Heal By Rain brings The Troubadoors to Your Door By Michael Meade
Posted 2/4/12 4:45PM EST
Ashley Randall Photography - Courtesy: Heal By Rain Productions
This isn’t the first musical comedy about a choir style group of misfits… but it may just be the best out
there. The Troubadoors is the first production coming from Heal By Rain Productions, founded over the summer of 2011 by Haley
Esposito and Brina Palencia, best known for her roles English dubbing characters in several anime including Spice & Wolf,
Black Butler, and anime feature film Summer Wars; Esposito and Palencia created, write, and produce the show. The Troubadoors
is a web-based television show following the musical adventures of seven college students as they come together to form a
choral group to give the college’s champion choir, The Harmonics, a run for their money.
Fajardo as Alem Zimmerman - Courtesy Heal By Rain Productions
In story, the show is formed around seven very different people that are all for one reason or another brought into the
life of eventual founder and leader of the Troubadoors, Alem Zimmerman, played by Ricco Fajardo. The character of Alem is
your average geeky good-guy that never seems to catch a break with the ladies, at least one lady in particular; Claire Crawford
the co-captain of The Harmonics. Make sure to check out The Troubadoors’ Youtube channel to see the build up character
vlogs that introduce the seven members of the group (www.youtube.com/thetroubadoors) to see for yourself the awesome this show will be once full episodes debut, excuse the editorializing but the videos
will hook you much more than my writing ever could. The vlog are in order, to fully appreciate the series watch them in order.
Harms as Jane Adams - Courtesy: Heal By Rain Productions
The videos introduce the characters starting with Alem as he gets ready for his audition to join the Harmonics, and the
second video showing the results and their fallout. We are then introduced to Jane Adams, played by Martha Harms, resident
poet/activist and roommate of Claire Crawford. Jane is one of the funniest characters due mainly to her seriousness and intellectualism through
how she expresses those parts of herself. Disaffected and pissed off at the privileged and blonde members of society, Jane
tries to be the voice of the voiceless and a righter of societal wrongs. At a cursory glance of the character, we seem to
have the "typical" feminist crusader college girl, but there's more to Jane than college stereotype; this writer is looking
forward to deeper views into the character of Jane as the series develops.
Palencia as Kayla Bates/Kagura4221973 - Courtesy Heal By Rain Productions
After Jane we meet Kagura4221973 a.k.a. Kayla Bates, Kayla is famous… in her own mind for an online video roast of voice
actor Christopher R. Sabat, whom she stalks obsessively. Kayla is played by Brina Palencia and is a character she created
last year for an actual roast of Sabat at Ohayocon '11, the character drew so much ire online from people that had no idea
the video was actually Palencia creating a character compiled from stalker fans she and friends in the anime industry have
encountered at various conventions. Back to the character, Kayla fancies herself a songwriter and is a pretty good one at
that creating well composed but always geeky tunes like “Super Sayain Babies”, “Blu Ray” (also known
as the Kagura Rap which you can download from iTunes, check out Palencia’s own youtube channel for non-Troubadoors songs
and videos www.youtube.com/users/brinakins), and her newest “Sugoi kara, Zakennayo” which translates from Japanese into English as “screw you,
I’m awesome”.
Now we meet Camille Prescott, born and raised in the O.C. of California, Camille is the only member of the Troubadoors
whose parent can actually afford the tuition at Stonebrook University. Camille has one hell of a singing voice, with enough
power to make Christina Aguilera sound like a second grader; only problem is… if you get Camille on stage (her dream)
or in front of a camera and you’re going to need a mop. Miss Prescott is a perfectionist, but her stage fright goes
straight to her stomach and then straight to the floor.
Hobbs as Camille Prescott - Courtesy Heal By Rain Productions
Tiffany Hobbs, the actress that plays Camille, was recently honored with the Best Leading Actress Award and Best Featured
Actress in a Musical from the Broadway World san Francisco Awards. From the few minutes this writer has seen of her in her
character vlog, Tiffany deserves both awards thoroughly!
O'Connor as Spencer Caper - Courtesy Heal By Rain Productions
Next is Alems roommate and childhood friend Spencer Caper, played by Sean O'Connor. Spencer is a hobbyist inventor and
majors in Molecular Gastronomy so he can make a career as a Molecular Chef and explore the mechanisms and chemical alterations
that occur during culinary transformations. Alem is usually the victim of Spencers experimentations, most often leading to
Alem making a perfect impression of Camille during an audition. Spencer joins the group after Alem introduces him to Paul
Tebo and instantly falls for him. Being an inventor he tried inventing several new instruments that didn't quite work out
properly, so he decided on the melodica; which he played in elementary school.
Milbourn as Paul Tebo - Courtesy Heal By Rain Productions
Paul Tebo, played by Andrew Milbourn; is a man about campus, hardcore gamer, and all around mans man of a frat boy
who is proudly out of the closet. Never shy about himself or getting to know new people, Paul is one of the coolest guys around
the college campus, but for his good tastes in music was passed on by the Harmonics at his audition; he's not "gay enough”
for them because he doesn’t listen to Lady Gaga. Unlike most frat guys he's never an ass but won't shy away from a fight
if he's pushed to one. Alem first met Paul by setting up an interview with him for the campus paper… just watch the
video, I’m not going to spoil the hilarity.
Brooks as Felix Brown - Courtesy Heal By Rain Productions
And finally we have Mister Felix Brown (probably my favorite character next to Kagura), played by voice actor Jonathan
Brooks, blind former lead singer and guitarist for indie band Boob Doctor. During his time with Boob Doctor Felix rose to
underground stardom with the bands hit single “My Rock Hard Pick”, but like so many rockstars tragedy struck.
Felix was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a hereditary condition that damages the retina causing blindness. From there
Felix came back from the end of his rock career to attend Stonebrook University where a very excited Alem interviews and jams
with Felix. So far the funniest male character in the show, Felix has done it all and then some; ask him anything about his
life and he’ll answer straight. He'll even give advice on attempting a career in music to any aspiring musician that
asks for it… “don’t do it.”
Courtesy Heal By Rain Productions
The cast and crew of The Troubadoors are rehearsing weekly as this article goes to print. The first season of full episodes
featuring original music, said in an interview with Brina Palencia in another publication to be around 15 songs for the first
season, should be online starting around the spring of 2012. In the same interview mentioned above, Palencia went on to say
that the songs would be more folk driven in their sound as in keeping with the group of characters being a door to door musical
group, hence the name “Troubadoors”, the instruments would all need to be acoustic and lightweight. In closing
all that is left to say is… watch it. Now. Go.
Descomunal - Ecuadorian Metal Band You Need to Know By
Danielle Blanchette Posted 1/26/12 2:35PM EST
Altavoz Festival 10/16/11 - Medellin, Colombia
L-R: Carlos Rodriguez-guitarra, Gustavo Dueñas-vocals, David Tomaselli-drums, Miguel Vinueza-bass
Altavoz Festival 10/16/11 - Medellin, Colombia
Miguel Vinueza (bass) - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Miguel Vinueza and Carlos Rodriguez started Descomunal in 2002, and as they were told a couple of years later, they took
the band far enough to be considered one of the most important acts of metal-hardcore in South America. In the same year the
band recorded the Instinto demo, and after several months of media rotation the "Radio America" radio station conferred
on them the title of "most requested band of the summer". In 2003 Gustavo Dueñas replaced Roberto Muñoz on vocals and in 2004
Andres Ortiz replaced drummer Juan Carlos Granda.
With this new formation Descomunal gains strength and revives the underground scene in their native Quito. In 2005 the
band enters the studio again and records the De Oscura Final EP. This production brings them to play in the biggest
festivals all around the country and by the end of the year "La Metro" radio station names them as the "Best National Band
2005". In 2006 the band grows thanks to achieved national success with their EP De Oscura Final, and by the end of
that year they were taken as part of the first Quitofest Festival (the biggest metal festival in the country.
Invalorable, the band's first full-length album, was released to the public with a packed venue show (thousands
of people) full of fans waiting anxiously for their first LP CD. And the CD sales success takes them again as part of the
Quitofest Festival in 2007.
Altavoz Festival 10/16/11 - Medellin, Colombia
Carlos Rodriguez - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Centralazo 12/4/11 - Quito, Ecuador
David Tomaselli - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
In 2008 and 2009, Descomunal, unyielding in it's continuing quest to promote the band, toured around Ecuador and Colombia
and in mid-2009 they were taken as of Rock al Parque Festival (one of the most important festivals on the continent)
in Bogotá-Colombia; which leads the band to play in the Festival de los blancos y negros
Festival (Pasto) and the Altavoz Festival (Medellin), respectively.
By the end of 2011 Descomunal enters the studio again and releases four new singles, as a part of their
new EP CD which will be released in early 2012.
Centralazo 12/4/11 - Quito, Ecuador
L-R: Miguel Vinueza (bass) & Carlos Rodriguez (guitarra)
Centralazo 12/4/11 - Quito, Colombia
David Tomaselli - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
In 2012 the band celebrates 10 years of existence, having shared the stage with hundreds of bands like Fear Factory,
Obituary, As I Lay Dying, Poison the Well, The Black Dahlia Murder, Morbid Angel, Heaven Shall Burn, Paura, Confronto, Korzus,
Grito, El Sagrado, Molotov, Platilina Mosh, Avulsed, and The Addicts, to name a few... Descomunal will celebrate the hard
work through all these years with a new LP, a new EP, videos of their new releases (live and in studio) and a couple of tours
around the world... stay tuned.
Centralazo 12/4/11 - Quito, Ecuador
Gustavo Dueñas trying to fly(aka jumping into the crowd) - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Cannibal Corpse goes Extreme in Quito, Ecuador
By Danielle Blanchette
Posted 12/28/11 5:45PM EST
Cannibal Corpse came to Quito, Ecuador on December 9, 2011. The tour, which usually included the bands The Black
Dahlia Murder and Suicide Silence, was amped up for the Quito Show and turned from just a regular 3 band metal show into a
9 band metal festival called the Quito Extreme Festival.
The Quito Extreme festival, put on by Alarma Ecuador
(production company who also puts on Quitofest every year) included 6 local metal bands from Quito, Ecuador: Colapso,
Ente, Kanhiwara, Sarcoma, Necrofobia, and Chancro Duro (as well as the regular 3 bands of The Black Dahlia Murder,
Suicide Silence, and Cannibal Corpse).
These are photos of each band from the show that evening.
Cannibal Corpse - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Cannibal Corpse - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Chancro Duro - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Colapso - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Colapso's vocalist and drummer - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Ente - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Kanhiwara - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Necrofobia - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Sarcoma - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Suicide Silence - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Suicide Silence - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
The Black Dahlia Murder - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
DIR EN GREY Conquer Santiago, Chile By Danelle Blanchette Posted
12/4/11 1:55PM EST
Kyo of DIR EN GREY masked - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
DIR EN GREY - A rock, industrial, scream-o, just weird-as-shit and unclassifiable Japanese metal band, performed
Wednesday November 23 in Santiago, Chile at the Teatro Caupolican; located on 850 San Diego Avenue.
The band consists
of: vocalist KYO, guitarists KAORU and DIE, bassist TOSHIYA drummer SHINYA
Toshiya (bass guitar) of DIR EN GREY - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
The official description of DIR EN GREY (according to their Facebook page) is...
"DIR EN GREY has conquered
the Japanese rock scene with lyrics that convey sorrow, darkness and anger in modern society. The band has received international
critical acclaim for their masterful translation of the lyrics to their dramatic and at times shocking stage show, which includes
self-mutilation with bloodshed."
DIR EN GREY is definitely their own thing, and this thing they do is spectacular,
and dark, and beautiful, and horrific.
Die (guitar) & Shinya (drums) of DIR EN GREY - Photo: Danielle Blanchette
NEUS: 19 YEARS OF TRAJECTORY By Danielle Blanchette Posted
11/9/11 6:03PM EST
BAND HISTORY: NëUS was born in 1992 and now celebrates 19 years
as pioneers of industrial hardcore music in Colombia. Its innovative electronic and mechanical sounds, drums, guitars, and
stage presence achieves to completely de-contextualize the local rock scene.
NëUS uses their music to loudly criticize
future intentions, and speak out against the invasion of technology, alienation caused by the media, impact of the industrial
age of men, and social conflicts. And they encourage their audience to be aware of these and their impact on the environment..all
while providing a kick ass, highly visual, mad-max futuristic look to their show.
NëUS, is a visual band, taking idea
from cybertronic raves, futurism, and incorportaes this into the intimate and terrifying side of the human psyche. The use
of visual and sound elements function to add to their performance and give strength to the message the present. They have
done things like have a band of 100 school children on stage, dressed as surgeons and shred animal hearts, break tv's and
computers, use grinding machines and play with gas masks, torches, etc. All as terrifying and beautiful visual aids to help
bring their message to an audience in an entertaining and captivating manner.
This group has performed over 100 times,
with an astounding resume of festivals and shows under their belts. They have also participated as the soundtrack band for
the movie ' "QUIEN CREES QUE ERES" by Aldolfo X.
In 2010 NëUS launched Their latest album "Neuamos" and played a couple
of shows mostly with the original line up. In 2011 They played in Festival Altavoz Focusing on visuals and stage performance.
NëUS along with Koyi K UTO are the most representative Industrial Rock bands in Colombia. NëUS is currently on studio working
on their upcoming album "2017".
AWARDS AND FESTIVALS - AWARD BEST LATIN
INDUSTRIAL BAND 2001 (radial proposal, Argentina) - BAND REVELATION, ROCK AL PARQUE FESTIVAL 1997 - BEST AUDIO-VISUAL
PROPOSAL, MEDEROCK 2002 - SKATE PARK FESTIVAL, BOGOTA 1995 - NUESTRA HERENCIA FESTIVAL, CALI 1996 - ROCK AL PARQUE
FESTIVAL, BOGOTA 1997 - ROCK PAISA FAIR,MEDELLIN 1998 - ROCK AL PARQUE FESTIVAL, BOGOTA 1999, (guest band) - ROCKATON
FESTIVAL, MEDELLIN 1999 - ROCK A LO PAISA FESTIVAL, MEDELLIN 2000 (guest band) - MEDEROCK REPUBLIK NEUROTIKA, MEDELLIN
2002 - ANTIMILITARISMO SONORO FESTIVAL, MEDELLIN 2003 - UNDERGRANO FESTIVAL, MEDELLIN 2004 - ANCON FESTIVAL, CALDAS
(ant) 2005 - COMUNA 6 FESTIVAL,(pedregal) MEDELLIN 2006 - COMUNA 9 FESTIVAL,(aranjuez) MEDELLIN 2008 - 4 OJOS
FESTIVAL, MEDELLIN 2010 - V ROCK AL RIO FESTIVAL, RIONEGRO (ant) 2010 - ALTAVOZ INTERNACIONAL MEDELLIN 2011
RECORDINGS: NAME: LIVE AT TERROR ZONE/ FORMAT DEMO CASETTE NAME: RETROCESO FORMAT: L.P DATE: 1993 NAME: DOS MIL MENOS CINCO
FORMAT: C.D DATE:1996 NAME: NATURALEZA CIBERNETICA FORMAT: VHS/ DVD DATE: 1997 NAME: EN DIRECTO NEURONASPARASICOPATAS
FORMT: CASETTE DATE: 1999 NAME: KLONACION DE LA NARANJA MEKANIKA FORMT: C.D DATE:2000 NAME: ENTERPRISE REEVOLUTION
FORMAT: C.D DATE: 2004 NAME: HE VUELTO FORMAT: C.D DATE: 2010 NAME: NEURONAS PARASICOPATAS 2017 LIVE/ FORMAT DVD
Metal Alive and Well in the IE By Melissa Anderson Posted
11/4/11 5:13PM EST
Metal is alive and well in the IE. From small pubs and clubs to large venues, you can find a metal show to fit your craving
to thrash and roll. With an opportunity to see new metal bands on the scene and a metal band that has proven themselves to
their countless fans, here is a look at a recent show reflecting the diversity of the metal scene in the IE.
The venue was McAlans, a pub in the IE (Rancho Cucamonga). A nice bar with lots of space for the crowd, but a bit crowded
for the bands. With a small stage that left most members of the bands on the floor and off the stage, it was a tight squeeze
for the sound equipment and a challenge for the bands. Despite that E.M.B.O.D., Intake Ca, Clandestine, and Spineshank ripped
the roof off.
E.M.B.O.D. - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
E.M.B.O.D. was the first to go on and their set blew away those in the crowd who previously had not heard them. With a mix
of thrash and hard core metal, they got the crowd pumped up and primed for the evening. An appropriate amount of growls kept
their metal set moving into a category of 2 Horns (2 Horns being Devilishly Awesome!).
Intake Ca - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Intake CA was the next to wow the fans - and wow they did. They were set apart by the fact that one of the members (Brian
“Bald – EZ” Balderas) of the band was the master of samples and vocal backup. He was amazing, partly because
of the different edge he brought to the group. Frontman Robb Sackett, an impressively menacing giant man, had the voice and
look made for Metal. The band calls their style metal, punk, and electronic. If you get the chance I urge you to see how Awesome
they are live.
Intake CA - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
June Park of Clandestine - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Clandestine I have to say was the most unique metal band I have seen to date. June Park, lead vocals, was the most unique
metal singer I have seen. Not just because she is a female lead vocal in a Metal band, but at her physical stature I was sure
she could not be a growler. She proved me more than wrong. Under 5 feet tall and no more than 80 pounds wet with rainbow hair,
I did not think this band was at the right venue. Then she began to sing and I still wasn't sure she was at the right venue.
Then she growled and from out of this tiny creature came the growl of a true metal beast. The band calls themselves a mix
of progressive, alternative and metal. I call them "Metal-tastic".
June Park of Clandestine - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Spineshank - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
What Metal band could finish the night and be as Metal and awesome as the 3 previous bands? Spineshank - that’s
who. Ohhh Yeah! Spineshank took the stage and they did not disappoint. Giving their fans what they always do, one hell of
a Metal show. On the verge of releasing a new album (Anger Denial Acceptance) they took time out to do what they
do best - thrash the night away. A flawless set with old Spineshank songs sprinkled with new songs made the show a Spineshank’s
fan dream come true. Although you can catch Spineshank at stadiums on big tours, it is a much more intimate experience to
see them in small venues and clubs. They are gracious to their fans and they are true metal great.
Spineshank - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Shows cannot happen without promoters. This show was put on by BellaKay Productions (Steve Wilson Promoter). BellaKay Productions
is a strong force in the music scene in the IE. BellaKay upcoming events in the IE include StingFest (Saturday Nov. 26th at
Stinger's Nightclub in San Bernardino, CA). The festival lineup includes Death By Stereo, A Static Lullaby, Spineshank, Manntis,
Fall Into Mourning and many more. Tickets are on sale now through Stinger's and Steve Wilson/Fall Into Mourning.
Altavoz festival in Medellin, Colombia By Danielle Blanchette Posted
10/23/11 2:45PM EST
This 3 day festival is the 2nd biggest rock festival in Colombia (second only to Rock el Parque which happens in Bogota each
July). This year it happened Oct 15-17th, 2011. Altavoz showcases amazing local medellin bands, with a few bands from other
South and Central American countries. It is more than just rock too. The first day was a mixture of rock, indie, and ska
music. The second was all rock and metal. The last day was mostly hip-hop and reggae.
Best Drummer Face award goes to Diego Vasquez, drummer Juanita Dentes Verdes - Danielle Blanchette
These are photos of some of the amazing rock bands here in Colombia (and one from Quito, Ecuador). The rock scene here
is very similiar to the Boston/Providence scene 10 years ago. The talent is unbelievable, the rock community is strong and
into promoting each other. South America is quickly becoming the next big rock scene to watch. I foresee much of the new music
coming out of South America.
Descomunal (from Quito, Ecuador) rocked the house!
L-R: Miguel Vinueza (bass) & Carlos Rodriguez (guitar). Photo: Danielle Blanchette
Livan Brings U.K. Post-Punk to The U.S.
By Michael Meade
Posted 9/23/11 1:00AM EST
Livan - Photo: Michael Meade
Opening for Alice Cooper isn't a bad way to make your way across the States. More often than not, unfortunate as it is,
most opening bands on high profile tours are overlooked, but Livan is a name that shouldn't be! Deserving of his own headlining
tour United Kingdom based Livan hit the road across the U.S. with Alice Cooper for the bulk of August on Cooper's No More
Mister Nice Guy 2011 Tour, though Livan was only on the continental United States leg of the tour this writer hopes he will
be returning soon.
The stage set in darkness until a solitary drum lights in the glow of blacklit irredescence, enter Livan banging solitary
notes on this drum to usher attention to the stage and welcome his band. At once the stage came to life with the blast of
the band's instruments, Livan takes center clad only in leather kilt and vest, distinct Eye of Horus-like design stemming
from his left eye; with vocals pulling the crowd into the performance and holding their attention making them forget
their anticipation for Alice Cooper. In the alotted, and far too short, half hour time limit Livan brought the Scranton Cultural
Center's Weinberg Theatre to life!
Livan - Photo: Meade
Livan's sound crosses several genres including rock, alternative, punk, even getting bluesy in some compositions; all
with dark and melodic overtones. Every song, regardless of categorization, is infectious and lingering. Livan writes in
a distinctly British style, despite being Greek-born (he is in fact the grandson of former Greek Prime Minister Panagiotis
Kanellopoulos) his music is pretty universal. Songs performed in the set at the Scranton Cultural Center spanned Livan's
three album discography of material. There can be no stand out performance though, Livan and his band made each song stand
out as though it was the only piece they were playing that night. Livan took some time in the middle of his set to address
the crowd with thanks and appreciation for their attendance. He also showed his ambassador side by sharing with the audience
that he and his band were unsure of what to expect from America and her citizens, due to media portrayal of the U.S. abroad,
and were quite nervous to be Stateside. Livan then declared that he had seen the truth and that we were not only far better
than Americans are shown in the media, but also more relatable to each other than either U.K. or U.S. citizens seem to believe.
Livan - Photo: Meade
Throughout the show, Livan was a ball of energy shooting from one side of the stage to the other and back again! Sometimes
climbing his custom mic stand, others beating on his irredescent drum, and then playing a mini-keyboard anchored to his mic
rig. And except for the above never stopping the music, not even to introduce songs until the final two for the night. Once
again, this writer hopes to hear that Livan is touring in the U.S. again next year, and further hopes that he will be the
headliner; which is the recognition he duly deserves. Livan finished the show with more thanks and dedications of appreciation
to the people of Scranton, Pennsylvania, the gathered audience, the United States, and of course Alice Cooper. With a final
bow and wave to the audience he left the stage to a round of applause that filled the theatre as he well earned that night
of August 23 2011.
Mountain High Gets Rockin' for a New Season By Melissa Anderson Photography
by Rockwell Andersom Media (Wes & Melissa Anderson) Posted 9/11/11 3:05PM EST
BMX rider Ben Snowden
Brodii Splits, Low Life Music, and Unwritten Law Shook the mountain at Mountain High Season Pass Party on Saturday August
27th. Promoter Dave Fits/Antix Art knew just what the masses wanted. With vendor tents lining the base of the mountain, bmx
bikers, tattoos being done on site, and a bikini contest, the blistering late August heat was not the only thing heeting up
the party.
Dirty D hosting the Bikini Contest
Mountain High was rocking with great music and festivities for all. There were many opportunity drawings giving away
snowboard gear, hats, and more. The best giveaway for a couple lucky attendee's were season passes to Mountain High worth
$399 each. For those lovely ladies who did not win seasons passes, there was still a chance for them to win passes if they
participated in a Bikini Contest.
Even though the temperature at the mountain that day was in the 100’s, the mountain seem to get a lot hotter when
the ladies strutted their stuff. Who better to host this event than Dirty D of X103.9 FM. “My job is so tough”
he said with a fox grin.
X103.9 Radio DJ Dirty D hosting the Bikini Contest
Brodii Splits
Opening the music for the day was Brodii Splits (part of Low Life Music). Starting their set with originals and Sublime
hits and then taking audience requests, they got the crowd up and moving. The guys had high energy and great sound, they have
a true SoCal sound similar to Sublime and Slightly Stoopid. If Reggae/Rock is your style, check this Southern Cali band out.
J King of Low Life Music
Next up was J King jumping in with the guys and completing the Low Life Music Group. They did a split set with Brodii
(vocals and guitar, Kenny Dena drums, Dan King bass and D.J. Souless turntables and vocals). I have never seen a show quite
like this and it was awesome to see the guys had real talent. They had a huge stage presence and it spilled out into the crowd.
The audience, despite the oppressive heat, gobbled up their performance and wanted more.
Brodii Splits and J King together creating Low Life Music
Scott Russo of Unwritten Law
Unwritten Law ended the music line up of the day. As always Scott Russo, Steve “Kid” Morris, PK, and Dylan
Howard performed an unforgettable set. They brought everyone from there seats to the front of the stage. It is no wonder that
the Lancaster, CA based Unwritten Law has sold over 2 million albums. Seeing them live is an experience, not a concert.
If
music really is not your thing you could wonder through the vendor village. Among the goodies was snowboard gear ranging from
hats, to sunglasses, to boards. Drinks and concession were also available and helped to cool you down as you shopped away.
Unwritten Law
If you weren't a shopper or a big music fan, out front in the parking lot 2 BMX ramps were set up. With loud music pumping,
Ben Snowden and Victor Salazar were killing the stunts on their BMX bikes. Putting on 2 shows and practicing throughout the
day these guys were worth standing in the blazing sun to see. They have my vote for most awesome stunts. Both Snowden and
Victor Salazar are well known in the BMX world and for good reason, they take what they do seriously.
Victor Salazar
There was even something for the art fans at this event with a tattoo artist on hand and pieces of art work on display.
Throughout the day many people got tattooed. One guy, a recent transplant from Canada, even had the Mountain High logo tattooed
to his leg.
The Mountain High Season Pass party was a day of good times, good music, shopping, art, food, and extreme sports. There
really was something for everyone under the age of 40 (and even for many older than 40). Keep your eyes open for more events
from the Antix Art Family (Dave Fits) at Mt. High and throughout SoCal.
Scott Weiland - Photo Courtesy of Sean Montross
Stone Temple Pilots Bring a Big Bang to MusikFest 2011 By Michael
Meade Posted 8/22/11 1:05AM EST
Kicking off MusikFest 2011 on the inaugural show for the Sands SteelStacks
Stage was Stone Temple Pilots; the San Diego California based quartet showed the gathered that they by no means left their
ability to rock in the ‘90s! Massive applause and chants of “STP!” greeted Scott Weiland, Robert DeLeo,
Dean DeLeo, and Eric Kretz as they took the stage; the roar of cheers only growing louder as the band began their hour and
a half set. The band’s first set included (in no particular order because to be honest this writer was so excited and
into the music that I don’t recall their exact order) “Vasoline”, “Plush”, “Crackerman”,
and “Wicked Garden” among other hits from their early albums. Weiland, the DeLeos, and Kretz kept the pace going
strong for close to forty minutes before stopping for Scott Weiland to address the crowd. Speaking about STP’s reunion
in 2009, Weiland talked about loving playing but what the band wanted to do as soon as possible was cut another album, not
only because they loved doing but for the fans that made their excitement for the return of Stone Temple Pilots known. He
then went on say that the four members were honored that their return self-titled album released at number one on the Billboard
charts… only to be knocked out of the top spot by a soundtrack, a television soundtrack; the soundtrack to Glee to be
precise. As the crowd jeered Glee and resumed chanting “STP!” the band all had a laugh with each other, drummer
Eric Kretz in fact looked as though he was laughing a deep belly laugh at the reaction of the fans, Weiland looked over his
shoulder, smiled at the assembled and said with a laugh “…it’s a whole new world.”
From there
the band launched right into the first single from their self-titled album “Between The Lines”, needless to say
fans new and old in the amphitheater type set up of the SteelStacks Stage cheered anew. After a few more of STP’s newer
material, including “Take A Load Off”, it was bassist Robert DeLeo’s turn to talk to the people. DeLeo stated
that he wasn’t looking forward to playing the show before taking the stage as he wasn’t feeling well and hadn’t
been since the last stop on their tour, which was clear in his voice. He continued that there was “only one thing that
can make me feel better… pretty girls.” Cue screams of delight from just about every woman in attendance here.
STP continued to keep their earlier pace only slowing with a few of their slower numbers like “Creep” and “Sour
Girl”. As the show rolled on toward it’s climax the set list included “Big Bang Baby”, a cover
of The Doors’ “L.A. Woman”, and a few more interactions with the crowd from both Scott Weiland and Robert
DeLeo. Guitarist Dean DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz kept their interactions limited to their bandmates and the few with the
crowd were not microphone enhanced. The ending number for Stone Temple Pilots’ hour and a half set was “Trippin’
On A Hole In A Paper Heart” which of course drew some of the loudest cheers and sing along rounds of the night from
the crowd. The band then took a quick bow after the climax of the final song and ran off stage right the crowd resumed chanting
“STP!” and “Encore!” in the expectant hope of a few more songs from their rock heroes. Returning to
the stage after a few minutes the band pulled a guy from the front row seats because of his “Do you like Fishsticks?”
t-shirt, after exchanging a few words off mic with Weiland and Robert DeLeo to make sure he could shout the opening of the
first encore (the young man had imbibed one too many beers from his commemorative 2011 MusikFest light up beer mug), after
establishing that he could follow through Scott Weiland handed the man his bullhorn and held the microphone for him as he
belted the opening lines of “Dead and Bloated” to the audience that was more than happy to aid him enough to be
heard on the other side of the old steel stacks factory behind the stage. The young man, after hugging Scott Weiland and getting
a sound slap on the back from Robert DeLeo, was escorted backstage by the venue’s security. For the second and final
encore of the night STP gave the crowd “Sex Type Thing”, one of their most successful songs, which resulted in
one final and overpowering round of applause from the assembled. By the bridge of “Sex Type Thing” the Fishstick
shirt man was back… he escaped security and was dancing across the stage toward Scott Weiland who was at that moment
positioned in front of drummer Eric Kretz. The man didn’t make it to the front of the stage though; security ran from
both sides of the stage to haul him backstage once more. This elicited much laughter from guitarist Dean DeLeo as he watched
security struggle slightly to get the man to contain his one man party train. After a high energy conclusion of “Sex
Type Thing” Weiland, Robert and Dean DeLeo, and Eric Kretz joined each other on the front of the stage with arms flung
across each other’s shoulders for one final thank you and bow to the audience.
If there is one thing for certain
it is that the Stone Temple Pilots showed everyone in attendance on August 5 2011 that they have just as much rock and roll
in them now as they did in 1994. Many longtime fans were rewarded for their admiration of STP that night, and many new fans
brought by parents, siblings, romantic partners etc. are now die hard fans of the Stone Temple Pilots. In all honesty, Scott
Weiland, the DeLeo brothers Dean and Robert, and Eric Kretz put on one of the best shows this writer has seen in the past
few years. Thank you ArtsQuest and MusikFest for making it happen.
Vans Warped Tour came to Montage Mountain in Scranton,
Pennsylvania on Thursday July 14 for nine hours bringing with them eight stages and eighty-four bands; including Paramore,
Simple Plan, Less Than Jake, Black Veil Brides, MC Lars, Motionless in White among other known and up and coming names. Diversity
was a key theme on Vans Warped Tour this year, the aforementioned bands only showcasing a small degree of that mix of different
genres. The tour this year featured bands with sounds ranging from the punk, ska, and alternative expected of Warped Tour
along with metal, rap, hip hop, hardcore, screamo, pop, acoustic rock, and more! Sponsored stages this year included the
Teggart Mainstage, the Advent Stage, the Skullcandy Stage, the Kia Kevin Says Stage, the Ernie Ball Stage, the Nintendo 3DS
Stage, Tillys AP Stage, and the Dzambo Stage. The eight stages sprawled across the whole of the Toyota Pavilion at Montage
Mountain property, the venue's amphitheatre split it's large mainstage between the Nintendo 3DS and Tillys AP Stages; while
right outside the amphitheatre's seating area stood the Dzambo stage making use of a sun deck above the venue's food vendor
square.
Courtesy Vans Warped Tour
The music kicked off at 11:30-11:45AM on the Tillys AP, Skullcandy, and Kia Kevin Says Stages with Street Dogs, Pour
Habit, and The Dance Party respectively. The noon hour saw the first act of the Teggart Mainstage with Attack Attack! as well
as Go Radio on the Nintendo 3DS Stage, One Last Time and An Oceans Glance on the Ernie Ball Stage, Phone Calls from Home and
Larz on the Dzambo Stage, Stephen Jerzak on the Skullcandy Stage, The Expendables on Tillys AP Stage, and Sick of Sarah on
the Kia Kevin Says Stage.
Vans Skate Ramp - Photo: Pamela Herbert
To Write Love on Her Arms Booth - Photo: Pamela Herbert
Besides the music, Vans Warped Tour also featured the standard issue half pipe skate ramp with at least 12 skaters showcasing
their best half pipe and air tricks. Merch booths for each of the bands and labels involved with Warped this year abounded,
and mixed amongst them were booths for various charity and goodwill organizations; including Tastes Like Rock's old friends
To Write Love on Her Arms. TWLOHA is an organization providing outreach to suicidal teens and young adults, the abused and
self abused.
Several musicians on the tour this year also banded together to provide an anti-meat message to the masses
to raise vegan awareness, and many more musicians supported the Keep a Breast Foundation and their presence on Warped Tour.
Trojan Condoms was present this year handing out condoms and promoting safe sex and proper sex education for teens, a welcome
sight in an area where sex education is dangerously behind the times. Not far from the Advent Stage the anti-smoking Truth
organization hosted games and smoking awareness speeches.
Another Great Addition to Vans Warped Tour this year is the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, the Lennon Bus (of course
named in honor of the late and great Jonh Lennon) is a non-profit organization that rolls across the country with a tour
bus outfitted into a mobile music studio. In it's fourteenth year, the organization utilizes the bus to give student hands
on experience with audio and video production, songwriting and multimedia production workshops all within the bus. At any
one time there are three on board engineers that guide and mentor the student participents at each of the bus's stops. For
more information on The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus please visit www.lennonbus.org.
Now back to the music.
The 1 o'clock hour held performances from The Devil Wears Prada, The Acacia Strain, Relient K, Lionize, Big Chocolate,
Matt Brodeur, A Dawn Becoming, and Shut Up & Deal. Stages housing these acts were the Teggart Mainstage, the Advent Stage,
the Nintendo 3DS Stage, Tillys AP Stage, the Skullcandy Stage, the Ernie Ball Stage, the Dzambo Stage, and the Kia Kevin Says
Stage in respective order.
True stand out for this hour of Warped Tour in terms of fan base and performance was The Devil Wears Prada. For it being
the height of the day's hundred degree heat, the band gave a great performance and their fans, established and new, returned
the favor with their enthusiasm.
Black Veil Brides: Jake Pitts, Andy "Six" Biersack, & Jeremy "Jinxx" Ferguson - Photo: Pam Herbert
Audiences were split between Pepper, Black Veil Brides, Moving Mountains, The Ready Set, Foxy Shazam, Mazon, The Venetia
Affair, and Shira (better known as Shiragirl) from 2-3PM. Black Veil Brides, relative new comers, delivered an outstanding
set on the Advent Stage with their brand of metal flavored hard rock. Black Veil Brides had one of the most packed in audiences
during the first half of the day. Meanwhile The Venetia Fair gathered their own share of Tour goers for their set on the Dzambo
Stage, the band's harder alternative sound gaining them many new followers in Northeast Pennsylvania during their twenty-five
minute set.
Shira using her "power sword" to conquer evil. - Photo: Pamela Herbert
At 2:25PM Shira took the Kia Kevin Says Stage in a home-made She-Ra costume ("Shira", "She-Ra"... get it? Probably not
unless you were born before 1990), fans of Shira's Shiragirl material (pop punk with heavier emphasis on punk for those
that don't know) may have been surprised by her dance and hip hop oriented set list. Shira's background is in dance concentraited
on hip hop styles so the Brooklyn based songstress has returned more to her roots. Underlying the more electronic and hip
hop rhythms was an undeniably punk attitude though, Shira's sense of humor still shines in her new songs and plays out well
in her stage show. Even naysayers in the crowd at first making fun of her costume and style soon found themselves dancing
and having fun at the satirical irreverence of Shira's set.
The Aggrolites - Photo: Pamela Herbert
3 o'clock held sets from August Burns Red, Winds of Plague, I Set My Friends on Fire, The Aggrolites, Bad Rabbits, Ionia,
Cold Forty Three, Body Electric, and Avion Rose. The Aggrolites had the congregation of fans taking a rest from the heat under
the canopy of the Toyota Pavilion's mainstage (split between the Nintendo 3DS and Tillys AP Stages) pleasently surprised by
the multi-genre setlist. Some of the younger fans were introduced to funk and blues by The Aggrolites while older teens and
twenty-somethings broke into dance and showed their second wind... or third or fourth depending, was really kicking in!
Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte (3OH!3) - Photo: Pamela Herbert
3OH!3 kicked off the next hour on the Teggart Mainstage, there was no moving through the crowd drawn by the elctro hop
and rock fusion band. The band stirred up the crowd like pros; egging the crowd on into dancing, crowd surfing, beach ball
tossing, and so on. 3OH!3 received their share of cheers and jeers for thanking the crowd for being at Warped Tour as opposed
to seeing the premier of the final Harry Potter movie and then saying Harry Potter sucked. The band's set included songs from
their albums Want and Streets of Gold including the controversial "Don't Trust Me", "Starstrukk", and "My
First Kiss" among others. The 4 o'clock hour also saw Set Your Goals, Enter Shikari, D.R.U.G.S. (Destroy Rebuild Until God
Shows), Lucero, Blood On The Dance Floor, Ground Breaking Ceremony, The Exposed, Terrible Things, Tried To Reason, Poor Ghost.
Terrible Things - Photo: Pamela Herbert
Terrible Things, alt-rock supergroup currently comprised of Fred Mascherino, Josh Eppard, and Brian Weaver; took to the
Ernie Ball Stage at 4:10PM in front of a crowd vibrating with anticipation. They did not disappoint the gathered, playing
songs from their self-titled debut album including "Revolution", "Up At Night", their namesake song, and more. Even with the
positioning of the Ernie Ball Stage being on a hill the crowd of fans still danced and rocked out.
Motionless in White - Photo: Pamela Herbert
Scranton, Pennsylvania natives Motionless in White took the Ernie Ball Stage after Terrible Things. Vocalist Chris Motionless
(Christopher Cerulli) soon had the crowd in riotous thrall with his commentary that it was great to be performing in
his hometown again, listing the bars and clubs the used to gig at frequently. After this he delivered a profanity strewn message
to everyone that ever put him, and the band, down before they broke out and signed with Fearless Records finishing his thoughts
by spitting into the crowd. Needless to say a mosh pit broke out as soon as the first guitar riff was played, as the pit grew
too fast to be contained this reporter was struck in the face before being able to block and then slammed under a pile of
moshers into a few others trying to avoid being pummeled (avoidance was only to protect the cameras otherwise the man would've
learned a painful lesson especially since the young woman next to me was hurt by his strike at her, on an editorial note
I can't stand moshers that try to hit everyone in site, I will put you in your place if you try that on me). TLR! photographer
Pamela Herbert had a close call as well; rest assured she was able to elbow her attempted assailant in the face. Motionless
in White screamed songs from their last album Creatures at the crowd including the title song of the album, "London
in Terror", and "Abigail".
The remainder of the 5 o'clock hour had performances from Asking Alexandria, The Word Alive, The Wonder Years, Unwritten
Law, Passafire, Windsor Drive, Blacklist Royals, A Skylit Drive, and Think Big. 6 o'clock brought out Of Mice & Men, Every
Avenue, the exceptional classic yet modern punk rock sound of Big D & The Kids Table, Ill Scarlet, Dc Fallout,
There For Tomorrow, New York residents and Stroudsburg music scene regulars Patent Pending, and Kelsey.
Hayley Williams of Paramore - Photo: Pamela Herbert
And kicking off the 6 o'clock hour was Paramore, the Scranton PA stop of Warped Tour was their first of a handful of
dates the now trio were scheduled to play on Warped before continuing their solo touring efforts as well as gearing up for
the massive 15th Anniversary concert for their label Fueled By Ramen. Not surpisingly, as one of the most popular bands playing
Warped Tour in 2011, Paramore drew one of the largest crowds of the day; fans stood shoulder to shoulder so tightly in front
of the Teggart Stage that there was no hope of moving to or from the stage, even crowd surfing was hard to pull off for the
sheer volume of people. Cheers that could doubtless be heard from the main gate of Montage Mountain went up as soon as
Hayley Williams, decked out in a pink Ramones t-shirt and two-tone jeans, took the stage. The band deserved the praise though,
all media frenzy of being Paramore aside, the trio gave an energy filled performance with each song powerfully delivered throught
the equal efforts of vocals and instruments. Paramore's setlist included "That's What You Get", their latest single from the
Transformers: Dark of The Moon soundtrack "Monster", among other fan favorites. Their set was finished with an explosion of
red and gold confetti before giving one encore with "Misery Business".
Pierre Bouvier, vocals Simple Plan - Photo: Pamela Herbert
The final hours of the 2011 Vans Warped Tour stop in Scranton, Pennsylvania featured performances from punk ska greats
Less Than Jake, Miss May I, Dance Gavin Dance, MC Lars with special guests Weerd Science, Sharks, rapper Grieves with Budo,
The Suit, A Day To Remember, Woe is Me, The Dangerous Summer, and Simple Plan.
Sébastien Lefebvre of Simple Plan - Photo: Pamela Herbert
Tastes Like Rock! finished out it's day at Vans Warped Tour with Simple Plan on the Tillys AP Stage. The Canadian quintet
gave one of the best shows this reporter has ever seen them perform! Vocalist Pierre Bouvier could hardly contain himself
on the stage, at one point near the end of the band's set jumping from the stage into the photo pit and then escaping the
venue's security to run through the crowd. Enducing a few "damn it!" faces from the venue staff especially from the security
officer that was forced to run after Bouvier to make sure the crowd didn't get too close to him; which is just what the singer
wanted as he vaulted a chair and stood on it to finish the number he was performing. Bouvier and bassist David Desrosiers
talked the crowd of fans into forming as large a circle pit as they could, which came off pretty successfully at close to
a thirty foot circumference! Simple Plan performed their latest single "Can't Keep My Hands Off You" and fan favorites "Welcome
To My Life", "I'm Just A Kid", "Addicted", among others; with "I'd Do Anything" finishing off their set.
As always, the end of a day at Vans Warped Tour leaves you eager for the next year, that is no exception for this writer
or the rest of the TLR! staff and contributors.
Here's a final breakdown of the stages bands performed on. The breakdown as follows is according to the
official tour schedule:
Teggart Mainstage Attack Attack! The Devil Wears Prada
Pepper
August Burns Red
3OH!3
Asking Alexandria
Paramore
Less Than Jake
A Day To Remember
Skullcandy Stage
Pour Habit
Stephen Jerzak
Big Chocolate
Foxy Shazam
Big B
Bad Rabbits
Blood on The Dance Floor
Passafire
Ill Scarlett
MC Lars with Weerd Science
Grieves with Budo
Advent Stage
We Came As Romans
The Acacia Strain
Black Veil Brides
Winds of Plague
Set Your Goals
Enter Shikari
The Word Alive
Of Mice & Men
Miss May I
Woe is Me
Kia Kevin Says Stage
The Dance Party
Sick of Sarah
Shut Up & Deal
River City Extension
Shira
Ionia
Ground Breaking Ceremony
The Exposed
Windsor Drive
Blacklist Royals
Dc Fallout
Sharks
Nintendo 3DS Stage
Go Radio
Relient K
Moving Mountains
I Set My Friends on Fire
D.R.U.G.S.
The Wonder Years
Every Avenue
Dance Gavin Dance
The Dangerous Summer
Ernie Ball Stage
One Last Time
An Oceans Glance
A Dawn Becoming
Mazon
Machine Gun Kell
Cold Forty Three
Terrible Things
Motionless in White
A Skylit Drive
There For Tomorrow
The Suit
Tillys AP Stage
Street Dogs
The Expendables
Lionize
The Ready Set
The Aggrolites
Lucero
Unwritten Law
Big D & The Kid's Table
Simple Plan
Dzambo Stage
Phone Calls from Home
Larz
Matt Brodeur
Lacerda
The Venetia Fair
Body Electric
Avion Roe
Tried to Reason
Poor Ghost
Think Big
Patent Pending
Kelsey
For more information on Vans Warped Tour and all the bands that appeared on the 2011 tour visit www.vanswarpedtour.com, for more on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus visit www.lennonbus.org, for more information on To Write Love on Her Arms please visit www.twloha.com, for more on The Truth vist www.thetruth.com.
Pat Benatar – Still Hittin’ with HER Best Shot! By Deborah
Meade Posted 7/14/11 1:06AM EST
Pat Benatar (courtesy benatar.com)
Neil "Spyder" Giraldo (courtesy benatar.com)
Concert at the Sands Casino, Bethlehem, PA June 26, 2011
Pat Benatar quipped to Spyder, her husband and longtime band
mate, Neil Giraldo, “I always say I’m not gonna do ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’ or Hey Spyder, Let’s
take ‘Hit me’ out of the line up, but everytime we remove it all of you (audience, fans) Face book, email, twitter
about how disappointed you are, so here it is again.” The four time consecutive Grammy winner does definitely do it
again and certainly does not disappoint her show was one of the best concerts I have seen in a very long time. Pat Benatar
started with ‘All My Love’, one of my favorites, and proceeded into ‘Shadows of the Night, another one of
my personal favorites. I enjoyed the voice that I listened to during my high school years and found very fond memories. Pat
delivers a performance as full of energy as when she first started her recording career. Her style and skills have matured
with grace without lacking the beauty, range, and power that Pat Benatar is known for in the music business. Some of the songs
from the concert’s set list were: ‘Shadows of the Night’, ‘Invincible’, ‘Somebody’s
Baby’, ‘Heartbreaker’, ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’, “Fire and Ice’, ‘Love
is a Battlefield’, ‘Promises in the Dark’, ‘You Better Run’ (Pat’s first MTV video), ‘Hell
is for Children’, ‘Shadows of the Night’, ‘We Belong’ (another of my personal favorites), and
many more of her all time greats.
Pat in the 80s (courtesy benatar.com)
From opening to closing her voice was as powerful as I remember from her first performance on MTV. Pat Benatar was the
first female recording artist to appear on MTV and the second performer overall. After some issues with sound, (the sound
person needs a little more practice before undertaking this size concert) initially the sound was causing some trouble, but
that did not inhibit a stellar performance from Pat Benatar. At age 59 Pat is still a Heartbreaker. She was wearing a very
stylish tiered black cocktail dress with opaque black stockings that showed off her still gorgeous legs, though I noticed
that just like all of us, whom have retired their 3-4 inch spikes, Pat Benatar had on very cool witchy 2 inch heeled boots.
Her blazer was reminiscent of the 80’s Bolero jackets – very nice.
OK I know all you gentlemen who
read Tastes Like Rock! just rolled your eyes and thought Hey, just the music please, but the women want to know!
Pat Benatar & Neil "Spyder" Giraldo (courtesy benatar.com)
One of the best parts of the concert was a segment in which Pat and Spyder sat down and performed an acoustic segment of “You
Better Run.” Pat and Spyder reminisced about days on the road and some of their first performances together including
a rock festival in Oklahoma called Rocklahoma. The song was bluesy. It really showed Ms. Benatar’s lovely vocal cords
off. Though Pat whispered in conspiratorial fashion that they, Pat and Spyder, added this part to the concert because and
I quote, “We’re old! And we need to sit down for awhile.” I cannot agree with the old part, because Pat,
Spyder and the whole band really rocked the house! Better I must say then several other concerts we have seen recently that
had fewer sets and more bands.
After, this brief time with the audience on an intimate level, Pat, Spyder, Mick Mahan on bass, and Chris Ralles on drums
played, ‘Hell is for Children.’ Pat explained that she was horrified about a story she read in a NY paper about
an expose on child abuse. She wrote down some thoughts to create a song and had Spyder polish it up. Pat now sings the song
at every concert in honor of those children and all victims of abuse. She said they would always perform ‘Hell is for
Children’ until all child abuse stopped. Throughout the concert Pat Benatar and Spyder explained their inspirations
for songs and gave a little history on the lyrics and music. It gave the concert an intimate feel, as if we were all sitting
around singing and talking at a house party.
Pat Benatar (courtesy benatar.com)
Mick Mahan on bass was wonderful! He has a genuine gift that creates a jazzy mystique around songs like ‘Shadows of
the Night’, ‘We Belong’ and ‘Hell is for Children’. He is very well matched for Pat’s
dynamic vocals and Spyder’s exceptional guitar and piano playing. Drummer and Percussionist Chris Ralles delivers a
hard pounding yet delicate performance where required. His drumming was right on and awesome, especially in ‘Invincible’
and ‘Hit Me with Your Best Shot’, though I cannot pick out a bad song performance or train wreck in this concert.
The Pat Benatar band is very tight and together throughout the whole concert. Neil, Spyder, Giraldo is an absolutely great
talent. His guitar riffs are exceptional, his playing is incredible. Truly one of the all time great guitar players, Spyder
is right up there with Jimmy Hendricks, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. But, he also plays a phenomenal piano. At one
point in the concert Spyder was playing one handed piano and one hand guitar transitioning between the two instruments, and
it was one of the most skilled transitions between instruments I have ever seen.
If you get the chance to go check
out a concert, do so… you will not be disappointed! www.benatar.comhas a full listing of their 2011 dates – don’t miss out!
"Between a Heart and a Rock Place" available at all major book retailers
Pat Benatar has also written an autobiography, “Between a Heart and a Rock Place” detailing her life in the
music business. It is a very real, down to earth account of her life, check it out, too. Tastes Like Rock! would like to thank
ArtsQuest and Mark Demko for allowing us to review this awesome concert. Thank you and I personally am grateful for the event,
we had a wonderful time!
ABOUT ARTSQUEST ArtsQuest™ is a Bethlehem, PA-based
nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, festivals, cultural experiences and educational and outreach programs that
aid in economic development, urban revitalization, cultural arts and community enrichment. Through festivals such as its flagship
event, Musikfest®; the Banana Factory® cultural arts and education center; and the ArtsQuest Center and SteelStacks™
arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.5 million people annually. For more information
visit www.artsquest.org.
Hell Rained at Pro-Am MMA Gym in Temecula By Melissa Anderson Photographs
by Sky & Melissa Anderson Posted 6/13/11 6:15PM EST
Members of AchronicA perform inside the octagon @ Pro Am MMA Gym, Temecula, CA
AchronicA, an up and coming Temecula, CA Metal band will be releasing their first music video “Hell Will Rain.”
The band members have played individually for many years, but are somewhat new to the music scene as AchronicA. In a short
time they have taken the Metal world by the balls. They’ve been Rocking it from LA and the iconic Whiskey A Go Go to
San Diego’s Brick by Brick, and everywhere in between. In a very short amount of time they have grown a strong fan base
that can’t get enough AchronicA.
Director Wes Anderson instructs the people being filmed in the mosh pit the rules for filming.
On May 22nd, just a day after the Rapture, Hell did Rain at Pro-Am MMA Gym in Temecula. It was there the
band, and about 50 hard core AchronicA fans came together to participate in the filming of the video. Placed within a formidable
MMA octagon serving as the bands stage, the band blazed through each take while the fans surrounded it and banged to hard
metal beats. This set the stage for what will surely be an iconic, old-school metal video. The video was filmed by Rockwell
Anderson Media and will be available on YOUtube after the release.
Behind the scenes at AchronicA's music video shoot for "Hell Will Rain"
Now that you have been introduced to the band, let me tell you a bit about the venue. Pro Am MMA Gym has been around for 5
years. It was started by John Volpe and his wife Rosemarie. Within 2 years the gym grew to the point of needing a partner.
That is when Jessie Curtis joined the team. Pro Am is a mixed martial arts gym. Because of this it is supportive of multiple
disciplines including wrestling, karate, and MMA fighting. “We are a family oriented gym. We gear towards moms, dads
and kids.” That is not just words for the team over at Pro-Am. They do a lot within the community. The character Development
Program created by the Pro Am Gym helped raise $17,470 for local schools in the area. So far 8 schools have participated including
East Hale Curran Elementary, Buchanan Elementary, and Antelope Elementary. The students are taught basics kicks and punches.
However, the focus is on the behavioral and life lessons of the course. There is homework and activities as part of this 2
week program.
Behind the scenes at the video shoot for "Hell Will Rain"
There is another element to Pro-Am. Sanctioned Violence Fight Gear, a clothing line that was launched 7-7-7 in Las Vegas at
the MAGIC show, and is the brain child of Rosemarie. “The line is like the underground of MMA apparel. We have 3 graphic
artist and we do everything from the design to the marketing. At this point in time we are (distributed) worldwide,”
explained John. Pro-Am has also donated shirts to our troops.
Derek Harstook, drummer for AchronicA
Weston's Reunion Show to Rock Planet Trog Friday June 3
By Michael Meade
Posted 5/30/11 2:52PM EST
Early '90s Post Punk outfit Weston is reuniting to blow the roof off Planet Trog in their native Bethlehem
area of Pennsylvania this Friday night! Weston formed in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1990 and quickly became one of the
local stand out punk bands, in spite of that Weston has one hell of a winding road over the band's twenty-one years performing.
Plagued by line up changes, splitting up and reforming, the band has and continues to soldier on doing what they love... playing
music and making people get up and have some fun!
Weston performing "Just Like Kurt" in December of 2009
at the Mercury Lounge in NYC Courtesy Weston and Reybee Inc.
Weston takes their name from founding member Dave Weston's surname. Since 1992 Weston has produced six full studio albums
and one live LP, recorded at a past reunion show at Maxwell's in Hoboken, New Jersey in 2008.
This latest reunion show continues Weston's annual reunion tour that began with the show at Maxwell's and has been
continuing on since. Weston's reunion shows are slowly but surely taking most of the Northeast's venues and leaving crowds
of fans, new and old, wanting more.
Joining Weston on stage at Planet Trog will be Fred Mascherino (Taking Back Sunday,
Terrible Things), Brian Carley (emo icon best known from Penfold), and The Front Bottoms. Planet Trogg is definitely set to
rock hard this Friday! There are still tickets available: http://planettrog.com/livemusic.html
Weston is Commodore D. Jones (guitar, vocals), Don Juan Evans (guitar, vocals), Areola Jones (drums), Little
Anthony Billups bass, vocals). FOr more on Weston check out www.myspace.com/westonrockspa.
Vegas Rocks for the Troops at the Copa Room By Melissa Anderson Posted
4/10/11 10:25PM EST
The Copa Room, located behind Bootlegger’s at 7700 South Las Vegas Blvd.,
hosted an event for Operation Gratitude and Wounded Warriors on Sat. April 2, 2011. Honoring our soldiers was the reason to
rock the night away at the Copa Room, and rock it did.
L-R: Phil X, Lenita Erickson, Marco Mendoza - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Lenita Erickson, the "Vixen Queen of Rock and Roll" can now add star events coordinator to her list of accomplishments. The
talent that she brought to the stage was a rock and roll A list that included Marco Mendoza (Ted Nugent, Whitesnake, Soul
SirkUS, Blue Murder and currently touring with Thin Lizzy), Phil X, who is arguably the top guitarist ever (Rob Zombie, Chris
Cornell, Daughtry, Bon Jovi, Tommy Lee, and the list of accolades goes on for him) currently with The Drills, D’ Vir,
a local Vegas band who rocked it, and Mojo Risin, another Las Vegas band doing the Doors so spot on you would almost think
Jim had been resurrected.
The talent did not end there. The M.C. for the the night was Brandon Gooch Hahn from KOMP 92.3. His excitement lent a spark
to an already hot night.
Marco Mendoza - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
A silent auction was being held through the night to raise money for Operation Gratitude and Wounded Warriors. The items included
signed guitars from Darrius Rucker and many more rockers, gift baskets with signed T-shirts from Slayer, drum sticks from
various rock artists, and Ted Nugent memorabilia. Count’s Tattoo Company (located in the Rio Hotel and Casino) donated
tattoos and military discounts. One hundred percent of the proceeds went to the charities.
Phil X - playing his iphone and guitar at the same time - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
The surprise of the night was when Lenita took the stage. The combination of her vocals and the guys jamming made for
a once in a lifetime rock and roll moment. It was a performance that I would put in my top 5 best - ever.
Phil X - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
The Copa Room, if you have not checked it out, is a must see. With large chandeliers, spacious dance floor, comfortable seating,
an enormous stage complete with t.v. screens on both sides, and excellent sound and lighting - this venue is top notch. Ron
Mancuso, owner of the Copa Room and guitarist for the band “Beggars & Thieves”, should be proud of his venue.
The ambiance is a mixture of Rock and elegancy. The staff is friendly and polite. This is the place for events whether it
be a wedding, a fashion show, or a rock concert. The Copa Room can pull off all of these events in style.
BellaKay Productions Brings International Act to IE By Melissa
Anderson Posted 3/24/11 4:00PM EST
Despite a massive downpour in the IE, fans came out to
rock the night at Stinger's in San Bernardino. Presented by BellaKay Productions (Steve Wilson) and hosted by Stinger's, the
night rocked out with As you Were, Assuming We Survive, Ryan Calhoun, and the former singer of the supergroup Live - Ed Kowalczyk.
As You Were - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
As You Were kicked off an explosive night of rock and roll. They rocked the crowd with a high energy and overpowering stage
presence, combined with hard driving riffs and lyrics. They set the stage for the evening and got the crowd involved in their
set.
Assuming We Survive - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Assuming We Survive took the stage next. “Our goal to prove there is still hope in this angry and dying scene”
is their Facebook motto. Everytime I've seen them take the stage they go above and beyond proving this. If you have not seen
them live you need to . They are like an exploding supernova, shooting their music and energy out into the crowd at a fierce
rate leaving you pumped up and ready to rock. Currently they are in the studio working on more smash hits.
Assuming
We Survive had special guest Joe Lawson from Hyla Brook perform with them on their final song of their set. He killed it as
usual and added even more passion to the set.
Ryan Calhoun - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Ryan Calhoun softened the night up with an acoustic rock set. Even though the set was softer it still hit the crowd hard.
With great sound, passion and a tight performance, Calhoun was a good fit for the night, calming down the overall vibe before
the headliner took the stage.
Ed Kowalczyk - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
The night ended with the headliner Ed Kowalczyk, former lead singer of Live, performing songs from his newest album as
well as songs from Live. The fans gave his new music a warm welcome and really got excitable when he stepped into the time
machine and played hits from Live.
Once again Stingers was the place to be. Great shows by BellaKay Productions at a great club. To keep shows like this one
coming to the IE, support local music and come on out to the next show!
Blast The Roof Off! By Lacey Bowden Posted 2/16/11 7:30PM EST
Kopek's Daniel Jordan - Photo: Lacey Bowden
Scene: The Sherman. Players: Kopek, My Darkest Days, Saving Abel, and Hinder. Audience: From all over the area.
Volume Level: Off the Charts.
All the way from Ireland to open for the show, Kopek broke the silence with their alternative rock. Happy to report that
Dan (the lead singer) was pleasant to talk to. Sources had mixed feelings on them but most who we talked to had enjoyed the
new sound. The crowd had already started getting hot and heavy by the time they finished their set.
L-R Sal Costa and Matt Walst of My Darkest Days - Photo: Lacey Bowden
When My Darkest Days came out everyone started getting wild. The band even started with the “titty-cam” right
before they played their hit Porn Star Dancing. The crowd swelled in size and rocked out with them as they sang their hearts
out. It was amazing as the singer started shouting to the crowd to raise their voices so they could blow the roof off. They
even got a present of a bra which Sal put on the mic as he sang.
L-R Jared Weeks, Eric Taylor, & Scott Bartlett - Photo: Michael Meade
At last it was time for Saving Abel who came out with their Mississippi-born band and got the crowd fired up. They even
stopped in the middle of the set to dedicate a song to the troops stationed out of the country. They reminded everyone
that songs about sex were the biggest hits that night when they whipped out "Addicted". Not surprising that everyone sang
along with them. Then they pumped everyone up for the big finale…
L-R Joe Garvey, Mike Rodden, & Austin Winkler - Photo: Lacey Bowden
Hinder came out surrounded by red lights and a raised drum stand with huge fencing on both sides. More light show and
overacting than actual good rock, but at least we had the opening bands. Winkler's singing was overdone and he talked
through half the set. The lights were more entertaining. The band performed their newest songs ("All American
Nightmare", "Loaded and Alone") and some of their older hits.
All in all I think it was the opening bands that made the night amazing. The sound system was definitely blasting and
the crowd was pleased. All the bands were good with handling their fans. Except for the ones that got dragged out for having
the lack of brains for not smoking in the building. Seriously, hasn’t it been long enough for everyone to have gotten
the memo about no more cigarettes inside?
Rehab show at Stinger's features East Coast, West Coast, & Southern talent By Melissa Anderson
Posted 2/10/11 4:45PM EST
J-Riva of Osology - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
When you have Osology and Lost Souls representing the IE & SoCal (L.A.) music scene combined with Brian Desind shouting
out the East Coast, plus Rehab in the house giving the South its props, you have an off the hook line up. Stinger’s
once again was the place to be for a night to remember. Despite the downpour Sunday January 30th the show went on. Die hard
fans were out in force to see their bands and get a taste of something new
L-R Danny Swagger and Oso of Osology - Photos: Rockwell Anderson Media
Lost Souls - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
If you are from the IE you have no doubt heard of Osology and Lost Souls. Both rap bands are masters at engaging the
crowd. Osology lets it be known they represent the IE music scene. They are energetic, tight, and put on a professional performance.
I have seen them more than once and I have never been disappointed with a show. They keep getting better and better.
Andy Magruder AKA Bass of Lost Souls - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Lost Souls, another SoCal rap “band”, were equally engaging. With abundant energy and focus, they have
a powerful, fluent sound. Lost Souls lyrics are hard and heartfelt at the same time. One of their songs was about a soldier
and suicide. The lyrics were so touching that a veteran of the armed force in the crowd was seen crying. She had lost someone
close to her that was in the military. That person had taken his own life after coming home from war.
Lost Souls - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
BD (Brian Desind) - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
One surprise of the night was Brian Desind (BD) from New York, representing the East Coast. He was not what I expected. He
performed with his drummer and mixed music samples. Tall in stature and strong in voice, he was overwhelmingly amazing. His
lyrics were smart, and tight. Think you might be bored watching just one guy and a drummer? You did not see the theatrics
of Brian. His moves were as rhythmic as his sound. An added bonus, in my opinion, was his rendition of the song “People
are Strange” by the Doors. Being a huge Doors fan myself, I was impressed by his take on the classic.
Rehab was the final act of the night and the show headliner. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, they represented the Southern
U.S. With an aggressive and soulful presence, they performed a crowd-pleasing set. The audience was given a worthwhile experience
from Rehab. This show at Stinger’s marked the last of their California tour dates with a stop in Utah next before heading
to the Midwest.
Stinger’s, in cooperation with promoter Steve Wilson of BellaKay Productions, made this show possible. Not only did
they provide fans a chance to see a West Coast, East Coast, & Southern extravaganza, they also thanked our Soldiers. Anyone
with a military ID was given free admission. To make shows like this possible and to be able to allow cheap or free tickets
to our soldiers, it is important to support local music and the independent venue’s that host not only National acts,
but also give you a show with local musicians.
Divide the Day’s Super Future & Raucous Past By Melissa Anderson
Posted 1/31/11 11:30PM EST
Billy Haig, bass player and founding member of Divide the Day, recently took time out to sit down with me and talk about
what it is like to be a rock band signed to a major label.
Divide the Day has played thousands of shows, toured with
countless bands, and their song “Let It Roll” is used as one of the theme songs for the WWE. Their new big news
for the start of 2011 involves the biggest sports spectacle in the world. “Let It Roll” will be played in the
stadium at the 2011 Super Bowl. Billy was open and honest on the struggles and the triumphs that he has experienced, both
before being signed and after. He shared this and a whole lot more of how he started playing music, and what life as a rock
star is like in our interview.
Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Steve Wilson of Fall Into Mourning provides guest vocals for Divide the Day's hit "One Night Stand"
“Being on a record label sounds great and exciting but it can suck the life out of you musically. The plus side is exposure
and more respect from people, and getting your songs on the radio.” Billy also went on to say that they had the choice
of record label deals and neither was that good of a deal, but they really wanted to get signed. “I would tell bands
to focus on legitimate management, a good booking agent, and focus on publishing. Once a song gets out there that you have
written that is when the money comes in. I would also tell bands to look at Indy Labels. We used to be part of Pluto records
and they looked out for us. It was more personal.”
Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Dave Strickland of Idasas provided guest vocals for 2 Divide the Day songs
Billy not only had advice on what it was like to get signed and his views on it, he also shared with us what life on the road
is like. “Your practice is the shows. You're out there playing every night.” I asked him if any tour stuck out
in his memory. He went on to tell me about how the band signed their record label deal at South By Southwest. “Everywhere
we went it was a party, everybody new we just got signed and people were congratulating us.”
I asked Billy what
coming home after a tour is like? “For me it is sitting on the couch, turning on the tv, not going out or drinking for
a couple of weeks.” That is how Billy re-acclimates to a regular life. “I don’t talk to the guys for a few
weeks either. We have just been on the road together everyday and every night.”
Divide the Day has been a band
since early 2001. In that time it has went through a number of lineup changes, at least 5 drummers and at least 8-9 guitarists.”
I remember a time when it was just me and Joe the lead singer. It was that way for about 6 months.” However, the current
lineup has been the same for the last 3 years and the band has been signed for 2 years
I was curious what venues Billy liked the best. “The small dive bars that hold 50 to 100 people are awesome. The fans
are in your face and spilling beer on you. Some people might think that is annoying but I love it. But on the other hand there
is nothing like being in a huge stadium with thousands of fans singing your songs. What I don’t like about the big venues
is that the audience is so far back you can feel a bit disconnected at times. I just get up there and smile. Some people love
it and others tell me that I am in a rock band and I should not smile. But I love what I do. Rock and Roll. I can get up there
have fun and shake my ass; that is what rock and roll is to me.”
To all up and coming bands, Billy’s advice
is to build a strong fan base, practice and enjoy it. “When you are on the road for months at a time that is your practice.”
He also points out that when you are not touring that practice is important, as well as writing new songs and recording.
Billy Haig of Divide the Day - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
The story of how Haig started his bass career is in his words “totally ridiculous”. “I was in class and
there was a girl sitting behind me that I had a crush on. My other friend was talking to me about being in a band so I said
“…yeah I play bass.” He said “great - lets jam sometime.” “The truth - I had never played
bass and I had only played my brothers guitar twice. One day the guy said come and jam with me and my band I said I can’t
- I don’t have my bass here. He said he had one. It was the first time I had seen one (a bass guitar). I put it in my
hand and tried to play. The guitarist in the band wanted to know why I was at practice ‘cause I sucked, but the drummer,
who was my friend, told the guys to teach me. So the guitarist taught me Stairway to Heaven - but he only taught me the last
part and said that there was no bass in the song after that. That is how I started bass.”
As for influences
in his personal life went, Billy credited his mom and his brother. “My mom would sing and play the piano. She was talented
but I didn’t really think about it because it was something she would just do. I got my influence from my brother, he
would pick up the guitar. I know he got it from my mom - he was older than me.”
When asked about advice to up and coming bands about wanting to get signed by a major record label Billy stated “It
isn’t what you think it is. You have to work twice as hard once you get signed. A lot of time people fail because they
think it comes easy once you are signed.” Along with sharing this with new bands out there trying to make it, Haig had
a few words to say about the music business over the last 10 years. Where it was and where it is going. “I have seen
the birth of MySpace, the death of MySpace. On the one hand it gets your band noticed but with all the free downloads and
people buying tapes and cd’s less at the end of the day, it hurts small bands. They should lower the cost of cd’s.
With auto tune the business is less about talent. I am sort of scared of where the industry is headed. What we need is another
great band like the Beatles, Guns and Roses, Kiss (some people may disagree with me on that one). I think there are too many
bands out there for this to happen.”
Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Joe, lead singer for Divide the Day, wasn't able to make a recent show due to illness.
Billy had a bit of advice for the Inland Empire in California. “It lacks a good venue. There is no place like Showcase
Theater. I wish we had something like that again.” What Billy likes about the Inland Empire music scene is that all
the bands get along and look out for each other. Divide the Day proved this when they performed at Stingers on January 8th
and there singer had to cancel right before the show. “I didn’t know what to do but I was not going to cancel
on Steve (show promoter and lead vocals for Fall Into Mourning) or our fans. That is when I asked Steve to step in and sing
- he knew the words. I also asked Dave of IDASAS to step in. My nephew was there and he knew the songs.” By the end
of the show the fans were on stage with the band rocking out. It was a shortened set but it left the fans with an experience.
They got to rock out with Divide the Day.
In the end it is all about the music. “Keep jamming and having fun!”
Perhaps Billy’s best advice.
Put together Less Than Jake, Patent Pending, Off With Their Heads, and Supervillains in a small venue in a small town
and what do you get?... One awesome evening with the crowd growing every minute. And Tastes Like Rock was there to cover it
all. Patent Pending started off with an energizing set to wake everyone up. Joe (lead vocals) gave uplifting words to those
who needed them. He spoke out against suicide and invited anyone to contact the band if they needed someone to speak with.
Off With Their Heads - Photo: Michael Meade
Next up was Off With Their Heads bringing that good old ska and reggae to the stage with their Minneapolis twist. They rocked
out during their half hour block as more people trickled in. The atmosphere was getting clouded with the smell of alcohol,
sweat, and other assorted scents best not mentioned.
Supervillains - Photo: Michael Meade
After another smooth transition Supervillains, the last opening act, came out to make way for Less Than Jake. They rocked
out to songs that spoke about drugs, alcohol, and other punk scene subjects. Their sound was smooth and the saxophone was
well played. They also encouraged the small mosh pit to grow larger, and the group listened.
Less Than Jake's Chris Demakes - Photo: Michael Meade
And finally… the main event. Less Than Jake got onstage and the crowd went wild. They played songs off of their new
album TV/EP. Even including a remix of the theme song from SpongeBob Squarepants for a lucky birthday boy who danced for a
t-shirt and cd as a gift from Less Than Jake for his 10th birthday.
There were multiple stage dives and quite a few people crowd surfing. Chris even started a conversation with the audience
discussing which bar he and the band should party at after the show. They had the entire venue jumping up and down to the
beat. I have to say, Less Than Jake does know how to put on a show. Their interactivity with the swarm of fans was well played
out and they entertained everyone there.
Fall Into Mourning Shoots "Dusty Road" Music Video By Melissa
Anderson
Posted 1/21/11 5:30PM EST
What happens when you team up a brilliant kick-ass pull at your hear strings rock song with a music, art, and fashion
non-profit? You get the new Dusty Road music video from Fall Into Mourning which tells the story of Michelle Renee, and Rock
to Stop Violence.
Michelle Renee - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
In November of 2000, Michelle Renee and her daughter were kidnapped, held hostage, and Michelle was forced to rob the bank
she worked at. If she did not, then her and her daughter would not be here to tell their story today. All of this came after
Michelle’s violent childhood. Michelle had a choice; she could either be a victim the rest of her life or she could
move on and heal. The fighter that she is left her with no choice; she moved on and is in healing with her daughter. Out of
her tragedy came the non-profit Rock to Stop Violence. It is this organization that uses rock and roll music, art, and fashion
to heal and spread her message of non-violence.
Fall Into Mourning during the video shoot - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Ten years after the episode Michelle has decided to tell her story through a music video. When she heard “Dusty Road”,
an original song written by Steve Wilson, lead vocals of Fall Into Mourning, she had an immediate connection. Michelle fell
in love with the song and her and Steve put her concept to his lyrics and the rest is soon to be music history.
Chateau Orleans, Pacific Beach CA owned by George Harrion's Great Nephew, video site-Photo: Anderson
Alex Whiting, lead guitarist of Fall Into Mourning - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
The video features Michelle, her daughter, and Steve to tell the story of the crime, and most importantly the healing process
that her and her daughter have gone through the past 10 years. The music video will be premièred at an upcoming Fall Into
Mourning concert in Los Angeles or Las Vegas. The music video will also be used by Rock to Stop Violence as an awareness tool.
One unique aspect of this process is that it is being filmed and still photographed and shared with the world via FaceBook.
Michelle and Steve chose Rockwell Anderson Media to do the project. Rockwell Anderson shot Fall Into Mourning’s first
music video “Angel” and the style that they film in was what this project needed. Stay tuned for the music video
premiere details and event.
Stingers in San Bernardino Buzzed By Melissa Anderson Posted
1/14/11 3:30PM EST
Saturday January 8th Stingers in San Bernardino hosted a 6 band concert featuring a
bomb line up: Osology, Assuming We Survive, Fall Into Mourning, Hyla Brook, and national act headliner's Divide the Day and
the Black Cloud Collective. The entertainment did not end there. Sullen clothing line model Miss Murder MC’d the
event. Comedian Don Hefty also graced the stage with pee your pants, gut busting funny.
Brandon Saller (Atreyu) with his side project Black Cloud Collective - Photo Rockwell Anderson Media
The show was promoted by BellaKay Productions. What does that mean for you as a fan? In short you will leave the concert knowing
that you got the best bang for your buck. It is not often that a concert goer gets to experience 6 bands at one show including
2 national acts. All of this for a smidge of the cost of a single act show.
This means for the bands they get a chance to be at a venue that is intimate enough for them to mingle with their fans. Brandon
Saller of Black Cloud Collective and Atreyu mentioned that this gig was great. He was impressed with the stage setup and the
size of the venue. Other performers that night raved about the sound at the show.
Assuming We Survive - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Divide The Day with guest singer Steve Wilson of Fall Into Mourning - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
This show came at a special time for Divide the Day. They were able to let their fans know their song “ Let it Roll”
is being played at the Super Bowl (before commercial breaks) this year . The fans excitement was only surpassed by Divide
the Days sharing of the news.
Support for shows like this is what makes it possible for such a great night to happen. To show your love and be supportive
and if you are a fan of one of the local bands playing, get tickets from them. The bands not only get to rock out for their
fans but they have the opportunity to play with national acts, sometimes this means that they get to perform with bands that
have influenced them and that they follow. It is a win, win for all parties involved.
Hyla Brook - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
Keep your eyes peeled for up and coming events from BellaKay Productions. With your support shows like Stingers will be
offered more frequently. Not only that the price is right and big name bands are coming to the IE. When you come to a show
put together by Steve Wilson CEO of BellaKay Productions and lead vocals of Fall Into Mourning you’re not just getting
a concert you are getting an experience.
Fall Into Mourning - Photo: Rockwell Anderson Media
 rocked the house!)
