by walking on them. Cittadella might be a very small place, but it’s full of history. Just by walking around town you can perceive the incredible history this place had to go through over the centuries. And don’t forget the amazing food you can enjoy in all the restaurants. Ciao!
1513 war hole - Cittadella pic by Luca Cerardi
Ezzelino Tower - Cittadella pic by Luca Cerardi
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Main Gate - Porta Padova - Cittadella pic by Luca Cerardi
River around Wall - Cittadella pic by Luca Cerardi
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Porta Treviso door - Cittadella pic by Luca Cerardi
Wall - Cittadella pic by Luca Cerardi
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THUNDER TERRORVISON REVIEW BY Colin Campbell, Scotland KING KING The Clyde Auditorium 18 February 2016 On a very cold and damp night in February in Glasgow (there seems to be a lot of these)we make our way along to the eagerly awaited Thunder show, supported by King King and the reformed Terrorvison. We ran a little late so we missed the start of the King King set. I did however manage to catch a few songs and what I saw was nice and bluesy and I will make a point of trying to catch them again at some point to get a better chance to enjoy a full set. The middle band of the night was Terrorvison, who by all accounts seem to be loving this re birth of theirs. They bounced on to the stage running through song after song, jumping around with so much energy it was a shame that it was at this all seated arena which took a little away from all of the bands. The punky set seemed to go over well with the Glasgow crowd, even if it did seem a little misplaced in this line up. However they had the crowd clapping and moving with some of there better known hits. Terrorvison finished to loud cheers and applause and I am sure we will be seeing them again soon. The main event was everything that you would expect from a Thunder show, executed to perfection. They came on with the title track of there hit album Wonder Days. The sound was crisp and clean and Danny ‘ s voice was just amazing. They were obviously and rightly so playing a good few songs from this great album such as Black Water, The Thing I Want and the song based on the rythem guitarist fight with cancer Resurrection Day. The whole way through Danny had the crowd clapping and singing. There were the standards in there that you always look forward to at any Thunder show, Back Street Symphony and The Devil Made Me Do It to name a few and all executed with sheer siplicity. They came back for an encore with Serpentine and finished with Dirty Love. It was a great show, the only downside I would say (if you can call it a down side) was the arena does not lend itself to the party this show deserves. #Thunder Colin Campbell
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Poetry by Lower East Side Bilingual Poet Yvonne Sotomayor 1OF LOVE
It is within you I reside
Undying fits of love
I am overwhelmingly calm
You caress and backhand me at once
DE AMOR
I am wholly undone
Ataques inmortales de amor
And unabashedly torn open
Acaricias y me tiras al revés
Burning towards your light
Veo tu verdad cegadora reflejada en mis fracturas
Humbly not accepting your logic
I am re-making my past
It is with you I belong
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Estoy re-haciendo mi pasado
Es contigo que pertenezco
I see your blinding truth mirrored in my fractures
Aching towards your comfort
Humildemente no acepto tu lógica
Es dentro de ti que resido
Estoy agitadamente tranquila
2PERCEPTION IN FLOW Living in black and white I falter in the gray
Estoy complete y deshecha
Sweeping black thoughts Take wind and form the frame
Y descaradamente desgarrada
Quemandome hacia tu luz
Dolorida hacia tu comodidad
Upon the canvas of my life’s picture I only see the darkness That I find myself caught up in Of course, of my un-choosing
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For when I sail through the vortex
Sintiendome olvidada y como restos
With bruised and pained heart
Angustiada y sin importancia
Feeling forgotten and leftover
Sólo entonces puedo volver a centrar mi triste lente
Anguished and unimportant
Sumergido en viejos paisajes
Only then can I re-focus my sad lense
De historias de los demás re-contado
Dipped in old landscapes
Y dejar que la claridad brille de nuevo
Of others’ stories re-told
Perspectivas frescas a la mano
And let the clarity beam anew
Optimismo en el remolque
Fresh perspectives in hand
¿Dónde estaba todo esto antes
Optimism in tow
Cuando era necesario en el principio
Where was this all before
Antes de crear el caos
When needed in the beginning
Y que dañe la inocencia dulce
Before creating chaos
Tratando de crecer de nuevo
And damaging sweet innocence
Mi objetivo continuamente es volver a aprender
Trying to grow again
Y mantener la esperanza en mi cierre temblorosa
Alas, I continuously aim to re-learn And hold hope in my trembling clasp
3ACROSS MY TIME Misguided and apprehensive Full of tremulous love
PERCEPCIÓN EN FLUJO
Forbidden happiness
Viviendo en blanco y negro
The luck of losers
Vacilo en el gris
Stupid optimism led astray
Pensamientos negros de barrido
When will the bravado cease?
Toman viento y forman el marco
Unfounded and ungrounded
Sobre el lienzo de la foto de mi vida
In the beauty that she is
Sólo veo la oscuridad
That she may never see
En lo que me encuentro atrapada
Soulful and witty
Por supuesto, de mi no-elección
They tell her deafened wall
Porque cuando navego por el vórtice
Put up and destroyed many times over
Con el corazón magullado y dolorido
And so she wilted and died
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But lived and told stories
La suerte de los perdedores
Carcassing through life
Optimismo estúpido extraviado
Beaten and crucified
Cuando cesará la bravuconería?
For her sins uncommitted
Infundada y desconectada
Yet she took them all
En la belleza que ella es
Believing to be stained and damned
Que quizas nunca pueda ver
And dumb and blind
Conmovedora e ingeniosa
Until the seed of love
Le dicen a su pared ensordecida
Grew fast and held her stance
Construida y destruida muchas veces a lo largo
Escaping the lunges towards her
Y así es que ella se marchitó y murió
She felt she deserved no more
Pero vivio y conto historias
Resurrecting with slivers of hope
Armazones por la vida
Unfoolish to dream and want more
Golpeada y crucificada
Learning the velvet ropes of life
Por sus pecados no cometidos
Through an unsuspicious mind
Sin embargo, ella los aceptó todos
Horrid habit to keep
Creyendo ser teñida y condenada
She walks though the self and other-created muck
Y muda y ciega
Always peeling painful memories away
Hasta que la semilla del amor
Allowing healing’s forever-slow process
Creció rápido y mantuvo su postura
To gently lead and calm the surface
Escapando las estocadas hacia ella
Of an insecure beneath
Que ella sentía que ya no merecía
And so I turn to life
Resucitando con astillas de esperanza
With timid open arms
No tonta en soñar y querer más
And quaveringly embrace
El aprendizaje de las cuerdas de terciopelo de la vida
This bright new hopeful world
A través de una mente no sospechosa Un hábito horrible para mantener Ella camina por el auto y otro-creado lodo
A TRAVÉS DE MI TIEMPO
Siempre pelando en rodajas los recuerdos dolorosos
Equivocada y aprensiva
Permitiendo el proceso siempre-lento de la curación
Llena de amor trémula
Para conducir con suavidad y calmar la superficie
Prohibida la felicidad
De un centro inseguro
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Y así regreso hacia la vida
Mi amor hermoso y soleado
Con los brazos abiertos y tímidos
En tus ojos puedo ver
Y temblorosamente abrazó
Mi belleza y mi calma
Este nuevo mundo de esperanza brillante
Devuelta del destierro Y mí remordimiento
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Devuelta de mi alma herida
LETTING
Y la miseria de otra persona
My beautiful sunshined love
Postas y flechas indocumentadas
In your eyes I can see
Sólo para sentir y llevarlas
My beauty and my calm
Eliminando terapéuticamente
Returned from banishment
Cada espina individua
And self-remorse
Hasta que la cura me completará
Returning from my wounded soul
Sé que hay esperanza
And someone else’s misery
Sé que hay amor
Undocumented slugs and arrows
Sé que hay alegría
Only to be felt and carried
Con cada paso floto
Therapeutically removing
Con cada abrazo crezco
Each individual thorn
Con cada bondad floresco
Until the healing will complete me
Hacia el jardín que quería ser
I know there is hope
Hacia la mujer que siempre admiré
I know there is love
Hacia la vida que casi me perdí
I know there is joy With each step I float
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With each hug I grow
ANDEAN DREAM
With each kindness I bloom Into the garden I wanted to be
My new world meeting my ancestry
Into the woman I always admired
As I turn back; I am renewed
Into the life I almost missed
Refreshingly grounded I am resplendent and anew The freshest brightest flower
DEJANDO
Gently swaying towards the Incan sun
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Distance only measured in miles
Estoy resplandeciente y nueva
Feelings as intense as ever
La flor más actualizada, más brillante
Kilometers do not betray
Balanceándome suavemente hacia el sol Incaico
The sanguine warmth given
La distancia solamente medida en millas
Impossibility destroyed
Sentimientos intensos como siempre
On a fateful laborious day
Kilómetros no traicionan
Unbeknownst to all
La calidez optimistas dada
The unexpected joy of the familial bridge
La imposibilidad destruida
Built with hope and notions of love
En un día laborioso fatídico
Founded on darkened memories
Sin nadie saberlo
That created new beings of light
La alegría inesperada del puente familiar
Ridding the old of rancor and fear
Construido con esperanza y nociones de amor
Gently leading towards the other
Fundada en los recuerdos oscuros
A new covenant of loyalty will surface
Que los nuevos seres creados de luz
Forever acknowledging the traditions
Librar el viejo rencor y el miedo
Interwoven with new law and norms
Conduce suavemente hacia el otro
Descending from the unholy
Un nuevo pacto de lealtad saldrá a la superficie
Moving for the normalcy
Siempre reconociendo las tradiciones
And the healthy exchange
Entretejido con nueva ley y las normas
Openness the difficult goal
Descendiendo del impío
Yet still we are blinded
Moverse por la normalidad
By the shimmers of timid light
Y el sano intercambio
Leading up to a resilient and gentle end
La apertura del objetivo difícil Sin embargo, todavía estamos cegados Por los reflejos de la luz tímida En los días previos a un final resistente y suave
SUEÑO ANDINA
Mi nuevo mundo conociendo a mi descendencia Mientras miro hacia atras; estoy renovada Refrescante y conectada a la tierra
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WILDSIDE PHOTOGRAPHY www.wildside.me
N O I T C N U J S ’ Y N
JOHN
Houston we don’t have a problem PHOTO’S BY JOHNNY GIBBS
No indeed we don’t have a problem when Barry Manilow is on the stage. Barry Manilow performed his classic hits Wednesday night the 17th, at the Toyota Center in Houston Texas to an almost sold out show. Crowds of all ages showed up waving green glow sticks that were handed out before the show started and when Manilow took the stage, the fanilow’s stood up and erupted in loud cheers that drowned out Barry’s introduction. Barry just stood there for a moment and seemed awed at the crowd like he couldn’t believe how much they adored him.
Yes, I too am a fanilow. This was my first concert since I can’t remember, oh say...the 80’s. Yes, call me an old fart but the last time I attended a concert was 1989 when I saw REO Speed wagon at the Houston Bayou Art’s festival. It was long overdue and I am glad that I went. I took my lovely wife Sam with me. She didn’t even know who Barry Manilow was until she heard him sing a couple of song’s that she recognized. I couldn’t believe that she didn’t know who Barry Manilow was. I was speechless. I surprised her with the tickets because February 12th is our anniversary, our 22nd to be exact so I took her to the concert and we were not disappointed.
Manilow, still looking good at 72, still melts hearts and makes the young and the old girls cry. He made
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me cry too I kid you not. How did you do that Barry? Barry Manilow condensed more than a dozen song’s into a brisk medley deep into his set without taking so much as a five-minute break to change his jacket and maybe to take a quick sip of water to keep his voice soft.
The Houston show was Manilow first after postponing a few dates back due to complications he had from emergency oral surgery. You could never even tell after that great performance he put on that night. He was dancing across the stage from one end to another and wooing the crowd and at one point even brought a female fan on the stage and danced with her. That was one lucky fan.
One highlight of Barry Manilow’s performance was a tribute to Judy Garland. In the background on a huge screen was Judy Garland singing her song, “Zing”. It looked as if Garland and Manilow were singing a duet together. Barry was jumping from song to song and at one point when he started to sing, “When can I touch you,” A fan screamed out, “Right now!” This had Barry and some fans laughing hard. He accompanied a 1975 video of himself while singing “Mandy” and was joined by the Houston Choral Showcase for closer “Copacabana.”
Barry ended the show twice only to be called back to the stage by his loyal fans. They just could not get enough of Barry Manilow. Neither could I. Word is this will be Barry Manilow’s last tour. I hope not. Keep writing the songs Barry...Keep writing the song’s that make the whole world sing.
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DJ UNANNOUNCED Written By Brandon Jones Who is turning heads in the music industry quicker than the vinyl discs themselves? Who is putting a new spin on spinning?? And... Who is setting the new record for scratching records??? Kurt Plummer, that’s who. Kurt Plummer... AKA: DJ UNANNOUNCED! DJ Unannounced is a man who scratches more than a camper in a patch of poison sumac. DJ Unannounced is a man who’s turned the tables on turn tables. And... DJ Unannounced is a man who drops beats like a B List celeb drops names at a party on Sunset Strip. His technically talented transcendence of torpedoing and telescoping tempos are brilliantly infested with freewheeling individuality, sweeping arrangements, and tectonic tremors of tones. His artful framework is a swirl of sounds gliding naturally, purposelessly peppered with dizzying direction, melodic flows, and boom-bap brutality that’s wrapped in a wanky-whimsical whirlwind. His flashy, daring, and intense cloying pop crossover is a woozy rush amalgamating distinctive shimmering rhythmic propelled patterns and hypnotic baselines that simultaneously slashes as it sparkles with a creative, cohesive, and comforting crescendo of softly lurching weightlessness. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kurt Plummer & asking him a few questions. BJ: Who is DJ Unannounced?
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I built on the name becuase I realized my mic skills wern’t that good not to say I couldnt talk on the mic and move the crowd it just that I think personally my voice is a lil rough. So, when I learned more about sampling and realized that I could use this Missy Elliot vocal chopped with Lil John sample to say something totally diffrent than what is was intened for so now I can have them talk for me. I didn’t Know it at the time but that was the first step into me developing into DJ Unannounced. BJ: Whats The Difference Between DJ Unannounced and Kurt Plummer? KP: I would consider myself a hybrid DJ, I use a mix of digital and vinyl. I started off on vinyl and embrased tech over the years. Along with insperations from driffernt acts like Jeremy Ellis, DJ Craze The X-Ecutioners to learn new things. KP: I have been captivated by music. I always wondered how the music I loved was created. I set out with the ambition to find out. My passion leaks into my life in every format. For the moments of our life that really seem to be “alive”, are when we’re submersed in the metaphor of the mood and the beat, the purpose seems so clear then. All I strive to do is give someone else that moment, whatever that means to them person. BJ: How Did You Come Up With Your Alias? KP: Thats a funny story when I first started to “Find my way” I was going by Selosei Oni. I was playing my first venue. The host couldnt say my name right so he introduced me as DJ Unannounced.
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And learn that “I dont have to mix like this or sample like that”. So along with a solid foundation of turntables I now try to incorporate some type of live prodution into my DJ sets as well as nice cuts blends and drops. I Want to bring more entertainment in my set if I get a change too. To keep your finger on the pulse of what’s new with DJ Unannounced, you can visit www.facebook.com/unannounced181 and www.reverbnation.com/5points
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http://www.prolifick.com/
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http://www.attractionsmodels.com/
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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, steelnotesmagazine.com 102 | Steel Notes Magazine
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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The following are a few Photoshop Manipulations created by Steel Notes Magazine cover and layout designer Keith Boisvert. Keith owns Vero Concepts, a graphic design company based in Massachusetts. Shown are the before pictures (some consisiting of multiple photos) and the end results. Vero Concepts also works with bands on logo design as well as CD/MP3 graphics 104 | Steel Notes Magazine
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Stay tuned to see what happens next month with “Save The Hippies�, only in Steel Notes Magazine!
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Save The Hippies™ “What a Tune” - No 1.
One day a young hippie Zane and his puppy Cali are wandering through the mountains of North Carolina. He was bothered by thoughts of the mundane, and sadness that technology was so prevalent in today’s world. Then the lad stumbled into two unusual cats. Nature calls! Yahoooo!
The felines led Zane to a remote cabin in the mountains. A smoke with a strange scent is carried though the air as it is emitted from the cabin’s chimney.
Once inside the cabin, one of the cats encouraged the young man to taste a strange clear liquid found in a mason jar on the table therein.
As soon as he touches the jar to his lips he nds himself captive of a strange dream. A shooting star smashes into the cabin, and a very wise being appears out of it surrounded by heavenly bodies.
Knowing the hippie would never remember the all encompassing meaning of his words and intensions, the spirit left a magic book and pen to help this lost soul to save the hippies.
To add happiness a woman was created from a lock of the hippie’s hair so he could have balance in his life. And so this band of gypsies were formed and their adventures began.
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Presentz an interview w/ The Brooklyn Horns
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Ladies and Gentlemen and Children of All Ages ... I am Marlowe B West and I am your Ring Leader ... Let me take a moment to clarify something ... Marlowe B West Takez Manhattan is the name of my monthly column here in Steel Notes Magazine ... However ... it is also the name of my band ... I am about to share with you a phenomenal occurrence that I am currently experiencing ... You see ... suddenly ... out of the blue ... I get a call from Phil Stone ... the out of this whirled trombone player of The Brooklyn Horns fame ... He tells me “Marlowe ... you’d be perfect with horns!” ... and so here I go ... Marlowe B West Takez Manhattan is getting this awesome new midnight show together ... It’s an Anne Husick presentation on Saturday, February 27th at Sidewalk NYC ... the hottest most rocking hotspot on the lower east side ... featuring the dynamic Angello Olivieri on bass, Mick Oakleaf on drums, JOff WilsOn on guitar & hopefully, pozzibly, Andy Warhol discovery, Walter G. Steding on violin ... All this backt by the triple dynamite Brooklyn Horns ... let me paint you into the picture here ...
You walk into The Bowery Electric ... Before your eyes can adjust to the low light, you hear the high pitched sound of a trumpet ... Then a fast riff played on a saxophone ... Then you see the motion of a slide trombone ... are you getting excited yet
... well hold on ... There on the stage is the band The Magic Tramps ... a Rock Legend going back to the Golden Age of Sex Drugs and Rock of Ages is holding forth ... The boys are laying down a hard rock number about Max’s Kansas City ... The guitars and drums are great ... and there ... off to one side are three figures dressed mostly in black ... The horns are of a golden color ... the brass reflects the stage lights ... If one looks closely enough, everyone in the place is reflected in those shiny horns ... The men wielding these instruments, making this bold sound are entirely together with the music ... Ask Sesu Coleman ... (one of the original members of the Magic Tramps of whom I have already had the divine pleasure of introducing my reading audience to back in an interview in an earlier issue of Steel Notes) ... what he thinks of his horn section ... He will smile ... answer with one word and walk away ... “COOL!” ... The horn section is The Brooklyn Horns.
Joe Kaminski/Trumpet, Tommy Pezz/Sax and Phil Stone are The Brooklyn Horns ... a top NYC horn section for many years ... They have been in and around the vital New York City music scene a long time ... Sometimes playing alongside music royalty like tonight ... or with up-and-coming but unknown new musical acts ... Phil says “It’s all about the music” ... They started out just three young horn players from
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Brooklyn with a dream of playing Rock-n-Roll ... Their idols were jazz artists, funk groups, and bands with names like Chicago and Blood Sweat & Tears ... Sax man Tommy says “We paid a lot of dues to earn respect from those NYC rockers” ... They have seen it all...and then some in the BIZ ... “We got used to rejection, being broke, and going from gig to gig” adds Pezz “until you just want to give up... but you can’t” ... Joe is the most accomplished of the three ... He has a Doctor’s degree in music ... has played in over 60 countries around the world and has played classical, jazz and every kind of venue you can imagine ... Truth? ... One of the finest trumpet players in the world ... Joe knows that music is a difficult mistress ... Almost a curse ... Joe is a man of few words ... Tall and handsome ... he lets his horn do his talking ... But ask him about the most esoteric or obscure musical reference and you may get a one hour scholarly dissertation ... But not tonight ... “This is a great band” says Joe ... Phil wears sunglasses and plays a mean trombone ... “We just love what we do, and hope the audience likes it too”.
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TBH, as they like to be known, have become popular on Facebook and have a cool music website for their friends and fans ... They are constantly playing for recordings and around town ... but their real passion is to play NYC clubs and stage gigs ... TBH can often be heard with the great Joey Kelly ... They just recorded with CRAZY MARY and can be heard with a Janis Joplin tribute KOZMIC BLUES ... I am personally excited to be working with and appearing on the Sidewalk NYC stage with TBH ... They are set to play with many other cool Rock Starz ... Stone points out “Really, we are just music fans who get to hang out with our idols” ... Back in the day, horns were hot ... Now, that horny sound is back with a vengeance ... There is a growing desire now, for live music ... and often that music includes a hot horn section ... TBH have appeared in a number of music videos, and a surprising number of recordings (sometimes uncredited) ... But although it may appear glamorous ... the life of hard working professional horn players is not easy ... Everyone who hears them notes that The Brooklyn Horns “sound” is a mix of streets and a wild amalgam of many musical influences ... A sexy ... smoky ... jazzy horn section presentation ... Nice ... That’s why they
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are the best ... So, guess it must be time for TBH to play another set ... Jammin ...
MBW: Alright you guys ... now that we have the attention of our whirled wide readers here ... Can you tell us the story behind The Brooklyn Horns ???
TBH: Brooklyn ... That raw, violent and beautiful part of New York City ... a wild place ... to know it is to love it ... Neighborhoods of different people, food and music ... The most famous, diverse and interesting place in the United States ... This was the birthplace of three men, who became a music legend ... Growing up on the hard, dirty streets of Brooklyn made them tough ... and smart ... All styles of music were here and learned ... the soundtrack of survival ... saxophone ... trumpet ... trombone ... all forged in the melting pot of American Musical Culture ... With the iconic Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop they learned their craft well ... and earned respect in the business ... playing in bars, dives and nightclubs with many bands ... Night after long night ... in those smoky ... sexy ... and dangerous environs ... They got good ... Wherever they go now the life blood of Brooklyn is in their veins ...the sadness of blues .... the cool complexity of jazz ... the hot playfulness of funk ... the vitality and joy of R&B ... and the gritty reality of Rock n Roll ...They
have performed on the greatest stages ... with the greatest musical acts in the industry ... producing a sound like no other ... Ladies and Gentlemen ... we give you ... Tommy Pezz... Joe Kaminski ... and Phil Stone ... The greatest horn section on the planet ... The Brooklyn Horns ... MBW: Okay ... Perhaps some of you people out there get the picture of why I am honored to have met these guys and especially to be having this dynamite steam engine behind me when I hit the Sidewalk NYC stage ... I am talking with The Brooklyn Horns dynamic trombone player Phil Stone here right now ... Would you tell us about the guys in your band ??? PS: It would be my pleasure, Marlowe ... We have Joe Kaminski on trumpet ... Joe is the best trumpet player around ... He graduated from Manhattan School of Music with honors and has a Master’s Degree in Music ... Joe Kaminski is a well respected college music professor who also holds a Doctor’s Degree in Music ... Joe has played classical, jazz and popular music ... a rare feat ... He has played with such diverse acts as Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton and Southside Johnny ... He also played principal chair with several best respected orchestras around the globe ... The founder, leader and heart of the horn section, Joe is as comfortable playing a jazzy solo, as he is at screaming out high notes ... fasten your safety belt !
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Then on tenor saxophone we have Tommy Pezz ... Tom is known for his solos ... His sound and tone are incredible ... and Tommy’s background is pure jazz ... He learned from Sonny Stitt that you have to make that sax talk ... and he studied funk under artists in every corner of New York City ... Tom writes originals when not making recordings or club dates ... he plays all saxophones, flute and reeds in the section ... and is the soul of Brooklyn Horns ... Tom is Rock n Roll in attitude and in appearance ... Many bands have enjoyed sessions with Tommy either as a sideman or a leader ... Tommy Pezz appeared in the “Sopranos” TV show ... Get ready to get down !!!
Horn’s music ???
MBW:
MBW:
You guys got some mighty wicked credentials ... Let’s get Tommy Pezz over here ... How ya doin, Tommy ... I know Phil’s a modest guy so would you mind letting him off the hook and rounding off this introduction to The Brooklyn Horns by telling us all about your buddy, the trombone player Phil Stone ???
Thank you Joe ... It has been awesome meeting and interviewing The Brooklyn Horns ... Tell me Phil ... Is there anything you would like to add to conclude our story on The Brooklyn Horns ??? ...
TP: Sure, Marlowe ... I wouldn’t mind at all ... Phil holds the horn section together ... His sound and style keep us a step ahead and on the move ... Phil studied music at Mannes Conservatory ... and played with big bands and rock groups ... Inspired by Rich La Bomba Rosenberg and others ... Phil helped form the section that has now gotten such acclaim ... Phil is known for groovin’ low notes and for sensational solos that power The Brooklyn Horns to the top ... He does arrangements for the section and for bands ... and writes original tunes too ... Jazz and Rock n Roll are Phil’s influences ... That’s who The Brooklyn Horns are ...
MBW: Thank you Tommy ... I admire the mutual respect you guys share ... Maybe I can get a word in here from Joe Kaminski ... Hi Joe ... What might you have to tell our readers out there about The Brooklyn
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JK: Yes, Marlowe ... Thanks a lot ... I’ll tell ya this ... We play all horn tunes of the Rock n Roll Era ... and all charts ... The Brooklyn Horns are a horn section for hire ... Also we have a band that plays Rock n Roll and R&B Music (Chicago, Stones, Motown, etc.) ... and are available for parties ... events... stage gigs ... We also perform our own original music ! ... See our music video of our original song “Club Zanzibar” featuring Silas Knight !
PS: Oh definitely, yeah ... We have a singer in our band ... The rock star Joey Kelly ... He is a legend in rock music ... His performances are exciting and dynamic ... We recorded Joey Kelly’s original song “Aint Got The Blues No More” ... and made a music video of that song with Cyndi Dawson ... which can be seen on YouTube or our website ... THEBROOKLYNHORNS.COM ... We also recorded “Crying Over You” with Crazy Mary ... The Brooklyn Horns use only the best and finest musicians in the business ... The backing band has three gifted and talented performers ... Gary Salerno on drums ... Jay Nap on bass ... Jay Nap was in the famous punk band The Boyfriends ... Jimmy Labita on keyboards ... The guitar player is the amazing Emilio Criscitiello ... They all possess the same attitude and style exhibited by The Horns.
MBW: We certainly wouldn’t have wanted to miss mentioning the band ... sounds super awesome ... Now I have one final question ... My favorite question ... I
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ask all my guests ... If I could grant you three wishes ... what would they be ???
(Like our pal Ricky Byrd, who we recently played with)
TBH: 1. World Peace and Brotherhood 2. To record music that will be heard forever 3. For The Brooklyn Horns to be in the Hall of Fame
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COLICCHIO’S CORNER ITALIAN RENAISSANCE MAN Victor Colicchio Hi readers,
For those of you have been reading my column, you may or may not remember an article I wrote about the film AMERICAN FANGO. The film was written and directed by Italy’s Gabriele Altobelli. I have appeared in numerous American made movies, and television shows. “Fango” was the first time I worked with an Italian film crew and immediately noticed the differences between American, and Italian filmmakers approach to making movies.
American crews adhere to a strict shooting schedule, and film with extreme urgency. The style of filming is more prevalent when filming for television. On the other end of the spectrum you have the Italian filmmakers whose shooting style feels more like a family dinner than a film set. The atmosphere under director Gabriele Antobelli is friendly relaxed, and artistic. The shooting schedule takes a backseat to the moods of the director who films what he feels inspired to film.
AMERICAN FANGO tells the story of an Italian man who comes to American to pursue his artistic goals. I recently met an artist from Italy who is a true renaissance man. Michele “Rave” Grassani is sculptor, an artist, photographer, and videographer of extreme talent. I invited RAVE to join me at a gathering for director writer John Gallagher. Gabriele, Antobelli, and SOPRANO star attended as well.
I had heard a lot about Michele from many of my friends in Italy, and some American friends as well. I
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googled his name and found many examples of his work. Now let me say this, I was not only impressed by the many different mediums in which Michele Rave Grassani works, but I was left in a state of admiration by the brilliance of his work in all of the various mediums. I felt compelled to share the work of this multi-talented artist with my readers and tor “Rave” about it. I was so inspired by Rave’s passion for art I want to collaborate with him on my next project (a music video for a track I produced for singer songwriter Franky Cadillac)
“My works are based on what is in front of me and inside of me. Suffering from anxiety, panic attacks and OCD, I exploit these diseases through paintings, sculptures, photography, videos and music compositions to dig deep within inside myself. They help me to see beyond the surface of what happens around me, opening a more complex world of sensations, colors and emotions.? Michele “Rave” Grassani.
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Michele Rave Grassani was born in the 1976 in Pavia, Italy. In 1984 he enrolled at the Civic School of Arts ARVIMA, and participated in his first group exhibition.At age 12 he started to shoot short movies with his friends as his crew, and began to experimentations in film photography.In the 1991 he entered the Art Institute Michelangelo and earned a degree as “Maestro d’Arte”.In the same years worked as a Dj in locals clubs.In 1995 he met Stefano Musso aka Alio Die, who introduced him to experimental music, as Ambient, Power Electronics, Noise.In 2010 he again enrolled at the ARVIMA where he rekindled his passion for the Arts. In 2011 he worked freelance, cooperating with various local brands and the Greek Folli Follie doing photo retouching, video shooting and editing, and music composition.The same year start he began the experimental music project Thysanura, followed by other aliases and music styles, creating the indie label Hypnopompic State.In September 2014 he moved to NYC and was accepted into the Studio Art Intensive program in the prestigious National Academy School of Art basing his residence inthe East Village.His work has been exhibited and are in private collections in Italy and USA.
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Film Review Walking on Eggshells around Karloff By Jerry Saravia (Pseudo Film Critic) An ex-con who has just been released from prison can’t catch a break. He is a musician who had accidentally killed his wife, and is frustrated due to lack of cash. A stranger in the streets offers him a job to keep track of a certain judge, this judge being the very same one who put the ex-con in jail. It turns out there is more to this than the ex-con thought. So begins the fast-paced, often hair-raising “The Walking Dead,” a noir steeped in elements of horror
and it has got the uncanny Boris Karloff as John Ellman, the unlucky pianist who can play composer Christian Sinding’s “Rustle of Spring” like nobody’s business. When John is hired to make notes on the judge’s home schedule, a murder occurs offscreen and the body is dumped inside John’s car! It is of course the judge’s corpse and John is executed for his crimes, though evidence of passerby could have saved him had they acted sooner. Nevertheless, John is resurrected by the noble Dr. Beaumont (Edmund Gwenn, best remembered as Santa Claus in “Miracle on 34th Street”) who is anxious to use an untested mechanical heart. When John is revived, he realizes he had been framed and wishes to kill the participants in his electrocution. How John acquires keen insight on the identity of his culprits while he was unaware as an unemployed musician is a good question. In a rather fascinating turn of events in the film, John doesn’t actually kill his culprits -- they meet their demise through accidents of their own. At a running time of 66 minutes, “The Walking Dead” manages to thrill us, terrify us with Boris Karloff’s unmatched visage which needs no real horror makeup, humor us and leave us with a Biblical passage that has more depth about the consequences of revitalizing life than even 1931’s “Frankenstein.” “The Walking Dead” is a relentless nail biter, a classic, and further proof that Karloff could give one nightmares and goosebumps that could last for weeks.
Boris Karloff in The Walking Dead (1936)
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Film Essay Star Wars: The Force Awakens Revelations (Warning: Spoilers aplenty) By Jerry Saravia (Pseudo Film Critic) When the various pre-release trailers for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” showed no signs of Luke Skywalker, I knew instinctively that Luke would appear in the last ten minutes of the film. Truth be told, it was actually the last minute and a half before the credits came up. And something told me that Han Solo would die in this film. Sure enough, that turned out to be true too yet when it happens, it still manages to shock. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” one of the definitive Star Wars films of our time, shocks us throughout and entertains us. It treads on familiar ground with familiar sights and familiar characters yet, after watching six movies in this endless saga, it still finds some new, refreshing ways of involving us with nuanced details about the Force and how the complex balance between good and evil. That said, one wonders about the various characters in the film, their significant purpose beyond what we have seen, and one of the leading characters in the film and our introduction to the first new Jedi-in-the-making, Rey and her parentage. There are all kinds of theories regarding the latter so read on, oh, and please understand, this is only for people who have seen the film.
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Kylo Ren, the formidable new villain who carries a fiery lightsaber with a hilt, has something up his cloaked sleeve. Not only can this guy freeze a laser beam after being shot at and can use the Force to drag anyone from a few feet away, he can penetrate weak minds and read their thoughts. Ren is not exactly a full-fledged Jedi but he does have full control of his powers, though he is not as powerful as his grandfather Darth Vader and he is no Sith Lord either. That is right, this tortured soul who has anger issues is the spawn of Han Solo and General Leia. Ren used to train with a new Jedi order under the tutelage of Luke Skywalker but things went astray and he killed all the Jedi pupils. Luke disappeared in some island, presumably seeking the first Jedi temple. Leia hopes Han can bring his son back and restore the spark of light, the goodness that once existed. Yeah, good luck with that. This Solo/ Skywalker plot development adheres to the Anakin Skywalker transformation from good Jedi knight to the twisted Rey the scavenger in Star Wars: monster The Force Awakens that became Darth Vader. It also hints at Luke’s own progression in the original trilogy from farm boy tending to droids to a Jedi Master in his own right who almost succumbs to the Dark Side by attempting to kill his father, Vader. Luke doesn’t complete the transition to the Dark Side, much to the chagrin of the Emperor, and instead has his life saved by Vader who tosses the Emperor into an abyss. Luke never turns yet Kylo Ren, also known as Ben Solo, has turned under the guidance of the enigmatic Supreme Chancellor
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Han and Leia in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
during some sort of rainstorm after the burning of a temple. This is also a first for the Star Wars universe, the notion that a lightsaber is so powerful it can induce hallucinations in a Forcesensitive individual who possesses it. Will Rey be the future Jedi under the tutelage of Luke, whom she meets on that island where she hands back his father’s lightsaber? Time will tell since she can hold her own against Kylo Ren, though Finn is certainly no expert with the lightsaber (and he has no visions when grasping the weapon, which means he is not Force-sensitive).
Speaking of Rey, theories have circulated that Rey is either old Ben Kenobi’s daughter, or she is Luke’s daughter or she is actually Anakin Skywalker! The last theory sounds even more ridiculous than the notion that Jar Jar Binks, the most hated character in the Star Wars universe, is actually Supreme Chancellor Snoke (I recall Jar Jar being a fish and Snoke has none of those characteristics unless his transmission is coming from underwater minus a Jamaican Luke and Rey at the end of Star Wars: The Force Awakens accent). Rey has been left to her own Snoke. Luke doesn’t kill his father, yet Kylo kills his devices on the planet Jakuu, and a father with the barest hint of remorse (an Oedipal flashback indicates a much younger Rey screaming first for the Star Wars universe). This has also got presumably for her parents to take her with them. to be a dark emotional abyss from which Leia can Who abandoned her? Firstly, I do not believe Han never truly recover – her father tried to defeat the Solo and General Leia are Rey’s parents considering Rebel Alliance back in the day and now her son is how much they care for their own son who has trying to take his place. Prescription meds may be turned to the Dark Side. Leia pleads with Han to necessary for dear old Leia. bring back the Darth Vader-obsessed Kylo. Now it That still leaves us with Rey, a desert scavenger who is possible that Han and Leia abandoned their own daughter so that she would never learn about Ben is good at hand-to-hand combat and knows more Solo’s plight, yet Han acts surprised that Rey would about how to fly the Millennium Falcon than even want to go back to Jakuu (a junkyard, he calls it) Han Solo. Rey is Force-Sensitive, meaning she can and of course does not recognize her. No, there is control and manipulate the Force. She manages to the distinct possibility that Rey may be related to find Anakin’s lightsaber, (once used a long, long Snoke, that Supreme Chancellor who appears as a time ago by Luke and lost in Cloud City, for those far more sinister Gollum (Andy Serkis voiced both). keeping score of such things) and upon holding it, Snoke is consumed by the Dark Side, not unlike she has visions of herself as a child abandoned by Palpatine who became the sinister Emperor, and her parents; Kylo Ren with his lightsaber during according to wookiepedia, Snoke has been around some of sort of massacre, and Luke with R2-D2
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during the birth and demise of the Empire. This guy has seen it all, so there is a chance he is related to Rey depending on what he once was, Rebel, Jedi or someone sympathetic to Darth Vader’s cause? Of course, she may not be related to any character we have seen thus far, which may make more sense. These galaxies and planets are too numerous for everyone to be somehow interrelated. All this is pure speculation. I accept Kylo Ren as Han and Leia’s son because the backstory makes sense, especially with regards to Ren being Luke’s former pupil. But Rey being the long-lost daughter of Luke or Ben Kenobi is pushing it. Besides, Jedis and Jedi Masters do not love and are not supposed to give in to hate, two rules from the Jedi Code broken by Anakin Skywalker. Did Luke Skywalker break the latter? Interesting question because it seems Luke is all alone on that island when Rey meets him. Has he decided to live a life as a hermit like the older Ben Kenobi? That is likely and since Kenobi never loved anyone, as far we can tell
from the previous six films, then we can presume that Luke decided to live by the Jedi code (he did get married in the Expanded Universe novels). Therefore, Rey is not the daughter of either one of them, or especially Kenobi’s granddaughter since that would imply Ben was involved with someone before his demise in the first 1977 Star Wars flick. It is fascinating to see where this new trilogy is headed. I sense a disturbance in the Force with Finn, the former traitorous Stormtrooper who may have something up his sleeve. Yeah, sure, he abandoned the First Order but what is he really up to? Maz Kanata, a 1000 year-old female smuggler, looked deep into his eyes and says nothing…but she senses something is amiss. Now about C3PO’s red arm…
Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show Episode 1072 “Back Rock Burn” Synopsis by: Dana Saravia—Lifelong rock & roller, current music critic and Girl From Baltimore
The Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show proudly presents Indie Music Videos From Around The World featuring videos from 7 talented artists in 1 half hour show. This latest Bongo Boy TV produced episode premieres Saturday, 6th February 2016 in Brooklyn via the following TV channels: Channel 34 on Time Warner Cable, Channel 67 on CableVision, Channel 82 on RCN and Channel 42 on Verizon FiOS in Brooklyn and all NYC boroughs at 5:00pm. This rotation repeats Tuesday, 9th February 2016 in Manhattan via the following channels: Channel 67 on Time Warner Cable, Channel 85 on RCN and Channel 33 Verizon FiOS at 10:30pm. For a complete broadcast schedule, please visit https://www.bongoboytv.com
Opening this episode are London, UK’s The Chords UK featuring original member Chris Pope with the video for their comeback single “I Can’t Let Go”. A successful band from the UK’s 70s mod punk scene, The Chords UK are back with this high energy, hard hitting single that returns with all the sound and spirit of that scene. A strong song paired with a video that smartly allows the band’s performance to take center stage, this is a memorable tune marking
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a welcome return for the band. This stand out track was also included on the latest Bongo Boy Records compilation album Out Of The Garage Vol. 1.
Video Director: Johnathan Sequeira Web Site: https://www.chrispope.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/thechordsuk Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrispope099
Switzerland’s Michael Resin is next with the video for his latest “Walk Back Home”. Mournful guitar and electronic beats are paired with lyrics describing isolation and loneliness to create a moody, melancholy song. The video features shots of people feeling troubled and alone in various public places, adding a visual element to the song’s emotional tone.
Video Director: Michael Resin Web Site: https://www.michaelresin.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelResinArtiste Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelresin
Next up is Orlando, FL’s Craymo with his latest “One Love One World (We Are One)”. This upbeat modern dance pop tune blends in tropical flavours backing positive lyrics of tolerance and unity. The video features people of all ethnicities singing along, creating a perfect visual illustration of the song’s message of peace and harmony worldwide.
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
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Up next is Zombie Garden Club with “Burn”. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Zombie Garden Club now proudly call Nashville, TN home. Their self-titled full-length album that features this track has been accepted on this year’s ballot for the 58th Grammys nomination by the Recording Academy. With a solid bass groove and fuzzed up guitars, “Burn” is an excellent addition to this garage rock band’s catalogue. The psychedelic elements of the video are a perfect fit for this song and band, adding visual tone to the song’s powerful, spirited vibe.
French, this is an elegant and moving song. The muted colours and sepia tone of the video are the perfect visual accompaniment for the emotions expressed.
Video Director: Tina A5 Web Site: https://bettychrys.jimbo.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/betty.chrys Twitter: https://twitter.com/bettychrys
Video Director: Johnathan Mills Web Site: https://www.zombiegardenclub.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/zombiegardenclub Twitter: https://twitter.com/zombie_garden
Switzerland’s Betty Chrys follows with her latest “Souviens-Toi”. This is a mid-tempo, modern rock number about pain and still-present heartbreak from a time gone by. The music strongly conveys those feelings, even if listeners do not speak
Emyna The Rock Queen from Sydney, Australia is next with “Rock Queen”. Emyna’s vocals perfectly fit the rough edges of this anthemic rock track. Empowering lyrics like “I’ve been waiting for a long time/Now it’s time to wear my crown” are backed with strong guitar riffs, creating a song that encourages listeners, especially women, to break free and express themselves. The song’s strong and upbeat message is well-paired with a video that begins with a girl in school, at first listening to her inner voice, then ends with her confidently leaving the classroom to follow her dreams.
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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
Jelani Lateef from Chicago, IL closes out this episode with his latest track “Forward Advance”. A classic hip hop beat flows under Jelani’s rapped lyrics. A powerful song about overcoming the obstacles and limitations of tough situations, surroundings and negative people, it’s memorable from the first listen. Lyrics such as the advice Jelani gives his young daughter “Follow your dreams/Even though it may seem/Impossible” and “Real music/ Do real things” make an impact, helping this song’s positive and encouraging message cut through and be heard. The black & white video features Jelani rapping in different places throughout the city, intercut with various street scenes, perfectly complimenting the song.
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 has produced and distributed the Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show since 2011, and continues to put the spotlight on independent artists and their music videos worldwide on 54 TV channels. All TV episodes are always available on the web via Vimeo at: https://vimeo.com/bongoboy
Since 2014 Bongo Boy TV also distributes every TV episode on the Go Indie TV Roku Channel, which is available in the USA, the UK, and Canada.
Bongo Boy TV is Real Television on 54 TV channels across the USA offered in 2 regions – New York City and National.
Email: bongoboytv@aol.com
Video Director: David W. Johnson Web Site: https://jelanilateef.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/JFuryfanpage Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaylateef
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 & Roll Fashion Corner Featuring Joyce Keasberry, a new editorial that highlights fashion with music as seen in the February issue of Steel Notes Magazine.
The Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show is produced
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Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show Episode 1073 “Come TV With Us” Synopsis by: Dana Saravia—Lifelong rock & roller, current music critic and Girl From Baltimore
The Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show is proud to present the latest episode in their Rock N’ Roll TV Show series, “Come TV With Us”, bringing the audience 7 talented independent artists in 1 special ½ hour show. This Bongo Boy TV produced episode premieres Tuesday, 2nd February 2016 in Portland, OR on Channel 29 at 10:30 pm with rotation repeated for 2 weeks on all channels in the Bongo Boy TV National Region.
Video Director: Nick Le Juge Web Site: https://www.nicklejuge.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/Nick-Le-Juge Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickLeJuge
Next is Jelani Lateef from Chicago, IL with his latest track “Forward Advance”. This song adds the music of old school hip hop to upbeat, positive lyrics about overcoming obstacles and limitations. Including lyrics such as “Follow your dreams/Even though it may seem/Impossible” and “Real music/ Do real things”, this track brings a memorable message of encouragement and positivity. The black & white video features shots of Jelani rapping in various places in and around the city, allowing the lyrics to be center stage and perfectly complimenting the song.
Video Director: David W. Johnson Web Site: https://jelanilateef.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/JFuryfanpage Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaylateef
For a complete broadcast schedule, please visit https://www.bongoboytv.com
Switzerland’s Nick Le Juge opens this episode with the LA filmed video for his song “Good & Evil Featuring Prodigal Sunn from Sunz of Man (Wu-Tang Clan)”. The hard rock sounding guitar and drums that open this track lead slower tempo auto-tuned vocals. The lyrics describe the battle between good and evil present in all people and the struggle to make peace with it while standing up for what’s right. Prodigal Sunn’s hard hitting rap, including the line “No two wrongs can ever make a right”, sharply drives home the song’s theme. The video’s images of jail and street scenes bring additional plot and depth to the music.
Switzerland’s Michael Resin follows with the video for his latest “Walk Back Home”. Starting off with mournful guitars, the song then adds electronic beats creating a moody, emo style atmosphere. This musical background soundscapes the lyrical themes of isolation and loneliness very accurately. The video’s shots of people consumed by their electronic devices, not communicating with the world and the people surrounding them, bring an additional layer to the song’s emotional tone.
Video Director: Michael Resin Web Site: https://www.michaelresin.com
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FB: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelResinArtiste Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelresin
“Burn”, the first of two videos from Nashville, TN’s Zombie Garden Club, is next. This four piece band bring a mod punk attitude to their great garage rock. The solid groove of the bass and the fuzzed up guitar help the make this energetic track stand out. The video makes good use of psychedelic visual elements that fit the band and enhance the song’s vibe.
Garden Club, “Ache Of Love” is for a song that (along with “Burn”) is included on their self-titled debut album which has been accepted on this year’s ballot for the 58th Grammys nomination by the Recording Academy. Dramatic guitar riffs and a strong beat from the rhythm section combine with grunge elements to create a solid modern garage rock song. The B&W video, shot at an abandoned barn, gives additional atmosphere to this slow boiling mid-tempo number.
Video Director: Zack Eagles Web Site: https://www.zombiegardenclub.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/zombiegardenclub
Video Director: Johnathan Mills
Twitter: https://twitter.com/zombiegardenclub
Web Site: https://www.zombiegardenclub.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/zombiegardenclub Twitter: https://twitter.com/zombiegardenclub
The second video on tonight’s show from Zombie
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London, UK’s own The Chords UK are up next with “I Can’t Let Go”. Inspiring lyrics about not giving up or giving in and staying true to yourself and your dreams are paired with high energy garage rock to create this powerful mod punk single,
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also recently featured on the latest Bongo Boy Records compilation album Out Of The Garage Vol 1. Featuring original member Chris Pope, this song marks a welcome comeback for the Chords UK, one of the original bands of the 70’s UK mod revival that are bringing the energy and spirit of that sound to today’s music scene.
Video Director: Jonathan Sequeira Web Site: https://www.chrispope.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/thechordsuk Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrispope099
A second video from The Chords UK for their song “Mutiny On The Thames” comes to us from the Bongo Boy TV archives and was featured on the first season of the series. Delicate piano begins this track until singer Chris Pope sings the lines “Watch out fools who make the rules/For the mutiny on the Thames” and the strong backbeat of the song kicks in. The pointed anger in the classic punk rock lyrics is paired with sophisticated instrumentation in the music, including horns and banjo, creating a call to action to rise up against complacency and the greed of those in power. A powerful and memorable song from start to finish with an eye-catching video that’s great to see again.
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 has produced and distributed the Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show since 2011 and continues to put the spotlight on independent artists and their music videos worldwide on 54 TV channels. All TV episodes are always available on the web via Vimeo at: https://vimeo.com/bongoboytv
Since 2014 Bongo Boy also distributes every TV episode on the Go Indie TV Roku Channel, which is available in the USA, the UK, and Canada.
Bongo Boy TV is Real Television on 54 TV channels across the USA offered in 2 regions—New York City and National.
Email: bongoboytv@aol.com
Web Site: https://www.chrispope.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/thechordsuk Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrispope099
Each episode of Bongo Boy TV brings exposure and a bigger audience for each of these very talented independent artists.
This episode was sponsored by all artists featured.
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Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show Episode 1074 “It’s Our Season For Music Celebration” Synopsis by: Dana Saravia—Lifelong rock & roller, current music critic and Girl From Baltimore The Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show is proud to present the latest episode in their Rock N’ Roll TV Show series, “It’s Our Season For Music Celebration”, bringing the audience 7 talented independent artists in one special ½ hour TV show. This Bongo Boy TV produced episode premiered Tuesday, 16th February 2016 in Portland, OR on Channel 29 with rotation repeated for 2 weeks on all channels in the Bongo Boy TV National Region. For a complete broadcast schedule, please visit https://www.bongoboytv.com
This episode opens with the video “Phony Radio” from England’s own Electric River. A strong bass groove kicks off this song that mixes funk and punk into a rhythmic number. Lyrics like “Spinning ‘round/As my soul comes screaming out” describe an ongoing search for something authentic amid phony facades. The video features both live and recording studio performances intercut with city scenes capturing the frantic energy of this song.
Web Site: https://www.electricriver.co.uk FB: https://www.facebook.com/electricriver Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElectricRiver
Next, NYC singer/songwriter Willie Nile with the video for “American Ride”. Willie’s own heartfelt blend of Americana, folk and rock music is paired with lyrics that paint a vivid picture of travelling throughout the US, playing music and appreciating the entire experience. The video uses map and travel imagery of scenes across the USA along with various photographs as the lyrics are cleverly worked into the pictures on screen. A very memorable and enjoyable ride.
Video Director: Willie Nile Team Web Site: https://www.willienile.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/willie.nile Twitter: https://twitter.com/willienile
Sweden’s Dust Bowl Jokies bring us their latest video “Boots On, Rock Off”. A loud, wailing guitar riff starts off this raucous rock number. A fun 80s melodic metal sound backs lyrics that celebrate rock & roll and the lifestyle and freedom that comes with it. A black & white video shows the band performing in their gutterglam best, allowing the style of both the band and their music to take center stage.
Video Director: https://www.randscherz.se Web Site: https://www.dustbowljokies.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/dustbowljokies Twitter: https://twitter.com/DustBowlJokies
Video Director: Electric River
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Canada’s Jon Mullane brings us his award winning video for his song “My New American Girl”. The modern bubblegum pop feel to this number recalls classic AM radio hits, making this cute and catchy love song fun to hear. The video shows girls auditioning to be Jon’s new girlfriend via computer, adding a sense of humour and a modern edge to this sweet song.
Video Director: John Rosborough Web Site: https://www.jonmullane.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/jonmullane Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonMullane
Up next are Slovakia’s Egon and Pepso with their song “Anger”. Stark electronic music backs this song describing a breakup that leaves the singer numb and angry instead of hurt and heartbroken. The minimalist and at times disjointed imagery of the video is well chosen to help illustrate the feel of
the song.
Video Directors: Egon and Pepso FB: https://www.facebook.com/slavomirbachraty
Romy Conzen brings us her latest from Belgium, “Cruel To Be Kind”. Straight ahead arena rock backs this song about a woman who wants to take a chance and break free from her constrictive relationship and the relief she feels at letting it go. The video’s mix of Romy performing on stage with her band, break up scenes and lip synching the lyrics in varied scenes hold attention and are good fit with the song’s theme.
Video Director: Joachim del Puppo Web Site: https://www.romyconzen.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/romyconzen Twitter: https://twitter.com/RomyConzen
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Closing out this episode is TX’s own Scary Cherry and The Bang Bangs with “Girl”. Edgy glitterglam punk music backs smart, descriptive lyrics like “Real hard candy/An Oscar Wilde dandy” to create a stand out track. The band has definite presence and their personality and attitude are well represented with this song. The Russ Meyer inspired visuals of the video are an excellent fit for this band and further highlights the theatrical elements of their music.
available in the USA, the UK, and Canada.
Bongo Boy TV is Real Television on 54 channels across the USA offered in 2 regions—New York City and National.
Email: bongoboytv@aol.com
Video Directors: Aurelia Baker and Scary Cherry Web Site: https://ScaryCherryMusic.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/scarycherry Twitter: https://twitter.com/scabbs
Every 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 by Bongo Boy Records in celebration of Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show’s 5th season of bringing the TV audience great independent music videos. This episode is also proudly sponsored by True Tea Magazine and Steel Notes 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 has produced and distributed the Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show since 2011, and continues to put the spotlight on independent artists and their music videos worldwide on 54 TV channels. All TV episodes are always available on the web via Vimeo at: https://vimeo.com/bongoboy
Since 2014 Bongo Boy also distributes every TV episode on the Go Indie TV Roku channel, which is
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Music Review Elle King “Love Stuff” By Dana Saravia – Life-long rock & roller, current music critic and Girl From Baltimore I didn’t know much about Elle King when I purchased this album. I’d only heard a snippet of one of her songs that caught my ear, but it was interesting enough that I thought “what the hell” and bought a copy of “Love Stuff” when it was on sale. It turned out to be one of the smartest impulse purchases I ever made. Elle is a rockabilly singer/songwriter with wit and maturity beyond her years who brings modern female smarts to traditional musical style.
The album’s kicks off with “Where The Devil Don’t Go”, a driving bit of rockabilly stomp that introduces the listener to Elle’s distinctive voice and
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does a great job setting the scene for the songs that follow. Next is “Ex’s & Oh’s”, a spirited, clever kiss-off song that might sound familiar due to its use in various film and television previews. With good reason—the song is memorable and distinctive and is, in fact, the song that initially caught my ear. It’s a great single that represents the rest of the songs found on the album nicely. While “Under the Influence” uses a common theme of love as addiction, Elle’s raw emotion makes this song a fine addition to that canon. The bassy, bluesy stomp “Last Damn Night” follows. The opening lyrics “I’ve got one hand on the bottle/And one foot in the grave” and the chorus’ “So I wanna live my life/ Like it’s my last damn night/When the clock strikes 12/We’re all gonna go to hell” combine with the atmospheric music to help make this one of the strongest songs of the LP. The perfectly sequenced “Kokaine Karolina”, an acoustic, contemplative song about the ravages of hard living immediately follows and closes out the album’s first side.
Side two starts with the strongest-and my favourite-song on the LP, “America’s Sweetheart”. A loud, proud song that celebrates boldly being yourself, it also contains some of the album’s best lines. The lyrics “They said I’ll never be the poster type, but/They don’t make posters of my kind of life” alone stand
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out and make this song special. “I Told You I Was Mean” continues with unapologetic swagger and attitude on this kiss-off breakup song. The haunting, slow groove on “Ain’t Gonna Drown” adds richness and depth to this song about being cynical of salvation. The music of “Jackson” matches the restless feeling of the lyrics on this song of needing to be free to move on. “Make You Smile” has a smoother, mellow groove and is one of the few love songs on the album. Including the softer lyrics “I would walk a thousand miles/Just to make you smile”, it is well sequenced, and, paired with the album’s closing song “See You Again”, shows the vulnerability and emotional range of this young performer.
voice both in her writing and performing that sets her apart. There’s a raw honesty in her songs and subjects and while not every song hits the mark as perfectly as others, all have a natural and expressive quality that’s very refreshing, especially for a new female performer. “Love Stuff” is a rich, organic introduction to a young singer and talented songwriter. It’s definitely stuff worthy of hearing and I look forward to hearing more.
****Available on vinyl, CD and digital download from RCA Records****
“Love Stuff” is an impressive set of songs for a full length debut. Elle King has a lived-in, raspy
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Album Review Bongo Boy Records “Backroom Blues Vol. 1” By: Dana Saravia – Life-long rock & roller, current music critic and Girl From Baltimore
The Paula Boggs Band follow with their contribution, “Miss Ruby Kirby Blues”. The wailing guitar that opens this track carries the emotion of the song throughout. The slow grind groove on this tale of a strong-willed lady blazing her own trail recalls late nights in smoke filled bars, befitting the title character. The vocal duet brings additional dramatic flair, helping both the song and the band stand out.
Next is “All I Got To Say”, the first of two songs included here from Big Bone Daddy. The gravelly growl of the vocals on lyrics like “I thank the Lord every day/That’s all I got to say” front a bass driven mid-tempo number that describes his gratitude for the good woman he’s got.
Immediately following is “Inside My Head”, a rockier, more modern take on the blues and it’s the first of two songs from Vin Matteo included on this album.
A modern blues and blues rock compilation, “Backroom Blues Vol. 1” features several artists who showcase their own take on the blues. This album gathers blues and blues inspired artists from across the country, including those who are more established and those who are starting to gain a larger following.
Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs begin the album with their track “Miss Stacey”. The harmonica playing steals the show on this traditional blues infused rock number. There’s a danceable groove and an inviting vibe to this song, making it a great choice to start the album.
Blind Lemon Pledge is next with a song that’s nearly as clever as his name, “Sugar Rush”. Though comparing sex with candy has been done many times before, the double entendres of the lyrics are funny and the traditional music is seriously good and makes this one of the best songs of the collection.
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The sixth track, the second here from Big Bone Daddy, is called “Promised Land”. The down and dirty groove fits the lyrical theme of lost hope and despair. It’s also one of the most traditional sounding blues songs of the set.
Next is Kick Bend with their song “Gone”. This song blends a modern rock sound with a bluesy vibe. The piano’s music hall feel and the sound effects of popping scratched vinyl add charm to this fun, up tempo song.
The eighth song is “New York’s Finest” from Kimon and The Prophets. This is a crunchy blues rock number, sounds not unlike “Get Your Wings” era Aerosmith. Describing a long late night of trying to avoid the cops while partying hard in NYC, this song features strong storytelling backed with solid music complete with some excellent boogie woogie piano. Theatrical bluesy, boozy fun—a stand out song and my favourite on this album.
“Rat Race”, the second offering from Vin Matteo, is next. Continuing with his more modern rock blues style, this song about doing what you can to get by in the world has an interesting bass driven rock groove that would have benefitted from having the bass more prominent in the mix.
Roadhouse Son featuring Trevor Sewell close out the album with their contribution “Roadhouse Son”. Featuring a traditional blues riff and lyrical theme of seducing a young lady in the audience with the music, this song snaps with energy and joy. A fun, catchy song, it’s well chosen to close out this collection.
“Backroom Blues Vol. 1” is an enjoyable listen. Though the expertise and style of some acts outshine others, this collection presents a wide range of modern blues and blues influenced artists. It’s great to hear a compilation of current musicians who work within the blues and blues rock genre.
Available as a digital download from Bongo Boy Records https://www.bongoboyrecords.com
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Live Concert Review The Split Squad, The Paul Collins Beat, The Stents, The Idle Gossip @The Wind Up Space, Baltimore, MD 13th February, 2016 By Dana Saravia – Life-long rock & roller, current music critic and Girl From Baltimore On one of the coldest nights we’ve seen in Baltimore this year, I was lucky enough to catch some of the very hottest live bands currently playing. It was a *very* full line up too, including two of my favourite local bands, The Idle Gossip and The Stents, as well as two incredible national bands with some legendary musicians, The Paul Collins Beat and The Split Squad.
Baltimore’s own The Idle Gossip opened the show. They more than warmed up the crowd and the venue’s interior with their hard mod, punk-infused sound. Their songs have a wicked groove and the band gives 110% in every performance. They make high-energy, spirited R&B influenced rock & roll that’s fun to dance to and a blast to hear live.
I’m Not Sorry” and “Meet Mike Hate”. They are definitely a live act worth catching ASAP. Travel if you must & bring money to get their 45s after the show—they are more than worth the effort.
The legendary Paul Collins Beat followed and they were as electrifying and superb as ever. It was a joy to once again see this excellent songwriter perform some of the very best power pop live. The young musicians Paul currently has playing alongside him do a great job and it was impressive to watch them hold their own as they shared the stage. Paul Collins continues to be a stellar singer/songwriter and will always be a legend worth seeing in concert.
Closing the show that night was the most super of super groups ever for my money, the incredible Split Squad. Featuring members from bands including The Fleshtones, The Plimsouls and Blondie, this group is a musical force of nature both recorded and live. Each member brings influence and style from their usual bands to this group, blending it all into something special and unique. Though touring lineup varies at times, the only member not present from the recorded band was Clem Burke. However, Florent Barbier did a fabulous job filling in on drums and brought an energy all his own to the mix. They performed several songs of their album “Now Hear This”, including the title track, “Superman Says” and their cover of the Small Faces “Sorry She’s Mine”. My favourite moment of the night was an encore performance of The Plimsouls’ “Million Miles Away”. Everyone in the crowd sang along to this classic favourite and it was magical. The Split Squad is always on fire live and that night’s performance was a bonfire. They tour often so look for them to play near you & definitely make it a date to see them as soon as you can. Great nights of full of real rock & roll from four fantastic bands don’t come around often and I’m thrilled I was there for this one.
The Stents, another local act who are getting much deserved wider recognition, took the stage next. Their melodic garage punk is catchy and memorable and it’s incredible to hear live. I was thrilled to hear two of my fave songs from these guys “Sorry
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For tour dates, general info and more on each band: The Idle Gossip Web Site: https://theidlegossip.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/theidlegossip
The Idle Gossip, photo by Jerry Saravia
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theidlegossip
The Stents Web Site: https://www.thestents.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheStents Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_stents
The Paul Collins Beat Web Site: https://www.myspace.com/paulcollinsbeat
The Stents, used courtesy of The Stents
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ Paul-Collins-Beat-46392812761 Twitter: https://twitter.com/paulvcollins
The Split Squad Web Site: https://www.thesplitsquad.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheSplitSquad Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesplitsquad
The Paul Collins Beat, photo by John Kelly
The Split Squad, used courtesy of The Split Squad
King Diamond “House of God” By: Scott Saxon Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
One of the lesser-known of King Diamond’s prolific career, House of God was recorded at Nomad Recording Studio in Texas in April 2000. It was released two months later by Metal Blade. Although not well received upon its release, House of God is perhaps one of Diamond’s most complicated and intriguing releases, incorporating facets of his works with Mercyful Fate. The storyline is much darker and philosophical than previous works, as well as the works that have followed. The satanic elements are disturbing and blasphemous to the faithful, with the music reflecting the lyrical content.
The opening track, titled “Upon the Cross,” sets the scene for the events that follow. According to the lyrics, Christ was tortured heavily upon the cross, but he did not die. Instead, he was smuggled to Southern France, where he continued to exist in tranquility. There he married Magdalene, one of his key apostles. It was also in France that he founded another church, the so-called “Church of God,” to serve all gods at will (hints of Crowley here). Having established a core sound with elements of progressive metal and speed metal on this occasion King Diamond reverts to a darker, more atmospheric sound. The core structures of speed metal remain, but they are harsher, somewhat rawer in texture. Guitarists Andy LaRocque and Glen Drover set down some heavy riffs and leads, but they also pull back
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on tracks such as “The Trees Have Eyes” to create a bitter, sardonic sound with some bone-crunching rhythms and hooks. Bassist David Harbour creates a distinct low end with some reverberating licks, complemented by the harsher percussive bursts of John Luke Hebert. King Diamond also modifies his vocal approach, using techniques usually saved for his performances with Mercyful Fate. His low-end growl and medium-layered rasp are used more frequently, so that his falsetto moments come off as edgier and more disquieting. The concept on this CD reflects the legend of Rennes-le-Chateau, which some believe is the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene. The story involves a man seduced by the guardian of a small church at the bottom of the hill. The female guardian is both angelic and feral, at times appearing as a wolf with sparking eyes. The church serves all beliefs, judging none so that both good and evil are but sides in a cosmic coin. The guardian, named “Angel,” must find a replacement guardian or she will die within a year’s time. The narrator agrees to take over, but he is despondent over his great love for the woman. He falls deep into himself, realizing that there are no ideals in God or his counterpart the devil and that a prime mover of some type is merely manipulating humanity. Despondent in his own mind’s ideas, he loses faith in life and hangs himself within the church. One of the most starling lyrical sequences is in the final song, “This Place is Terrible.” In this song, the man watches in horror as Christ himself emerges from a catacomb below the church’s floor. The light of Christ fills the church, but His words are like acid: “You have entered where not human must go. You have seen the lie . . . the lie about the cross,” The song then implies that Christ is just one of many demons who perpetuate a great lie, one that every human who is willing to reveal deep inside his or her
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heart. Thus, “God and Satan are just puppets on our strings, creating conflicts in your little human minds, keeping us alive.� No longer willing to feed an unknown force, the man concludes that this place is indeed terrible, and with rope in hand, hopes that in death he can at last come face-to-face with the true father of the universe. Those out there who never bothered to listen to House of God or simply set it aside should pick it up again. Although some of the lyrics are filled with tension and may present too many philosophical ideas, King Diamond and his band do a great job of underscoring the concept album with some great music, with plenty of catchy sections that will have the faithful headbanging through most of the CD. A worthy addition!
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King Diamond’s The Eye-A Review By:Scott M Saxon Rating- 5 Stars
SHaving wrapped up the storyline of Them with Conspiracy, King Diamond in 1990 unleashed a new tale with The Eye . The story here centers around a cursed object, a necklace that enables its handler to see into the past of those who have possessed it. Unlike other works, The Eye contains actual events and people, intermixed with King Diamond’s own distinct storytelling prowess.
Lyrically, the story begins with “Eye of the Witch,” which introduces the cursed necklace. An unnamed narrator grows cold as the necklace entices him back in time so that he can relive the birth of this abhorred object. “The Trial (Chambre Ardente)” chronicles an actual historical event in which Jeannue Dibasson is accused of being a witch. Dibasson is naturally found guilty. In “Burn,” she is burned at the stake, and it is here that the necklace she wears becomes The Eye of the Witch. The story at this point shifts forward in time. In “Two Little Girls,” a pair of young girls find the Eye of the Witch in some ashes. One of the girls looks into the necklace’s center jewel and to her horror begins to choke—forever.
The story then shifts again, telling another tale with a basis in actual history. “Into the Convent” introduces 18-year-old nun Madeleine Bavent and Father Mathurin Picard, who runs the convent at Louviers, France. Picard entices Bavent and other young nuns to drink his tainted wine, which makes them susceptible to sexual and later murderous Musically, this album is full-out progressive metal, acts. “Father Picard” talks about “the white powder richly layered with keyboards and acoustic guitars. Guitarists Andy LaRocque and Pete Blakk emphasize in the wine” and its effects on the nuns, “Behind these Walls” hints that Madeleine suspects that she melody throughout, evoking more striking emois being drugged, and “The Meetings” discusses tions, such as sadness, dread, and longing through one unholy night of blasphemy in which the priests the use of acoustic passages, melodic rhythms, and nuns defile a child. and subdued riffs. Skinsman Snowy Shaw turns in a solid performance and bassist Hal Patino keeps After the instrumental “Insanity,” this story wraps the groove light and clean. Joining King Diamond with “1642 Imprisonment,” again based on actual on keyboards is Robert Falcao. King Diamond also historical events. The album then returns full circle continues the use of the harpsichord to create to the narrator in “The Curse.” At this point hopeand old-fashioned vibe. As for his vocals, Diamond lessly insane, the narrator is obsessed with The on this outing relies more on his mid-range growl, Eye of the Witch,” claiming that only he can use its which makes his falsetto stand out even more when powers. it is used.
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Although not as lauded as other King Diamond concept albums, The Eye is a unique experience, once that blends actual events into the realm of the fictional, making the story much more frightening. The band is also reaches a peak of sorts in that the story is strengthened by the musical approach, with thick atmospheric moments punctuated by intense moments of thrash metal. Another important facet is that the band takes several moments to evoke beautiful moments of melody, in some cases turning such interludes into startling snippets of chilling horror. The essence of horror is very much palpable on every song on here, and for that The Eye be experienced again and again. Highly Recommended. For this release, the Vinyl is the way to go, or the Re-Mastered CD by guitarist Andy LaRocque. The clear, grey vinyl was used for this review, along with the Re-Mastered CD.
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An Interview with New King Diamond Bassist Pontus Egberg Pontus Egberg is incredibly talented. Recently, after the loss of bassist Hal Patino, he was drafted by King Diamond to tour on his legendary Abigail 2015 Tour.
Soundgarden and the list goes on. That’s probably where my main influences come from but there are of course a lot of great music that has influenced me in other styles as well.
Here are a few words from him.
1. Hi, Pontus... While you are known for your bass playing, do you play other instruments as well?
Pontus-Hi Scott! Not really. Like you say the bass guitar is my main instrument and although I sometimes cheat a little at the guitar and some keyboards I really couldn’t say I have mastered those instruments in any way. The times I do play guitar or keyboards are mainly in the studio when I’m writing music and I have to get an idea down.
2. What music or bands had a large influence on you?
Pontus-Well, I pretty much grew up listening to 70’s and 80’s Hard Rock and Metal, bands like AC/ DC, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and on to Van Halen, Ronnie James Dio and later King’s X,
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What music do you listen to that might surprise your fans?
Pontus-I like to listen to some jazz, Miles Davis for instance. And Bob Marley is an old favorite.
3. At what age did you decide to make a career out of music?
Pontus-I still haven’t decided that! Seriously I’ve always, since I started playing in bands when I was 12 years old or something, really enjoyed playing and things have just sort of happened for me. It was never really a conscious choice that now I’m going to be a musician, one thing led to another and here we are. Don’t get me wrong, it’s something I’ve always wanted and I suppose a lot of different small choices along the way have led me down this path.
4. What has been the high point of your career so far?
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Pontus-I’ve been fortunate enough to have been a part of a lot of fun and great things during my career so it’s hard to point out any particular show or incident as a high point but at the same time this last year and half that I’ve been in the King Diamond band has been really great and is definitely the peak so far. I’ve really enjoyed the touring we’ve done so far and I hope there’s a lot more of that coming in the future.
5. What brand of instrument do you prefer to use? Do you endorse any company?
Pontus-I play Sandberg basses, really awesome instruments if you ask me. For amps I play mainly EBS amps and cabinets, also really great equipment that always delivers. Both companies have really great staff as well that has been helping me out a lot. Great stuff!
6. What do you enjoy doing when you are not playing? What are some of your non- musical interests?
Pontus- I do a bit of graphic design work that I really enjoy, video editing and stuff like that also. Creative stuff in general. Some sports as well, nothing serious but trying to stay in shape you know.
that a good fit? Did you have a good time on the tour?
Pontus- When I first started playing with King I was called in and with just a few days of preparation ...I had to do my first show quickly, so that was sort of a nerve wrecking experience! They were at rehearsals and suddenly found themselves without a bass player and had big shows coming up, that’s why they called me in. Although it was sort of a stressful situation everyone was really nice and helpful and it’s been great. Since then we’ve toured the US three times in a year basically and that has been just awesome. This summer we’re doing festivals in Europe, which I’m really looking forward to and then I think the plan is to record a new album All good stuff.
9. That sounds fantastic! What are some of your next projects? Where can your fans find you next?
Pontus- I do have some other projects and bands that I play with. First off the band Tainted Nation that I’m a part of is releasing a new album, “On The Outside” on February 26. It’s more of a modern Metal style band and really great stuff. You should check it out. I’ve also recently recorded an album with a Swedish band called Treat that will be released on April 15 and there might also be a few gigs coming up with that. And then of course, the tour in Europe with King Diamond this summer is going to be great. Some really nice shows lined up there.
7. How old were you when you started playing professionally?
Pontus-Well, Like I mentioned earlier it’s been sort of a gradual climb into the professional music business for me but I guess my first gigs that you could call professional were when I was 20 or 21 or so. Around that time is also when I recorded my first album and got some session jobs, which I suppose is a step into the professional business. Exciting times!
8. You were called in to play for King Diamond. Was
10. I hate to ask, but it is obligatory...what advice would you give to those who want to pursue music on a professional level?
Pontus- No worries. I would say play, play and play! And do it because you love the music and love playing not because you have a vision of becoming a huge star or making a lot of money or something. If you do it for the wrong reasons you’re bound to be disappointed but if you do it because you love it then you’re going to have a great time along the
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way even if you never make it.
11. A bonus question, lol! How do you feel about playing bass with a pick? Sometimes, Never, or depends?
Pontus- I very rarely use a pick. It’s happened of course a few times when going for a special sound in the studio or when it’s something that’s just difficult to play with the fingers. I’m just not very good at playing with a pick so I try to avoid it.
You can both hear and see Pontus on the new King Diamond:Abigail Live 2015 DVD and Blu- Ray!!
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The Rew & Who Show Steel Notes Magazine | 157
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck CD Review By: Scott M Saxon Rating:3 of 5 Stars for Questionable Quality.
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, a comprehensive documentary that actually breathes some new insight into Cobain the artist. In his review of the film, Consequence of Sound’s Justin Gerber called it “the definitive Cobain documentary,” even going so far as to claim that “there is nowhere else to go from here.”
If only that were so. There are always new roads for those who seek to find them, and it would seem that Morgen has joined the ranks of those who seek a bit too zealously. In the process of filming Montage of Heck, the director discovered a number of raw cassette recordings made by Cobain starting around the late 1980s, when he was living with then-girlfriend Tracy Marander.
Still, Recommended.
It’s might be time to stop buying Nirvana records. For a bit.
No, not those three studio albums. Not Incesticide orUnplugged. I’m talking about the endless procession of box sets, greatest hits compilations, and rarities collections that descend upon the headphoned masses every holiday season like some garish parade of the dead. I’m talking about Kurt Cobain’ s Journals and the litany of biographies — authorized and unauthorized — that attempt to shake another crumb of understanding from the tortured singer’s ghost, excavating the mundane aspects of his life as if each were another monolith at Stonehenge.
It’s time to tear down the cult of personality we’ve built around Cobain’s memory, and it’s time to honor his artistic genius by refusing to consume (and pay handsomely for) the scraps of its scraps.
Of course, we still live in the same messy world that Cobain chose to leave, and there are exceptions to every rule. Earlier this year, director Brett Morgen finally achieved what so many have failed at with
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The tracks range from demos to spoken word pieces, but they do share a few important elements. For one, they’re all plagued with nasty tape hiss and a complete lack of editorial discretion. Oh, and they were all, until now, buried deep inside a box somewhere, presumably by a version of Cobain that was alive enough to decide which of his recordings saw the light of day.
None of this has stopped Morgen and Universal from compiling the unfinished demos into what they’re referring to as “a rare, unfiltered glimpse into Cobain’s creative progression.” What it is, in truth, is a shameless circle jerk of “limited edition” releases that exists solely because the holidays are coming up, and what are the holidays without another superfluous box set tucked under the tree?
But this isn’t your average box set. Montage of Heck: The Home Recordings will be released in multiple formats ($$$), including a Super Deluxe Edition, a 2-LP vinyl edition, and an additional 7-inch single featuring Beatles cover “ And I Love Her” and an early demo of “Sappy”, because why not? After all, the only way to listen to Cobain spend half a song yodeling and the other half messing around on an out-of-tune guitar (this actually happens on opener “The Yodel Song”) is on 180-gram vinyl, the
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way that God intended it.
Spoiler alert: Vinyl is not a good format for Montage of Heck, an album that requires a fair amount of skipping around just to qualify as tolerable. I’m using the word “album” loosely here, because this one fails as an album in almost every conceivable way, jettisoning any sense of unity or context in favor of positioning itself as an aural complement to Morgen’s documentary. There’s admittedly something to that, as the only way to possibly make
sense of these 31 tracks is to watch the film first. Without it, listening to the album feels like being tossed around on a choppy sea without a compass, and maybe even without a ship.
How much can we really learn about Kurt Cobain from listening to the early demo of “Been a Son”, on which he strums on an unplugged electric guitar and mutters gibberish lines as lyrical placeholders? Does a track like “Reverb Experiment”, a droning bore that’s exactly what the title advertises and yet
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somehow less, really help us come to terms with the mad genius behind Bleachand Nevermind? Even “You Can’t Change Me/Burn My Britches/Something in the Way (Early Demo)”, a song with clear ties to the latter record, only serves as a curiosity at best. It lacks the strange, watery nihilism of what eventually becameNevermind’s closing track, and as such it’s not worth more than a grunt of recognition.
There is one place in whichMontage of Heck succeeds, and that’s in showcasing Cobain’s uncanny ear for pop melodies. “And I Love Her” is a worthy and even haunting cover, offering a brief respite from the storm that surrounds it on all sides. It’s still demo quality, but something about it feels complete, as if the true version of this song should be Cobain sitting alone in a room with a tape recorder on. It’s probably no coincidence that “Do Re Mi (Medley)” is the final track here, as it’s also the finest Cobain composition that never saw the light of day during his lifetime (another version appeared previously on 2004’sWith the Lights Out). If Paul McCartney was born a few decades later and opted for dirty flannel instead of a moptop, this is the kind of tune he might have spawned. It’s a fleeting, fragile glimpse of real genius; too bad it’s nearly crushed under the weight of the album that precedes it. I keep returning to a part about midway through the film when Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic reflects on how much Cobain feared embarrassment. “Kurt hated being humiliated. Hehated it,” he remembers. It’s true that Cobain was notoriously stubborn about how his art was presented in the media. It’s fair to question whether Montage of Heck, with its confessional spoken word pieces
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and goofball guitar tracks, is the kind of thing that might have mortified him in his lifetime. It’s also fair to question whether Cobain’s personal wishes still matter at this point. But another question comes to mind even more: When will it end? Are we going to keep dissecting and examining Cobain’s life under a cultural microscope, as if one day all the pieces will fit together and we’ll all feel better about ourselves? Probably not. Kurt Cobain was an excellent songwriter and musician — undoubtedly one of the best of his time. But to dig ever deeper into the minutiae of his life is to perpetrate one of the worst crimes a society can commit against one of its artists. Despite our best intentions, we’re making him boring. That is what is not fair to any of us. Demos are just rough ideas. Most never see the light of day...for a reason. A few of these songs, such as “Sappy” DID later get recorded properly, and sounds amazing. I loved Kurt’s music, but I also trusted him..and my gut tells me the man himself would never have signed off on this. But, as historic documents go...it DOES have a place. The value of this album is determined only by the listener’s patience and tolerance of many faults. If you listen to it knowing some of these are bathroom recordings, you might rank it a star higher. In the mean time, I’ll wait for an official release of the absolutely brilliant “Live in Rome”, Kurt’s last and some might argue, best live performance. Now that is a purchase all of us could be proud of.
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ACE FREHLEY, ‘SPACE INVADER’ – ALBUM REVIEW By: Scott M Saxon
Rating: 4 of 5 Spacemen
Frehley does most of the heavy lifting on Space Invader, handling all guitars and vocals, and most of the bass duties (he’s accompanied throughout by drummer Matt Starr). It doesn’t reach the greatness of 1978, but Frehley does occasionally tap into his inner free-wheeling mad scientist. First single “Gimme A Feelin’” is the best pure rock song he’s written since 1979, a throttling, windows-down scorcher with a couple of ripping solos squeezed into those four minutes. In fact, he unleashes a fury of juicy, string-bending, squealing, sloppily perfect solos throughout Space Invader (Frehley’s rhythm and bass playing are solid as well, and thoroughly cranked). The only thing missing are the hummable, songs-within-the-song leads he pulled off in classics like “Shock Me,” “Firehouse,” or even “Rock Soldiers.”
Blast off!!
Space Invader includes a few other Ace-isms that date back to his KISS days. There are some Ace Frehley putting out new music in 2015 is almost pedestrian lyrics (“Now you’re lookin’ so tight, I’m as miraculous as the fact that he’s still floating gonna make you feel just right” from “What Every above Earth’s surface. The original lead guitarist of Girl Wants”), and a couple of flat choruses that KISS has lived a little—the oceans of alcohol and sound like they were tacked on to otherwise good boatloads of blow, the endless groupies and piles songs (“I Wanna Hold You,” “Space Invader”). of money, and a few wrecked cars. The Space Ace But, as always, what the Space Ace lacks in might truly be a miracle of science. substance he makes up for in delivery, style and a little green blood flowing through his veins. And Fair or not, he’s also the one original member of KISS with any serious musical cred; his guitar playing songs like the excellent “Immortal Pleasures” and the sneaky-good “Reckless” could eventually has influenced thousands and is an immeasurable find a place among Frehley classics. Add a couple part of the band’s sound. But in recent years KISS of wildcards—a serviceable cover of Steve Miller fans—the ones who make up about 100 percent Band’s “The Joker” and the proggy, Zep-flavored of Frehley’s fan base—had to wonder if he still instrumental “Starship”—and Space Invadergoes had anything left in the ol’ rocket boosters. Space on enough detours without getting lost. Invadercomes five long years after Frehley’s last album, Anomaly, which was his first solo output since Frehley really drives home the space theme this 1989’s Trouble Walkin’ (OK, there was a billion-doltime around, from the album’s title and cover art lar KISS reunion somewhere in there). Now almost (expertly illustrated by Ken Kelly, who also inked eight years sober, Frehley is in fighting shape, both classic KISS covers forDestroyer and Love Gun), musically and vocally, and Space Invader is his best to the songs themselves (“Past the Milky Way,” and most cohesive collection of songs since 1987’s “Inside the Vortex”). It’s a little heavy-handed, but Frehley’s Comet. maybe a message to his former bandmates that there is only one true Space Ace (Hint: it ain’t the Anomaly had some great moments, but it was unfocused as it drifted through tepid hard rock riffs, guy currently filling Frehley’s moon boots in KISS). power pop and proggy instrumentals. A long list of Of course, no one sounds like Ace Frehley; he’s a contributing musicians only added to the record’s guitar god. Space Invader is good rock album, and unevenness. As with his excellent first solo record it’s an even better guitar record. While KISS has (released in 1978 simultaneously with the other tried to capture its classic sound on recent albums, members of KISS, and easily the best of the bunch)
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Frehley continues to do what’s come naturally for the past four decades: Plug in, and let the good times rock and roll. More, Please.
Note-Reviewer has positive bias towards artist.
Review copy was deluxe Orange Import Vinyl and CD.
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Tom Petty and The HeartbreakersGreatest Hits A Review By: Scott M Saxon
simple you’d be forgiven for thinking there was nothing beneath the surface. But just scratch beneath it a little and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find songs with a heart of gold and choruses that make you want to just punch the air.
‘American Girl’ kicks in the way a Greatest Hits album should, two whacks of a guitar to ease us in before breaking into a jog and then a sprint as the bass kind of grabs you by the shoulders and lifts you to your feet. The drumbeat instantly changes the sound of the song, adding another layer to an already promising tune. Things are jumping before Petty has even uttered a word, and this is only the first forty seconds of the album.
Rating: 5 of 5
A Collection of Masterpieces! A compilation of classics, you may not be familiar with the songs, but you’re sure you’ve heard them somewhere........
Here is band that can craft a fine tune. We have Tom Petty writing all the hits and sharing production duties with Mike Campbell who also busies himself with proficiently executing lead guitar duties. Even ELO’s own Jeff Lynne steps in to co-write songs, not because they need him to, but just because Tom Petty wanted to bang out a few tunes with his old buddy.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are the fathers of FM radio rock, that dangerous genre that can eat a band up once their string of timeless essence-ofyouth capturing hits teeters out. Petty has evaded the pitfalls of such a genre and has consistently produced amazing songs year after year, to the ire of indie championing critics and music buffs the globe over. His perfectly crafted three minute rock songs (intro, verse, chorus, instrumental interlude, chorus x2, fade) have shamelessly kept things so
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Basically, every song is a top ten hit and sounds it too. We have the bluesy jilted lover song (Breakdown), the radio request (I Won’t Back Down), the anthem (Free Fallin’) interspersed with the fast paced urgency of songs like ‘I Need To Know’ and the fantastical whimsy of ‘Into The Great Wide Open’. The Heartbreakers are also into branching out instrumentally as seen on ‘Don’t Come Around Here No More’. A stadium style drumbeat enhanced with a fitting delay effect on the snare gives off a denser atmosphere to this sitar led piece. ‘I dont feel you anymore/ You darken my door/ Whatever youre looking for/ Hey, dont come around here no more’ he sings as the rhythm section glide upwards, so upbeat it feels like the end credits to an 80s flick. It’s no surprise that this song was co-written with Dave Stewart of 80s pop stalwarts Eurythmics. It has a sound that is inherent to the zeitgeist of the time, something that could not be released today for all it’s studio indulgence and stadium show yearnings.
This much is true of the Heartbreakers. Their music is unselfconscious, without pretense and carries no vainglorious baggage. Here we have an album of hits which capture all the notes that a rock fan wants to hear without the bull***. It never deviates into self indulgence or mediocrity. Upon repeat listenings and as you listen to each instument more
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closely you see that these polished and immaculately crafted songs have a heart and a soul that is astonishing to bear witness to. Petty foces the words from himself with damning conviction on ‘You Got Lucky’,(‘You got lucky, babe/ When I found you’) and on ‘Don’t Do Me Like That’ he exhibits a humour and playfullness that lends itself well to the poppy strut of Mike Campbell’s lead guitar.
This record was a personal joy to discover and it will be years before it comes close to sounding dated. If the FM rock genre is an albatross aound their necks they carry it well. This band are influenced
by nothing but their own personal tastes and their autonomy in the studio is evident in the natural sound to all their songs. They are not encumbered with a record companies demands and therefore you will find no unnecessary over-production or out of place string quartets. Indeed the only ouside infuence that this band has ever suffered was the reocrd company’s insistence to name their second album ‘You’re Gonna Get It!’ and the presence of Jeff Lynne’s production on ‘Free Fallin’ and ‘I Won’t Back Down’. That’s not so bad, is it?
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DeadpoolA (Twisted) Movie Review By Scott M Saxon Grade - B+
Reviewer’s Bias-Loves Deadpool, worked on 1/1000 of the film.
By most measures, Deadpool is a movie that never should have been made. Ever. But it did get made, and it is a blast!
The Marvel Comics character at the center of it is an ultraviolent, omnisexual assassin who knows he’s a fictional character and doesn’t shy away from telling you — his audience — about it. He’s decidedly unheroic, occasionally schizophrenic, and exhibits the sort of behavior typically associated with sketchy, trenchcoat-wearing strangers in public parks.
And yet, we should be immensely grateful that someone out there saw fit to give him his own movie. Finally.
Set in the same universe as the X-Men franchise, yet completely different, Deadpool follows former special forces operative Wade Wilson as he attempts to track down the man who nearly killed him with a secret, experimental procedure that turned his body into a permanent mass of scar tissue but also granted him a superhuman healing ability. Along the way, he has run-ins with legions of bullet-sponging bad guys and mutants — both ally and enemy — including a pair of X-Men intent on recruiting him to their superhero team.
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From its opening moments, Deadpool is a movie very different from anything else out there — and that includes all of the comic-book movies before it. Simultaneously low-brow and brilliant, it plays with the conventions of the genre and everything we’ve come to expect from movies, gleefully reveling in superhero and action-movie cliches in one breath and skewering those same tropes in the next. It tears into pop culture, only to put it on a pedestal shortly thereafter. At one point in the film, it even goes so far as to ponder how it ever got made.
Amid all of this self-aware cinema, though, it’s also a very viscerally gratifying adventure that finds a seemingly endless array of gory ways for Deadpool to dispatch his enemies — all while delivering a never-ending stream of commentary on, well … everything and anything that seems to cross its titular protagonist’s fractured mind.
In that respect — and so many others — it does a pretty admirable job of replicating the experience of reading Deadpool’s comic-book adventures. Not 100%, but fairly close. And it works!
Given everything the average person has seen of Deadpool before setting foot in the theater, it feels redundant to say that Ryan Reynolds was made to play Wade Wilson. Anyone familiar with the film’s prolific marketing campaign is well aware of how invested Reynolds is in the role, and what unfolds on the screen is just confirmation that Reynolds’ years of campaigning for the role were justified. He’s such a good fit for the part, in fact, that the film leaves you wondering whether the last 10 years of his career have just been one long audition for the role of Wade Wilson.
It all begs the question: Is Ryan Reynolds the perfect Deadpool, or is Deadpool the perfect Ryan Reynolds? Okay, so that’s probably a bit more cerebral than Deadpool warrants, but it’s all part of the fun. And
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make no mistake: Deadpool is very, very fun.
Deadpool is a movie very different from anything else out there — and that includes all of the comic-book movies before it. Along with Reynolds as the title character, the cast is filled out by Firefly and Homeland actress Morena Baccarin as Deadpool’s love interest, Vanessa, along with TJ Miller as his bartender/friend Weasel, Ed Skrein as the super-powered villain Ajax, ( The one weak part...the actor is almost wasted) and Gina Carano as the similarly super-powered villain Angel Dust. Stefan Kapicic voices the X-Men mutant Colossus (created using CG and motion-capture performance), while Brianna Hildebrand plays his teammate, the angsty mutant who goes by the name Negasonic Teenage Warhead. To their credit, there isn’t a weak link among the supporting cast members, but the film rarely affords any of them much time in the spotlight. Deadpool is, as the title suggests, a movie about Deadpool — and Reynolds proves more than up to the task of carrying the film.
Still, there are some great moments in the film that wouldn’t be nearly as effective without Baccarin’s fantastic chemistry with Reynolds and her capable delivery of some outrageous dialogue. The same could be said of Deadpool’s interactions with the two X-Men characters, who manage to hold their own in scenes they share with him and even create some memorable moments of their own.
In the Marvel Comics universe, Deadpool has always been a subversive presence, and the degree to which the film’s cast and creative team have brought that subversiveness from page to screen is commendable in Deadpool. It’s that very subversiveness, along with all of the other unique and eccentric aspects of the character that are at play during his adventures, that have always made Deadpool an unlikely recipient of the big-screen treatment. Fortunately, that sentiment wasn’t shared by Reynolds and the rest of the Deadpool team that shepherded (and at times, dragged) the project from pitch to premiere.
And if there’s one thing that Deadpool proves, it’s that even the most unconventional character can feel right at home on the big screen with the right team behind him.
(Oh, and make sure to stay through the end credits. You won’t be disappointed. With movies based on comic books, ALWAYS stay until the end!) The film has already had a sequel green lit.
See Deadpool. Just because it is fun. Sometimes that’s enough.
On the other side of the camera, director Tim Miller will almost certainly field a lot of calls after his directorial debut with Deadpool. Miller’s expertise in visual effects is showcased in the film’s impressive action sequences — and there are a lot of them — but he also seems to have a good knack for building the connective tissue between those scenes. The fractured nature of the narrative in Deadpool could have been a stumbling block for some filmmakers, but Miller stitched everything together seemlessly from Zombieland screenwriting duo Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick’s script.
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Depeche ModeViolater Flashback Review By: Scott M Saxon
studio to breathe life into these songs. In the studio, Martin Gore makes very little input, Dave Gahan even less. Andy Fletcher, or so biographies suggest, was just an annoyance, contributing little more than “man in the street” comments on the music, often insulting Alan Wilder who would have his hard work dismissed with throw away comments. However, this is not to say that Fletch is not an integral part of the band. Most observers state that without his presence, Martin Gore would be a more difficult character, relying a lot on his old Basildon friend.
This would not stop this being hard on Alan Wilder. Because this, and the albums either side, are very Must Have! much the work of Wilder and the chosen producer, in this case (and in the case of Songs of Faith and Devotion) the extremely talented Flood. Flood (real Hall of Fame Album name Mark Ellis), although young at the time, had a wealth of experience (one of his earliest credits The turn of the 80’s to the 90’s caused many bands includes working on New Order’s “Movement”), to re-think their sound, to refresh their ways of mak- and has gone on to work with bands as diverse as Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins. ing music. U2 achieved this successfully and remain a powerful force to this day, but bands like Simple Minds did not and soon died. Depeche Mode, fresh Flood’s nickname came about from his early days from the success of the Music for the Masses tour as a tape operator in a studio. A main part of being and the accompanying live album, 101, took similar stock of what could be done, and launched into the a tape operator is making the tea, and Ellis had a habit of presenting you with a fresh cup the second 90’s with the superb Violator. the previous one had been drained. Hence, he was nicknamed Flood, and it is clear that his intelligent, technical mind brings much to this album. However, Although only nine tracks long, Violator reeks of great credit must be given to Alan Wilder, whose quality, from the stark, simplistic artwork, to the well-planned running order of the songs, every track commitment to the band is huge, something (much to his frustration) was never attributed to him at in the right place. The music shows a real attention the time or since. Yes, the material he was working to detail, where you can tell Alan Wilder and his with was great, but between him and Flood (couproduction team slaved over every beat. Nothing pled with the mixing skills of Francois Kervorkian is left to chance and the end result is a polished, professional album, accessible to everyone, not just and engineering talents of Steve Lyon), something very special was created in Violator. fans of the group. Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Biographies show that Depeche Mode have an unusual working arrangement in the studio. Martin Gore would craft his songs in demo form, often providing intricate arrangements. In the case of this album, after the demos for Music for the Masses were felt to restrict creativity, he presented very stark home recordings, allowing the work in the
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This was evident when the lead single, Personal Jesus, was released, a song that crashed into the public consciousness, sounding like nothing else on the radio. The drums sound huge, an effect achieved by bashing the flight cases they used on tours, and the bluesy guitar line is inspired, driving the song forward, never sounding rock, but totally
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unique. Also released were a variety of different remixes across different formats, and for the album version a combination of the single and the 12” “pump” mixed are used, the extended ending really enhancing the track, giving a heightened sense of excitement as it kicks in.
It’s position on the album, as track three, is also a good choice, rather than as the album opener. This position is given to “World in My Eyes”, a fantastically crafted piece of electronica, let down by meaningless lyrics but with a fantastic sound. Switching to waltz time, “Sweetest Perfection” is a song sung by Gore, with an interesting orchestral middle eight.
After “Personal Jesus” comes “Halo”, a fabulous song, a tale of guilt and pain that is all for love. An amazing chorus, with excellent harmonies from Gore, lift this track, a contender for single if not up against such stiff competition. Dave Gahan’s voice soars on this track, perfect sing-a-long material, a song with real atmosphere. The same is true of “Waiting for the Night”, but in a more ambient way; this track bleeps and bloops along, and sounds boring at first, but becomes more and more interesting with each listen. This is a “late at night” song to have on your headphones.
works well, with more excellent, all be it simple, guitar from Gore.
“Blue Dress”, after all that comes before it, sounds like filler, and indeed, it is a second hand track, previously used as the b-side to Personal Jesus. Its inclusion on the album is puzzling and unnecessary, sounding out of place with the rest. Album closer though, Clean, sums up the sound of the band at this point, a wonderful, jittering bass-line leads into a clattering, awesome sound, Dave Gahan’s rich vocals and the extended outro marking a memorable conclusion.
Violator sounds as good today as it did back in 1990. It seems somewhat timeless, their desire for new sounds preventing the album from becoming dated. It took an already successful band to a whole new level of success, something that with their next album took all four members to their limit, one of them almost to their death. Violator, whilst not perfect, is a close to perfection as Depeche Mode ever got, an excellent piece of work that demands a listen. This is also available in an immersive DVD Audio Surround package that is simply amazing. This album will forever be a milestone.
Side two starts with “Enjoy the Silence”. The demo presented by Gore originally pitched this song as slower, more as a ballad, but Wilder in the studio speed it up with a more percussive arrangement. The guitar, although amazingly simple, works really well, bringing a New Order feel to the song. The lyrics are simple also, but the chorus is one of Gore’s best, the track reaching a wonderful crescendo at the end, a superb piece of pure music, possibly their finest single. Much is said about the video but it is the song that is the key to this tracks success – its close to the perfect pop song; the production is of the highest quality, the instrumentation superb. After a brief interlude, “Policy of Truth”, a dark, sluttish song, let down by a meandering arrangement. Again though, the tune is all about atmosphere, and the choice of instrumentation is elaborate and
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